Ward Hadaway LLP > Manchester, England > Firm Profile

Ward Hadaway LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Employment > Immigration Tier 2

Ward Hadaway LLP is regularly instructed to assist with applications to become a sponsor for skilled worker, global business mobility and temporary visas. Flora Mewies advises on sponsor management compliance and co-leads the practice with Harmajinder Hayre who is well-versed in the retail and transport sectors. Laura Darnley joined from Brabners LLP in August 2023.

Dispute resolution > Debt recovery Tier 2

Ward Hadaway LLP’s debt recovery unit, based in Newcastle, is led by associate Vicki Alexander, a specialist in defending financial institutions in secured recovery cases, including consumer credit, financial mis-selling, misrepresentation and undue influence matters. Head of the dispute resolution department, Steven Petrie, is a key name note. Jane Garvin is also a standout practitioner, leveraging her experience in pursuing and defending clients in high value asset recovery claims.

Insurance > Personal injury and clinical negligence: defendant Tier 2

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

Ward Hadaway LLP‘s Newcastle-based contentious trusts and probates team is jointly led by high-value claims specialist Martin Woodford, and charity trust litigation expert Gaynor Jackson. While Woodford operates at the intersection of professional negligence and contentious trusts, Jackson advises on the early stages of both contested legacies and claims under the 1975 Act. Solicitor Kerry McFarlane has a particular focus on disputes with a farming and agricultural backdrop, and managing associate Ashleigh Lavender has extensive experience acting on behalf of private individuals, families, charities and trustees in a variety of contested probate disputes.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2

The Newcastle-based private client team at Ward Hadaway LLP is led by highly esteemed Andrew Facer and continues to advise its diver client base on a range of issues from trust and wills matters, succession planning, inheritance tax and estate planning, including the administration of estates with foreign assets. Consultant Gaynor Jackson has particular expertise in advising charities in trust and estate matters of both a contentious and non-contentious nature, and is a recognised expert in advising the third sector, praised by clients as ‘a safe pair of hands with a wealth of experience.’ Associate Deborah Spence and solicitor Sarah Dove are also noted.

Public sector > Education Tier 2

Ward Hadaway LLP is routinely sought out by academy trusts for wide-ranging advice on governance, conversion instructions, employment, data protection and property matters. Head of the education law team Graham Vials, and procurement, PFI and education specialist Tim Care regularly collaborate to advise clients on school conversions to trusts. Real estate practitioner Neil Smith specialises in the development of new technical college facilities, while managing associate Katy Milner supports public sector real estate projects and advises schools and local authorities in academy conversion and re-brokerage processes. Employment team associate Tom Shears notably acts for clients in discrimination disputes.

Real estate > Construction Tier 2

Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based construction and engineering team provides non-contentious advice to public sector bodies, such as various local authorities and healthcare organisations, for development projects. Despite the departure of Tim Craig, the ‘technically sound, reliable’ Neil Williamson; experienced department head Paul Reekie, who supports clients through construction disputes and contractual terms; and mixed-use development specialist Alan Ross remain key contacts for a range of clients.

Real estate > Social housing Tier 2

Based in Newcastle, Ward Hadaway LLP’s cross-disciplinary social housing team frequently collaborates with the Leeds office to work with social housing providers in the North on regenerations, developments and disposals regarding affordable housing. Julia Thomson leads the social housing group in Newcastle, focusing on s106 agreements and acquisition of development sites. John Murray frequently works on policy, procedure and contentious matters for registered providers, while Kamran Hyder is the key adviser for planning infrastructure, funding and purchasing matters. Carolyn Akerman supports clients on contentious and non-contentious planning law issues and developments.

Private client > Family Tier 3

Ward Hadaway LLP focus on high-net worth mandates, acting for individuals with both UK and non-UK assets in divorce and financial remedy proceedings. Within its broad range of expertise, the practice also has specialisms in surrogacy and fertility law, as well as post-divorce financial counsel. Leading the team is the highly experienced Christine Barker who advises on complex financial settlement negotiations, possessing a wealth of knowledge regarding pension and trust arrangements. Liz Bottrill is highly sought after for her proficiency in nuptial agreements, as well as her understanding of cohabitation, children, and surrogacy issues. David Burrows is active in the firm’s steady stream of domestic violence cases, while Rachael Longman‘s is intimately familiar with children arrangement proceedings during parental disputes.

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 3

The Newcastle-based agriculture team at Ward Hadaway LLP understands the needs of private landowners, farmers, rural businesses, and banks operating in the sector. Thanks to rural property experts Stefan Bainbridge and Alex Cox who jointly head the team, the group has particular expertise in the sale and purchase of rural land, farms, estates, woodlands and country houses. Other key practice areas include estate management, planning and development, environmental issues, waste and energy schemes.

Private client > Family Tier 3

Ward Hadaway LLP’s family department acts in myriad family matters including high value and complex divorce settlements, children law matters, including matters involving multi-jurisdictional elements. Jonathan Flower heads up the team in Newcastle alongside Louise Cannell-Mirza who was promoted to partner in May 2022. Next to litigating complex divorces, Jonathan has significant experience handling children matters involving abduction as well as care and adoption proceedings. Gemma Iceton is a key member of the matrimonial team. The group is developing expertise in the area of fertility law including surrogacy arrangements.

Employment > Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 3

Ward Hadaway LLP has expertise advising on the full scope of employment matters, with a strong presence in the transport and private healthcare sectors. Practice head Harmajinder Hayre is also the national head for employment, working across the retail, financial and professional services, technology, and transport sectors on issues relating to industrial action, restructurings, and disciplinary hearings. Edward Nuttman leads the team on Employment Tribunal work, with a specialism in the transport sector, and Flora Mewies heads up immigration matters, focussing on the recruitment, technology, and healthcare sectors.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 3

Imogen Holland heads up the banking and finance team at Ward Hadaway LLP in Leeds. Key areas of expertise include acquisition finance, development funding and security structures, with the firm also fielding a strong real estate finance practice. The team also has a growing practice advising non-bank lenders and debt funds. Lucinda Peters is another key team member, with notable strength advising clearing banks and corporate borrowers on property portfolio acquisitions. Kathryn Walters left the firm in August 2023.

Private client > Family: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 3

The family team at Ward Hadaway LLP in Leeds is co-led by Andrea Dyer, an expert on multi-jurisdictional financial disputes, including the protection of inherited wealth, and David Lister, who offers the ‘one lawyer, two clients’ divorce model. The team is made up of Resolution members, and clients benefit from access to the wider expertise within the firm – notably, corporate, agriculture, tax and property teams. It has particular strength working with vulnerable clients, including those with mental and physical health concerns.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 3

The private client team at Ward Hadaway LLP is led by Andrew Evans and Vivienne Wild in Leeds, with support from Andrew Facer in Newcastle. It advises clients including individuals, family businesses owners and fund owners on a range of issues from inheritance tax planning to trust creation and administration, alongside wills and LPA matters. Wild specialises in advising ultra-high-net-worth entrepreneurs and business owners regarding their estates and succession planning, with notable experience regarding cross-border estates. Evans has particular expertise regarding trusts with complex family structures, clients find his experience ‘invaluable when dealing with sensitive estate issues’.

Real estate > Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 3

Ward Hadaway LLP maintains a ‘well-resourced, commercial’ Leeds-based real estate offering that is particularly focused on residential development and landlord/tenant work. Led by development experts Kevin Weston and Andrew Pliener, the team advises a client base encompassing national housebuilders and developers, land owning charities and trusts, and registered providers of social housing. These clients instruct the practice to handle acquisitions, disposals, planning agreements, and leasing issues in connection with development and regeneration schemes. Further key contacts in the team include strategic development expert Jonathan Dickson, as well as David Pridmore and Jennifer Robinson.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 3

Ward Hadaway LLP’s team offers ‘expertise, flexibility and reliability’ to clients on IT procurements and digital transformations, which it is capable of handling for both buyers and suppliers. The practice frequently assists with contract and licence drafting and is also active in the protection and promotion of technology solutions on behalf of startup IT providers. The practice is led by Bill Goodwin, who advises on IT transactions and service provisions for a number of clients in the technology space.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Manchester Tier 4

In addition to general corporate and commercial litigation matters, the team at Ward Hadaway LLP specialises in healthcare, transport and cargo work, with notable capabilities in alternative dispute resolution. Managing associate Melissa Munday is integral to the team, and is commended for her knowledge and expertise. Since publication, former team head Nichola Evans has moved to Kuit Steinart Levy LLP.

Private client > Court of protection Tier 4

Under the leadership of Lisa Evans, Nicola Richardson and Georgina Rowley, the team at Ward Hadaway LLP, frequently advises on a wide array of matters such as section 21A challenges to deprivations of liberty, and applications to limit or withdraw treatment. It has specialist expertise in all aspects of the Mental Capacity Act, and on its interface with the Mental Health Act.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 4

Ward Hadaway LLP acts for a broad spectrum of clients, including individuals and entrepreneurs, SMEs, owner-managed businesses, public companies, equity funders, and debt providers. The corporate team, led by Adrian Ballam, has experience in the healthcare, technology, energy, manufacturing, and food and drink sectors. Jonathan Pollard is another key contact in the corporate group, while Bill Goodwin leads the commercial practice, which has particular know-how in IP, IT and telecommunications, and data protection-related matters.

Real estate > Commercial property: Manchester Tier 5

Ward Hadaway LLP‘s practice is experienced in handling acquisitions, disposals significant regenerations in the north west. Key names to note in Manchester are partners Matthew O’Brien who has a particular focus on student and hospitality developments, and development and property finance specialist Andrew Dunn. Managing associate Emma Collins is active on many of the team’s standout matters. The team is led Robin Atkin and Lesley Fairclough, both of who are based in Newcastle.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 5

Ward Hadaway LLP‘s team has experience across the healthcare, technology, energy, industrial manufacturing and engineering, and food and drink sectors. The ‘dedicated and disciplined’ team is led by Robert Thompson with Jonathan Pollard and Adrian Ballam, both key names in the Leeds office.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 5

The ‘very commercial and efficient’ IP practice at Ward Hadaway LLP is active in trade mark portfolio management matters and regularly works with SMEs and startups in the technology sector, which instruct the team to advise on brand protection and expansion. The team regularly advises on cross-border matters, assisting with global trade mark filings and disputes, and also handles an increasing volume of commercial IP acquisitions. Bill Goodwin, who leads the practice, is an expert in IP matters in the technology sector. Rebecca Whisker is also recommended.

Employment

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Newcastle Tier 1

Ward Hadaway LLP’s corporate and commercial team supports clients across a range of sectors, namely leisure, human capital, independent healthcare, manufacturing, and healthcare. The team covers a diverse array of mandates, including commercial matters involving contractual IP and data protection, as well as corporate matters concerning debt investments and sale of share capitals. The commercial team is headed by Damien Charlton, while former team leader Colin Hewitt remains a key contact. Recent promotions to partner level Matthew Cormack and Tom Pollard advise clients across pharmaceuticals, energy, retail, aviation, engineering and technology on corporate governance, corporate transactions and commercial agreements. Head of the corporate team Robert Thompson is experienced in dealing with acquisitions, disposals, mergers, corporate restructurings, and reorganisations for public and private sector clients. Richard Butts is the key contact for growing businesses seeking advice on funding and investments. Commercial practitioner Steven Roper focuses on supporting infrastructure, renewable energy and technology companies with non-contentious and contentious advice on contractual arrangements. James Nightingale is the go-to for corporate finance mandates, while Clare French supports on investments and acquisitions at a managing associate level. An additional name to note is Phil Tompkins, a specialist in IT-related commercial arrangements. Corporate associates Danielle Borley and Liam Stubbs are key members of the team.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 1

Ward Hadaway LLP’s corporate tax team is acclaimed for advising entrepreneurial hi-tech companies on structuring, investment and exit planning. Other teams in the firm, such as the private client department, collaborate with the corporate tax practitioners on IHT issues and employee share ownership schemes. Paul Christian is often active on corporate-related tax, while Richard Butts and Imogen Holland act on private equity funded transactions, exits, buy and build strategies, as well as management incentive schemes. Nicole Axon is also key.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Licensing Tier 1

Ward Hadaway LLP’s licensing and regulatory team, led by Richard Arnot, advises clients across the retail and leisure sectors, including national supermarket chains, hotel groups, restaurants, pubs and sporting venues on a plethora of aspects of the Licensing Act 2003. The experienced Arnot provides such clients with enforcement, review, temporary event notices, variations, and licensing strategies, namely personal and premise licenses. The firm routinely advises clients on new premise applications for hotel development on a regional and national scale.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Newcastle Tier 1

Disputes involving contractual breaches, defamation claims, issues concerning winding up petitions and professional negligence are frequent mandates for Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based commercial litigation team. Practice head Peter Hornsey represents clients in disputes concerning professional negligence, IP and public sector fraud. Seasoned litigator Martin Woodford is the key contact for disputes regarding the challenging of wills and the removal of trustees, also working on multiparty disputes arising out of the cancellation of PFI projects. IT-related disputes and professional negligence claims form a large part of Tim Toomey’s work. Robert Glassford handles complex contractual disputes and administrative court claims, while Russell Ward‘s strengths lie in employment claims which fall within the jurisdiction of the Court. Legal director Lucy Cleghorn not only supports the team but also is experienced in representing litigants who bring appeals before the Privy Council.

Employment Tier 1

Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based employment team provides clients across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, sports and manufacturing, with both contentious and non-contentious advice. Team head Jamie Gamble is an expert on TUPE matters, employment tribunal claims, senior executive contracts, dismissals and employment aspects of corporate transactions. Paul Scope is a key contact for sports team seeking advice on various terminations, disciplinary issues and restructurings; he also represents clients on mass litigations concerning equal pay claims in the public sector. Gillian Chinhengo supports businesses in large scale changes and dealing with trade unions, while Roisin Patton is the firm’s expert on business immigration mandates, often working on post-Brexit recruitment issues and complex global mobility issues. Stuart Craig and Graham Vials are names to note, with the former focused on healthcare matters and the latter specialising in education matters within the employment law field.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 1

Noted as a ‘down to earth team’ which has ‘excellent knowledge of lending requirements’, Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based banking and finance team advises a range of clients, including institutional lenders, fund managers, public sector lenders, private individuals and charities, on corporate and leveraged lending structures, asset backed lending and real estate finance. The firm also assists non-bank lenders and debt funds with development and growth capital investment. Team head Imogen Holland is a key contact for private equity and venture capital-backed borrowers, who seek advice on private equity transactions and structuring priorities; he also works on acquisition and real estate finance mandates. High street banks and funders call upon Simon Errington for support on property finance, development finance and investment portfolios. Associate Rosemary Moore is a key support in the team.

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Head of Ward Hadaway LLP’s insolvency team Jane Garvin advises directors of financially distressed private and public companies, shareholders, creditors, landlords, debtors and public sector bodies as well as administrators on insolvency procedures, insolvent business sales and high value asset recovery claims. Steven Petrie, leads the commercial dispute resolution department, frequently advising creditors on recovery strategies and defends individuals and companies facing insolvency. Petrie also assists trustees with bankruptcy matters. Claire Robertson, who was promoted to associate in 2023, is a key contact for clients seeking advice on property sales that form part of insolvency procedures. The team, based in Newcastle, frequently works with practitioners in Leeds and Manchester, and often uses its expertise in the debt collection and creditor services spaces to advise clients on both disputes and transactional matters.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Energy Tier 1

Ward Hadaway LLP’s multidisciplinary energy team - consisting of commercial, property, construction and finance practitioners - is known for advising clients in the biogas space on a range of matters. Mark Whitehead is the go-to figure within the practice for advice on balance sheet as well as debt and equity financed energy infrastructure projects which span biogas, solar, wind and hydrocarbon. The experienced Colin Hewitt assists clients operating in the upstream and downstream hydrocarbon market on supply chain matters. Alex Wright in the property team and James Nightingale in the corporate team are key names to note for sales of energy infrastructure facilities and assets. All named lawyers are based in Newcastle.

Public sector > Health Tier 1

Nicola Richardson, who heads the health and regulatory department at Ward Hadaway LLP, regularly acts for NHS trusts involved in potential corporate manslaughter claims, including those which have progressed to inquests and clinical negligence claims. Melanie Pears leads the public sector team, where she frequently advises NHS foundation trusts on the procurement and contracting of facility developments and redevelopments, as well as assisting with contract variations to PFI project agreements. Regulation specialist Rachel Birks is a go-to advisor for both claimants and defendants in professional discipline cases, while associate Victoria Parker advises healthcare providers on disputes concerning mental health act-related issues. Georgina Rowley is a key contact for matters concerning applications to the court of protection. Saji Bratch is a name to note for public sector property transactions, including acquisitions, disposals and management of sites as well as development work. The employment healthcare team is co-led by Caroline Shafar and Stuart Craig, who represent clients in employee tribunal claims and company re-organisations. Lisa Evans – praised for her ‘excellent instincts in the healthcare sector’ – is also noted.

Real estate > Commercial property: Newcastle Tier 1

House builders, commercial developers, occupiers, and investors active across a range of sectors – including the industrials, logistics, office and leisure spaces – regularly call upon Ward Hadaway LLP’s real estate team, steered by Lesley Fairclough and Robin Atkin. Other key figures include Nick Gholkar, who advises public sector bodies on critical infrastructure redevelopment projects; Neil Smith, who works with clients in the education sector on site acquisitions and developments; and Sophie Bohill, who notably supports clients on the purchase of commercial and residential development sites. Healthcare clients, such as a number of NHS trust foundations, turn to Saji Bratch for assistance with a range of property matters, including leasing, licensing and funding arrangements. Heather Markham is a key contact for supermarket chains seeking advice on complex acquisitions and development agreements. Alex Wright is another name to note.

Real estate > Planning and environment Tier 1

Ward Hadaway LLP covers a gamut of planning mandates, regularly dealing with applications, appeals, enforcement actions, and section 106 agreements. The team frequently advises local councils on transport planning matters and assists clients with planning obligations for residential homes projects. The practice is jointly led by Robin Atkin and Kamran Hyder. Atkin is sought out by national house builders, landowners and public sector bodies for his expertise in interpreting planning permissions, while Hyder is a go-to adviser for clients in the mining, housing and infrastructure sectors. Associates Carolyn Akerman and Frank Orr are key names to note, particularly for house builders and local councils across the North.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 1

With the arrival of Helen Hill from Knights plc in January 2022, Ward Hadaway LLP continues to expand its Newcastle-based property-related telecom law offering. The team also routinely acts for NHS trusts across the nation, assisting on hospital-related property litigations. The team, headed by Sharon Mathieson, is known for taking on landlord and tenant disputes, advising landowners on contractual matters, easements, covenants and trespass issues. Mathieson is a specialist in advising public and third sector clients, while Simon Thirtle focuses on defending clients in housing disrepair and unlawful eviction claims. Jeremy Hardy is also noted.

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

Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based intellectual property team provides contentious and non-contentious advice to tech start-ups, entrepreneurs and clients from the digital and creative sectors. The team led by Bill Goodwin, who is also a chartered trade mark attorney, has particular expertise advising spin-out companies from the university sector. A key practice area concerns trade marks where the team built a strong portfolio of blue-chip clients providing registration and portfolio management services as well as handling trademark disputes. The group, including Tim Toomey, Robert Glassford and associate Sally Hyslop closely collaborates with the firm’s IT specialists, including key figure Judy Baker. Alex Shiel  retired in March 2023.

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

The Newcastle-based IT team at Ward Hadaway LLP is led by Damien Charlton and provides nationally and multijurisdictional advice in both the public and private sectors acting on behalf of major suppliers, especially in technology-inherent privacy issues. With a previous career in IT, Judy Baker ‘is a deep subject matter expert with a real passion for her specialism. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her breadth of knowledge is commendable.' Phil Tompkins has expertise in all aspects of IT law including advising on smart metering, connected vehicles, electric vehicles batteries, cloud software solutions and licensing. Tim Toomey is the key name for IT disputes. Matthew Cormack was named partner in May 2022.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport

North > Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Newcastle

Ward Hadaway LLP’s corporate and commercial team supports clients across a range of sectors, namely leisure, human capital, independent healthcare, manufacturing, and healthcare. The team covers a diverse array of mandates, including commercial matters involving contractual IP and data protection, as well as corporate matters concerning debt investments and sale of share capitals. The commercial team is headed by Damien Charlton, while former team leader Colin Hewitt remains a key contact. Recent promotions to partner level Matthew Cormack and Tom Pollard advise clients across pharmaceuticals, energy, retail, aviation, engineering and technology on corporate governance, corporate transactions and commercial agreements. Head of the corporate team Robert Thompson is experienced in dealing with acquisitions, disposals, mergers, corporate restructurings, and reorganisations for public and private sector clients. Richard Butts is the key contact for growing businesses seeking advice on funding and investments. Commercial practitioner Steven Roper focuses on supporting infrastructure, renewable energy and technology companies with non-contentious and contentious advice on contractual arrangements. James Nightingale is the go-to for corporate finance mandates, while Clare French supports on investments and acquisitions at a managing associate level. An additional name to note is Phil Tompkins, a specialist in IT-related commercial arrangements. Corporate associates Danielle Borley and Liam Stubbs are key members of the team.