Walker Morris LLP has a well-established banking litigation practice acting for banks, building societies, challenger lenders, and other financial institutions. The group is adept in commercial lending disputes, title and security issues, professional negligence, and enforcement. Rob Payne is closely associated with disputes arising from lending risk, fraud, product issues, and managed exit work. Payne leads alongside Richard Sandford, who brings long-standing experience across financial litigation, including guarantees, mortgages, insolvency-related claims, and professional negligence. Ashley Neville is developing a solid profile, particularly in receivership, fraud, and security enforcement matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Walker Morris distinguishes itself through deep specialist knowledge, outstanding expertise, and a strong track record across a wide spectrum of disputes, including matters of a particularly complex and highly specialised nature. The team is not only a pleasure to work with but is consistently approachable, responsive, and client-focused, delivering a truly top-tier legal service.
- Rob Payne is a highly trusted adviser across a broad range of dispute matters. He combines outstanding commercial insight with pragmatic, strategically astute legal advice that is consistently incisive, accessible, and tailored to the needs of the business.
- Rob Payne and Ashley Neville are both excellent lawyers. They are always quick on their feet, very commercial, and approachable.
- Deep knowledge of financial services regulation, which is unusual outside London, and excellent broad financial services practice, including litigation. Clear fee quotes that are honored.
- Rob Payne is a pleasure to work with, always available for urgent advice. He provides a very thorough service.
- A strong ability to handle legally and factually complex disputes with efficiency, creativity, and a strong commercial focus.
- Rob Payne - Exceptionally thorough, yet practical, with a clear focus on achieving the best outcome for the client.
- Walker Morris has had a heavy-hitting banking litigation practice for decades, and this goes from strength to strength. Rob Payne and Richard Sandford, as partners, lead the team, with support from excellent director Ashley Neville and associates Deborah Jones and Ellie Broughton. All bring something different and blend together to ensure clients receive exceptional service with very competitive pricing.
- They take time to understand their clients' priorities and parameters and seek to deliver in tune with their client.
- I have worked closely with Rob Payne, Karl Anders, and Louise Rishworth. All have provided excellent service on particular cases as well as general advice when needed. They are very prompt in responding and will always offer to have a call if needed on complex matters rather than sending lots of emails.
Key clients
- Ampla Consumer Finance
- Atelier Capital Partners Limited
- Charles Street Commercial Investments Limited
- CREO 12 Sarl
- Family Finance Limited
- Foundation Home Loans
- Habib Bank Zurich Plc
- Handelsbanken Plc
- Imagine Mortgages Limited
- Integro Funding Limited
- LendInvest plc
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Loughborough Building Society
- Mortgage Express & NRAM Limited
- Octopus Real Estate & Fern Trading Group Limited
- OneSavings Bank
- Pepper Money
- REBUILDINGSOCIETY.COM Ltd
- Reward Finance Group Limited
- Schneider Financial Solutions Limited
Work highlights
Representing Together Commercial Finance Limited as the second respondent in an appeal to the UK Supreme Court concerning a landlord’s breach of the tenants' ‘right of first refusal’ and its impact on pre-existing security granted to the lender and the subsequent grant of additional leasehold interests by the landlord.
Advising CREO 12 S.a.r.l. in relation to a £10m claim against a company borrower relating to a former convent / priory and associated development site.
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.
Ashley Neville
Practice head
Rob Payne; Richard Sandford
Other key lawyers
Ashley Neville