Gorvins Solicitors > Stockport, England > Firm Profile

Gorvins Solicitors > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in the North West Tier 1

Gorvins Solicitors draws considerable praise from clients for its ‘amazingly friendly and knowledgeable’ team. The practice handles a wide range of matters from acquisitions, MBOs, and disposals to outsourcing, e-commerce and agency arrangements. Andrew Curwen oversees the practice alongside Christian Mancier; Curwen advises clients across the media and publishing sectors, while Mancier acts for owner-managed businesses and family-owned businesses in the SME sector. They are supported by Paul Lupton who regularly advises on complex demergers, and senior associate Rowan Uren, who focuses on transactional work including share and asset acquisitions, MBOs, corporate re-organisations and joint ventures.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: elsewhere in the North West Tier 1

Fielding a ‘good mix of specialist lawyers for every situation’, Gorvins Solicitors stands out for its expertise in insolvency litigation, as well as disputes arising out of commercial matters, warranty claims, breach of contract and partnership issues. Mark Deverell oversees the team alongside Guy Lightowler. Deverell specialises in commercial and insolvency-related litigation, while the ‘extremely responsive’ Lightowler is a key port of call for owner-managed businesses, SMEs, PLCs and multinationals. Danielle Clements is noted for her focus on the property litigation field, in addition to contentious probate matters.

Real estate > Commercial property: elsewhere in the North West Tier 1

Gorvins Solicitors' Stockport office houses a commercial property team which is praised by clients for being ‘a delight to work with’. The practice is headed by Claire Beaumont who is an expert in property investment, finance, and landlord and tenant matters. Issues relating to portfolio management are a key element of the team’s practice, and is Amanda Porter's primary area of expertise. The team is adept at handling all aspects of development transactions, with the ‘extremely professional’ Paul Dowdall standing out due to his longstanding experience in large-scale commercial and residential schemes. Colin Mellor routinely handles high-value transactional work. Former co-lead Martin Hoare departed the team December 2023.

Dispute resolution > Debt recovery Tier 2

Mark Deverell heads up the Stockport-based offering at Gorvins Solicitors, which routinely assists a varied client roster of finance houses. The group also exhibits broad expertise in the collection of rent arrears and service charges. Deverell leads the firm’s dispute resolution outfit, often assisting liquidators and administrators with the collection of debt. Danielle Clements is a contentious probate specialist, and Sunita Patel handles the full range of debt recovery issues, with a strong focus on fast and multi-track claims, enforcements, and the issuing of claims.

Insurance > Personal injury: claimant Tier 2

Gorvins Solicitors houses a broad team in Stockport, known for its broad specialism in military claims, and cases of serious injury. ‘Tenacious and hard working‘ practice co-head Stuart Biddle handles a vast range of personal injury cases, acting in cases involving traumatic brain and spinal injuries as a result of road traffic accidents, and injuries sustained in the course of employment. Gary Boyd co-leads the team, and is known for his exceptional knowledge of military and sports injury cases, particularly in relation to amputation, brain, and spinal cord injuries, supported by Cerys Jones, who is well-versed in chronic pain and non-freezing cold injury claims.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

Stockport-based Gorvins Solicitors has a broad practice defending both claimants and defendants in claims of fraudulent wills and Inheritance Act claims, and the group has extensive experience in cases involving issues of mental capacity. The group also acts on behalf of beneficiaries in the removal of executors and trustees, as well as acting for executors and administrators who want to protect their own position against other co-executors. Practice head Michael Smoult advises clients on contentious estates, disputed wills, and Inheritance Act 1975 claims, and he is also experienced in dispute resolution. The group also includes seasoned litigator Danielle Clements, who is ‘a specialist in contentious probate litigation', and Julie Burgess, who advises on a broad range of contentious estates.

Employment > Employment: employee/union firms Tier 3

A team appreciated for its ‘loyalty, support and friendliness‘, Gorvins Solicitors in Stockport advises employees on the full range of employment matters, with particular expertise in redundancy and bulk compromise agreements, employment tribunals, discrimination cases, senior executive departures, and post-termination restrictions. Key team member is Amanda Isherwood is particularly experienced in contentious employment issues and tribunals, especially those involving disability, maternity, and pregnancy.

Insurance > Professional negligence Tier 3

Mark Deverell and Guy Lightowler jointly lead the Stockport-based practice at Gorvins Solicitors, which acts in a variety of claims arising out of property transactions and contractual breaches. Deverell, managing partner of the firm, leads the litigation group, and is known for his strong knowledge of commercial disputes. Lightowler primarily acts for legal professionals and surveyors, often settling disputes through mediation.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 3

With cross-border capabilities, the Stockport-based private client team at Gorvins Solicitors advises family business owners and other high-net-worth clients on the full range of matters across wills, trusts, and probate. The group also has expertise handling Court of Protection work. Practice head Michael Smoult has extensive experience advising on will preparation, estate administration, and inheritance tax planning, while Julie Burgess has a ‘knowledgeable and considerate approach to client matters' relating to wills, lasting powers of attorney, and tax planning.

Private client > Family Tier 4

Praised by clients as ‘client focused, empathetic and efficient‘, Gorvins Solicitors in Stockport has an experienced group of family and matrimonial finance specialists who can leverage the firm’s commercial and property teams to provide a comprehensive service for clients. The group also advises on all aspects of private law children cases, as well as representing clients in public sector proceedings. Practice head Nicola Fraser has a ‘unique approach‘ and specialises in financial settlements upon divorce; she often advises on cases involving commercial assets, including family businesses and limited companies. Another key contact with a broad matrimonial law practice is Ainsley Pritchard, who ‘is passionate and fights hard for her clients‘. Patricia Robinson joined the practice in 2024.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 4

The property litigation group at Gorvins Solicitors is well-versed in landlord and tenant disputes, often acting for both commercial and individual clients. ‘Extremely diligent and tenacious practitioner’ Guy Lightowler heads the practice, which is based in Stockport. Danielle Clements is a key name within the team.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 4

Gorvins Solicitors' Stockport based group often handles the IP aspects of commercial mandates. Andrew Curwen leads the firm's corporate and M&A team, assisting clients with a wide variety of transactional issues. Guy Lightowler is a seasoned litigator who routinely acts in cases concerning copyright, trade mark, and unregistered design right infringements. Christian Mancier is a key name for corporate transactions.

Employment Tier 5

Gorvins Solicitors provides a broad range of employment services with specialist knowledge in matters involving redundancies and bulk settlement agreement exercises, disciplinary actions, corporate support, and HR work. The group also has extensive experience representing clients in discrimination and unfair dismissal disputes in the Employment Tribunal.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Crime: general crime and fraud