Broadfield Law UK LLP‘s Reading-based team works with teams across the firm’s English network of offices to take on a wide variety of disputes, including, inter alia, employment and shareholder matters, property litigation and IT-related issues. Phil Smith heads the firm’s national litigation practice and acts for both claimants and defendants in contractual disputes, with a particular focus on technology-centred matters. Tim Clark is an IT disputes veteran, handling breach of contract and other commercial claims in that sector, while also handling partnership, shareholder and earnout litigation. James Brice joined the team from IBB Law in February 2025, bringing expertise in construction, property and costs disputes. Sophie Squire took up an in-house post in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Tim Clark is an absolutely excellent lawyer. Incredibly intelligent, with great analytical thinking skills. He is also extremely creative, not afraid to think outside the box, and possibly the most dedicated and hardest-working instructing solicitor I have ever had. On top of this, he is really good with clients. It was such a pleasure to work with him.'
- 'Fantastic focus on clients and client outcomes. The firm offers realistic and commercial advice to clients throughout the course of a dispute. The team is populated by fiercely bright individuals who have a good eye for both detail and strategy.'
- 'Tim Clark is a fantastic leader of the team. He has a reassuring and calm manner which instils confidence in clients and gives him breathing space to spot the appropriate strategy.'
- 'Broadfield has such a diverse set of specialists, making it easy to use the company for multiple projects. No matter which team you engage with, the quality of staff knowledge and approach to a tailored experience is always of the same high quality.'
- 'Tim Clark has assisted us on many projects, but his approach, knowledge and guidance in dispute resolution and mediation are unrivalled. Tim's attention to detail, calm demeanour in what can be a highly charged environment, and focus on finding a resolution have been invaluable to us.'
Key clients
- Portals Paper Ltd
- XMA Ltd
- Rock Engineering Limited
- Thames Water Utilities Limited
- CALA Group
- The Childcare Corporation
Work highlights
Represented the Child Care Corporation Ltd in defending a private prosecution under s.82 EPA 1990, in respect of alleged statutory noise nuisance after a six-day trial in the Magistrates Court.
Acting for Cliff and Jacqui Lay in bringing a claim for an earn-out payment under a share sale, who also face a counterclaim for breach of warranty by Independent Vet Care Limited.
Act for Martin Helme in relation to a substantial claim for enforcement of employment agreement and commercial agreements to allot shares against Grosvenor Square Investments and others.
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Practice head
Phil Smith
Other key lawyers
Tim Clark; James Brice