Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s dispute resolution team regularly handles significant matters across a range of market areas, including shareholder disputes, conspiracy and fraud claims, warranty claims, breach of contract claims, and financial disputes. The team has experience handling High Court litigation, as well as appeal leave and arbitration proceedings. James Woolstenhulme heads the Birmingham offering, and has particular experience in shareholder disputes, injunctions, and procurement issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Shakespeare Martineau are one of the dominant forces in the Birmingham legal market. Their impressive team has cross-sector expertise, and they have experience at all types of civil litigation, including urgent injunctive relief and multi-national cross-border disputes.’
‘James Woolstenhulme is an extremely effective leader of the commercial team and has developed an extremely skilled and effective cohort of associates.'
‘James Woolstenhulme is excellent. Very practical and good with clients.’
‘This firm is extremely well known and highly regarded for its work in commercial litigation.'
'James Woolstenhulme is a resolution-focused partner with a keen eye on commercial matters and a specialism in company work.'
'The litigation team has demonstrated diligence and constancy over an extended period of time and got to grips with a huge amount of detail.'
'James Woolstenhulme - personable and gives thoughtful advice as to litigation strategy and court procedure. Nicola Lediard - good manner with clients and excellent at keeping on top of the detail.'
'Responsive, commercial, approachable.'
'James has an innate ability to tackle even the most complex challenges without ego or pretension. His approach is pragmatic and solutions-focused, and he brings a calm, measured presence to every discussion. What I appreciate most is his openness.'
'The team provide a friendly, knowledgeable and non-judgemental service. What really sets them apart is their genuine commitment to understanding their clients — not just the case itself, but also the client’s goals, challenges, and preferred way of working.'
Key clients
- Cadogan Energy Plc
- Hitachi Energy Ltd
- Npower Business Solutions
- Sever Trent Green Power Limited
- Whitworth Bros. Limited
- National Grid Plc
- Eon Energy
- Bath College
- Zentra Group Plc
- Inenco Group Limited
- NP Aerospace Limited
- Bamford Trust Plc
Work highlights
Acted on behalf of Midland Premier Properties Limited in successfully obtaining a judgment for £640m in relation to an unpaid loan and interest at a two-day trial in the High Court.
Acted on behalf of Sanman Property Management Limited in relation to complex multi-party litigation relating to the acquisition and development of a complex 400-apartment and hotel development in Birmingham.
Acted on behalf of One Heritage Group in successfully defending substantial worldwide freezing injunction applications brought in the High Court by Hong Kong-based claimants seeking to freeze $7m.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
James Woolstenhulme
Other key lawyers
Nicola Lediard