What we say about the firm's legal practice in North
Corporate and commercial
Within Corporate and commercial: Newcastle, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
Key deals for the ‘solid’ 11-partner team at Muckle LLP included advising Visage Group on its £173m sale to Li & Fung, and Robson Brown on the sale of its marketing and advertising agency to California-based company Round 2. New client wins in the defence, IT and retail sectors bolstered the firm’s impressive client list. The ‘tenacious, patient, and thoughtful’ Joanne Davison and Hugh Welch are singled out, and Nicola Loose and Craig Swinhoe have recently been promoted to partner. Clients rate the team’s ‘focused, sound and relevant advice’.
Crime, fraud and licensing
Within Licensing Licensing
Dispute resolution
Within Commercial litigation: Newcastle, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
Muckle LLP’s clients ‘cannot recommend the team highly enough’ for its ‘prompt, professional and relevant responses’. Stewart Irvine is currently acting for a national retailer in the defence of £1m-plus claims against three creditors relating to its purchase of 80 stores from a company in administration. Susan Howes recently joined the team from Crutes Law Firm.
Within Debt recovery, Muckle LLP is a first tier firm,
Stewart Irvine heads the full-service team at Muckle LLP, whose clients include Newcastle College and Vertu Motors plc. It recently acted for clients on the recovery of monies for unpaid goods and medical reports. Its ‘overall level of service is second to none’.
Finance
Within Banking and finance, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
Muckle LLP is considered a ‘trusted adviser that provides professional, commercial and friendly advice’. Team head Louise Duffy, who is singled out for her ‘constructive’ advice, advised Bank of Scotland on additional funding matters, and new client Santander UK on several transactions in the healthcare space. Stephen McNicol enjoys a strong reputation.
Within Insolvency and corporate recovery , Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
The arrival of Andrew Cawkwell from Watson Burton LLP marks out Muckle LLP as a firm to watch in this area. The team recently advised a large entertainment company in its solvent reorganisation, and acted for Vertu Motors plc in the purchase of two motor dealerships by its subsidiaries.
Human resources
Within Employment, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
In 2010, Chris Maddock replaced Tony McPhillips as head of the employment department at Muckle LLP. Paul Johnstone is ‘down to earth and skilled’, and the team as a whole provides an ‘excellent service that is extremely responsive and diligent’. The team advised Rafa Benitez on his exit from Liverpool FC, and continues to act as retained adviser to London South Bank University. Key areas of strength include the enforcement of post-termination restrictions, TUPE transfers and executive severance. Associate Jill Donabie recently joined from Eversheds LLP.
Overview
Within Regional review, Muckle LLP is a third tier firm,
Watson Burton LLP has undergone a substantial restructuring process following its decision to refocus its business model. It saw the departure of key partners such as Rob Langley, Keith Hately, Andrew Cawkwell, Simon Scougall and Paul McGowan.
Private client
Within Charities , Muckle LLP is a third tier firm,
Muckle LLP advised the board of Mental Health North East on its proposed independence and sustainability agenda, and also advised on the Hudswell Community Pub initiative relating to the transfer of assets to the local community. Hugh Welch and Joanne Davison are the key contacts.
Within Family, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
The ‘professional, personable and outstanding’ Jonathan Dunkley leads the team at Muckle LLP, which acts for high-net-worth individuals in divorce and ancillary relief proceedings.
Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Muckle LLP is a third tier firm,
Muckle LLP saw the arrival of ‘unrivalled technical expert’ Keith Hately from Watson Burton LLP. It has a full-service offering and advises business clients, senior executives, professionals and wealthy individuals.
Projects, energy and natural resources
Within Energy, Muckle LLP is a third tier firm,
Rob Langley recently joined the team at Muckle LLP from Watson Burton LLP, bringing upstream oil and gas and wind farm fabrication expertise. Will McKay recently advised Port of Blyth on a major new biomass power station development. New arrival Ian Fells, formerly a professor at Newcastle University, is an energy strategy expert.
Public sector
Within Education, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
The highly regarded Tony McPhillips leads the team at Muckle LLP, which advises London South Bank University and Emmanuel Schools Foundation, and new clients such as City of Sunderland College, on property and employment matters, among others. It is also advising a number of schools considering a conversion to academy status.
Real estate
Within Commercial property: Newcastle, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
The team at Muckle LLP ‘consistently meets and exceeds clients’ requirements with exceptional depth and breadth of experience’. New client gains include Persimmon plc, South Tyneside Council and University of Sunderland. The 20-fee-earner team includes newly promoted partners Jason Wainwright and Will McKay; and ‘rising star’ James Armstrong. Clients praise Jonathan Combe for his ‘incredibly astute and knowledgeable approach’.
Within Construction , Muckle LLP is a third tier firm,
At Watson Burton LLP, Roddy Gordon and Mark Lawton are ‘very capable and experienced lawyers’. The team is currently acting for Mansion Group and Bellway on several major projects. In a significant departure, the highly rated Rob Langley moved to Muckle LLP.
Within Planning, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
Muckle LLP recently advised Wycliffe Estates on s106 agreements relating to a major residential scheme, and Durham County Council on the redevelopment of the Riverside Cricket Ground. The ‘excellent’ Jonathan Combe heads up the team.
Within Property litigation , Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
Muckle LLP acts for major landlords and tenants on a wide range of matters.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Within Intellectual property, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
The IP team at Muckle LLP is considered ‘an asset to clients’ businesses’. New arrival Jim Pearson and Alex Craig are currently managing Kilfrost Group’s large international trade mark portfolio.
Within IT and telecoms, Muckle LLP is a second tier firm,
Muckle LLP’s IT practice is a ‘very slick operation that provides clients with complete confidence’. Team head Gill Hunter, who is singled out for her forward-thinking approach, recently advised Arriva on its procurement of a multimillion-pound Software as a Service solution for its business.
Within Sport, Muckle LLP is a first tier firm,
John Devine’s arrival at Muckle LLP increased the capabilities of the team, which advised Durham County Cricket Club on the renewal of player contracts.