Firm Profile > Howes Percival LLP > Northampton, England

Commercial litigation: elsewhere in the East Midlands Tier 1

Based in Leicester, Howes Percival LLP's practice represents public and private companies in a wide range of claims, including partnership and company disputes, professional negligence and public law cases. Geraint Davies has a strong track record acting for clients in High Court litigation, judicial reviews and in ADR proceedings. In a recent highlight, he recently secured a favourable settlement for Intertek Inspection Services UK in a  £15m contractual dispute relating to an oil platform off the coast of Nigeria. Satnam Chayra has a wealth of experience of shareholder, director and partnership claims. Associate Gary Pitt has notable expertise in litigation under the Companies Act 2006.

Commercial property: elsewhere in the East Midlands Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's 'strong team', which is spread between Northampton and Leicester, specialises in land acquisitions and disposals, lending and refinancing, residential and commercial development, and landlord and tenant work. Northampton-based partner Lucy Lord, who was described by one client as 'highly professional and commercially astute', focuses on land acquisitions and sales, where she acts for developers and lenders. 'Practical and pragmatic' partner Nicholas James, who is based in Leicester, has notable expertise in strategic land acquisitions, promotion agreements and investment transactions. Associates Jasmine Mason and Alexandra Kirkwood, who are based in Leicester and Northampton respectively, are also recommended.

Corporate and commercial: Elsewhere in East Midlands Tier 1

In 2019, Howes Percival LLP's team expanded significantly, with corporate partners Jahid Ali and Oliver Brookshaw joining the practice from Spearing Waite alongside banking specialists Haydon Simmonds (also of Spearing Waite) and Ian Ilersic (former Head of Legal at Deutsche Bank). The firm predominantly advises medium and large corporates on M&A, investments, joint ventures and commercial agreements. In a recent work highlight, Daniel Banton served as lead adviser to vendor group Persian Properties Limited on the sale of the entire share capital of Station Road Developments (Management) and SRD (Trading). 'Exceptionally talented' partner Gerald Couldrake continues to regularly act for selling shareholders in various industries.

Employment Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's team has particular experience of undertaking employment matters for clients in the automotive, food and drink, manufacturing and education sectors. The team handles high-value acquisitions, complex tribunal claims, TUPE, enforcement of restrictive covenants and senior executive exits. Key individuals at the firm include Leicester-based practice head Paula Bailey and Northampton-based partner Graham Irons. Director Alex Payton is praised for his 'professional' and 'approachable' manner.

Corporate and commercial: Nottingham and Derby

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's Leicester and Northampton team handles a wide range of contentious and transactional mandates, which includes restructurings, debt collection proceedings and insolvencies connected to investment fraud. The practice also distinguishes itself through its work on the government's Insolvency Service Panel; this includes public interest winding up proceedings involving allegations of fraud. Leicester-based partner Carl Mifflin, who is described as 'technically excellent' by one client, often advises business owners on their duties and options during periods of financial difficulty. Katie Summers, who is based in Northampton, is an expert in contentious insolvency.

Intellectual property Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP acts for the Business Software Alliance (whose members include leading names such as Microsoft and Siemens), regularly receiving enforcement instructions from the client. In addition, another key client is streetwear clothing brand Just Hype, for whom the firm handles trade mark registrations and applications in more than 50 countries, as well as multijurisdictional IP litigation. Practice head Matthew Talbot is an experienced IP litigator with an interest in food and drink law. Hannah Steggles and legal director Jenna Bruce are also recommended.

Property litigation Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's property litigation team, which is based in Leicester, is particularly strong in landlord and tenant disputes involving contentious break clauses and dilapidation claims. In addition, it also has notable expertise in insolvency disputes. Geraint Davies has a strong track record in landlord and tenant and project-based disputes, which he has developed over the course of more than 25 years. Satnam Chayra focuses primarily on landlord and tenant claims, and she also excels in general property disputes. Jane Bloomer is also recommended.

Banking and finance Tier 2

With its main office in Leicester, Howes Percival LLP's banking and finance practice specialises in real estate finance and management buy-outs. Haydon Simmonds advises lenders (including large banks) and borrowers on leveraged and acquisition finance, corporate banking and real estate transactions. Simmonds co-heads the practice with Ian Ilersic, who was hired from Deutsche Bank in 2019 and is based in Milton Keynes.

Family Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP's family practice has a notable multidisciplinary approach, with its specialist practitioners working closely with the estates and private client teams. This allows the family group to advise clients more effectively on wealth preservation and complex financial disputes involving businesses, estates and property assets. The team also handles divorces and civil partnership dissolutions, as well as pension arrangements. Justine Flack leads the Leicester-based team.

IT and telecoms Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has a strong presence in the IT and telecoms sector, and it handles contentious and non-contentious work for household-name clients. One key client is the Business Software Alliance, for whom the firm advises on issues such as software piracy and IP infringement, among other matters. Elsewhere, the firm handles a broad range of non-contentious matters for clients, including software development and maintenance, as well as outsourcing arrangements. Practice head Matthew Talbot has a strong background in IT litigation.

Public sector Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP has considerable expertise in the education sector, particularly in relation to academy conversions. The team has experience of advising on different structures available to converting schools, including single academy conversions and converting schools to multi academy trusts. Mark Davies, Daniel Banton, and Graham Irons are the main contacts in the East Midlands.

Agriculture and estates Tier 1

The estates group at Howes Percival LLP  in Norwich acts primarily for substantial landowners, trusts and partnerships. It handles agricultural property matters including farm and estate sales, purchases and tenancies, long-term funding, environmental schemes and the registration of titles. Its estate management work for landed estates is closely tied to the firm's expertise in tax planning, succession issues and farming partnerships. Catherine Scott leads the estates practice and the private client services group. Wealth management specialist Stuart Maggs also plays a key role in the practice. Newly promoted partner Katharine Danks is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association.

Commercial property: Norwich Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP has 'a specialist and responsive team who are available when required with the advice needed to progress matters efficiently.' The five-partner real estate group excels in commercial and residential development, property investment and finance, and transactions in sectors such as energy, automotive, leisure, tourism and healthcare. Practice group head Tessa Haskey, head of development Tracey Hughes and head of residential Joanna Nicholls are the key partners in Norwich. Newly promoted partner Nicola Curle is 'pragmatic and supportive'. New hire Christopher Cubitt from Hatch Brenner LLP has a broad practice that includes residential development projects and development site set-ups.

Debt recovery Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP provides advice that is 'clear and easy to understand'. The firm's strength in insolvency work gives it the experience to advise corporate clients on complex, high-value and high-profile debt recovery matters, including fraud recovery matters, asset tracing and urgent injunctive relief to freeze assets for recovery. Michael Green in Cambridge and, in Norwich Morris Peacock and director Gordon Simpson are the main contacts. They frequently act for clients in the insolvency, education, professional services, agriculture, retail, automotive, construction, energy and tourism sectors. Former practice head Alison Kirby joined a litigation funder.

Commercial property: elsewhere in East Anglia

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Norwich Tier 1

The 'enthusiastic and engaging' team at Howes Percival LLP 'has an exceptional depth of knowledge and provides good, reasoned advice with the right answers not the ones you may want', remarks one client. From domestic and cross-border estate planning to inheritance tax advice, from setting up trusts to handling complex probate issues, Catherine Scott's practice handles the full range of private client work. Stuart Maggs, whom one client calls 'the Gandalf of tax, trusts and anything complex ', Tom Lawrence and Jonathan Wortley are all vastly experienced partners.

Planning and environment Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP handles large-scale projects for housebuilders, land promoters and local authorities nationwide. The practice, which one client describes as 'bright and enthusiastic with unwavering depth and breadth of experience', is regularly instructed to negotiate complex planning obligations and to handle judicial review proceedings. It also has a particularly strong reputation for projects in the retail and leisure sectors. Practice head Paul Wootton, who excels in compulsory purchase matters, director Jay Mehta and highly regarded senior associate Jamie Childs work in both the Cambridge and Norwich offices.

Property litigation Tier 1

Litigation is the largest practice at Howes Percival LLP and property litigation accounts for a significant proportion of its work. Jamie Kidd in Norwich and Simon Murphy in Cambridge co-lead the practice. Kidd's team focuses on land and development issues for clients including the Ministry of Defence and Ford Retail. It also acts for landed estates and major housing associations. Murphy oversees the firm's work on landlord and tenant matters. Among his clients are Greene King and Cambridge University. Cambridge-based senior associate Leanne Davis is one to watch.

Banking and finance Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP in Norwich focuses on real estate and development finance, building on the strength of its commercial property and agriculture teams. 'The stability of the team means that they know the historical context of current transactions and understand what we are trying to achieve', remarks one client. Alongside corporate borrowers, the firm counts lenders such as HSBC and Lloyds Bank among its clients. Lead partner Joanna Nicholls, head of real estate Tessa Haskey and Cambridge-based real estate finance specialist Will Stokes are highly recommended.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

The Norwich office of Howes Percival LLP is home to core expertise within the firm-wide charities practice. The group frequently deals with governance issues and reorganisations, as well as charity formation and administration. Head of the private client and estates practice Catherine Scott, who is a trustee of numerous charities, is the main contact. She calls on the firm's respected planning, property and corporate practices to assist clients, among which is The Woodland Trust.

Commercial litigation: Cambridge Tier 2

'A powerful regional practice with first-class London quality and superb value for money,' is how one client describes Howes Percival LLP. The firm's Cambridge office has grown its litigation capability since the practice was created four years ago, bringing more regional, national and international cases including contractual, shareholder and partnership disputes. The 'extremely astute, commercial and unflappable' Michael Green leads a practice that is praised for its 'active, hands-on partner engagement and excellent associates'. Director Victoria Sandell is 'bright, incredibly hard-working and efficient'.

Commercial litigation: Norwich Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has a well-established litigation practice in Norwich that frequently handles high-value, urgent, complex and high-profile matters both in the UK and overseas. Michael Green, who splits his time between Norwich and Cambridge, now leads the practice following the departure of Alison Kirby to a non-legal role. Director Gordon Simpson handles a broad palette of litigation work but has particular expertise in cases in the energy sector.

Commercial property: Cambridge Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP is 'responsive and knowledgeable providing concise advice when required'. The three-partner practice excels in residential and commercial development, property investment and property finance, with particular expertise in the leisure, tourism, education, technology and public sectors. Head of office Jonathan Greenhalgh specialises in complex development work. Steven Beach has more than 30 years' experience in property investment and development work. Michaela Henson stands out for advice to landowners, developers and commercial clients on commercial and housing development, investments and site assembly. Director Will Stokes acts for landlords and occupiers in the negotiation of high-value building lease agreements.

Corporate and commercial: Norwich Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has a new lead partner in Oliver Pritchard, who is practice head for both the Norwich and Cambridge offices. He joined from Browne Jacobson LLP in early 2020 and has specialist expertise in the healthcare sector, in which he acts for a national client base. The firm is also heavily involved in transactions in the leisure and tourism sector, in which it has recently completed high-profile deals for clients such as Craft Leisure Limited. The firm principally acts for owner-managed businesses, high-net-worth family estates and agriculture businesses. Nathan Horton left the firm to pursue a career outside the law.

Employment Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has employment law capability in both its Cambridge and Norwich offices. The practice focuses mainly on Employment Tribunal claims, in which it acts mainly for employers. 'Highly pragmatic and commercial' practice head Matthew Potter in Cambridge has 25 years' experience, with a particularly strong track record in Employment Tribunal work. He is supported by associates Jonathan Mumby, who frequently acts for senior executives, and Norwich-based Caroline Illing, who focuses predominantly on the automotive sector.

Family Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP provides family law services through its Cambridge and Norwich offices, with partner Amy Walpole and associates Sophie Key and Laura Clay-Harris working in both locations. They also support the wider practice in the Leicester, Milton Keynes and Northampton offices. The practice, in which all lawyers are Resolution members, has particular expertise in complex financial cases particularly those involving businesses, landed estates, complex investments, tax and jurisdictional issues. The firm acts for numerous high-net-worth clients, including CEOs from the banking and property sectors, barristers, medical consultants, entrepreneurs, and agricultural and business owners.

Media and entertainment Tier 2

With significant experience in publishing and TV, the media and entertainment team at Howes Percival LLP is particularly known for its work in copyright, defamation and privacy disputes. Coordinated by Matthew Talbot, it also features James Howarth, a contentious specialist with representative experience in both the Intellectual Property Office and High Court. More broadly, the firm covers legal issues such as passing-off, image rights and a broad spectrum of trademark issues. Jenna Bruce, renowned for her expertise in commercial areas, is recommended for the drafting of rights agreements. Vicki Howe is another name to note.

Social housing Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has a multi-disciplinary social housing team that has strength and depth in property transactions, development work and contentious matters. the firm has a strong following across East Anglia, having advised on numerous golden brick agreements, development purchases and site assembly matters. Housing management specialist Simon Murphy in Cambridge leads the practice, which calls upon property development partner Michaela Henson. In Norwich, property litigator Jamie Kidd and new hire from Leathes Prior Christopher Cubitt, who is a commercial property partner, also act for RPs.

Commercial property: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 3

The Milton Keynes-based team at Howes Percival LLP provides commercial advice to local development clients on property finance matters such as complex funding and strategic land disposals. It is also known for investment fund acquisitions and disposals and has recently seen growth in banking and property finance work. Practice leader Lisa Mantle specialises in property finance work for both lenders and borrowers, as well as advising on high-end residential property. Mark Davies has experience in leasehold re-gears and the formation of joint venture vehicles.

Construction Tier 3

'From start to finish, the service is excellent,' says a client of Howes Percival LLP. 'You know when he gives you advice it is sound,' says a client of practice head Simon Franklin in Cambridge who focuses on non-contentious construction work. The practice, which also handles construction disputes, acts for developers, institutional landowners, banks, occupiers, contractors and consultants, as well as a growing number of designers and suppliers of modular holiday homes and manufacturers of specialist steelwork.

Corporate and commercial: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP 's corporate team received a major boost in 2020 with the return of ex-partner Andrew Harris from Dentons, where he had led the Milton Keynes corporate and commercial practice. The team acts for family-owned businesses and larger multinational corporates, as well as private equity funders and management teams interested in primary and secondary buyouts. It has extensive expertise in acting for owners selling their businesses, particularly to foreign-based buyers. The practice also covers banking, restructures, acquisitions and disposals. In May 2019, Daniel Banton was promoted to practice head; he specialises in M&A and restructurings. Gerald Couldrake advises on joint ventures and commercial contracts, while Edward Lee's primary practice is in M&A, undertaking complicated cross-border transactions. Partner Ian Illseric joined from Deutsche Bank in December 2019.

Corporate and commercial: Cambridge Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP continues to build the profile of its Cambridge office, with corporate and commercial work a growing feature of its work. Practice head Oliver Pritchard, who works between the Norwich and Cambridge offices and joined in 2020 from Browne Jacobson LLP, brought with him a long track record in the health sector. The firm also hired director Brigitta Naunton in Cambridge from Thomson Webb & Corfield LLP to handle private company M&A, equity investments, corporate reorganisations, joint venture and shareholder arrangements. Nathan Horton, who previously led the practice, left the firm to pursue a career outside the law.

Employment: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 3

The Milton Keynes team at Howes Percival LLP is known for its work advising clients in further education, the food and drink sector, and the automotive sector on a wide range of matters, such as the employment aspects of high-value and complex acquisitions, disposals, and restructurings, as well as matters regarding senior terminations. It also has a history of dealing with complex tribunal claims and severances for senior executives. Practice leader Simon deMaid focuses on disability discrimination claims and high-value, complex restructures. Director Hannah Pryce is an employment tribunal advocate specialising in sex discrimination and gender pay issues.

Health and safety Tier 3

'The firm has a strong understanding of clients' needs,' says a client of Howes Percival LLP. Practice head Alan Millband is mainly based in Leicester but increasingly works from the Norwich office, which handles both contentious and non-contentious work in a range of sectors but is particularly well known for its work in the minerals and extractives industry. Legal director Robert Starr, who works in both Cambridge and Northampton, handles health and safety and fire safety matters, often in the rail, food, retail and care sectors.

Intellectual property Tier 3

Contentious IP specialist James Howarth leads the south east offering at Howes Percival LLP from the firm's Milton Keynes office. With a particular focus on publishing and tech manufacturing, the team is specifically known for handling disputes involving software and licensing issues.  In addition, clients can benefit from the firm's provision of in-house trade mark and domain name watch services as well as its association with the Silverstone Technology Cluster.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Cambridge Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP has a small private client team in Cambridge, but it calls upon the significant resources of the firm-wide practice that is led by Catherine Scott in Norwich. Senior associate Amy Wallhead in Cambridge handles estate planning, probate, powers of attorney and trusts, as well as acting for deputies in the Court of Protection. She also has a focus on mental capacity issues and dementia.

Public sector Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP provides corporate, employment, property, construction, commercial contracts and data protection advice to clients in the education and healthcare sectors. The firm assists numerous universities and colleges across East Anglia. Steven Beach in Cambridge handles commercial investment property transactions and property development. Strategic land specialist Michaela Henson also plays a key role. Nicola Curle in Norwich advises FE clients on land disposals, development and student accommodation projects. Also in Norwich, new hire Oliver Pritchard from Browne Jacobson LLP has experience in corporate transactions in the healthcare sector.

Public sector Tier 4

Spanning across four locations, the education and healthcare practice at Howes Percival LLP has extensive expertise covering corporate, employment, construction, commercial contract and data protection mandates. Oliver Pritchard, who joined from Browne Jacobson LLP, has a wealth of expertise handling corporate transactions in the healthcare sector and regularly advises on mergers.Daniel Banton heads up the academies and schools sub-group of the education team and specialises in conversions. The practice also counts an increasing number of universities and colleges as part of its client roster. Other key partners include Mark Davies and Graham Irons.

South East > Public sector > Public sector Tier 4

Spanning across four locations, the education and healthcare practice at Howes Percival LLP has extensive expertise covering corporate, employment, construction, commercial contract and data protection mandates. Oliver Pritchard, who joined from Browne Jacobson LLP, has a wealth of expertise handling corporate transactions in the healthcare sector and regularly advises on mergers.Daniel Banton heads up the academies and schools sub-group of the education team and specialises in conversions. The practice also counts an increasing number of universities and colleges as part of its client roster. Other key partners include Mark Davies and Graham Irons.