The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Bristol, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft advised Fidelity International on the £20m divestment of its transfer agency and consulting business, and acted for Moonray Healthcare on buying two hospitals. Advice to the healthcare sector is a particular focus, with other clients including Spire Healthcare. John Williams heads the practice.

Within Commercial litigation: Bristol, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft has particular expertise in insurance defence work and saw significant growth in financial services litigation. An insurer recently instructed the group regarding two data disclosure incidents. David Pollitt heads the team, which includes the ‘very effective’ Ben Daniels.

Within Debt recovery, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft is ‘excellent – quick, effective and reasonably priced’. It acts for several large multinationals, health authorities and limited companies; clients include Imperial Tobacco. Group head David Treasure is ‘friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and experienced’.

Within Banking and finance, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft's recent work includes advising Bank of Ireland on loan restructuring and refinancing. Stephen Metcalfe heads the group.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft’s ‘thoughtful and strategic’ Giles Hindle is a ‘safe pair of hands’, and ‘excellent technician’ Kevin Hawthorn has a ‘fine grasp of the law’. The team acted on the liquidation of an international commodities broker, and represented BDO on the administration of a legal services provider.

Within Employment: Bristol, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft’s ‘approachable and accessible’ team is led by Alex Lock, whose ‘practical and commercial edge makes him head and shoulders above the rest’; and Katy Horner demonstrates ‘very sound technical expertise’. The firm represents various public sector clients, including Avon & Somerset Constabulary. Vodafone is a new client.

Within Health and safety, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a first tier firm,

Beachcroft provides a full service to an excellent client base including several multinationals. The hugely experienced Sally Roff is recommended, as is ‘hard worker and strategic thinker’ Andrew Stokes.

Within Clinical negligence: defendant, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a first tier firm,

Beachcroft’s ‘market-leading’ team is ‘excellent in terms of industry knowledge’. It represents public bodies including Devon Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, and recently acted for NHS Yorkshire and The Humber in winning dismissal of a multimillion-pound birth injury claim dating from 1963. Practice head Nigel Montgomery is recommended.

Within Personal injury: defendant, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a first tier firm,

The market-leading team at Beachcroft acts for a range of high-profile clients, including Zurich Insurance, Aviva and Fortis. Sally Yuill, with experience in catastrophic injury, ‘sees the bigger picture and takes a pragmatic approach’; Sally Roff is ‘technically extremely capable and really knows her stuff’; James Morris is an ‘excellent people person and has a passion for client service’; and Paul Parke is also recommended.

Within Professional negligence, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a first tier firm,

Beachcroft’s ‘superb’ team represents clients such as Markel, Travelers, and Zurich on a range of matters. It acted for Towergate, the national broker, in a claim by Synergy Health (UK) Limited (Synergy) relating to a serious fire. Team head Marcus Campbell is recommended, and Charlie Bending and Phillip Roberts made partner in 2010.

Within Regional review, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Ashfords LLP is a growing force in Bristol, while its Exeter base has strength across a wide range of corporate and private client matters; Beachcroft’s expertise in personal injury and other areas ensures that it remains a force to be reckoned with in the region; and Bond Pearce LLP has leading expertise in areas such as licensing and planning.

Within Private Finance Initiative (PFI), DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft’s Malcolm Austwick has particular experience in health sector schemes, and the team also advised M+W UK on the construction contract for the £100m West Sussex Waste Treatment PFI.

Within Health, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a first tier firm,

Beachcroft’s health practice is ‘excellent’, and a ‘first stop’ for clients. Nigel Montgomery heads the team, which acted for Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust on its merger with Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust. Other clients include Alliance Medical Limited, Bupa, and Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Katy Horner and Malcolm Austwick are also recommended.

Within Local government, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Giles Taylor heads the team at Beachcroft, which also includes Tom Baker. The group advised Somerset County Council on the procurement of a leisure facility, and advises key client Dorset County Council on procurement, contracts and litigation.

Within Commercial property: Bristol, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Beachcroft continues to represent Westfield Shoppingtowns, most recently advising on the letting of its shopping centre at the London Olympics site. The team also advised Everything Everywhere (formerly Orange) on the transfer of commercial leases of 400 retail units. David Esam heads the team.

Within Construction, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a second tier firm,

Ben Thornycroft heads the team at Beachcroft, which advised Liverpool City Council on the central library archive redevelopment PFI contract. Newly promoted partner Phillip Roberts heads the construction professional indemnity team. John Vasey left the firm.

Within Environment, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft’s Anne Harrison provides ‘clear, decisive advice with regard to the bigger picture’. The team advised Plymouth City Council regarding breaches of waste management legislation, and Northumbrian Water on a pollution incident.

Within Planning, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Beachcroft provides ‘well-founded advice no matter what the issue’. Highlights included advising Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in a planning appeal, and Canynge Bicknell on planning permission for a mixed-use development. Anne Harrison and the ‘efficient and personable’ Nick Knapman are recommended.

Within Property litigation, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Nick Knapman’s team at Beachcroft has ‘in-depth market knowledge’, and ‘takes the time to understand clients ’ needs’. Clients include Westfield Shoppingtowns, Johnson Dry Cleaners and Her Majesty’s Courts Service.

Within Intellectual property, DAC Beachcroft LLP is a third tier firm,

Alan Pratt at Beachcroft is recommended.

Within IT and telecoms, tier 4

Beachcroft’s Helen Simpson is recommended for high-value, complex outsourcing projects.