Led from London by the ‘highly experienced’ Will Gunston and drawing support from lawyers based out of the firm’s Bristol headquarters, Osborne Clarke LLP ’combines huge technical knowledge with real commercial insight’ on behalf of a varied array of stakeholders including creditors, debtors and officeholders. Douglas Hawthorn provides a ‘comprehensive and excellent service’ particularly in the context of financial services-related restructuring/special situations matters. Nick Axup is the main contact for insolvency litigation and asset recovery work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team combines huge technical knowledge with real commercial insight.'
- 'The team is dedicated, responsive, experienced and practical.'
- 'Will Gunston is highly experienced at insolvency law, gives very practical advice, and has excellent client management skills. He is also very calm, even when in highly pressurised situations.'
- 'Douglas Hawthorn goes above and beyond for his clients. He is hugely involved in his matters and provides a comprehensive and excellent service.'
- 'They were willing to help us immediately, as a full service firm, when our backs were to the wall. They stood out from other firms in doing that - thanks!'
- 'They are all friendly, efficient and courteous. Doug Hawthorn adds direct but skilful advice, grounded in your circumstance, and very often a helpful commercial insight: a reassuring presence many times.'
- 'They have significant experience, knowledge and expertise on restructuring and insolvency matters, which flows down through the team from the partners to associates.'
- 'Will Gunston and Anna Perry provide quality, commercial advice and look to find solutions and break down barriers to progress matters.'
- 'Practical solutions and a fully immersed and engaged partner, who helped to keep the process moving along at the required pace.'
- 'Douglas Hawthorn was a delight to work with, and his personable and polite approach is refreshing. Makes his point in a professional way without being aggressive or patronising.'
Key clients
- No Ordinary Designer Label Limited (trading as Ted Baker)
- AH Development Healthcare Limited
- ISG Limited
- PSG SIPP Limited
- Tiles4Less Limited
- MLC50 LP Inc.
- Xpress
- Viola Money (Europe) Limited
- Pay4Later Limited, Imegamedia Services Limited and TrueInnovation Limited
- Scentrics Information Security Technologies Limited
- Wiggle Limited (in administration) and other companies in its group
- Railsbank Technology Limited
- EM2020 Realisations Limited (formerly, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Limited), PSL2021 Realisations Limited (formerly, Peacocks Stores Limited), Jaeger Retail Limited
- E Realisations 2020 Limited (formerly, Everest Limited)
- Wirecard Card Solutions Limited
Work highlights
Advised AH Development Healthcare Limited in its acquisition of certain businesses and assets of Ascension Healthcare PLC and others.
Advised the boards of the ISG Companies regarding their duties and obligations.
Advised the administrators of the company operating the world-famous British fashion brand, Ted Baker.
Practice head
Will Gunston
Other key lawyers
Douglas Hawthorn; Nick Axup; Anna Perry