Firm Profile > VWV > Bristol, England

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 1

VWV specialises in advising healthcare, arts and educational charities. The firm regularly advises on structural reviews, commercial projects, use of trading subsidiaries as well as on governance and fundraising issues. Other areas of expertise include advice on employment law, tax planning, construction and financing matters. The ‘calm, reflective and well-reasoned’ practice head Con Alexander gives ‘helpful advice’ when acting for charities, academics, schools and universities on transactions, endowment funds, fundraising, mergers, and the restructuring of subsidiaries. Senior associate Rachel Tonkin assists with charity tribunal proceedings and cross-border transfers of charitable assets. Senior associate Laura Chesham has expertise in the registration and incorporation of charities.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 1

VWV has expertise in lifetime transaction disputes, disputes regarding the legal and financial duties of executors and trustees, and professional negligence claims in respect to will drafting. The firm’s client base includes high-net-worth individuals and business clients, wealthy families, charities and celebrities. The practice is led by Michelle Rose, who 'consistently searches for new ways to lead the legal battle', while senior associate Fiona Lawrence has experience of cross-border probate and trust litigation.

Education Tier 1

VWV is a ‘one-stop shop’ for further and higher education institutions, independent schools, academies, academy trusts and maintained schools. Its team has niche expertise in charity law, governance, regulatory compliance, safeguarding, procurement, state aid and immigration. Barney Northover, who provides ‘valuable and highly competent support’, advises independent schools on charity law, M&A and strategic reviews.

Personal injury: claimant Tier 1

VWV has expertise in brain, upper limb, spinal and multiple orthopaedic injury as well as amputation claims. The firm also assists with cross-border accident claims. Another area of expertise are injuries sustained in road traffic accidents. The practice equally advises on claims relating to suicides and psychiatric diseases. The team is experienced in assisting with the obtainment of funds for accommodation and rehabilitation costs. The team is headed up ‘the very experienced and conscientious’ Jan Markland, who deals with fatal accident claims.

Property litigation Tier 1

VWV houses an ‘exceptional’ property litigation practice, which operates as an integrated part of the firm’s real estate department. The team has a particular strength in contentious work in the healthcare, education and public sectors. It also acts for developers, charities and religious institutions. Michelle Bendall is an ‘excellent advocate’. The 'brilliant' David Bird and senior associate Daniel Hall are also recommended.

Construction Tier 2

VWV's equally strong capabilities in contentious and non-contentious construction matters sees it generate work from clients in areas such as education, aerospace, energy, healthcare, insurance, and the public sector. Huw Morgan assists with PPP and PFI projects, design-and-build issues, and various contractual arrangements. Also recommended is Jason Prosser, who is particularly adept at acting on energy and utilities projects. Senior associate Alice Lang is a key contact for education sector clients and property developers.

Debt recovery Tier 2

VWV is particularly well-known for representing clients in the energy and utilities sector in debt recovery matters; its track record dates back more than 30 years. In addition, the firm acts for administrators and liquidators, as well as companies entering insolvency. The education sector is another driver of work. The key name in Bristol is Ed Husband, who works closely with the Birmingham office. Husband is active in financial distress disputes, business breakdown and insolvency, and also energy sector debt recovery.

Employment: Bristol Tier 2

The VWV employment practice has a strong profile nationally acting for commercial, charities, education and public sector clients. The firm is highly reputed for advisory work, and it is also equally adept in representing clients in complex Employment Tribunal claims. Within the education sector, the employment team acts for numerous independent schools and academies in contentious and advisory matters. Gareth Edwards is knowledgeable about discrimination law and freedom of information uses, and he is also experienced in advising clients on industrial relations, executive severances and TUPE and outsourcing issues.

Family Tier 2

VWV provides legal advice on legal aspects of family breakdown and divorce proceedings, which covers assistance with financial settlements, unmarried family disputes, separation planning and wealth structuring. Other aspects include cross-border relocation issues, child support agreements, cohabitation claims and Court of Protection proceedings. The firm seeks settlements both within and outside court hearings. Practice head Samantha Hickman is especially active in matrimonial and cohabitation disputes, as well as on disputes involving children.

Health Tier 2

The healthcare group at VWV focuses on acting for GP practices, for whom it advises on all types of partnership arrangements, acquisitions and disposals, leases, employment and health and safety issues, and partnership disputes. It also generates work from other clients, including dentists, vets and pharmacists. Ben Willis specialises in healthcare development work and funding. Willis jointly heads up the practice with the 'very knowledgeable and pleasant' Oliver Pool, who focuses on GP partnerships and mergers.

Immigration Tier 2

VWV's immigration practice operates at a national level, but also maintains a strong market presence in Bristol. Its sector coverage spans a wide range of areas, with a particular emphasis on issues concerning independent schools, higher education institutions and technology companies. One specialism involves assisting independent schools with regulatory compliance audits and handling threatened actions arising from alleged breaches of Tier 4 sponsor guidance. The team works closely with the employment team on migrant worker issues, and acts alongside the corporate group on restructurings and reorganisations. Associate Judith Hockin is the key name in Bristol.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

At VWV, insolvency litigation is a cornerstone of the practice, with the team acting both for and against office holders. Other work includes advising a number of energy suppliers on supply chain insolvency issues, as well as handling restructurings in the charity and education sector. The team is led by the ‘calm but firm’ Ed Husband, who has specialised in insolvency and restructuring work for 20 years. Associate Kelly Johnson is ‘diligent and attentive to detail’.

Licensing Tier 2

VWV assists with the application of licensing permitting the sale of alcohol and the running of restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs. The firm also advises on private and public venue hire and is experienced in representing clients in prosecutions arising from the alleged breach of licensing regulations. Other areas of expertise include gaming and gambling laws as well as legal requirements relating to events that involve different age groups.

Project finance and PFI Tier 2

The projects group at VWV handles projects in the fields of education, construction, energy, waste management, local government, grant funding and procurement. The team’s growing client base includes charities and local authorities, schools and higher education institutions, as well as private sector organisations. A noteworthy aspect of the team’s recent work is its increasing prominence in state aid work, particularly in relation to advice on EU and UK project funding schemes. The ‘reliable’ Stephanie Rickard heads up the practice.

Banking and finance Tier 3

At VWV, the banking and finance team's strong transactional capabilities are evidenced by its work for clients in sectors such as education, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, life sciences and the public sector. Robert Collier, who leads the practice, is equally strong in mandates from banks and borrowers. Another key figure is real estate lawyer Steven McGuigan, who has extensive expertise in secured lending matters.

Commercial litigation: Bristol Tier 3

VWV provides litigation support in relation to general corporate and commercial disputes, and is particularly active in procurement, energy and utilities, charities and healthcare matters. Its excellent reputation ensures that it generates work from regional and national clients. Ed Husband, who leads the UK team from the Bristol office, has particular expertise in disputes related to financial distress and business breakdown.

Commercial property: Bristol Tier 3

At VWV, the commercial property department brings together expertise in property acquisitions and disposals, property development, finance and investment, leases and relocations, and other projects. The practice is led by Steven McGuigan, whose client base mostly comprises property developers, local authorities, lenders and central government bodies. The firm has also built a strong reputation for advising religious and educational institutions, and also international energy companies. Jessica Booz and Simon Linnitt are recommended.

Corporate and commercial: Bristol Tier 3

VWV has a strong presence in the South West region, and its corporate team regularly advises local owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs and family-run companies. In addition to providing day-to-day advice, the commercial group advises clients on long-term contracts. Both the corporate and commercial practices are heavily involved in the education and technology sectors; the latter sector, in particular, is a notable area of growth, with a number of start-ups and scale-ups turning to the firm for advice. Robert Collier, who heads up the corporate team, has extensive experience of the M&A and venture capital market. Commercial group head Doug Locke works closely with the intellectual property and technology teams. senior associate Jacob Scott, who is a recent hire, is a specialist in IT commercial contracts.

Corporate tax Tier 3

VWV is increasingly instructed in matters with an international aspect and a significant portion of its work involves acting for non-UK domiciled individuals with business interests in the UK. It also advises clients in the charities and education sectors. Emma Bradley leads the team, whose expertise includes high-value SDLT and VAT planning, HMRC disputes and cross-border tax structuring. The group works closely with practitioners in various other areas - such as corporate, real estate, employment and private client - to advise clients on a broad cross-section of tax issues.

Health and safety Tier 3

VWV advises clients on health and safety compliance and critical incident management, as well as the impact of breaches on governance, reporting obligations and liabilities. In addition to providing standalone health and safety advice, its team also plays a key corporate support role. In the contentious space, the team advises clients on investigations and enforcement actions by the Health and Safety Executive. Key areas of sector expertise include education, healthcare and charities. Tabitha Cave is the head of the regulatory compliance team.

Intellectual property Tier 3

Doug Locke leads the team at VWV, which has a particularly strong track record in the education sector. It acts for a large number of schools, and also counts more than 50 universities as clients. The scope of its work includes advising on international school licensing projects and cross-border school trade mark prosecutions, as well as assisting universities with the protection and commercialisation of IP. Elsewhere, the team provides trade mark advice to clients ranging in size from start-up companies to multinational corporations. It is a first port of call for many clients in the charities sector in Bristol. The firm also works with international agents on contentious trade mark matters.

Local government Tier 3

VWV's clients, which include local authorities and the emergency services, turn to the firm for advice on particularly complex issues, such as governance reviews, disputes, Code of Conduct complaints and constitutional matters. In addition, the firm is sought out to advise on projects, employment and real estate matters. Also notable is that it has had a longstanding role running and facilitating the Local Government Training Partnership (LGTP), which is a platform that is intended to enable members to provide and receive sector-specific training. Department head Allison Cook has been instrumental in growing the emergency services practice.

Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 3

VWV advises on estates and trusts with issues involving inheritance tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty land tax, which also includes assistance with the claiming of any tax relief available. The firm also advises on the creation of lifetime trusts and provides advice to trustees and existing trust administrators on exercising their duties. The team regularly acts as estate administrator. Clients include high-net-worth individuals, charities and business clients.

Professional negligence Tier 3

VWV advises banks and financial institutions on professional negligence claims against solicitors, surveyors and valuers. The firm is also experienced in assisting both private claimants and defendants on corporate, charity, insolvency and real estate claims. The practice advises on insolvency litigations arising from professional negligence of solicitors, tax advisers and accountants. Another area of expertise is the handling of intellectual property infringement claims.

Energy Tier 4

The energy and utilities team at VWV includes energy disputes specialist Ed Husband and planning and infrastructure expert David Bird, who advises clients on new pipelines and the enforcement of rights in relation to existing pipelines. Jason Prosser leads the group, whose expertise includes energy plants, combined heat and power plants, commercial biomass installations, district heating systems, wind farms, solar farms and energy performance contracting. Commercial partner Edward Rimmell is another key figure.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 1

VWV has a large practice, which is well-equipped to advise charity clients on all aspects of their operations, such as governance, procurement, regulatory compliance, investment, tax and fundraising. The team was strengthened by the hire of Shivaji Shiva from Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP. Shiva has a wealth of experience on the corporate and commercial aspects of the charity sector. Recently promoted partner Frances Anderson is highly rated for her work with arts, charities and universities, in particular.

Corporate and commercial: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 1

VWV's corporate expertise includes transactions, corporate governance advice and regulatory and restructuring advice. The practice has a strong reputation for its work with technology and start-up companies and family businesses and handles work in the corporate banking, healthcare, life sciences, education and charities sectors. On the commercial side, the team specialises in commercial contracts and agreements in areas such as IP, privacy and data protection, public procurement and state aid. Richard Phillips heads the practice. Samantha Chaney was made partner in November 2018 and the 'very responsive and pragmatic' senior associate Tom Cahill is also recommended.

Education: institutions Tier 1

At VWV, Bettina Rigg and Emma-Jane Dalley jointly oversee the practice, which serves a number of leading national clients across the higher education landscape. The team combines its expertise to advise universities on a range of matters involving employment, commercial property, governance, and international projects. Key members of the group include employment lawyers Jane Byford and London-based Michael Halsey; Clive Read, who is recommended for his expertise on commercial property and development projects for universities; and Doug Locke, who is a key contact for establishing educational institutions and other international projects in the Middle East and Asia.

Education: schools Tier 1

At VWV, the education practice group has an impressive client roster spanning leading independent schools, academies and colleges. Jointly overseen by Barney Northover and Yvonne Spencer who is recommended for her insight on complex matters such as serious disciplinary cases, the team combines employment and education law expertise to offer a broad service, which includes sector strengths in corporate and commercial, real estate, immigration and litigation matters. Employment lawyer Simon Bevan remains the key name to note. Other team members include Bettina Rigg, Emma-Jane Dalley and Naseem Nabi.

Education: individuals

Immigration Tier 1

VWV has a national immigration practice, which is led in Birmingham by Tom Brett-Young. Although the specialist team has expertise in immigration issues across a wide range of sectors, the practice has a particular emphasis on the pharma, life sciences and technology industries. Another cornerstone of the practice is work for clients in the education sector;  the firm is increasingly sought out to advise clients in the independent school and higher education space on issues such as Tier four compliance, among others.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

VWV acts for a large number of educational charities acting for over 30 universities and 750 charitable independent schools. Other specialisms lie in advising charities in the healthcare, religious and arts sectors. In addition the experienced team does a significant amount of work for high-profile individuals in relation to their personal charitable work. The team advises on the full gamut of issues from governance to fundraising and insolvency issues and is also skilled at advising public bodies (such as local authorities) on charity law and charity trusteeship. Con Alexander is a key contact and his work includes advising on major transactions, endowment funds and fundraising issues. Shivaji Shiva joined the Birmingham office from Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP.

Debt recovery Tier 2

Debt recovery specialist Dee Kundi is the key name of note at VWV, 'combining knowledge and experience of the debt recovery and litigation arenas with sharp business acumen. The firm has recently revamped its offering with a bulk debt recovery model in an effort to control costs. Kundi and her team have particular experience in sectors such as financial services, professional services, education, recruitment and energy.

Education Tier 2

VWV stands out for its wide client roster including academies, schools, universities and further education colleges. Team head Jane Byford handles both contentious and non-contentious issues relating to restructuring, outsourcing, unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. Frances Anderson, who was promoted to partner in November 2018, advises higher education clients on commercial contracts, research collaborations and spinouts, while Clive Read handles all education-related real estate matters.

Employment: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 2

VWV’s employment team has a strong relationship with clients in the higher education, healthcare, life sciences and recruitment sectors. The practice has a solid reputation at the local as well as the national level, in particular for its employment-related work with a number of prestigious universities and schools. Michael Delaney heads the practice in the Watford office. Senior associate Rebecca Fox is another name to note.

Commercial property: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx Tier 3

Watford-based VWV’s team specialises in property development, acting for developer clients of residential, commercial and mixed-use development sites and assisting landowners, including private individuals, charities and educational institutions on large disposals of land for development. Property investment and property finance are other areas of strength, as is property management support for clients. The team is jointly headed by David Marsden and David Power. Joe Kwok is also recommended.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 3

Michelle Rose heads the team at VWV. Rose is appointed on a regular basis as an independent administrator and court-appointed deputy. She is currently dealing with ten substantial and complex estates as an independent administrator, and has been appointed by the court as a deputy in a multimillion-pound estate. Other clients include individuals, charities, high-net-worth business clients as well as film producers, journalists, private banks, celebrities and politicians.

Employment Tier 3

VWV has considerable strength in the education sector. It also advises numerous charities and various public sector clients on diverse issues, including investigations, employment tribunal claims and on the management of senior exits. In addition, the firm has a strong commercial client base. Jane Byford and Kathy Halliday are the key members of the team.

Partnership Tier 3

VWV has a full-service professional practices team, which advises a range of clients, with a particular specialism in medical and accounting partnerships. The group is also noted for advising both law firms and individual solicitors on partnership disputes. Jos Moule heads the team, which includes London office managing partner David Emanuel, who has experience in partnership mergers and healthcare partnership specialist Oliver Pool.

Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 4

Noted as a ‘very solid and professional organisation', VWV is engaged for a wide range of commercial property work, including development and investment, with particular prowess in the corporate occupiers space. Mark Hughes heads the local practice which represents landlords, tenants and property investors within the sector, undertaking lease renewals and HQ relocations throughout the UK and within the prime central London market. The team also has expertise in the retail, office and industrial sectors.

Education Tier 4

VWV's education team is particularly strong in employment matters, as well as providing commercial, corporate, and property advice. The firm acts for a wide range of further and higher education institutions, alongside its substantial independent schools and academies practices, which provide a full service to clients operating in those sectors. Bettina Rigg and Yvonne Spencer head the national practice, while Bob Fahy is a key figure in the Watford office.

Healthcare Tier 4

VWV's healthcare practice focuses on acting for healthcare professionals and primary care services, with GP surgeries being a key specialty of the firm. Practice head Ben Willis specialises in healthcare development work and funding, while Oliver Pool is noted for his work for GP partnerships and mergers, and has pioneered the decentralised superpartnership model. Mark Jarvis is another key member of the team in London.

Intellectual property Tier 4

VWV has a particular focus on the education and charities sectors, representing a number of universities and private schools. Practice head Frances Anderson has expertise in advising charities and not-for-profits in various IP matters, while the team's other work includes handling complex research and development agreements for higher education institutions and technology contracts for notable manufacturing companies.

Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4

VWV advises on all areas of the law relating to estates, tax planning and trusts. Its team is adept at handling a broad range of private client matters, such as those involving business assets, agricultural assets, family businesses and cross-border assets. It is also active in Court of Protection work. Rachael Armstrong is experienced in inheritance tax planning, the creation and administration of trusts, drafting powers of attorney and deputyship applications.

Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4

Michael Knowles heads a well-respected team at VWV that advises on the full range of private client matters, from wills and trusts to complex estate administration and inheritance tax planning. Clients include wealthy landowning families who have been with the firm for years, as well as wealthy entrepreneurs, foreign nationals and City professionals. Many of its clients are well-known and include celebrities in the performing arts and some politicians. The group also specialises in heritage property advice and offers specialist advice to artists and owners of art. Judith Cuxson is also recommended.

Property litigation Tier 4

VWV's specialist team 'combines a deep understanding of contentious property issues with keen commercial acumen'. In addition to handling the gamut of general property disputes, it is active in insolvency-related litigation, where it often acts for landlords in matters where tenants have entered into administration. The group also generates work from high street lenders. Developer clients are another key work stream, with the group providing advice on options, development agreements and title/covenant issues. Laura Seaman and Michelle Bendall jointly lead the practice.

Commercial property: Birmingham Tier 5

VWV focuses on advising developers and investors, charity and education sector clients and private individuals on real estate transactions and commercial and residential development. Experienced property finance specialist Andrew Tubbs joined from Shoosmiths LLP in February 2018.

Property litigation Tier 5

Led by Bristol-based Michelle Bendall, the team at VWV handles a wide range of contentious commercial and residential property matters and is particularly active for charities and investors alongside education and retail sector clients. Typical work includes break notices, contested lease renewals and development-related matters as well as rent reviews, restrictive covenants, easement disputes and possession claims. Katie Hickman is the main contact in London.