The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘very efficient and flexible’ DMH Stallard LLP has core strengths in the healthcare, technology, waste and renewables sectors, and in 2010 advised Hillcrest Care on reorganisation and refinancing issues. Practice head Jonathan Grant is recommended for his expertise in corporate finance, and Vincent O’Brien in London is a ‘pragmatic, commercially astute lawyer, who always goes the extra mile’.

Within EU and competition EU and competition

Within Crime, DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

Mark Anthony Rayner’s ‘outstanding’ team at DMH Stallard LLP has particular expertise within the public sector, acting for clients such as the London Borough of Croydon on criminal matters, including in 2010 the prosecution of a woman claiming illegal benefits. It also has experience in criminal damage and computer misuse.

Within Licensing, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP’s team advised Haldanes Stores on the licensing requirements of its recently acquired 14 Co-op and Somerfield stores, and also advised CSMA Motoring and Leisure Services on its licensing requirements. Associate Sophie Macarthy leads the team.

Within Commercial litigation: Kent, Surrey and Sussex, DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘very approachable and helpful’ team at DMH Stallard LLP is led by Simon Elcock, who has a ‘commercial and pragmatic approach’. Key clients include The London Borough of Croydon. James Colvin is also recommended.

Within Debt recovery , DMH Stallard LLP is a third tier firm,

Simon Elcock’s team at DMH Stallard LLP has ‘impressive knowledge’ and acts for clients in a range of sectors. New clients include the Performing Rights Society.

Within Banking and finance, DMH Stallard LLP is a third tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP was substantially boosted by a merger with SM Reed & Co. in 2010, and now has niche expertise in advising on acquisitions and refinancings within the healthcare sector. The ‘very proactive’ team impresses with its ‘high level of sector knowledge’, and is led by Gwen Godfrey. Stephen Reed is also rated.

Within Insolvency and corporate recovery Insolvency and corporate recovery

Within Employment: Kent, Surrey and Sussex, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP has a strong public sector focus; clients include Crawley Borough Council, which has instructed the firm on employment issues for over ten years. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and organised’ Jenny Thorp is recommended.

Within Personal injury: claimant, DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

Lorna Fairbairn leads a team at DMH Stallard LLP that has ‘strength and depth’. In 2010 it brought a claim on behalf of a deceased man involved in a road traffic accident. Lucienne Westbrook is ‘professional and very competent’.

Within Professional negligence, DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

Simon Elcock’s multi-disciplinary group at DMH Stallard LLP advises in property matters and claims against solicitors. Clients include BDO and Travelers.

Within Regional review, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

Sole practitioner startups were also a key theme: private client specialist Nick Morgan left Clarkslegal LLP to set up on his own; insolvency and restructuring expert Gary Player left Thomas Eggar LLP to form Players Solicitors; while in Sussex, Lynne Passmore left DMH Stallard LLP to form Lynne Passmore Family Law.

Within Charities Charities

Within Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, DMH Stallard LLP is a third tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP’s family group is now led by London-based Siobhan Lomasney, following the departure of Lynne Passmore to set up her own practice. Lomasney has expertise in matrimonial matters, while consultant Sarah-Jane Riddell joined Fitzhugh Gates in 2011.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Personal tax, trust and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex

Within Education, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

In 2010 DMH Stallard LLP advised clients such as the London Borough of Croydon, the University of Sussex and Lancing College on special educational needs matters, pupil and parental rights, and general governance issues. New clients for Martin Allen’s team include Brighton University.

Within Health, DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

In 2010 DMH Stallard LLP advised the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on a number of judicial reviews, and clients such as Hillcrest Care on acquisitions and joint ventures.

Within Local government , DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

Jenny Thorp’s team at DMH Stallard LLP continues to advise a number of London Boroughs, including Croydon, Tower Hamlets and Enfield, on employment, litigation and property issues. The team also advises The Local Government Ombudsman on employment matters.

Within Commercial property: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP handles a strong flow of instructions from both public bodies and commercial clients the latter include Tesco, for which it assists with all portfolio management and lease issues for its Express and Metro stores. Richard Pollins and Marion Wilcock are recommended.

Within Construction , DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

Assisting clients in both the public and private sector, DMH Stallard LLP acts for Aviva, CityWest Homes and Westminster City Council, among others. Practice head Stephen Royle is recommended for his expertise in non-contentious construction law and advice on commercial construction projects.

Within Environment, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP is at the forefront of renewable energy advice, attracting work on feed in tariffs (FITs). The team also has a strong track record in environmental litigation, where Heidi Copland is recommended.

Within Planning, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP ‘stands out from other law firms in the South’ for its ‘high-quality advice and strong reputation’. In 2010, group head Heidi Copland gained further instructions from local planning authorities, particularly on complex s106 agreements; and the team continued to advise Park Holidays UK on planning and site licence matters in relation to its 26 caravan parks in Southern England. ‘Excellent’ consultant Tony Allen is recommended for his focus on heritage work.

Within Property litigation, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

The 16-strong property litigation department at DMH Stallard LLP advises blue-clip clients such as Tesco, Liverpool Victoria and Lloyds TSB, while also representing numerous public bodies. The firm is well known for its expertise in leasehold enfranchisement and is ‘among the best in the leasehold reform sector’. Practice head Tina George is recommended.

Within Social housing Social housing

Within Intellectual property , DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Commercially aware and very responsive’, DMH Stallard LLP delivers ‘succinct advice’. It advises the Friday Media Group, Office Shoes and Alpargatas (UK and Europe) on all IP matters. London-based Tim Ashdown leads the ‘very professional outfit’, and Frank Jennings is ‘commercially minded’.

Within IT and telecoms, DMH Stallard LLP is a first tier firm,

DMH Stallard LLP advised TriSystems on its software development with QBE and its new cloud computing service. It continues to assist the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) and Croydon Council. Frank Jennings is a ‘clear thinker’, and Tim Ashdown in London is also recommended.

Within Media and entertainment, DMH Stallard LLP is a second tier firm,

With expertise in the music industry, Nick Kounoupias at DMH Stallard LLP has an excellent reputation for copyright infringement and anti-piracy cases. The group advised BSkyB in a breach of copyright case in the High Court against TVCatchUP. Clients include PRS for Music and Rock Choir.