Acting on behalf of clients in high-value disputes across the IP, public, and manufacturing sectors, the Blake Morgan LLP commercial litigation group is recommended for its ability to handle contractual claims and cross-jurisdictional issues. Richard Portlock typically advises companies within the food, travel, and leisure fields. Dan Geddes boasts 17 years’ experience as a litigator, mainly in insolvency, while Louise Fuller focuses on the superyacht and marine leisure industries. Michael College is an expert on professional negligence matters, while Gemma Spiceley rounds out the roster of recommended practitioners. Former practice head Jill Bainbridge left the firm in September 2023.

Counting international automotive and technology companies amongst its key clients, Shoosmiths LLP’s team demonstrates substantial strength in handling complex fraud and contractual disputes, as well as professional negligence claims. The group routinely manages international arbitration and high-value disputes for a roster of international brand names, with department head Jonathan Smart, boasting expertise in shareholder disputes and contract litigation. Paula Swain is recommended for her knowledge of consumer credit law, while principal associate Shelley White regularly advises companies on liquidations and administrations. Laura Clark focuses on data protection disputes, and Luke Holborn handles breach of warranty claims. Harry Warren supports clients with supply chain disputes.

The commercial litigation team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is singled out by one client as ‘genuinely exceptional’; local, national, and international clients instruct the firm to represent them in complex retail and energy disputes. The Southampton office boasts an arbitration arm, regularly handling international arbitration spanning the manufacturing, media, and technology industries. Tom Beezer leads the group, bringing vast expertise in providing dispute avoidance advice and litigation analysis to the team. Ian Newcombe regularly acts on claims arising from commercial contracts and directors’ disputes. Andrew Parsons is an expert on commercial disputes in the technology sector, and Gavin Matthews focuses on retail and consumer law. Managing associate Amy Prime specialises in data protection breaches.

From the Southampton office, Owen Williams and senior associate Cathy Harris jointly lead the Clarke Willmott LLP commercial litigation team, showcasing a strong capability in supporting clients through complex contractual and business interruption disputes; the former deals with IT and contentious probate disputes, while the latter focuses on professional negligence claims and franchise disputes. The department is well placed to advise SMEs operating at regional and national level.

With extensive expertise across the finance, education, and sports industries, the dispute resolution department at Moore Barlow is well versed in handling high-value contractual and commercial disputes for SMEs. Claire Haverfield and David Foster co-head the group from Southampton and Guildford, with the former boasting over 25 years’ experience in handling warranty and IT disputes, and the latter regularly managing claims for corporate clients. Southampton-based Mark Osgood specialises in internal business disputes, and Sarah Watley deals with commercial possession claims.

Boasting significant strength in the recruitment, finance, and manufacturing spaces, the Southampton-based Paris Smith LLP team specialises in all aspects of disputes arising out of corporate transactions. The firm has recently expanded its public and pharmaceutical sector work, with Christopher Holliss bringing in-depth experience of advising emerging and international pharmaceutical and tech companies to the group. David Eminton heads up the practice, operating out of Southampton, and routinely dealing with all fields of commercial litigation. Helen Brown supports clients with disputes ranging from IT contracts to shareholder issues.

Having grown significantly in the areas of property litigation, contentious trusts, and financial services, the Trethowans LLP commercial litigation department is known for representing major corporations and high-net-worth-individuals in such disputes. The team works closely across the firm’s offices in Winchester, Poole, and Bournemouth, enabling it to draw on vast resources to solve multi-faceted claims. Southampton-based practice head Karl Cameron specialises in property disputes and construction claims, while Richard Cook boasts over 35 years’ experience in handling contract claims. Jennifer Bowes deals with insolvency-related litigation. From the Salisbury office, Amy Croxford is also noted.

Showcasing considerable expertise within the insurance, insolvency, and property fields, BDB Pitmans’ Southampton litigation team has extensive experience of managing shareholder disputes and professional negligence claims. Accredited mediator and insolvnecy expert Rick Munro co-heads the group from Southampton, alongside Reading-based Philip Smith. Claire Collings specialises in contractual and commercial property disputes, while Jacqueline Dickinson typically handles insurance liability claims.

Operating out of Basingstoke, the Phillips Solicitors group is well equipped to handle professional negligence and general commercial disputes on behalf of SMEs, family-run businesses, and larger corporate entities. Max Hope leads the team with vast expertise in mediation and alternative dispute resolution, while senior associate Simon Arneaud focuses on complex property litigation matters and contentious wills issues.