CMS boasts a ‘go-to team for heavyweight commercial disputes’, fielding a number of ’fantastic litigators’ acting for a raft of household names. High-profile ‘bet-the-company’ litigation is a strength of the practice, which is also skilled at handling ESG class actions. Ben Trust, who heads the ’solutions-focused, commercial and insightful’ team, has experience handling joint venture and shareholder disputes. Luke Pardey is praised for his 'brilliant' knowledge and approach to technology-related contract disputes, while Kenny Henderson is engaged by various blue-chip clients on leading class actions. Sarah Croft and Simon Castley joined the practice from Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Guy Pendell - a superb, strategic commercial litigator who combines strategic vision with deep command of the detail Lee Gluyas - a seasoned and thoughtful tech litigator, with a huge amount of experience dealing with complex project disputes Luke Pardey - an intelligent litigator who combines an excellent legal brain with a focussed, commercial approach Michaela Potter - a highly efficient and switched on Senior Associate who has an excellent understanding of the dynamics of a tech dispute’
‘The team takes time to build a relationship with key stakeholders in the business to understand their priorities and risk appetite. As we have worked with them for many years, they understand the history of the contentious and pre-contentious matters, so we have consistency of approach.’
‘Luke Pardey is our go-to person. His knowledge and approach to technology-related contract disputes is brilliant. He always gives pragmatic advice, and challenges us to think more broadly in terms of what could work to seek resolution, or where our red lines should be. ’
‘The CMS team are an emerging force in competition litigation. They have some real heavyweight expertise in dispute resolution and are able to combine this with a strong specialist competition law offering. I always enjoy working with Kenny Henderson, who is very practical and solutions-focused.'
‘They have a real strength in depth - the partners are top-class strategic thinkers who also have an eye for the detail of a case; the associates are hard working and extremely bright with a wealth of experience in a range of litigation and arbitration; they are friendly and easy to work with, while being intimidating opponents in any dispute.’
‘Luke Pardey is a brilliant litigator. He appears to be extremely easy-going and relaxed, but behind the friendly smile is a steely determination and a razor-sharp mind. He thinks about problems in different ways and comes up with innovative ideas for how to resolve a dispute and how to find that all-important edge.'
Key clients
- Jaguar Land Rover
- British Broadcasting Corporation
- Microsoft
- Alexander Gorbachev
- Viva Telecom
- Outlier Ventures LP
- Foresight Group
Work highlights
Advising Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in relation to emissions class action litigation. This is a very significant matter for the client and of strategic significance. With 14 manufacturer defendants, each facing their own Group Litigation Order, this is one of the largest matters presently before the High Court.
Acted for Mr Gorbachev in his high-profile £3.5+ billion claim against Russian billionaire Mr Andrey Grigoryevich Guriev.
Acting for the BBC on a unique commercial claim against Arqiva.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Ben Trust; Steven Corney
Other key lawyers
Luke Pardey; Kenny Henderson; Sarah Croft; Simon Castley; Guy Pendell; Lee Gluyas; Adam Crichton