The Legal 500

South West: Dispute resolution

Commercial litigation: Bristol

Within: Commercial litigation: Bristol

Known for its ‘first-class client service’, the team at Osborne Clarke specialises in multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes and is highly regarded for procurement litigation. Headed by Leona Briggs, the department has handled a range of complex fraud claims, procurement challenges, cross-border contract litigation, director and shareholder disputes, and arbitration proceedings. The ‘highly recommended’ Charlie Wedin advised Dynasafe Minetech on a number of claims and counter-claims in relation to a terminated contract with a South African company. Additionally, following Mademoiselle Desserts’ acquisition of Ministry of Cake, Clare Robinson is representing two former directors and shareholders of Ministry of Cake in various fraud and conspiracy claims brought by the company’s purchasers. Peter Clough often handles disputes in the technology and financial services sectors and has extensive experience in matters involving CIS or Russian participants. Catherine Wolfenden is a ‘go-to procurement litigator’, who has handled procurement challenges for a number of well-known corporates and listed companies. Tom Ellis, Claudia Glover, and senior associate Tom Frapwell are also recommended.

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South West: Insurance

Professional negligence

Within: Professional negligence

Osborne Clarke advises on negligence cases for accountancy practices, pension providers and construction companies. It conducts claimant and defendant work for accountancy firms with a bias toward the defendant side. With regards to pension providers it advises on high-profile and high-value claims for trustees and companies, usually against investment advisers, pension providers, solicitors and actuaries. In relation to construction and property-related negligence the firm conducts litigation and advises on claims against surveyors, valuers, engineers, architects and contractors. Leona Briggs heads the team and has a commercial approach to resolving disputes. Tom Ellis is experienced at defendant and claimant work and has a client focus in the accountancy sector. Clare Robinson specialises in claimant work against solicitors, accountants and surveyors. Charles Crowne deals with claims against accountants and financial advisers and Paul Matthews deals with complex high-value pension’s litigation. Clients include Lloyds Banking Group, Wincanton, Harrods Bank, Midas Retail, VocaLink, Manitou, Sotheby's Grant Thornton.

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South West: Real estate

Property litigation

Within: Leading individuals

Leona Briggs - Osborne Clarke

Within: Property litigation

Known for its ‘pragmatic and results-driven’ approach, Osborne Clarke has expertise in real estate development disputes and landlord and tenant matters, and has become ‘a standout firm for utilities sector disputes’. Indeed, newly promoted partner David Shakesby has been called ‘an invaluable asset’ for investors and developers in the utilities and renewable energy sectors. Shakesby is assisting SSE with a project to procure land rights, through compulsory purchase order, for the purpose of constructing underground network reinforcement cables. Emily Van Schalkwyk is ‘a hardworking and organised’ associate director who focuses on energy infrastructure and development disputes. The department is headed by Leona Briggs, who is by some clients’ reckoning ‘one of the best property lawyers in the region’; she is advising a household-name online business on certain UK property regulations governing issues such as premises management and tenancy deposits. Briggs is also representing Vodafone in a complex landlord and tenant dispute. Associate director Sue Thompson leads the residential landlord and tenant sub-group. Additional clients include Western Power Distribution, Ward Homes and Heineken.

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