Rising Stars

Debt recovery in West Midlands

Coltman Warner Cranston LLP

Recommended by clients for 'going above and beyond', Coltman Warner Cranston LLP advises clients on litigation and insolvency, including compulsory winding-up and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as retention of title and credit insurance claims. The practice acts for an array of clients, ranging from blue-chip companies to credit insurers, as well as smaller businesses. The ‘outstanding’ Darren Davoile spearheads the team, regularly advising on bankruptcy and winding-up proceedings, with a notable specialism in contested debt recovery, while Larry Coltman often addresses issues creditors have with contested insolvencies.

Practice head(s):

Darren Davoile


Other key lawyers:

Larry Coltman; Stuart Cranston


Testimonials

‘Excellent advice on a range of matters. The lawyers will provide creative and alternative solutions.’

‘Darren Davoile has provided outstanding advice and expertise whenever it is needed. He will always make time for my queries.’

‘Highly commercial and client-friendly firm of specialists generating good results.’

‘Darren Davoile is a hugely experienced advisor who understands our business and our commercial drivers when we engage the firm. Effective and hands-on with excellent client skills.’

‘This practice ensures it goes above and beyond to understand the business it is acting for. This in my opinion is absolutely key to recovery.’

‘The team at Coltman Warner Cranston has always been efficient, responsive, well organised, and communicative. We have always been more than happy with the service provided.’

‘Stuart Cranston has been an excellent point of contact and has been responsible for continued success with any cases that we have tasked him with. Since working with Stuart, we have never needed to consider alternative legal practices as we have been so happy with the service provided.’

‘This firm is a fast, efficient and friendly outfit, always available and always approachable.’

Key clients

Atradius Crédito y Caución S.A. de Seguros y Reaseguros


Atradius Collections limited


Baker Ing Limited


Booker Retail Partners (GB) Limited


Breedon Group Limited


Cityscape recruitment limited


FisherGerman Property ManagementLLP


Global Experience Specialists (GES) Limited


Global Recoveries limited


Davies Turner & Co Ltd


Lanes Group Plc


Marston Holdings Limited


Medlocks Electrical Distributors Limited


The Best Connection Group Limited


Work highlights


Shakespeare Martineau LLP

As part of its ‘high-class service’, Shakespeare Martineau LLP offers expertise regarding debt recovery, litigation, and the recovery of secured and unsecured debt, as well as the capacity to handle various aspects of asset finance, working for clients in a range of sectors. The team is co-led by Jayne Gardner, who advises on all aspects of credit management and debt recovery, also helping to develop internal credit control processes for clients, while co-chair Edward Flanagan is vastly experienced in financial services litigation and asset finance, with the capability to handle financial services regulatory matters. Alan Hamblett is particularly active in the field of litigation, and associate Grace Strawford adds her expertise in handling complex financial instruments and the recovery of various assets.

Practice head(s):

Jayne Gardner; Edward Flanagan


Other key lawyers:

Alan Hamblett; Grace Strawford


Testimonials

‘Having a designated person assigned to our cases is very helpful. Back up from management is always there to discuss potential legal issues before we proceed, which is also a great thing to have, as it helps our decision making.’

‘Eddie Flanagan has been outstanding and offers the ability to advise across multiple areas easily and quickly, which has proven invaluable.’

They are responsive, proactive, timely and compared to London firms, cost-effective.’

‘As well as the matters in hand, they provide regular sectoral updates of relevance and training sessions for the staff on new areas of the law. They are generally very good to deal with, and we have an open, honest relationship with a number of partners.’

‘Eddie Flanagan is very accomplished, approachable and diligent. The team generally are practical and commercial; they offer sage advice without it being full of legalese. Our team like engaging with them and, on the day-to-day, see them as an extension of themselves.’

‘The team employs the latest case management technology to drive an efficient process and maximise successful client results in debt recovery. The practice has a wide range of clients across various sectors, attracted by their commitment to their robust regulatory compliance and truly getting to know client processes.’

‘Jayne Gardner has immense knowledge about the recoveries process. Jayne is approachable and gives practical, focused and commercial advice to guide clients to successful results.’

‘High-class service.’

Key clients

National Grid


Marston Group


Hook Norton Brewery


Europcar


Newriver Retail Ltd


University of Warwick


Bournemouth University


UPS


UPS SCS


Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales


McIntyre Hudson


Work highlights


Band Hatton Button LLP

The ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ Band Hatton Button LLP team handles debt recovery issues primarily for commercial businesses and private schools in the Midlands region. Key types of work the team has been involved with include obtaining charging orders, small claims hearings and possession claims. John French leads the practice with a wealth of experience in debt recovery. Key contact Jon Wilby acts for clients in a broad range of sectors, including, but not limited to, charities, education and leisure.

Practice head(s):

John French


Other key lawyers:

Jon Wilby; Jack Austin-King; Raman Dhillon


Testimonials

‘We have found them to be very knowledgeable and experienced with our problem.’

‘We have complete confidence that they will be able to sort any of our queries as a company, and particularly the depth of knowledge from each individual department within the company is invaluable to us.’

‘With regard to the debt recovery team, we have found Jack Austin-King very knowledgeable and informative.’

Key clients

FRP Advisory Trading Ltd


Work highlights


  • Acting for a commercial property estate agent to recover aborted fees after a seller decided not to proceed with a sale of a commercial property after a sale had been agreed.
  • Acting for the sellers of a business to recover deferred consideration due under a share purchase agreement.
  • Acting for two separate subcontractor construction companies to recover debts due to them by the same main contractor construction company.

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is involved in a braod range of work, such as drafting statutory demands, dealing with contested litigation and the enforcement of judgments. The firm counts estate agents, private schools and finance lenders in its client roster. Practice head Gareth Ruddock advises on litigation and insolvency matters, while new addition Laura Vernon, who joined the firm in August 2022 from Trowers & Hamlins LLP, acts for trusts, developers and building societies, to name a few. Associate Emma Northall strengthens the team with her vast debt collection experience.

Practice head(s):

Gareth Ruddock


Other key lawyers:

Laura Vernon; Emma Northall


Testimonials

‘Very friendly and helpful.’

‘Can have a conversation with them that gives me great advice.’

Key clients

Savills (UK) Limited


Muras Baker Jones Limited


BCRS Business Loans Limited


Enreach UK Limited


Dudley Building Society


Tipton & Coseley Building Society


Work highlights


  • Advising upon and pursuing various claims for commission following the sale of both residential and commercial property within the UK for Savills (UK) Limited.
  • Acting for various manufacturing businesses in pursuing invoices to ensure quick collection and maximise cash flow in a very difficult and challenging market.
  • Acting for Insolvency Practitioners in the collection of book debts for companies that are either in administration or liquidation.

Lanyon Bowdler

Lanyon Bowdler’s debt recovery team operates for a range of clients, ranging from private individuals and commercial landlords to local and national companies. Andrew Pegg leads the team with his vast experience in acting for clients in the manufacturing industry, as well as shareholder disputes, unfair prejudice and farming partnerships, among other areas. He also carries out repeat work for a multinational insurance company.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Pegg


Testimonials

‘The team are always available to help with any queries we might have.’

‘The debt recovery team have helped us recover outstanding debts with ease and efficiency.’

‘The people there are very helpful and explain everything in detail.’

‘They are always helpful and prepared to go the extra mile to ensure success.’

‘Generally, just impressed with the service we receive – the team is always responsive and happy to help.’

‘I am very happy with them.’

‘They help me as much as they can with the questions I have, and nothing ever seems too much trouble.’

‘Their billing is straightforward, and they are always upfront with the charge before we go ahead with any proceedings.’

Key clients

HMA Tax (UK) Limited


Lane Wood Fuels Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advised HMA Tax (UK) Limited client on a potential dispute.
  • Advised Lane Wood Fuels Ltd on options following a dispute raised.

Sydney Mitchell LLP

Sydney Mitchell LLP’s key areas of work include the collection of monies owed, return of goods claims and acting for landlords in obtaining the possession of properties, to name a few. Leanne Schneider-Rose heads the practice with broad experience in areas such as insolvency and restructuring, often undertaking contentious insolvency work as well as advising bridging lenders on their recovery options. Associate Heleena Gandham joined the firm from Star Legal in August 2022, bringing expertise in high-value debt claims and the insolvency process in general.

Practice head(s):

Leanne Schneider-Rose


Other key lawyers:

Heleena Gandham


Testimonials

‘The team work very well together, they are quick to respond to any query I have and are happy to explain their advice further if I don’t fully understand everything.’

‘The knowledge that the solicitors at Sydney Mitchell have is second to none.’

‘Leanne Schneider-Rose deals with all of my queries in a timely and professional manner.

‘Leanne Schneider-Rose is thorough, informative and knowledgeable and is at the top of her field. Leanne’s ability to see any potential risk and shield her clients from it is unmatched in the industry.’

‘I highly recommend Leanne, her professional service and support sets her apart from other solicitors.’

‘We have worked with Sydney Mitchell over a number of years and have found them to offer an excellent service.’

‘We mainly work with Leanne Schneider-Rose, who offers great advice and is very commercial.’

Sydney Mitchell are knowledgable and responsive when debt recovery is required.’

Key clients

Greenfield Mortgages III Limited


Sky Bridge Lending Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advised a bridging lend client on its recovery options against three borrowers where there was no security in place over assets.
  • Advised a fit-out company in respect of monies due to it from a customer leading to the service of a statutory demand and a threatened winding up petition.
  • Acts for various bridging lend clients in the enforcement of its legal charges in respect of non-regulated lending.