Richard Locke > Hugh James > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Headed by Richard Locke, Hugh James‘ ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ team has broad commercial disputes prowess, coupled with niche expertise in areas relating to professional negligence and defamation and is recognised for its ability to offer ‘London City standards at provincial rates’. Locke’s own practice exemplifies the scope and range of work the team handles, with contractual and shareholder disputes a common feature of his workload, as well as more prosaic issues including mining disputes. Tracey Singlehurst-Ward, who is ‘robust, charming and brilliant’, is also a pivotal member of the team, particularly in the context of IP, sports and media-related disputes. ‘A powerhouse in terms of litigation’, recently promoted partner Abigail Flanagan regularly takes the lead on complex litigation involving injunctive relief and is also noted for her pensions and professional negligence aptitude.

Acting on its own, as well as being able to draw upon expertise across other complementary practice areas, including employment, corporate and commercial, should the need arise, the ‘excellent’ pensions team at Hugh James is an increasingly popular choice among public and private sector clients on both standalone advisory matters, as well as transactional mandates, including in the context of due diligence reports and outsourcing. The ‘bright and commercial’ Louise Price takes the lead on the non-contentious front, while Richard Locke regularly handles contentious employment matters as part of his wide-ranging commercial litigation prowess.

The ‘strong and approachable’ team at Hugh James has a ‘real depth of experience’ on behalf of individuals, businesses, banks and public sector clients seeking recourse against professional services entities relating to a range of professional negligence claims. A considerable number of these are brought against the legal profession, including many relating to personal injury matters, either alleging an under settlement in claims or in the context of advice provided by lawyers in the original underlying claim. The firm also has a ‘particular expertise in group claims against large corporate defendants and insurance-funded professionals’, an area that ‘outstanding’ commercial litigation head Richard Locke excels in. Kevin O’Brien is also a pivotal member of the team, particularly as to relates to claims against solicitors and valuers involving property transactions. ‘Cool and collected’ team head Abigail Flanagan is also recommended and is ‘a reassuring presence capable of handling the most complex cases’, including those brought against solicitors, accountants, actuaries and surveyors.