Shepherd and Wedderburn has extensive commercial litigation experience, assisting domestic and international clients with a broad range of mandates, from competition disputes to breach of warranty claims. Practice head John MacKenzie is recommended for his deep regulatory knowledge, particularly in relation to financial markets. Matt Phillip is a key port of call for significant sporting institutions which require assistance with contractual issues and shareholder disputes. Carly Duckett has a great deal of experience assisting with IP claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Navigating through commercial litigation can be an overwhelming and daunting experience. The unique strengths and key capabilities of the Shepherd and Wedderburn practice, particularly embodied by Matt Phillip and Carly Duckett, played an instrumental role in alleviating our anxieties and navigating us through this challenging period.'
- 'Matt Phillip, serving as the lead partner on our case, exemplified extraordinary intelligence and strategic prowess throughout our legal journey. His meticulous planning and foresight ensured that every aspect of our case was carefully considered, with contingencies in place for various scenarios. Matt's deep understanding of the legal process enabled him to communicate complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner, empowering us as clients to navigate the intricacies of litigation with confidence.'
- 'As our daily point of contact, Carly Duckett demonstrated a level of legal acumen and attentiveness that surpassed all expectations. Her impeccable grasp of legal intricacies, combined with her proactive approach to client engagement, exemplified Shepherd and Wedderburn's unwavering commitment to excellence. Carly's ability to anticipate and address every conceivable situation and outcome showcased her exceptional strategic thinking and attention to detail.'
- 'The team has taken the time to understand our business and to immerse themselves in the rules and regulations. This means that they are truly an extension of the in-house resource as there is no time spent explaining the context or location of a particular provision. The team is much wider than a pure commercial litigation team. They provide business focused advice and are sympathetic to the needs of the business, rather than purely the legal position, when advising.'
- 'Matt Phillip is our key relationship at the firm. Matt has taken the time to fully understand all rules, systems and processes in place in our highly regulated industry and we are reaping the rewards of his deep understanding of the law, our rules and also of the relationships between our members. His key trait is identifying what is not immediately apparent in a situation and planning several steps ahead to ensure that the business is protected at each turn. His approachability and going above and beyond in times of need are second to none. '
- 'Carly Duckett is our key day-to-day contact. Carly has an exceptional eye for detail and is a key advisor on all proposed rule changes. A critical sounding board, Carly blends being user-friendly with clear and concise advice on a number of very challenging issues.'
Key clients
- Balfour Beatty Group Limited
- PCI-PAL plc
- The Scottish Professional Football League Limited
- The British and Irish Lions DAC
- Manolete Partners plc
- Investec Bank plc
- The Secret Garden Distillery Limited
- Scottish Sea Farms Limited
- Hellenic Robotics Technology Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme
- PeoplePlus Group Limited
Work highlights
Advising the Scottish Professional Football League Limited on all contentious matters involving the League, including any disputes with third parties, stakeholders (including Clubs) and on the application and enforcement of the SPFL Rules, which is a shareholder agreement amongst the 42 Member Clubs of the SPFL.
Acted for PCI-PAL PLC and its subsidiary, PCI-PAL (U.K.) Limited, (together, PCI Pal) in the appeal brought by Sycurio Limited against the decision of a judge in the Patents Court in London.
Acting for Scottish Sea Farms in relation to a claim before the Competition Appeal Tribunal by seven supermarket brands alleging unlawful cartel arrangements between the thirteen defendants. Currently acting for three defendants, including SSF. There were parallel Scottish proceedings raised in the Commercial Court of the Court of Session. There are also proceedings on behalf of all consumers of salmon in the UK.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Matt Phillip
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Carly Duckett
Practice head
John MacKenzie
Other key lawyers
Matt Phillip; Carly Duckett