The Legal 500

This specialist commercial law firm based in Bradford and Leeds provides expert services in corporate law, commercial property, dispute resolution, PFI projects, social housing, education (academies and trust schools) and public procurement.

The firm: The young and vibrant practice was founded by Chris Schofield and Martin Sweeney, both previously partners at Ralph C Yablon in Bradford and before that practising at DLA. Schofield Sweeney offers the highest levels of expertise and service with a degree of specialism normally only found in large national practices, at fees that provide excellent value for money. It operates from modern offices that feature excellent meeting facilities and the latest information technology. The firm appreciates that it must understand a client’s business to provide advice that is relevant, cost-effective, and timely.

The client base ranges from substantial plcs to medium-sized companies and small businesses, as well as non-commercial organisations in sectors ranging from banking and construction to transport, food and housing. Significant recent developments include the arrival as partner of Adam Hastie, and previously David Strachan and Viv Wild, from prestigious regional and national practices. Their expertise and experience have further improved the firm’s ability to attract clients who may otherwise have instructed national firms.

The practice aims to give the best possible advice and service to clients and to work with them and any other solicitors and professionals involved in any transaction, with a view to ensuring the smoothest possible progress.

Types of work undertaken: Business advice includes company formations, company reorganisations, the sale and purchase of companies and business assets, advice to partners and company directors, MBOs, MBIs and public and private equity. The scope of matters handled ranges from arrangements that will secure revenue from trading in developing economies whilst protecting intellectual property rights, to an agreement for the naming rights to a major sports stadium. Advice is given on all aspects of UK and European competition law, including anti-competitive arrangements, abuse of a dominant position, merger control, the grant of state aid and public procurement. The firm has particular expertise in the use of the competitive dialogue procurement procedure. Andrew Finfer advised in connection with the first two uses in the UK of the procedure to procure regeneration projects.

The firm acts on all aspects of commercial property matters and also has a thriving residential property development practice. It offers planning, construction and environmental advice. Particular specialisms include the property aspects of PFI/PPP transactions with emphasis on the health sector and rail-related property matters. The team has acted for GPs, specialist healthcare developers and PCTs. In the railway industry, the firm acts for infrastructure companies and has knowledge of the regulated railway regime. Projects/PFI experience includes closing PPP/PFI and NHS Lift deals and advising both the public and private sector. The firm has a leading social housing practice which advises on group structures and mergers.

The firm specialises in all aspects of corporate recovery and insolvency, acting on behalf of insolvency practitioners from some of the large national firms, together with many of the small independent firms in the Yorkshire region.

Dispute resolution expertise includes all kinds of business disputes, debt collection, and commercial property litigation. Employment services for employers and senior employees is a notable specialism including drawing up service contracts and terms and conditions of employment as well as redundancy procedure and termination payments, together with discrimination claims and representation at tribunals.

Comprehensive wills, trusts and tax advice is provided for individuals.

In the last two years, Schofield Sweeney has developed a national reputation as a leading firm in the education sector. Partner Graham Shaw has advised over 30 academies throughout the UK, making him one of the most experienced practitioners in this specialist field.

Other offices: Leeds

Breakdown of work %
Commercial and competition 5
Commercial property 25
Corporate finance 25
Employment 10
Insolvency 5
Litigation and dispute resolution 15
PFI/social housing 10
Private client 5

Number of UK partners 20
Number of other UK fee-earners 38