FS Litigation stands out due to its strong focus on construction, accounting, tax, pensions and financial services professional negligence matters, where the team acts for claimants. Kit Sorrell and Julia Norris jointly lead the practice and bring extensive experience in high-value commercial litigation and professional negligence matters to the ‘deeply specialised’ team. Nicola Stanley, Christine Newton and John Colvin are further names to note. Joshua Murphy left the team in August 2024, while Sunny Patel departed the outfit in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘FS Legal has been working with me for over ten years and their professionalism, dedication and tenacity has been exemplary. The whole team has always showed compassion for my situation and continued to keep me up to date and informed.’
‘I have a very special shout out for Julia Norris. She has been outstanding in her tenacity to bring a successful outcome in my case. I have also communicated with various members of Julia's team and always had a high level of professionalism from them, politeness and dedication to their duties.’
‘The team is deeply specialised in professional negligence work arising out of financial services, including miss-selling of investments, failed tax schemes and litigation with the financial regulator (FCA).’
‘Kit Sorrell is one of the most experienced commercial litigators in the Northwest. He is a master tactician and a calming influence on any team. Julia Norris is a hugely engaged partner on any matter. She is always all over the detail and looking for new and creative perspectives to advance the case.’
‘This firm has a strong national reputation in claimant professional negligence work, particularly in the fields of tax planning and financial services. Despite its relatively small size, it is clearly the leading firm in the North of England in this field and in the top rank in the country as a whole.’
‘John Colvin – an experienced and erudite lawyer who leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of his clients’ interests. Christine Newton – another great asset to this firm, with decades’ experience in financial and professional services litigation.’
Key clients
- Hartley Pensions Limited
Work highlights
Instructed to act for 6 nominated Representative Respondents who represent a wider group of 16,741 pension SIPP holders in a ground-breaking and high-profile matter concerning the collapse of Hartley Pensions Limited (in Administration) and £1.3BN in assets and a £40M claim.
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.
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
Kit Sorrell; Julia Norris
Other key lawyers
Nicola Stanley; Christine Newton; John Colvin