Acuity Law > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Firm Profile
Acuity Law Offices
3 ASSEMBLY SQUARE
BRITANNIA QUAY, CARDIFF BAY
CARDIFF
CF10 4PL
United Kingdom
Acuity Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Wales > Corporate and commercial Tier 1
Blending transactional strength with governance and commercial contracts prowess, Acuity Law provides an all-encompassing service to clients from a range of sectors, including healthcare and life sciences, technology, retail and education. Christian Farrow is well-versed at advising on domestic and cross-border transactions, including M&A and joint venture (JV) structuring in the financial services and renewables sectors. In addition, he has been pivotal to the firm's pioneering use of technology to assist clients, including the firm's long-standing Acuity Counsel subscription service and the nascent Document Assist product which enables companies to easily produce high-quality legal documents themselves. Beverley Jones co-heads the corporate side of the practice alongside Farrow, and as well as her M&A work in the healthcare sector, is also gaining traction among fund clients, including Warwick Capital for their investment activity. Jon Lawley has also developed a strong reputation within the healthcare space, most specifically as a result of his ongoing work for Portman Dental Care, the largest active acquirer of dental practices in the UK. As well as his work for university spin-out clients, Phil Pugh also handles commercial and transactional matters for technology and IT clients, an area of the practice which was strengthened at the beginning of 2022 by the arrival of Declan Goodwin from Vistra Corporate Law (he now heads up the commercial and technology sub-group). Senior associate Tom Saunderson continues to impress as a result of his private equity and early stage venture capital expertise, while at a more senior level, both Paul Lowe
and firm chairman Stephen Berry are key resources for clients as a result of their vast knowledgebase which has been developed over their many years in practice. Practice head(s):
Christian Farrow; Beverley Jones; Declan Goodwin
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Berry; Paul Lowe; Phil Pugh; Rachelle Sellek; Jon Lawley; Natalie Jones; Tom Saunderson; Chiara Howfield; Madeleine Chapman James
Testimonials
‘A very solid and reliable team that offers sound advice and is good at flagging up all issues and potential future issues.’
‘The team works to understand the needs of its clients in order to provide relevant options.’
Key clients
Achieve Together Limited
Admiral Group Plc
Avantis Marine Limited
BGF
Brickability Group plc
Cadastra Digital Marketing Ltd
Cardiff International Airport
Computerworld Group
Creditsafe Group
Choice Care Group
Divergent Technologies Ltd
Dulas Limited
Facilities by ADF Plc
Guru Systems Limited
Licentia Group
MSS Group (UK) Limited
NorthRow
OBConnect Limited
Owens Group
Political Lobbying and Media Relations Limited
Portman Dental Care
Premier Forest Group
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners
Schwa Consulting Limited
Sinclair Motor Group
SPG productions Ltd
Time GB Group Limited
Town and Country Collective
Trusted Data Solutions Limited
Verdion Group
W2 Global Data
Warwick Capital Partners
Wealthify Limited
Your World Recruitment
Work highlights
- Acuity acted for the shareholders and management team of Cardiff headquartered MSS Group (UK) Limited (MSS Group) in the sale to RSK Group, for a significant multi-million undisclosed sum.
- Advised Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners in connection with the acquisition of the exclusive development rights for one of the UK’s largest battery storage projects from Simec Atlantis Energy Limited and a subsequent investment round.
- Continue to advise Portman Dental Care on its acquisition strategy in 2022, advising on the successful purchase of 40 practices.
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 1
Praised for its ability to 'go the extra mile and remain calm under pressure', Acuity Law is popular among financial services and healthcare clients, in particular, in relation to high-stakes regional and UK-wide commercial litigation. Hugh Hitchcock has an 'understands the respective parties' pressure points', ensuring that he is well-positioned to secure favourable outcomes for his clients, including in complex director and shareholder disputes. The 'exceptional' Aisha Wardell co-heads the team alongside Hitchcock and has been a driving force behind its increased visibility in the arbitration space.Practice head(s):
Hugh Hitchcock; Aisha Wardell
Other key lawyers:
Huw Roffe; Jennifer Butcher; Martin Cox; Jared Ursell
Testimonials
‘They have a great team, with people who are as enthusiastic and motivated as they are friendly.’
‘They go the extra mile and remain calm under pressure.’
‘Acuity makes it their business to understand yours.’
‘The team takes a commercial and personal approach to all matters.’
‘Hugh Hitchcock has an excellent understanding of the commercial realities underlying the various cases and understands the respective parties’ pressure points. A great communicator he manages clients exceptionally well.’
‘Hugh Hitchcock in particular is a stand out litigation specialist and always prepared to provide expert counsel to his clients.’
‘Aisha Wardell is exceptional and strikes the right balance of commercial advice to support the legal work to provide their clients with the best possible outcomes.’
Key clients
Remedy Healthcare Solutions Limited
Au Vodka Limited
Quantum Actuarial LLP
HR Investor Group (group of 26 individuals and companies)
Portman Healthcare Limited
LUX Group Holdings Limited
Loches Capital Limited
Eco2 Limited
Sinclair Garages Limited
The Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance
Manolete Partners Plc
BraceUrself Limited
Grant Thornton LLP
Storage Giant Limited
Trade Centre Group Plc
Work highlights
- Advised an international alcohol brand on a passing off claim.
- Advised Loches Capital Limited on an application for Pre-action Disclosure and other related applications against Goldman Sachs International.
- Advised multiple selling shareholders in a multimillion-pound warranty and indemnity claim brought by the purchasers (by way of an arbitration) under the share purchase agreement. The arbitration was constituted under LCIA rules and seated in London.|
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 1
Now headed by Declan Goodwin , following his arrival in January 2022, Acuity Law‘s commercial and technology team has deep and broad experience advising on standalone contractual tech matters, as well as on M&A in the sector. Goodwin is well-versed at advising both well-established IT/tech-based corporates, and fast-growing start-ups, across a range of contractual agreements and on data protection concerns. Rachelle Sellek is also recommended, particularly as it relates to the drafting of outsourcing and software agreements. In addition to traditional fee-earning work, clients can choose to access several membership services, with the firm’s recently launched Acuity Data Assist a particularly compelling product, offering as it does a tailored audit to highlight any gaps in clients’ data compliance processes and to identify the key risks faced.
Practice head(s):
Declan Goodwin
Other key lawyers:
Rachelle Sellek; Phil Pugh; Natalie Jones; Adam Munn
Key clients
Creditsafe Group
Wealthify Limited
Computerworld Group
Guru Systems Limited
Dulas Limited
Portman Dental Care
Cardiff International Airport
Trusted Data Solutions Limited
Licentia Group
Divergent Technologies Ltd
SPG productions Ltd
Verdion Group
NorthRow
W2 Global Data
Work highlights
- Advised Angharad Thomas and Arran Schlosberg on their sale of Divergent Technologies Ltd to US company, Proof Holdings, Inc.
- Acted on the sale of Trusted Data Solutions’ legacy data management business to Kerv.
- Advised NorthRow on the terms of a SaaS agreement between our client and a large international software company that specialises in employee payroll solutions.
Employment Tier 2
Under the very effective leadership of the ‘exceptional’ Claire Knowles, the ‘responsive, proactive and supportive’ team at Acuity Law continues to gain traction in the market and ‘has a good balance of experience and developing lawyers’. The arrival in February 2022 of the ‘very likeable, professional and sensible’ Juliette Franklin from Slater and Gordon has provided the firm with added gravitas on the contentious front, as a result of her claimant-side prowess in relation to discrimination claims. The recruitment in January 2023 of senior associate Rubel Bashir , also formerly of Slater and Gordon, enhances the associate ranks that also includes the ‘proactive and commercially focused’ Adam McGlynn . As well as his fee-earning work, McGlynn has also been very effective at developing technology-based products (alongside the firm’s existing longstanding Acuity Counsel subscription offering) including the Redundancy Costs Calculator and the IR35 Assist assessment tool.
Practice head(s):
Claire Knowles
Other key lawyers:
Juliette Franklin; Rubel Bashir; Adam McGlynn
Testimonials
‘The team is responsive, proactive and supportive.’
‘The team has a good balance of experience and developing lawyers.’
‘The calm and assertive Claire Knowles is exceptional; knowledgeable and incredibly practical.’
‘Claire Knowles provides excellent personal service. She is always proactive and responsive giving strong commercial advice at competitive rates.’
‘Claire Knowles is technically very good. She is very professional and reasonable to deal with as an opponent. It is a pleasure to have her on the other side as you know that she will be tough but sensible.’
‘The very likeable, professional and sensible Juliette Franklin has had an excellent reputation for being one of the leading claimant lawyers in Cardiff for a number of years.’
‘Adam McGlynn provides excellent support and advice. He is always contactable, proactive and commercially focused.’
Key clients
RTI Group Services Limited
Brickability Group Plc
Bright Network
Portman Healthcare Limited
Oliver Marketing Limited
CareMatch Limited
Cadwyn Housing Association Limited
Work highlights
- Representing RTI Group in a claim brought against them by a former Director and a former employee, who claimed that they had been dismissed for having blown the whistle.
Finance > Banking and finance Tier 2
Acuity Law provides ‘proactive and solutions-focused’ advice to public and private sector borrowers, as well as traditional and non-bank lenders on the financing requirements associated with corporate activity, as well as on projects in the housing, energy and healthcare sectors. Team head Beverley Jones provides ‘excellent advice and support’ to many of the firm’s corporate clients on their funding requirements to facilitate M&A transactions and for working capital purposes. In addition, Jones is one of many in the team, including Christopher Agius and Sam Clarke that excels in property finance matters.Practice head(s):
Beverley Jones
Other key lawyers:
Sam Clarke; Christopher Agius; James Kilgour; Tom Saunderson
Testimonials
‘Great knowledge of our business, proactive and solution-focused.’
‘The firm provides cost-effective and flexible advice.‘
‘Availability, creativity, consistency and quality work product.’
‘Beverley Jones has great knowledge of our business. She is always proactive, responsive and supportive. Excellent advice and support.’
Key clients
Warwick Capital Partners
Caerdav Limited
Welsh Government
IQE Plc
Work highlights
- Represented Warwick Capital Partners on its debt and equity investment in Eden Living, an exciting new Private Rented Sector business focusing on the acquisition and subsequent letting of newly built houses in South Wales and the Southwest of England.
- Acted for Caerdav Limited, one of the only independent UK based airline maintenance, repair, and overhaul service providers, to secure a £4m facility from independent asset manager BOOST&Co.
- Advised the Welsh Government on the provision of an £18m loan facility to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to assist in the urgent re-financing of the Covid Large Business Interruption Scheme (CLBILS) loans that had been taken out by the four Welsh professional rugby regions, Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys (the Regions).
Real estate > Commercial property Tier 2
Acuity Law provides ‘flexible and commercially driven’ advice to a range of stakeholders, both out of its Cardiff headquarters as well as its increasingly well-established London office and its nascent Bristol location. Developer work remains a core driver for the team, with longstanding client, Rightacres, continuing to provide a slew of instructions in relation to major development projects in Cardiff. Gareth Baker is pivotal to this work and has been the lead lawyer for Rightacres on its flagship Central Square regeneration scheme since 2014. Damien Cann has also been at the core of this work, particularly as it pertains to the developer’s funding arrangements – work which he combines with significant expertise within the healthcare sector. Steve Morris , who is ‘always supportive and knowledgeable’, co-heads the team alongside Baker, while at a more junior level Ben Honour, who was promoted to partner in June 2022, provides ‘client-focused’ advice on the acquisition and disposal of commercial property and development projects.Practice head(s):
Gareth Baker; Steve Morris
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Geen; Damien Cann; Robert Morgan; Ben Honour; Robert Senior; Liz Gibbons
Testimonials
‘The team is very knowledgeable about our business. They are highly skilled, proactive and supportive. Always contactable, flexible and commercially driven.’
‘They provide clear, concise and knowledgeable advice over a range of property matters.’
‘Steve Morris is excellent, always supportive and knowledgeable. This leads to excellent outcomes.
‘Ben Honour is very organised and client focused.’
Key clients
Rightacres Property Co Limited
South Wales Land Developments Limited
Owens Road Services Limited
Sony Europe Limited
Greenhill Investments (Vale) Limited
Quinbrook/Private Energy Partners
Marshal European Investment Co Sarl
Principality Building Society
Queensberry Properties
Richard Morgan & Company
Eden Living Properties Limited
Location One Limited
Beech Developments Limited
Incrementum Housing (Warrington Council)
Premier Forest Group
Work highlights
- Acting for Rightacres in connection with the development of the former Brains Brewery site Cardiff – known as Central Quay.
- Acting for Private Energy Partners (Quinbrook affiliate) in their securing of exclusive development rights from renewable energy firm SIMEC Atlantis Energy to develop one of the largest battery storage systems in the UK.
- Advised Eden Living on the launch and development of an innovative private rented sector business, focusing on the acquisition and subsequent letting of newly built housing in South Wales and the Southwest of England.
Real estate > Construction Tier 2
Drawing upon ‘a great mix of experienced and young lawyers’, including former construction head at Douglas-Jones Mercer Philip Graham , who joined in April 2022, Acuity Law displays ‘a can-do attitude’ on behalf of developers and contractors throughout a project life cycle, on matters ranging from complex infrastructure projects to city centre regeneration schemes. Historically better known for its transactional and advisory expertise, Graham’s arrival adds more balance to the team, in light of his ‘very pragmatic approach to the resolution of construction disputes’. James Williams takes the lead on the non-contentious front and continues to spearhead the firm’s efforts for leading developer Rightacres on construction issues arising in relation to its ongoing work in Cardiff city centre.
Practice head(s):
James Williams (Non Contentious); Philip Graham (Contentious)
Other key lawyers:
Ben Honour; Huw Roffe; Harriet Butterfield; Emma Hutchings
Testimonials
‘They always respond proactively to any and all challenges, and have a can-do attitude.’
‘The team is a great mix of experienced and young lawyers – the young lawyers being encouraged under a watchful eye to engage directly with the client.’
‘They take the time to understand the practical detail of construction developments, to ensure the contracts reflect the required outcome. They work in a collaborative way with all stakeholders.’
‘Philip Graham provides a very prompt and considered response to any query. He takes a very pragmatic approach to the resolution of construction disputes.’
Key clients
Rightacres Property Co. Limited
Principality Building Society
The Ingenious Group
Investec Bank PLC
Hodge Bank Limited
Work highlights
- The firm has advised Rightacres Property Co Limited (one of Cardiff’s leading property developers) on a number of high-profile mixed use developments in the city with a development cost of circa £300m.
- Acted for numerous funders such as Hodge Bank Limited, Investec Bank PLC, the Ingenious Group and the Principality Building Society on construction projects throughout the UK with a value of circa £100m.
- Successfully advised Nalu Homes SPV 101 Ltd in relation to serial adjudications arising from the design and construction of a sustainable homes development adjacent to a national park.
Real estate > Planning and environment Tier 2
At Acuity Law, team head Steve Morris regularly advises the firm’s impressive roster of developer and investor clients on the planning concerns associated with their large-scale commercial property mandates. A number of consultant partners at the firm, including James Ryan, also handle standalone contentious and non-contentious planning matters in a self-employed capacity.
Practice head(s):
Steve Morris
Other key lawyers:
James Ryan; Stephen McColgan; Richard Voke; Robert Senior; Jennifer Butcher
Key clients
Boatfolk Marinas Limited
Hodge Bank Limited
Rightacres Property Company Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Eden Living on the planning and environmental site issues in connection with the development of an innovative new private sector rented portfolio business in South Wales and the South West of England with an initial facility of £20m.
- Acting for Private Energy Partners (Quinbrook affiliate) in their securing of exclusive development rights from renewable energy firm SIMEC Atlantis Energy to develop one of the largest battery storage systems in the UK.
- Advice to Marshal (BVI based funder) in their funding of residential development sites within the UK on the planning permissions necessary to carry out the residential developments, including consideration of satisfaction of planning conditions, drafting and reviewing planning agreements under Section 106 and Section 278/38 and advice on CIL, SUDS and affordable housing obligations.
Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2
Now forming its own discrete practice group and no longer subsumed within the broader commercial litigation offering - an indication of its growing stature in the market - Acuity Law's property litigation team provides a 'range of experience and client-focused service' to private sector clients (including developers), as well as housing associations. Team head Jennifer Butcher provides 'commercial and sensible advice' on conventional landlord and tenant disputes, as well as in litigation for management companies against developers and insurers regarding high-value latent defect claims. Butcher also handles a considerable amount of social housing-related work, as does Neil Morgan, whose expertise includes bringing claims relating to anti-social behaviour, as well as defending RSLs in disrepair actions.
Practice head(s):
Jennifer Butcher
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The highly skilled and professional team provides concise and reliable advice.’
‘The lawyers have an eye for detail and provide informed advice but with a strong element of common sense’
‘Good value for money, range of experience and client-focused service.’
‘Jennifer Butcher is excellent – intelligent, thoughtful and responsive.’
‘Jennifer Butcher is responsive, and provides commercial and sensible advice.’
Key clients
Monet Limited
Valleys to Coast Housing Limited
Coastal Housing Association Limited
Barcud Cyf
Work highlights
- Representing Monet Limited regarding a claim for trespass and/or breach of an airspace agreement against an adjacent landowner (Ravenseft Properties Limited (“Ravenseft”) of the John Lewis building in Exeter.
- Assisting new housing association client, Valleys to Coast Housing Limited, on numerous matters including defending disrepair claims being brought by its tenants.
- Continued to advise Barcud Cyf over the last year in relation to housing management including its anti-social behaviour cases.
Real estate > Social housing Tier 2
Leveraging its market-leading commercial property reputation, Acuity Law has effectively broadened the scope of its work to include a growing number of mandates in the social housing sector. Team head Liz Gibbons takes the lead on the transactional property aspects of the practice, including work on site acquisitions. Swansea-based consultant partner Neil Morgan is the main contact for housing management work and has deep experience handling anti-social behaviour issues and property litigation work in the sector.Practice head(s):
Liz Gibbons
Other key lawyers:
Neil Morgan; Jennifer Butcher; Richard Voke
Key clients
Valleys to Coast Housing Limited
Trivallis Limited
Coastal Housing Group
Cadwyn Housing Association Limited
Barcud Group
Ateb
Melin Homes
Bro Myrddin
Merthyr HA
Principality Building Society
Work highlights
- Representing Coastal Housing in relation to any property-related disputes across its residential, leasehold, and commercial portfolio.
- Acting for Valleys to Coast in connection with their housing disrepair claims.
- Acting for Wales’ largest building society, The Principality, in connection with its funding the development, The Mill, Cardiff.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 2
Led by Cordelia Payne, who divides her time between the firm’s Cardiff and London offices, the ‘very knowledgeable and responsive‘ team at Acuity Law provides ‘proactive and solutions-driven advice’ to a private sector- focused client base on the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of their IPR. Much of Payne’s workload relates to contentious matters for retail clients, including on trade mark and passing off infringements, an area that, as well as UK-based work she also has expertise handling matters before the EUIPO. The arrival in January 2022 from Vistra Corporate Law of the ‘very knowledgeable and hardworking’ Declan Goodwin strengthens the team’s ability to advise clients on the effective commercialisation of their IPR.
Practice head(s):
Cordelia Payne
Other key lawyers:
Aisha Wardell; Declan Goodwin
Testimonials
‘The team is very knowledgeable and responsive. They understand our business and provide proactive and solutions-driven advice.’
‘Declan Goodwin has been a star. He understands our business, is proactive, very knowledgeable and hardworking.’
Key clients
AU Vodka Limited
Alma de Ace Limited
BIPVCo
Elizabeth Day
REDA Industrial Materials FZE
Portman Healthcare Limited
One Rebel Limited
Luther Pendragon Holdings
Arra Distribution Limited
Really Epic Dog Limited
DST Innovations Limited
Richard Mire t/a RDM Creations
Bluestone Resorts
Guru Systems
Work highlights
- Acting for up-and-coming fashion brand, Alma de Ace, in a design right infringement claim against a major high street brand and plc which resulted in a favourable settlement to our client.
- Advising REDA Industrial Materials FZE, the Dubai based, international chemical distribution company on its brand protection matters for its expanding number of products with a particular focus on EU protection.
- Acting for premium, Welsh-based, vodka brand, AU Vodka in relation to a passing off claim against a competing Welsh vodka brand, NE10 Vodka, with a similar looking bottle and product.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment Tier 2
Led from Cardiff by consultant Angharad Evans and also able to draw upon the expertise of a number of practitioners based out of the firm’s London office, Acuity Law has a strong reputation advising clients in the creative industries across a range of contractual matters. Leveraging her previous role as head of legal and business affairs at S4C, Evans is particularly effective at advising film and tv clients across a variety of content, commercial and business management issues, including on co-production, financing and commissioning agreements.
Practice head(s):
Angharad Evans
Key clients
Joio Cyf
Riot Time Pictures Limited
Triongl Cyf
Orchard Media and Events Limited
Merton Books Limited
Carlam Ltd
Cread Cyf
Work highlights
- Provided all legal and business affairs support for the development and production of a film depicting the story of the establishment of S4C, the Welsh Language Channel.
- Sale of Merton Books, owning the book rights to a high-profile BBC1 returning series.
- Advised on Co-production of The Light in the Hall/ Y Golau financed by Channel 4 and S4C.
Real estate > Property finance Tier 7
Acuity Law predominantly services specialist and alternative lenders in the real estate space, as well as developers and investors. Team lead Sam Clarke, praised by clients for his ‘commercial understanding’, specialises in investment and development financings across hotel, student accommodation, office, retail, and residential asset classes.Practice head(s):
Sam Clarke
Testimonials
‘Sam Clarke makes this practice unique, in that he has the City training, combined with the commercial understanding, to provide an outstanding product.
‘The strength is that Sam is able to meet all timelines, asks on each deal what the particular requirements are on that transaction and aligns with our business values.’
‘Very strong team ethic with property, corporate, and construction lawyers working cohesively to provide a single view. Very responsive and flexible in approach and available when needed.’
‘Very pragmatic and will balance legal opinion with a risk based approach / commercial view.’
‘The team is very responsive and agile.’
‘Sam Clarke is excellent. Very knowledgeable and proactive. He understands the business and offers sensible solutions, and provides an excellent service.’
Key clients
OakNorth Bank
Secure Trust Bank
Zorin Finance
A.S.K. Partners
Ingenious Real Estate
Investec
Homes of England
Julian Hodge Bank
Principality Building Society
Handelsbanken
Work highlights
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design Tier 7
Counting SMEs, fashion industry entities and blockchain-based businesses, to name a few, among its key roster of clients, Acuity Law handles trade mark infringement and design right disputes, with demonstrable growth in international brand protection portfolio management. Practice head Cordelia Payne is well-versed in both contentious and non-contentious matters, routinely bringing and defending actions at the UK and EU IP registries.Practice head(s):
Cordelia Payne
Testimonials
‘The team are highly responsive, friendly and have strong knowledge of the industry.’
‘Cordelia Payne has provided excellent commercial advice. Her advice is tailored to our business and has provided true value. Responsive, friendly and professional.’
Key clients
AU Vodka Limited
Alma de Ace Limited
BIPVCo
Elizabeth Day
REDA Industrial Materials FZE
Portman Healthcare
One Rebel Limited
Luther Pendragon Holdings
Arra Distribution Limited
Really Epic Dog Limited
DST Innovations Limited
Richard Mire t/a RDM Creation
Bluestone Resorts
Guru Systems
Work highlights
- Acting for Au Vodka Limited in respect of its passing off claim against (i) NE10 Vodka Limited and (ii) Leon Hogan in respect of NE10 Vodka’s rival vodka product.
- Representing Alma de Ace in relation to all matters concerning its IP rights and brand protection.
- Acting for REDA Industrial Materials FZE, an international chemical distribution company based in Dubai, in relation to its rapidly increasing brand portfolio.
Acuity Law > Firm Profile
We are Acuity Law – entrepreneurial lawyers with an instinct for business.
Acuity Law is a top-tier national law firm offering award-winning legal services to businesses across the UK and internationally.
We like to do things a little differently. We are passionate about delivering better legal services, which is why we pride ourselves on innovation – whether that’s through our ever-expanding team of trusted and dynamic experts based up and down the country, or through our suite of custom-built products, directly inspired by our clients’ needs.
People are at the heart of everything we do. Our clients are not just at the vanguard of the corporate and commercial world, they are people who value our straight-talking, pragmatic approach. That is why our substantial portfolio of major clients is founded on longstanding relationships.
We are a team of lawyers dedicated to delivering first-class legal advice through a sharp commercial lens, seamlessly partnering with businesses. We are not just responsive, but pre-emptive, spotting problems early.
Above all, we listen. That’s why we continually strive to enrich the client experience with a range of technology, tools and channels designed to make our specialist legal knowhow as accessible as possible. Our free, intuitive Acuity Client Portal connects clients and potential clients to the Acuity environment, allowing instant access to matters, invoices and a comprehensive knowledge bank. Acuity Counsel Service, Acuity Reputation Management and Data Assist are also among some of the pioneering products and services we have devised and tailored to our clients’ needs.
Acuity Law – Making Business Happen.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate | Stephen Berry | steve.berry@acuitylaw.com | 07867 987 928 |
| Commercial | Rachelle Sellek | rachelle.sellek@acuitylaw.com | 07867 987 927 |
| Commercial | Declan Goodwin | declan.goodwin@acuitylaw.com | 07581 025 516 |
| Real estate | Steve Morris | steve.morris@acuitylaw.com | 07717 681 737 |
| Real Estate Finance | Chris Agius | chris.agius@acuitylaw.com | 07860 438 873 |
| Employment | Claire Knowles | claire.knowles@acuitylaw.com | 07896 671 817 |
| Construction | James Williams | james.williams@acuitylaw.com | 07792 839 214 |
| Banking and finance | Beverley Jones | beverley.jones@acuitylaw.com | 07976 156 659 |
| Energy | Christian Farrow | christian.farrow@acuitylaw.com | 07791 370 679 |
| Corporate | Paul Lowe | paul.lowe@acuitylaw.com | 07831 721 433 |
| Litigation & Dispute Resolution | Aisha Wardell | aisha.wardell@acuitylaw.com | 07976 927 001 |
| Litigation & Dispute Resolution | Hugh Hitchcock | hugh.hitchcock@acuitylaw.com | 07545 702 212 |
| Property Litigation | Neil Morgan | neil.morgan@acuitylaw.com | 07967 118 065 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Christopher Agius | Christopher joined Acuity Law as a Partner in September 2021, having previously… | View Profile |
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Gareth Baker | Gareth is a Partner in our Real Estate Team. Gareth co-leads Acuity’s… | View Profile |
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Stephen Berry | Steve is Chairman and founding partner at Acuity Law, with over 25… | View Profile |
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Jennifer Butcher | Jennifer leads Acuity’s Property Litigation team. Having joined Acuity from a major,… | View Profile |
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Damien Cann | Damien is a partner in the Real Estate team and is involved… | View Profile |
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Sean Chapman James | Sean is an associate within our Real Estate team in Cardiff. Sean… | View Profile |
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Madeleine Chapman James | Madeleine is a senior associate in our Corporate team. She focuses on… | View Profile |
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Angharad Evans | Angharad is a member of our Creative Industries team. A media and… | View Profile |
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Christian Farrow | Christian co-leads our Corporate team and regularly advises listed and private companies… | View Profile |
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Juliette Franklin | Juliette joined Acuity Law as a Legal Director in February 2022, having… | View Profile |
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Liz Gibbons | Liz is an experienced real estate and property lawyer. She acts for… | View Profile |
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Declan Goodwin | Declan is Lead Partner for our Commercial & Technology team. He has… | View Profile |
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Aled Griffiths | Aled has built an eminent reputation as a commercial property partner with… | View Profile |
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Jon Hill | Jon is a very experienced disputes, commercial and commercial finance lawyer who… | View Profile |
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Ben Honour | Ben is a partner in our Real Estate team with extensive experience in… | View Profile |
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Chiara Howfield | Chiara is a Senior Associate in the Corporate team at Acuity Law.… | View Profile |
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Emma Hutchings | Emma is an associate in our Real Estate team. She is a… | View Profile |
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Beverley Jones | Beverley leads our Banking & Finance team and co-leads our Corporate team.… | View Profile |
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Natalie Jones | Natalie was promoted to Legal Director in 2022 in recognition of… | View Profile |
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Hannah Jones | Hannah is an associate in our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team. She… | View Profile |
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Claire Knowles | Claire is a senior partner and shareholder at Acuity Law, and a… | View Profile |
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Jon Lawley | Jon heads up the largest dedicated dental M&A team of any law… | View Profile |
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Paul Lowe | Paul is a partner and shareholder at Acuity Law, and a member… | View Profile |
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Jordan Martin | Jordan is an associate in our Real Estate team. A true property… | View Profile |
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Adam McGlynn | Adam is an associate in our Employment team. He has a broad… | View Profile |
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Simon Morgan | Simon is a specialist commercial property lawyer of more than 30 years’… | View Profile |
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Steve Morris | Steve co-leads Acuity’s award-winning Real Estate team alongside Gareth Baker. Steve enjoys… | View Profile |
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Cordelia Payne | Cordelia leads the Intellectual Property team at Acuity Law. She qualified into… | View Profile |
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Janice Powell | Janice is a partner in our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team and… | View Profile |
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Phillip Pugh | Phil leads our London Corporate team. He has extensive experience of acting… | View Profile |
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Sian Reynolds | Sian is an experienced and commercially focused Senior Associate in our real… | View Profile |
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Huw Roffe | Huw is a partner in our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team and… | View Profile |
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Tom Saunderson | Tom is a partner in our Corporate team. His expertise covers a broad… | View Profile |
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Rachelle Sellek | Rachelle is a partner and shareholder of Acuity Law, and a member… | View Profile |
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Rupert Thomas | Rupert is a commercial property specialist, handling sales, purchases and finance; commercial… | View Profile |
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Jared Ursell | Jared is a senior associate and has experience in all forms of… | View Profile |
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Aisha Wardell | Aisha leads the Commercial Litigation team alongside Hugh Hitchcock. She is instructed… | View Profile |
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James Williams | James is a partner in Acuity’s Construction team. His advice is regularly… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 47 Number of other UK fee-earners : 65Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Gavin Peters, CEO UK Operations
COMPANY/FIRM: Tri-Wall
TESTIMONIAL: “The Acuity team is a great fit as legal partners for Tri-Wall and their emphasis on entrepreneurship and commerciality fits well with our ethos. We look forward to working with them further in the coming months.”
CLIENT: Matt Phillips, Director People and Governance
COMPANY/FIRM: Monmouthshire Council
TESTIMONIAL: “I fundamentally trust the team is because they are moulded in the image of their exceptional leader. Claire has that magical combination of a law library in her head, availability that suggests she has more hours in the day than other people, and a success rate to be envied.”
CLIENT: Andy Sloan, Business Development Director
COMPANY/FIRM: Portman Dental Care
TESTIMONIAL: “As a company we set ourselves extremely ambitious targets and we never doubted that Acuity, with its strength in depth, would rise to meet the challenge we set them.”
CLIENT: Ian Bond, CEO
COMPANY/FIRM: Bond Digital Health Limited
TESTIMONIAL: “As any entrepreneur knows, a funding raise is much like fighting a fire breathing dragon. Lots of heat, lots of tension and it never seems to lie down. We’ve been through that twice this year, successfully I have to say, and the one thing that was a given was that the team from Acuity were there. Responsive, involved, up to speed on all issues and most of all on our side all the way. It was, and remains, a valuable partnership.”
CLIENT: Gerwyn Williams, Managing Director
COMPANY/FIRM: U.K. Methane Limited
TESTIMONIAL: “Acuity Energy were very proactive and their prompt response to problems helped to identify main issues at an early stage. The team has a concentration of expertise that matches any City player but still appreciates that speed and cost is critical to its clients.”
- Corporate and commercial
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Employment
- Finance > Banking and finance
- Real estate > Commercial property
- Real estate > Construction
- Real estate > Planning and environment
- Real estate > Property litigation
- Real estate > Social housing
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment