Acuity Law > The Legal 500 Rankings

Wales > Corporate and commercial Tier 1

Based out of Cardiff and also able to leverage resources from its nascent London office, Acuity Law is well-equipped to advise corporates and private equity sponsors across their M&A transactions, joint venture structuring and corporate reorganisations, both in a purely domestic and UK-wide context. The 'imaginative and hardworking' Christian Farrow co-heads the corporate offering alongside the 'approachable and highly experienced' Beverley Jones, and is noted, in particular, for his expertise within the renewables and financial services sector, including his regular work on behalf of Admiral Group Plc. Stephen Berry maintains an active corporate practice, alongside his duties as firm chairman, and is well-versed at guiding early stage venture capital-backed technology companies through their funding cycle and ultimate exit strategy. Paul Lowe is another senior member of the team and adds particular value to clients on cross-border transactions, including those involving financial sponsor involvement. The team has also developed particular expertise within the technology/TMT space, an area that Phillip Pugh is very adept, and healthcare, where the 'pragmatic and responsive' Jon Lawley  is noted for his work relating to the buying and selling of dental practices. Rachelle Sellek leads the team's efforts on the commercial front, which is enhanced by the firm’s in-house legal support subscription-based service - Acuity Counsel.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 1

Rachelle Sellek heads up the newly configured commercial and technology group at Acuity Law, which provides a comprehensive service to supply and end user-side IT and telecoms companies across a broad range of regulatory, contractual and commercial matters impacting their businesses. The firm is noted for its 'entrepreneurial approach' on behalf of clients, and in addition to its well-established Acuity Counsel subscription service, also recently launched Acuity DataGuard, enabling clients to carry out an audit of their data collection and processing activities. The firm's coverage within the fintech and telecoms space, in particular, was greatly enhanced by the arrival in September 2020 of Karl Foster , following his role as general counsel at Indigo Group. Rehman Noormohamed joined Fieldfisher in December 2020.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment Tier 1

Since the arrival of the 'informative and helpful' Angharad Evans  from S4C at the beginning of 2019, Acuity Law has rapidly gained a foothold in the market, particularly on behalf of Wales-based production companies, which are appreciative of Evans' ability to provide 'thorough and carefully considered advice' across the gamut of contractual issues. The team has also been increasingly active advising film funders and benefits from the ability to leverage the firm's broader banking and corporate strength.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 2

With a strong and growing presence in Cardiff and Swansea, which was recently enhanced by the arrival in January 2021 of Huw Roffe  from JCP Solicitors, Acuity Law continues its upward trajectory in the market and is increasingly well-placed to handle complex commercial litigation and arbitration, both locally, as well as in cases stretching beyond the confines of Wales. 'Cool and collected' team head Hugh Hitchcock  is a 'partner for the big cases', including high-profile corporate/shareholder disputes and is 'masterful at taking truly challenging negotiations in bitterly fought cases through to completion, while always focused on the client's best interests'. Aisha Wardell also takes the lead on many significant commercial litigation instructions, and has a broad practice that includes representing clients engaged in public procurement and IT disputes. Clients also benefit from access to a growing presence out of London.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 2

Led by the 'thoughtful' Beverley Jones, Acuity Law has knowledge across a range of financing products, enabling it to effectively structure debt facilities  for borrowers from many sectors, including healthcare, a particular strength of the team. Leveraging the firm's market-leading commercial real estate offering, property finance work also continues to be a driver of the practice for a range of stakeholders, including developers and specialist lenders.

Real estate > Commercial property Tier 2

A cornerstone practice of the firm that continues to generate substantial revenue, Acuity Law‘s ‘very approachable‘ commercial property team has a ‘comprehensive knowledge of land and property issues that transcend purely legal matters‘. The firm’s deeply entrenched relationship with Rightacres continues to inform a considerable volume of work handled by the team, unsurprisingly, given the developer’s involvement in many key major regeneration and development projects throughout the capital. This work (which includes such notable projects as the mixed-use development at the Interchange Building on Central Square and the redevelopment of the Brains site at Central Quay) showcases the firm’s comprehensive and collaborative approach, involving planning issues, land development, complex financing structures and lettings/sales work. Gareth Baker has been central to a good deal of this work, as has Damien Cann, particularly in light of his expertise on innovative funding options. Steve Morris is a ‘star‘ whose workload extends beyond the boundaries of Wales, including instructions on a significant mixed housing scheme in London. Jonathan Geen co-heads the team alongside Morris and Baker and has a great deal of experience in the market.

Real estate > Construction Tier 2

Acuity Law provides 'commercially astute and cost-effective advice' to developers and contractors, which are appreciative of the firm's 'open and proactive approach to contract drafting and the resolution of any issues that arise that require multi-party agreement'. Team head James Williams is 'not only deeply knowledgeable but also very personable', ensuring that he is a popular choice among clients on front end construction law matters. 'Very knowledgeable and proactive' associate Mark Summers is developing a strong reputation across both contractual work as well as disputes.

Real estate > Planning and environment Tier 2

Displaying a 'comprehensive knowledge of land and property issues that transcend purely legal matters', Acuity Law provides 'commercially astute' planning advice to developers and public sector bodies, much of which it does in conjunction with its market-leading commercial property practice. Steve Morris is a 'star' and regularly advises clients on planning issues pursuant to major Wales and England-based property projects. The arrival in July 2020 of specialist planning lawyer James Ryan, on a consultancy basis, enhances the firm's capabilities, particularly as it relates to contentious town and country planning matters.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2

Under the leadership of commercial litigator Hugh Hitchcock , Acuity Law has vastly increased its commercial litigation credentials in recent years, work which had already thrown up a not inconsiderable volume of construction and real estate litigation. However, it was the 'outstanding' Neil Morgan's arrival in May 2019 from Darwin Gray LLP that was the real game-changer for the firm and has led to to a step change in quality and quantity of pure property litigation instructions. Most of Morgan's work continues to flow from the social housing sector, where he is appreciated for his willingness to provide  'practical advice on how to navigate difficult situations'. The team's ability to provide specialised property litigation advice was also recently enhanced by the arrival of senior associate Jennifer Butcher from Hugh James in May 2020.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 2

Following the departure in December 2020 of Rehman Noormohamed to Fieldfisher, Acuity Law's IP team is now spearheaded from the firm's newly established London office by Cordelia Payne. Nevertheless, several lawyers based out of Cardiff have some non-contentious IP expertise, including Rachelle Sellek, whose broad commercial contracts prowess regularly sees her assisting clients on the commercialisation of their IPR, and media head Angharad Evans, who is well-versed in IP issues impacting film and TV clients.

Employment > Employment: Recommended Firms Tier 3

Under the leadership of the 'exceptional' Claire Knowles, Acuity Law's three-strong team is best-known for its ability to provide strategic advisory work for private sector clients, either in a corporate support function or in a standalone capacity. A significant proportion of the work handled by the team, particularly on ongoing HR support matters, is handled through the firm's unique Acuity Counsel Service, which provides a cost-effective retainer service to clients, many of which lack any credible in-house function.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design Tier 6

Acuity Law is retained by growth-stage companies for strategic IP advice. Practice head Cordelia Payne, whose background is predominantly in the media and entertainment sectors, advises on global brand protection strategy and enforcement actions before the IP registries. Payne has a track record in representing celebrity figures in cross-border trade mark disputes.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms

Fieldfisher is best known for its depth of expertise in the technology sector, which it leverages to assist well-known companies, including major online retailers and digital media giants, with the commercial and regulatory aspects underpinning the development of new products and services.  On the telecoms side, the firm has a fairly active corporate practice. By way of example, the team recently advised Mobile Broadband Network on a series of ten-year deals to support their existing 3G, 4G and 5G requirements until 2030. Robert Shooter  advises suppliers and customers in a variety of outsourcing and procurement deals, as well as cloud and “as a service” type arrangements. Paul Barton has over two decades of experience advising clients on IT projects across the public and private sector. James Walsh has notable expertise in network infrastructure projects; Paul Graham has particular strength in major telecoms deals; and John Brunning frequently advises clients on software and licensing deals, network outsourcings and procurement. The practice was recently strengthened by the arrival of Rem Noormohamed from Acuity Law.

Real estate > Property finance