At Wedlake Bell LLP, the ‘communicative, informed and commercial’ team is split into departments focused on debt and utilities debt (a key area of strength). Practitioners are also active in the financial services sector and energy sector, with large UK energy companies as clients; the group is frequently instructed on energy theft mandates. Overseeing the practice are Frances Coulson, the head of the debt side of the practice, and Charles Robinson, the head of the utilities side of the practice. Its deep bench also features Steven Elsey, who has recently assisted clients with issues related to the collection of domestic supply debt.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They are seasoned professionals and offer a seamless facility enabling us to move from LBA to issue stage. They have a core skill in the energy sector.'
‘The team here are always on hand and ready to pick up enquiries as we have them. They are communicative, informed and above all commercial, meaning that our disputes can be settled quickly and effectively and therefore we do not litigate for the sake of litigation. Charles Robinson is very experienced in the energy industry and is our 'go to' contact.’
‘Experienced and do good work in the public sector.’
'Attention to detail, industry knowledge and reputation are amongst the best within the industry.'
'Charles Robinson has an enormous amount of knowledge and a great understanding of not just the legal process, but the commerciality of business.'
Key clients
- British Gas Trading Ltd
- E.ON UK plc
- Npower Commercial Gas & Power
- Orsted Energy Sales UK Limited
- Corona Energy
- Smartestenergy
Work highlights
- Acted as debt recovery solicitor for three of the UK’s Big Six energy suppliers (E.ON, Npower and British Gas).
- Acted for Orsted Sales (UK) Ltd, Corona Energy Retail 2 Ltd and Corona Energy Retail 4 Ltd in a successful opposition of The Great Annual Savings Company Ltd's Part 26a restructuring plan.
- Successfully prosecuted a petition for costs for BGC Partners LLP against a debtor who deployed debt breathing space and foreshadowed further breathing space relief.
Lawyers
Leading partners
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Practice head
Frances Coulson; Charles Robinson
Other key lawyers
Steven Elsey