With ‘an excellent mix of backgrounds, experience and expertise’, Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s 44-strong dispute resolution practice has a significant market reputation for sizeable commercial and corporate litigation in the transport, construction, energy, infrastructure, real estate, and maritime sectors. It has particularly notable experience in disputes concerning offshore wind, solar, biomass and battery storage facilities. The firm also houses specialists in cross-border disputes, where the London dispute resolution team can access the expertise of colleagues in Europe and Asia, as well as the US and Middle East. London dispute resolution group head Rob Fidoe focuses on energy sector disputes, while Charles Buss specialises in maritime litigation, along with commercial and banking disputes. Rebecca Williams ’keeps an eye on all angles of cases to ensure that work is done to the highest standard’. The department further includes Jemma Dhillon, who acts across the maritime, natural resources, real estate, aviation and finance sectors in major disputes; Mark McAllister-Jones, who focuses on construction, energy, oil and gas, and corporate and joint venture conflicts; and maritime litigator Kelsey Tollady. As of May 2024, Andrew Ward maintains a non-fee-earning role at the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The partners provide a highly personal and efficient service. Teams tend to be small, keeping costs controlled but with exceptional partner engagement that international clients, in particular East, South and South-East Asian clients, value greatly.’
‘The team has an excellent mix of backgrounds, experience and expertise, with an emphasis on major commercial disputes. Experience in both non-contentious and disputes work give the team a fuller perspective.’
‘International experience in depth, and the firm offers a flexible approach. A number of team members are fluent in several languages, including Mandarin. This gives them an edge in international disputes.’
‘The firm uses the latest disclosure technology to search, translate and manage documents. This enables very heavy cases to be managed effectively and efficiently.’
‘Rob Fidoe is an outstanding lawyer - adept at managing complex technical disputes and with a good eye for the issues that are important in a dispute.’
‘Rob Fidoe’s easygoing manner is very popular with clients and other team members, who find him very easy to work with.’
‘Rebecca Williams is devoted to her clients and offers full and frank advice. The client’s best interests always come first.’
‘Rebecca Williams keeps an eye on all angles of cases to ensure that work is done to the highest standard and effectively.’
Key clients
- VINCI UK Developments
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- BP Pension Fund
- Colas
- Ardmore Construction
- Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm
- Vattenfall
- Abbey Healthcare
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Rob Fidoe
Other key lawyers
Rebecca Williams; Charles Buss; Jemma Dhillon; Mark McAllister-Jones; Kelsey Tollady; Andrew Ward