Ashfords LLP > Plymouth, England > Firm Profile

Ashfords LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

The corporate and commercial practice at Ashfords LLP is known for its strength in the technology and retail sectors, in which it acts in a broad range of transactions. Financial services and healthcare are also sectors in which the firm has particular expertise, further bolstered by its specialist IP practice. Andrew Betteridge heads the corporate side of the group, while Brian Farrell, whose experience extends to join venture agreements and corporate governance alongside M&A deals, leads on commercial matters. Tom Phipps excels in commercial matters at the intersection of IP and data protection. Mark Lomas retired in May 2022.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

Led by Andrew Perkins, the Exeter-based team Ashfords LLP has experience in shareholder disputes, commercial contract cases and professional negligence claims, and counts financial institutions and public entities among its key roster of clients. Perkins stands out for his expertise in shareholder disputes and breach of contract claims, while ‘creative and determined’ senior associate Anusheh Burcher handles energy litigation, procurement challenges and insurance-related disputes. Other key contacts in the group include senior associates Claire Boucher, who focuses on civil fraud matters, and Liam Tolen, who advises on defamation and reputation management cases. Tom Llewellyn joined the team from RWK Goodman and has experience in injunctive relief and contentious data protection disputes.

Employment > Employment: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

The team at Ashfords LLP works on contentious and non-contentious employment matters for its regional, national and international client base. The practice is well regarded for its ability to handle TUPE matters, LGPS issues, business immigration issues, and whistleblowing and discrimination cases. Stephen Moore and Charles Pallot jointly lead the team. Moore is noted for his expertise in employment related anti-competition injunction claims in the High Court, while Pallot specialises in advising on the application of TUPE to business sales. Su Apps was promoted to partner in September 2022.

Employment > Immigration Tier 1

Ashfords LLP is a key port of call for clients from the care, hospitality and, increasingly, the marine sectors. The team handles a wide range of employment and recruitment issues, including obtaining skilled worker visas, and advising major domestic retailers and blue-chip multinationals with respect to sponsoring overseas workers. Exeter-based practice head Kirsty Cooke maintains a broad practice which extends to non-contentious immigration, advising on urgent applications for leave to remain for families on human rights grounds, among other matters. Laura Wonnacott has a particular focus on immigration issues in the marine sector.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 1

Drawing on expertise from various departments within the firm, the team at Ashfords LLP handles a broad array of contentious trusts and probate mandates, including will validity disputes, mutual claims, proprietary estoppel disputes, and related personal negligence claims. The team is jointly chaired by Robert Horsey, a highly experienced partner; Michael Alden, who also heads up the private wealth division; and Kerry Morgan Gould, noted for her expertise in contentious Court of Protection work. Other key figures include Barny Croft, who is praised as a ‘real star who attracts great work and is unflappable under pressure’, and Jess Flanagan, who joined from Clarke Willmott LLP in April 2022.

Real estate > Commercial property: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

Energy and waste, public sector real estate, and residential-led developments make up the portfolio of local and national work that has kept the team at Ashfords LLP busy in recent times. Kate Topp heads the practice from the firm’s Bristol office. In Exeter, Robin De Wreede advises on real estate matters, including large-scale regeneration and development projects. His Exeter colleagues Tim Heal and Simon Bailey focus on residential development matters and real estate investment, respectively. James Heath, who heads up the Plymouth-based team, is a key name to note for secured lending matters. Emma Warren, who often leads on the firm’s energy work, is also recommended.

Real estate > Social housing Tier 1

Ashfords LLP acts for a strong roster of major registered providers (RPs) and local authority clients on issues such as site acquisitions, housing association structuring, and a wide range of contentious work – including ASB claims. Paul Butterworth, who heads the property and development side of the practice, frequently leads on stock transfer projects. His colleague Isabelle Clement is a highly experienced adviser to major RPs on the acquisition of land for development. Lucy Woods is a public sector specialist, particularly in relation to public procurement work, while Sian Gibbon – who heads the property litigation team – has recently focused on litigation related to B5 safety regulations.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 1

With a sizeable team and a ‘solid contentious and non-contentious understanding’, Ashfords LLP administers global trade mark portfolios for a host of high-profile clients. The practice is a popular choice for companies looking to register and maintain IP rights as well as engage in prosecution and invalidity proceedings. Working closely with the firm’s corporate and private equity teams, the practice also counts transactional IP work among its areas of strength. Carl Steele is the practice head and has particular experience in the retail goods and services, and consumer brand sectors. Brand protection, portfolio management and enforcement actions are part of Clare Jackman‘s advisory portfolio. Mark Lomas retired in 2022, while Andrew Braithwaite left for an in-house position in the same year.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 1

Ashfords LLP employs a multidisciplinary team in Bristol that comprises corporate, IP and commercial lawyers with expertise in TMT and telecoms work. The firm is well versed in assisting startups in the technology space as well as investment funds in the fintech and digital health industries. Practice head Chris Dyson enjoys a strong reputation for his expertise pertaining to M&A and technology investments. Venture capital and fintech transactions form part of Jocelyn Ormond‘s portfolio, while Suzie Miles sports strength in software licensing as well as IT transformation and outsourcing work. Andrew Braithwaite left the firm for an in-house position in March 2022.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 1

Horseracing and regulatory mandates constitute particular specialist areas for the sports practice at Ashfords LLP, where the firm acts on behalf of sporting regulators, clubs and retailers, as well as individuals. Adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious matters, the team is led by Rory Mac Neice, who is well versed in race fixing and anti-doping issues, among others. ‘Absolutely superb’ associate Joanne Saye also specialises in equestrian sports, and is frequently sought out by clients for her knowledge of governance, anti-doping and integrity issues. With regard to other sports, the firm is also active in the swimming, football and golf arenas.

Transport > Shipping Tier 1

With its ‘unrivalled knowledge of UK ports and harbours‘, and under the guidance of much lauded expert in the field Lara Moore, Ashfords LLP continues to stand out for its stellar experience in this niche space. Harbour Order and Brexit-related work, marine licensing and regulation issues, harbour dues litigation, and high-value coastal developments all form a regular part of the workload. The firm’s reputation is illustrated by a client roster comprising leading industry bodies, including the British Ports Association and the UK Harbour Masters Association.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 2

At Ashfords LLP, the corporate tax team excels in business reorganisations and demergers, alongside which it handles a broad range of work relating to property funds, exit strategies and real estate transactions. Angus Bauer heads up the team and has a particular focus on complex group reorgansations as well as cross-border matters. John Pindard, who joined in January 2023 from Foot Anstey, sports an active tax practice and works closely with the firm’s corporate and real estate departments. Nicola Manclark  left the firm in April 2022.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 2

Ashfords LLP fields a specialist subsidy control and procurement team that caters to clients within the public, private and third sectors on a variety of topics ranging from housing and regeneration projects to telecoms and infrastructure developments. Based in Exeter, the team is headed up by Lucy Woods, whose advisory portfolio includes assisting public sector clients with public procurement and state aid matters. Senior associate Ruth Yates, praised for being ‘incredibly commercially minded’, is another key member of the practice and handles a large volume of subsidy control and procurement work. Angela Watson left the firm in July 2022.

Dispute resolution > Debt recovery Tier 2

Situated within the restructuring and insolvency department, Ashfords LLP‘s debt recovery practice frequently collaborates on matters with the firm’s commercial litigation group. Recovering debts from foreign debtors, handling the enforcement of personal guarantees, and assisting invoice and statutory debts form part of the team’s advisory portfolio. Holly Ransley helms the practice and has extensive experience handling insolvency claims at both a domestic and cross-border level. David Pomeroy is noted for his knowledge of contentious insolvency matters. Former practice head Katie Farmer moved to Trowers & Hamlins LLP in July 2022.

Employment > Employment: Bristol Tier 2

Helmed by national employment group head Stephen Moore, Ashfords LLP – regarded by some clients as ‘the best team in Bristol‘ – is especially noted for its contentious capabilities, acting for both claimants and respondents in employment tribunal proceedings across a host of sectors. Lorna Clark is highly experienced in employment litigation, appearing on behalf of clients before the Employment Tribunal, County Court, and High Court. Other key figures within the practice include Hayley Marles, noted for her knowledge of the education and non-profit sectors, and Kirsten Currer, who specialises in discrimination cases – most recently acting for clients from the worlds of care and hospitality.

Employment > Health and safety Tier 2

Ashfords LLP is instructed by clients of all sizes, including multinational food production companies, national water providers, public authorities, and regional healthcare trusts. Representation at inquests following fatal injuries or care-related suicides, crisis management, and advice in relation to building and fire safety regulations are all particular areas of strength. Ian Manners heads up the practice. Lara Moore, who leads the marine and transport department, brings her expertise in port and harbour-related work to the team.

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

The ‘quality commercial service’ at Ashfords LLP is noted for its capabilities in transactional and restructuring matters, cross-border work, and litigation. Bristol-based practice head David Pomeroy handles a broad range of contentious and non-contentious work, including pre-pack administrations. The Exeter-based Anna Thompson, who specialises in finance and restructuring, joined the team from Michelmores LLP in January 2023, while contentious insolvency expert Nicola Brastock and Melissa George joined from Thrings LLP in November 2022 and May 2023, respectively. Meanwhile, Katie Farmer and Alan Bennett left in July and December 2022, respectively.

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 2

Ashfords LLP is a strong choice for clients seeking assistance on property transactional work, contentious trusts and probate, secured lending, and environmental compliance matters. The team, which ‘deploys IQ and EQ in spades’, is led by Susie Murray, a fellow of the Agricultural Law Association who is noted for her expertise across rural affairs. The 'hugely knowledgeable' Jonathan Hickman advises on a range of private client matters, including complex wills.

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

Ashfords LLP advises a broad range of national and regional charities on both contentious and non-contentious matters. The cross-disciplinary practice draws on members of the private wealth, employment, commercial litigation and property litigation teams, providing clients with a comprehensive legal service. The team is jointly led by trusts and estates head Kerry Morgan Gould, who also spearheads the contentious charities sector offering; John Toth, noted for his tax capabilities; and Robert Horsey, who heads up the disputed wills and trusts team.

Private client > Family Tier 2

A key port of call for a mix of business owners and agriculture sector clients, the team at Ashfords LLP is well regarded for its ‘excellence at every level.’ Its expertise includes complex financial proceedings and asset protection, extending also to international child relocation matters. Practice head Zoe Porter specialises in divorce and financial matters, regularly advising a number of high-net-worth individuals. Samantha Newton - noted for her ‘constructive, collaborative approach’ - has a particular specialism in dealing with high-net-worth financial work.  

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2

‘Efficient, knowledgeable, professional and extremely capable’, Ashfords LLP advises a wide range of clients including high-net worth individuals, business owners, landed estates, farmers, executors and trustees. The 'professional and extremely capable' team has specialisms in complex succession and inheritance tax planning, will drafting, capital gains tax mitigation and high value estate administrations. The practice is jointly chaired by Michael Alden, who has extensive experience of working with high-net-worth individuals, and Kerry Morgan Gould, an ‘extremely intelligent, focussed’ partner who oversees the private wealth department.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Energy, project finance and PFI Tier 2

Following a concerted expansion strategy, the practice at Ashfords LLP has recently seen significant diversification and an increasing focus on a wide spread of projects work in both the renewable and traditional energy spaces; the hire of Carl Thompson, whose expertise lies in construction and infrastructure matters, from Osborne Clarke LLP in February 2022 is a key example of this. Brian Farrell oversees the offering, leveraging his commercial background to advise clients from both the public and private sectors. Jonathan Croley is another key contact on the commercial front. Stephen Humphreys is the name to note on the planning side, while Emma Warren leads on real estate-related mandates. Key recent areas of work have included advice on carbon credit, phosphate offsetting and biodiversity schemes, as well as decarbonisation and sustainability projects.

Public sector > Health Tier 2

The healthcare and life sciences practice at Ashfords LLP is chaired by Jocelyn Ormond and Ben Tarrant, both of whom work out of the firm’s Bristol office. Acting for a diverse client base that includes NHS trusts, private hospital operators and digital healthcare centres, the team handles a broad range of matters; property acquisitions and venture capital investments stand out as key recent areas of focus. Kirsty Cooke contributes expertise in employment and immigration matters to the team, while Katie Webber is a Court of Protection proceedings specialist. Partner Vanessa James left the firm in August 2022.

Public sector > Local government Tier 2

The ‘great service’ provided by Ashfords LLP‘s public sector team spans employment, construction, and dispute resolution. Practice chair Lucy Woods‘ expertise extends to subsidy control for rural broadband projects and enterprise zones. Sian Gibbon focuses on telecoms work and right of light claims, while planning expert David Richardson  assists local authorities with compulsory purchase and public law advice. Other key figures include regeneration and development projects specialist Robin De Wreede; Laura Reeve, a key contact for construction procurement mandates; and the ‘exceptionally knowledgable’  Ruth Yates. All named lawyers are based in Exeter.

Real estate > Commercial property: Bristol Tier 2

Rated by clients for its ‘excellent, practical advice', the team at Ashfords LLP – which is especially well-versed in franchising work – maintains a strong position across the social housing, hospitality, SIPP & SSAS, and residential sectors. The Bristol group is led by Andrew Worley, an experienced partner whose capabilities are concentrated in retail leasing and restaurant franchising work. Kate Topp specialises in residential development matters, including acquisitions and joint ventures, while Isabelle Clement maintains an active housing sector practice, working with various providers on land and unit transactions. Ian Ramsay Tompkins is also noted for his experience in residential matters, acting for both developers and landowners on all manner of deals.

Real estate > Construction Tier 2

The ‘pragmatic and sensible’ construction and infrastructure team at Ashfords LLP is well-placed to advise on an array of contentious and non-contentious work, with modern methods of construction and energy and waste projects standing out as two recent areas of focus. Practice chair Patrick Blake‘s recent workload has seen him advising on a range of building contract disputes. Accredited construction disputes adjudicator Stephen Homer litigates major disputes for local authorities and large developers and often appears in legal publications such as the Driver Trett Digest. Mark Manning is regarded by clients as ‘tenacious, detailed and thorough’, while Carl Thompson is noted for his expertise in energy and waste management matters. Lianne Edwards and the ‘thoughtful and experienced’ Laura Reeve are further key contacts.

Real estate > Environment Tier 2

Ashfords LLP's broad practice focus sees the team advising on the purchase of energy from waste plants, helping commercial developers to unlock carbon credits, and supporting clients who have been accused of waste permitting breaches, including advising on interviews under caution and negotiating enforcements. The leadership team is divided between two cities; Ian Manners and Kate Topp are based in Bristol, while Brian Farrell and Tim Heal work from Exeter. Bristol-based Zoe Hunt is another name to note. Ben Derrington left the firm in November 2022.

Real estate > Planning Tier 2

With expertise spanning CPOs, DCOs, energy matters, and s106 agreements for both the public and the housebuilder sector, Ashfords LLP‘s ‘deep experience’ is brought to bear across a broad range of advisory and contentious planning mandates. Practice chair David Richardson has a strong focus on the public sector, regularly working with various local authorities and district councils, including on the establishment of phosphates credits trading schemes. New energy specialist Stephen Humphreys steers the firm’s energy work, advising on NSIP and DNS developments.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2

Praised by clients for its ‘good mix of private client and public sector experience‘, Ashfords LLP's broad capabilities are brought to bear on commercial landlord and tenant disputes, development and investment work, and constructive trusts claims, among other matters. Practice head James Hemsley advises various clients - including banks and multinationals - on a range of contentious property and property insolvency matters.  Sian Gibbon‘s practice includes equitable proprietary remedies, while Victoria Bonnet leads on many of the team’s professional negligence claims. 'Experienced litigator’ Robert Nicholson and the ‘cerebral’ Warren Reid are additional names to note.

Public sector > Local government Tier 2

Ashfords LLP 's Exeter-based team is capable of handling the full spectrum of public sector work for its local authority clients and boasts particular expertise in advising on land transactions, planning proposals, and procurement initiatives in connection with large regeneration schemes and infrastructure developments. The team is also regularly instructed by London Boroughs to provide ongoing assistance with all governance, employment, and corporate structuring work clients encounter during in the course of their development activities. Lucy Woods, a regulatory compliance and corporate structuring expert, serves as practice head and is regarded as a key contact for subsidy control matters. Other key contacts include planning expert David Richardson, who acts across the contentious and non-contentious aspects of major residential developments, and procurement expert Ruth Yates.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Bristol Tier 3

Variously praised for its ‘professionalism and responsiveness’ as well as for its ‘clear and commercial advice’, Ashfords LLP is well-versed in cross-border corporate and commercial work, particularly within the energy, consumer goods, healthcare, life sciences, and tech sectors. The team is headed up by corporate chair Rory Suggett, whose workload is concentrated in the tech and life sciences arenas. Chris Dyson, who chairs the firmwide technology offering, is regularly instructed by a diverse roster of investment funds, private equity houses, and fast-growth companies active in the sector. Bristol office head Jocelyn Ormond spearheads the firm’s healthcare and digital health practice; his recent engagements include a series of investment transactions and cross-border deals for clients operating in the health tech and cybersecurity arenas. Commercial partner Suzie Miles’ practice is concentrated in IT and fintech projects, where she acts for a number of well-known retailers, among others.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Bristol Tier 3

Ashfords LLP handles a broad range of disputes across the IT and technology, waste, retail, sport and financial services sectors, with demonstrable experience in regulatory and risk-related litigation. Rory Mac Neice leads the Bristol-based practice and acts for clients in the financial and technology arenas in litigation, in addition to acting for retail and manufacturing clients on product recall cases. Ian Manners has experience in serious incident representation and crisis management mandates, while Andrew Perkins, who operates from the firm’s Exeter office, is another key contact.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 3

The varied banking work undertaken by Ashfords LLP includes acquisition finance, project finance and corporate financing; the team's varied client base ranges from major banks and independent lenders to corporate clients from sectors such as manufacturing, property investment and leisure. Rebecca Dury, whose transactional expertise extends to syndicated and bilateral financings, runs the practice from Exeter. Her colleague Clare Brewer's practice encompasses energy and infrastructure finance. In Bristol, ‘positive and proactive’ Ed Hobbs works across a wide range of lending and security work with a particular focus on venture debt. Real estate specialist James Heath extends the unit’s property financing expertise.

Insurance > Professional negligence Tier 3

At Ashfords LLP, the professional negligence practice is well versed in acting for solicitors as well as clients in the banking, bloodstock and construction sectors. Rory Mac Neice in Bristol jointly heads up the team with Exeter-based Victoria Bonnet, who is often called upon to handle negligence claims pertaining to solicitors. Chris Freeman left the firm for an in-house position in June 2022.

Corporate and commercial > Venture capital Tier 3

The ‘extremely responsive’ team at Bristol-based firm Ashfords LLP provides ‘strong impartial advice on “what is market”, thereby enabling principal decision makers on the investor and investee side to make commercial and sensible decisions relating to venture capital funding. While the team is best-known for acting on earlier stage financing rounds, it is also adept at handling ‘complex cross-border transactions and is able to deal with technical subjects’. Key to this work is ‘excellent technician’ Chris Dyson , who combines deep industry knowledge with commercial and legal smarts to very effectively guide innovators and funders in the technology space. Jocelyn Ormond  has a particular niche advising companies and investors in the digital health/life sciences sector. Dyson co-heads the team alongside Rory Suggett , whose investor side focus includes handling a raft of work for an impressive roster of fund clients includes the Business Growth Fund, which he regularly advises on its funding of early and growth stage companies.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Water Tier 3

Ashfords LLP‘s energy and resource management team assists water companies with corporate transactions and contracts, asset maintenance and repair and regulatory advice, while also acting for developers on S104 sewer adoption agreements. Leading the practice are Mark Manning, an engineering contracts and disputes specialist, and M&A, and regulatory lawyer Brian Farrell, who also advises on water technology developments.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 4

Ashfords LLP's commercial litigation practice covers contract disputes, emergency relief, contempt of court proceedings, fraud, asset and tracing claims, and company and partnership disputes. Other key areas range from claims against company directors, to cross-border disputes, defamation, professional negligence claims, and debt recovery and enforcement matters. The principal figures are London office head James Crighton, who is 'always thinking strategically'; Exeter-based commercial disputes head Andrew Perkins; and technology and sports disputes expert Rory Mac Neice in Bristol.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys Tier 4

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 5

The cornerstone of Ashfords LLP's practice involves disputed charity matters by way of legacy disputes; these matters are handled by the disputed wills and trusts team. Its wider charity offering comprises lawyers with a specialist charity interests from other departments such as the private wealth, employment and commercial litigation teams. Kerry Morgan Gould represents a number of national charities, as well as various smaller local charities. Robert Horsey and John Toth are among the other key senior members of the offering.

Real estate > Construction: non-contentious Tier 5

With Jessica Taylor at the helm, Ashfords LLP‘s London team handles complex construction, engineering, and infrastructure projects for a varied client base, including central and local government bodies, housing groups, and developers. The department has particular expertise in managing intricate multi-phase regeneration schemes.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 8

Now headed from Bristol by David Pomeroy, following Alan Bennett‘s departure in December 2022 to Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, Ashfords LLP maintains a solid practice and in spite of its modest size ‘manages to punch way above its weight in insolvency litigation’. Crispin Jones , who was promoted to partner in September 2022, has developed strong ties with the London IP market and has ‘a particular specialism in insolvent law firms and insolvency fraud cases’. 

Private client > Court of protection