The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire, Charles Russell LLP is a first tier firm,

‘First-rate’ and ‘technically superb’ firm Charles Russell LLP brings ‘London quality to the Cheltenham market’. It acted for Trifast on its acquisition of Power Steel Malaysia, and other clients include JP Morgan Cazenove and Zurich. ‘Delightful’ team head Richard Norton is ‘a great lawyer’; and Francis Rundall and Adrian Mayer are also recommended.

Within Commercial litigation: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire, Charles Russell LLP is a first tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP’s practice is ‘hugely broad’ and provides ‘excellent service, promptly responding to instructions and quickly assimilating facts and issues’. It represented MMI Research in complex High Court telecoms patent litigation involving claims of infringement and invalidity. Other clients include Cobham and Nationwide Building Society. Team head Peter Scandrett is an expert in aviation litigation, and Patrick Gearon has strength in patent and health and safety litigation.

Within Banking and finance, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP has ‘a first-class reputation for working on complex assignments all over the world and delivering value-added results for its clients’. It acted for Trifast’s Malaysian subsidiary on a new S$20m facility with DBS Bank in Singapore. Other clients include Clydesdale Bank and Zurich Group. Richard Norton ‘goes the extra mile’ and ‘applies a practical, no-nonsense, common-sense approach to his assignments’.

Within Employment: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire, Charles Russell LLP is a first tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP’s ‘very professional’ group acts in some complex cross-border matters. Sarah Jane Turcan and rising star Sara Wilson are recommended.

Within Professional negligence, tier 4

Charles Russell LLP acts for Nova Capital Management and other private equity funds in high-value disputes. Peter Scandrett heads the group.

Within Regional review, tier 4

Elsewhere in the region, Charles Russell LLP has excellent corporate abilities in Cheltenham. Clarke Willmott LLP has regrouped following past troubles and grew with several lateral hires, including Peter O’Brien from Osborne Clarke; traditional strengths of the practice include agriculture and estates and private client. Foot Anstey has followed the example of several Exeter firms and opened a Bristol office; its broad practice is admired but, in a flat market, it remains to be seen how the new office will fare in an already crowded city. Lester Aldridge LLP in Bournemouth has a wide-ranging practice that leads the market locally and across Dorset. Exeter-based Michelmores LLP has an excellent, comprehensive offering. Thrings LLP has formidable expertise and coverage along the M4 corridor and has seen growth in insolvency and commercial litigation. Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a dependable firm with longstanding expertise in education, general commercial and health matters for regional SME clients. Stephens Scown LLP is a good regional firm covering Cornwall and Exeter, and has a loyal following locally. Bath-based Withy King LLP has seen growth in personal injury, clinical negligence and Court of Protection work.

Within Agriculture and estates, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP’s ‘very strong’ team is led by Christopher Page, who acts for over fifty landed estates owned by individuals, charities or trusts. Christian Massey is ‘very thorough and efficient’ in complex transactions.

Within Charities, Charles Russell LLP is a second tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP’s clients include The Ernest Cook Trust, The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Christopher Page heads the team, which represents ‘good value for money’. Property specialist Nigel Morton is ‘helpful and supportive’, and Julia Cox is also recommended.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Charles Russell LLP is a first tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP provides tax and trusts advice to several individuals from The Times Rich List as well as to substantial estates. Department head Christopher Page has ‘a clear way of presenting advice’, and Julia Cox is ‘shrewd’ and ‘innovative’.

Within Commercial property: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire, Charles Russell LLP is a first tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP is ‘a very proactive, user-friendly, partner-led practice’ with niches in the SIPP and SSAS sectors, as well as investment property and corporate occupier matters. Ian Brothwood has ‘outstanding experience and responds well to new business opportunities’, and Nigel Morton specialises in residential investment.

Within Construction, tier 5

Charles Russell LLP’s Sarah Jane Hudson runs ‘a tight team, which responds quickly and to budget’.

Within Planning, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Ian Brothwood’s team at Charles Russell LLP acted for South Gloucestershire Council on the negotiation and drafting of a s106 agreement in connection with the Emersons Green East development area. Anne Bennett is recommended.

Within Property litigation, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Charles Russell LLP provides ‘absolutely fantastic’ advice, acting for Flodrive Holdings, Newland Homes and other high-profile names. David Marsden leads on property litigation matters, and is ‘creative, intelligent and persuasive’; he relocated from the firm’s Guildford office in 2011.

Within Intellectual property, Charles Russell LLP is a third tier firm,

Patrick Gearon and his team at Charles Russell LLP represented 1E Limited in relation to software infringement litigation, and also acts for Indian company Sudarshan Chemicals in contentious matters.