The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: The West Country, Stephens Scown LLP is a second tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP ‘rates highly even compared to London firms’. It is the corporate adviser for Dragons Den Investments, including advising on a mix of loan, mezzanine and straight equity investments. The team also acted for Biagro Western on a BVI joint venture company to establish an international grouping. The ‘experienced’ Guy Curry ‘has a clear mind’ and the ‘ability to focus on real issues’. James Keliher heads the practice.

Within Commercial litigation: The West Country, Stephens Scown LLP is a second tier firm,

The practice at Stephens Scown LLP attracts high praise from clients. Viridor Waste Management instructs the team on disputes regarding EU waste disposal directives, and the group also acted for Sierra Windows on a claim against former business partners. Phillip Gregory resolves disputes ‘in the most advantageous and cost-effective way’, and Chris Harper is ‘determined to succeed’.

Within Debt recovery, tier 4

Stephens Scown's Brian Dolan is recommended.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP’s ‘experienced team’ successfully settled proceedings against a high street bank in a £1m breach of trust claim. Practice head Matthew Wald is an ‘astute and able litigator’.

Within Employment: The West Country, Stephens Scown LLP is a second tier firm,

Nigel Moore heads the team at Stephens Scown LLP, which successfully acted for the respondent in an unfair dismissal and race discrimination case. Clients include Cornwall Mutual Assurance Company and Devon Doctors.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Philip Snell at Stephens Scown LLP has a busy practice in road traffic accident cases.

Within Regional review, tier 4

Other heavyweight presences in the region include West Country firms Foot Anstey; Lester Aldridge LLP, which remains a market leader in Dorset; Michelmores LLP; and Stephens Scown LLP.

Within Agriculture and estates, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP’s team is ‘very user-friendly and proactive’. In addition to traditional estates work, it has acted on many photovoltaic developments in the South West, and advises large estates on mining and mineral rights. Richard Baker is ‘personable, approachable and helpful’, and team head Phil Reed is also recommended.

Within Family, Stephens Scown LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Premier’ firm Stephens Scown LLP recently acted in a family dispute involving companies worth £30m, which included complex tax considerations and inherited wealth issues, and also in several high-value divorces. Practice head Liz Allen is recommended, along with the ‘cool-headed, efficient’ Bill Wilkins and the ‘enthusiastic, sensible’ Mark Smith.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP has ‘strength in numbers’ and handles many matters for high-net-worth clients. Practice head Graham Murdoch ‘does what he says he will, and on time’.

Within Energy, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP’s ‘highly recommended’ team advised Aggregate Industries on mineral arrangements, disposals, option agreements and wind farm matters, and Wheal Jane and Brownfield Investments regarding the UK’s first solar park. Robert Camp heads the group.

Within Commercial property: The West Country, Stephens Scown LLP is a first tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP fields a ‘knowledgeable, experi-enced and commercial’ team, which advised an international mineral company on creating an eco-town, and a residential property house builder and developer on a substantial land disposal. Michael Northcott heads the team, and Jonathan Hoggett is an ‘expert in the field of documentation’.

Within Environment, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP’s Ian Lamond has ‘excellent subject matter knowledge’, and a ‘practical and pragmatic’ approach. The team has expertise in minerals and waste issues, and advised on an eco-town development, the UK’s largest such project, in the St Austell china clay area.

Within Planning, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP’s ‘extremely good’ team is advising in relation to the UK’s largest eco-town development, the largest tungsten and tin mine in the West of England, and several major land acquisitions. Ian Lamond provides ‘excellent service’, and ensures that ‘an appropriate specialist undertakes the work required’.

Within Property litigation, tier 5

Stephens Scown LLP’s ‘efficient advice’ is ‘spot on and cost sensitive’. Head of the team Mark Richardson is ‘precise, confident and concise’.

Within Social housing, Stephens Scown LLP is a third tier firm,

Stephens Scown LLP attracts praise for its sector experience. Keith Wright provides ‘clear and helpful advice’, and recently acted for Hastoe Housing Association on its £50m refinancing.