Birkett Long LLP‘s ‘incredibly versatile’ dispute resolution department is equipped to comfortably operate across all areas of commercial litigation, including construction, intellectual property, insolvency and public procurement matters.  Heading up the North Essex team, Colchester-based Carla Jones joined the team in March 2022 from Palmers, along with Jacqui McGuirk, and offers particular experience in breach of director’s duties, civil fraud and professional negligence claims, while construction expert Suryen Nullatamby in Chelmsford leads the South Essex team. Described as ‘a real presence in this area’, Perdeep Grewal excels in handling contractual disputes, while Peter Allen excels in construction claims. Keith Songhurst left the department in 2022 to head up the firm’s risk and compliance team.

With notable experience in international matters, Birketts LLP‘s well-reputed commercial litigation department is sought out by clients from a broad range of industries, such as the agriculture, banking, technology and transport sectors. Praised by clients for his ‘unpretentious advice’, Daden Hunt leads the department from Chelmsford, and his practice encompasses professional negligence claims, shareholder disputes and complex High Court litigation. William Arran‘s workload extends to crisis and reputation litigation matters and regulatory investigations, and he also has niche expertise in advising clients on international sanctions. Nicholas Phillips and Matthew Weston have knowledge in insolvency related matters.

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP‘s dispute resolution department is a one-stop shop for the whole array of commercial disputes, and the firm continues to grow its portfolio of property block management company clients. The team is headed up by CEO and mediator Tony Fisher, who splits his time between Chelmsford and Colchester, and has a specialist interest in charity disputes. Joe Sandercock, Billy Smith and Aaron Pottle deal with disputes in niche areas, such as sport and media litigation, and energy disputes.

Advising on the whole range of commercial disputes, Palmers in Basildon offers its own mediation services, and is particularly well versed in business divorce, intellectual property, commercial fraud, and commercial property litigation. Head of the ‘very knowledgeable‘ commercial litigation team Patricia Wollington joined the firm in April 2022, and works with Luke Morgan, who leads the firm’s wider commercial department and is a core contact for a number of the firm's regional, national and international clients. Jason Borg‘s practice includes shareholder, business sale and contractual disputes.

Tees Law‘s commercial litigation team is part of the firm’s wider dispute resolution and litigation department, enabling it to offer an all-round service to its clients. The team is led by David Perry in Chelmsford and operates across all of the firm’s six offices. Perry is known for his expertise in high-value insolvency and company disputes, while junior lawyer Ana James-Pittau is well versed in contractual disputes, civil fraud claims, intellectual property disputes and supply of goods and services matters.

With a specialism in franchise agreement disputes, Jefferies Essex LLP‘s litigation department in Southend covers commercial disputes, professional negligence matters, and M&A litigation. Clients recommend team head Sarah Mitchell, who is regularly instructed on large-scale commercial litigation matters, while Victoria Scott’s workload includes a significant amount of advocacy work. Duncan Bennington advises on insolvency, directors disqualification and property disputes.

Mullis & Peake LLP‘s Romford-based dispute resolution team specialises in employment, debt recovery, as well as company and commercial property disputes. Praised by clients for ‘always thinking ten steps ahead of the other side’, department head Holly Minney strengthens the department’s offering with her qualification as solicitor advocate. With past experience working for local governments, Esther Marshall in Shenfield is an expert in employment law and property disputes

Pinney Talfourd LLP‘s areas of expertise include contract disputes, professional negligence claims, insolvency issues, director and shareholder disputes, and financial services litigation and construction disputes. Known for his ‘wealth of experience’, Nick Hatchett leads the commercial litigation department from the firm’s Brentwood office, and has advised several European banks over the last decade, most notably the Bank of Cyprus.

Leanne Philp in Harlow leads Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors’ ‘technically outstanding’ dispute resolution team, which advises on debt recovery, breach of contract, and building disputes. Philp’s recent workload includes representing a defendant against a local council, as well as handling a large partnership dispute, while Prabhi Ghura is best known for property disputes.

Thompson Smith and Puxon‘s ‘vibrant and forward-thinking’ dispute resolution team works closely with the firm’s other departments, including the corporate and commercial team, to offer broad advice to its clients. Colchester-based Andrew Breckenridge heads up the department following Sharon Auton's retirement in December 2022, and is especially well versed in banking and construction disputes. ‘Standout team member’ Laura-Pauline Adcock-Jones is a trained civil-commercial mediator, and offers particular expertise in drafting pleadings and settlement agreements.