The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Bristol, Clarke Willmott LLP is a second tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP features James Earl (a ‘tough but pragmatic negotiator’) and Jane Oakland (noted for her ‘strong commercial aptitude’). New instructions came from Neutrahealth and Devonshire Homes, and Nigel Lindsay advised Mount Wise on a property development refinancing. Simon Thomas heads the team.

Within Licensing, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s Tim Hayden has a noteworthy practice advising hotels, retailers and pubs.

Within Commercial litigation: Bristol, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Paul Chapman heads Clarke Willmott LLP’s team, which acted for claimants against Equitable Life Assurance Society, and for WCR Group regarding a damages claim. Alex Jakubowski is ‘not intimidated by the opponent’s tactics’, and Michael Clarke ‘instils confidence’. William Whiteley is now a judge.

Within Debt recovery, Clarke Willmott LLP is a second tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s team, headed by Jane Dunlop, acts for a mix of private and public sector clients. Local authorities and utility companies constitute an important and growing client base; examples include the London boroughs of Enfield and Harrow. The group assisted the Department for Transport on the recovery of monies due under the Bus Service Operators Grant.

Within Banking and finance, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s Roger Seaton ‘always provides prompt and high-quality service’. The team advised M3 venture capitalists/Evergreen Real Estate Partners on acquisition funding of Extra Group, and HSBC on the Quantum Group City Centre redevelopment funding.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP advised the liquidators of an investment management group with interests in several African investment funds. Philip Winterborne heads the practice.

Within Employment: Bristol, Clarke Willmott LLP is a second tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s ‘exceptionally practical’ team is led by Sharon Latham, who is a ‘strong negotiator – honest and approachable’. The team acts for ROK, and has several notable sports clients including Somerset County Cricket Club and Bristol City FC.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s team demonstrates ‘good strength in depth’ and is led by Kerry Fifield, who is a panel member for AvMA and also the Law Society. The firm has a contract with the Legal Services Commission and also acts for Allianz.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP provides ‘very efficient, client-focused service’, and displays a ‘very caring and supportive attitude’. Team head Martin Pettingell has specialist knowledge in child brain injury cases. The firm recently recruited a number of fee-earners with expertise in motorcycle accident claims.

Within Professional negligence, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Paul Chapman heads Clarke Willmott LLP, which has capabilities on the claimant side and notable expertise in cases against surveyors.

Within Regional review, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP had an uncertain and troubled year, but is notable for its strength in agriculture and estates, family and other private client matters.

Within Agriculture and estates, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP is ‘head and shoulders’ above the competition, and acts for an impressive array of clients including The Crown Estate, for which it handled some 140 matters in 2010. Other key clients include the NFU and The National Trust. Guy Hurst is appreciated for his ‘efficiency, client care and commitment’, and team head Tim Russ, Tim Hayden and Tom Hyde are also recommended.

Within Family, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s ‘truly exceptional’ team has experience in high-value ancillary relief cases, together with pre-marital trust planning and disputes involving unmarried households. Team head Gareth Schofield and Daniel Eames, who was promoted to partner in 2010, are ‘extremely professional’ and ‘undoubted experts’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP has a ‘first-rate’ team of ‘market-leaders’. It advises on 300 trusts, and took over all the private client work of the defunct Sisman Nichols. Tim Russ is ‘head and shoulders above the competition’; Anthony Fairweather is a ‘force’; and practice head Stuart Thorne is also recommended.

Within Energy, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Priscilla Hall heads Clarke Willmott LLP’s team, which includes Sally Barrett-Williams, whose ‘industry experience and efficiency’ is rated. The firm advised East Devon New Community Partnership on the construction and operation of a heat and power plant.

Within Local government, Clarke Willmott LLP is a second tier firm,

Ben Pariser’s team at Clarke Willmott LLP advised South West of England RDA on the 55-acre Bristol and Bath Science Park regeneration scheme, and Stroud District Council on the Brimscombe Port regeneration project. Other clients include London and Kent Boroughs Consortium. Stephen Rosser is highly recommended.

Within Commercial property: Bristol, Clarke Willmott LLP is a second tier firm,

Louise Brown leads Clarke Willmott LLP’s ‘superb residential development team’, which includes ten partners, among them the ‘most able’ William Juckes. Highlights included advising M3 on acquiring Extra Group; and Hallam Land Management, Taylor-Wimpey, Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes regarding a new town outside Exeter.

Within Commercial property: The West Country, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s ‘highly rated’ Tim Walker is ‘easy to deal with’. The team acted for a housebuilder consortium regarding the Cranbrook development scheme, while other clients include M3 Venture Capital Group, Mapeley and The Crown Estate.

Within Construction, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s Stephen Clarke is rated for his ‘expertise and pragmatism’; and Robin Gupta is ‘organised and efficient’. The group advised Envitec Biogas on a plant construction in Germany, and Morgan Sindall in negotiating a £20m contract for a leisure complex.

Within Environment, Clarke Willmott LLP is a third tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP is ‘one of the few high-calibre firms in the field’ and is valued for its ability to ‘obtain the best possible outcome’. Clients include Barratt Homes, S Morris and the SWRDA. Neil Baker has a ‘real appreciation of the technical issues’.

Within Planning, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP provides ‘swift responses’ and gives ‘market-leading strategic assistance’. The team advised Wraxall and Failand Parish Council and Long Ashton Parish Council regarding a planning inquiry, and Bovis Homes on planning agreement renegotiations. Neil Baker heads the team.

Within Property litigation, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP won new clients including Delta South West and Castle Hotel, and represented PETROC in obtaining vacant possession from 02, Orange, Airwave and Vodafone. Chris Taylor is ‘head and shoulders above the competition’, and Bonnie Martin provides ‘customer service par excellence’.

Within Social housing, Clarke Willmott LLP is a second tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP acted for Yarlington Homes in negotiations regarding the novation of contracts following ROK’s administration. Anne Hayward is ‘swift and trustworthy’.

Within Sport, Clarke Willmott LLP is a first tier firm,

Clarke Willmott LLP’s team is led by the highly regarded Trevor Watkins. It acted for the owner of Bristol City FC in relation to plans for a new stadium, and for The Jockey Club in setting up a ‘Champions League’ of races. Other clients include Bath Rugby, Cheltenham Racecourse and numerous football clubs.