Firm Profile > Howes Percival LLP > Northampton, England

Commercial litigation: elsewhere in the East Midlands Tier 1

In 2018, Howes Percival LLP was appointed to the UK Government Crown Commercial Service full service panel for England and Wales, with its dispute resolution practice well-placed to benefit as a result. Elsewhere, the firm acts for other commercial clients, which range in size from small owner-managed businesses to listed companies. The team includes Satnam Chayra, whose expertise includes shareholder, director and partnership claims, as well as property litigation. Practice head Geraint Davies regularly handles complex, multijurisdictional disputes. The firm's recent work involved matters connected with industries such as food and drink, manufacturing, real estate and construction.

Commercial property: elsewhere in the East Midlands Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's East Midlands practice is spearheaded in Northampton and Leicester by Lucy Lord and the 'ultra-commercial' Nicholas James respectively. It handles a varied workload, including investment fund acquisitions and disposals, residential and commercial development, property finance (including portfolio lending and refinancing), and landlord and tenant work. In addition to James, Stuart Burns is another key partner in Leicester. Alexandra Kirkwood and Erica Gradus are highly regarded associates in Northampton.

Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in the East Midlands Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's top-ranking corporate team in Leicester underwent significant expansion in January 2019, when the firm recruited Jahid Ali and Oliver Brookshaw from Spearing Waite LLP. Ali is experienced in assisting private equity houses and management teams with private equity transactions, while Brookshaw advises listed companies on flotations, secondary share issues and public takeovers. Brookshaw also has fund (including venture capital) formation expertise. Also joining from Spearing Waite LLP was banking partner Haydon Simmonds, who has leveraged finance experience. Elsewhere, the firm is particularly well-known for acting for growing family-owned and management-owned private companies. Daniel Banton heads up the practice in Leicester, while Gerald Couldrake is the main contact in Northampton.

Employment Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP’s core strengths lie in handling employment aspects of high-value corporate acquisitions, disposals and restructuring projects. Practice head Paula Bailey is an expert in TUPE projects and the negotiation of senior exits, while Graham Irons is particularly recommended for his Employment Tribunal advocacy. The team's sector expertise includes the automotive, food and drink, manufacturing and education industries. Gurdeep Boparai recently joined from Weightmans LLP.

Corporate and commercial: Nottingham and Derby

Health and safety Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's ‘dedicated team of clever lawyers’ handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious work for clients from industries such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare and education. It is also particularly well-regarded in the minerals and extractives sector. Led by the ‘vastly experienced’ Alan Millband, the practice also generates work from several health and safety service organisations, consultancies and consultants. Nick Benton, who is an expert on employment-related health and safety issues, recently joined from Freeths LLP,

Intellectual property Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's team is particularly knowledgeable about the food and drinks industry, but it also acts for clients in other sectors, such as fashion, software and media. Practice head Matthew Talbot handles a wide variety of trade mark, copyright, patent and design rights disputes, and has notable experience of European Food Protection matters. The team's non-contentious work includes assisting several high-profile clients with trade mark filings and general portfolio management.

Property litigation Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP's head of property litigation in Leicester is Satnam Chayra, who primarily handles landlord and tenant matters (such as dilapidations, lease renewals, rent recovery, contentious breaks and forfeiture), although she is also active in other general property litigation, including boundary disputes and negligence cases. Also based in Leicester is Geraint Davies, who has more than 25 years of property litigation experience. Director Jane Bloomer leads on property litigation matters in Northampton and, like Chayra, is also known as a landlord and tenant specialist, but she is also strong in residential and commercial insolvency related possession claims, as well as matters involving rights of way, restrictive covenants, easements and adverse possession, among others.

Education Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has a cross-practice team, which provides support on corporate, property, construction, commercial and data protection issues. Primary, secondary and faith schools turn to the group for advice on single academy conversions and multi-academy trusts. The firm also generates work from colleges and universities.  Graham Irons (who co-heads the practice with Daniel Banton and Mark Davies) advises on restructuring and employment matters, as well as the management of parent companies.

Family Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP is ‘capable of dealing with high-value and complex family law work’. Although financial cases (particularly those involving land and estate, tax, business and jurisdictional issues) are at the heart of the caseload, the team also undertakes a broad range of other family and child-related instructions. Examples include divorce and civil partnership dissolution, Children Act proceedings and cohabitation agreements. Amy Walpole and the ‘detailed, methodical’ Justine Flack jointly co-head the practice, which counts high net-worth individuals, CEOs, medical consultants and other professionals as key clients.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP's three-partner East Midlands team has a strong track record in government insolvency work, and retains a place on the Insolvency Service Panel; the scope of the firm's work includes public interest winding-up matters involving large-scale frauds and director disqualification proceedings, among other matters. In addition, the firm is also a supplier to the Government's Crown Commercial Service panel as part of a consortium, taking the lead on insolvency matters. Beyond government-related mandates, the team handles the gamut of contentious and non-contentious personal and corporate insolvency issues for insolvency practitioners, businesses (ranging in size from sole traders to listed companies) and business owners, as well as creditors. Leicester-based Carl Mifflin is the national head of the insolvency and restructuring practice. Deborah Nigh and Katie Summers are the lead partners in Northampton.

IT and telecoms Tier 2

The ‘incredibly responsive’ practice at Howes Percival LLP is renowned for its delivering of ‘client-focused solutions’. On the contentious front, areas of particular experience include IT contract disputes, IP infringements and acting on threats to suspend the provision of vital services. Key strengths in the non-contentious sphere span software development, maintenance and licensing, app development and outsourcing agreements, as well as data protection and security issues. Matthew Talbot heads up the practice.

Agriculture and estates Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP has a large and diverse client base of substantial landowners, trusts and partnerships. Catherine Scott leads a thriving agricultural property practice that handled large farm transactions and tenancies, basic payment and environmental schemes, and the investigations and registration of complex unregistered titles. Estate management for landed estates included specialist advice on agricultural holdings and protected tenancies. The firm also calls on its specialist tax practice to advice rural clients on matters such as iheritance and capital gains tax. Another key name to note is rising star Katharine Danks.

Commercial property: Norwich Tier 1

At Howes Percival LLP 'capable individuals make up the team, which provides good response times'. The 'very thorough and diligent' Joanna Nicholls, firm chair and and practice head Tessa Haskey and development specialist Tracey Hughes are the key partners. Their work encompasses residential development for clients including Bloor Homes, commercial development for major developers and local authorities, the management of portfolio investments, and property finance in sectors such as energy, leisure, automotive, healthcare and education. Nicola Curle is recommended for projects in the education sector.

Debt recovery Tier 1

Commercial litigation and insolvency partner Alison Kirby leads the debt recovery practice at Howes Percival LLP, which focuses on complex, high-value and high-profile work for its strong commercial client base. Where litigation is required, the firm draws on contacts across the country in the form of High Court Enforcement Officers who can assist with enforcements of writs of control. Associate Gordon Simpson has more than 20 years’ experience in handling contentious disputes, including recovery of debts arising from commercial and construction contracts.

Environment & planning Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP in Norwich is regularly instructed to act in the negotiation of complex planning obligations and, in 2018, these included a number of planning obligations related to substantial urban extensions, as well as numerous successful planning appeals. Paul Wootton leads the planning practice and is also head of the firm's development sector group. He primarily advises on large-scale residential development schemes. Newly promoted director Jay Mehta frequently assists developers, promoters and local planning authorities with the defence of judicial review challenges. The environmental practice is led form Leicester but solicitor Phillippa Summerlee in Norwich handles contentious matters.

Commercial property: elsewhere in East Anglia

Commercial property: Ipswich

Commercial property: Peterborough

Commercial litigation: elsewhere in East Anglia

Commercial litigation: Ipswich

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP has a large insolvency practice across its office network, in which Norwich is a key hub. Morris Peacock leads the insolvency service group, which is on the government panel for insolvency matters, and conducts complex public interest winding-up matters, often involving large-scale frauds, and director disqualification work. The firm also undertakes complex insolvency litigation for regional and national IPs, as well as transactional and advisory insolvency matters including CVAs. Alison Kirby, newly promoted partner William Shirley,  associate Patrick Manning and, in Cambridge, experienced partner Michael Green are also recommended.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Norwich Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP provides bespoke planning and strategic advice in complex situations to high-net-worth individuals, families and trusts. Catherine Scott is head of the private client services group across all of the firm's offices and is head of the estates practice. Stuart Maggs is a leading practitioner for strategic planning, management and tax minimisation for trusts, partnerships and companies. Tom Lawrence advises business owners and their families on complex succession and estate planning issues including wills and tax matters.

Property litigation Tier 1

Howes Percival LLP has 'one of the best practices in the region and the team is highly experienced in all areas of contentious commercial, residential and agricultural property work'. Simon Murphy and rising star associate Leanne Davis in Cambridge manage large property portfolios and act for both landlords and tenants in contentious matters. They also advise technology and biomedical clients on dilapidations liabilities, including the biochemical and radioactive decontamination of buildings. In Norwich, Jamie Kidd and William Trow focus on land and development issues, which include a growing caseload of leasehold and freehold enfranchisement disputes.

Banking and finance Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP acts for many of the UK’s main banks and also for a private corporate funder with a large turnover of high-risk investments. It also advises private clients on complex refinancing transactions. Joanna Nicholls, whose 'knowledge of commercial transactions is unrivalled', leads the real estate finance and banking practices, and has a steady flow of work in the leisure, real estate developments and healthcare sectors. Tessa Haskey acts for banks and private lenders in relation to property security. Corporate partner Robert Colman handles acquisition and debt finance for both borrowers and lenders.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

The charities practice at Howes Percival LLP has many partners who act as charity trustees and have experience in dealing with governance issues. The multi-disciplinary group handles charity formation and administration, including advising on new and changed structures, incorporations, conversion, governing documents and mergers. Notable skills include tax advice from the estates practice, which frequently advises on Gift Aid, enhanced legacy income and inheritance tax matters. Head of private client services Catherine Scott is the key contact.

Commercial litigation: Cambridge Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP handles a mixed case load of local, national and international work from Cambridge and routinely deal with multimillion-pound litigation. The firm hired Michael Green from Weightmans LLP to lead its litigation practice and clients describe him as 'a fantastic lawyer with good interpersonal skills and a strong understanding of the law'. Rising star associate Victoria Sandell is 'thorough, grounded, down-to-earth and really puts the hours in when necessary'.

Commercial litigation: Norwich Tier 2

The litigation practice at Howes Percival LLP frequently deals with high-value, complex and high-profile matters both in the UK and overseas. It also acts for government departments in multimillion-pound litigation. Practice head Alison Kirby has 20 years' trial experience mainly in the High Court, including trials relating to the fraudulent reclaiming of VAT conducted in the First Tier Tax Tribunal. Her practice encompasses a wide range of disputes for business clients and high-net-worth individuals.

Commercial property: Cambridge Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has a broad commercial property practice that handles high-value residential development projects for clients such as Hill Residential and commercial development work for the likes of Turnstone Estates, as well as the management of real estate investment portfolios and property finance transactions for major lenders. The firm has niche expertise in key sectors such as tourism, leisure, education, technology and the public sector. It has a group of highly experienced partners in practice head Jonathan Greenhalgh, 30-year market veteran Steven Beach and strategic land specialist Michaela Henson. Director Will Stokes is a rising star.

Corporate and commercial: Norwich Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has 'a strong team that responds rapidly to both the clients' and fellow professionals' needs in complex and pressured situations'. Practice head Nathan Horton frequently acts for owner-managed businesses across a range of sectors in sales and acquisitions, reorganisations and shareholder or investment agreements. A client remarks that the firm has 'a refreshing and practical approach' to multimillion-pound deals, which in 2018 included the high-profile sale of Aspall Cyder to Molson Coors.

Employment Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has 'highly valued professional advisers' in its Norwich and Cambridge offices, and practice head Matthew Potter is respected for his work for both PLCs and large SMEs. Potter frequently handles heavyweight and high-profile litigation on behalf of boardroom directors and CEOs. Associate Nicola Butterworth is a rising star who advises on all areas of employment law from policy drafting and business change, to defending complex Employment Tribunal claims.

Media and entertainment Tier 2

With particular experience in reputation and privacy management, as well as IP, Howes Percival LLP's media team acts for both private clients and media-sector companies. The team primarily acts on contentious matters, including High Court and injunctive relief proceedings, with a particular focus on trade marks, copyright and passing-off on the IP side. James Howarth is the key figure within the firm's Milton Keynes office, and has substantial experience handling work for publishing sector clients. In non-contentious IP work, associate Jenna Bruce is a name to note given her in-house experience in the media industry.

Social housing Tier 2

Howes Percival LLP has a multi-disciplinary social housing team led by experienced housing management lawyer  Simon Murphy, who draws upon the expertise of property litigator Jamie Kidd, property development partner Michaela Henson and a large pool of conveyancing, planning and construction talent. The firm has strong relationships with all of the East Anglian Registered Providers operating in Cambridge and frequently handles golden brick agreements, development purchases and site assembly matters.

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

Howes Percival LLP’s commercial property team in Milton Keynes is headed by Lisa Mantle, who has strong expertise in property finance. The practice offer a full range of real estate-related services to clients, including residential and commercial developments, commercial and strategic land acquisitions and disposals and investment fund acquisitions and disposals. Mark Davies specialises in the formation of joint venture vehicles and multi-party landowner and investor agreements, with a focus on the education sector.

Construction Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP joins the rankings having hired two construction specialists. Director Simon Franklin in Cambridge joined from Teacher Stern LLP and he handle all aspects of non-contentious construction law including strategic procurement. He has extensive experience in working with developers and housebuilders on projects including student accommodation, hospitals, retail developments and urban regeneration schemes. Solicitor Emma Raspin in Norwich joined from Cozens-Hardy LLP and her recent work includes dealing with all construction issues relating to the sale of a multimillion-pound property portfolio.

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

The Milton Keynes' corporate and commercial team at Howes Percival LLP has a strong reputation for its work with owner-managed and family-owned companies and larger multinational corporate businesses, which are advised on acquisitions, disposals, restructuring, banking and general commercial matters. The practice's sector focus includes the automotive, real estate finance, supply chain and not-for-profit areas. The 'business focused' Edward Lee heads the practice.

Corporate and commercial: Cambridge Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP continued to grow its client base in 2018, notably among owner-managed and family-owned businesses. It focuses predominantly on corporate acquisitions, reorganisations and commercial work. Lead partner Nathan Horton, who works between the Cambridge and Norwich offices, draws on expertise in the firm's other offices to service the needs of clients in the local market, as well as his own in-depth knowledge of acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, shareholder and investment agreements and corporate reorganisations across a range of industry sectors.

Education Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP joins the ranking this year having handled a growing volume of real estate work for clients in the education sector. Steven Beach and Michaela Henson are highly experienced property partners who act for the firm's growing client base, which includes the University of Cambridge and Norwich University of the Arts. Simon Murphy is recommended for contentious property matters. Nathan Horton leads the firm's academies team, which handles academy conversion and ongoing post-conversion matters. Legal director Nicola Curle handles land disposals for FE colleges.

Employment: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP’s employment team in Milton Keynes is led by Simon deMaid who is particularly experienced in disability discrimination claims and senior executive terminations. The practice is well known for its work in the higher education, automotive and healthcare sectors, assisting a number of prestigious clients in the Milton Keynes area with the employment issues arising from acquisitions, disposals and restructuring projects. Associate Hannah Pryce is another name to note.

Family Tier 3

The family law practice at Howes Percival LLP is part of an integrated private client group that works across its offices in Cambridge, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Norwich. Working closely with the estates and private client team, it focuses on wealth preservation where clients have business and land assets and other inherited wealth. Lead partner Amy Walpole and associate Sophie Key frequently handle divorce, financial negotiations, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation issues and Children Act matters for high-net-worth individuals.

Intellectual property Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP's south east practice focuses primarily on contentious work, with disputes specialist James Howarth heading up the regional team. The team is particularly experienced in the publishing and technology sectors, with an emphasis on technology manufacturers. Other key areas for the firm include software copyright and online issues as well as licensing.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Cambridge Tier 3

Howes Percival LLP specialises in providing planning and strategic advice in complex situations to high-net-worth individuals, families and trusts. This includes lifetime planning, probate, powers of attorney, inheritance and capital gains tax, trusts and pensions advice. The practice is led from Norwich but in Cambridge, associate Amy Wallhead is building the firm's reputation. One client describes the practice as 'very client-service orientated – they show a deep care for making sure clients receive the very best advice'.