Freeths LLP’s commercial litigation team acts for a broad variety of local, national and international clients with noteworthy names coming from the food, energy and retail sectors. Clients are represented in a variety of contentious matters which range from breach of director’s duties, shareholder and partnership disputes to contractual disputes, professional negligence claims as well as judicial reviews and procurement challenges. Practice head Mukesh Patel frequently acts for clients from the food and energy sectors and is noted for his ‘technical competence and commercial view’. Emma Anderson is experienced in all types of commercial disputes acting for clients from local enterprises to publicly listed corporations. Simon Baigent has a specialisation in disputes relating to restructurings and insolvencies, also an area of expertise of managing associate Richard Fitzmaurice.
Commercial litigation: elsewhere in the East Midlands in East Midlands
Freeths LLP
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Attentiveness to client needs.’
‘Technical competence and commercial view, in particular Mukesh Patel.’
Key clients
Flogas Britain Limited
MPK Garages Limited
Fosse Healthcare Limited
Noble Foods Limited
Travis Perkins plc
Greenyard Fresh UK Limited
RC Tuxford Exports Limited
VPK Packaging Limited
Aldi Stores Limited
Gateley Plc
Gateley Plc acts for a variety of clients in commercial disputes, including publicly listed companies, family owned businesses as well as individuals such as shareholders, partners and property owners. The ‘tight-knit and effective team’ draws upon ‘years of experience at the top end of the region’s work’ and is particularly experienced in acting for clients from the manufacturing, transport and logistics, sport and media as well as education sectors. ‘Exceptional’ Claire Herbert is ‘a dynamic and enthusiastic team leader’, who is experienced in alternative dispute resolution and mediation, and has a specialism in reputation management. Chris Greenwell has a focus on disputes arising out of M&A transactions and professional negligence, which is also a focus area of senior associate Natalie Howes.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘My firm needed a swift and accurate response and that’s exactly what we received – Gateley clearly hasa strength and depth of knowledge which was provided to us as a firm when they were able to assemble litigation, commercial and employment experience for our meetings at very short notice. They were also empathetic and understood quickly the needs and the personalities involved with my firm, which also helped and was appreciated.’
‘Natalie Howe has been quick to respond for us and has always been careful to explain and advise on our queries from an all angle basis. This has been very helpful in decision making – she has demonstrated a keen wish to help and serve our best interests too.’
‘Strong case management and structured practical approach.’
‘Natalie Howes – very strict timetabling and strong case management.’
‘The team are approachable, very knowledgeable and collaborative. They are quickly able to get to the nub of often complex matters.’
‘Claire Herbert is exceptional. She is very skilled at what she does and always has time to listen.’
‘A tight knit and effective team who draw on their years of experience at the top end of the region’s work.’
‘Claire Herbert is a dynamic and enthusiastic team leader, who has the respect of her team despite her relatively young years. Natalie Howes is a superb associate whose attention to detail and strong commercial acumen make her a real asset to the team.’
HCR Hewitsons
HCR Hewitsons represents clients including domestic and international private companies, charities, public sector organisations and insolvency practitioners, in a variety of claims with particular experience in IT and technology claims as well as shareholder disputes. East Midlands head of dispute resolution Dominic Hopkins acts across a variety of matters, including contract disputes, company proceedings, insolvency related claims and corporate recovery, providing ‘clear advice’ throughout. Clients appreciate the ‘strength in depth’ that the firm has to offer, as well as the ‘good knowledge of alternative methods of dispute resolution’. Richard Morgan is the firmwide head of the dispute resolution department.
Practice head(s):
Dominic Hopkins; Richard Morgan
Other key lawyers:
Emma Elston
Testimonials
‘They listen to your requirements, clearly set out their engagement and clarify any points. They make themselves available to go through their feedback, where no question is too small for them.’
‘Knowledge and understanding of requirements is very good. Very approachable and make sure they explain the most legal points into day-to-day workings so easier to understand. Both Dominic Hopkins and Emma Elston are both very professional, provide good levels of support and are keen to help and support where required.’
‘Strength in depth and good knowledge of alternative methods of dispute resolution.’
‘Dominic Hopkins – thorough knowledge of process, clear advice and leadership. Emma Elston – clear advice on dispute resolution.’
Howes Percival LLP
The dispute resolution team at Howes Percival LLP acts in a broad array of claims, including multijurisdictional and high-value claims that span from trust claims to tax claims, injunctions and judicial reviews. The practice is headed by Geraint Davies, who acts for a range of clients, which include large publicly listed corporations as well as owner managed businesses, and is experienced in High Court litigation as well as alternative forms of dispute resolution such as mediation. ‘Outstanding’ Satnam Chayra shows ‘exceptional dedication to legal detail’ and specialises in shareholder, director and partnership claims.
Practice head(s):
Geraint Davies
Other key lawyers:
Satnam Chaya
Testimonials
‘I would also definitely like to praise Satnam Chayra. Satnam’s dedication to legal detail is exceptional and she is quite outstanding.’
‘From my experience being an on oing client of Howes Percival, I feel trust is everything when being guided within the minefield of the legal sector. Therefore, my recommendations come without question.’
Key clients
Getronics Services UK Limited
MPAC plc (formerly Molins plc)
Renewi UK Services Ltd
Intertek Group plc
Grace Foods UK Limited
Pete Norris Limited
Work highlights
- Acted in relation to high value and complex trust related litigation.
- Handled high value and complex professional negligence claim against a firm of accountants and legal advisors.
- Acted for a claimant in respect of an ongoing £250,000 claim against the supplier of ingredients later used by the client to make animal feed. The supply was not as represented and led to temporary closure of various sites and the quarantine of livestock.
BHW Solicitors
BHW Solicitors sports a ‘very well managed commercial litigation team' under Paul Davis' 'excellent' leadership, which ‘fights fearlessly for their clients’. The team represents clients across all types of commercial litigation matters, including contractual disputes, directors and shareholder disputes and professional negligence claims as well as claims concerning loans, construction, insolvency and property matters. Clients of the firm hail from a broad variety of sectors, including retail, telecommunications, aerospace and manufacturing and appreciate the ‘unique quality of service’.
Practice head(s):
Paul Davis
Testimonials
‘BHW Solicitors are very good at understanding a client issue and giving straight forward and understandable legal advice and / or coming up with good solutions.’
‘Highly relevant knowledge, listened to my needs and understood the challenges we faced quickly. Calm approach and easy to be respected. Strong brand and identity which helped give me the confidence in representation of our company.’
‘The team are a friendly and efficient group of lawyers. I have had only positive experiences working with them.’
‘Paul Davis stands out as a very good partner. He is very efficient and provides clear, timely and well-considered instructions. I enjoy working with Paul and the team generally.’
‘A very well managed commercial litigation team under the effective leadership of the excellent Paul Davis. Each team member understands their role and meets the expectations of them. The team combine seamlessly together as a highly responsive, very effective and highly capable unit. The breadth of the firm’s corporate and commercial work has fed the litigation team and given it a much greater depth of commercial litigation experience than other firms in its location.’
‘Paul Davis combines judgement beyond his years and very capable leadership with excellent litigation skills and strategic vision.’
‘BHW are unique in the quality of service they provide and the level of support give to their clients throughout the litigation process. They are a friendly and approachable firm which fights fearlessly for their clients.’
‘Paul Davis – excellent litigator. His talents lie in giving firm, direct and practical advice and having a forensic eye for detail. Paul acts fearlessly for his clients and is a true tactician.’
Key clients
Gardner Group Limited
Nationwide Platforms Limited
Boxfields Limited
Imperial Corporate Events Limited
T-Systems Limited
Cosmo Beauty Limited
PH Properties Limited
BRI Insolvency Limited
Geosynethics Limited
Reep (Midlands) Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for Nationwide Platforms Limited in respect of injunctive relief in the High Court.
- Acted for Boxfields Limited in respect of a commercial dispute in the High Court.
- Acted for BRI Insolvency Limited in respect of contentious advice in a complex insolvency matter.
Chattertons
Chattertons’ dispute resolution practice is headed by David Rogerson from Newark; he has a focus on civil dispute resolution for businesses, including by means of alternative dispute resolution methods. In Grantham, Robert Clark specialises in commercial property claims, while ‘fantastic solicitor’ Nigel Bescoby acts in landlord and tenant claims as well as debt related matters, among others, from the Lincoln base. Clients appreciate that the firm is ‘able to provide a comprehensive range of services’ to meet clients’ needs. David John re-joined the team in Boston in February 2022.
Practice head(s):
David Rogerson
Other key lawyers:
Robert Clark; Nigel Bescoby; Katherine Bunting; David John
Testimonials
‘Brilliant accessibility, dedicated lawyers and good value.’
‘Nigel Bescoby is a fantastic solicitor with lots of experience. He is dedicated to his clients and provides an excellent service. He is a pleasure to work with as counsel.’
‘Our experience has been that partners have different specialisms and so although we have a primary contact for all our commercial matters, if there is a need for specific areas of expertise and skills then we have been referred to the relevant partner quickly and efficiently. This ensures that Chattertons are able to provide a comprehensive range of services to meet our needs.’
‘Grant Shackleston is always accessible; he maintains a balance of professionalism, common sense and plain speaking at all times so that there is no use of jargon and we have complete trust in his advice at all times. We regard him very highly.’
‘No other solicitors compare in any way, shape or form to Chattertons. Chattertons are able to provide all areas of expertise. Katherine Bunting is our “go to” partner and she is able to recommend a partner within the company to deal with our very large range of issues. We wouldn’t wish to go to any other solicitor.’
Work highlights
- Acted for directors of a recruitment company in a claim for breach of contract and unlawful use of intellectual property.
- Advised director and shareholder in dispute with fellow shareholders including breach of warranties claim valued at £3m.
- Acted for property owners in a successful claim for damages for repudiatory breach of a construction contract.
Nelsons Solicitors Limited
Practice head Andy Rudkin, who ‘goes over and above to secure the best outcome’ for clients, joined Nelsons Solicitors Limited in Leicester in December 2020, effectively opening up a commercial litigation practice at the firm. Since, the team has acted on a wide variety of commercial disputes, such as shareholder disputes and contractual disputes, for clients from various sectors, including healthcare, construction, aviation and engineering. The team has niche specialisms in disputes arising from mergers and acquisitions as well as disputes surrounding second tier lenders and partnership disputes in doctors and dental practices.
Practice head(s):
Andy Rudkin
Testimonials
‘Nelsons are our go to law firm for England and Wales, they provide pragmatic and commercially aware legal advice. From our straightforward all the way through to our most complex and high value matters, Andy Rudkin approaches our cases diligently and is always responsive.’
‘Andy Rudkin is an individual with whom we have great rapport and trust with. Throughout our longstanding relationship, of over 10 years, we have benefited greatly from his valuable judgment and advice. Nothing is too much to ask and he goes over and above to secure the best outcome for us.’
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP advises and represents clients across a variety of commercial claims, such as complex contractual disputes, procurement disputes, warranty claims and partnership disputes as well as in claims concerning database misuse, claims in the media sector and urgent injunctive relief matters. Daniel Jennings has a specialisation in shareholder disputes and is further experienced in defamation and reputation claims as well as international arbitrations. Mark Beesley is managing director across the firm’s litigation services and dispute resolution business unit.
Practice head(s):
Mark Beesley; Daniel Jennings
Testimonials
‘Daniel Jennings – pleasant to work with. Sensible.’
Key clients
Robert MacKenzie and Pete Mackenzie
British Union Conference of 7th Day Adventists, North England and South England Conferences of 7th Day Adventists
Robin Hood Energy Ltd
Accessible Orthodontics LLP
Henkel Gmbh
Sanman Property Management Ltd
Albert Ralph Coleman & Others
University of Cambridge
Alliance Surgical Plc
Purplebricks Group Plc
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd
Work highlights
- Acted for the former PLC chairman and CEO, Robert Mackenzie, in claim concerning share rights and breach of directors duties valued at over £200m, in the Court of Appeal.
- Advised and acted in defending the British Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventist Church in serious claims of defamation concerning historic allegations against teachers.
- Acted for Brookvex IMS Limited on a complex breach of contract claim concerning historic contractual obligations and debts.
Sills & Betteridge LLP
The ‘highly skilled’ commercial litigation team at Sills & Betteridge LLP provides litigation services to clients with respect to contractual disputes, shareholder claims, professional negligence matters, breaches of confidentiality and restrictive covenants as well as planning disputes. The practice is headed by Karen Bower-Brown from Lincoln - she has expertise in commercial property disputes and breach of warranty claims, and at the start of 2022 was appointed as the firm's first-ever female senior partner. Clients see the unit as a ‘reliable go-to place for commercial litigation’ that offers a service that is ‘second to none’.
Practice head(s):
Karen Bower-Brown
Other key lawyers:
Gary Phillips; Robert Pearson
Testimonials
‘Sills’ commercial litigation team in Lincoln is one of the few reliable go to places for commercial litigation in Lincoln. They are very well established and have a good sized team backed by a respected commercial team. Very good client base and highly regarded for their integrity and common sense.’
‘Rob Pearson is a safe pair of hands in Lincoln and is knowledgeable and sensible serving his clients’ interests very ably.’
‘This practice has a good all round commercial team that understand its local businesses and is able to meet their needs. They are prompt in answering queries and gathering additional information where required.’
‘The service has always been second to none. The team are highly skilled and they offer through, professional and intelligent advice, whilst also using logical common sense when dealing with enquiries and/or issues that may arise.’
‘Robert Pearson: very personable, always on hand to respond quickly to questions or queries and offer straightforward explanation and advice.’
‘Full service law firm, including intellectual property work, outside London.’
‘Robert Pearson helped the client achieve high quality advice and assistance, at a competitive cost.’
Key clients
Ballet Makers Europe Limited
Hemswell Biogas Limited
Micronclean Limited
Omex Agriculture Limited
SHD Composite Materials Ltd
SHD-MTI Limited
The Burdens Group Limited
The Snoring Disorders Centre Ltd
Turnbull & Co Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for The Sleeping Disorders Centre Limited in a dispute with a manufacturer of life saving medical equipment following a recall on safety grounds involving engaging in pre-action correspondence and eventually reaching a settlement.
- Acted for a private limited company who were in dispute with a major shareholder regarding the value of his shares.
- Acted for a private limited company in a dispute regarding alleged water contamination at a residential development.
Wilkin Chapman LLP
Wilkin Chapman LLP advises and represents clients in a variety of general commercial litigation matters and specialises in areas such as breaches of restrictive covenants, confidentiality breaches, director misfeasance and fraud matters. Lincoln-based senior partner Andrew Holt is ‘excellent in handling all matters’ and has particular sector expertise regarding the agricultural and renewable energy sector. Grimsby-based disputes head Joshua Briggs specialises in shareholder and director disputes as well as property related disputes. Clients appreciate the ‘very personal, bespoke service’ of the team.
Practice head(s):
Joshua Briggs; Andrew Holt
Other key lawyers:
James Kinnaird
Testimonials
‘Doesn’t run away from a difficult claim – knows how to put the client on steady footing even when the other side are much better resourced.’
‘Andrew Holt has been excellent in handling all matters of the case. He is trustworthy and diligent in his approach, and has taken much of the burden from us as clients.’
‘James Kinnaird is a commercial litigation lawyer whose approach is far more mature than his years. Technically brilliant, he provides sound commercial advice in resolving commercial disputes.’
‘A very personal, bespoke service has been received from the excellent, Lincoln-based team.’
‘The very approachable Andrew Holt has also proved exceedingly effective.’
‘I was very impressed with the pragmatic and “can do” attitude displayed by the two solicitors with whom I worked. All their dealings were geared around me, the client.’
Key clients
T W Logistics Ltd
Court Enforcement Services Ltd
Wilson Browne Solicitors
The ‘professional, understanding and friendly’ commercial litigation team at Wilson Browne Solicitors advises and represent clients with respect to a full host of matters, including shareholder and director disputes, contractual disputes as well as property disputes and professional negligence claims. Hayley Mauro heads the ‘very strong’ litigation team from Kettering, and is experienced in commercial disputes in the agricultural and equestrian sectors. The ‘outstanding’ Kevin Rogers is the overall head of the commercial business unit and provides ‘an excellent service’.
Practice head(s):
Hayley Mauro
Other key lawyers:
Kevin Rogers
Testimonials
‘They are professional, understanding and friendly’
‘They have time to listen to individuals and explain every option available and make sure that you understand what and why things are happening. Kevin Rogers and his whole team were outstanding.’
‘They are professional, understanding and friendly.’
‘We feel Wilson Browne has a very strong team. Although we mainly dealt with one individual we felt that he was supported and backed up by a strong team providing a cohesive and efficient service.’
‘Kevin Rogers provided an excellent service. He was professional and easy to talk to. He clearly has a wealth of legal expertise and excellent strategic thinking which he was able to convey to us in a clear and understandable manner. Although key decisions were ours to make we felt well informed and empowered by his guidance and skill.’
Key clients
United Pallet Networks Ltd
Stanair
Sterling Press Ltd
Infrastructure Gateway Ltd
Total Computer Networks Ltd
Speedpac Limited
Resort Solutions Limited
BiS Henderson
Competitive Edge Training and Consultancy Ltd
Aluminium Shapes
C Butt Limited
Work highlights
- Ongoing representation of United Pallet networks at a national level and advised on the enforcement (and revision) of the network membership agreements nationwide.