Hill Dickinson LLP

Commercial Litigation

Partner and Head of Commercial Litigation Liverpool

Paul trained at DLA Piper, qualified in 2005 and became a partner at Hill Dickinson in 2015 and Head of Commercial Litigation Liverpool in 2024.

Trainee Solicitor, DLA Piper, 2003-2005

Associate, DLA Piper, 2005-2009

Senior Associate, DLA Piper 2009-2015

Senior Legal Consultant, (DLA Piper Middle East, 2012)

Partner, Hill Dickinson LLP, 2015 – present

England Boxing: Chair & Panel Member National Disciplinary Panel;

England Boxing: HR, Legal and Compliance Sub-Committee Member;

Liverpool John Moores University: Guest Lecturer: School of Law;

Paul is a partner in and head of the award winning commercial litigation team with wide ranging commercial dispute resolution experience - acting for corporate clients in relation to complex high value litigation both in the UK and internationally.

Working with clients to proactively manage legal risk, Paul helps them tackle disputes effectively, whether through traditional means such as litigation or arbitration, or alternative methods including mediation and expert determination. He has particular experience advising clients in respect of claims for breach of contract and arising on termination of contracts, IT, outsourcing, technology and telecoms disputes, professional negligence claims, warranty claims, shareholder disputes, competition law claims and sports disciplinary matters.  Paul has acted as supervising solicitor on search orders and advises on dawn raids.

Work Highlights include:

Acting for the Vatican government in its successful defence of a claim for declaratory relief in high profile proceedings in the Commercial Court relating to extensive fraud allegations connected to fund and property investments valued at over £350m. Advising a major specialist geotechnical construction group in relation to a dispute valued in excess of £50m concerning the design and construction of diaphragm walls at a site in the UK. Acting as part of a Dubai based team to advise Indian clients in their defence in an international arbitration of a US$1 billion contractual claim in the London Court of International Arbitration branch in New Delhi. Advising a Jersey registered subsidiary to a listed UK company with business interests in Sub-Saharan Africa on the successful defence at trial of an English law US$12m debt claim issued in the Royal Court of Jersey. Advising a government entity in respect of an arbitration claim valued at over £700m relating to the failed development/deployment of a major IT system in the UK. Acting for a Dutch BV in the prosecution of a multi-million pound product liability claim under English law concerning the supply of freezer systems to fleets of ocean trawlers. Acting in the High Court and Court of Appeal for a Premiership football club in its successful defence of a claim concerning policing charges for football matches. Acting for a major IT outsourcing company in respect of a number of separate multi-million pound disputes concerning the supply of outsourced IT services both in the UK and India.

Paul has over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and 10 years’ experience as a partner at Hill Dickinson.  Paul leads the Liverpool Commercial Litigation Team.  He is vastly experienced in a wide spread of commercial litigation and arbitration matters (both domestic and international) across a number of sectors acting for a variety of individual and corporate clients.  IT/Outsourcing and Sport are two specific areas in which Paul has extensive experience spanning the length of his career.

English, French

Member of the Law Society

Member of the Society of Computers and Law

Appointed member of England Boxing’s Subcommittee on HR, Legal and Compliance

Appointed Chair/Panel Member of England Boxing’s National Disciplinary Panel

2002-2003: College of Law, Chester: Legal Practice Course (LPC): Distinction;

1999-2002: University of Manchester: Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law, First Class

Paul loves to spend his time outside of work with his two young children

Paul enjoys sports including hiking (having completed a number of long distance hikes in recent years such as the West Highland Way, Arran Coastal Path and Speyside Way).  Paul is a Liverpool FC supporter and a big boxing fan having travelled overseas to follow British fighters for example.  Paul also enjoys music, plays the guitar, and likes reading and poetry.