Tyr > Leeds, England > Firm Profile
Tyr Offices
2 The Embankment
Sovereign Street
LEEDS
LS1 4BA
England
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Tyr > The Legal 500 Rankings
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 3
The team at Tyr has a ‘collection of high-quality litigation lawyers’ that provides ‘high level litigation advice across all areas at competitive regional rates’. Complex class actions and alternative funding models across sectors are a strength of the team. ‘No nonsense tough litigator’ Matthew Fidler leads the team alongside Alistair Kennedy, with the two noted as ‘a pleasure to work with’.Practice head(s):
Alistair Kennedy; Matthew Fidler
Other key lawyers:
David Cook; Rebecca Birkby; Nigel Brook
Testimonials
‘A collection of high quality litigation lawyers. Tyr delivers the very best litigation advice and claims handling service but NOT at the prices charged by the national firms.’
‘The people are great to work with: collaborative and positive at all times. They include a diverse range of individuals but also work well as a team.’
‘Nigel Brook stands out as particularly strong. He is hard-working and thorough. He knows when to pick up the phone and make direct contact.’
‘Matthew Fidler is a no nonsense tough litigator who gives quality commercial advice with honest prospects of success. Great at putting together an over arching strategy. Nigel Brook is a cunning litigator with unbelievable perseverance’
‘Matthew Fidler and Alistair Kennedy are a pleasure to work with. They are highly responsive and are able to advise on highly complex matters in a manner that also factors in the commercial and practical issues at play. Their ability to turn around complex and highly technical advice within a short time frame is exceptionally impressive.’
‘The firm has high standards where recruitment is concerned. Alistair Kennedy continues to be the driving force with a highly analytical brain coupled with shrewd tactical ideas.’
‘High level litigation advice across all areas at competitive regional rates; a personal approach, tailored specifically at business needs; very commercial and responsive.’
‘Matthew Fidler is the person I’d trust to litigate for me personally if I was paying the bill; all round expertise in all things litigious, great tactician, collegiate in his approach, instils confidence in senior management, unflappable, seriously trusted, great value for money.’
Key clients
Logistics Plus Inc.
Closegate Hotel Group
A major company in the energy sector
Ravestein BV
Professional Representative Beneficiary
Cormorant House and Crane Court Investor Group of 160 investors
Work highlights
- Acting for Logistics Plus Inc, a leading global logistics company, headquartered in the USA, as the claimant in respect of a multi-million supply chain dispute related to PPE supplied to the UK during the early stages of the Covid 19 Pandemic.
- Representing 2 major shareholders in a large corporate which operates leading Tofu brand in dispute with the other major shareholder, a Japanese corporate.
- Acting for an Energy Company in successfully obtaining an urgent protestor injunction against persons unknown arising from protests by Just Stop Oil which received significant press coverage.
Real estate > Environment Tier 3
The environment practice at Tyr has demonstrable experience acting in contentious matters for clients in the energy and construction sectors. Clients facing prosecution by governmental and regulatory entities frequently instruct the team to provide regulatory compliance and negotiation advice. Lyn Dario, who leads the team, is noted as an ‘exceptional‘ practitioner capable of providing extensive technical support on contentious environmental regulation matters.Practice head(s):
Lyn Dario
Testimonials
‘It is incredible how quickly this new firm has established itself on the North Eastern circuit. It will soon be a name synonymous with Leeds and Yorkshire as a whole, like established firms of many years.’
‘Lyn Dario is a regulatory and environmental lawyer of exceptional quality and standing.’
‘A relatively new and emerging team with expertise in regulatory work. No one fights for their client like Tyr Law, with Lyn Dario instrumental in leading the approach.’
‘Lyn Dario – partner is an outstanding lawyer who seems to consider every matter she deals with as personal. She really embeds herself in cases on behalf of clients. If my company had committed a regulatory offence, it’s Lyn I’d go to.’
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 3
Established by Alistair McHenry after his departure from Walker Morris LLP in April 2022, the sports practice at Tyr focuses primarily on arbitration proceedings and regulatory matters. The firm acts for a variety of standout sporting clients, including Table Tennis England and the Welsh Rugby Union, in high-value contentious work spanning regulatory compliance, sports integrity and corporate disputes. The ‘excellent, highly experienced’ McHenry sits on a number of sports appeals and resolution panels, broadening the firm’s offering in the sports integrity space.Practice head(s):
Alistair McHenry
Testimonials
‘A new sports law team headed by an excellent highly experienced solicitor, Alistair McHenry.’
‘Alistair McHenry is an excellent partner and specialist in sports law, with a very wide range of experience. He is hard-working, creative and will always go the extra mile for his clients.’
‘Friendly firm with good professional football-specific experience.’
‘Alastair McHenry provides proactive and positive support in respect of football-specific matters and is able to provide great advice in a clear and concise way.’
Key clients
Basketball England
Crystal Palace FC
Sport Resolutions
Table Tennis England
Welsh Rugby Union
Work highlights
- Sat as arbitrator on the English Football League Disciplinary Commission in a case involving the sanction of individuals under the EFL’s Owners and Directors’ Test.
- Appointed as judicial officer for the Welsh Rugby Union, adjudicating over disciplinary hearings and appeals.
Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 4
The business restructuring team at Tyr in Leeds is jointly led by Ashley Jaques, who specialises in property-based insolvencies and receiverships, and Alistair McHenry, who joined the team from Walker Morris LLP in May 2022. The acquisition of McHenry added a contentious element to the practice through his specialist expertise in post-appointment contentious work.Practice head(s):
Ashley Jaques; Alistair McHenry
Testimonials
‘Our dealings with the firm so far have been excellent. Fast and efficient and professional from start to finish. High quality service and quick to respond.’
‘I am a client of Ashley Jaques who is extremely knowledgeable in his field of expertise. He provides excellent service, providing regular updates and promptly responding to queries. Very pleased with the service and would certainly continue to use their services again and highly recommend. Hassle-free service.’
‘Specialist insolvency and sports law knowledge – very good profile in the industry.’
‘Alistair McHenry – great judge of commercial tactics and litigation momentum – excellent client skills.’
‘Tailored solutions and highly personable service.’
‘Alistair McHenry – pragmatic, commercial and technical, a unique combination which means his advice is always on point and manages risks/benefits, at value. Highly personable.’
Key clients
Transform Healthcare Holdings Limited
The Oak Touch Limited
Cartwright King Limited
RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP
FRP Trading Advisory Limited
Leonard Curtis Limited
Quantuma
Gibson Booth Business Solutions & Insolvency
Begbies Traynor
Manolete Partners PLC
Work highlights
- Advising Transform Healthcare Holdings, as purchaser of the business and certain assets of Transform Hospital Group from the joint administrators.
- Representing Begbies Traynor in numerous section 127 claims for values exceeding £100,000 leading to significant recoveries to the insolvent estate.
- Representing Manolete Partners on an assigned claim pursuing directors of a company for breaches of duty for sums in excess of £200,000.
Real estate > Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 4
Tyr offers its roster of clients, which primarily encompasses developers and national house builders, a ‘very good, quick and reliable service‘ in relation to advice on conditional acquisitions, site transfers, strategic option agreements and planning permission. Beyond its expertise in residential development work, the team is also well-versed in handling commercial leases from both a landlord and tenant perspective. The team is led by Dean Jowett, who is highly recommended for his expertise on commercial and residential development matters. Sarah Temple, who joined the team from Lupton Fawcett in July 2022, and Marcus Watson are also names to note.Practice head(s):
Dean Jowett
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very good, quick and reliable service. Nothing is too much and extra resources are pulled in when required.’
‘Sarah Temple is a very good lawyer who is committed to getting transactions over the line in a prompt and efficient manner. She is very pragmatic and always looking to progress the deal rather than seeking to delay. She is also very responsive and approachable, and it is a pleasure working with her.’
Key clients
Astonish (Cleaning Products)
Carlton Forest Group
E.Bottomley & Sons Limited
Harrison Developments
Jack Lunn (Properties) Limited
Leeds Building Society
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Neom Organics
Persimmon Homes Limited
Strata Homes
Teakwood Developments Limited
Thomas the Baker
YESSS Electrical
Work highlights
- Acted for Persimmon Homes Limited on the unconditional purchase of a 450 unit housing scheme in Morley, Leeds with a land value of £28m.
- Advised Strata Homes on the conditional acquisition of a development site from Nottingham Council for circa 130 units with a land value of £7.5m.
- Advised Harrison Developments Limited on Malton Enterprise Park, a mixed-use enterprise scheme made up of 100+ single/double storey (mezzanine) commercial units, which range from 1,000sq ft. to 100,000 sq ft.
Real estate > Property litigation Tier 4
Tyr advises a growing roster of corporate clients, including The Trafford Centre and DFSD Seaways, on property insolvency claims, development disputes, and a diverse array of contentious landlord and tenant matters. The firm frequently handles the contentious aspects of portfolio management, for which the ‘technically strong and solution-focused’ practice head Laura Salvati is a key contact. Nigel Brook is recommended for his ability to act in dilapidation claims and lease renewals.Practice head(s):
Laura Salvati; Nigel Brook
Other key lawyers:
Sallyanne Phillips
Testimonials
‘The team has the ability to understand a situation and offer advice to resolve it using different expertise.’
‘Laura Salvati offers attentiveness and the ability to grasp a particular issue and deal with it speedily.’
‘Tyr law has been very successful in quickly building and growing a new commercial law firm based in Leeds attracting a high calibre of clients and new partners. The property litigation team led by Laura Salvati is very experienced in dealing with all matters relating to property disputes.’
‘Laura Salvati is technically strong and solution-focused.’
Key clients
A to Z Investments Limited
Carlton Forest Group
DFDS Seaways plc
Harrison Developments
Hind Commercial Limited
Neom Organics
Persimmon Homes Limited
The Trafford Centre Limited
Thomas the Baker
YESSS Electrical
Work highlights
- Acted for the Trafford Centre on a range of estate management issues, most notably a lease renewal claim issued by the Perfume Shop Limited.
- Acted for DFDS Seaways in a complex lease renewal in connection with its UK headquarters at Immingham Port.
- Advised Hind Commercial Limited on the Virgin Restructuring Plan, one of the first court-approved restructuring plans under the new Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 4
The presence of Tyr‘s Leeds-based practice continues to expand, with the team advising a growing number of IT providers and contractors on service agreements, licensing issues and contractual arrangements. Luisa D’Alessandro also handles a large volume of compliance and liability management mandates related to data privacy legislation. D’Alessandro is well regarded for her technology sector expertise and also advises on matters in the e-commerce space.Practice head(s):
Luisa D’Alessandro
Testimonials
‘Luisa D’Alessandro is personable, available, and commercially astute.’
Key clients
AB3 Medical Limited
Carlton Forest Group
Claritas Solutions Limited
Connection Seating Limited
Duchy Homes Limited
Impact Computing and Consulting Limited
Pebble Production Co Limited
Propel Your Product Limited
Stainless Steel Vessels Limited
Wastecare Compliance Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Claritas Solutions on IT consultancy agreements.
- Advised Impacting Computing & Consulting on its service contracts for full-service outsourced IT security solutions.
- Advised Propel Your Product on contracts for online marketplace services.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 5
Tyr was founded in 2019 and has been continuing to bolster its corporate and commercial offerings. Chris Blantern heads the corporate group and acts for a wide spectrum of clients, ranging from SMEs to national public and private companies. Luisa D’Alessandro leads the commercial team, and has a broad practice that covers trading arrangements, agency and distribution matters, supply and manufacturing contracts, franchising, and outsourcing.Practice head(s):
Chris Blantern; Luisa D’Alessandro
Testimonials
‘Luisa D’Alessandro is personable, available and commercially astute.’
‘The team ethos is excellent. They clearly work together with associates having great energy and commitment to assist the partners on the deal. Communication was excellent with us and attention to detail was excellent.’
‘Chris Blantern was excellent and handled the challenges with patience and great skill.’
‘Responsive and flexible team.’
‘Engaged and eager to help.’
Key clients
Claritas Solutions Limited
DFDS Seaways Plc
Wastecare Group
Connection Seating Limited
Duchy Homes Limited
Impact Computing and Consulting Limited
Charlesworth Publishing Group
Carlton Forest Group
Prosperis Limited
Stainless Steel Vessels Limited
AB3 Medical Limited
MHA Monahans Group LLP
Chiorino UK Ltd
Yesss Electrical Group
Gee & Watson Wealth Management
Barrington Jarvis Limited
Pebble & Co Limited
Propel Your Product Limited
TEP Machinery Movement Limited
The Exit Partnership Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the shareholders on the sale of the entire issued share capital of The Charlesworth Group Worldwide Limited to Crimson Interactive Private Limited.
- Advised the shareholders on the sale of the entire issued share capital of Johnston Financial Planning Limited to Amber River Group.
- Advised Carlton Forest Enigen Limited on supply contracts for the sale of oil char.
Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud
Practice head(s):
Marie Bourke
Testimonials
‘Marie Bourke is an outstanding practitioner. She has brilliant interpersonal skills, she is caring, compassionate and extremely hard working for her lay client. She has a fantastic understanding and knowledge of crime and fraud from many years in practice dealing with some of the most serious and complex cases.’
‘Marie Bourke is the stand out performer. I am always impressed at the dedication and effort she puts into an individual case.’
‘Marie Bourke is an exceptional lawyers who combines exceptional tactical ability with approachability and warmth.’
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Work highlights
Tyr > Firm Profile
Tyr is a boutique commercial law firm which ensures that all its partners and senior fee-earners have backgrounds in leading national and international practices and experience in dealing with complex commercial issues. With an office in the heart of Leeds’ business district, Tyr offers the expertise provided by leading law firms, but with a personal touch and a focus on providing consistently excellent service.
Tyr is recognised for the quality of its lawyers and its teamwork within the firm, and also working in close partnership with clients. It seeks to be innovative and progressive in its culture and approach. Clients of the firm will find that they receive energetic and accessible service and that they are offered pragmatic commercial advice and the best solutions.
Commercial litigation: The team is led by partners Alistair Kennedy and Matthew Fidler and is made up of experienced lawyers who have worked for some of the UK’s leading litigation practices. Their experience and quality enables them to provide clients with excellent service. The team typically works on complex commercial disputes that have the potential to transform their client’s business. They have particular expertise in dealing with disputes arising out of corporate transactions, shareholder disputes and director misfeasance as well as acting on competition damages actions and matters involving professional negligence and fraud. They also act on complex disputes in the financial services, accountancy and IT sectors, matters that progress by way of arbitration, and have a depth of knowledge in challenging the decisions of a range of different public bodies by way of judicial review.
Commercial property: The team is led by the firm’s managing partner Dean Jowett who has over 15 years experience in the sector and spent most of that time working in leading commercial property practices in national law firms. The team’s work covers all aspects of commercial property with a particular specialism in residential and commercial development work. Clients receive a responsive and commercially minded service with the team working in partnership with them and adding value in all areas.
Property litigation: The practice is led by partner Laura Salvati. The team deals with all aspects of property related disputes for clients in a wide range of sectors including retail, leisure and hospitality, and shipping and logistics. The team prides itself on giving sector specific and pragmatic advice. The team has particular experience of portfolio management including high value unopposed and complex opposed lease renewals (often as part of a wider development strategy), relocation and exit strategies, dilapidations claims and tenant related insolvency and restructuring. The team also regularly advises developers in connection with third party land rights, development and option agreements.
Corporate: The team is led by partner Chris Blantern. His team routinely advise on a wide range of transactions including acquisitions and disposals, management buy-outs and buy-ins, joint ventures, shareholder and partnership agreements, refinancing and reorganisations as well as providing general corporate advice. The team has particular experience within the financial and professional services, environmental services, manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Commercial and IT: The practice is led by Luisa D’Alessandro who has over 20 years experience in her field. The team’s work covers a range of commercial contract matters including trading terms, manufacturing and supply, agency, distribution, franchising and outsourcing.  The team also advises on data protection, e-commerce and IT matters such as licensing,  reseller agreements,  IT system supply and purchases and service level arrangements. As well as advising clients in the IT sector, the team has particular experience in the manufacturing, logistics, retail and leisure sectors.
Environment and regulatory: The team is led by partner Lyn Dario. Lyn has over 25 years experience, is highly regarded in the market and is able to assist with a wide range of regulatory matters including environmental compliance, CPO inquiries, judicial reviews and planning appeals, health and safety, and other business compliance matters.
Financial crime: The practice is led by Marie Bourke. Marie has extensive experience in providing representation to professionals being investigated and prosecuted in serious and complex criminal matters brought by agencies including the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority, HM Revenue and Customs, Crown Prosecution Service, and the Insolvency Service. The team has particular expertise in advising in matters under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including restraint orders, asset freezing orders, forfeiture and confiscation.
Employment: The practice is led by partner Matthew Yates. Matthew has substantial experience in all aspects of employment law and provides solutions and advice on a range of employment matters, including business restructuring, TUPE and collective consultation, restrictive covenants, managing trade union relations, business acquisitions and disposals, defending all types of Employment Tribunal claims and advising on executive severance (for both companies and individuals).
Business restructuring: The team is led by partners Ashley Jaques and Alistair McHenry. The team has significant experience acting on behalf of insolvency practitioners, financial institutions, companies, directors, property agents and turnaround professionals from across the country on all aspects of corporate recovery and restructuring work. The team advise on high value complex disputes acting for office holders, litigation funders and directors in bringing and defending claims. The team also advise on all aspects of personal insolvency work and have experience of acting on numerous high profile football club insolvencies.
Sport:Â The practice is led by partner Alistair McHenry who has 15 years experience in his field. Alistair has extensive experience in all aspects of sports law with a particular focus on dispute resolution, contentious regulatory work and arbitrations. He has advised on a number of arbitrations at the very highest levels involving Premier League Clubs. Alistair is experienced in acting for governing bodies, clubs, players, athletes and other sports professionals on a wide variety of issues.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Litigation | Alistair Kennedy | alistair.kennedy@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 512 1096 |
| Commercial Litigation | Matthew Fidler | matthew.fidler@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 512 1097 |
| Commercial Property | Dean Jowett | dean.jowett@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 512 1091 |
| Environment and Regulatory | Lyn Dario | lyn.dario@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 512 1043 |
| Employment | Matthew Yates | matthew.yates@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 512 6908 |
| Property Litigation | Laura Salvati | laura.salvati@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 5121046 |
| Commercial and IT | Luisa D'Alessandro | luisa.dalessandro@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 5121090 |
| Corporate | Chris Blantern | chris.blantern@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 5121047 |
| Business Restructuring | Ashley Jaques | ashley.jaques@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 5186059 |
| Financial Crime | Marie Bourke | marie.bourke@tyrlaw.co.uk | 0113 5186060 |
| Sport | Alistair McHenry | alistair.mchenry@tyrlaw.co.uk | 01133220338 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Rebecca Birkby | Rebecca is a Partner in the Commercial Litigation team at Tyr. Rebecca… | View Profile |
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Chris Blantern | Chris has over 15 years experience and leads the Corporate team at… | View Profile |
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Marie Bourke | Marie joined Tyr in July 2021 as an Associate, to develop the… | View Profile |
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Nigel Brook | Nigel is a Legal Director and founding member of the Commercial Litigation… | View Profile |
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David Cook | David is a Partner in the Commercial Litigation team at Tyr. David… | View Profile |
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Luisa D'Alessandro | Luisa joined Tyr in February 2021 to establish the firm’s commercial and… | View Profile |
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Lyn Dario | Lyn leads the Environment and Regulatory practice area at Tyr. She undertakes… | View Profile |
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Matthew Fidler | Matthew is a founding Partner and co-department head of the Commercial Litigation… | View Profile |
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Ashley Jaques | Ashley joined Tyr as a Partner in September 2021 to establish the… | View Profile |
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Dean Jowett | Dean has over 15 years’ experience in all aspects of commercial property… | View Profile |
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Alistair Kennedy | Alistair is a Partner who specialises in complex commercial litigation. His clients… | View Profile |
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Mr Alistair McHenry | Tyr’s Sport practice is led by partner Alistair McHenry who joined Tyr… | View Profile |
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Laura Salvati | Laura is a Partner and Head of the Property Litigation team. Laura’s… | View Profile |
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Ms Sarah Temple | Sarah joined Tyr as a partner in the commercial property team in… | View Profile |
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Marcus Watson | Marcus is a Senior Associate in Tyr’s Commercial Property team. Marcus is… | View Profile |
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Matthew Yates | Matthew is a Partner and leads Tyr’s Employment team. Matthew has over… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Partners : 13 Other Fee Earners : 11Languages
French Italian- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire
- Real estate > Environment
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport