The Legal 500

South West: Corporate and commercial

Corporate and commercial: Bristol

Corporate and commercial: Bristol - ranked: tier 4

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey has supplemented its Bristol-based department with a number of promotions, lateral hires and significant internal reshuffles, which brought corporate capabilities to its existing commercial team. Noted for its ‘quick responses and fast turnarounds without a reduction in quality’, the team is increasingly targeting large multinational clients, but has maintained its local and regional work in sectors such as leisure, food and drink, infrastructure and property. Newly promoted partner Emily Settle advised a Middle East-based manufacturing company on its purchase of the entire issued share capital of a group of companies from institutional and individual sellers. Martin Cuell leads the commercial group and supported Egress Software Technologies’ international expansion through the establishment of certain arrangements in Australia. Jonathan Oddy is another key figure in the commercial team and specialises in the media and telecoms sector. Chris Worrell heads the department and senior associate Alexandra Leonidou ‘stands out for her insightful tech and privacy advice’.

Next generation lawyers

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Corporate and commercial: The West Country

Corporate and commercial: The West Country - ranked: tier 1

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey ’s corporate group is regularly involved in sizeable corporate transactions and is rated for its ‘commercial savviness and legal expertise’ in addition to its emphasis on ‘helping clients develop their business’. Duncan Sykes ‘typifies the group with his responsiveness and high-quality advice’; Sykes has been especially active in energy-sector transactions and advised EW Solar on three concurrent transactions with Next Energy Capital, in which EW Solar sold its stake in three solar farms. Matthew Stoate is another of the team’s ‘pragmatic and entrepreneurial’ partners; Stoate assisted Charlie Parsons, Sir Bob Geldof and Lord Waheed Alli with the high-value sale of the entire issued share capital of Castaway Television Productions. Stoate also handled a number of strategic acquisitions for private equity-backed The Parts Alliance, which included its multimillion-pound acquisition of SAS Autoparts. Ken Lewins leads the West Country private companies and entrepreneurial practice and advised Marbel on its sale to Swiss-incorporated Hape Holding, as part of the buyer’s strategic global expansion. Chris Worrell heads the corporate and business groups and divides his time among the firm’s various regional offices.

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Corporate tax

Corporate tax - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey has been called ‘a go-to firm for complex VAT and corporate restructuring’ matters. Indeed, John Pindard, the ‘pragmatic and approachable’ practice head, advised Beachdown on a multimillion-pound corporate reorganisation involving substantial property portfolio transfers, which required careful structuring to account for potential SDLT liabilities. The department head also acted in conjunction with a ‘Magic Circle’ firm in relation to a high-value cross-border disposal of a Southeast Asian holding company and various subsidiaries. Further, Pindard advises clients such as Maybank UK on increasingly sensitive regulatory compliance issues. Senior associate Anna Parker is a key figure in the firm’s personal tax team, and senior manager Rhys Pippard, who specialises in indirect taxation, joined the team from Pinsent Masons LLP.

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South West: Crime, fraud and licensing

Licensing

Licensing - ranked: tier 3

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey  advises on all aspects of the Licensing Act 2003 and also provides advice on the Gambling Act 2005, copyright music, PRS/PPL licensing, Vehicle Operators’ Licensing and SIA licensing. Chris Pritchett heads the team and has experience in licensing outdoor events, festivals, sports stadia, and online and mobile gaming. Clients have included Bristol City Football Club which it advised on the Licensing Act 2003 as well as safety in relation to high capacity concerts. It also advised the University of Bristol Students Union on a new application for a £26m refurbishment of one of its buildings as well as advising on events, insurance issues, venue hire arrangements and noise management strategy.

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South West: Dispute resolution

Commercial litigation: Bristol

Commercial litigation: Bristol - ranked: tier 3

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey’s Bristol-based litigation group is headed by Mark Rhys-Jones, who has particular experience in IT and contract disputes and public sector litigation. The group head is acting alongside highly recommended senior associate Catherine Haugh to assist a Middle Eastern law firm with arbitration strategy and procedure in relation to an ICC arbitration case alleging breach of contract. Additionally, Rhys-Jones has advised major UK and Scottish banks on multiple multimillion-pound disputed debt claims. Further, the Bristol team regularly works alongside colleagues in the firm’s London, Exeter and Plymouth offices. Indeed, Rhys-Jones has handled a number of professional negligence cases in conjunction with the firm’s Plymouth-based disputes team.

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Commercial litigation: The West Country

Commercial litigation: The West Country - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey’s West Country-based litigation team ‘provides outstanding service in commercial disputes, and is particularly strong in financial services and banking litigation’. Indeed, Steven Richards defended a UK resident in a claim brought against him in Australia regarding a purported loan in a failed investment scheme. ‘A seasoned and temperate negotiator’, Robin Brown assisted various UK banks with secured debt recovery claims, and also advised a banking client on a portfolio of claims questioning the accuracy of certain property valuation and conveyancing advice. The team also has experience in media and technology-related litigation, property and construction disputes, and claims involving clients in the retail sector. Peter Singfield counselled a national retailer on an attempt by one of its suppliers to incorrectly terminate a supply agreement. Singfield is also acting for H. Westons & Sons in relation to a double trade mark opposition in the UK and EU intellectual property offices. Senior associate Dickon Court is also recommended.

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South West: Finance

Banking and finance

Banking and finance - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

The banking team at Foot Anstey specialises in real estate investment and development financing in the residential property and renewable energy sectors. Further, the team regularly supports the firm’s corporate group in debt-financed corporate transactions private equity-backed M&A. Department head Will Whitt acted for Oxshott Property Holdings, as borrower, in connection with a £15.5m term and revolving facilities agreement with Investec Bank. Whitt also advised Amlak Holding on the acquisition financing of the entire issued share capital of Wazzan Real Estate Company and Broader Company. Imam Qazi specialises in Islamic finance and assisted Greenridge Investment Management on the financing of its £35.5m acquisition from administration of a commercial site in Sheffield; the funding included a shari’ah compliant structure with an offshore element. The department also receives regular lender-side instructions from Santander and Julian Hodge Bank. Legal director Chris White has been involved in a number of high-value refinancing transactions in 2017.

Leading individuals

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Insolvency and corporate recovery

Insolvency and corporate recovery - ranked: tier 1

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey established its South West insolvency practice with multiple lateral hires from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, and is now recognised as a team that ‘punches significantly above its weight’ in contentious and non-contentious insolvency matters. Department head Joanne Rumley, who is ‘perhaps the leading insolvency practitioner in the South West’, is advising the joint special administrators of Strand Capital on what is the first special administration under the revised Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011. The team also acts for creditors, and recently counselled a significant creditor of energy company Wind Prospect Group on the approval of its company voluntary arrangements. Additionally, Rumley is acting for the joint liquidators of Wessex Metal Stock in a dispute with the company’s directors concerning monies owed to the insolvent company. Additional contacts include associate Lydia Lloyd and legal director Tim Pritchard, who has extensive experience advising banks and lenders on lending and security issues in distressed situations.

Leading individuals

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South West: Human resources

Employment: Bristol

Employment: Bristol - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey  provides strategic and operational employment advice to local and national clients from its new Bristol office. Areas of expertise include general employment matters, contentious and non-contentious employment law issues, TUPE, redundancies, restructures, exitinig of senior staff, and drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants. Karen Bates heads the team and specialises in discrimination matters, equal pay litigation, advisory and strategic work. Partner Patrick Howarth led the advice to new client Lucozade on disciplinary, grievance matters and HR projects. The practice also acts for Screwfix on day to day employment issues, disciplinary action, poor performance, sickness and absence issues, senior exits, and ammendments to policies and procedures. Richard Neary advises on general employment matters, workforce issues, TUPE, and corporate and commercial matters. Other clients include Odeon/UCI Cinemas, Halfords, Midas, Livewell South West, TNT, Cornwall Council, Met Office and City Electrical Factors. Kathryn Evens joined from Mills & Reeve LLP and Charlotte Mortlock joined from Penningtons Manches LLP. Matthew Huddleson joined OTB Eveling.

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Employment: The West Country

Employment: The West Country - ranked: tier 1

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey advises on a broad range of employment matters including equal pay, discrimination, TUPE, redundancies, restructures, senior staff exits and restrictive covenants. The client base is predominantly drawn from the firm's core retail, leisure, food and drink, media, technology, financial services, property and construction sector strengths. The practice provides day-to-day employment advice to Screwfix, including disciplinary matters, grievances, long term sickness, and amendments to polices and procedures, as well as assisting it with Employment Tribunal claims. Other clients include the Met Office, which the practice advises on TUPE transfers, senior staff exits and the civil service voluntary termination programme; and new client Lucozade, for which it handles disciplinary matters, grievances and HR issues. Karen Bates heads the team and specialises in discrimination and equal pay litigation. She is supported by partners Patrick Howarth and James Collings; senior associate Kathryn Evens, who joined from Mills & Reeve LLP; and Penningtons Manches LLP. Matthew Huddleson joined OTB Eveling.

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Health and safety

Health and safety - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey provides advice on risk management and operational matters, as well as liaising with external regulatory bodies and handling serious incidents, fatalities and inquests. It also has experience of conducting prosecutions on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Local Authorities. Practice head Nathan Peacey takes ‘a considered and pragmatic approach’ and is a ‘valuable asset in crisis situations’. He recently acted for Modus Workspace in relation to a workplace accident that involved life changing injuries. Liz Perry focuses on risk management and internal and external investigations. Chris Pritchett is also recommended. Other clients include Royal Shakespeare Company, Eden Project, Livewell Southwest, BMW, Brend Hotels, Football Safety Officers' Association and NFU.

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Pensions

Pensions - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey provides advice on day-to-day penions issues, strategic advice, defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes, significant rule consolidations, amendments and appointments. It is adept at at handling pension issues related to corporate transactions, restructures and moral hazard risks from the Pensions Regulator. The firm advises public and private sector clients such as Morgan Lloyd Administration Services (part of the Clifton Group), Somerset County Council, Plymouth City Council and Trustees of the St Loyes Foundation Pension and Life Assurance Scheme. Karen Bates heads the team and is supported by senior associate Helen Trethewey who advised Odeon Cinemas/UCI in relation to two final salary pension schemes. This included advising on appointing a new independent trustee and scheme amendments. She also led on providing pensions support to Vospers Motorhouse, this mainly related to governance regime.

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South West: Insurance

Clinical negligence: claimant

Clinical negligence: claimant - ranked: tier 1

Enable Law

Foot Anstey launched standalone medical negligence practice Enable Law in 2017 under the leadership of Robert Antrobus, who has 'a nice blend of intellect and good client-care skills'. Other key figures include Andrew Hannam , who is 'a recognised leader in the field; intelligent, perceptive and thorough'. He specialises in cases of birth injury and cerebral palsy and has experience of settling high-value claims. Laurence Vick  deals with child cardiac surgery claims, he represents families across the country. Claire Stoneman ('intelligent, sensible, pleasant to work with and effective') focuses on birth injury matters and acts in cases involving stillbirths, neonatal deaths and brain injury. Mike Bird deals with a variety of complex medical issues including children with brain injuries. 'Highly efficient and effective' Paul Sankey specialises in claims that relate to stroke, sepsis, haemorrhage, meningitis and raised intracranial pressure and amputations. Alex Mcknight, Bernadette McGhie and Angie Maxwell are also recommended.

Leading individuals

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Personal injury: claimant

Personal injury: claimant - ranked: tier 2

Enable Law

Enable Law represents clients across the UK in personal injury claims involving spinal cord injury, brain injury, amputee and multiple injuries. Juliette Clarke heads the personal injury team from the Plymouth office, she specialises in claims with life-changing injuries and attempts to ensure early rehabilitation, she also deals with military-related claims. The firm is corporate partners with the Child Brain Injury Trust through which it receives referrals. It also acts on behalf of patients abused in nursing or care homes in group litigation cases. The firm led on Cornwall NHS Trust group litigation and the Winterbourne View group litigation, representing many clients who lack mental capacity. Recent cases include claims involving dangerous driving, road traffic accidents, assault, asbestos and workplace accidents. Robert Antrobus is also recommended.

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South West: Private client

Agriculture and estates

Agriculture and estates - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey is ‘very good all round’, demonstrating ‘a thorough knowledge of the Agricultural Holdings Act in what is an extremely complex area of the law’. Clients include the National Farmers Union (a panel appointment for Devon and Cornwall), the Tregothnan estate, HSBC, Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, and Santander Bank. Joel Woolf is head of the agriculture and rural business team and specialises in strategic business advice to farming clients, as well as agricultural recoveries work for receivers and banks. Edward Venmore is ‘technically superb, professional and courteous’, and has extensive experience in commercial litigation, professional negligence claims, and property and regulatory-related disputes; recent work includes an ongoing Agricultural Holdings Act dispute involving arbitration and court proceedings. The firm recently hired senior associate Kit Mordaunt from Everys, who specialises in acting for large landed estates. Legal director George Gilpin joined in May 2017 from Moore Blatch LLP; as a consulting arborist – the only solicitor in the country with formal qualifications in this specialism – Gilpin is particularly knowledgeable in the care and management of trees under tree preservation orders and in conservation areas. Associate Danielle Spalding also handles many of the firm’s highest-profile and most complex matters, and comes recommended.

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Charities and not-for-profit

Charities and not-for-profit - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey has ‘an excellent reputation in the charity sector, and is industry leading in terms of providing in-house legacy management support.’ Anna Phillips heads up the firm’s charity property practice and specialises in advising charities, social enterprises, housing associations, exempt accommodation and healthcare providers in freehold disputes, commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes, business lease renewals and property-related professional negligence. Lucy Gill is a ‘very professional, ambitious and creative lawyer’, and as head of the legacy and trusts disputes team is a key contact. New client Great Ormond Street Hospital recently instructed the firm to advise on an estate of which it is sole residuary beneficiary; other key clients include RSPB, RSPCA, Age UK, and Save the Children. Senior associate Alex Rogers is experienced advising on trust disputes with a Jersey connection. Senior associate Emma Facey is also highly recommended.

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Contentious trusts and probate

Contentious trusts and probate - ranked: tier 1

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey has a team of ‘skilled and intelligent lawyers in this area’, which acts for Age UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital, RSPB, British Red Cross, Save the Children, and RNLI. Lucy Gill leads the team and recently acted in a will validity dispute for the beneficiaries of the estate of the late Lord Sydney Templeman, author of the 'Golden Rule' of good practice for will drafting solicitors in the judgment in Kenward v Adams (1975). Senior associate Alex Rogers regularly advises trust companies based in Europe and the Middle East, and also has experience in trust disputes with a Jersey connection, having spent six months on secondment to a leading Channel Island law firm. Gill, Rogers and senior associate Emma Facey are ‘all experienced, sensible and helpful’.

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Family

Family - ranked: tier 3

Foot Anstey

Jessica Pitt, practice head at Foot Anstey, is ‘very calm, sensible and pragmatic’, and specialises in the financial consequences of relationship breakdown. The firm has expanded its practice to cover pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and has also invested in its mental capacity ancillary team. Consultant Nigel Gosden covers family financial issues, and high-net-worth cases particularly. Associate Jill Bruce handles all areas of family matters, including divorce, high-value financial matters, cohabitee disputes and children matters, and has particular expertise in inter-jurisdictional children matters. Mark Chanter left for Stephens Scown LLP.

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Personal tax, trusts and probate

Personal tax, trusts and probate - ranked: tier 1

Foot Anstey

The ‘absolutely brilliant’ team at Foot Anstey has recently grown, with Tom Thorneycroft joining the team as a chartered tax adviser from Grant Thornton UK LLP in October 2017 and Hannah Wall joining from Irwin Mitchell in February 2018. Notable clients for the firm include QIB (UK) and its parent Qatar Islamic Bank, The Cobbold Family, and the Newnham Estate. Deborah Carrivick leads the practice with ‘incisive and pragmatic advice’, advising on UK tax implications for domiciliaries owning assets in the UK (including UK real estate) and on the UK tax treatment of offshore trust and company structures, bringing extensive cross-border experience. Carrivick also advises on Islamic finance, including shari'ah-compliant financial products and shari-ah-compliant trusts. Simon Gregory typically advises farmers and landowners whose land has development potential. Legal director Kirstin Cook has a ‘sensitive, caring and professional manner’, and focuses on succession planning through lifetime giving, trust creation and wills, and dealing with the administration of complex estates. Consultant Michael Evans is ‘super experienced, very practical and knowledgeable, yet completely approachable’, providing particular expertise on the Middle East. Senior associate Anna Parker is ‘a pleasure to work with and is committed to client service’, and also advises on cross-border estates and succession issues, and on international private law issues as well as the Brussels IV Regulation; she speaks fluent Spanish and French.

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South West: Projects, energy and natural resources

Energy

Energy - ranked: tier 3

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey has ‘a strong and experienced renewable energy transactional team’, which ‘provides valuable business advice, in addition to solid legal advice’. ‘An excellent team leader’, Chris Pritchett heads the energy group, which works alongside the firm’s real estate, corporate, construction and tax teams to provide comprehensive advice on commercial and corporate energy deals. A large multi-disciplinary team advised US-based NEC Energy Services on its strategic development and operation of two battery storage projects in the UK. The practice head also acted for Became Energy in a joint venture with Downing to finance and install a battery storage system at Emirates Stadium. Additionally, Pritchett and property partner Stuart Cleak assisted British Solar Renewables with the sales, totalling £50m, of six solar sites to Next Energy and three sites to Bluefield Solar.

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South West: Public sector

Education

Education - ranked: tier 3

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey advises on collaborations between further education colleges and private business, grant funded development schemes, international investment in education and the financing of student accommodation. Duncan Tringham heads the team and focuses on the further education and higher education sectors. Employment specialist Karen Bates advises schools and colleges on employment law. The practice acts for University of the West of England on intellectual property issues, supporting funding bids and on joint ventures and collaborations. It also acted for GEMS education on GDPR issues and advised Weston College on the creation of a law and professional services academy, which involved the acquisition of property for the college and advice on the delivery of legal services apprenticeships. Other clients include South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Commercial Services, Happy Days South West, Colyton Grammar School, South Devon College and St Paul's Girls' School.

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Health

Health - ranked: tier 3

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey acts for healthcare providers such as foundation trusts, GP practices, CCGs dental practices, care home groups, pharmacies, veterinary practices and social enterprises. It advises on governance, structure, practice mergers and joint ventures. It has previously acted for Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust in the acquisition of a new renal unit in Torquay.

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Local government

Local government - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey provides advice to a number of local councils in the South West, in addition to several national clients. James Falle heads the team and led on acting for Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Somerset County Council in the procurement of highways maintenance providers. Duncan Tringham led on advising Cornwall Council on a £400m mixed-use development scheme which will generate 2500 new homes and a new stadium in a multi-party joint venture. The firm also advised London Borough of Tower Hamlets on a regeneration scheme that will develop 785 new homes, commercial workspace and a new bridge over the river Lea. Tim Taylor led on advising Teignbridge District Council in relation to a section 106 agreement for a large residential housing development. Richard Bagwell advised Salcombe Town Council on the potential transfer of assets such as green space and recreation land under localism devolution. Karen Bates and Chris Pritchett are also recommended.

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South West: Real estate

Commercial property: Bristol

Commercial property: Bristol - ranked: tier 3

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey’s Bristol-based property group is best known for assisting nationally operating corporates with property portfolio matters. Richard Walford  advises FirstGroup on issues concerning its Great Western Railway property portfolio, which has recently included advice on the redevelopment of Paddington Station to support the Crossrail. Walford also provides ongoing property portfolio advice to Screwfix. Richard Sutton acted for South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Commercial Services in relation to a building lease granted to Welink Group for the development of a site at the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park. Additionally, Paul Clark and Imam Qazi are regularly instructed by banks and investment groups in relation to cross-border property investment transactions and development financing. The commercial property group is headed by Martin Hirst, who practices out of the firm’s Southampton office and has particular expertise in residential development.

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Commercial property: The West Country

Commercial property: The West Country - ranked: tier 1

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey’s West Country property team has particular expertise in major residential and mixed-use development projects and nationwide portfolio management. Duncan Tringham is advising London Borough of Tower Hamlets on two major developments: the £250m Ailsa Wharf mixed-use regeneration and the £300m Blackwall Reach redevelopment. Similarly, Tringham is assisting Cornwall Council with the property aspects of a landmark £400m development scheme, which will bring 2,500 new homes and a significant commercial space, including a new football/rugby stadium. Richard Walford assists Screwfix with its property portfolio management, which recently included the opening of its 500th store; he also advises FirstGroup on the ongoing management of its GWR portfolio. Walford is also acting for the two main landowners in connection with a garden village project in Culm, Devon. In the investment space, senior associate John Catchpole advised TClarke on a newbuild 26,000 sq ft prefabrication facility in Essex.

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Construction

Construction - ranked: tier 4

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey acts for sub-contractors and property groups in construction-related disputes and regularly handles contractor agreements and construction due diligence in relation to funding and development transactions. Department head Ian Stubbs is advising Acorn Property Group in relation to a £6m dispute with the contractor of a residential development. Stubbs also led a team that advised Green Frog Connect on the EPC contracts and framework agreements for the delivery of gas peak power plants in the UK. The team, which includes senior associate Tris Tucker, also handles certain construction and fit out works for firm clients such as Screfix and B&Q. Legal director Brian Hitchcock joined from Michelmores LLP, and Zac Spyrou left for an in-house role.

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Planning

Planning - ranked: tier 4

Foot Anstey

Having picked up several first-time instructions from developers and local authorities, Foot Anstey is establishing itself in the South West planning market. Department head Tim Taylor assisted new client Persimmon Homes with two separate contentious planning issues concerning the appropriation of some of its land by a local authority. Taylor has also begun advising Duchy of Cornwall on the planning aspects of several projects, including in 3,500 unit development in Newquay. Additionally, the team, which includes senior associate James Clark, is acting for Cornwall Council in relation to a 1,500 unit residential development at Langarth Farm and a related mixed-use project at West Langarth Farm. Additional clients include London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Beechcroft Land.

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Property litigation

Property litigation - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

In terms of client care, Foot Anstey is ‘among the very best in the South West’. Headed by Richard Bagwell, ‘a collegiate and pragmatic’ litigator noted for his ‘broad and deep-seated knowledge’, the property litigation department assists retailers with property portfolio management and has recently been involved in a number of mining-related disputes. Bagwell provides ongoing advice to many of the group’s key clients, including Screwfix Direct and Tregothnan Estates. Daniel Cuthbert is advising the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on various right to light concerns arising from multiple development sites. Additionally, Cuthbert and senior associate Nicola Purcell successfully represented a sovereign entity in a substantial claim regarding its embassy building in London. The team also has experience in agricultural land disputes and has been increasingly engaged by receivers in relation to property realisation pursuant to the Law of Property Act.

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South West: TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

IT and telecoms

IT and telecoms - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey provides advice on transactional technology projects and licensing in the fintech, clean tech, retail, media and transport sectors. It has recently been providing advice in relation to blockchain technology, internet of things (IoT) platforms, data exploitation, GDPR compliance and cloud-based solutions. Martin Cuell heads the firm's technology practice and recently advised Egress Software Technologies on cyber and data security, covering a broad range of technology matters across the US, Asia, Europe and Australia. Neil Parkes advised Sky UK in relation to customers illegally streaming broadcasting content as part of a wider campaign to crack down on piracy. Jonathan Oddy recently led on advising Trainline on in-app promotions and prize draws, contract negotiations on third party software tools and integration of cloud-based services across the business. Mark Rhys-Jones specialises in technology and IT-related litigation. Alexandra Leonidou focuses on data exploitation and GDPR, she gives ‘practical and insightful privacy advice in the tech arena’. Paul Cox joined as head of IP in the Southampton office. Ed Bodey and Jacob Scott left the firm. Clients include Metron Technology, Aardman Animations, British Solar Renewables, BlueVenn, Flo Group and Zesty.

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Intellectual property

Intellectual property - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey provides advice on trade mark and design portfolio management internationally. It advises on non-contentious matters including corporate transactions, drafting IP licences, franchise agreements and other IP focused documentation and provides advice on IP ownership. Other areas of expertise include IP litigation and enforcement. In a cross-border matter with China, Martin Cuell advised Eden Project on brand ownership strategy and trade mark assignments and licenses. Peter Singfield advised Charlie Bears on their international trade mark portfolio and IP infringement. Neil Parkes is ‘very thorough, easy to deal with, and knowledgeable’, he advised Lucasfilm in relation to the leaking of plot and character information of the latest Star Wars films. Paul Cox joined as head of IP in May 2017, he represented the sponsor of a premiership football in team in relation to a trade mark dispute over a logo used on team shirts. The firm is ‘excellent, responsive and commercially switched-on’. Clients include Trinity Mirror/Local World, University of the West of England, Sky, Royal Shakespeare Group and Cut4cloth.

Leading individuals

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Media and entertainment

Media and entertainment - ranked: tier 1

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey services high-profile clients in film and television, marketing and music. It provides advice on publishing law, regulation, copyright, trade marks, passing off, advertising, data protection, licensing and employment law. Richard Neary  is head of media and technology and advises on employment law in the media sector. Tony Jaffa  specialises in publishing matters. Neil Parkes  focuses on media litigation, content protection and contentious IP. Jennifer Agate focuses on pre- and post-publication advice and contentious media law; she is ‘a particular star’ and ‘has a superb eye for detail and a strongly practical and sensible approach to clients’ interests’. Martin Cuell  handles licensing transfers and exploitation of rights. Peter Singfield deals with commercial disputes, and IP and brand protection issues. Alexandra Leonidou specialises in privacy and data protection, advertising, digital media and technology. Clients include Aardman Animations, Sky UK, The Independent and Evening Standard and Newsquest Media Group.

Leading individuals

Next generation lawyers

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Sport

Sport - ranked: tier 2

Foot Anstey

Foot Anstey advises on commercial and regulatory aspects of sport-related law. Key client sectors include football, rugby, hourseracing and stadia projects. Jonathan Oddy heads the team and led on advising Bristol Sport with regards to its football and rugby club kit supply agreement, this involved IP issues, delivery milestones and service levels. Another highlight includes advising Cornwall Council on a £400m mixed-use development which includes the construction of a landmark new stadium. Mark Searle deals with commercial contract work including supply of goods and services, framework contracts, terms and conditions and sub-contracting arrangements. Neil Parkes focuses on media and sport litigation. Clients include Ashton Gate, Event Advantage Solutions, Football Safety Officers' Association, Henley Regatta, BlueVenn and Arena Racing Corporation.

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