The commercial litigation practice at DLA Piper is particularly noted for its strength in civil fraud and energy work. Multijurisdictional, complex disputes are a strength of the team, which is also skilled at handling product liability and ESG class actions. Practice head James Carter is praised for ‘superb case handling and great client management’, and acts on many of the complex energy disputes undertaken by the practice. Jamie Curle is a ’star litigation partner’ who specialises in financial services and consumer goods mass claims, while Jean‑Pierre Douglas‑Henry has ‘great intellect and strategic ability’. Other key figures include ’brilliant litigator with great client skills’ Charles Allin, and ‘truly excellent litigator’ Tom Laidler.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Good depth and range.’
‘Jamie Curle is a star litigation partner. Excellent judgment and strategy. Charles Allin has an eye for detail and is strong on the law. ’
‘Excellent service, excellent teams, excellent product.’
‘Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry - great intellect and strategic ability, coupled with personality and presence. Charles Allin - a brilliant litigator with great client skills.’
‘Superb case handling and great client management.’
‘Tom Laidler is a truly excellent litigator, with a firm grasp of detail and a good strategic sense.'
- James Carter has an acute sense of how best to achieve his client's outcome in the most effective way possible.’
‘Tom Laidler is a true leader! He is extremely honest about the strengths and weaknesses of a case with the clients, and fights hard for his clients. As a result, he has the trust and confidence of the clients, and gets things done in a seemingly effortless fashion! He assembles best team of legal and industry and damages experts to get the best outcome! I would trust him to handle the most complicated cases and cannot recommend him more! ’
Key clients
- Telereal Trillium
- Volvo Car Corporation and Volvo Car UK Limited
- Lupin Limited
- Atlas Mara
- NatWest Markets PLC / NatWest Markets N.V.
- Mr Francesco Costa
- Sportspesa
- Tamara Ralph
- Yamada Ltd
- Peter Dean, former Chairman and shareholder in Noble Foods Group
Work highlights
Advising Telereal Trillium in defending a complex commercial litigation claim brought by British Telecommunications Plc (BT), in respect of a 30-year deal entered into by the parties in 2001 which involved Telereal acquiring BT's telephone exchange property portfolio for c.£2.3 billion and leasing it back to BT.
Acting for Volvo Car Corporation and Volvo Car UK Limited in group litigation proceedings in the English High Court concerning emissions control in its vehicles.
Acting for Lupin Limited ("Lupin") in a Part 20 Contribution Claim brought by Servier Laboratories Limited and other related companies ("Servier") against Lupin and others. Servier is the Defendant to a claim brought by various English, Scottish, Northern Irish, and Welsh health authorities (the "Health Authorities") and has joined Lupin and other generic medicine manufacturers as Part 20 Defendants in order to seek a contribution with respect to any monies Servier is ordered to pay to the Health Authorities.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
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
James Carter
Other key lawyers
Jamie Curle; Jean‑Pierre Douglas‑Henry; Charles Allin; Tom Laidler