The cross-office litigation practice at Birketts LLP has a key hub in Ipswich, where the vastly experienced Matthew Atkins and up-and-coming partner Josh Ripman are the standout practitioners. They have ‘both commercial acumen and pragmatism, and deal with matters with great efficiency and drive‘. The firm handles the full range of tortious and contractual claims, commercial fraud, shareholder’s disputes, breach of restrictive covenant agreements, product liability matters, partnership disputes, and matters arising from corporate transactions. Legal director Ceri Rogers, who is ‘a very assured litigator, with a steely determination‘, formerly at Fieldfisher, and senior associate Hayley Songhurst, previously of Ellisons, joined the Ipswich litigation group in 2023.
Commercial litigation: elsewhere in East Anglia in East Anglia
Birketts LLP
Practice head(s):
Matthew Atkins; Josh Ripman
Other key lawyers:
Kurt Glencastle; Ceri Rogers; Hayley Songhurst; Bethany Kent
Testimonials
‘Birketts is a very well known firm and this has been proved when we recent had to use them to support and guide us through a dispute for my son and his employer I don’t know how it compares as I haven’t had to use solicitors for this type of dispute but we were treated with kindness and were talked through each step by Kurt as we went through.’
‘Kurt Glencastle was professional knowledgeable and he was kind and took time to explain what to expect, what could happen and explained each process as we went through our ordeal. Kurt’s expertise and experience was brilliant.’
‘The team has a particularly strong expertise in advising in relation to shareholders disputes and directors liability, which compliments their knowledge of the insolvency sector and wider commercial disputes. They also have a strong presence in high court litigation arising from M&As. The team work together well, with a very good knowledge base, and an approachable, unstuffy demeanour. They have both commercial acumen and pragmatism and deal with matters with great efficiency and drive.’
‘Ceri Rogers – a very assured litigator, with a steely determination and focus on the end goal. She shone in her successful defence of an application for expedited trial in a restrictive covenant case, where unusually expedition was refused. Hayley Songhurst – an oasis of calm in a storm, she is incisive with a strong focus on client care. Hayley has a strong presence in commercial litigation and is assured in her handling of cases.’
‘All of the partners and associates I work with are outstanding. Incredibly hardworking, client focused, practical and commercial, with a keen sense of the overall strategy of a claim. The team are highly dedicated to getting the best possible outcome for their clients.’
‘Josh Ripman (partner) is one of the finest lawyers I have worked with. He has a fantastic grasp of the legal, technical, and commercial aspects of claims. He is absolutely tenacious when it comes to fighting for every last benefit for his clients. He has a terrific instinct for strategy and anticipating the twists and turns of litigation. Someone you would want in your corner when the stakes are high.’
‘I have worked with Haley Songhurst on a particularly complex matter which required the deployment of negotiation skills as opposed to a purely contentious approach. Hayley is commercially astute, clear in her advice and impressive in conference and in her preparation.’
‘Joshua Ripman is very experienced and possesses great judgment. He is able to convey himself in a professional demeanor and is most knowledgeable. Bethany Kent has always been on hand for support and has assisted in legal matters pertaining to civil dispute resolution. I consider Beth to be courteous and I can attest to Beths nature as being one which who will graciously apply knowledge and exceed expectations.’
Work highlights
Greene & Greene
Based in Bury St Edmunds, Greene & Greene is known for 'outstanding service, competence and personal touch'. The firm has a reputation for providing City quality work with a more personal approach, handling local, regional, national and international work. The firm is frequently involved in cross-border asset recovery cases. The litigation group is led by Rob Adam, who is 'commercially-minded, sensible and great with clients', and Michael Batty, who is 'a great commercial partner with a shrewd eye for what works'. Senior associate Rachel Turner-George and associate Bee Belby are recommended for high-value fraud claims and breach of contract matters respectively.
Practice head(s):
Rob Adam; Michael Batty
Other key lawyers:
Rachel Turner-George; Bee Belby
Testimonials
‘Rob Adam is all-round good guy; commercially-minded, sensible and great with clients. Just fantastic to have on your team.’
‘Outstanding service, competence and personal touch.’
‘Michael Batty is a great commercial partner with a shrewd eye for what works.’
‘Gets interesting commercial work with an international dimension, and is well placed to deal with it.’
‘Michael Batty is very commercial, hard working and on top of the issues, as well as great with clients.’
‘The firm as a whole is very professional in all areas. their advice is fair and impartial aimed at the best result for the client and not the fee income like some firms I have worked with who try to take control.’
‘Very simply the partners and staff are presentable and give confidence that they have the ability to cope with events.’
‘The team are very intelligent, efficient and I feel like I’m in safe hands. They work well together and keep me well informed.’
Work highlights
Greenwoods
Greenwoods has a deep bench of litigators across its Cambridge, London and Peterborough offices, the latter being a key hub and home to vastly experienced practice head and ‘highly tenacious litigators‘ Huw Wallis. Emerging partner talents Adele Whaley and Jamie McConnell (who is ‘diligent, with an excellent eye for detail‘) are also highly recommended by peers and clients alike. The firm is ‘incredibly committed and thorough in advancing its clients’ interests‘. Its high-calibre work sees it frequently pitted against London or international firms, as well as regional heavyweights, in multimillion-pound claims, often with an international angle.
Practice head(s):
Huw Wallis
Other key lawyers:
Adele Whaley; Jamie McConnell; Sam Baxter
Testimonials
‘Huw Wallis and Jamie McConnell are highly tenacious litigators, and very creative in their approach. Sam Baxter is an associate to watch – very bright / engaged.’
‘Greenwoods combines commercial nous with excellent case and client management skills. They are friendly, diligent and hardworking.’
‘Huw Wallis is a tough litigator who thinks commercially. He cuts to the chase. Jamie McConnell is diligent, with an excellent eye for detail. He leaves no stone unturned.’
‘Sam Baxter is an up-and-coming solicitor: hard working, clever and pleasant.’
‘Great legal service providers Go-to firm in the region with significant London and international presence.’
‘Well organised team. Clear instructions to counsel. Good grasp of the law and facts applied sensibly to the case to achieve a good outcome.’
‘Jamie McConnell (partner). Very easy to work with. Well versed in terms of the law but able to see the practical issues in a case. A robust but pragmatic approach.’
‘The team is efficient and deals promptly and accurately with all matters relating to litigation. The litigation team is pro-active and ensures that the work is done at the appropriate grade and therefore cost effectively for the lay client.’
Work highlights
Buckles Solicitors LLP
The Peterborough office of Buckles Solicitors LLP is part of a strong cross-office team, working with experts in Cambridge, London, Bristol, Stamford and Nottingham. New practice head Phillippa O'Neill, who joined from Knights plc, in 2023, joins CEDR-accredited mediator and veteran litigator James Maxey, who specialises in company and partnership disputes, breach of commercial trading agreements, claims arising out of corporate warranties, professional negligence, shareholder disputes and breach of director’s duties. The firm recently represented a German national in a four-day trial in Central London County Court.
Practice head(s):
Phillippa O’Neill
Other key lawyers:
James Maxey
Key clients
Virgin Active
Thursdays (UK) Limited t/a TGI Fridays
Project Solar (UK) Limited
Lodgequest Operations Limited
Woodstone Carpentry Limited
Project Better Energy Limited
O.Kay Engineering Services Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for a German company in a multi million Euro dispute relating to the purchase by it of defective fire security products.
- Acting for the tenants of a block of flats in multi-party litigation arising from defective cladding to the flats (the defects having been discovered following inspections undertaken after the Grenfell Tower tragedy).
- Acting for clients in efforts to enforce a German judgment against a Chinese company’s assets held within the UK.
Prettys Solicitors LLP
The litigation practice at Prettys Solicitors LLP in Ipswich is best known for breach of contract, professional negligence, insolvency, director and shareholder disputes. The firm is also adept in fraud, insurance and regulatory matters. Practice head and accredited mediator Peter Blake is ‘a very impressive and knowledgeable lawyer, very good with his clients‘. Experienced advocate Graham Mead is ‘very experienced and has a wealth of knowledge to draw on‘. Partner Bushra Elzubeir, and associate Michael Booth also play central roles in the practice.
Practice head(s):
Peter Blake
Other key lawyers:
Graham Mead; Bushra Elzubeir; Michael Booth; Ellie Claffey
Testimonials
‘Prettys Solicitors has a good solid team that is professional and able to advise their clients accordingly.’
‘We have worked with Pretty’s for many years, a would say that they stand out as moving with the times in comparison to other firms, this is partly in terms of technology, but mainly in terms of business thinking, the service is tailored to reflect the needs of the customer, which is quite different from their peers.’
‘Graham Mead is very experienced, a wealth of knowledge to draw on. Very down to earth.’
‘I have had direct experience only of Peter Blake, who instructed me several times when I was a barrister in independent practice. He is a very impressive and knowledgeable lawyer, very easy to work with, and very good with his clients.’
‘All areas of law covered. Very knowledgeable lawyers and really nice people who really make one feel special and valued as a client. A family feel at a large local practice.’
‘Graham Mead is a very knowledgeable lawyer. He displays exactly the right level of instruction and advice without leaving the client behind. He fills me with confidence but is realistic in his assessments. Ellie Claffey his junior is also building her reputation as a very good lawyer. Very confident, very professional and great client contact.’
Work highlights
Ashtons Legal
The national dispute resolution practice at Ashtons Legal is led by Tom Bailey from Norwich, but has a strong presence outside the city thanks to up-and-coming partner Annabel Mayer in Bury St Edmunds. She is 'strong on the law and very commercially aware' and clients praise her 'willingness to really listen at a difficult time'. The firm is well regarded for its work in franchising litigation, commercial disputes, shareholder disputes, breach of director’s duties and matters arising from corporate transactions.
Practice head(s):
Tom Bailey
Other key lawyers:
Annabel Mayer
Testimonials
‘Ashtons dealt with my initial query quickly and with compassion and some of the solicitors with whom I worked seemed to be invested in a way that I liked.’
‘Annabel Mayer worked well on my behalf. She began my case and ended it. I valued her willingness to really listen as I was at a difficult time in my life. She didn’t hurry me or brush my thoughts and feelings aside.’
‘It is a strong team with good depth. The partners – Annabel Mayer in particular – are very good and the junior members of the team are strong.’
‘Annabel Mayer is excellent – strong on the law and very commercially aware.’
Key clients
CeX
Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries Limited
Signs Express Limited
Bubbleology
Work highlights
- Advising and acting for client in respect of a water abstraction licence dispute with the Environment Agency.
- Advising and acting for the director of an owner-managed company in proceedings brought by an employee for a proportion of our client’s shareholding.
- Acting for a client to enforce a debt by way of an order for sale over the debtor’s property. Complicated by extensive assets and other unsecured creditors.
Hunt & Coombs LLP
Hunt & Coombs LLP, which has a long-standing presence in Peterborough, is ‘always efficient, helpful and friendly‘. Up-and-coming partner Helen Townsend leads the practice, in which senior associates Norman Hunter-Goulder in St Neots and Peterborough-based Rebecca Beynon-Phillips provide strong support. They provide ‘sensible, practical and realistic advice‘ on general commercial litigation and professional negligence cases. The practice is currently handling a property development partnership dispute involving mediation to agree the terms of sale for a series for properties.
Practice head(s):
Helen Townsend
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Beynon-Phillips; Norman Hunter-Goulder; Luke Edwards
Testimonials
‘Everyone I have encountered from reception to the solicitors has been excellent. Always efficient, helpful and friendly.’
‘The solicitors I dealt with, principally Rebecca Beynon Phillips, have handled my matters courteously and efficiently and with an empathy which I have appreciated. They have also been extremely thorough and timely about their work always returning calls and providing excellent advice. An all round excellent service’
‘Very customer-driven, actively listening to their clients and work towards the best solution possible.’
‘During 2023, I found myself in a very difficult position. The claims were identical in content however we found it very costly to set them aside and defend them. I have contacted multiple firms specialising in litigation, who provided extortionate quotes for work that was essentially duplicated. Luke Edwards was the only solicitor who took the time to listen and understand our situation, provide his professional opinion and give very valuable advice throughout a very stressful time all while keeping the costs aspect under control. We have won one of two cases now and I feel like without Luke’s help and support, we would have not made it this far.’
‘I am a barrister and have been regularly instructed by Hunt & Coombs. The instructions are well prepared and focused. They interact well with clients and have always provided sensible, practical and realistic advice to clients before I am instructed. Helen Townsend and Rebecca Benyon-Phillips are partners who regularly instruct me.’
‘They cover a large range of civil litigation.’
‘Helen Townsend is a sensible and knowledgeable practitioner who is easy to deal with – her approach is pragmatic and she is good to work with collaboratively to obtain settlement on both sides.’
Work highlights
- Property development partnership dispute involving mediation to agree the terms of sale for a series for properties, which was incorporated into the terms of an order.
- Acted on behalf of a local town council in relation to the purchase of signage that was not fit for the purpose. To include the obtaining of a Judgment, the successful defence to an application to set aside that Judgment and a successful application for a charging order.
- Acting for a local sports institution in relation to a breach of an agreement in relation to the use of their facilities.
Roythornes Solicitors
Roythornes Solicitors has a cross-office litigation group, led by Peter Cusick in Spalding, that increasingly devotes resources to the Alconbury office, where up-and-coming partner Alex Forster (who is 'very bright and a future star') takes the lead. The firm frequently acts for large companies in complex and high-value professional negligence claims, company disputes, shareholder disputes and general commercial litigation. Forster is currently handling a £5m dispute for shareholders in a de-merging family business.
Practice head(s):
Peter Cusick; Alex Forster
Other key lawyers:
Robert Carter
Testimonials
‘The team is made up of a depth of different levels of experience.’
‘Alex Forster is very bright and a future star. ’
‘Safe hands – know their stuff – efficient and good to work with.’
Key clients
Frontier Agriculture Limited
Allison Homes
Tilia Homes Limited
Naylor Produce Limited
TGW Limited
Owl Homes Limited
Gilbert and Goode Limited
Mattioli Woods plc
Ashley King (Development) Limited
Lawrence David Limited
BA Bush & Son Limited
Reydon Sports plc
Mockbeggar Limited
Work highlights
- Advising a sub-contractor in relation to a Final Account dispute in the region of £7m with regards to the construction an Amazon factory. This includes advising in relation to delay, liquidated damages, alleged defective works and the terms of two ancillary contracts for the provision of services.
- Advising a large farming company in relation to a claim by a contractor for unpaid works arising out of the renovation of a large private residence. This has resulted in a counterclaim against the contractor in the region of £1.1m for overpayment following a true valuation of the works.
- Advised minority shareholders in a family investment company (valued in the region of £5m) during unfair prejudice proceedings for relief including the enforcement of a de-merger agreement. This dispute had been continuing for over two years and finally completed in January 2024.
Fraser Dawbarns
Fraser Dawbarns has a ‘smart, accessible client-focused team‘ handling commercial disputes for clients in North and West Norfolk, and East Cambridgeshire. Practice head Neil John in Wisbech calls upon ‘insightful and pragmatic‘ senior associate Joshua Shuardson-Hipkin in King’s Lynn to handle high-value matters. The firm is currently advising a local renewables company that specialises in anaerobic digestors on a dispute concerning its withdrawal from a proposed joint venture. ‘What sets the firm apart is the personalised service‘, remarks a client.
Practice head(s):
Neil John
Other key lawyers:
Joshua Shuardson-Hipkin
Testimonials
‘A smart, accessible client-focused team.’
‘Joshua Shuardson-Hipkin is insightful and pragmatic in his approach and very supportive of his clients.’
‘Joshua Shuardson-Hipkin is a very knowledgeable lawyer working in the dispute and resolution sector. He has assisted my company on a number of occasions to communicate and reject third party approaches against us that were completely unfounded. Within this area, he has always acted professionally and replied in a robust but fair manner. He has a very wide knowledge base and is able to call on colleague outside of the firm is required to assist in the defense of our company.’
‘What particularly sets FD apart is the personalised service provided: the clients are well served by individuals who show commitment and flare.’
‘Joshua Stuardson-Hipkin (senior associate) brings considerable international experience to a regional player. He is a rising star and surely a partner in the making. He always has his client’s back, and will be advancing a well-prepared and thoroughly considered case.’
‘Hands on approach in respect of a very varied caseload. ’
‘Josha Shaurdson-Hipkin is an excellent solicitor, who provides meticulous and well-considered instructions. He is particularly good at identifying where issues may arise in a case which call for particular expertise, and instructing specialists to provide advice on those issues.’
‘Truly professional and continue to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of our business. All this overlaid with a practical and pragmatic approach to advice and support.’
Work highlights
- Advising a local renewables company (specialising in anaerobic digestors) in a dispute concerning its withdrawal from a proposed joint venture. The claim includes allegations of unjust enrichment and breaches of confidentiality.
- Acting for a well-known food processing company in a coverage dispute at the commercial court. The case is likely to be significant in that it will consider what constitutes “damage to property” for the purposes of an insurance claim.
- Advising the owner of a well-known Sheffield based business in a dispute concerning a high-value loan and allegations of fraud.
Shears Law
Shears Law is a niche litigation practice led by name partner Richard Shears, whose vast experience in contractual disputes, civil fraud, professional negligence claims and employment/recruitment disputes, has helped him to build a strong presence in the local market. Clients note that ‘the knowledge and value for money is exceptional‘, and that the ‘pragmatic and sensible‘ Shears is ‘meticulous and thorough, ensuring no detail is overlooked and every strategy is precisely tailored‘.
Practice head(s):
Richard Shears
Testimonials
‘Shears Law continues to provide excellent service, year on year. The knowledge and value for money is exceptional.’
‘Richard Shears is a seasoned talented advocate and commercial lawyer. He is an expert in his field. He is always pragmatic, and sensible and we feel secure knowing that he will always deliver the best outcome for his clients. I am glad that he represents me and not the other side! ’
‘In Shears Law, it feels like we’ve found a rare gem in the legal world, especially when it comes to litigation. The firm isn’t just another name on a long list of options; it’s where deep legal expertise meets genuine dedication and a personal touch that makes you feel valued, not just represented.’
Key clients
SThree plc
Hydrogen Group plc
Freeman and Clarke Limited
Spencer Ogden Limited
A Good Recruitment Company Limited
Roc Search Limited
Torque Consulting Limited
AVD Appoint Limited
Langham Recruitment Limited
Hunter X Ventures Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for a recruitment business in connection with the resolution of a shareholder dispute.
- Acted for a recruitment business in relation to the recovery of a debt in the sum of £98,000.