Hall Of Fame

Commercial litigation: Cambridge in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

In Birketts LLP‘s Cambridge office, ‘the litigation team has a great breadth of knowledge and always puts the clients’ objectives at the forefront of any engagement’. Practice head Laurence Weeks is ‘a great litigator and problem solver, who always agrees the plan of attack based on the clients’ needs’. The firm has specialist expertise in shipping, education, public law, Judicial Review, procurement law, defence and transport, and is particularly well-known for its work involving fraud, insolvency and professional negligence. Talented practitioners Sara Sayer, who leads on public and administrative law, and Maria-Christina Peyman, play pivotal roles in the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Laurence Weeks


Autres avocats clés:

Sara Sayer; Maria-Christina Peyman; Naomi Westcott


Les références

‘The litigation team have a great breadth of knowledge and always put the clients’ objectives at the forefront of any engagement.’

‘Laurence Weeks is a great litigator and problem solver, who always agrees the plan of attack based on the clients’ needs and objectives.’

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP has ‘a very well-connected team delivering useful and practicable solutions'. Practice head Douglas McDonald a is ‘a highly skilled and approachable lawyer who delivers solutions that are meaningful and valuable to the client'. Principal associates Helen Prandy, who ‘gives pragmatic advice tailored to clients’ businesses', and Lino Di Lorenzo, who handles complex commercial and insolvency litigation, play central roles in the practice. The firm is a key advisor on national and high-value regional disputes involving mid-market corporates in sectors such as technology, life sciences, food and agribusiness, energy, financial services, health and education.

Responsables de la pratique:

Douglas McDonald


Autres avocats clés:

Helen Prandy; Lino di Lorenzo


Les références

‘A very well-connected team with partners that handle complex projects competently and efficiently, delivering useful and practicable solutions and positive outcomes.’

‘Douglas McDonald is a highly skilled and approachable lawyer who is very client focused. He is capable of understanding the legal and practical complexity of a task and delivering solutions that are meaningful and valuable to the client.’

‘They manage to be both meticulous and nimble. A one-stop-shop, with an emphasis on IT litigation.’

Mishcon de Reya LLP

Recently merging with Taylor Vinters, the dispute resolution practice at Mishcon de Reya LLP is increasingly involved in high-value and complex disputes in the Cambridge region, as well as nationally and internationally. Practice head Luke Hibbert and senior associate Beth Price are ‘very supportive and give valuable advice’. Senior counsel Jessica Boxford and associate Jonathan Davies are regarded as ‘sympathetic, factual about possible outcomes and very supportive throughout‘. Boxford and associate Alexandra Thornton-Reid acted for three of a large number of defendants in the Danish tax authority multi-jurisdictional and high-value fraud litigation in the Commercial Court. ‘Commercially realistic’ partner Gareth Dickson also plays a pivotal roles in the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Luke Hibbert


Autres avocats clés:

Gareth Dickson; Jessica Boxford; Jonathan Davies; Alexandra Thornton-Reid; Oliver Cotton


Les références

‘Taylor Vinters is a very strong regional firm with a good spread of expertise within its dispute resolution team. It is a good option for those who want a city service without city overheads.’

‘Luke Hibbert heads up the dispute resolution team and is a very pragmatic, unstuffy and sound litigator with a can-do approach to problems. He is ably supported by the very dedicated and meticulous Oliver Cotton who will always make sure that every angle to an issue has been covered.’

‘Taylor Vinters’ litigation team move quickly and are always up to speed.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a technology business in respect of a Freezing Order, Disclosure Order and legal proceedings that involved matters of insolvency and breach of trust, contract and fiduciary duty claims.
  • Acting for a multinational technology company on a patent infringement dispute in the High Court, the value of which is estimated to be in excess of £10m.
  • Advising a global technology company on contractual breaches and early termination rights in respect of a highly complex and valuable IT project with an approximate value of £15 m.

Ashtons Legal

The commercial litigation practice at Ashtons Legal operates across its office network, with Michael Frape being the key partner in Cambridge. He handles complex and high-value commercial disputes in industry sectors including financial services, property development, and retail and leisure; he is noted as being ‘a very tough litigator who is an ideal choice for clients seeking a robust lawyer in commercial litigation and arbitration‘. Notably, Frape recently advised a developer on a claim of breach of copyright in respect of an architect’s drawings for a multi-million pound residential development.

Autres avocats clés:

Michael Frape


Les références

‘Michael Frape’s team at Ashtons provide a full service company, shareholder and technology disputes service.’

‘Michael Frape is a very tough litigator who is an ideal choice for clients seeking a robust lawyer in commercial litigation and arbitration.

Principaux clients

CeX


Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries Limited


Signs Express Limited


Bubbleology


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a developer client in relation to a claim of breach of copyright in respect of architect’s drawings for a multi-million pound residential development.
  • Representing a business facing allegations of copyright and design right infringement in respect of a key range of products, which had been marketed since 2017.
  • Acting for a newly-formed business established with the assistance of a director-level employee from a competitor business.

HCR Hewitsons

The litigation practice at HCR Hewitsons is ‘responsive, to the point and thorough with its advice'. Property litigator Natalie Minott leads the practice, in which Simon Biggin is a key partner for contractual, shareholder and partnership disputes. He notably advised Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group on matters arising from Environment Agency licensing programmes. Stewart Morrison, who regarded as being ‘driven, organised and knowledgeable‘, stands out for his work on freedom of information appeals and on challenges to procurement contract awards.

Responsables de la pratique:

Natalie Minott


Autres avocats clés:

Simon Biggin; Stewart Morrison


Les références

‘The team has always acted with our interests foremost and communicated well.’

‘Simon Biggin has always kept me informed and copied-in on all relevant correspondence. He adheres to timelines well too.’

‘I find the litigation team to be responsive, to the point and thorough with its advice.’

Principaux clients

Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising BAWAG on matters relating to the Environment Agency’s Restoring Sustainable Abstraction programme, under which water licences will be revoked or varied leading to the loss of generational farming businesses and a major food processor, loss of jobs and damage to the local economy.

Howes Percival LLP

The litigation practice at Howes Percival LLP is growing its reputation in Cambridge, where the team is regarded as ‘responsive and emphatic'. The firm handles a growing volume of national and London-based litigation work, including as a Crown Services panel member. Practice head Michael Green, who handles company and shareholder matters, warranty claims, technology disputes, as well as cases concerning restraint of trade, and the ‘insightful, clear and intelligent' director Victoria Sandell are noted as being ‘the dream team for commercial litigation in Cambridge and beyond'.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Green


Autres avocats clés:

Victoria Sandell


Les références

‘The team offers outstanding legal acumen coupled with a firm grasp on the commerciality of matters. Their work is on a par with any big city firm at a fraction of the cost.’

‘Michael Green and Victoria Sandell are the standout candidates amongst an already strong team. They are the dream team for commercial litigation in Cambridge and beyond.’

‘Very competent instructing solicitors who are able to identify the key issues in a dispute and marshal resources accordingly, ensuring that the client gets value from the whole team.’

Principaux clients

Bens Cookies


RG Abrey Farms


Cambridge Intelligence


Saxton 4×4


BMW (Bowker)


Wonop ApS


BDO LLP


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a multinational high street retailer in a shareholder dispute with Saudi minority shareholders.
  • Acting for exiting partners in £76m Agri dispute.
  • Representing Danish corporate software developer in Commercial Court claim against Fetch AI for £1.4m of crypto-currency.

Stobbs IP

Stobbs IP‘s practice is best known for its work in IP and brand management but it also handles a growing volume of general commercial litigation work for national and global brands. Amongst its clients is Marks and Spencer plc; the firm notably successfully pursued a claim against Aldi on their behalf concerning the design of own-brand gin bottles. Head of the solicitor team Chris Sleep, who is ‘commercially savvy and particularly astute in his advice’, and litigation principal Geoff Steward, who ‘brings corporate London sophistication to legal proceedings’, are the standout lawyers.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chris Sleep; Geoff Steward


Autres avocats clés:

Julius Stobbs; Charlotte Peach


Les références

‘They specialise in IP and allied fields with a creative and imaginative team using particularly experienced senior staff.’

‘Julius Stobbs is immensely experienced in trademark matters and highly intelligent, with great commercial awareness.’

‘Geoff Steward is a vastly experienced commercial litigator with a passion for IP and sports, media and entertainment law, who brings corporate London sophistication to legal proceedings.’

Principaux clients

7-Eleven


AB InBev


All Saints


ASOS


Balfour Beatty


Beiersdorf AG


Britvic


Cambridge University


Capri Sun


Channel 4


Combe International (Vagisil)


District Financial Limited


Giesswein


Harley-Davidson


Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc.


Jagex Limited


Liverpool Football Club


Marks & Spencer plc


Mars Wrigley


Marshall Amplification


Meyer Bergman


Philip Warren & Son Butchers


Pip & Nut


O2


Raffles Hotels


The Ritz


Tottenham Hotspur FC


UEFA


Webstorm Information Technology Private Limited (an Indian entity)


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Combe International LLC and Combe International Limited successfully at the Court of Appeal in a matter brought by Dr August Wolff Gmbh & Co and Acdoco Limited in relation to High Court trademark infringement claim regarding VAGISAN.
  • Represented Marks and Spencer plc in its successful design infringement claim (IPEC) against Aldi Stores Limited involving the Aldi Gin Globes which produced the same overall impression as the prior registered designs.
  • Defending Dream Pairs in a High Court trademark infringement claim brought by Iconix (who own the Umbro brand).

Tees Law

The litigation practice at Tees Law is described as being ‘exceptionally efficient and very personable'. Senior associate Sara Stabler leads the practice in Cambridge, where associate Emily Jones plays an increasingly prominent role. Stabler’s approach is ‘unwaveringly client-focused but tempered with a sense of reality and good humour', whilst Jones is ‘always on-the-ball and striving to achieve the best possible outcome'. The team recently advised on a shareholder dispute worth £1m in value.

Autres avocats clés:

Sara Stabler; Emily Jones


Les références

‘The commercial litigation team at Tees Cambridge are always excellent to work with. They’re exceptionally efficient and a very personable bunch.’

‘Emily Jones is always highly professional and personable. She is always on-the-ball and striving to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients.’

‘A first class firm with many talented individuals. Their client focus, commerciality and friendliness has been outstanding.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advising a client on a multi-discipline issue, multi-party claim, including a shareholder dispute worth £1 million.
  • Advising a client on a Trust of land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA) property dispute and related company dispute worth in excess of £1.2.
  • Advising a client on a debt claim, requiring sensitivity around family relations, the solvency of the creditor’s business and issues under supervision of the Office of the Public Guardian.