The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Manchester, Gateley is a second tier firm,

Gateley’s ‘service is always partner-led, yet always demonstrates quality in depth'. The team includes national corporate head Charles Glaskie, with Paul Jefferson, who has ‘excellent technical ability and sector expertise', and Rebecca Grisewood both handling private equity matters. The team advised Autoclimate on its takeover by Euro Car Parts; other notable clients include Lloyds Development Capital and Palatine Private Equity.

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Within Corporate tax, Gateley is a third tier firm,

Gateley’s solicitor Richard Clitherow recently supported the firm’s corporate department in acting for the shareholders of Autoclimate on its takeover by Euro Car Parts.

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Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, tier 4

Gateley’s team is led by Sarah Sabin, handling cases such as corporate, contractual, and shareholder partnership disputes, with particular expertise in healthcare-related matters.

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Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Gateley acts for corporate borrowers and banks on matters such as asset, real estate and acquisition financings. Team leader Rick Sealy recently advised Palatine Private Equity on financing its MBO of Forrest. Other clients include RBS, HSBC and Greater Manchester Loan Fund.

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Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Gateley is a second tier firm,

Gateley recent work includes advising Leonard Curtis on law firm insolvencies, and Zolfo Cooper as administrators of the Living Room restaurant chain. The firm’s impressive panel membership includes Santander, RBS and Bank of Ireland. Practice head Andrew Buchanan is ‘meticulous and always acts with the client’s objectives in mind'.

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Within Employment, Gateley is a first tier firm,

Gateley’s ‘experienced' department is led by the ‘fantastic' Michael Ball and advises clients such as British Medical Association, Ladbrokes Betting & Gaming and Lloyds Pharmacy. Noted individuals include Sarah Garth, Stephen Hills, Chris Thompson and Fiona Jeffers.

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Within Immigration, Gateley is a first tier firm,

Senior associate Rizwana Ishaq heads the team at Gateley, which acts for clients in a range of sectors including manufacturing, construction, telecoms and pharmaceuticals. The team is instructed by Manchester City FC, and advised Creative Tops on an application for a Tier 2 General and Intra-Company Transfer licence.

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Within Pensions, Gateley is a second tier firm,

Gateley’s ‘first-rate' department is led by the ‘expert' Patrick Kennedy. Clients include Federated Flexiplan No. 1, Nuvia Limited and Motor Industry Pension Plan. Ian O’Toole joined DWF in Leeds.

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Within Regional review Regional heavyweights

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Within Family, Gateley is a second tier firm,

Gateley ‘combines deep understanding of business with pragmatism' and advised on a number of high-value divorce settlements. Team head Elizabeth Hassall is ‘calm in a crisis and has a fantastic grasp on financial matters', and associate Esther Edmondson is also recommended.

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Within Commercial property: Manchester, Gateley is a third tier firm,

Andrew Piatt leads the team at Gateley, acting for clients including retailers, developers and landowners.

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Within Construction, Gateley is a third tier firm,

Gateley’s Karen Spencer has specialist expertise in construction-related surety law, particularly disputes arising from performance bonds and guarantees. David Vayro is notable for his PPP expertise.

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Within Planning and environment, Gateley is a third tier firm,

Andrew Piatt is the key contact at Gateley. He has acted for clients such as Elan Homes, Yorkcourt Properties and Langtree Group.

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Within Property litigation, Gateley is a third tier firm,

Gateley’s Gary Bird has acted for landlords and corporate occupiers, primarily on contentious matters.

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Within Intellectual property, Gateley is a second tier firm,

Led by Jonathan Moakes, Gateley’s IP team covers contentious and non-contentious work, which includes complex technology and patent exploitation and brand licensing. It advised Niche Products on an IP dispute with MacDermid Offshore Solutions. John Burns is recommended.

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Within IT and telecoms, Gateley is a second tier firm,

Gateley is noted for its experience in outsourcing, procurement and cross-border IT work, with particularly strong experience in the financial services industry. Clients include Legal & General, Bibby Financial Services, Stanleybet and Eque2. Team head Peter Budd is noted for his vast experience in advising blue chip and public sector clients.

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Within Media and entertainment, Gateley is a first tier firm,

With a ‘strong client base', the team at Gateley advised Unique Music Management on the drafting and negotiating of management agreements. The ‘first-rate' John Burns heads the team.

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Within Sport, Gateley is a second tier firm,

Gateley acts for a range of sports clients including football clubs, agents, sportsmen and leading sports brands, and advised David Moyes on his appointment as manager at Manchester United FC. Clients also include West Ham United FC, British Amateur Boxing Association, British Universities and Colleges Sports, and British Table Tennis Association for Disabled. John Burns heads the team.

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