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South West: Corporate and commercial
Corporate and commercial: Bristol
Corporate and commercial: Bristol - ranked: tier 4
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey advises national and international clients on corporate M&A, private equity transactions and fundraising. It demonstrates strong capabilities advising mid-market businesses from across the UK on cross-border transactions. On the commercial side, the team has undergone significant expansion with the arrival of a number of new lawyers, including managing associate Annalisa Checchi and senior associate Helen Mouser (both from in-house positions). Another notable hire is Mark Millar, who heads up the commercial side of the practice, while Chris Worrell leads the corporate practice. Emily Settle works closely with corporate and private equity clients to advise on complex M&A transactions and corporate development.
Practice head(s):Chris Worrell; Mark Millar
Other key lawyers:Emily Settle; Tim Young; Jonathan Oddy
Key Clients
Business Growth Fund Investments LP
South Staffordshire plc
Ministry of Sound
Gregory Distribution (Holdings) Limited
Trainline
Pennon Group
The Royal Shakespeare Company
Work highlights
- Supporting the internal legal team on a broad range of matters including procurement, regulation issues and commercial contracts.
- Supported the client on a number of strategic projects and product diversification.
- Advising the client on investments into Seasalt Holdings Limited for expansion.
- Act as general counsel to the client, advising the board on strategic risks, events contracts, music licensing and marketing initiatives.
- Represented the client in its acquisition of ARRC Holdings Limited and subsidiary ARR Craib Transport Limited.
Next Generation Partners
Emily Settle - Foot Anstey
Corporate and commercial: The West Country
Corporate and commercial: The West Country - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey provides corporate and commercial services through its four core sector lines of financial services, media and technology, property and infrastructure, and retail and leisure. The firm's varied workload includes M&A, private equity, commercial contracts and restructurings. Ken Lewins has an excellent reputation acting for larger businesses with an international or national focus, as well as ambitious management teams in the South West.
Practice head(s):Ken Lewins
Other key lawyers:Chris Worrell; Matthew Stoate; Duncan Sykes;
Key Clients
Business Growth Fund Investments LP
Ardian / Envision Pharma Group / Six Degrees
Livingbridge
Greenridge Investment Management
UKRD Group
Gregory Distribution (Holdings) Limited
Aerosense Limited
Smithfield / Pure Safety Group Holdings Limited
UKRD Group
Gregory Distribution (Holdings) Limited
Aerosense Limited
Smithfield / Pure Safety Group Holdings Limited
Connecterra Holdings Limited
South Staffordshire Plc
Ministry of Sound
Crondall Energy Consultants
Work highlights
- Advised UBM (UK) Limited on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Smarter Shows (Power) Europe Holdings Limited.
- Acted for Plymouth Argyle Football Club Limited on the further investment by director and shareholder Simon Hallett into the club, including share purchases.
- Advised Connecterra Holdings Limited on a Series A fundraising from existing investors and incoming venture capital funds for further growth.
- Advised Aspen Pumps Limited on the £6m acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Advanced Limited.
- Advised Business Growth Fund Investments LP on its £16m investment into Seasalt Holdings Limited for funding further expansion.
Corporate tax
Corporate tax - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey handles both contentious and non-contentious corporate tax matters for clients such as private equity houses, household-name corporates and high net worth individuals. A notable feature of the practice is that, on the contentious side, the firm conducts the majority of tax litigation in-house, as opposed to instructing external barristers. Non-contentious work includes advising on employment-related taxation, and assisting with the tax aspects of corporate reorganisations and commercial real estate transactions. Plymouth-based John Pindard, who heads up the team, is both a qualified lawyer and Chartered Tax Adviser. Anna Parker made partner in 2018.
Practice head(s):John Pindard
Other key lawyers:Anna Parker
Key Clients
United Business Media
Kawasaki
Mole Valley Farmers Limited
Screwfix
B & Q Plc.
China Fleet Country Club
Devon Waste Management
TIGL Holdings
Maybank UK
Go-Train Limited
Work highlights
- Instructed to provide tax support in relation to the client's equity investment into a plant hire business.
- Advised tax support regarding an investment by private equity house into the client's target company.
- Asked to provide corporate tax opinion on the likelihood of an existing corporate structure qualifying as an Enterprise Investment Scheme compliant structure.
- Instructed to advise the client on maximising the amount of capital allowances claimed as a result of a contribution to works.
- Advised the client on the VAT treatment of fees charged under their current terms of engagement.
Leading individuals
John Pindard - Foot Anstey
South West: Crime, fraud and licensing
Licensing
Licensing - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey advises on the acquisition of licences in the mobile gaming, copyright, music and sports industries and provides licences for outdoor events and festivals. The firm also assists with a wide range of licensing aspects regarding construction and refurbishment work and has experience in dealing with venue hire for private and public gatherings, noise management and safety regulations.
Practice head(s):Chris Pritchett
South West: Dispute resolution
Commercial litigation: The West Country
Commercial litigation: The West Country - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey has a significant presence in the media and entertainment sector, and represents clients in high-value disputes in this area. In addition, the firm has strong links with the publishing sector, and the team also regularly acts for high-profile clients in this space, including in cross-border matters. Steven Richards, who is the key contact in the Exeter office, undertakes corporate disputes, banking and financial services litigation and contentious insolvency.
Practice head(s):Steven Richards
Other key lawyers:Peter Singfield
Testimonials
'The team are very responsive, extremely commercial and provide exceptional support to our business'
'Sarah Harding, Sian Phillips and Steven Richards all provide day to day support and service and do so brilliantly'
Key Clients
Sky
LCD Publishing Group
Hitachi Capital
Royal Academy of Dance
HEP Verwaltung
H. Westons & Sons Limited
Kawasaki Precision Machinery
Welcome Break
Connect Group
Work highlights
- Represented LCD Publishing in an alleged force sale of properties dispute relating to FCA reviews and consequential loss claims.
- Acting for dairy farmers in dispute arising from investment in a robotic milking system, which is allegedly unfit for its purpose.
- Ongoing advice to Signet Trading Limited, including on a dispute with a US-based data services organisation over the decision to close a UK data centre.
- Representing Hitachi Capital (UK) Plc as the claimant in a dispute alleging that the asset is unfit for purpose and contractual breaches.
- Defending Atlantic Trampolines and others against claims alleging breaches of duty and misfeasance.
South West: Finance
Banking and finance
Banking and finance - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey's banking and finance practice is one of the core areas of focus at the firm. Its team provides extensive support on a full range of matters, such as corporate lending, development finance, leisure and healthcare finance, acquisition and event-driven finance, and project finance, among others. Also notable is that the group has established a strong presence in the real estate investment finance space, and it also increasingly generates work in the renewable energy sector. Clients include bank and non-bank lenders, borrowers and sponsors. Practice head Will Whitt focuses on corporate banking facilities, leveraged finance and real estate finance. Legal director Chris White has expertise in acquisition finance and project finance.
Practice head(s):Will Whitt
Other key lawyers:Chris White
Key Clients
Lloyds Banking Group
Santander UK
Royal Bank of Scotland
Shawbrook Bank
HSBC UK
Atom Bank
NatWest
Work highlights
- Advised a bank on a number of real estate development and investment transactions.
- Advised Business Growth Fund on the financing aspects of a £6.3m investment in Molson Group and on a £4.7m investment in Plantforce Rentals.
Leading individuals
Will Whitt - Foot Anstey
Insolvency and corporate recovery
Insolvency and corporate recovery - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
The team at Foot Anstey has a first-rate reputation in corporate rescues, restructures, turnarounds and insolvencies (including formal and non-formal procedures). The group's work spans sectors such as energy, infrastructure, retail and charities, among others. Clients include banks, creditors, turnaround specialists, distressed equity investors and stakeholders. The 'excellent' Joanne Rumley regularly advises boards of directors on handling financial distress in the context of directors' duties and managing insolvency risk. Legal director Tim Pritchard, who joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, has particular experience of the special administration process applicable to investment banks. Managing associate Brett Eeles focuses on insolvency litigation.
Practice head(s):Joanne Rumley
Other key lawyers:Tim Pritchard; Brett Eeles
Testimonials
'A very solid team'
Key Clients
FRP Advisory
The Towcester Racecourse Company
Kingston Smith
Smith & Williamson
Work highlights
- Advising FRP Advisory on the administration of Misco; recent work included an extensive security review across the Misco Group, as well as drafting and negotiating key settlement agreements.
- Acting for the joint administrators of the Lifetime SIPP Company, an FCA-regulated SIPP provider.
- Advised The Towcester Racecourse Company on the restructuring of its funding and capital structure.
- Advising the joint special administrators of Strand Capital, an investment bank, on their appointment.
Leading individuals
Joanne Rumley - Foot Anstey
South West: Human resources
Employment: Bristol
Employment: Bristol - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey provides support to national and international clients in the retail, media and technology sectors. It is particularly strong in defending clients in high-value litigation cases and, on the non-contentious side, advising on the implementation of pay and grading schemes. Elsewhere, the team's recent work included assisting several local authorities with negotiating pay deals for council staff and handling a high-value TUPE claim, which involved a significant number of staff. Richard Neary has particular expertise in collective workforce issues.
Practice head(s):Karen Bates (Exeter)
Other key lawyers:Richard Neary (Bristol)
Testimonials
'Foot Anstey's HR and Employment team feel like an extension of our in-house team. It is available for urgent matters by phone or email at a moment's notice and understands the business enough to speak to board members and colleagues alike. Their training sessions are tailored to fit real examples within your business too'
'We rate the team's ability to get to the heart of the matter rapidly, marshal the appropriate resource at the right time and direct effort proportionate to the required result. This is a finely calibrated team of lawyers with a range of expertise across all the areas of law which might influence our work. In twenty-five years they have come to our assistance rapidly and with an outstanding, in fact incomparable, rate of success'
Key Clients
Screwfix
T Clarke Contracting Ltd
Becton Dickinson UK Ltd
Odeon Cinemas Ltd
Halfords
Monster
Flybe
Livewell Southwest CIC
Ropes & Gray LLP
Reed & Mackay Travel Ltd
Employment: The West Country
Employment: The West Country - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey has a strong track record defending clients in employment litigation, including equal pay claims. In addition, it is highly regarded for non-contentious matters, which includes assisting local governments with nationally negotiated pay deals and large-scale TUPE matters. Also notable is that the firm has a strong pedigree in the retail, media and technology sectors. The firm's standing in the market is evidenced by it featuring on the panels of clients such as Lloyds Bank and Flybe. Exeter-based Karen Bates leads the department.
Practice head(s):Karen Bates
Other key lawyers:James Collings; Patrick Howarth
Testimonials
'Karen Bates is my key trusted advisor that I know I can rely on her to provide sound advice to the business, and help guide them in a commercial manner clearly setting out the risk versus reward'
'Their tact, courtesy, identification with our aims and objectives and ability to express reservation or offer advice diplomatically but with an ineluctable logic. James Collings and his associates, Lynda Mcdonnell, Kathryn Evens, Claire Marks and Charlie Maples, provided a seamless service from the gathering of evidence through the formulation of argument to the explanation and presentation of estimates and invoices. We could not have hoped for a more professional, charming or effective team'
Key Clients
Screwfix
T Clarke Contracting Ltd
Becton Dickinson UK Ltd
Odeon Cinemas Ltd
Halfords
Monster
Flybe
Livewell Southwest CIC
Ropes & Gray LLP
Reed & Mackay Travel Ltd
Work highlights
- Provide full external employment advice to Screwfix, including disciplinary and grievance cases, poor performance and long term ill health/absence management issues, senior exits, TUPE and amendments to policies and procedures.
- The team advise and support T Clarke Contracting Limited on a wide range of employment related matters, including disciplinary and grievance cases, and tribunal litigation.
- Ongoing employment law support covering advice to Odeon Cinemas Ltd on European works council obligations and structuring through to complex employee relations cases, in addition to employment tribunal representation.
- Advise the Met Office on all employment matters, including tribunal representation when required.
- Provide employment advice to Flybe, which recently included assisting with the employment aspects of a dispute with Monarch Airlines Engineering Ltd.
Health and safety
Health and safety - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
The health and safety team at Foot Anstey has extensive expertise in handling prosecutions for the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities. The team also provides strategic and operational advice, as well as corporate due diligence. Practice head Nathan Peacey specialises in regulatory work, and advises clients on risk management, compliance and the defence of regulatory crime.
Practice head(s):Nathan Peacey
Key Clients
Royal Shakespeare Company
Eden Project Ltd
Livewell Southwest
British Solar Renewables
Brend Hotels
Football Safety Officers' Association
Farms for City Children
Ashton Gate Limited
Cornwall Care
NFU
Princess Yachts
Work highlights
- Advised a client on health and safety terms for supplier contracts to bring them up to date with legislation and ensure compliance.
- Advised a client on regulatory compliance relating to solar and battery storage build and operational models.
- Advising a client on prosecution following a incidents of employees and guests being exposed to asbestos during refurbishment works.
South West: Insurance
Clinical negligence: claimant
Clinical negligence: claimant - ranked: tier 1
Enable Law
Enable Law, the standalone clinical negligence practice of Foot Anstey, advises on the settlement of maximum severity cases. Andrew Hannam is experienced in investigating and litigating clinical negligence cases, particularly those linked to birth injury, cerebral palsy claims and brain injuries. The firm also handles clinical negligence claims linked to the management of orthopaedic injuries. The practice acts for parents in cases involving stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Laurence Vick specialises in child cardiac surgery claims.
Practice head(s):Robert Antrobus
Other key lawyers:Andrew Hannam; Laurence Vick
Leading individuals
Andrew Hannam - Enable Law
Laurence Vick - Enable Law
Personal injury: claimant
Personal injury: claimant - ranked: tier 2
Enable Law
As the personal injury practice of Foot Anstey, Enable Law has a particular expertise in handling acquired brain injury claims, assisting with group litigations, and advising on amputee as well as spinal cord, orthopaedic and multiple injury claims. This involves assistance with the securing of rehabilitation funds. The practice also advises on workplace, traffic and sports accidents. The firm is also experienced in handling claims involving injured children.
Practice head(s):Robert Antrobus; Juliette Clarke
South West: Private client
Agriculture and estates
Agriculture and estates - ranked: tier 3
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey’s expertise encompasses contentious disputes, including estoppel claims as well as tenancy, partnership, will land and property disputes and non-contentious activities involving the drafting and negotiation of sale and purchase agreements. The practice also provides regulatory advice on subsidies, environmental issues and health and safety. Clients include high-net-worth farming families and individuals, business owners, trustees, charities and beneficiaries.
Practice head(s):Edward Venmore
Key Clients
Lloyds Banking Group
The Bolitho Estate
NFU
HSBC Bank
NatWest
St. Aubyn Estates
Santander Bank
Tregothnan
Work highlights
- Providing advice to HSBC in respect of the restructuring of the borrower’s £30m dairy business.
- Advising on a missed extension of tenancy arrangement after death of the main land tenant.
- Advising on an agricultural Holdings Act dispute ending in arbitration and court proceedings.
- Advising on a dispute regarding the lease for a telecoms mast with Vodafone on the client's property.
- Advising on a police, HMRC and HSE investigation regarding alleged modern slavery.
Charities and not-for-profit
Charities and not-for-profit - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey advises trustees, executors, beneficiaries and charities on inheritance and legacy disputes, legacy administration involving secondments as well as on trust compliance and recovering shares of estates. Practice head Lucy Gill also advises on property planning and provides strategic advice to charities with the aim of optimising legacy income and fundraising capabilities. Tax planning is another area of expertise.
Practice head(s):Lucy Gill
Key Clients
Cancer Research UK
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH)
National Trust
RSPB
Salvation Army
Age UK
Scope
The Royal British Legion
Dogs Trust
Work highlights
- Managing a significant proportion of the National Trust's £50m annual legacy income.
- Advising Cancer Research UK on legacy administration.
Contentious trusts and probate
Contentious trusts and probate - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey advises on a wide range of contentious trusts and probate matters, including claims relating to the construction and validity of wills and trust documents, inheritance act claims, disputes involving executors and trustees, as well as trust variation applications, proprietary estoppel and claims relating to disputed lifetime transactions that affect the value of the respective estate or trust. The practice’s client base involves high-net-worth individuals and families, trust corporations and charities.
Practice head(s):Lucy Gill
Other key lawyers:Alexandra Rogers; Emma Facey
Work highlights
- Defending the validity of the last will of a high-net-worth individual.
Family
Family - ranked: tier 3
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey assists with divorce proceedings, cohabitation disputes, children-related disputes as well as wealth protection measures and property disputes. The firm is also experienced in the drafting and negotiation of pre- and postnuptial agreements. Exeter-based Jessica Pitt is the practice head and regularly liaises with high-net-worth clients and farming families on setting out financial claims arising out of relationship breakdown.
Practice head(s):Jessica Pitt
Personal tax, trusts and probate
Personal tax, trusts and probate - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
The expertise of Foot Anstey encompasses domestic and international tax, trusts and succession matters, which involves property structuring, shari’ah-compliant wealth structuring and succession planning, as well as the administration of landed estates. The practice also runs a trust corporation and advises financial institutions on trust law, fiduciary duties and compliance issues. The firm is additionally experienced in providing tax and probate advice tailored to elderly clients.
Practice head(s):Deborah Carrivick; Anna Parker
Other key lawyers:Michelle Seddon; Katherine Willmott; Lisa Weekes
Key Clients
Qatar Islamic Bank
Rosette Bank
Gatehouse Bank
Greenridge Investments
South West: Projects, energy and natural resources
Energy
Energy - ranked: tier 3
Foot Anstey
The ‘extremely capable’ lawyers at Foot Anstey handle matters concerning renewable energy transactions, emerging technologies, and generation and distribution projects, among others. The team works closely with other departments in providing assistance to its growing client base, which includes developers and funders of energy projects. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Chris Pritchett, who leads the department, specialises in battery storage, electric vehicle infrastructure and renewables projects and financing. Stuart Cleak leads on the real estate aspects of energy projects; Cleak’s practice places special emphasis on renewables.
Practice head(s):Chris Pritchett
Other key lawyers:Stuart Cleak
Key Clients
Omnio Energy
Pivot Power LLP
Centrica
NEC Energy Solutions
Eden Geothermal
Arenko Group
Aspen Infrastructure
Eden Project
British Solar Renewables
Work highlights
- Advising Omnio Energy on matters such as warranties and supply contracts concluded with foreign suppliers, asset management arrangements, and contractual proposals with end-user customers.
- Advised Pivot Power on its ground-breaking battery storage project at the Emirates Stadium.
- Advised Eden Geothermal on the development of a deep geothermal energy project.
- Advising Arenko Group on all real estate aspects concerning its battery storage pipeline, including the 41MW Bloxwich project.
- Advised Aspen Infrastructure on the sale of two operational solar projects.
South West: Public sector
Local government
Local government - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey’s team provides a wide range of services to clients, such as advising on regulatory issues, judicial reviews, procurement, state aid, real estate, planning and litigation. Department head Duncan Tringham is adept at handling collaborations in the public and private sector, including grant-funded development, regeneration and infrastructure projects. Legal director Mark Li, who has experience of acting on local government-led regeneration projects, joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP. In February 2019, James Falle departed to join Temple Bright LLP.
Practice head(s):Duncan Tringham
Other key lawyers:Mark Li
Key Clients
Cornwall Council
Devon County Council
Somerset County Council
Plymouth City Council
Exeter City Council
Truro City Council
Torbay Council
Bournemouth Borough Council
Teignbridge District Council
South Hams District Council
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Work highlights
- Advising Cornwall Council on the £19m development of the Cornwall Stadium.
- Advising the London Boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets on the statutory transfer of a complex scheme of land, rights and contracts forming part of the Olympic Park development running to the Royal Docks.
- Advising the Plymouth Council on the public procurement for the design and construction of the Forder Valley Link Road and associated highways infrastructure under the NEC3 form of contract.
- Advising Cornwall Council on the high-value development of a new eco-town in Cornwall agreed under the government's garden village programme.
- Advising Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council on strategic planning and other matters regarding the South West Exeter Urban Extension, a major scheme in Devon.
South West: Real estate
Commercial property: Bristol
Commercial property: Bristol - ranked: tier 3
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey's practice has a focus on housebuilder and mixed-use development work, as well as property matters connected with the energy and infrastructure, financial services, retail and leisure, and public sectors. Richard Walford excels in corporate occupier and infrastructure work. Another key figure is Islamic finance expert Imam Qazi, who has extensive experience of investment, finance and development transactions. Duncan Tringham is also a name to note. In 2018, legal director Mark Li joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP and managing associate Kutahya Cherry was hired from CMS. Paul Clark departed for Burges Salmon LLP.
Practice head(s):Martin Hirst (Southampton)
Other key lawyers:Richard Sutton; Richard Walford; Imam Qazi; Mark Li; Duncan Tringham; Kutahya Cherry
Testimonials
‘Competent, quick and highly responsive’
‘The team offers excellent and highly pragmatic legal advice’
Key Clients
Computershare
Exeter College
Gregory Distribution
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Berkeley Homes
Screwfix Direct
First Group
B&Q
Flybe Group
Welcome Break
Work highlights
- Handled a £2m-worth investment property sale for Computershare.
- Assisting FirstGroup with the management of their UK property portfolio.
- Advising B&Q on the negotiation and the completion of a development pre-let of their new 375,000 sq. ft. distribution centre in Swindon.
- Assisting Welcome Break with the redevelopment of a number of the client's motorway sites.
- Assisting Screwfix Direct with the expansion of its property portfolio, lease renewals and other real estate management matters.
Commercial property: The West Country
Commercial property: The West Country - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
Due to its commitment in providing ‘exceptional’ legal support to clients, Foot Anstey’s team has retained a long list of significant longstanding clients including developers, retailers and leisure operators, corporate occupiers and financial institutions. The team has also recently scored multiple client wins in the sectors of retail, leisure, financial services, and energy and infrastructure. Richard Walford’s specialisation is in corporate occupier and infrastructure matters with particular emphasis on development and regulated property. Besides serving as a primary contact for a number of public sector clients, Duncan Tringham also handles development, regeneration and infrastructure work.
Practice head(s):Martin Hirst
Other key lawyers:Richard Walford; Duncan Tringham
Key Clients
Computershare
Exeter College
Gregory Distribution
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Berkeley Homes
Screwfix Direct
FirstGroup
B&Q
Flybe / Flybe Group
Welcome Break
Work highlights
- Managed a £2m-worth investment property sale for Computershare.
- Assisted Exeter College with obtaining a planning permission for residential development, as well as with the sale of property to Taylor Wimpey.
- Advising a London borough on a grant-funded regeneration scheme in East London involving the development of 785 homes, commercial units and a new bridge.
- Assisting Screwfix Direct with the expansion of its property portfolio, lease renewals and other ongoing estate management matters.
- Assisted FirstGroup with the management of its £100m property portfolio across its rail and bus operations.
Construction
Construction - ranked: tier 4
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey has established a reputation as a strong performer in the construction sphere, as is reflected by its work for clients in the energy, infrastructure, technology, retail and leisure sectors. In addition to acting for clients in domestic UK matters, a significant portion of the firm's work has a cross-border element; team head Ian Stubbs is experienced in acting for overseas-based clients. Legal director Brian Hitchcock and managing associate Tris Tucker are other key figures in the team, which was strengthened by the arrival of senior associate Suriya Edwards from Geldards LLP.
Practice head(s):Ian Stubbs
Other key lawyers:Brian Hitchcock; Brian Hitchcock
Key Clients
Plymouth City Council
NEC Energy Solutions
WElink Energy Group
British Solar Renewables
Eden Project
Willmott Dixon
Screwfix Direct
Green Frog Connect
TClarke
Hodge Bank
Handelsbanken
Work highlights
- Advising Screwfix Direct on construction-related aspects concerning one-off stores and other larger projects, such as distribution centres.
- Advised NEC Energy Solutions on two UK energy-storage projects; work involved drafting documentation concerning the construction of the energy-storage systems.
- Advising Green Frog Gas Utilities on grid-connection contracts, supply and installation of gas-control systems.
Planning
Planning - ranked: tier 4
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey advises on a wide-ranging scope of planning law issues concerning highways law, compulsory purchase advice, heritage law, advertisement regulations, listed building legislation and judicial reviews. Its team has particularly extensive experience of the planning aspects of large development schemes. The varied client base includes regional and national developers, housebuilders, councils, landed estates and private clients. Tim Taylor, who is a qualified chartered surveyor, heads up the group.
Practice head(s):Tim Taylor
Key Clients
Teignbridge District Council
Devon County Council
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Cornwall Council
Castle Property Development
Duchy of Cornwall
Beechcroft Land
Persimmon Homes
Ministry of Sound
Work highlights
- Advised Teignbridge District Council & Devon County Council on a section 106 agreement for Bovis Homes' planning application for the 'South West Exeter Urban Extension'.
- Acted for the owners of the historic music venue, the George Tavern in Commercial Road, Tower Hamlets, London. The owners were threatened with potential closure from a new residential development adjacent to the venue.
- Acting as main adviser to Cornwall Council on the Threemilestone urban expansion, and also on Stadium for Cornwall project.
- Advising London Boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets on the statutory transfer of a complex scheme of land, rights and contracts, forming part of the Olympic Park development running to the Royal Docks.
- Advising Castle Property Development on section 106-related matters and on a planning strategy for a mid-size residential development scheme in Arundel District Council.
Property litigation
Property litigation - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
At Foot Anstey, the property litigation team assists clients with high-value disputes at all levels of the court system. The team is strong in multiple sectors including banking and financial services, media and technology infrastructure and construction. It has also increased its market presence in the retail and public sectors. ‘Superstar lawyer’ Patrick Wetherall joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in 2018. In a more recent development, Richard Bagwell moved to Stephens Scown LLP. Daniel Cuthbert and senior associate Nicola Purcell are highly recommended.
Practice head(s):Patrick Wetherall
Other key lawyers:Daniel Cuthbert; Nicola Purcell
Testimonials
'This is the most efficient, accessible and reliable team in the region'
'Daniel Cuthbert has a great commercial mind and is a great property litigator'
'Daniel Cuthbert is quite prepared to roll his sleeves up and fight on behalf of his clients'
'Patrick Wetherall is personable and calm'
Key Clients
Ashfield Land
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
B &Q
Heart of England Forest
Berkeley Homes
Screwfix
Welcome Break
Tregothnan
National Farmers' Union
Work highlights
- Advising Ashfield Provincial Properties on a claim brought against the client under a collaboration agreement concerning £14m-worth development land.
- Acting for The Mayor and Burgess of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on a potential infringement of the rights to light over various residential properties owned by the clients in Whitechapel.
- Advising Ashfield Land on a dispute with a national housebuilder relating to the market value of strategic development land.
- Advising Geothermal Engineering on contentious issues regarding the first deep geothermal power plant in the UK.
- Advising West Midlands Combined Authority as a tenant on a claim challenging the validity of a break clause allowing the landlord to terminate the lease in the event of demolition or redevelopment of the premises.
Leading individuals
Patrick Wetherall - Foot Anstey
South West: TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
IT and telecoms
IT and telecoms - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey acts for both customers and providers of technology solutions. It supports clients on major technology projects, large-scale procurement and the implementation/exploitation of new technologies. Key clients (which include regional and international companies) come from the energy, fintech, retail and transport sectors. An area of recent growth for the practice has been blockchain technology and cloud-based solutions. Team head Martin Cuell has experience of working with City firms on technology matters. Senior associate Alexandra Leonidou specialises in privacy and data protection, digital media and advertising contracts, and has led the growth of the firm's strategic data practice. In 2018, managing associate Annalisa Checchi joined from Constituency Management Group. Will Foulkes was hired from FIDAL.
Practice head(s):Martin Cuell
Other key lawyers:Annalisa Checchi; Alexandra Leonidou; Francesca Pole; Mark Searle; Will Foulkes
Key Clients
Sky UK Limited
Weston College
British Solar Renewables (BSR)
South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT)
TI Media
Flo Group Limited
Ultumus Limited
MooD International
BlueVenn Limited
Work highlights
- Assisting Weston College with its application to become one of the government-backed Institutes of Technology.
- Advising British Solar Renewableson services agreements for the support and maintenance of data collation
- Supporting South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in relation to procurement process for a new electronic patient care record and monitor system.
- Advising Flo Group Limited on business arrangements, namely a blockchain agreement for supply chain solutions and a systems integration solution using new technology.
Leading individuals
Martin Cuell - Foot Anstey
Rising stars
Alexandra Leonidou - Foot Anstey
Intellectual property
Intellectual property - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey acts for a wide range of household name clients, including Sky and Harper Collins, on contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm handles numerous disputes in the patent litigation arena. In addition, it assists clients with the management of IP portfolios. Practice head Paul Cox has particular experience of patent infringement claims, and he also assists clients with filing and prosecuting trade marks and designs all around the world, as well as conducting brand clearance searches. Neil Parkes has extensive expertise in contentious IP, anti-piracy and media litigation, and counts several high profile media providers as his clients. Rachel Warren specialises in contentious litigation up to the High Court.
Practice head(s):Paul Cox
Other key lawyers:Neil Parkes; Peter Singfield; Rachel Warren
Testimonials
'I would pick out Neil (Parkes) and Peter (Singfield) especially, they're experts in their field'.
'We've never heard a bad thing about Neil'.
'Their legacy client base is publishing and they're pretty unbeatable there'.
Key Clients
Sky
Trinity Mirror/Reach Plc
University of the West of England
Eden Project
Flybe
Lypiatt Studio Ltd
Work highlights
- Represented Lypiatt Studio's directors in a dispute over the ownership of copyright in the artworks of British sculptor Lynn Chadwick.
- Primary adviser to Sky on content protection and anti-piracy matters.
- Managing the international trade mark portfolio for Reach Plc (formerly Trinity Mirror Plc).
- Act for the commercial trading entity of Royal Academy of Dance in proceedings in IPEC relating to design right infringement in a range of RAD-licensed dancewear.
- Representing Spectrum Collections Limited in an unregistered design right infringement claim before the IPEC.
Leading individuals
Paul Cox - Foot Anstey
Rising stars
Rachel Warren - Foot Anstey
Media and entertainment
Media and entertainment - ranked: tier 1
Foot Anstey
In addition to having an impressive publishing client base, Foot Anstey has a notable profile in the film and TV, marketing and music sectors. Neil Parkes regularly acts for media companies in both the UK and US, and also works with international law firms. Tony Jaffa is knowledgeable about all areas of publishing law, which is complemented by his expertise in reputation management, regulation and copyright, among other areas. Richard Neary is the head of the media and technology sector team.
Practice head(s):Richard Neary
Other key lawyers:Tony Jaffa; Neil Parkes; Peter Singfield; Martin Cuell; Mark Millar; Alexandra Leonidou;
Key Clients
Sky UK Limited
HarperCollins UK
Reach PLC (formally Trinity Mirror)
The Independent and Evening Standard
Newsquest Media Group
JPI
The Mirror Online
Ministry of Sound Limited
Archant
Work highlights
- The team is representing Reach Plc in a defamation claim in relation to a published article.
- The team provides editorial and litigation legal support to The Independent and Evening Standard on an ongoing basis, including libel, privacy, contempt, regulation and copyright.
- Ongoing legal support to Sky UK Limited in relation to content protection and TV anti-piracy matters.
- Defended the publisher of the Oxford Mail in a defamation claim in relation to an allegedly false headline.
Leading individuals
Neil Parkes - Foot Anstey
Tony Jaffa - Foot Anstey
Next Generation Partners
Alexandra Leonidou - Foot Anstey
Sport
Sport - ranked: tier 2
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey's group is experienced in advising sportspeople, employers and governing bodies; the scope of the work covers commercial contracts, regulatory issues, technology, data protection and employment matters. Areas of expertise include football, rugby, sailing and cycling. Sports betting is a notable area of growth for the practice; the team acts for several betting companies and governing bodies. Jonathan Oddy leads the team from the Bristol office.
Practice head(s):Jonathan Oddy
Other key lawyers:Mark Searle; Neil Parkes
Key Clients
Bristol Sport (incorporates Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Rugby Club)
Ashton Gate Limited
Event Advantage Solutions Limited
Football Safety Officers' Association
Henley Regatta
BlueVenn
Arena Racing Corporation
Exeter City FC
Bath Racecourse
Stadium For Cornwall and Threemilestone Project
Work highlights
- Assisted Bristol Sport with reviewing and negotiating proposed kit supply agreements for football and rugby match day kits.
- Advising Cornwall Council on a £400m mixed-use development scheme to create, among other things, a new sports stadium in Cornwall.
- Advising Bristol Sport on renegotiation of agreements with an electronic ticketing provider.
Further information on Foot Anstey
Please choose from this list to view details of what we say about Foot Anstey in other jurisdictions.
London
Offices in London
- Dispute resolution : Banking litigation: investment and retail
- Finance : Islamic finance
- Private client : Court of Protection
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)
- Risk advisory : Reputation management
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Media and entertainment (including media finance)
South East
Offices in Southampton
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and Commercial: Hampshire
- Real estate : Commercial property: Hampshire
- Real estate : Property litigation
- Real estate : Social housing
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
South West
Offices in Exeter EX1, Plymouth PL4, Truro TR1, Taunton TA1, Bristol BS2, Plymouth PL4, Bristol BS1, Exeter EX1, Taunton TA1, and Truro TR1
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and commercial: Bristol
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate and commercial: The West Country
- Corporate and commercial : Corporate tax
- Crime, fraud and licensing : Licensing
- Dispute resolution : Commercial litigation: The West Country
- Finance : Banking and finance
- Finance : Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Human resources : Employment: Bristol
- Human resources : Employment: The West Country
- Human resources : Health and safety
- Insurance : Clinical negligence: claimant
- Insurance : Personal injury: claimant
- Private client : Agriculture and estates
- Private client : Charities and not-for-profit
- Private client : Contentious trusts and probate
- Private client : Family
- Private client : Personal tax, trusts and probate
- Projects, energy and natural resources : Energy
- Public sector : Local government
- Real estate : Commercial property: Bristol
- Real estate : Commercial property: The West Country
- Real estate : Construction
- Real estate : Planning
- Real estate : Property litigation
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : IT and telecoms
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Media and entertainment
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) : Sport