Firms To Watch: Commercial litigation: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire

Led by Ellen Yeates, the team at Porter Dodson LLP handles supply chain disputes, intellectual property proceedings, reputation management cases, insolvency litigation and commercial contract disputes.

Commercial litigation: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire in South West

BPE Solicitors LLP

Based in Cheltenham, BPE Solicitors LLP ‘delivers a high quality of service’ to clients on a broad range of mandates, including contractual disputes, professional negligence claims, intellectual property cases and shareholder litigation, among others. Riyaz Jariwalla, ‘who is as robust with opponents as he is sensible with his clients’, leads the practice and specialises in commercial litigation, with a strong focus in handling intellectual property disputes. John Carter is noted for his expertise in property litigation and professional negligence work, while Peter Knibbs handles commercial and residential property litigation. Philip Radford, who has demonstrable experience advising on professional negligence claims, is another key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Riyaz Jariwalla


Autres avocats clés:

John Carter; Peter Knibbs; Philip Radford


Les références

‘An approachable team who are focused on results for their client. They attract a very high quality of work and deliver a high quality of service.’

‘I mostly work with John Carter and Peter Knibbs. I value their honest and hard-working approach.’

‘They have always been calm, helpful and professional.’

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Praised for its ‘meticulous attention to detail and desire to provide a first-class service’, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP houses a team of ‘master tacticians’ and stands out for its experience in contentious insurance disputes, shareholder litigation, product liability and recall cases, and financial services litigation. Manoj Vaghela leads the Cheltenham-based team and specialises in contentious insurance mandates, often involving a cross-border element, while ‘unflappable’ legal director Claudine Morgan handles contractual disputes, breach of fiduciary duties, shareholder litigation and breach of warranty issues. Commended as ‘indefatigable’, senior associate Ben Moore is another key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Manoj Vaghela


Autres avocats clés:

Claudine Morgan; Ben Moore


Les références

‘Commerciality and willingness to get stuck in. Definitely one of the friendliest firms I’ve worked with.’

‘Manoj Vaghela is commercially astute, particularly in the field of pensions, and has a great sense of the commercial realities of a dispute.’

‘CRS is a smart, dynamic team. Great knowledge of the law, and master tacticians. I am always struck by their ability to work as an effective and efficient team, with clearly defined roles.’

Principaux clients

Greggs plc


Keith Smith


Tsokkos Hotels Public Limited


Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund Limited


Ian Stannard


Oxford Plastic Systems Limited


Trustees of the Harrowby’s Discretionary Will Trust


The Trustees of the Earl Bathurst 1963 Settlement


Riverstone Insurance/Argo Insurance


Zenium Technology Partners


Argo Insurance


QBE


Lord Wemyss


Williams Grand Prix Engineering Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Greggs in a claim issued in the High Court, winning a landmark ruling in Greggs’ battle over a £150m insurance claim triggered by the Covid-19 crisis.
  • Successfully obtained an Anti-Suit Injunction for the benefit of our clients, based in Ghana and Mauritius, restraining the defendant from pursuing its claims in respect of various alleged breaches of a shareholders’ agreement.

Croft Solicitors

With demonstrable experience in cross-border litigation, boutique firm Croft Solicitors stands out for its capability in handling high-value disputes before the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Practice leader Rupert Croft, who splits his time between the firm’s Cheltenham and London offices, is noted for his expertise in commercial litigation, financial services disputes, civil fraud proceedings, anti-trust cases and property claims. Director Laura Nelson handles professional negligence claims, financial mis-selling disputes and contentious employment matters, while consultant Tom Blackburn specialises in costs and funding cases. Associate director Edward Hazzan is another key contact in the group.


Responsables de la pratique:

Rupert Croft


Autres avocats clés:

Laura Nelson; Tom Blackburn; Edward Hazzan


Principaux clients

Dairy Partners 7


Freebrights (trading as Huffkins Limited)


International Group Limited


Marmalade of London


Viorel Micula


Clarke Willmott LLP

Praised for its capability to ‘inspire unparalleled trust and respect’ among its roster of clients, Clarke Willmott LLP has stellar experience in the agriculture sector, advising on a broad range of disputes concerning agri-technology, agri-commerce and agri-finance. Other key areas of expertise include professional negligence claims, shareholder litigation and contract claims. ‘Technically excellent’ Esther Woolford leads the team and handles agricultural disputes, property litigation and proprietary estoppel claims, while senior associate Laura Mackain-Bremner ‘continues to impress in commercial litigation, especially in the agricultural sphere’. Woolford and Mackain-Bremner form a ‘formidable team’.


Responsables de la pratique:

Esther Woolford


Autres avocats clés:

Laura Mackain-Bremner


Les références

‘They are uniquely placed to provide clients with an excellent service. They are commercial, have good judgment and expertise. They are particularly strong on agricultural matters.’

‘Esther Woolford is very impressive and a responsive partner. She is great to work with, committed to achieving a great outcome for clients and hard-working.’

‘Laura Mackain-Bremner has good judgment and analysis of the case, is commercially minded and focussed on achieving the client’s objectives.’

Principaux clients

Andrew Guest


NFU


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted on a class action against four finance companies relating to the mis-selling of finance (NFU v Nationwide).
  • Acting for Andrew Guest in a proprietary estoppel claim.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Praised for its ‘first-class service’, Harrison Clark Rickerbys has demonstrable experience in handling technology and intellectual property disputes, financial services litigation, business protection cases and real estate disputes, in addition to contentious trust and probate mandates. Adam Finch leads the Cheltenham-based team and focuses on financial services litigation, while Steven Murray spearheads the firm’s contentious intellectual property offering and Andrew Walker heads the real estate disputes practice. ‘OutstandingJenny Raymond is noted for her expertise in cases involving the misappropriation of confidential information and breaches of post-termination restrictions, and ‘meticulous’ legal director Cris Manuel-Hughes is another key contact in the group. Fiona Hayles left to Hyperian Law Limited in October 2022.

Responsables de la pratique:

Adam Finch; Steven Murray; Andrew Walker


Autres avocats clés:

Jenny Raymond; Cris Manuel-Hughes


Les références

‘I must mention Jenny Raymond who was outstanding, very much felt that we were in safe hands and her knowledge was exceptional.’

‘They make the whole process smooth and stress free, they communicated very effectively at every step. They were honest and candid.’

‘First-class service and advice from a first-class team.’

Principaux clients

CGI Automotive Consulting Limited


Christopher Golding


Matthew Nicholas Tom


Suzanne and Vincent Bootes


Quantum Advisory Limited


Craig Cohoon (CC), Scott Cohoon (SC) and Jane Cohoon (JC) (collectively the Cohoons) and Craig Cohoon Watersports


Mr Gary Jones


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Quantum Advisory Limited in the High Court involving trade marking, which dealt with a number of issues arising out of a contract with Quantum Actuarial LLP.
  • Filed a detailed unfair prejudice petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006 against a boutique law firm and its members.
  • Obtained the first summary judgment in a crypto case from the High Court which secured the return of fraudulently obtained bitcoin, with £1.85 million recovered.

RWK Goodman

Counting regional and international companies among its key roster of clients, RWK Goodman focuses on financial services litigation, technology disputes, contractual claims and contentious data protection mandates, in addition to professional negligence claims. In the firm’s Bath office, health and social care expert Mei-Ling Huang jointly leads the team alongside Swindon-based senior associate Marianne Johns, who ‘leaves no stone unturned’ when handling contractual and tortious claims. The Bath office is also home to senior associate Nicola Radcliffe and associate Fran Tremeer, while Tom Llewellyn left the firm in March 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mei-Ling Huang; Marianne Johns


Autres avocats clés:

Nicola Radcliffe; Fran Tremeer


Les références

‘Marianne Johns is super thorough and will leave no stone unturned.’

Principaux clients

Helena Shen


Highfield Motors Limited


Markey Building Services Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Instructed by Markey Building Services, part of Markey Group, to issue urgent injunctive proceedings against two (now ex-) employees, a rival business, Situ, and a number of other individuals.
  • Acting on a long-standing matter concerning a claim brought by Ralph Lauren against Mr Chris Butcher, the former partner of Ms Shen, worth £4m.
  • Acting for Highfield Motors Limited to enforce a disputed £4.7m loan provided by way of funding for a business acquisition.

Stone King LLP

The ‘commercially focused and pragmatic team’ at Stone King LLP is noted for its ‘expertise in property and commercial litigation, with a roster of institutional clients, particularly in the charity and education sectors’. Also noted for its experience across the retail, engineering and construction, IT and transport industries, the practice’s caseload includes contractual disputes, negligence claims, procurement proceedings and defamation mandates. Praised as ‘calm and level-headed in the midst of fast-moving litigation’, team leader Tony Pidgeon focuses on real estate disputes, including dilapidations claims, forfeiture issues, possession of land and trespasser claims, among others.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tony Pidgeon


Autres avocats clés:

Dan Carter


Les références

‘Established expertise in property and general commercial litigation, with a roster of institutional clients, in particular in the charitable and educational sectors.’

‘Tony Pidgeon is personable with clients, calm and level-headed in the midst of fast-moving litigation and able to quickly assemble a team of solicitors and counsel to deal with disputes.’

‘Small but commercially focused and pragmatic team of specialists.’

Principaux clients

National Heritage Memorial Fund


Principaux dossiers


  • Defended a claim brought against a client for breach of contract arising out of a ‘hire agreement’ for a modular building.

Thrings LLP

Thrings LLP ‘punches above its weight’ and maintains a ‘robust approach’ to financial services litigation, shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims and debt recovery mandates, in addition to trusts litigation. Based in Swindon, ‘superb litigatorRamona Derbyshire leads the team and handles shareholder disputes and breach of warranty claims, financial services litigation, claimant and defendant professional negligence claims. Head of the inheritance and trusts disputes group Emily Prout ‘fights the client’s corner whilst having good technical ability and an eye to what is achievable in the circumstances’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ramona Derbyshire


Autres avocats clés:

Emily Prout; Annahita Roohi; Joanna Barr


Les références

‘Thrings LLP punches above its weight, easily matching large London-based firms in commercial litigation.’

‘Ramona Darbyshire is a superb litigator, who underpins her work with a deep understanding of client objectives.’

‘Joanna Barr is an experienced litigator, with a keen eye for detail who nonetheless keeps the overall strategy and objectives in sight.’

Principaux clients

Ultrafine Aluminium Global Limited


Windhager UK Limited


Randek AB


MAN Truck & Bus UK Limited


Bar Council


Openwork Limited


UTAX (UK) Limited


Citipost Limited


Alvan Blanch Development Company Limited


Free Train Sports Limited


DPDS Limited


Sanlam Life & Pensions UK Limited


Extrudakerb (Maltby Engineering) Limited


Stanley Security Solutions Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a founding shareholder of an LLP on bringing a claim for entitlement of profit allocation under an LLP agreement and a proprietary interest claim for a percentage of profits, amounting to c.£12m.
  • Advised a construction company worth a £30m+ on a director/shareholder dispute.
  • Advised two NFU clients in separate proceedings for enforcement of bridging finance involving arguments under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, unfair relationships, hidden commissions and successfully challenging default interest rates of the underlying facility with a declaration as unenforceable penalty clauses.

Willans LLP

Key areas of expertise for Willans LLP include contract litigation, partnership disputes, intellectual property cases, inheritance and trust disputes, property litigation, specialist vehicle mandates and professional negligence claims. Practice head Paul Gordon and Nick Southwell offer ‘robust and sensible advice’ in High Court actions and property disputes respectively, while associate James Melvin-Bath handles contentious probate mandates, landlord and tenant issues and commercial claims. Consultant solicitor Nick Cox remains a key contact in the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paul Gordon


Autres avocats clés:

Nick Southwell; Nick Cox; James Melvin-Bath


Les références

‘Experts in the fields that we require and easy to do business with.’

‘From the beginning they were very clear, with no hidden agendas or costs. They were extremely helpful and nothing was too much trouble for them. Any question asked was always responded to with great knowledge, and you could see experience is what makes this firm who they are.’

‘James Melvin Bath was who we had the pleasure of working with, and I couldn’t of asked for a better solicitor. He was considerate of our issue but also very clear on our boundaries and who the issue at hand had to be dealt with. His knowledge was outstanding and thanks to him, he resolved our concern with ease.’

Principaux clients

Excelerate Technology Limited


Stichd Sportsmerchandising BV (part of the PUMA Group)


Trade Exhibitions Limited


Kohler Mira Limited


P14 Medical Limited


Darby & Darby


IM Medical Limited


Peshavaria Exports PVT Ltd


Sue Ryder


Trade Mark Wizards Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for the claimant/applicant in proceedings, who are creditors of the insolvent company of a F1 team to appeal decision of the liquidator who refused proof of debt.
  • Acting in a High Court case for the claimant, a market leading satellite telecoms company, in a procurement claim against two NHS organisations.
  • Acting for household name and longstanding client, Kohler Mira Limited, in a claim for damages arising from the breach of an overage agreement.

Maitland Walker LLP

Praised for its ‘exceptional depth of knowledge in competition litigation’, as well as multi-party proceedings, Maitland Walker LLP also counts intellectual property disputes, professional negligence claims and property litigation in its caseload. In the firm’s Minehead office, Julian Maitland-Walker handles contentious competition law mandates and jointly leads the team alongside Taunton-based Sheree-Ann Virgin, who acts for corporate clients in the pharmaceutical, transport, leisure and public sectors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Julian Maitland-Walker; Sheree-Ann Virgin


Autres avocats clés:

Adrian Render


Les références

‘This is a South West country practice with good commercial knowledge. They are user friendly and effective at reasonable cost.’

‘Julian Maitland-Walker’s competition law expertise is second to none, and he combines it with a real talent for teasing out the best strategy for cases. Adrian Render is an outstanding competition law practitioner who is particularly skilled at applying his consummate knowledge in a creative way.’

‘I have worked with Julian Maitland-Walker and Sheree-Ann Virgin. They are both charming and highly competent, as well as hard-working. They are extremely good at understanding a client’s needs and addressing them.’

Principaux clients

David Boyle and Edward Vermeer


Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Limited


Luxury Leisure Limited / RAL Limited


Rest & Play Footwear Limited


British Association of European Pharmaceutical Distributors


Lexon UK Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting on behalf of rail passengers who bought overpriced rail tickets from Govia Thameslink Railway on the Brighton mainline.
  • Acting for Royal Berkshire Polo Club Limited in defending a trade mark infringement action bought by the owners of Beverly Hills Polo Club.

Mogers Drewett LLP

Housing a team of ‘experienced and client-focused experts’, Mogers Drewett LLP counts property litigation, contentious trust and probate mandates, insurance disputes and professional negligence claims in its caseload. In the firm’s Bath office, Maeve England leads the practice and is praised for her ‘impressive understanding of property litigation’, in addition to company and partnership disputes. Wells-based senior associate John Osman is ‘a safe pair of hands’ when acting on contentious probate matters, landlord and tenant cases and commercial claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Maeve England


Autres avocats clés:

John Osman


Les références

‘The strongest dispute resolution team in the North Somerset area.’

‘John Osman is a very safe pair of hands and leads the dispute resolution offering. He is experienced with sound judgment and great client care skills.’

‘Mogers Drewett has the advantage of offices in Bath and also in Wells, Sherborne and Frome. It is therefore extremely well-placed to give a breadth of advice to rural clients, whilst still be involved with the bigger commercial matters that arise in a city.’

Simon Burn Solicitors

Litigation boutique Simon Burn Solicitors focuses on insolvency litigation, directors’ disqualification mandates, commercial claims and privacy-related disputes, including defamation, breach of privacy and blackmail cases, among others. Named partner Simon Burn leads the team and ‘combines in-depth knowledge of relevant case law with tactical insight gained over many years’. Other key contacts in the group include David Magill, who has experience in handling defamation and reputation management disputes, and solicitor Mark Ingram, who is praised as ‘responsive and proactive’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Simon Burn


Autres avocats clés:

David Magill; Mark Ingram


Les références

‘Simon Burn combines in-depth knowledge of relevant case law with tactical insight gained over many years. He has had real success in defending contested claims and pursuing applications for leave to act following disqualification.’

‘Mark Ingram is demonstrating some of the same traits as his principal and is responsive and proactive.’

‘A boutique firm in which the named partner is very hands-on and has a highly commercial but approachable feel that is lost in larger London-centric firms.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Defended a case for the disqualification brought by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy against Mr James Keeble as a company director, with Mr Keeble avoiding a threatened disqualification period of 10 years.
  • Defended Messrs Kewley and Spence, as former directors of A1 Alpha Properties (Leicester) Limited, in relation to a director’s disqualification investigation and ongoing £200 million claims.
  • Defending claims brought by AIM listed insolvency litigation funders Manolete Partners PLC.

Wilsons

Based in Salisbury, the commercial litigation team at Wilsons counts contractual claims, shareholder litigation and post-termination restrictive covenant disputes in its caseload, in addition to defamation, privacy and data protection claims. Ben Thornton leads the practice and handles property litigation, agricultural-related disputes and product liability proceedings, while Jenifer Martindale focuses on commercial contractual disputes. Debbie Ashenhurst, who is praised as ‘hard-working, wedded to detail and proactive in finding commercial outcomes’, is a key contact for reputation management cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ben Thornton


Autres avocats clés:

Jenifer Martindale; Debbie Ashenhurst


Les références

‘We found Wilsons Solicitors (Salisbury) extremely professional from the very first contact that was made. Everyone was prompt with their responses, which was important to us as we had a very tight court deadline to fulfil.’

‘Debbie Ashenhurst got on top of the brief very swiftly and was punctilious in responding to all of our queries.’

‘Jenifer Martindale was very professional at all times. Jenifer read in and grasped our case quickly and immediately gave us sound legal advice. Jenifer ensured we understood the options going forward and that we were realistic about the possible outcomes and the associated costs. We found Jenifer reassuring and calm at a time of great stress.’

Principaux clients

Wallgate Limited