Paddle & Cocks LLP

Managing Partner & Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insolvency

Managing Partner & Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insolvency

Verona is one of the founding partners of Paddle & Cocks LLP, which was setup in April 2018.

Verona qualified in 1998 having done an internship with a law firm in the United States. She practised in the Midlands for 12 years working for Martineau Johnson LLP, where she was an associate, and culminating with her appointment as the 100th partner and head of Commercial Dispute Resolution and Insolvency, a department she developed from scratch, in the Midlands offices of a now top 45 national firm, Weightmans LLP. Verona then joined Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP, a niche banking and finance firm in Watford and London, where she was a partner for 4 years acting for major city banks and financial institutions. In 2014 Verona joined Coodes LLP to develop and head up its Commercial Dispute Resolution department and in 2016 became a Consultant Solicitor for Setfords and Michelmores, before founding Paddle & Cocks LLP, in April 2018 .

Verona is the immediate past President of the Association of South West Law Societies,   a former President of Cornwall Law Society and past committee member of Birmingham Law Society. 

Expertise

partnership, company and contractual disputes, warranty claims banking and finance disputes shareholders’ actions commercial property litigation (including commercial landlord & tenant and agricultural disputes) insolvency – administration, liquidation, bankruptcy intellectual property disputes commercial defamation construction and engineering disputes enforcement of foreign judgments and cross jurisdictional claims injunctive relief

Client Testimonials

‘I have had the pleasure of working with Verona at Paddle & Cocks LLP on high value commercial litigation involving complex questions of rights and obligations under guarantees as well as a raft of insolvency issues. Verona provides a first class, City of London service in a down to earth and friendly manner’.

Counsel – Hardwicke Chambers, London

‘All very seamless and clear. Very happy.’

Corporate Finance Consultant

‘Excellent, professional service. With Verona on your side you have nothing to worry about.’

Managing Director at N-Coders Ltd

'I am most happy to thank Verona for the work she did on my behalf regarding a real estate investment that went south. I am a U.S. citizen, and entered into a real estate scheme in France, but the managing business was based in the UK. The company did not comply with their contractual obligations. I was worried about hiring someone from overseas to manage the case, but have been extremely satisfied with the work Verona has done on my behalf for more than 2 years. I must say I was ready to give up any hope of recovering my investment, but Verona's persistence in pursuing my interests have paid off. I strongly recommend Paddle & Cocks as solicitors for handling commercial disputes.' 

Managing Direct of an LLC.

"We have recently received some valuable advice from Verona Cocks and can highly recommend her services. We found her to be knowledgeable, responsive and extremely easy to deal with. We look forward to working with her again in the future, should we ever need her."

Anonymous, May 2025

Praised as a ‘star of commercial litigation in the South West’, Verona Cocks leads the team in Truro and has ’unrivalled experience’ in contractual claims, partnership disputes, banking and financial services litigation, and fraud cases.

Legal 500 2025 Ed.

'Verona Cocks is a dynamic and determined solicitor, who can explain complex legal matters in plain, easy-to-understand  language.’

Legal 500 2025 Ed.

'Verona Cocks has unrivalled experience as a litigator for major banks and financial institutions, as well as strong roots in the Dorset, Devon and Cornwall area.’

Legal 500 2025 Ed.

Praised as ‘friendly, always accommodating and above all professional’, Paddle & Cocks LLP handles a broad range of cases, from contractual disputes and shareholder litigation to professional negligence claims and landlord and tenant issues.

Legal 500 2024 Ed.

‘'Force of Nature' Verona Cocks leads the Truro-based team and has real pedigree as a commercial litigator – she is astute, articulate and wholly in tune with her clients’ aims and best interests.’

Legal 500 2024 Ed.

'The breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding across the practice is outstanding.'

Legal 500 2024 Ed.

'Paddle & Cocks take the time to ensure they understand all aspects of what the client wishes to achieve and takes the time to explain if  all goals are achievable.'

Legal 500 2024 Ed.

'I deal with Verona Cocks and I find her professional at all times when it comes to her work, knowledgeable and goes above and beyond to help me. She works all hours to ensure I am getting the right service and results and always with a smile.’

Legal 500 2023 Ed.

‘Key strengths are without doubt the people and the versatility of services.’

Legal 500 2023 Ed.

‘Very efficient and experienced team yet with the ability to engage directly and listen to the client.’

Legal 500 2023 Ed.

Recommended by the Legal 500 2022 Ed – named as a key contact and described as ‘tenacious’

'Paddle & Cocks provides an excellent, national standard service from its base in Cornwall.'

Legal 500 2022 Ed.

'Paddle & Cocks offer a highly specialised and expert service to business clients, with hands-on partners and a dynamic way of working.'

Legal 500 2022 Ed.

'Paddle & Cocks are highly competent, proactive and insightful. I have been impressed with their ability to combine specialist knowledge and experience regarding potential litigation with sound commercial understanding and judgement to place us in the most advantageous position to negotiate satisfactory outcome.'

Legal 500 2022 Ed

Winner of Cornwall Law Society Awards 2025 Litigation Lawyer of the Year

In her spare time she practices yoga having qualified as a yoga teacher in June 2020, having hung up her running shoes after running 11 half marathons over the space of 10 years and stowed away her hockey stick following 15 years of playing club hockey for various clubs in the Midlands and the SE. Verona is also an energy healing practitioner and has a particular interest in music having played the flute for many years and now sings. She has a love of travelling and languages as well.