The Legal 500

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

Cobbetts LLP’s ‘very commercial and totally professional’ team is headed by the ‘very thorough’ Sean Fitzgerald. It has deep-rooted relationships with many of the region’s private equity sponsors, and recently advised Key Capital Partners on providing a £5m equity investment on the MBO of Dwell. Another distinguishing feature of the team is its expertise in handling AIM listings for natural resources companies, and it recently advised GGG Resources on its UK placing and dual listing on the ASX; Andrew Wright is recommended for work in this area. Ian Riggs ‘makes sure every small detail is examined’, and specialises in work for corporates.

Within Corporate tax, Cobbetts LLP is a third tier firm,

At Cobbetts LLP, dual qualified solicitor/chartered accountant Haydn Rogan heads a ‘responsive and professional’ two-partner team, and is praised for his ‘commercial and succinct advice’ across a range of corporate transactions. Along with Richard Clitherow, Rogan recently advised EMIS Group on the tax aspects of its AIM listing.

Within EU and competition , Cobbetts LLP is a third tier firm,

Cobbetts LLP provides ‘direct, factual advice’ across a raft of issues to both public and private sector clients. In keeping with the firm’s strong public sector client base, the team’s ‘knowledge of state aid and procurement is very good’. The ‘customer-focused, polite and friendly’ Jonathan Branton heads the team, and receives able support from associate Jay Mehta, who is noted for her expertise in state aid, and from lawyers in the firm’s Brussels office.

Within Licensing, Cobbetts LLP is a first tier firm,

Cobbetts LLP has been increasingly busy advising on enforcement issues relating to PACE interviews, prosecutions and review hearings. Other work for the team, led by Hamish Lawson, includes advising on licence conditions and on obtaining and retaining premises licences.

Within Commercial litigation: Manchester, Cobbetts LLP is a second tier firm,

Recently bolstered at associate level, Cobbetts LLP’s three-partner team provides ‘measured and appropriate advice’ to a mix of standalone and other clients. Team head Jon Hainey (‘sensible, calm and confident’) excels in complex corporate disputes, and is representing Powernet Telecom in an attempt to recover losses allegedly resulting from the negligence of a City stockbroker.

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Led by Paul Brown, Cobbetts LLP’s three-partner team provides ‘fast and pragmatic advice’ to a strong roster of banking clients across a range of financing activity. ‘Very knowledgeable and easy to deal with’, Richard Berry is particularly accomplished in property finance, and recently advised the Co-operative Bank on the financing for the redevelopment of Lewis’s Department Store in Liverpool.

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

At Cobbetts LLP, team head Sean McGrath handles property finance restructurings and insolvencies for a number of banks including the Co-operative Bank and Bank of Ireland. A recent arrival from J B Law, Jeremy Bennett has an excellent reputation in ABL-orientated restructurings.

Within Employment, Cobbetts LLP is a second tier firm,

Cobbetts LLP has seen an increase in employment tribunal claims, as well as renewed interest in mediation. Recent work includes advising on the exit of a director from Cadbury following its takeover by Kraft. Judith Watson, who leads the team, is recommended.

Within Regional review, Cobbetts LLP is a second tier firm,

Although Cobbetts LLP faced some issues as a result of the economic downturn, it has started to see a significant uptick in instructions in property and corporate, its two staple areas of strength. On the property side, the firm is involved in a number of key regional projects, including its ongoing work for Peel Holdings in relation to MediaCity:UK.

Within Charities, Cobbetts LLP is a first tier firm,

Cobbetts LLP has a full-service offering, and continues to assist the Multiple Sclerosis Society on a wide range of governance issues. Kevin Jaquiss is experienced in the field.

Within Health, Cobbetts LLP is a third tier firm,

Kevin Jaquiss at Cobbetts LLP leads a cross-disciplinary team at the forefront of developing new structures outlined in the government’s White Paper regarding the delivery of public services by employees and communities.

Within Local government, Cobbetts LLP is a second tier firm,

Kevin Jaquiss at Cobbetts LLP has a wealth of experience advising on the creation of new legal structures for community enterprises. Recent work includes advising Salford City Council regarding a joint venture for a groundbreaking £26m community sports stadium. Leeds-based Tiffany Cloynes heads the team.

Within Commercial property: Manchester, Cobbetts LLP is a third tier firm,

Praised for its ‘superior depth of knowledge’, Cobbetts LLP provides ‘commercial and pragmatic advice’ to an impressive mix of clients including adidas, Bury MBC, De Vere Hotels and Bellway Homes. It is very accomplished in the retail and leisure sector, and is currently advising Whitbread on the expansion of its Premier Inn group of hotels. The ‘no-nonsense and straight-talking’ Catherine Haslam has a ‘firm grasp of the telecoms sector’, and is a key member of a team that also includes ‘technical and friendly’ team head Mark Barker.

Within Construction, tier 5

Henry Stone at Cobbetts LLP is recommended for non-contentious matters.

Within Planning and environment, Cobbetts LLP is a third tier firm,

The team at Cobbetts LLP acts on standalone instructions as well as in conjunction with its real estate team. On the contentious side, it represented Britannia Property Group in a successful appeal relating to a retrospective application for planning permission for a mixed-use development. Team head John Moritz ‘advises on the law, but listens to commercial aspects and steers a course that respects both’. Clients include St Modwen plc, Whitbread Group, De Vere Group, and Parkstone Group.

Within Property litigation, Cobbetts LLP is a first tier firm,

Led by Alan Walker, Cobbetts LLP’s two-partner team has been particularly active in property disputes in the banking sector, as well as professional negligence claims arising out of property transactions. Clients include Matalan, Peel Holdings, Speedy Hire, and Whitbread Group.

Within Social housing, Cobbetts LLP is a second tier firm,

Cobbetts LLP has ‘excellent knowledge’ across site acquisitions, housing stock transfers and procurement, among other matters. Richard St John Williams ‘tests and challenges assumptions and presents viable options that support business objectives’, and is a core member of a team whose clients include Accord Housing Group, Circle Anglia and Midland Heart.

Within Intellectual property, Cobbetts LLP is a second tier firm,

Cobbetts LLP conducts a mix of contentious and non-contentious IP work. The experienced Robert Roper recently defended infringement proceedings for a major client in the gaming industry, while non-contentious work included patent licensing matters.

Within IT and telecoms, Cobbetts LLP is a second tier firm,

Highlights for Susan Hall at Cobbetts LLP included acting on a high-level, complex IT procurement project; and advising on the design and installation of geographical information systems for Informed Solutions.