Firm Profile > Charles Russell Speechlys LLP > London, England

‘The art and private client teams have considerable expertise in specific areas of the market both on the litigation and client side. Tim Maxwell and Rudy Capildeo: both have broad experience of the art market and in specific areas. Tim on the litigation side and particularly with contemporary art and Rudy on the client side with contracts and private sales‘.

‘Tim Maxwell and Rudy Capildeo are fine lawyers with Tim in particular being a star in art litigation‘.

‘Problems are resolved in a highly professional manner by sensitive advice and guidance, anticipated by a efficient, detailed and precise preparation of the case followed by a sharp and humble approach towards a solution‘.

‘Robert Blower and Suzanne Marriott – top notch private client/tax planning advice to do with art and cultural property. The team is very strong in both tax matters related to art and contractual issues/litigation/restitution indeed all legal and fiscal issues to do with art and cultural property‘.

‘CRS is now the London/European power house for art law Rudy Capildeo and Tim Maxwell are both exceptionally good lawyers in this area – personably and very professional‘.

‘The team is very approachable and efficient, and it tackles complicated matters in a very quick and responsible manner, which makes the client feel that they are in good hands‘.

‘One of the best‘

‘The team has an excellent reputation for contentious trust and probate work and is involved in many of the largest and most complex cases’

‘Graeme Kleiner is a well-respected litigator. He is a friendly but firm opponent – not to be underestimated’

‘Oliver Auld is very on top of the detail of his cases. He is efficient, responsive, approachable and an excellent communicator’

‘Graeme Kleiner is a tenacious trust litigator. He is easy to work with and delivers a great service for his clients. Graeme can be very effective in a difficult situation’

‘Graeme Kleiner is very good on technical points, especially complex points on trust law. Oliver Auld is excellent also’

‘Graeme Kleiner is bright, able and sees the big picture’

‘Duncan Elson is a seriously good litigator – balanced but firm’

‘All-round strength in the family team with a number of well-known partners.  The team’s work is always of high quality and it has good clients. James Freeman is very bright, sensible and realistic. Always trying to find acceptable solutions and moving things forward in a constructive way‘

‘James Freeman is an excellent lawyer – thoughtful, measured and a superb strategist. His thoughtful, tactical and insightful approach means that he stays one step ahead of his opponents‘

‘The partners bring many years of experience and an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and are supported by outstanding assistants; together they create a formidable team. William Longrigg has superb judgement and always looks to find a pragmatic solution without rushing into litigation unless that is what is required. His expertise in international disputes is second to none‘

‘Miranda Fisher goes the extra mile and is very experienced in finance and international children work. James Freeman is authoritative and tactically superb. Josh Green is awesome – a future main player‘

‘William Longrigg is one of the most charming characters in family law. He is highly respected and hugely experienced‘

‘William Longrigg is a consummate family law ambassador and approaching elder statesman status. An astute mind and huge experience‘

‘The team genuinely and evidently cares about the outcome for the client and about the client’s welfare throughout the proceedings. Sarah Higgins is a natural communicator and a calm presence throughout a stressful period in the client’s life. She sees to the core of the matter‘

‘Erica Shelton is robust and firm, but does not inflame situations or draw them out unnecessarily. She is able to make a frightening and stressful time seem manageable. Her clients have complete confidence in her‘

‘One of the top civil fraud outfits in London.’

‘Stewart Hey oozes class in his advice, judgement, and client handling skills.’

‘Stewart Hey always has his eye across all the different elements of complex cases, and has excellent strategic capabilities.’

‘Charlotte Pender has a great eye for detail but also always sees the bigger picture.’

‘This team stands out as an excellent team of hard-working, perceptive solicitors who are always willing to go the extra mile and leave no stone unturned. They will pull out all the stops to ensure that the client is delivered a top quality service. The team is also very approachable, friendly and easy to work with. ‘

‘The team is easy to engage with yet high energy and creative with solving problems. This leads to confidence as a client and therefore goes a long way to a productive project.’

‘David Coates was very impressive in all respects, personable, extremely engaged and engaging and dynamic.’

‘Deep M&A, sector and business knowledge. As such they act as a true extension to the firm and are effectively our second leg. Excellent individuals.’

‘The CRS team were very on the ball. In a challenging negotiation where the deal had some unusual features, they were quick to spot potential pitfalls and help us avoid them.’

‘Mark Howard’s calm, authoritative approach was exactly what we needed.’

‘Bart Peerless has an outstanding level of responsiveness and client empathy‘

‘A highly reputable firm with quality individuals who provide practical and considered advice, including Dominic Lawrance, Sangna Chauhan and James Bradford‘

‘All of the individuals I have worked with are technically expert and very able, but all show a focus on getting a task not merely done but absolutely right in every detail, and with acute sensitivity to the client’s needs and preferences. Conspicuous for their acumen, pragmatism and positive approach are partners Bart Peerless and Robert Blower‘

‘Dominic Lawrance is the leading technical adviser in London when it comes to non-domicile matters. Dominic is a standout expert in his field. He can comment with certainty almost straight away on any non-domicile query‘

‘Dominic Lawrance is a standout top talent with some of the best technical expertise in the market. Alice Wilne is a meticulous and methodical lawyer with a keen eye for spotting problems and solving them‘

‘The recruitment of Sophie Dworetzsky is a real coup for CRS – she is a fantastic technical lawyer‘

‘A quality private wealth team with real strength in depth which delivers excellent legal work. Piers Master, Robert Blower, Sangna Chauhan, Dominic Lawrance and Sophie Dworetzsky stand out‘

‘It serves complex cases, especially where there is  cross-border angle – this is important to internationally living clients and their families. Andrew Cameron has a tailored and practical approach. Elena Vasilyeva is very helpful at managing clients’ requests in relation to complex issues such as tax, probate, family relations and immigration‘

‘CRS leads the field with its full service capabilities and genuine depth across its teams.’

‘Their approach is always commercial and there’s clearly a deep rooted understanding of the sports sector. Jason Saiban’s support for his clients stands out in particular.’

‘Has the capability and expertise to handle most requirements of high or ultra-high-net-worth clients both personally and commercially and the teams ensure that deals remain on timetable and solutions to problems are created‘

‘Christian Massey is an expert in the country house, farm and estate market. He is proactive, responsive and thorough. Importantly, he is personable with clients and provides measured advice‘

‘Christian Massey is a commercial deal rainmaker‘

‘Excellent technical knowledge, personable and the ability to engage clients on their terms and not lose them in the law‘

‘Personable, extremely knowledgeable and excellent lawyers. James Bradford is extremely able‘

‘Nigel Edge is very impressive, with a big intellect and very good drafting skills, and excellent on detail’

‘Alex Caton has a methodical, cerebral approach focused on the best results for clients‘

‘London presence with a local connection. First-class client care‘

‘The CRS charities and not-for-profit team has considerable breadth and depth of expertise, and the lawyers can call upon many other areas of expertise within the firm as a whole. Sarah Rowley has been the main point of contact for nearly a decade now. We have developed a close working relationship and appreciate her sympathetic understanding at all times, her eye for detail and critical awareness of all the issues involved‘

‘The key standout feature for CRS would be the staff; the lawyers are all obviously incredibly knowledgeable and capable, but also pair this with a very approachable style and friendly manner. They also react quickly and are always on hand to give things a sense check or a no obligation quote‘

‘The team is proactive in finding out how it can help and support us as a charity‘

‘Penny Byatt is my go-to person when any charity governance issues come up. She immediately picks up the issues and provides alternative solutions, with the pros and cons of each, with a recommendation‘

‘The depth of knowledge of charity law and how it works in practice makes Charles Russell Speechlys stand out’

‘High quality associates and partners able to cover a broad range of commercial work always to an excellent standard.’

‘Ed Craig – has real commercial nous. Excellent with clients and achieves excellent results. Katy Ackroyd – excellent litigator. Always on top of the detail ‘and has excellent client management. A real pleasure to work with.’

‘Edward Craig leads a superb team of commercial litigators.’

‘Edward Craig is an old-school team leader: knows the market; knows his team; knows the law and can be trusted to exercise sound and principled judgement.’

‘The CRS Dispute Resolution team is excellent at resourcing work, both in terms of ensuring the right level of human resource is directed to the work in hand but also by regular rotation ensuring every team member is fully up to speed on the key issues in a case and how to address them.’

‘Charlotte Pender is an exceptionally dedicated litigation professional with a very strong commercial sense, an impressive understanding of the technical aspects of complex large scale litigation and, most importantly, an unerring sense for the right tactical step to take at every step of the way.’

‘Ed Craig is highly knowledgeable and understands our needs.’

‘Global reach, a team of really talented lawyers and a client-focused approach.’

‘Stewart Hey is a great lawyer – excellent eye for detail and team leader. Ed Craig and John Sykes are brilliant with clients. Some very good associates in Caroline Greenwell, Hannah Kent and Danielle Sharkey.’

‘They really know their law and can manage a case expertly across the team. These are givens at CRS, but why I really like working with them is they are so highly client focused – doing what’s best for the client; in a human way (they work hard but are fun to work with too); and transparently in terms of cost management.’

‘Stewart Hey: seemingly a workaholic; available at the most unsociable hours; a rapid responder par excellence.’

‘Charlotte Pender is a great big-picture thinker; mild and gregarious but underneath as sharp and forceful as anyone when the need arises. Caroline Greenwell works incredibly hard; a fantastic client relationship ambassador for CRS; but again has that sharp forcefulness when it’s needed.’

‘A very strong team, down to earth, great communicators – they work as a team and are experienced. No time wasted and very efficient.’

‘Lee Medlock has great experience in real estate law but is also a pragmatic businessman. He is well liked and connected and respected. I find I get full support from Lee on all aspects – this gives us great confidence.’

‘It is able to deal with any Court of Protection issue, regardless of the complexities, the family background, and the issues or wealth involved. The teams is massively experienced at both partner and associate level, so has a real understanding and feel for the practice area. The COP team also integrates really well with the wider private client and contentious trusts and probate teams‘

‘Court of Protection work requires a sensitivity which this team demonstrates exceptionally. The lawyers never lose sight of what they can achieve and how it ought to be approached. They have in-depth knowledge of the area which makes them an obvious choice for the big cases‘

‘Suzanne Marriott is simply at the absolute forefront of this practice area – she is highly sought after as a litigator, but also a go to as an independent administrator, trustee or deputy in highly contentious situations: she brings an unparalleled degree of calm and good sense‘

‘CRS’s private client team is clever and thoughtful. Suzanne Marriott is exceptional – clever, strategic and calm‘

‘Sally Ashford and her team are thorough and yet flexible in their approach and determination to secure the very best outcomes and quality of life for the clients they support. I was hugely impressed by Sally’s relentless dedication and eye for detail, always within professional yet genuinely empathic boundaries‘

‘Duncan Elson has a wealth of experience to bring to a difficult case – he is definitely someone you can trust, particularly as an independent deputy.  I often recommend Duncan‘

‘Graeme Kleiner is eminently well suited to this work – he is never aggressive while holding his ground, and he never loses sight of what the clients are trying to achieve‘

‘Oliver Auld gives the team a real strength in depth: he is highly experienced and a steady pair of hands‘

‘Sarah Anticoni has a reputation for being one of the leading mediators in London and deservedly so. She commands huge respect and her commitment to mediation and her clients is second to none’

‘Sarah is focused on settlement and adapts her approach to encourage this, regularly bringing in lawyers to the mediation process if she feels it would assist‘

‘All members of the team I have met are very clearly leaders in their field, and at the same time very personable. They appear to have strength and depth, from senior team members down to more junior solicitors‘

‘Sarah very quickly got to grip with the relevant issues and was very skilled at steering the discussion in the right way to explore the issues and maximise the prospects of agreement being reached‘

‘Sarah Anticoni is a terrific mediator who listens to clients and always has a handle on the practicalities of the situation. She is a very good  lawyer with bags of common sense and experience‘

‘Sarah Anticoni is immensely experienced and knowledgeable‘

‘The team has real bench strength and a genuine interest in supporting our goals and finding practical solutions to the complex issues we face.’

‘Mark Bailey is always available and always adds valued industry insights and perspectives.’

‘Chris Ingram has impressed us with some clear guidance on some complex issues particularly in the area of Data Protection.’

‘Mark Bailey really understands the technical and commercial drivers involved. He also delivers excellent advice and transaction management with a calm and dogged assurance at all times.’

‘The CRS team have been great to work with; they always take a co-ordinated approach to providing advice and deliver in a client friendly and timely manner. CRS also provide us with additional value.’

‘They are willing to go the extra mile for clients.’

‘Mark Bailey has extensive technology experience and always offers pragmatic advice. He adds value by thinking beyond the purely legal questions and advising on the commercial aspects of a deal and future-proofing of contracts.’

‘Chris Ingram is always on hand to offer practical advice, has excellent drafting skills and is very diligent.’

‘The business have been very impressed with the CRS team, in particular their responsiveness and pragmatic advice. Working with the same team at CRS has provided us with a strong blend of capability at a balanced cost.’

‘There is a balance of pragmatism and legal advice. Legal issues of substance will be well articulated when needed, but using commercial pragmatism to solve problems is a distinct feature.’

‘Knowledgeable team with excellent support from the partners to ensure the best advice is provided at all times.

Robert Highmore – an excellent lawyer who communicates at the highest level and understands the client’s needs in the provision of legal advice. Really brings that human touch in this very corporate world.’

‘They are a team with strength in depth.

Emma Humphreys – knowledgable, good with clients and engaged in the industry. James Souter – enthusiastic and able – carving out a niche for himself in rights of light work. Lauren Fraser – very able and hard working‘

‘Some stand out partners and good quality associates. Thorough and commercial approach. Highly organised and able to mobilise a large team at short notice to jump on a new urgent series of instructions from us.

Emma Humphreys is super smart, engaging with clients, organised and highly professional. Extremely dedicated to delivering the highest standards for her clients.’

‘The team is very attentive and seek to find solutions within sometimes difficult circumstances

Louise Clark is very attentive and available. She is willing to take on board the clients opinions and be flexible in her approach to suit the situation‘

‘The residential property team is one of the most dynamic and professional teams in the industry. Huge experience comes with great communication and the ability to make deals happen.’

‘Thomas Moran is my most valued contact, with a track record that most solicitors would envy. He has the ability to make solid relations with a multitude of property professionals. What strikes me with Thomas is that he is prepared to look after clients with any requirement, whether it is a £2 million apartment through to a £50 million house. An expert in his field and also extremely humorous and charming to deal with.’

‘Tom Moran is a sage lawyer – never panicked and always giving excellent advice. He is brilliant with clients and you know that he has their best interests in mind at all times. He is top class.’

‘Tom Moran is an outstanding lawyer and I have no hesitation in recommending him for his hugely affable demeanour and sharp legal brain. Nothing ever seems like too much trouble for Tom and he will always try to make himself available. We have conducted many transactions together and he has been a delight to deal with on each occasion.’

‘Tom Moran is straightforward and pragmatic problem solver. He is easily contactable, and explains issues in a way that is easily understood, even when complex. He is a pleasure to work with and builds relationships with other professionals easily.’

The team at are thoroughly professional – responsive, proactive, knowledgeable and thorough. They stand out as one of the best in the business for their professionalism and approachability. Not only are they incredibly proactive but they are also the first to try and solve a problem before it needs to be highlighted.

‘The team here are calm, and have an ability to work through issues in a transaction to a successful conclusion. They have an eye on the commercial realities which ensures the best outcome for their clients. The firm has a wide range of specialisms which gives a holistic service, where required.’

‘A very strong team, down to earth, great communicators – they work as a team and are experienced. No time wasted and very efficient.’

‘Lee Medlock has great experience in real estate law but is also a pragmatic businessman. He is well liked and connected and respected. I find I get full support from Lee on all aspects – this gives us great confidence.’

‘A very strong team, down to earth, great communicators – they work as a team and are experienced. No time wasted and very efficient.’

‘Lee Medlock has great experience in real estate law but is also a pragmatic businessman. He is well liked and connected and respected. I find I get full support from Lee on all aspects – this gives us great confidence.’

‘A very responsive and hardworking team who have a good knowledge of the technical aspects of construction and seek to provide pragmatic and commercial advice to their clients.’

‘The team is not too big that it becomes impersonal, but is large enough to have specialists covering all required areas. The size of the firm means that good relationships can be built up, and a collective team spirit is important when dealing with problems or complicated agreements that requires patience.’ 

‘Rupa Lakha is very approachable, hardworking and professional in her approach. Rupa is always keen to find solutions and she is very attuned to business issues. Rupa is always very responsive to requests for advice and assistance and works hard to create and develop a strong partner/client relationship.’

‘This firm manages to provides a coherent and joined-up service offering , despite its significant size, avoiding some some of the pitfalls of their competitors who, whilst providing good service, are unable to deliver this in a holistic and joined-up manner – an attribute of CRS. They have the ability to cover all challenges from both significant contract drafting through to advice to start-ups.’

‘Kevin Forsyth brings a breath of fresh air in his approach. Despite being a senior partner at the firm his delivery is given in a very bespoke and personal way, with competent advice and the ability to work with clients in a manner that balances pure legal advice with the realities of a commercial environment. Kevin also has the ability and drive to deliver to what are often unrealistic client timescales.’

‘James Worthington has an old head on young shoulders. James is able to draft complex contracts quickly and still maintain quality, thereby enabling complex commercial deadlines to be achieved.’

‘The team, though based in the UK, has taken time to understand the peculiarities of our geography and therefore does not impose the practices of other jurisdictions but takes time to come up with innovative ways to resolve issues peculiar to our geography.’

‘Adrian Mayer stands out as a solution-driven, results-oriented team head who takes time to understand his clients and their needs.’

‘The firm is extremely responsive to queries, with in-depth, easy to understand feedback. They have great depth of resources and are very personable.’

‘Adrian Mayer understands our business and what we are trying to achieve. He provides thoughtful direct responses to matters and is extremely responsive to queries.’

‘The firm has a genuine interest in clients’ priorities, as well as knowledge about ways of working and the legal backdrop in various countries in Africa, and is cognisant of fee pressures and always transparent in billing.’

‘Adrian Mayer takes time to keep up with clients and helps look for opportunities and solutions.’

‘Adrian Mayer has rare experience in African deals with particular reference to the real estate sector.’

‘Great overview of matters and willingness to offer industry wide observations and insights.’

‘Mark Bailey is always available and understands the pace at which our business needs to move. ‘I am always impressed by his ability to suggest simple, practical solutions/approaches to some of the most complex issues we face.’

‘Very obviously on top of their subject matter, they understand the needs of a growing fintech business like ours very well.’

‘The client relationship is genuinely viewed as a long-term partnership. The single point of contact approach coupled with access to specialists is a difficult balance, which CRS effectively strikes.’

‘The regulatory team has a very strong presence in pharmacy law, including NHS regulation GPhC Inquests and regulatory crime. They have an increasing presence in other areas of regulation such as the medical profession. The team is considered the premier firm for pharmacy regulation in the UK.

Rachel Warren is a very strong communicator who is very astute tactically. She is not afraid to give strong advice when necessary and clients really feel that she is on their side. She is an absolute joy to work with and has an extremely helpful and collaborative approach with counsel. Noel Wardle has an encyclopaedic knowledge of pharmacy law.’

‘Extensive experience and an excellent understanding of the context of professional practice of those clients they represent. From my experience, their insight into the practice of professionals is at a higher level than other firms I have had experience of. This helps with questioning, and in addition, better prepares clients for proceedings.

Calm, insightful, knowledgeable on law, procedure and professional contexts. Personal approach.’

‘The team are highly sympathetic to business needs while offering expert and very relevant advice. They are experts in their field and inspire confidence at every turn.

I work regularly with Rachel Warren who I value for effectively resolving problems while focussing on the end result. Her advice is pragmatic and directional while bearing in mind client needs.’

‘The best pharmacy lawyers around. Complete understanding of the sector to be able to provide maximum support to our members and insureds

Noel Wardle and Rachel Warren are both excellent lawyers who know pharmacy inside out in order to deliver expert advice and support to our members and insureds.’

‘The team is very patient and understanding, and always helps to guide you in the right direction. They give practical advice and are available at all times to answer questions and provide insight. It makes me feel very safe and secure, putting trust in CRS to handle our issues.’

‘Claire Greaney is amazing. She is very relatable, and I feel comfortable speaking freely with her. We always get understandable advice, which is easy to digest, thus making it easier to make the right choices.’ 

‘The people i have met and worked with at CRS have a genuine care and respect for your case or situation.‘

‘A real strong team and egos left at the door.‘

‘Ed Craig, a real grasp of luxury not just the legal issues but the importance of the big picture across IP and retail.‘

‘Charles Russell Speechlys has a team of very bright, commercially astute lawyers but without the posturing and other baggage of the magic and silver circle firms.’

‘Nick Hurley is the toughest negotiator I know; nerves of steel and a determination to get a great result for his clients.’

‘Each team member is extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and confident with his/her advice. We are located in the United States and no matter what time of day it was, a team member was always available and responsive to our inquires.‘

‘Mary Bagnall is wonderful.‘

‘Extremely impressed with this team. They have technical know-how whilst maintaining whilst being pragmatic.’

‘I would recommend their depth of knowledge, response times as well as the proactive nature of the advice‘.

‘Michael Jones is an exceptional lawyer. He is extremely knowledgeable and his advice is always practical‘.

‘Very approachable and accessible, down to earth and very responsive and efficient.’

‘Extremely practical, commercial advice. Unfazed and unflappable, and very careful on the law. Claire Fallows is the absolute epitome of these things.’

‘Knowledgeable, available at all times to the client and very client oriented.’

‘High standard of service and readiness of reactions, together with kindness and a touch of personal sensitivity.‘

‘We received complete and very professional assistance during a demanding negotiation.‘

‘The team has the ability to make the complicated, uncomplicated’

‘The level of experience and knowledge is exceptional’

‘Went above and beyond to ensure documents were ready in time for board meetings, turning around last minute changes efficiently and with good humour’

‘Kate Troup is extremely helpful and knowledgeable on her subject – she explains details clearly rather than using jargon’

‘Ashwin Pillay worked diligently and pragmatically to ensure our transaction was able to complete on time, despite last minute changes’

‘William Garner is both technically capable and highly responsive. He is also adept at navigating emerging areas of regulation in a commercial and pragmatic way’

‘I have worked with the team at CRSB for a number of years and find their knowledge of derivatives legislation and market practice second to none and much more in-depth in comparison with other firms I have worked with’

‘Good ability to deal with complex patent disputes, especially in chemical and medical device sectors. An experienced team who are a delight to work with.‘

‘Ian Wood draws on a wealth of experience to obtain great results for his clients.‘

‘David Fyfield is an enthusiastic associate and valuable member of the litigation team.‘

‘The team are very coordinated in their approach and seek the best solution for the client. Their capacity to listen to and address client concerns is impeccable.’

‘Jon Bond is a very logical and methodical lawyer. His ability to problem-solve is excellent. His willingness to go to extra lengths to find a solution which is advantageous for the client is why we do not look elsewhere. They are quick to respond and diligent in highlighting points that need to be addressed.’

‘Commercially oriented, experienced, committed, loyal, diligent, rigorous, ethical, fast, excellent quality/price balance, kind.’

‘I have been privileged to build a working relationship with the team for many years. This relationship has been made easy by their ability to understand your business and thought processes, which made advice and litigation easier to obtain and execute successfully. The breadth of knowledge across various industries provides the team with unique insights.’

‘Paul Stone’s effort in understanding his client’s business pays dividends because he looks and feels like part of the in-house team and his advice reflects the nuances of the experience gained there too. His experience in the broadcast arena also provides interesting insights into tech and telecoms.’

The team is exceptional, both in terms of their technical knowledge and client interaction. The lawyers offer sound, practical advice and are willing go the extra mile to maximise their clients’ chances of success.

The exceptional Jason Freedman provides measured, commercial advice, that is technically sound but also practical. He is always willing to go the extra mile for his clients and is able to simplify complex issues.

Hanh Nguyen is very thorough and has excellent judgement.

‘The team is extremely well led by Rose Carey. She has built an effective group of practitioners with varied and complementary strengths around her and they have the significant advantage of being able to call on colleagues in other areas of specialisation including commercial and family law when addressing often complex issues in family and business migration contexts.’

‘Charles Russell Speechlys provides a very good service with extensive up-to-date and relevant industry knowledge and advice. Their overall level of service is excellent.’

‘Kelvin Tanner is a professional with high end skills and knowledge in the field.’

‘Rose Carey provides an excellent service and always responds quickly. She has extensive legal knowledge and provides very good advice and helps my clients tremendously.  My clients always comment most favourably on the service she provides and on her professionalism. As a result, I usually deal with Rose for immigration service as she is very helpful and familiar with my clients’ requirements. She is one of the most professional solicitors that I engage with.’

‘Kelvin Tanner is always supportive and responsive and supports his clients with prompt and effective solutions – he is very professional and knowledgeable on immigration matters and I’ve recommended him to other clients.’

‘Charles Russell Speechlys have a full service commercial litigation team, capable of handling all sorts of disputes. They have a clear eye for strategy. Their creative approach to litigation delivers significant upside gains for their clients.’

‘The London office of CRS referred us to their team in Guildford to handle a tricky mediation with regards to the provision of management consultancy services. I have been involved in many legal disputes but this was our first mediation. CRS Guildford took us through the entire process in a very professional way from the appointment of a mediator to final settlement. Highly recommend their team in this regard.’

‘The team of Stephen Burns and Charlotte Healy provided quiet reassurance throughout.’

‘I have worked with Jamie Cartwright and Katie Bewick at CRS on two matters over the past 12 months. They provided commercial, practical advice to our joint client on both occasions. They displayed an excellent knowledge of the claims/court process and helped to reassure the client with clear advice and communication.’

‘Stephen Burns is bright and engaging. Katie Bewick knows her stuff and is very client focused.’

‘The team are great at looking after people. Partners that take the ‘lead’ in the relationship are particularly good. What makes it unique? Offering a wide range of services while still being fairly local.’

‘Stephen Burns is an absolute legend and has always got our interests at heart. I hugely value his advice and completely trust him. He has a strong and loyal team.’

‘This practice has amazing depth of experience and can access specialist knowledge at any time’

‘They take great care to understand your business and to add a very positive input into its daily running and any long-term goals’

‘They keep you up to date with new legislation and have many discussion groups geared to your interests’

‘Compared to other practices we have come across they are so much less aggressive, and instead are calm and considered’

‘They are interested in and understand what we are trying to do and achieve’

‘Nigel Morton has always given considered and excellent advice’

‘Nigel Morton and Jonathan Morley were instrumental’

‘Charles Russell Speechlys, in particular, its construction practice, was selected to advise on a quite complicated construction project in the CIS. They brought their outstanding experience and deep knowledge in such kinds of contracts.‘

‘We were impressed by David Savage, Megan Paul and Fiona Thompson’s comprehensive, thoroughly grounded, understanding of the construction business in general and their ability to understand our needs and challenges in a very specific project and to bring about the best possible result for our specific circumstances. They have a personalised approach to our case  and provide legal solutions that are well-judged and timely; they help us to adapt the best practice in the field for our jurisdictions with strong collaborative teamwork and an approachable, creative style.  David is positioning himself as a thought leader in his field by sharing blogs about construction law and technology issues using social media.‘

‘The members of the team are extremely knowledgeable and efficient while also being friendly and approachable. They are happy to help with the small queries just as well as advising on the larger matters.’

‘The team has a very strong collection of experts and they are all very pragmatic.’

‘A top London law firm but with an out of London base operating at the same level as the main team-indeed part of that team. Superb.‘

‘Duncan Elson has so much experience as a litigator, fights really hard for his clients, and is a delight to deal with. He is backed up with some excellent associates, like Samantha Ewing.’

‘Charles Russell Speechlys is a leading light in the contentious trust and probate market. They have a global reach and are able to provide a cost-efficient service, where appropriate, from their base in Guildford. I would certainly recommend this firm to colleagues, friends, and family!‘

‘I find the lawyers at Charles Russell Speechlys to be much more approachable and user-friendly than some of their competitors. Duncan Elson brings a wealth of experience to all matters. I also have also had very positive experiences working with Samantha Ewing on common intention constructive trust and proprietary estoppel matters.’

‘The team is always helpful without prejudging the client’s actions that may have happened before contact. Advice is given with understanding and in a way that is fully understandable to the layman. Give confidence to us to deal with the situation and put the correct processes in place.‘

‘Incredibly knowledgeable in the area of expertise I required (employment law). Fresh, active attitude to the problem. Did not have a standard policy, dealt with the situation itself. Very accurate in estimation of services and billing.‘

‘Syma Spanjers was very supportive during an extremely stressful time, always available to give advice. She gave me confidence in our approach to the problem and consulted with her colleagues to make sure no aspects were missed. She went above and beyond when the situation started to move very quickly including contacting me on a Sunday and working late into the night as replies to the “other side” were required. Sara Wilson handled the case while Syma was away. Again she was excellent, calm, with a personal, knowledgeable approach. Having spoken to numerous other people since this incident occurred these solicitors seem to stand out a mile above the service others have received and I feel incredibly lucky they were recommended to me. I had fantastic service at a very difficult time for me.‘

‘Each individual is always highly responsive and understanding. I feel that, considering they already have a caseload and work assigned, the quickness in which they respond to me is highly appreciated and always have felt they have been an extension of my team in some ways, working with us rather than 3rd party with no feeling of value in the working relationship, there is definitely a personal touch in how they interact and assist us.‘

‘Clear concise knowledge that matches the law with the challenges and complexities of dealing with people.‘

‘Sara Wilson is straight to the point, unlike so many lawyers. She is able to articulate clearly and interpret the law and yet talk in plain English. She is commercial and knows when to get a deal done without drawing it out and driving up legal costs. It is so refreshing to find a lawyer who is client driven rather than driven by just client billing maximisation.‘

‘We value the expert pragmatic employment law advice combined with the understanding the team have of our business and the way we work. Their team feels like an extension of ours and they are without fail timely in their responses and available when we need support.‘

‘Sara Wilson is our main point of contact and we thoroughly enjoy working with her and the rest of the team. They listen fully and give practical, considered responses and we have a real rapport which makes it a pleasure to deal with Sara and the team.‘

It is always great to see that every lawyer in the team is highly qualified. Everyone is vey keen to answer as soon as possible and in a way that the client understands the legal advice. It is a pleasure to work with them!

‘Ben Smith is an outstanding lawyer. He speaks German fluently and is therefore able to give his advice in German. Every client working with him was impressed by his deep knowledge of law and the econonmic background. That makes the difference.’

‘Charles Russell Speechlys has been assisting me with an employment law matter over the past several months – since September 2019. I’ve been very pleased with the service provided by CRS. CRS has provided highly targeted advice – supplying an injection of relevant expertise at critical junctures during the discussions I have been having with my employer.’

‘The legal advice has been provided by Andy Williams. Andy has been providing highly targeted employment law advice and guidance, as well as advising me on various matters relating to my pension rights. I have particularly valued the pragmatic and practical nature of Andy’s advice – he has given me really useful guidance on how to communicate with my employer, what positions to take at various points in the discussion, and which case law to deploy and when. This has been invaluable in allowing me to negotiate with my employer in a constructive and effective manner.’

‘I was impressed by the fast mobilisation of the team, and analysis of my situation and what the path through it was going to be. I felt reassured and confident I was going to be well looked after.’

‘I worked with Nick Hurley and Becky Lawton on my case. They were extremely reassuring, calm but highly focussed on getting me the outcome I needed and were confident about the likelihood of success which made me feel confident. They gave me great advice.’

‘Ben Smith is a rare solicitor. He goes to every length to protect his clients’ interests. He is also objective and pragmatic, with incredible people skills. A pleasure to work with and alongside. Nick Hurley is a tough negotiator. Emily Chalkley is a star in the making.’

‘Andy Williams is by far the best employment solicitor I have ever instructed. He is pragmatic, precise and totally understands our business and the outcomes we have achieved have proved over many years of instructing his firm to have always been correct. I would not hesitate to recommend him and his team. 10/10 in all areas. A pleasure to work with.’

‘CRS stands out as being a very efficient firm. Their strength is the quality of the personnel who work for them, who always give clear and accurate advice.’

‘The practice is extremely well run, and efficient. The team work well together.’

‘I give particular credit to William Rollin, partner in the family practice of the Guildford office of Charles Russell Speechlys. William is an exceptional technical and analytical lawyer, but what makes him stand out is his instinctive nature, drawn from years of experience, which makes him a brilliant strategist. Over the years he has acted for me on 4 pieces of litigation – all of which have been successful. This has been partly down to his impressive application of the, sometimes very complex, law – but also in the way he has made tactical decisions in the case. He fights hard for his clients while also understanding the human side to family law, and his advice is sensible and practical, but always with his client’s best interests firmly in mind. Essentially, you want him on your side.’

‘The Guildford team is very strong. They are knowledgeable about the law and work cohesively together to provide a very high quality service to their clients.’

‘Karen Wilsher is a lawyer who stands out for her excellent strategic skills and ability to distill the issues. She is confident enough to give her clients robust advice whilst also being willing to fight their corner. Claire Devine stands out for her excellent client care – she is able to promote the clients interests whilst not losing sight of the need to give realistic advice.’

‘Knowledgeable, pragmatic, work with you to provide the solution. Capable and straightforward to deal with. Will always give the best advice.’

‘Most of my work is with the team in Guildford and they easily rival many London firms.’

‘I have worked with numerous individuals in the insolvency teams at CRS in the last year. Dan Moore is an up-and-coming senior associate with good quality work. I would particularly note his good judgement and case management skills.’

‘The Cheltenham office are very user friendly. They understand the needs of ultra-high-net-worth clients. Importantly, they know how to respond quickly when undertaking a quick transaction and have the expertise to service almost all clients’ property, family, commercial and private client needs.’

‘The attraction of the team is their local knowledge and expertise, especially around landed estates, with the back up of a full-service multi-disciplinary team.‘

‘I work closely with Katie Talbot, a shining star. Erudite advice and very approachable.‘

‘Excellent client service and high-quality understandable advice to clients. A top-quality firm with excellent people.‘

‘I have worked with Charles Russell Speechlys for many years and the current team are really very good. They are responsive and provide good and prompt service. The team work well and distribute work to the right person for the right job. Most recently I have had very good technical advice from Alex Caton and good, efficient service on a time-pressured situation with Nigel Edge. They all seem to communicate between themselves to provide a cohesive, client-friendly offering.‘

‘Practical and commercial approach to clients. Well known in the region for excellent private client services with a broad private client and trust team able to draw on fantastic technical expertise.‘

‘Julia Cox in particular is an outstanding private client lawyer able to work sensitively with clients whilst also demonstrating a deep technical knowledge of private client and trust law. Personable and approachable, she is quick to build long-lasting client relationships. Robert Blower is also an exceptional partner. Rachel Morris is liked by clients for her approachability and focus.‘

‘Charles Russell Speechlys have dealt with an incredibly complex probate on my behalf as executor since November 2014. Their clear strength in cases such as this is the breadth and depth of experience they can draw on across the office, which I feel is unrivaled within the region – including (in my case) the involvement of their Tax Trusts & Succession, Private Wealth Disputes, Private Property, Employment and Real Estate Disputes teams. A colleague in my firm also instructs Charles Russell Speechlys for trust administration work because of the depth of their experience in corporate and commercial matters. The expertise within the Tax Trusts & Succession team is excellent, dealing with all elements of the estate administration from stamp collections to unpublished novels, and always consider the ‘bigger picture’ before advising (such as in saving tax for beneficiaries). They have a large team who deal with all elements of private client work at varying levels of seniority.’

‘I don’t have much to compare the team to, given that this is my first experience using a service of this nature. With that said, I have been extremely impressed with the knowledge that the team have brought to the situation. I believe my particular probate case has been more complicated and involved that a typical case and as such I have required individuals that are more experienced/knowledgeable to help guide the process. Whilst this case has been tricky, I have always felt answers to questions were only an email or phone call to the team away. This knowledge and experience has made for a more comfortable process – something that is highly desired given the unpleasant nature of probate. Additionally, being able to dictate how much or how little I wish to personally contribute to the process has enabled me to balance bills vs. personal stress to a level I feel comfortable with.’

‘What makes the team different is the balance of professionalism, warmth and reliability, which seems to be pitched at just the right level. Consequently, it is clear that the team really do care about their clients, and are able to deliver appropriate solutions. Notably, there is a clear ability to be “conductor of the orchestra” in complex situations involving multiple moving parts, whilst providing clients with confident reassurance and avoiding the alienation that so often arises between client and adviser when dealing with technically and emotionally difficult situations. They are great people to deal with and they get the job done without unnecessary fuss or drama.’

‘Richard Honey is an Associate in the team and has been my main point of contact within the firm since 2015. He has coordinated the approach across all teams, providing a seamless service, and is very responsive to all correspondence. His experience in dealing with complex estate administration matters with complex angles has been invaluable in this matter and he has always sought to protect my liability as a professional executor, especially in the face of stiff opposition from beneficiaries and their legal representatives. Although technically capable, he always remains pragmatic with his advice – this ‘commercial’ aspect is one which some solicitors often miss. This is exemplified by recently being approved to become a full member (TEP) of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, demonstrating his experience of complex estates at a senior level.’

‘Rebecca Piper is exceptional. She is extremely knowledgeable and her advice is always well thought out. She is very nice to deal with.’

‘Gareth Wallis has been our main point of contact with CRS and is always approachable, diligent and extremely understanding. He has taken pains to make us fully aware of the cost implications of our involvement. Duncan Elson has been a steady and authoritative advisor. Tom Denham-Smith was outstanding as a facilitator.’

‘It is clear to me that Sally Ashford has carefully put together her private client team, and that she is an excellent leader who is respected and liked by them. It is also clear that she is a trusted adviser to her clients and genuinely cares about them. I have witnessed her skillfully overseeing complex situations with multiple stakeholders with varying degrees of financial experience and acumen and can see that she makes her clients feel confident with her ability and at ease with her warm manner. Lauren Clark is equally delightful to work with. Complex situations with nervous clients who find themselves in uncharted territory are addressed with warmth and confidence, making her a trusted adviser. Her reassuring and competent style, which one would normally associate with those of more advanced years, is highly effective at putting clients at ease whilst inspiring confidence.’

‘Natalie Butler has been efficient, explains situations effectively, and communicates in a timely fashion.’

‘David Haines is unusual in that he started life as a surveyor. This gives him an appreciation and understanding of properties which is not normally the case with solicitors. He is dynamic, extremely helpful and has a very sharp intellect.’

‘They show attention to detail and focus on providing excellent client support’

‘The team stands out for its breadth of services and national footprint, whilst retaining a commitment to supporting local communities’

‘Richard Norton always takes time to really understand the background to any given situation and makes himself available, notwithstanding a busy work schedule’

‘Richard Norton offers practical, value-for-money support and is able to focus on the key matters, which ensures efficient use of time’

‘Richard Norton focuses on what is really important’

‘Excellent risk management and negotiation skills’

‘Superior team work and internal referral system’

‘Penny Byatt is very knowledgeable, very approachable and can explain complex matters with clarity, thinking about all the implications of alternative solutions, and helping the charity to reach a well-thought-out conclusion as to the action to be taken.‘

‘As a Director in a Chartered Surveying firm, I liaise with numerous legal practices on an almost daily basis. CRS stand out for the following reasons: firstly, their team approach: CRS allocate the right individual(s) to a particular job, both in terms of skill set and level of seniority. The real estate issues we contend with on a national basis are diverse and so such an approach is key to effective service delivery. They are also adept at working as part of a wider team of professionals, whether it be boundary surveyors, accountants or counsel. Secondly, their client care: CRS know their clients and tailor their approach accordingly. They regularly run client specific CPD events, whether it be on pipeline easements or serviced offices and associated leasing issues. Last week they circulated a document entitled “Planning for and coping with coronavirus – Tips for Employers”, a very helpful document given the number of client sites that operate in the UK. Thirdly, accessibility: in contrast to many practices, lawyers at CRS are responsive and accessible, a key attribute. Lastly, capabilities: CRS act on a national basis across about as diverse a property portfolio as one could conceive (offices, industrial units, pipelines, land, gasses plants etc). CRS continually demonstrate an ability to effectively advise on and tackle an extensive range of legal issues.’

‘Ingrid Saffin is the key client contact and the individual who leads and oversees the team. Her technical ability is matched by her unflinching dedication to the client, often responding to emails late into the night. Ingrid is adept at managing a team and fielding jobs to the appropriate individual, both in terms of skill set and level of seniority. Ingrid is approachable, accessible, diligent and technically excellent.

Other members of the team warranting specific mention include Charlotte Major, an associate, who provides nothing less than an excellent service. As does Claire Timmings, Legal Director, and David Haines, litigation partner.’

‘They have a very strong capability for regulatory work.’

‘Tim Jenkins is pragmatic and knowledgeable and gets deals done.’

‘Rachel Warren is just about the nicest person you could wish to meet. An absolute gem of a solicitor.’

‘Rachel Warren has oodles of quality in how she deals with clients. She is very cerebral in her approach and is at the top of her game.’

‘The real estate team demonstrate strength and depth in all property-related matters’

‘They are the go-to team for CPO work, as well as having huge experience in dealing with contentious work related to farms and private estates’

‘Standout individuals must be David Haines at partner level and senior associate Richard Flenley’

‘Charles Russell Speechlys have a unique presence as an office of an international firm  in Cheltenham. Their location means that they are able to give local expertise with access to international experience’

‘Emma Preece is diligent, thoughtful and mindful of her client’s needs’

‘The service is always of a very high standard. The property team’s knowledge base is wide and deep, and it has the resources to deal with heavy litigation’

‘David Haines is very well regarded, extremely capable and has experience in almost all areas of property litigation, and knows how to get the best out of his team whilst maintaining a calm and friendly atmosphere’