Capital Law Limited > Cardiff, United Kingdom > Firm Profile

Capital Law Limited > The Legal 500 Rankings

Wales > Corporate and commercial Tier 1

With twenty practitioners focusing on corporate and commercial work, the   'responsive and proactive' team at Capital Law Limited has the strength-in-depth to handle a tremendous range and volume of work for private and listed companies on transactional work in the immediate geographical confines, as well as beyond the Welsh borders. Under the guidance of 'solutions-oriented' corporate head Tom Kelleher  and former in-house counsel at 3i Group Duncan Macintosh , the centrepiece of the practice, however, remains its private equity/venture capital offering, both for institutional investors, as well as management teams. As well as his continued M&A work for core client, WestBridge, Kelleher also continues to grow the firm's offering in the space, with nascent London-based sponsor Averroes Capital a notable new client. Laura Spendiff has entrenched relationships with clients in the local SME market and along with 'very efficient and pragmatic' Gareth Williams-Davies, whose private equity credentials includes work for both management teams and sponsors, was promoted to partner in November 2022. Maria Coggins   leads the commercial offering at the firm and excels in advising on commercial contracts and data protection.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 1

Combining ‘a fierce commercialism and excellent legal skills with a warm, personable and collaborative working style’, Capital Law Limited is a popular choice among clients defending and bringing claims relating to a wide variety of commercial litigation, both in conventional litigation, as well as in an arbitration process. A significant number of these actions are brought under the umbrella of the firm’s own litigation fund, Capital Finance, which has proved to be a vital resource to parties who would otherwise have perhaps lacked the financial means to bring a case. Andrew Brown is noted as an expert on third party funding and as well as setting up the firm’s own fund, is also regularly engaged by other law firms to provide guidance on litigation funding and alternative fee arrangements for their clients. As mindful of risk management and litigation avoidance, as he is at effectively representing the interests of clients in the teeth of litigation, ‘very well organised and responsive’ team head Stephen Meade  is a popular choice among both private and public sector clients across a range of litigation, including contentious property matters. Philip Jones  is vastly experienced at handling a myriad corporate disputes, including those within an insolvency setting, and is also a key member of the team alongside up-and-coming partners Guto Llewelyn , who is noted for his debt recovery excellence, and the ‘fiercely commercial’ Lucy Emanuel , who excels in financial services disputes.

Dispute resolution > Debt recovery Tier 1

Eschewing the commoditised, volume consumer debt recovery work typically favoured by firms in the space, Capital Law Limited instead focuses on business-to-business debt recovery, where it can utilise the considerable litigation smarts of its overarching commercial litigation function. Consequently, the team, which is led by Guto Llewellyn, is effectively an extension of the clients' in-house credit control department and can strategise the most appropriate method for recovering debts, including the use of injunctive relief to freeze assets if necessary. Clients also have access to the firm's unique litigation fund, which can be of particular use for stakeholders which may have otherwise lacked the financial means necessary to pursue claims.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 1

Well-versed at structuring finance transactions utilising debt throughout the capital structure, Capital Law Limited provides 'commercially pragmatic and proactive' advice to borrowers and lenders on corporate, project and property financing mandates. Corporate banking head Reshma Jogia  has 'excellent client management skills', developed over many years' experience advising on new money and restructuring transactions, including in the context of social housing and commercial property finance. Senior associate Christopher Lewis also has a strong transactional practice, including handling work for the firm's growing private equity sponsor client base on the financing requirements for their investments. Recently promoted to legal director status at the firm, Huw Thomas is particularly well-versed at handling property finance mandates, while on the regulatory front, Rachel Hillier handles advisory work for traditional banks and insurers as well as fintech providers.

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

Capital Law Limited handles a considerable amount of contentious and non-contentious insolvency work under the respective umbrellas of the firm’s overarching commercial litigation and commercial practice areas. ‘Clever and commercial’ litigator Philip Jones takes the lead on much of the firm’s contentious insolvency work and is regularly engaged by IPs pursuing insolvent companies in the context of alleged fraudulent trading, transactions at an undervalue and asset tracing. Corporate and commercial lawyer Maria Coggins is the de-facto head of the non-contentious offering, and has over the years gained significant experience advising IPs and corporates on consensual restructuring matters and formal insolvency procedures.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 1

Capital Law Limited handles non-contentious and contentious IP work as a function of its broader commercial law and commercial litigation offerings at the firm. Commercial head Maria Coggins is well-versed in advising technology, media and sports clients on contractual issues regarding the effective commercialisation of their IPR. Associate Kellsey Logue  regularly provides IP due diligence concomitant to M&A work handled by the firm, as well as providing an IP auditing service to help clients develop and implement effective IP strategies.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 1

Leveraging the expertise of lawyers with significant sectoral knowledge based out of the firm's litigation, commercial, employment and finance practice groups, Capital Law Limited's multidisciplinary team provides 'practical and solution-focused' advice to sporting clubs, individuals and governing bodies across the gamut of their commercial, regulatory and litigation needs. Cardiff City Football Club remains a marquee client for the firm, generating instructions from a number of practice areas, including on the litigation front in relation to its long-running and high-profile representation of the club on all aspects arising out of the death of football player Emiliano Sala. David Lewis heads up the overarching group and continues to regularly advise a number of professional rugby clubs, as well as players and coaches, across a range of employment and disciplinary issues, including on contract negotiations and exit agreements.

Employment Tier 2

Capital Law Limited provides ‘sensible, responsive and practical advice‘ to a varied mix of private (including a growing number of technology and pharmaceutical clients) and public sector entities across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Leveraging his knowledge gleaned from private practice as well as in-house, team head Richard Thomas  has vast experience across a range of employment (including in relation to collective employment law) and data protection matters, knowledge which he effectively deploys in relation to both fee-earning work, as well as training sessions. The 'personable' David Lewis  leverages his litigation expertise to good effect both from a risk management perspective, as well as on behalf of clients defending claims of alleged discrimination, where he will often undertake the advocacy himself. The ‘extremely helpful’ Sarah Austin  provides ‘practical solutions’, particularly as it relates to corporate support, including the employment issues associated with the firm’s private equity roster of clients on their investments. Senior associate Gemma Bailey joined from Howells Solicitors in January 2023 and adds further weight behind the firm’s contentious employment, in particular.    

Employment > Immigration Tier 2

Led on a day-to-day level by senior associate Alex Christen , as well as leveraging its broader overarching employment offering which is headed by Richard Thomas , Capital Law Limited provides a ‘hardworking and responsive’ service across a range of business immigration matters. Post-Brexit the team has been particularly active helping employers (including in the hospitality, finance and social housing sectors) obtain sponsor licences, thereby enabling them, under the right circumstances, to recruit from outside the UK.

Insurance > Professional negligence Tier 2

Appreciated for their ‘razor-sharp commerciality and warm collaborative working style’, which draws upon access to an impressive wider commercial litigation offering, Capital Law Limited ‘can draw on excellent talent and capabilities in professional negligence claims’. Having recently joined the firm from the Serious Fraud Office, Phillippa Ellis  – who splits her time between the firm’s fledging London office and Cardiff - is ‘well suited to professional negligence claims and claims against professionals involving fraud’, adding further breadth and depth to the team’s growing offering in the space. Leveraging ‘a clear-eyed understanding of the commercial pressures that can be used in a professional negligence claim’, Lucy Emanuel  regularly advises on high-profile matters, including many which have been funded utilising the firm’s own litigation fund. Litigation finance expert, Andrew Brown  co-heads the overarching team alongside Stephen Meade , who has experience at handling property-related professional negligence claims, in particular. The arrival in February 2022 of David Hudson from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has enhanced the team as a result of his ‘real breadth and depth of experience in complex professional negligence claims’.  

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

Although the team was weakened by the recent departures of both Trish D’Souza and Nicola Mead-Batten to Blake Morgan LLP and TLT, respectively, Capital Law Limited still maintains a not insignificant presence in the charities/not-for-profit sector. A significant amount of this work relates to employment advice to healthcare clients, with senior associate Jonathan Walsh  regularly acting for core firmwide client, the British Medical Association, both in terms of individual member disputes but also in respect of national issues affecting the nation’s doctors. Stuart Pearson and Leanne O’Brien also frequently handle construction and real estate-related advice to further education providers.

Real estate > Construction Tier 2

Under the leadership of Stuart Pearson, Capital Law Limited has developed a particularly strong reputation advising on major Welsh infrastructure and energy projects. In this regard, Pearson is particularly effective at advising public sector clients, including the Welsh government, by dint of his market-leading knowledge of projects utilising the Mutual Investment Model (MIM). Pearson also handles contentious matters, as does senior associate Sam O’Callaghan, who adds particular benefit to clients by dint of his qualifications as a trained barrister. On the private sector front, the team regularly works alongside the commercial property team for developers.

Real estate > Planning and environment Tier 2

Capital Law Limited provides 'very thorough advice' to a variety of stakeholders on planning and environmental issues associated with numerous major commercial property mandates handled by the firm. The recent arrival of noted environment lawyer Stephen Sykes  was a major coup for the firm, with his extensive environmental and climate change knowledge particularly relevant for several of the firm's large ongoing commercial property projects including for LanzaTech UK on its plans to build and commission the world’s first commercial-scale alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) production facility. Property head Leanne O’Brien has significant planning expertise as part of her broader transactional property offering.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2

Capital Law Limited provides an ‘excellent and prompt service’ to landlords, tenants, owners and developers across a range of litigation, as well as in a risk management context. A significant proportion of the work is healthcare focused, with the firm’s role as one of BMA Law’s designated suppliers accounting for a sizeable volume of property-related disputes. ‘Excellent’ team head Stephen Meade continues to spearhead this BMA work, including on work for GP surgeries on property issues stemming from partnership disputes and challenges to excessive service charges. Recently promoted to senior associate, the ‘exceptional’ Clare Good handles an increasing volume of dilapidations claims, as well as providing vital assistance to Meade on healthcare-related work.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 2

Spearheaded by Maria Coggins , Capital Law Limited‘s commercial team provides ‘high level legal advice’ to traditional financial services, cyber security specialists and public/third sector clients across a range of contractual matters, including on IT outsourcing, software development and licensing agreements. The team is also accomplished at handling data protection/privacy matters, both from a risk management perspective as well as providing guidance following any breaches – an area that the ‘talented’ Chris Coughlan has significant experience. In addition, Coughlan, who is praised for his ‘solutions focused advice’, has significant commercial contracts expertise for fintech and insurtech clients, as well as leading the firm’s relationship with the University of South Wales’ business incubator, which includes mentoring new technology businesses.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment Tier 2

Despite lacking a standalone media and entertainment practice group, a number of practitioners from across Capital Law Limited‘s full-service offering handle work in the sector, including those within the corporate and commercial, commercial disputes and employment practices. Maria Coggins is the primary contact and leverages her IP and general commercial contracts expertise to good effect for clients in the creative industries sector, where she assists them with the ownership, licensing and use of the IPR in the works they create/own.

Wales > Public sector Tier 3

Although its core public law/regulatory expertise was severely impacted by the departures towards the end of 2022 of both Nicola Mead-Batten  and Trish D’Souza to TLT and Blake Morgan LLP, respectively, Capital Law Limited continues to handle a significant volume of work for public sector clients across a number of its practice area groups. Property litigator Stephen Meade is regularly instructed by British Medical Association, including in a closely watched dispute challenging the basis of demanded service charges from the NHSPS. Associate Tod Davies  is developing a strong reputation for public law and regulatory matters as a function of his commercial litigation offering, including work for the Gambling Commission.

Real estate > Commercial property Tier 3

In lockstep with the firm's general entrepreneurial approach, Capital Law Limited's partner-led commercial property team provides an 'innovative and pragmatic' service (which frequently partners up with external consultancy firms) to public and private sector clients on large-scale mandates, including complex development/regeneration projects. Team head Leanne O’Brien has been central to the firm's success in the area, and frequently drawing upon the expertise across the firm's wider construction and environmental teams, has been particularly successful in advising on large-scale property projects involving sustainability and ESG goals. Jon Ely  joined RPC in December 2022.

Real estate > Social housing Tier 3

While it lacks a standalone social housing offering, Capital Law Limited regularly advises Wales-based RSLs across a range of practice areas, including a considerable amount flowing the firm’s commercial property and construction offerings. Senior associate David Sheppard is the de-facto head of the team and regularly advises housing associations on employment matters.