Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is recognised for its ‘rigorous and professional expertise, seamlessly integrated with commercial considerations’, acting on significant mandates for leading local and international clients, including a number of household names. Members of the practice are adept at handling high-profile matters across all sectors, and skilled at acting in complex group litigation. ’First-class adviser’ Richard Matthews heads up the practice, and is particularly skilled at advising on matters in the pharma, medical device, and transport sectors. Mark Howarth is praised as an ‘excellent partner who empowers the team to work well’. Chris Buddle has a broad focus, working on some of the team’s most high-profile disputes. Matthew Clark, Alex Cook and Matthew Chapman are noted. Simon Kenyon joined from DLA Piper in April 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Mark Howarth is an excellent partner and Alex Cook is a star senior associate - all very hard working and excellent lawyers.’
‘The team are very good at staying on top of the technical and legal details of the case while always having the commercial objectives of the client in mind.’
‘Matthew Chapman is a stand-out associate. Great attention to detail, commercially minded and works well leading as well as part of a team.'
‘Rigorous and professional expertise seamlessly integrated with commercial considerations.’
‘Mark Howarth: Polite and decent, adept at integrating clients' commercial needs, skilled at providing direct legal conclusions and advice without unnecessary detours. Alex Cook: Solid foundational skills, delivering documents and records that are complete and to the point, with a proactive service attitude and strong professionalism.’
‘Good collegial team-playing atmosphere.’
'Always available, even at very short notice. Worked to tight deadlines. Met each deadline they said they would.'
'Richard Matthews is an excellent lawyer who can explain the legal problem and the commercial implications with equal clarity.'
'Excellent all round service.'
'Richard Matthews, first class advisor.'
Key clients
- Specsavers
- King Security Systems Limited
- De Montfort University
- University of Portsmouth
- Aviva Investors Liquidity Funds PLC and Aviva Investors Global Services Limited
- DHL
Work highlights
Successfully defended the majority of the UK’s water companies against five long-running group litigation claims, managed together, for c.£250m brought by over 100 search companies operating in the conveyancing industry.
Successfully defended the University of Portsmouth against a £110m claim brought by Innovate Pharmaceuticals in the Technology and Construction Court, London and resulting appeal proceedings.
Acting in a direct and indirect discrimination claim brought before the Central London County Court and advising in relation to parallel proceedings before the Workplace Relations Committee in Ireland.
Lawyers
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
Richard Matthews
Other key lawyers
Mark Howarth; Chris Buddle; Alex Cook; Matthew Chapman; Matthew Clark; Simon Kenyon