The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Bristol, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards is ‘going strong’ with a ‘good offering’, and recently recruited Jonathan Oddy from Manches LLP. The team advised the shareholders of Sula Systems on the sale of its issued share capital to Jacobs Engineering UK, and Altran Technologies on the acquisition of Xype Group. David Emanuel heads the group.

Within Corporate tax, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards represents clients such as Morgan Lloyd Administration, Essilor International, Peterstow Holdings and Quintain Estates & Development. Richard Pincher sadly passed away in 2011.

Within Commercial litigation: Bristol, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

‘Excellent on all fronts’, Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ Simon Heald has a ‘fantastic reputation’. The team has particular expertise in education litigation, and Britannia Building Society instructs the team in claims against solicitors and valuers. Nigel Puddicombe is an experienced mediator.

Within Debt recovery, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ ‘very organised’ team acts for clients such as EDF Energy, as part of the firm’s wider commercial litigation offering. Mike Button’s advice is ‘very valuable’.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ David Emanuel ‘grasps situations and provides pragmatic advice’, and Steven McGuigan displays ‘efficiency and practicality’. The firm advised Santander on a £12m loan to Canford Healthcare Group, and HSBC on a £1.5m loan to Selwood Holdings.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards advised three partners of Grant Thornton as administrators of charitable company, in a matter drawing on the firm’s schools and charities expertise; and Traxx Tyres on a £2m acquisition of an insolvent company. Nicholas Briggs heads the group.

Within Employment: Bristol, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards works extensively in the education sector. Practice head Julie Davis is recommended.

Within Health and safety, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ Tabitha Cave (‘very approachable and accessible’) and Simon Bevan (‘expert, professional, charming, patient’) are recommended for education-related matters.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ team acted on a high-value horseriding accident case, and also on a multimillion-pound case involving disputed liability over a brain injury to a cyclist. Team head John Webster and Jan Markland are recommended.

Within Professional negligence, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

The ‘very professional outfit’ at Veale Wasbrough Vizards acts for clients such as Britannia Building Society on mortgage lending matters. Practice head Nigel Puddicombe is ‘experienced, with a steady hand and depth of knowledge’.

Within Regional review, tier 4

Other notable firms in Bristol include Thrings LLP and Veale Wasbrough Vizards, the latter with key expertise in the education sector.

Within Charities, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ ‘efficient, effective and thorough’ team acted for the London Symphony Orchestra/London Symphony Orchestra Endowment Trust on governance reviews. Clients include Bristol Old Vic, the British Fashion Council, and the University of Bath. Practice head Con Alexander provides ‘clear, concise and accurate’ advice; and the ‘impressive’ Barney Northover and ‘solutions-focused’ Martha Burnige are also recommended.

Within Family, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Oliver Early at Veale Wasbrough Vizards is recommended.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards is ‘one of the best’ for contentious probate matters. The group acted in a case involving a multimillion-pound estate in the UK and Switzerland. Practice head Michelle Rose is a ‘bright, tough litigator, and excellent with clients’.

Within Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Sue Nokes’ team at Veale Wasbrough Vizards is recommended.

Within Education, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a first tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a ‘leading light’ in the sector and has acted on many high-profile academy conversions and school mergers. Clients include Rugby School, Roedean, and Bristol Grammar School. Practice head Barney Northover is recommended, as are Simon Bevan for educational employment and Yvonne Spencer and John Deakin for pastoral matters.

Within Health, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ ‘client-centred’ approach is popular. The firm represents many health sector clients, particularly regarding social work and partnership agreements in general practices. Clients appreciate Ben Willis and Rebecca Beardsley’s ‘great knowledge, built up over many years’.

Within Local government, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ Simon Baker ‘exudes professionalism and expertise’, and heads a team that is ‘acute, well grounded and committed to the client’. It is now on the panel of six Oxfordshire local authorities.

Within Commercial property: Bristol, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards is noted for its ability to ‘identify and address key issues’. It recently advised Quay Marinas on acquiring a £2.8m long leasehold interest. Practice head Gary Philpott is recommended, along with the ‘clear and exceedingly efficient’ Michelle Bendall.

Within Construction, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards advised Hills Waste on a plant construction and operation, and acted for Henry Boot in developing a new Waitrose store. Jason Prosser and Huw Morgan provide ‘prompt, pragmatic advice with patience and diligence’.

Within Environment, tier 4

Tim Smithers at Veale Wasbrough Vizards is an expert in contaminated land matters.

Within Planning, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards advised Airbus UK on a £210m business park planning application, and East Devon District Council on the negotiation of a s106 agreement. Tim Smithers heads the team, and Simon Baker is now a consultant.

Within Property litigation, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards provides ‘tactical guidance in tricky disputes’. The team acts for PwC, and recently represented Wycombe District Council in a disputed rent review. The ‘shrewd’ Michelle Bendall is ‘relentless in her pursuit of what is best for her client’.

Within Intellectual property, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a second tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ clients include Airbus Operations, Clarks Shoes, and Weston Cider. The team also advised Hills Group on the IP aspects of a planned new mechanical biological treatment plant. The ‘excellent’ Doug Locke heads the team, which also includes Jonathan Oddy, who joined from Manches LLP.

Within IT and telecoms, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a third tier firm,

Veale Wasbrough Vizards advised RCUK Shared Services Centre on a £130m project involving the complete delivery of centralised shared services centre systems and technology. Key clients include the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, RCUK, and Atrium Software. Team head Jonathan Oddy joined from Manches LLP.