The Legal 500

Within EU and competition EU and competition

Within Financial services, tier 6

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is ‘excellent for regulation’. The team achieved a number of successes in appealing cases to the Regulatory Decisions Committee. Chris Brennan was appointed partner, and Josie Marwick joined from the FSA.

Within Flotations: small and mid-cap, tier 5

Philip Rogers is recommended at Clyde & Co LLP.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP completed 10 M&A deals in its London office in 2010, including one over the £1bn mark. It counts the likes of Tesco and UPS among its regular clients, and was recently instructed by US renewables giant Sunpower Corporation’s UK and international operations. Simon Gamblin is ‘very efficient, very quick, always willing and always to the point’.

Within Fraud: civil , Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP operates a sector-led practice with particular experience in financial services, insurance, transport, and social infrastructure. Notable recent work includes defending IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG in a claim valued at more than $2bn for alleged fraudulent misrepresentations. Julian Connerty and Paul Friedman are both highly regarded.

Within Banking litigation: investment and retail, tier 4

Acting for and against banks, Clyde & Co LLP continues to receive a strong flow of quality instructions, with an increase in work from international clients. Highlights included acting for a major European bank regarding the handling of certain investments and derivatives. Paul Friedman is a ‘proactive, tenacious and measured litigator with a good understanding of commercial realities’.

Within Commercial litigation, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s promotion of Mike Swangard to the partnership and lateral hire of Marko Kraljevic from Halliwells and David Leckie from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP boosted its practice in the commodities and energy sectors. The firm continues to work across its core sectors of trade, natural resources, transport, infrastructure, real estate and insurance, and has growing capability in banking and finance, and technology matters. Paul Friedman is recommended.

Within International arbitration, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

The team at Clyde & Co LLP worked on cases across its core sectors of trade, commodities, energy, natural resources, transport, infrastructure, real estate and insurance, but was also instructed in financial institution related cases. It benefits from the firm’s network of overseas offices, and lateral hires in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Middle East and the US. John Whittaker, Ben Knowles and Michael Swangard are key figures.

Within Mediators,

The ‘outstanding’ Jane Andrewartha is a top-flight disputes partner at Clyde & Co LLP who splits her time between her contentious insurance practice and mediation, where she has an absolutely first-class reputation. On top of her experience in insurance and reinsurance, her expertise as a mediator extends across the full range of sectors and disciplines, including banking and finance, commercial, aviation, commodities, employment and construction,.

Within Overview,

The market remains competitive and fluid. Halliwells’ collapse provided Clyde & Co LLP with the lateral hire of Marko Kraljevic, while Stephenson Harwood beefed up with Sean Jeffrey arriving from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Sara George from Allen & Overy LLP. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s former litigation chief Julian Randall exited for Taylor Wessing LLP. Others have been busy consolidating; in 2011, seven partners from Dawsons LLP, plus their assistants, joined Penningtons Solicitors LLP, while Stewarts Law LLP acquired litigation practice Masseys LLP.

Within Public international law, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s PIL practice draws on the firm’s international trade and dispute resolution expertise. The team is increasingly involved in disputes arising under investment treaties, acting for and against governments in relation to expropriation, fair and equitable treatment, discrimination, and denial of justice claims. PIL work is also relevant to the firm’s work concerning contract frustration, sovereign immunity, and international debt issues, and it has expertise in sanctions-related advice. John Whittaker, Ben Knowles and Michael Swangard are key practitioners.

Within Asset finance and leasing, tier 4

With over 30 lawyers in its London asset finance team, Clyde & Co LLP has one of the largest offerings in the market. Much of its work is for the firm’s extensive roster of shipowners and operators, and it is well equipped to handle cross-border mandates, with a particularly strong offering in Piraeus and Dubai. On the aviation side, the firm continues to flourish across its core areas of commercial aircraft, business aircraft and engines. Recent highlights include advising Westpac on financing the acquisition by a Guernsey special purpose fund of an Airbus 380 leased to Emirates. The ‘very commercial and easy-to-deal-with’ Gavin Hill and ‘very strong’ Philip Perrotta are recommended for aviation finance; Matt Hannaford heads the ship finance practice; and the arrival of Nigel Taylor from Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP gives the firm added expertise in rail matters.

Within Commodities: derivatives Leading individuals

Within Commodities: physicals, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP advises investment banks, trading houses and producers including Glencore and Tata Steel. Michael Swangard is ‘responsive and very commercial’; Paul Friedman is ‘a wise person to have on your side in litigation’; and John Whittaker is ‘talented, with strong professional ethics’. Hatty Sumption, Ben Knowles and former commodity trader Clare Hatcher round out a team that is ‘hardworking, quick, and practical: a class act’. Defending sugar trader ED&F Man is among its recent highlights.

Within Corporate restructuring and insolvency, tier 5

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP counts PwC, Grant Thornton and KPMG as clients. The practice is led by Jon Yorke, who focuses on the insurance and financial institution sectors, while Rupert Connell predominantly advises on insolvencies.

Within Overview,

Instructed by a swathe of FTSE 100 corporates, Slaughter and May is the premier borrower-side practice in the market, and scores highly for bank lending and restructuring matters, where it continues to excel in government-led work. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is also very accomplished on the borrower side, in investment grade lending and acquisition finance, where it acts for an oustanding roster of private equity sponsors, and also in more esoteric areas such as derivatives, where it moves to the top tier this year. High-ranking practices outside the Magic Circle include Hogan Lovells International LLP, which moves up in the asset finance ranking having hired Simon Gwynne and Robert Fugard from Linklaters LLP, and also has a strong showing across restructuring, investment funds, and Islamic and trade finance; Ashurst LLP, across acquisition finance, investment funds, securitisation and derivatives; Norton Rose LLP, in asset finance, Islamic finance and emerging markets; SJ Berwin LLP, in investment funds; and Simmons & Simmons, in hedge funds and derivatives. As well as having strong asset finance practices, Clyde & Co LLP, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP and Reed Smith all feature in the top tier of the commodities (physicals) ranking.

Within Trade finance, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

At established commodities player Clyde & Co LLP, Stephen Tricks is valued for his ‘rounded, practical advice’, recently handling deals such as a $60m loan and offtake contract for a Cuban metals producer. Philip Prowse joined from Salans.

Within Employment, tier 6

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s team has ‘in-depth understanding of financial services’. The team is headed by the ‘go-to’ Robert Hill, and is noted for its advisory role on forthcoming public sector pay changes. The ‘responsive and proactive’ Chris Holme is ‘very good at translating complex legal issues into practical actions’.

Within Health and safety, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP represented TAV Engineering in the Buncefield prosecution; and is assisting Lowry Homes in relation to allegations of corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter. John Goodman and David Knapp ‘demonstrate extensive knowledge’.

Within Immigration, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP has seen a recent increase in compliance and audit-related work for blue-chip clients wishing to retain A-rated sponsorship status. It also handles personal matters, including political asylum and entry clearance for inter-country adoptions. ‘Superlative professional’ Jonathan Chaimovic and his team deliver ‘commercially orientated solutions that achieve the outcomes the business desires’. Associate Tim Richards is one to watch.

Within Pensions, tier 6

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP recently advised the Trustees of the Pall (UK) Pension Fund on an index-based longevity swap. ‘Outstanding’ lawyer Mark Howard ‘combines both technical and communication skills’.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant Leading individuals

Within Clinical negligence: defendant , Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s ‘excellent’ group is relatively small, but enjoys considerable market share. The team’s ‘strength lies in its people skills’, as well as its provision of ‘an efficient and timely service’. The team has been representing the NHSLA in a multimillion-pound birth injury claim against an NHS hospital, involving a catastrophic brain injury. New partner Claire Petts is ‘an extremely good people person’ with ‘a wealth of knowledge regarding healthcare law’. Charles Brown and practice head Kevin Bitmead are also recommended.

Within Insurance and reinsurance litigation, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Despite several departures, including that of former practice head Jason Bright, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s well-established reputation continues to attract new clients, which credit its ‘commercial rather than purely legal approach’, and service that is ‘second to none’, whether on mainstream or the most complex cases. The practice was reinforced by the arrival of several former Halliwells lawyers, including Helen Bourne and Damian McPhun. Kiran Soar is ‘commercial, and works well as part of a team’; David Abbott is ‘outstanding’ and Clive O’Connell is ‘one of the best reinsurance lawyers in London’. Victoria Sherratt is ‘a safe pair of hands’, and Maurice Kenton is ‘a very committed litigator’. Highlights included successfully representing at first instance CX Re in IRB Brazil Resseguros SA v CX Reinsurance Company Ltd.

Within Insurance: corporate and regulatory, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Despite several departures from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, clients recognise that Stephen Browning is a ‘strong leader’ who remains supported by ‘a high-quality team’. Browning is a ‘first-choice adviser’ with ‘extensive expertise’, particularly regarding the London and Lloyd’s market. Douglas Howie and Timothy Parsons are also recommended. The group recently advised FirstCity Partnership on selling its insurance brokerage business to Arthur J Gallagher.

Within Insurance: insolvency and restructuring, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP maintains a strong reputation in this field, despite Ian Mason’s departure to Baker & McKenzie LLP in 2010. Practice head Jon Yorke led advice to Minster on its scheme of arrangement, one of the largest solvent schemes to be sanctioned to date. Other clients include Ageas, Apetrop, Partner Re, and RSA Reinsurance Ireland.

Within Personal injury: defendant, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s leading practice represents clients such as Zurich Financial Services, Allianz, John Lewis, and NFU Mutual Insurance Society. The group was instructed by Zurich Municipal in the defence of Tandridge District Council in a group claim connected to an E.coli outbreak at Godstone Farm in 2009. Kevin Bitmead heads the team, which includes the ‘thorough and wholly dependable’ Danielle Singer and former barrister Charles Brown, who ‘has an instinctive grasp of strategy’, and is ‘a first-rate communicator’. David Knapp is also recommended, and is particularly experienced in actions involving police, social services or local authorities.

Within Product liability: defendant, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Mark Wing heads Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s ‘strong department’, which is ‘well grounded in this field’. Insurer clients include Zurich, Chartis and Munich Re. It recently acted for Chartis and Home Retail Group in the ‘toxic sofa’ litigation, in which claimants alleged a skin condition caused by furniture. Giles Kavanagh and Hugh Mullins are recommended. Jason Bright left for Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP.

Within Professional negligence, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

A ‘true market leader’ and ‘first-class practice’, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s 16-partner team is led by Sarah Clover, ‘the doyenne of professional negligence’. It handles claims and advises on insurance, reinsurance and global policy for the captive insurers of the Big Four accounting firms. It also acts for Catlin, QBE, Mitsui and Novae. Andrew Blair is ‘superb’; Fergal Cathie is recommended for his ‘excellent response times’; Neil Jamieson has great experience and shows ‘toughness where necessary’; and the ‘highly skilled’ Simon Konsta is also recommended. Julian Randall moved to Taylor Wessing LLP in October 2010.

Within Oil and gas, tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP is ‘outstanding in every respect’, and made a hat-trick of partner hires to cement its position: Sandra Sinclair-Hughes from Watson, Farley & Williams LLP; David Leckie from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP; and George Booth from Simmons & Simmons. Marine-related matters, insurance and corporate work are all strong areas.

Within Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables) , tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP bolstered its team through the hire of George Booth from Simmons & Simmons. The firm is advising African Minerals on a £3bn development, including a power station, in Sierra Leone.

Within Private finance initiative (PFI) , tier 6

Clyde & Co LLP ‘focuses on the key issues’, with Liz Jenkins and Robert Meakin recommended on the construction side of PFI projects. Clients include Kier Regional, Galliford Try and Skanska.

Within Healthcare, tier 5

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s practice advised Western Sussex Hospital NHS Trust on the high-profile dismissal of a doctor. It gained several new NHS trust clients in 2010.

Within Commercial property, tier 4

Clyde & Co LLP is ‘very good at negotiating complicated deals even when the property is small’. The practice focuses on development, investment, and work for large occupiers including retailers. Clients include Grosvenor, Tesco Express and Frogmore. Martin Quicke is ‘able to delegate and still be firmly in touch with what’s going on’. Graeme Taylor, David Wyatt and Adam Taylor-Smith are also recommended.

Within Construction, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s team is ‘generally excellent’ and displays ‘good attention to detail’. In 2010, the practice saw an increase in developer-led work and international mandates, including advising African Minerals on a power station project in Sierra Leone. John Morris leads the 11-partner London team, and ‘gets a clear grasp of situations within a short time’.

Within Environment, tier 4

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s practice is heavily weighted towards contentious matters; but also advises clients such as Angel Trains on regulatory compliance. It advises insurers on environmental liability claims, with Aidan Thomson providing ‘excellent, concise advice on a market sector that is increasing in importance for insurers’. The team represented TAV Engineering in its prosecution regarding the Buncefield explosions; and also acts for manufacturers on environmental breach claims.

Within Planning Leading individuals

Within Property litigation, tier 5

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is developing a name in the professional negligence field, leveraging the firm’s great reputation in insurance. Neil Jamieson recently acted for a law firm and its insurers in a £12m credit claim made by Regional Investments.

Within Overview,

In IT and telecoms, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and Powell Gilbert LLP were strengthened by high-profile lateral hires. Clients’ focus on the cost of legal advice has brought work to specialist boutiques, notably Technology Law Alliance, Preiskel & Co LLP, Waterfront Solicitors and Radiant Law, recently established by partners from Latham & Watkins LLP and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.

Within Aviation, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

The aviation practice at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is set to transfer to Holman Fenwick Willan LLP; scheduled to make the move are Sue Barham, Nicholas Hughes and Giles Kavanagh in London, along with Richard Gimblett (London and Dubai); Jeremy Shebson (London and São Paulo); Peter Coles (Hong Kong); and Keith Richardson and Mert Hifzi (Singapore). The team ‘as it stands is extremely knowledgeable and responsive’, and regularly acts for clients such as British Airways, Etihad, BAE Systems and Allianz. Regulatory expert Barham has been representing the National Airlines Council of Canada in High Court judicial review proceedings and an ECJ referral over the legality of the EU’s rules on emissions trading for aviation; and Gimblett, who is ‘very knowledgeable and the man to go to for aviation disputes’, recently advised on the global settlement following the loss of a Flash Airlines B737. Kavanagh, who heads the team, is highly recommended for insurance-related aviation work.

Within Overview,

Levels of litigation in the aviation sector remained high. In addition to the continuing impact of the economic downturn, the sector came under additional pressure due to disruptions caused by the volcanic ash eruptions, and now faces further challenges as airlines slash their profit forecasts due to rising oil prices and a potential trade war looms with the EU preparing to include foreign airlines in the emissions trading scheme. On a positive note, there is robust growth by Asia Pacific carriers and great potential for growth in Latin America and Africa, which has a number of London practices looking internationally. The biggest upset in the sector, law firm wise, has been from the announcement of the pending move of Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s longstanding leading aviation practice, to Holman Fenwick Willan LLP. On the boutique front, Gates and Partners continued to grow, opening offices in Brussels and Dubai.

Within Rail,

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP largely focuses on pensions, corporate and technology work, for clients such as Arriva and Go-Ahead, and boosted its technology offering with the recruitment of John Worthy from SNR Denton. Nigel Taylor left to join Clyde & Co LLP.

Within Shipping , Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s ‘quick and responsive’ team represented Merle Wood & Associates in a leading shipbroking case regarding a 110-metre superyacht, and achieved the second-highest Lloyd’s Open Forum salvage award ever for Five Oceans Salvage. Andrew Preston’s ‘strengths are his knowledge of the law, speed of response and ability to assess commercial risk’; Nick Austin ‘explains technical issues with clarity’; and Hatty Sumption is ‘very thorough, commercially minded and persistent’. The firm’s ‘network of worldwide offices proves to be extremely useful’.