Shareholder litigation, complex manufacturing disputes, and professional negligence claims are all strengths of the ‘always professional but particularly personable and approachable’ practice at Freeths LLP. The ’thoughtful, courteous group’ regularly undertakes intricate cross-border disputes. The ‘calm and methodical’ James Berry heads the team, bringing extensive High Court expertise to the practice, and acting on complex IT issues and shareholder disputes. Ciaran Dearden is skilled at handling shareholder and director disputes, while Gary Duffy acts on complex partnership, commercial agency, and real estate disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Ciaran Dearden is a very capable and skilled commercial lawyer.'
‘Ciaran Dearden is super bright, efficient and impressive.’
‘The people make the difference at Freeths. They are a thoughtful, courteous group, and one feels as if they are always focused on a client's best interests.’
‘James Berry is one of the best advisers I've had the pleasure to work with during my career. He takes great care to understand issues facing a client. He also takes care in preparing his advice. He is calm and methodical, and his 'think first, act second' approach inspires confidence.’
‘I have found this team proactive and responsive and easy to work with.’
‘My main contact in Ciaran Dearden. He is an excellent lawyer, calm and able to look at each problem with a cool head. He has good client skills too.’
‘Always professional but particularly personable and approachable.’
‘James Berry exemplifies a client-focused approach. Excellent technically but with a breadth of perspective beyond litigation and law.’
'The team make a real effort to understand their client's business, market and internal dynamics and with this understanding, work with pace and clarity.'
'Always professional but particularly personable and approachable.'
Key clients
- Advanced Alloys Limited
- Begbies Traynor (SY) LLP
- Queenscourt Limited (trading as QFM Group)
- Canning Conveyor Co. Limited
- Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company
- Clear Line Management
- Ant Marketing Limited
- Evenort Limited
- MGS Technical Plastics Limited
- Aldi Stores Limited
- IAA Vehicles Services Limited
- Boxxer Limited
- Flexi-Films UK Limited
- Paragon Property Investments Limited
- NG Bailey Limited
- New Era Development (UK) Limited
- BCW Engineering Limited
- IPA Plastics
- IAA Vehicles Services Limited
- Euro Car Parts Limited
Work highlights
Acting for an individual in relation to a claim for fraud and conspiracy in which the claimant alleges losses in the order of £57m.
Acting for Boxxer Limited, a world-leading boxing promoter, in defence of a claim valued at circa £7.7m in which it is alleged that Boxxer induced a breach of contract by a former Olympic and now undefeated professional boxer.
Acting for the co-founder of a hospitality and events business in a cross-border shareholder dispute which involves allegations of diversion of business and assets, concealment of assets and tax evasion.
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.
Ciaran Dearden
Gary Duffy
Practice head
James Berry
Other key lawyers
Ciaran Dearden; Gary Duffy