The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Liverpool, Weightmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Weightmans LLP’s team, led by Ian Vicary, is noted for its ‘commercial approach‘. A team led by John Schorah recently advised on the £4m sale of International Safety Group.

Within Commercial litigation: Liverpool , Weightmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Andrew Cox is the lead partner in Weightmans LLP’s Liverpool commercial litigation practice, where he acts for clients in the private and public sector such as HFC Bank, Hoover, and Arrow Global. Highlights include acting for the London Borough of Harrow and underwriters on a £4m claim for damages.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester , tier 6

Robert Jones heads the commercial litigation practice at Weightmans LLP.

Within Debt recovery, Weightmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Jill Cox is the key partner at Weightmans LLP, where new client wins include Arrow Global and Scottish Power. The team provides a ‘first-class service‘ to clients.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, tier 4

Clients have traditionally turned to Weightmans LLP for personal insolvency work, but its ‘good level of service‘, ‘commercial‘ approach and ‘good value for money‘ has led to a greater volume of corporate work. Michael Green is ‘commercial‘, ‘tenacious‘ and ‘quick to act‘, while Robert Jones is ‘approachable‘ and ‘knowledgeable‘.

Within Employment, Weightmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Weightmans LLP’s ‘advice is commercial and grounded in pragmatism‘; it ‘provides options rather than quoting legal argument‘. Tim Lang’s ‘leadership, commercialism and ability to build relationships and maintain a sense of humour, sets the tone and culture for the team‘. Mark Leach has ‘a sensible, no-nonsense approach‘, and Nick Wilson gives ‘expert advice‘.

Within Clinical negligence - defendant , Weightmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Weightmans LLP is a ‘heavyweight panel firm for the NHSLA with a strong team of senior and junior lawyers‘. Richard Jolly is ‘an intuitive lawyer who combines a very good eye for detail with the ability to take a strategic view‘, and Fiona Chiasson is ‘a determined litigator who puts her all into getting a result‘.

Within Personal injury - defendant, Weightmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Weightmans LLP covers the breadth of personal injury claims including general liability, local government, police and healthcare. The practice is ‘the benchmark large-loss team for others to aspire to, in terms of work ethic and technical and commercial approach‘. Kieran Jones, Gloria Ginvert and Graham Dean are ‘technically strong, experts in disease claims and conduct litigation with an eye on cost‘. The team operates from Liverpool and Manchester.

Within Professional negligence, Weightmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Weightmans LLP’s ‘first-class‘ practice mediated claims with a value exceeding £25m in 2008, and also advised on claims arising from PFI projects against construction professionals. Mickaela Fox recently acted for the partners of a law firm subject to disciplinary proceedings as a result of its conduct of cases under the Claims Handling Agreements for miners.

Within Regional review, Weightmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Weightmans LLP’s insurance practice is a clear market leader in the region.

Within Education , Weightmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Weightmans LLP’s education team is led by Andrew Cooper, who advises local authorities and schools on a range of education matters. Mark Leach joined the practice from DLA Piper UK LLP in 2008.

Within Health , Weightmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Weightmans LLP was bolstered by the arrival of mental health specialist David Hewitt in 2008. The team advises on healthcare, NHS governance, public law, mental health, and privacy law matters. Victoria Morris heads the practice.

Within Local government , Weightmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Weightmans LLP provides a full service to local authority clients, and has a large defendant litigation practice. Andy Cooper is ‘straight talking‘.

Within Commercial property: Liverpool, Weightmans LLP is a third tier firm,

Weightmans LLP is considered ‘knowledgeable‘, ‘commercial‘ and ‘responsive‘. Known for its public sector acumen, it represented Wirral Borough Council on a number of disposals, and Newark and Sherwood District Council on the Potterdyke Town Centre redevelopment scheme. Clive Bleasdale heads the team, which includes the ‘very astute‘ and ‘commercial‘ David Tabinor.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, tier 6

Weightmans LLP is well known for NHS-related work. Anne Dobie recently advised Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on a £7.6m development agreement and lease.

Within Construction, tier 4

Weightmans LLP is best known for contentious work, but in 2008 represented Liverpool Hope University in connection with its refurbishment and new build projects. Paul Donnelly has a stellar reputation.

Within Social housing, Weightmans LLP is a second tier firm,

Weightmans LLP’s Sian Evans is commended by clients for her ‘knowledgeable‘ and ‘succinct‘ advice. The firm’s focus on the public sector has helped to further its exposure to the social housing market.

Within Intellectual property and information technology, tier 4

Also recommended are: Berg Legal, where Stephen Foster is the lead partner; Gorvins, where Tim Dennis is recommended; JMW Solicitors LLP, whose clients include Jemella, owner of the ghd haircare brand; Lawson Coppock & Hart, which advises on copyright, trade marks and other intellectual property rights; Neil Myerson Solicitors, where Carl Newton handles IP matters; Nexus Solicitors, where Tony Brook is the lead partner; Ralli Solicitors, where Stephen Kuncewicz is the key contact; and Weightmans LLP, where John Schorah handles IP and IT matters.

Within Intellectual property and information technology, tier 4

Weightmans LLP’s John Schorah handles IP and IT matters.

Within Transport, Weightmans LLP is a first tier firm,

Weightmans LLP’s transport practice spans marine and transit, rail, aviation and motor work. The team has ‘exceptional technical and strategy skills‘, and practice head Chris Ball is ‘excellent‘. Recent highlights include acting in a London arbitration for a major shipowner a dispute concerning the early termination of a long-term vessel time charter.