Muckle LLP fields a sizeable and experienced team of commercial litigators who routinely represent companies and shareholders across the full range of contentious commercial cases. ‘Outstanding’ litigator Susan Howe leads the team and has notable expertise handling multi-party disputes and cross-border matters. Music and media litigation is a standout feature of the firm; George Festing is the name to note here. Leah Heatley focuses her practice on public procurement disputes, acting for contracting authorities, utilities, and unsuccessful bidders, while Alex Speirs leads on contentious trusts and probate work. Construction, oil and gas, and trademark issues also feature prominently in the ‘adaptable, resourceful and practical’ group’s workload.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Working with Muckle on construction disputes has been a very good experience. They are knowledgeable in the field of construction law as well as having a very good grasp of the technical issues encountered. Easy to work with, clear instructions, people in the team are positive and effective. ’
‘Alex Speirs and George Festing are two standouts. Both are very pragmatic, experienced in the field of construction law, and generally good to work with.’
‘Muckle's commercial litigation team is adaptable, resourceful and practical. They combine an excellent knowledge of the legal fundamentals necessary to carry out high-value and complex litigation with a versatility of approach that permits them to work in a wide range of industry sectors. They also retain a good personal touch, and conduct themselves professionally but with a sense of proportionality and pragmatism.’
‘George Festing is enormously experienced, knowledgeable and imperturbable. In any commercial dispute, he would be an asset to have on your side.'
- 'Alex Spiers is practical, organised, diligent and cuts to the heart of the issue. ’
‘Muckie has a very strong commercial offering which demonstrates great expertise across a wide number of areas.’
‘Susan Howe is a talented, creative and entrepreneurial leader of this well-balanced team.’
‘Susan Howe is an outstanding litigator with exceptional experience. She’s very straight talking and has the knack of explaining complex situations and getting to the heart of an issue. She is particularly good on strategy and is formidable in a negotiation.’
Key clients
- Sunningdale House Developments Limited
- Smulders Projects UK Limited
- Trivsel UK Limited
- PNS Limited
- The Station Hotel (Newcastle) Limited
- Hays Travel Limited
- parkrun Limited
- MRI Software Limited
- Durham Emmanuel Church
Work highlights
- Acted for Trivsel in sets of proceedings brought against it by a construction company and a leasehold tenant in respect of alleged defects in a timber kit frame used in the construction of two care homes.
- Advising international oil and gas sector client, PNS Limited, on obtaining an injunction and bringing proceedings in relation to an employee who had left the business taking a significant quantity of confidential information with a view to starting with a competitor.
- Acting for Sunningdale Housing Developments in a series of adjudications arising from delays, rising costs, and lack of progress at a development of 38 dwellings in Kent against the Contractor.
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.
George Festing
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leah Heatley
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Alex Speirs
Practice head
Susan Howe
Other key lawyers
George Festing; Leah Heatley; Alex Speirs