Firm Profile > Birketts LLP > Chelmsford, England

Commercial litigation: Essex Tier 1

The 'first-class' litigation team at Birketts LLP provides its clients with the full range of services and has sector specialisms in maritime, defence, education and public law matters. Led by Daden Hunt, stands out in particular for its international reach. Marie Batchelor is the name to note for contentious probate work, and Matthew Weston is recommended for his expertise in insolvency matters.

Commercial property: Essex Tier 1

Birketts LLP is an 'obviously experienced team with expertise across a range of property disciplines' and offers comprehensive sector-focused work for high-net-worth clients. Grace Kerr leads the team which has vast expertise in commercial real estate practice which includes acquisitions, investment property, residential property, and contracts. Kerr also undertakes extensive advisory work to owners and investors on complex matters. Duncan Williamson regularly handles high-value property development and finance matters.

Corporate and commercial: Essex Tier 1

The 'extremely capable' corporate and commercial team at Birketts LLP is skilled in handling complex and international transactions. Headed by Rafael Ruiz, the team advises on all aspects of corporate acquisitions and high-value commercial agreements within the IT and financial services sectors. Nick Burnett has international experience, having developed expertise in advising regulated business and insurance brokers on M&A. Other key contacts include Nigel Thompson, and 'particularly good' M&A specialist Adam Jones.

Employment: Essex Tier 1

Birketts LLP's Chelmsford-based team of seasoned employment lawyers covers the full scope of work for a large corporate and often high-profile client base. Work includes representation at employment tribunal, extensive advisory work and discrimination claims. Practice head Kevin Palmer  leads many of the team's high-value matters and has acted in a discrimination case for the creative director of Google UK. Clare Barlow is proficient in dismissal litigation claims and has acted against the BBC. Former partner Jolyon Berry left for  Thompson Smith and Puxon.

Immigration Tier 1

Birketts LLP's immigration department is divided across four offices in East Anglia and the South East and is headed by Clare Hedges, who specialises in business immigration with a niche specialism in advising on sponsor license applications for Ministers of Religion. Chelmsford-based Janice Leggett supports multinational, SME and private clients on business immigration, employment of non-EU workers including sponsorship and related contentious matters. She is also an experienced advisor on immigration issues affecting the film production industry.

Insolvency and corporate recovery

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Essex Tier 1

Birketts LLP 's private client team offers an 'impressive' service to clients, including domestic and international work, often of a high value. The team, which is led by Tim Galloway , is skilled in handling offshore and multi-jurisdictional offerings and has recently managed an array of multi-million-pound property trust scheme work. The 'first class' Susan Young holds expertise in tax planning involving wills and probate applications. Louise Long from the Ipswich office is recommended for her complex estates practice. Katie Payne joined from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP.

Agriculture and estates Tier 2

Birketts LLP’s team counts private families, banks, utility companies, charities, government agencies and local authority among its clients. Its expertise covers structuring family successions and taxation as well as mainstream agricultural and property law advice on sales, purchases and tenancies. The team has strong links with the agricultural banking departments of several leading high street banks. Its expertise extends to areas including   ecclesiastical law, public access issues and renewable energy projects, . The practice head  Jack Royall is based in Norwich but spends some of his time in the Chelmsford office. Other names to note in Chelmsford are senior associate Annabelle Route and associate Leo McMahon. Ruth Morris joined from Clarke Willmott LLP in July 2018 and splits her time between Cambridge and Chelmsford.

Banking and finance Tier 2

Birketts LLP’s banking and finance practice acts as panel solicitor for high street banks as well as for some alternative lenders. Work includes a broad mixture of term loans, revolving credit facilities and development loans. The team deals with sophisticated international businesses and equity providers with which detailed inter-creditor arrangements have to be negotiated. Adam Jones heads the practice. Legal director Duncan Williamson is another name to note.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

Daden Hunt, Laurence Weeks and Paul Matthews jointly lead the contentious trusts and probate group at Birketts LLP, which experienced a recent surge of instructions involving adopted or illegitimate children and the application of the Human Rights Act. Trust corporates, charities and private clients are all regular clients of the practice, which is also capable of handling cross-jurisdictional mandates. Senior associate Marie Batchelor is highly recommended, having assisted with almost all of the firm's recent highlights.

Family: Essex Tier 2

Birketts LLP's family practice area is led by senior associate Emma Brunning and overseen by the regional head, Ipswich-based divorce partner Oliver Gravell. The team undertakes significant high-value matters for high net worth corporate clients and private individuals spanning international divorce cases, pensions and child act matters. Melanie Wilson departed the firm for Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP. Senior associate Ivana Radovic joined the team from Gotelee Solicitors.

IT and telecoms Tier 2

Birketts LLP's practice has established expertise acting for software providers in addition technology companies and assists on areas including  system integrations, web hosting and IT procurements and licensing matters. The team acts for clients in the public, private and charity sectors and also supports the corporate practice, handling the IT aspects of M&A instructions. Software and product licensing specialist Nigel Thompson  leads the group and is supported by senior associate, Andrea Curtis whose recent work includes IT contract negotiations.

Construction Tier 3

Birketts LLP's construction team, which has extensive expertise in 'highly technical and complicated issues', covers development funding, contract negotiations, building transactions and dispute resolution work. In addition to acting for contractors and sub-contractors, the firm generates work from commercial lenders, developers and suppliers. Andrew Rush heads up the team. Associate Carolyn Porter is a specialist in complex adjudications.

Agriculture and estates Tier 1

'This is one of the best agricultural law practices in the UK, they have strength in depth and really know their stuff', says a client of Birketts LLP. Another remarks that the firm is 'a dominant force within the East Anglian agricultural legal sector and is now highly regarded as one of the region's leading firms'. Practice head Jack Royall, Neil Sparrow and Christopher Coupland in Norwich, Rachel McKillop-Wilkin in Cambridge and James Dinwiddy in Ipswich are key practitioners in one of the largest agricultural practices in England. The firm acts for private families, banks, utility companies, charities, the Environment Agency and local authority clients across the UK, and handles ecclesiastical and agricultural property work for three of the main East Anglian diocese offices.

Banking and finance Tier 1

The banking and finance practice at Birketts LLP provides 'detailed knowledge, practical solutions and clear advice'. One client describes it as 'a regional firm working at a national firm level - the lawyers are quick, commercial, know the law and make sensible suggestions'. Mark Henry in Ispwich leads the practice, in which banking partner James Allen is a stand-out name. Other recommended names include Greg Allan, Alex Schaafsma and Andrew Tubb. The firm is regarded as one of the leading regional players for corporate and development finance, property and agricultural finance and invoice discounting.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 1

The charities and social enterprise practice at Birketts LLP has in-depth expertise in the sector thanks to a multi-disciplinary team led by non-contentious charity law specialist Liz Brownsell in Ipswich and Cambridge-based litigator and regulatory expert Sara Sayer, who are both senior associates. The firm's broad offering includes niche expertise in areas such as Retail Gift Aid, GDPR, fundraising law and regulation, ecclesiastical law, public procurement, state aid and immigration. It has a large roster of national charity clients. Another name to note is Erika Clarke, who advises on a wide range of non-contentious issues.

Commercial litigation: Cambridge Tier 1

At Birketts LLP in Cambridge, 'the team is very well connected with the local community' and practice head Laurence Weeks 'gives good practical advice and is very responsive'. Weeks and rising star senior associate Maria-Christina Peyman are 'exceptional at dealing with clients' needs'. Clients also recommend rising star senior associate Sara Sayer and associate Naomi Westcott. The firm handles commercial litigation in all its forms but has niche expertise in sectors such as shipping, education, public law, judicial review, procurement law, defence, and transport.

Commercial litigation: Ipswich Tier 1

Birketts LLP has the leading commercial litigation practice in Ipswich, which handles a wide range of issues including tortious and contractual claims, commercial fraud, shareholder's disputes, breach of restrictive covenant agreements, intellectual property, product liability, partnership disputes, and claims arising from sale or purchase of companies or shares.  Among its clients are local, national and international private companies, PLCs, individuals and professional partnerships across a wide spectrum of industry sectors including energy, media and finance. Matthew Atkins and rising star Emma Albins are the key contacts.

Commercial property: Cambridge Tier 1

The commercial property practice of Birketts LLP in Cambridge climbs the ranking this year. It handles the full range of work but has a key focus on strategic land development, for which lead partner Katherine Herbert has a national reputation, as well as real estate investment for property funds and high-net-worth individuals. Herbert and senior associate Claudia Haisman-Green handle major strategic land schemes for landowners all over the UK. Partner Gavin Acheson and newly hired senior associate Gemma Goddard from Slaughter and May deal with real estate investment work Senior associate Deborah Marshall focuses on residential and commercial development matters.

Commercial property: Ipswich Tier 1

The Ipswich office of Birketts LLP plays a central role in the firm's commercial property practice, which services clients through four regional offices. Chris Schwer leads the firm-wide practice, which handles developer work, strategic land transactions, institutional investment, property finance, and transactions in the utilities sector. It has specific expertise in the retail, residential development, automotive, charity and ecclesiastical sectors. Chris Barker handles strategic land and major development projects; Paul Squire, who joined from Ashurst, and Stuart Raven act for  corporate, investor, owner/occupier and developer clients; and Oliver Crichton advises on commercial property investments through self-invested personal pensions and small self-administered schemes.

Commercial property: Norwich Tier 1

Birketts LLP has a large portfolio of both regional and national commercial property work in the areas of development, strategic land, investment/portfolio management, acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters, and real estate finance. Lead partner Melissa Loucas is a key adviser to clients in the automotive and retail sectors. Leading light Robert Gibbs handles high-value regeneration and strategic land projects. Bhargav Trivedi  specialises in development and strategic land deals for landowners and developers. In 2018, the firm hired legal director Cameron Barlow from US law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; he works with key clients Westbrook Partners and M7 Real Estate. Senior associate Elizabeth Lee leads on buy-to-let and commercial mortgage matters for a challenger bank.

Construction Tier 1

Birketts LLP deals with all aspects of construction work for mainstream commercial lenders, developers, contractors, professionals, suppliers and sub-contractors. The practice is led by Andrew Rush who works in both the Ipswich and Chelmsford offices, but the key partner in Ipswich is Ruth Sunaway who handles contentious construction matters for employers, main contractors, sub-contractors and professionals. Stefan Harris-Wright in Cambridge handles non-contentious matters for both public and private sector clients, and real estate finance transactions up to £150m in value for both for borrowers and lenders. Senior associates Katrina Bretten and Oli Worth  in Cambridge and Josh Ripman in Ipswich play key roles in the practice.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 1

The private wealth disputes practice at Birketts LLP handles contentious trusts and probate matters, which include actions under the Inheritance Act 1975, challenges to the validity of wills, the rights of adopted and illegitimate children, disputes arising from powers of attorney and financial abuse of the vulnerable, and TOLATA claims. Commercial litigation partner Paul Matthews leads the practice, in which ACTAPS member Bernadette Baker is a leading light.

Corporate and commercial: Cambridge Tier 1

James Allen at Birketts LLP leads a practice that clients describe as 'very commercial, always coming up with pragmatic solutions to problems'. The corporate practice works as a single unit across the firm's four regional offices, with Cambridge a key hub for the firm's regional, national and cross-border work. Corporate finance specialist Allen works closely with M&A and technology sector specialist Quentin Golder, corporate partner Adrian Seagers, whose skills include VC finance and private equity deals, and rising star Nick Burt.

Corporate and commercial: Ipswich Tier 1

Birketts LLP has by far the largest corporate and commercial practice in Suffolk and the team in Ipswich works as part of a single practice across the firm's four offices. Clients praise the 'speed of response, the personal engagement and the understanding of clients' business. from a commercially-minded team'. Senior partner James Austin and corporate finance expert Mark Henry are leading lights in the market. The practice's client base comprises a local businesses and national enterprises covering all sectors in a broad array of industry sectors.

Corporate and commercial: Norwich Tier 1

Birketts LLP has 'good listeners who are professional, reflective, straightforward and clear in their advice'. The firm has an outstanding reputation for corporate and transactional work, particularly in the Norwich market, and practice head Adrian Possener is a specialist in transactional work including public company matters, IPO’s and bond issues. Greg Allan focuses on complex reorganisations and restructures, and he has an excellent track record in the healthcare sector, having advised numerous care home providers on acquisitions, group restructures and funding arrangements.

Corporate tax Tier 1

Birketts LLP has a dedicated practice for corporate tax and employee incentives. Karl Pocock leads on tax matters and has more than 16 years' experience in this field. He frequently advises on the tax implications of M&A transactions and also advises corporate and real estate clients on tax structuring. Lisa Hayward has more than ten years' experience in assisting employers and business owners with employee incentives schemes. Senior associate John Kahn is also recommended.

Crime: fraud Tier 1

Birketts LLP has a highly experienced senior team that focuses on regulatory matters and the defence of fraud cases. Barrister Laura Thomas leads the firm's regulatory and corporate defence practice and focuses predominantly on financial crime. Fellow barrister Matthew Gowen has more than 20 years' experience at the criminal Bar and he frequently represents clients at the Crown Court. Senior associates Philippa Dyer, who leads the firm's dawn raids practice, and Julie Gowland are ones to watch.

Debt recovery Tier 1

Birketts LLP acts for local and national private companies, professional partnerships and major Plcs in wide range of industry sectors including shipping and construction. It has one of the largest practices in the region with 40-year veteran of debt recovery Robert Howard, litigation partner Matthew Atkins, associate Emma Albins and two debt recovery assistants. Though based in Ipswich, the 'extremely responsive and well organised' practice delivers services through all four of the firm's regional offices.

Education Tier 1

Birketts LLP has a multi-disciplinary practice that works in every part of the education sector including pre-schools and nurseries, preparatory and independent schools, academies and academy trusts, and FE and HE colleges. Employment partner Abigail Trencher leads the practice and calls on specialists in construction, planning, property, commercial law, litigation, student issues, charities and governance. Other key lawyers include Katherine Herbert for strategic land transactions, charities specialist Erika Clarke and employment partners Catherine Johnson and Matthew Newnham. Senior associate Liz Brownsell  leads the academies group.

Employment Tier 1

Birketts LLP operates a single employment practice across its four offices, three of which are in East Anglia. The group is led from Norwich by Jeanette Wheeler with key partners Abigail Trencher and Catherine Johnson in Cambridge and Ipswich respectively. Matthew Newnham is highly regarded for his work in Employment Tribunal matters, TUPE transfers and mass redundancies. The firm has a dedicated investigations and employee relations consultant, who leads its HR consultancy and investigations service, and a raft of talented associates who are key to work on both contentious and non-contentious matters for employer clients in sectors including food, agriculture, energy, education, transport and health.

Environment & planning Tier 1

Birketts LLP undertakes large-scale projects across East Anglia and the Thames Gateway region for both both the private and public sector clients, among which are minerals and waste companies, local authorities, Parish Councils, strategic developers and numerous regional and national housebuilders. Tom Newcombe in Cambridge leads the practice, in which Ipswich-based Richard Eaton and barristers Laura Thomas and Matthew Gowen handle contentious environmental matters. The recruitment of legal directors Kali Yau from DAC Beachcroft LLP and Rosalind Nuttall from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP further extends the firm's capacity in planning reviews and applications, and large scale mixed-use and residential developments for developers and landowners.

Family Tier 1

Birketts LLP is well known for its mediation, collaborative law, arbitration and litigation expertise in family law matters for high-net-worth clients in East Anglia and beyond. Ipswich-based practice head Oliver Gravell saw the practice in Norwich grow with the hire of associates Lisa Cornish and Denise Findlay from Hansells. Newly promoted partner Katie Beaven in Norwich is best-known for complex and high-net-worth financial settlements and Children Act matters. Senior associates Roopa Ahluwalia  and Elisabeth Sneade are the key contacts in Cambridge.

Commercial property: Peterborough

Corporate and commercial: Peterborough

Commercial litigation: elsewhere in East Anglia

Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in East Anglia

Commercial property: elsewhere in East Anglia

Health and safety Tier 1

The regulatory and corporate defence practice at Birketts LLP has extensive cross-industry experience in serious health and safety defence including disasters and multiple fatalities. Practice head Laura Thomas and legal director Matthew Gowen are barristers and the firm employs three consultants who are all former HSE Inspectors. Senior associates Julie Gowland and Philippa Dyer also advise companies and individuals on HSE matters. The firm also provides a full compliance assessment service.

Immigration Tier 1

The immigration practice at Birketts LLP is 'second to none', according to one client. Specialist senior associate Clare Hedges leads the immigration group, which has support from paralegals in Norwich and Cambridge, and also calls on the services of a consultant from the Chelmsford office. The firm is particularly well known for all types of Tier 2 and 5 visas, including the more unusual Ministers of Religion visas, and it frequently advises on the prevention of illegal working.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 1

In the Cambridge office of Birketts LLP, Laurence Weeks leads a restructuring and insolvency practice that operates through all four of the firm's regional offices, and is a market leader in both litigation and non-contentious matters. Weeks has more than 15 years' experience and is also a fellow and council member of R3, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals. The firm counts many of the region's leading IPs among its clients, who also call upon corporate partner Greg Allan for advice on restructurings. Senior associate Maria Peyman is one to watch for the future.

Licensing Tier 1

Senior associate Julie Gowland leads the licensing practice at Birketts LLP, which has a strong regional client base and delivers licensing services through all of its four offices. The firm's clients include breweries, hotel chains, nightclubs, racecourses, events operators, bingo hall chains, churches and concert promoters. Barrister Laura Thomas, who leads the regulatory and corporate defence practice, provides support to the licensing department.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Cambridge Tier 1

Birketts LLP handles the full range of private client work including complex probate and estate administration, trust creation, administration, variation and dissolution, tax matters, wills and succession planning, lifetime tax planning, powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters. The practice led by the 'approachable, sympathetic, efficient, competent' Caroline Stenner frequently works with the firm's family business and agriculture departments to provide an integrated service to business and farming families. One client describes the firm as 'very responsive, with the ability to turn matters around within a short time scale if required'. Rachel Winter is a rising star.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Ipswich Tier 1

Birketts LLP has a strong probate, estate and trust administration practice that provides 'friendly, approachable and personal service'. The practice led by Louise Long, who deals with multimillion-pound estates with complex family and tax issues, expanded significantly in 2018 with the recruitment of a solicitor and two tax executives. Senior associate Richard Guy is a rising star who has ten years' experience in advising business owners, farmers and high-net-worth individuals as well as retirees and the elderly.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Norwich Tier 1

Birketts LLP runs an integrated wills and advisory practice across its four regional offices and the Norwich team, led by Lorna Spear, plays a central role. It advises on all aspects of private client law including lifetime tax planning, wills and succession planning, powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters. The firm's diverse client base includes farming families, landed estates, business owners, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. Veteran senior associate and ACTAPS member Margaret Smith is highly recommended.

Property litigation Tier 1

Birketts LLP has an 11-lawyer property litigation practice that operates across its four offices, though Ipswich and Norwich are the main hubs. It handles the full range of contentious property cases but has in-depth expertise in Telecoms Code property matters, rights to light, leasehold enfranchisement, town and village green matters and commercial landlord and tenant work. Practice head Richard Eaton and partner James Robinson are the key contacts in Ipswich and they act for a national client base that includes local authorities and leading developers. In Norwich, John Scannell and senior associate Simon Woodhead are the key practitioners along with Charlotte Wormstone.  Alice Harris  and Laura Tanguay are recognised as Rising Stars.

Social housing Tier 1

Birketts LLP is a leading provider of advised to social housing clients in the Eastern region and it frequently handles affordable housing development, housing management, funding, employment matters, regulatory issues, shared ownership and right to buy sales, as well as open market sales. In 2018, Peter Goddard's group saw an uptick in work for housebuilders in setting up their own for-profit Registered Providers. The multi-disciplinary practice acts for many of the country's leading social housing providers. Senior associate Emily Groom and associate Sarah Fish are recommended as rising stars.

Transport and shipping Tier 1

Birketts LLP has the region's leading shipping practice, which is led by Nicholas Woo who handles all aspects of dry shipping. Leading light Henry Adams handles shipping, transport and marine insurance work, which includes charterparty disputes and cargo claims. Shipping, transport and international trade expert Alex Davey is also recommended. Barrister Laura Thomas leads the regulatory and corporate defence practice and specialises in road transport matters. She acts for commercial vehicle operators including road haulage companies and vocational drivers. Up-and-coming partner Lisa Wortley and senior associate Sarah Holsgrove are also recommended for shipping matters.

Commercial litigation: Norwich Tier 2

Birketts LLP has two standout practitioners in Max Roessler and consultant Paul Matthews, who lead a practice that handles high-value and complex cases across East Anglia and further afield. Both advise on a broad range of commercial and corporate disputes, professional negligence, insolvency and traditional chancery work. Senior associate Robert Tiffen has notable expertise in franchising cases and works closely with the firm's non-contentious franchise specialists.

Crime: general Tier 2

The regulatory and corporate defence practice at Birketts LLP is known for its broad range of high-value work and its the high quality of its advocacy. Led by barrister Laura Thomas, the practice represents companies and individuals prosecuted nationwide by the CPS, the HSE, local authorities, the RSPCA, DVSA, the FSA and the Environment Agency. Defending national motor groups, companies and individuals in road transport and traffic-related crime is a key part of its workload, as are Trading Standards cases and financial crime. Barrister Matthew Gowen and senior associates Philippa Dyer and Julie Gowland are also recommended.

Health Tier 2

Birketts LLP has developed a reputation as as a leading healthcare firm in the region and clients in the sector frequently call upon its corporate, employment, property, litigation and public law departments. Richard Eaton, who is a former non-executive director of an acute hospital trust, leads the practice. Public law expert Sara Sayer also plays a key role in the practice, which acts for NHS trusts, CCGs, primary care providers, and suppliers and manufacturers in the healthcare industry. The firm also has a dedicated care homes team.

Intellectual property Tier 2

'They understand our business, tailor their advice and weigh up the commercial risks', says a client of Birketts LLP, which provides 'a readily available, efficient service'. Legal director Nellie Jackson in Ipswich leads the practice and has nearly 20 years' experience in trade mark and brand protection matters. Senior associate Maria-Christina Peyman in Cambridge takes the lead on contentious IP matters and has particular expertise is in civil disputes at the IPEC and the High Court involving copyright, trade marks and passing off, as well as trade mark registry disputes and Company Name Tribunal applications.

IT and telecoms Tier 2

The Birketts LLP IT practice operates out of all four of the firm's offices and acts for clients both in East Anglia and further afield. It is part of the technology practice led from Cambridge by Quentin Golder, which acts for clients ranging from small owner-managed businesses through to large listed companies in the financial services, social media, security software and aerospace industries. Golder specialises in IT and IP matters for companies involved in the digital economy. Corporate partner Mark Gipson in Ipswich, senior associate Paul Palik in Norwich, who handles IT matters including SaaS and software licensing transactions, and Kitty Rosser are also recommended.

Professional negligence Tier 2

Birketts LLP has a claimant professional negligence practice that handles claims against solicitors, accountants and other professionals on behalf of clients across the UK. It also has a niche focus on negligent probate advice. Max Roessler in Norwich handles numerous claims against solicitors, the majority of which concern negligent property and transactional advice. Laurence Weeks is the lead partner in Cambridge, where senior associate Sara Sayer frequently defends defends colleges, universities and schools in actions brought against them for negligence.

Franchising Tier 4

Legal director Ed Savory heads up the practice at Birketts LLP, which has particular expertise in advising on the set-up, expansion and management of franchise networks at a national and international level, and franchise litigation. Senior associate Robert Tiffen is also a key name to note and is a franchise litigation specialist, while fellow senior associate Sarah Lewis specialises in drafting franchise agreements and reviewing operations manuals for franchisors. Savory recently advised Zedify on its establishment of a licensed network of low emission couriers and assisted Make Believe with the growth and diversification of its franchise network.

Shipping Tier 4

Based in East Anglia, Birketts LLP is active across the spectrum of wet and dry work; on the dry side, the team handles disputes relating to bills of lading, charterparties, contracts of affreightment, cargo claims, shipbuilding disputes, marine insurance, and cruise and ferry line operation. For wet work, the team handles disputes relating to general average, salvage, towage, ship arrest and collision claims. It represented Seatrade Group in a claim for damages for detention. Alex Davey is 'very strong in all aspects of admiralty law; he is a highly motivated, responsible lawyer who handles matters in a very professional and competent way'. Nicholas Woo heads the team.