What we say about the firm's legal practice in London
Corporate and commercial
Within Commercial contracts, tier 4
Bond Pearce LLP’s team is valued for its ‘excellent attention to detail and professionalism’. Spread across the firm’s regional network, Nick Barwood’s group acts on logistics, distribution and supply chain outsourcing, as well as critical support services and BPO matters. Highlights for 2010 included being reappointed to Royal Mail Group’s commercial panel, and receiving new instructions from BHP Billiton and Virgin Money. ‘All-round expert’ Julian Hamblin and the ‘straight-talking’ Gareth Jones are recommended, as is the ‘very sharp’ Andrew Kimble.
Crime, fraud and licensing
Within Licensing, Bond Pearce LLP is a third tier firm,
Bond Pearce LLP handles licensing matters for a number of national clients in the leisure and entertainment industry. Notable highlights included assisting Virgin Clubs in relation to its Kensington Roof Gardens premises, and acting for The Original Bowling Company in connection with the £40m acquisition of M&B Hollywood Bowls. The ‘highly professional’ Tim Davies manages the team.
Human resources
Within Health and safety, Bond Pearce LLP is a first tier firm,
Bond Pearce LLP acts on both the prosecution and defence sides of health and safety cases. The team represented New Look in the first fire safety appeal, and prosecuted the first appeal under the new fatality sentencing guidelines. The ‘high-quality regulatory enforcement team’ is experienced in the retail and hospitality sector. Hilary Ross ‘always provides clear, pragmatic and business-focused advice’; and Jon Cooper has an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, so can steer you through to the practical application of legislation’.
Within Overview,
The most significant aspect of the change of government for health and safety lawyers came with the Young report and the 35% cut in the Health and Safety Executive’s budget, leading inevitably to less regulation in the area. However, the passing of the first custodial sentence for a workplace death, together with the potentially bankrupting level of fines which the first corporate manslaughter prosecution (defended by Pinsent Masons LLP) demonstrated, should mean that teams at firms such as Bond Pearce LLP, Kennedys, DLA Piper UK LLP, and Eversheds LLP remain in demand.
Insurance
Within Professional negligence, tier 4
Bond Pearce LLP’s ‘experienced’ team represents clients such as Mitsui, Chartis, Travelers and Bar Mutual. The ‘brilliant’ Richard Dedman and ‘excellent’ team head Karen Morrish are recommended. Emily Monastiriotis, who is recommended for her experience in high-profile construction claims, recently joined from Mayer Brown International LLP.
Projects, energy and natural resources
Within Oil and gas, tier 7
Bond Pearce LLP ‘impresses with the speed and quality of its advice’. It advised Noble Energy on the sale of its entire North Sea business.
Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , tier 5
Bond Pearce LLP’s Luke Gabb is highly regarded for renewables work. Among the firm’s recent highlights, it is acting for East Anglia Offshore on the development of the East Anglia Round 3 Offshore Wind Farm zone.
Public sector
Within Administrative and public law, tier 6
The Bristol and Plymouth-based team at Bond Pearce LLP is recommended for planning and environment matters.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Within Brand management, Bond Pearce LLP is a third tier firm,
Bond Pearce LLP’s dedicated brand management team is noted for its ‘commercial outlook and advice’. Clare Jackman and her team in Southampton assumed responsibility for the trade mark portfolio of the RNLI, and manage substantial, global trade mark portfolios for Princess Yachts International, English Heritage and Royal Mail. London-based advertising partner Hilary Ross is ‘strong on food safety’. Jagdeep Tiwana is also recommended.