Group litigation remains a key focus for Ashurst; the team is a leading practice in the defence of companies in large-scale class actions related to their supply chains. The firm notes a continued increase in ESG litigation, as well as contentious matters related to crypto and digital assets. Jon Gale leads the firm’s dispute resolution practice, boasting extensive experience in commercial litigation. ‘Sophisticated litigator’ James Levy is another key contact in the team, and Simon Bromwich focuses his contentious practice on the construction and infrastructure sectors. With a strong background in commercial disputes, Tim West is active in group litigation and class actions. Sophie Law demonstrates particular prowess in data breach and ESG disputes.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Jon Gale - a superb choice for litigation with a public, competition or procurement law element. Hugely knowledgeable, highly intelligent and a joy to work with. Sophie Law - the safest pair of hands - just gets it done, whatever the resourcing implications.’
‘Rolls Royce litigators.’
‘Sophie Law is a brilliant litigator.’
‘Jon Gale is an exceptional team leader who seems to run highly motivated and supported teams of stand out associates. Sophie Law is the best Partner who is not yet a Partner we have had the pleasure of working with.’
‘I would particularly highlight Jon Gale and James Levy. The latter, I believe, heads the litigation team. Jon is extremely conscientious and detail driven on both the law and the facts. James is a sophisticated litigator with a keen understanding both of client interests, and the way matters will ultimately play out in court. You would struggle to find a better partner to have overall conduct of a case.’
‘Excellent in all aspects of commercial litigation and a pleasure to work with. Capable of handling the biggest cases, including against magic circle firms.’
‘I have worked most with Jon Gale, James Levy and Sophie Law. They are all excellent - thoughtful, focussed and able to give clear commercial advice to their clients.’
‘James Levy: extreme focus, very systematic, always on top of the detail. Rosie Stanger: same deep focus, systematic approach, grasp of detail and understanding of some quite arcane life insurance technical issues. A very calm approach to explaining frustrating aspects as a defendant in complex litigation.’
Key clients
- Imperial Brands PLC
- Punter Southall Group Limited
- GSH Private Investments
- Ryder Limited
- Blue International Holding Limited
- Close Brothers Asset Management
- Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Limited
- Meta
- Virgin Media O2
- NCR
Work highlights
- Defending Imperial Brands PLC against a claim brought by Leigh Day on behalf of over 10,000 tobacco farmers and their families in Malawi claiming compensation in the area of supply chain liability.
- Advising Punter Southall Group Limited on all aspects of a litigation arising from a claim for unfair prejudice brought by the former CEO and minority shareholder of a subsidiary company incorporated in Jersey against PSG (the majority shareholder).
- Acting for Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Limited in relation to a long-running contribution claim against a wealthy Saudi businessman arising out of the High Court judgment in Singularis v Daiwa [2021] EWHC 2937 (Comm).
Lawyers
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Practice head
Jon Gale
Other key lawyers
James Levy; Simon Bromwich; Tom Cummins; Tim West; Max Strasberg; Angus Rance: Sophie Law