
Harrison Drury & Co’s commercial litigation practice continues to grow with the addition of Stuart Farr and Paul Brook from Taylors Solicitors and Sentinel Barristers in January 2025 and June 2024, respectively. These hires build on the firm’s broad expertise, which covers everything from contractual disputes to complex shareholder matters and director misfeasance. Co-chair Nick Booth is a highly skilled litigator with expertise in bringing and defending claims related to libel and malicious falsehoods, while fellow co-chair Sean Gibbs specialises in unfair prejudice petitions. Helen Griffin further strengthens the firm’s IP disputes offering.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘An excellent breadth of knowledge with pragmatic application rarely seen outside of the big cities.’
- ‘Nick Booth always provides excellent commercial advice, relevant to our very nuanced business area.’
- ‘Harrison Drury is a full-service firm across Lancashire and in central Manchester. They are incredibly commercial, have client care at the heart of their practice, and work for owner-managers and individuals through to institutional clients.’
- ‘Martin Stafford is the go-to lawyer in the region for high-value and complicated property disputes. Sean Gibbs and Nick Booth are excellent commercial litigators who are nuanced in their approach and who act on high-profile, valuable, and complex disputes.’
- ‘Harrison Drury is a well-respected firm in the Preston and Lancashire area and knows the area and business community well.'
- ‘Martin Stafford is an excellent solicitor of the old school: fantastic with clients, provides clear instructions, is sharp-minded, but exceptionally fair.'
Key clients
- Hilton Group
Lawyers
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
Nick Booth; Sean Gibbs
Other key lawyers
Martin Stafford; Helen Griffin; Stuart Farr; Paul Brook