Hall Of Fame

Banking litigation in North West

Addleshaw Goddard

Counting domestic clearing banks and international financial institutions, challenger banks and alternative providers in the fintech sector among its key roster of clients, Addleshaw Goddard’s finance disputes practice is fully embedded in niche areas, including asset finance, regulated lending, and digital assets. Praised as an ‘outstanding operator’, Harold Brako leads the team and has demonstrable experience in banking, asset-based lending and receivables financing disputes, often involving cross-border elements. Legal director Helen Collinge is a ‘fantastic source of knowledge’ when advising on recovery, enforcement and fraud actions involving factoring, invoice discounting and asset finance, while managing associate Ashlee Simms is praised as a ‘star of the future’.

Practice head(s):

Harold Brako


Other key lawyers:

Helen Collinge; Ashlee Simms; Patricia Elder; Danielle Cooper


Testimonials

‘The team is extremely knowledgeable, capable and delivers insightful, focused and commercial advice.’

‘Harold Brako is simply excellent. His knowledge and calm demeanor are second-to-none.’

‘Ashlee Simms and Harold Brako have as always been on top of every case we have presented them with. Addleshaws as a whole are unique in the sense that every case gets an incredible attention to detail and therefore strong defence.’

‘Harold Brako and his team, including Danielle Cooper, have provided a very accurate and well-argued analysis of the litigation I am engaged in.’

‘Ashlee Simms’ ability to deliver on some rather difficult cases this past year has been greatly appreciated. Nothing is ever too much.’

‘Harold Brako is the stand-out partner for me – affable, great reputation, attentive, commercial and always with a good eye for what’s going on around him.’

‘The Manchester team are always on hand to help. They are transparent with their fees and always quick to invoice any unbilled work so that I can ensure this is captured on our systems and paid within payment terms.’

‘Harold Brako is an outstanding operator in his area. Helen Collinge is a fantastic source of knowledge and Ashlee Simms is a star of the future.’

Key clients

Aldermore Bank


Amicus Asset Finance Limited


Ultimate Finance Limited


Bibby Financial Services Limited


Praetura Asset Finance Limited


Genser Energy Ghana Limited


Dell Bank International d.a.c trading as Dell Financial


Services


Goldcrest Finance Limited


Elevar Finance SPV Photon LLC


Reward Finance Group


Kroll Advisory Ltd


DF Capital Bank Limited


McCrory Brickwork Limited


Agilitas IT Solutions Limited


Work highlights


  • Acting for Kroll, the administrators of the Arena Group of Companies following its collapse in November 2021.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper’s ‘versatile team’ has stellar experience advising on mandates concerning retail banking and payment services, spanning credit card processing, merchant acquiring and consumer credit for high-street banks, challenger banks, fintech payments providers and specialist consumer credit providers. Other key areas of expertise include asset and aviation finance. In Manchester, co-chair of the firm’s international payments group Stewart Plant, who is ‘a recognised name in the field’, jointly leads the practice alongside Liverpool-based John Gollaglee, who specialises in corporate investigations. Praised for his ‘strategic instincts’, senior associate Benjamin Fellows is another key contact in the Manchester office.

Practice head(s):

Stewart Plant; John Gollaglee


Other key lawyers:

Benjamin Fellows; David Cook; Philip Williams; Leontia McArdle; Andrew Horton


Testimonials

‘They have always been a strong bank panel firm, who are able to handle all but the biggest cases.’

‘Stewart Plant is a recognised name in the field. Ben Fellows is responsive and easy to work with, and with good strategic instincts.’

‘A versatile team providing an efficient and helpful service.’

‘Benjamin Fellows is sensitive to clients’ needs and a hands-on associate.’

‘Over the past few years, I have worked with DLA Piper on a very large number of consumer credit matters. Despite the enormous workload undertaken by the team, they are a constant pleasure to work with and display excellent attention to detail. Their instructions are always clear and prompt.’

‘I have worked particularly with Andrew Horton and Benjamin Fellows, both of whom have been hugely responsive.’

‘Benjamin Fellows is extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with.’

‘Expertise in the payment service industry.’

Key clients

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (incl. NatWest, Lombard, RBS Invoice Finance)


The Co-operative Bank


Close Brothers Group


Elavon Financial Services


First Data Corporation


Worldpay (UK) Limited


Metro Bank


Payvision


Lloyds Banking Group (incl. HBOS and C&G)


Global Payments


NewDay


National Asset Management Agency


Work highlights


  • Acting for Close, advising in relation to allegations made by multiple customers (comprising companies, sole traders and partnerships), alleging misrepresentation and breach of contract against Close and a finance broker.
  • Acting for NewDay Ltd in the defence of mass claimant Payment Protection Insurance claims with a value in excess of GBP10 million brought by customers and former customers of the Bank.
  • Advising JD Williams & Company Ltd in the defence of mass claimant litigation in connection with the mis-selling of retail finance products to customers and former customers.

TLT

Praised for its ‘intellectual capacity to assess the most complex cases and the “street fighter” tenacity to drive a case through to a successful outcome’, TLT has ‘established itself as a go-to adviser for retail banking disputes’, with demonstrable experience advising on title rectification mandates. Other key areas of expertise include contentious FS investigations and secured litigation, in addition to contentious regulatory mandates. ‘King of title rectificationJames Chadwick leads the team and has considerable experience in retail banking litigation, as well as advising UK lenders on issues affecting their portfolios. Key contacts in the group include Roisin McGlinn, Chantal Peters, Steve Walpole and Sonjia Taylor, who is ‘an unsung, technical standout in secured lending’.

Practice head(s):

James Chadwick


Other key lawyers:

Roisin McGlinn; Chantal Peters; Steve Walpole; Sonjia Taylor


Testimonials

‘James Chadwick is second to none. King of title rectification work. There is nothing he cannot sort for the client. Roisin McGlinn is a solid performer.’

‘TLT’s Manchester office offers a solid team of financial services litigators. With strength in title rectification and secured debt matters, TLT has established itself as the “go to” for retail banking disputes.’

‘Steve Walpole is really easy to work with, gives good client advice and guidance; efficiently handles preparation for hearings.’

‘James Chadwick is a tenacious litigator who strikes the uncommon balance of also being exceptionally personable and flexible for clients. Ever pragmatic, James thinks outside the box to offer client services, fee structures, and solutions in a way most traditional law firms still struggle to grasp.’

‘Sonjia Taylor is an unsung, technical standout in secured lending. She leaves no stone unturned and is the safest pair of hands in the industry for title rectification/security issues. Exceptionally approachable, Sonjia is the type of lawyer you are comfortable to put directly in front of the business on any matter, and from whom you hope TLT are training their next generation of litigators.’

‘Growing team which has become the predominant banking litigation practice for the North West; indeed, one of the best in the country. Strength in depth. Hugely knowledgeable team from top to bottom. Very client friendly. Safe pair of hands.’

‘James Chadwick and Chantal Peters have been our key points of contact and are always receptive and make themselves available to support as and when needed, even at short notice.’

‘A very strong litigation team, with the intellectual capacity to assess the most complex cases and the “street fighter” tenacity to drive a case through to a successful outcome.’

Key clients

Santander UK plc


Lloyds Banking Group


Nationwide Building Society


Triodos Bank


One Savings Bank


Co-operative Bank plc


TSB Bank plc


Skipton Building Society


UKAR


West Bromwich Building Society


Yorkshire Building Society


Computershare


Bank of America


Hampshire Trust Bank


The Cumberland


Darlington Building Society


Seneca Finance Limited


FRP Advisory


Templeton LPA


Landwood


Kensington


Copper Technologies (UK) Limited


Ecology Building Society


Newcastle Building Society


Morgan Stanley


Capita


Together Money


Hampshire Trust Bank


Arbuthnot Latham


DWF

Praised as ‘responsive and supportive, offering valuable advice’, DWF boasts impressive experience in FCA-regulated motor vehicle recoveries matters, acting for leading motor finance providers, motor deals and credit intermediaries on mandates associated with the commission mis-selling wave. Other key areas of expertise include cyber and data privacy disputes in the financial services sector, in addition to asset finance litigation. Motor finance specialist John Perez jointly leads the team alongside Ritchie Irvine, who has experience in asset finance disputes, fraud cases and mis-selling actions. Senior associate Mahesh Vara is another key contact in the team, while Ben Johnson left to Squire Patton Boggs in March 2023.


Practice head(s):

John Perez; Ritchie Irvine


Other key lawyers:

Mahesh Vara


Testimonials

‘High quality team, experienced and pragmatic.’

‘Responsive and supportive, offering valuable advice’

‘Ritchie Irvine and his team are an essential support function to the business. They always act on the best interest of us to protect and guide us when we require assistance. They provide great industry insight as well as sound legal advice.’

Key clients

Lloyds Banking Group, including Lloyds Bank plc, Bank of Scotland plc and Lloyds Commercial Finance


Santander Consumer (UK) plc trading as Santander Consumer Finance


Shawbrook Bank Limited


The Mortgage Lender


Metro Bank Plc


RBS Group, including National Westminster Bank Plc


BMW Financial Services


PSA Finance UK Ltd


UK Asset Resolution Limited (UKAR), including Bradford & Bingley plc, Mortgage Express and NRAM plc (formerly called Northern Rock plc)


Money Barn


Barclays Partner Finance


NextGear Capital UK Limited (part of the Cox Automotive Group)


Elavon Financial Services DAC


Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC t/a Novuna


Work highlights


  • Advising motor finance companies and motor dealers in relation to a wave of alleged mis-selling claims involving DiC Commission structures and the application to the APR/Interest Rate on regulated agreements.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP houses a ‘strong banking litigation practice in the North West with experienced and capable lawyers offering a high-quality service’. Based in Manchester, the team regularly collaborates with the firm’s offices across the UK to advise on high-value, and often cross-border cases concerning retail finance, investment mis-selling, asset finance, professional negligence and invoice finance. Practice head James Southworth ‘offers commercially astute advice’ to major investment, corporate and retail banks, while principal associate Lindsey Roberts ‘provides strategic and valuable input’ when handling banking and financial services disputes.

Practice head(s):

James Southworth


Other key lawyers:

Lindsey Roberts; Tom Parry; Victoria Rogers


Testimonials

‘Eversheds is able to field a diverse global team of complementary specialists to handle large and complex international litigation.’

‘Victoria Rogers is adept at managing large-scale litigation.’

‘Advice provided by Tom Parry and Martin Ward is always balanced and their knowledge of the financial services market is excellent. Responses always provided in a timely manner.’

‘ESI has a strong banking litigation practice in the North West with experienced and capable lawyers offering a high-quality service.’

‘Lindsey Roberts and James Southworth are trusted advisers. James has excellent industry knowledge and offers commercially astute advice. Lindsey provides strategic and valuable input in the work she does for us and is efficient, responsive and extremely capable.’

Key clients

The Co-operative Bank Plc


Santander UK Plc/Santander Cards UK Limited


Financial Services Compensation Scheme


Work highlights


  • Acted for an international bank in seeking to recover losses flowing from a multinational fraudulent conspiracy worth US$6bn.
  • Acted for a number of major financial services firms in defending significant volumes of mis-selling claims.
  • Acted for a public sector body in relation to a multi-million pound dispute arising from pensions administration regulations, involving a combination of Part 7 proceedings and judicial review.

Hill Dickinson LLP

Hill Dickinson LLP’s finance litigation practice excels in mandates concerning asset-back lending, including invoice discounting and receivables finance, with key clients including Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance, Bibby Financial Services and Mitsubishi HC Capital UK, among others. ‘Subject-matter expertSharon Williamson leads the team and handles a broad range of finance disputes, in addition to litigation relating to fraudulent transactions. Other key contacts in the group include Iain Campbell, who focuses on CCA regulated matters, and senior associate John Quicler.

Practice head(s):

Sharon Williamson


Other key lawyers:

Iain Campbell; John Quicler


Testimonials

‘Sharon Williamson is always on hand, contactable and readily available. Gives advice you can rely on.’

‘Expert advice, speed of service and good value for money.’

‘Sharon Williamson is a subject-matter expert. Proactive, clear, makes time to understand her client’s requirements.’

Key clients

Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited


Bibby Commercial Finance Limited


Bibby Factors Limited


Bibby Invoice Discounting Limited


Bibby Factors Scotland Limited


Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC.


Metro Bank t/as SME Invoice Finance


WeDo Finance Limited


Cynergy Business Finance Limited


Pia Financial Group Limited


Global Reach Partners Limited


Work highlights


  • Acting for Notemachine in judicial review proceedings against the Payment Systems Regulator after the fee rates payable were reduced by LINK.
  • Acted for an Asset Based Lender in pursuing a customer, who had been served with notice of assignment of the invoices to our client, for a second payment as they had paid the supplier direct and not received a valid receipt.
  • Advising Global Reach Partners Limited on the enforcement of an unsigned corporate guarantee and construction of a settlement agreement.

Squire Patton Boggs

The financial services litigation practice at Squire Patton Boggs advises lenders in high-value professional negligence claims, in addition to acting for financial institutions in PPI and investment mis-selling disputes. Noted for its cross-border capability, the team is also well-placed to collaborate with the firm’s pensions group when representing trustees, employers and representative beneficiaries across a range of disputes. Following the retirement of Anthony Taylor in April 2022, directors Peter Lees and Mike Caird, who handle professional negligence claims, jointly lead the practice. Lee Norman and Ben Johnson joined the team from DWF in December 2022 and March 2023 respectively.


Practice head(s):

Mike Caird; Peter Lees


Other key lawyers:

Lee Norman; Ben Johnson


Key clients

Manchester Building Society


Lloyds Banking Group


Close Brothers Asset Finance


Mortgage Express