Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Commercial litigation: Cambridge in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

The Cambridge office of regional powerhouse Birketts LLP is 'pragmatic and gets excellent results in a cost-effective manner'. Along with its sector specialisms in shipping, education, public law, procurement law, defence and transport, the firm also acts for many local clients in fraud, insolvency and general commercial disputes. Practice head Laurence Weeks is ' outstanding in getting disputes resolved for clients'. Up-and-coming partner Sara Sayer takes the lead on public and administrative law matters, for which senior associate Naomi Westcott is also recommended. Alec Cameron is a key adviser on matters concerning defamation and reputation management, and his work includes right to be forgotten claims, and  IPSO complaints.

Responsables de la pratique:

Laurence Weeks


Autres avocats clés:

Sara Sayer; Naomi Westcott; Alec Cameron


Les références

‘The dispute resolution team is outstanding, pragmatic and gets excellent results in a cost-effective manner.’

‘Laurence Weeks – outstanding in getting disputes resolved for clients.’

‘Excellent client-focused approach from Laurence Weeks.’

Principaux dossiers


Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP has a deep bench of litigators in Cambridge and one client remarks that ‘the firm can now compete with pretty much anyone in the field, whilst still being more responsive than the bigger players‘. Practice head Douglas McDonald frequently acts in high-value commercial disputes for clients in the technology and life sciences sectors. Principal associates Helen Prandy, who handles procurement disputes for government departments, the NHS and pharma companies, and Lino Di Lorenzo, who focuses on insolvency litigation, complex contract and shareholder disputes, are highly regarded. ‘Tactically and strategically astute‘ senior associate James Shiel is a key adviser to the life sciences sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Douglas McDonald


Autres avocats clés:

Helen Prandy; Lino di Lorenzo; Alexandra Illingworth; James Shiel


Les références

‘A relatively small regional firm that is punching well above its weight. Situated in a fast developing tech hub, it has been able to tap into some bio and other tech disputes that might otherwise have gone to a larger London firm, acquiring some valuable battle experience in the process. As a result the firm can now compete with pretty much anyone in the field, whilst still being cheaper and more responsive than the bigger players (precisely because it is smaller). ’

‘Douglas MacDonald – a dream partner for any sort of commercial dispute, but with expertise in bio and other tech disputes. Great ideas, knows how to delegate but keeps his eye on the detail.’

‘Associate Alexandra Illingworth – a very efficient associate, who knows exactly what is required to win a case and leaves no stone unturned to get it.’

Principaux dossiers


Mishcon de Reya LLP

Mishcon de Reya LLP, which has absorbed local firm Taylor Vinters, has a strong bench in Cambridge that acts for high-net-worth individuals, as well as large national and international companies in the pharmaceutical, technology and engineering sectors. ‘It is easy to trust their guidance and suggested approach‘, remark clients of the dispute resolution group led by ‘great strategic thinkerLuke Hibbert, who frequently handles cases with an international element including shareholder and partnership disputes, fraud, commercial contracts, insolvency and urgent injunctions. Partner Gareth Dickson and associates Alexandra Thornton-Reid and Oliver Cotton also play key roles in the practice. Beth Price is now principal associate at Mills & Reeve LLP and senior counsel Jessica Boxford joined Charles Russell Speechlys.

Responsables de la pratique:

Luke Hibbert


Autres avocats clés:

Gareth Dickson; Alexandra Thornton-Reid; Oliver Cotton


Les références

‘We had a very specific issue and engaged Mishcon to give us the legal support we needed. We required commercial and HR support, both of which were delivered bearing in mind the urgency of the situation. The two legal areas were well briefed/coordinated on both aspects of the issue.’

‘Luke Hibbert headed up the project and brought on board who he thought we needed ensuring there was always back up in the event one of either team wasn’t going to be available at any point. His coordination and support was invaluable.’

‘They have people who can cover all areas of law, which means they can bring in other specialists where appropriate. Billing is accurate and transparent, staff are knowledgeable and friendly and offer sound advice.’

Principaux clients

Heraeus Noblelight Limited


Principaux dossiers


Ashtons Legal

Ashtons Legal has a strong commercial litigation practice across East Anglia, led by Tom Bailey in Norwich. In the Cambridge team ‘brilliant and hugely experienced‘ key partner Michael Frape frequently handles high-value, technically complex, commercial disputes, notably in the financial services, property development, retail and leisure sectors. Known for providing ‘knowledgeable, balanced advice‘, the firm has a diverse client base that includes Cambridge colleges, regional developers and national franchisors. Associate Jasdeep Rai, who joined from Greenwoods in late 2023, is ‘exceptional in his all-round approach‘.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tom Bailey


Autres avocats clés:

Michael Frape; Jasdeep Rai


Les références

‘Ashtons Legal is very client-focused. I was updated regularly with progress on my case and given knowledgeable, balanced advice along the way. I have only dealt with other practices for basic conveyancing matters but would have no issue returning to Ashtons Legal should I ever have a more complex case in the future again.’

‘Jasdeep Rai was exceptional in his all-round approach. He considered our thoughts and opinions as clients and offered a balanced insight to help us with our decision-making. He pushed for the best possible outcome for us throughout and regularly updated us with his progress. I would not hesitate in recommending Jasdeep to anybody in need of his services.’

‘Michael Frape is a brilliant and hugely experienced partner who leads an excellent commercial team at Ashtons. His team are trusted by major, high tech corporations and high net worth individuals in heavyweight commercial litigation and arbitrations. Michael has particular gravitas and expertise in shareholder and partnership disputes. He fights determinedly in his clients’ interests and is a joy to work with.’

Principaux clients

CeX


Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries Limited


Signs Express Limited


Bubbleology


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a company in dispute with a former director of a subsidiary which has been sold. The former director is claiming an alleged performance bonus of over £1.5 million. Liability is disputed.
  • Substantial professional negligence claim relating to solicitor’s advice in respect of a large residential development scheme. Difficult limitation, contributory negligence and waiver issues.
  • Acting for an employer on an injunctive claim against a regional sales manager who was moving to a competitor in breach of a restrictive covenant.

HCR Hewitsons

The litigation practice at HCR Hewitsons 'approaches complex matters with a high level of professionalism and dedication'. Stewart Morrison is the lead partner for commercial disputes, and focuses on challenges to procurement contract awards and applications for Judicial Review. He is currently advising a leading awarding body in the education sector on a Freedom of Information Act appeal. Simon Biggin has in-depth expertise in contractual, shareholder and partnership disputes, and professional negligence claims. 'Extremely knowledgeable, very hardworking' associate Emma Elston is also recommended.

 

Responsables de la pratique:

Stewart Morrison


Autres avocats clés:

Simon Biggin; Emma Elston


Les références

‘Timely responses to contact requests. Open book billing creates trust.’

‘Good grasp of an alien subject. Clear layman’s explanation of the legal angles.’

‘I work primarily with Stewart Morrison and Emma Elston. They are extremely knowledgeable, very hardworking and well-resourced. They are client-sensitive and always focused on finding solutions for clients. In my view Stewart’s team is on par with some of the other bigger names doing public procurement work, such as Osborne Clarke and Burges Salmon, but fail to get the recognition they deserve. ’

Principaux clients

Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Broadland Agricultural Water Abstractors Group in 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.
  • Acting for a leading awarding body in the education sector in several information rights cases, including numerous appeals by the same two appellants. Successfully defended the appeals in the First Tier and Upper Tribunals.
  • Acted for a company in the successful challenge to tender award decision meaning that it achieved a place on certain business-critical lots on a Framework.

Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP  has an ‘expert, approachable and commercial‘ dispute resolution group, which has a strong presence in its Cambridge office. The ‘tenacious, detailed and very competentMichael Green leads the team, which is able to advise on high-value, urgent, complex and high-profile matters both within the UK and overseas. The firm is currently involved in disputes with parties in the Middle East, North Africa, Taiwan and Slovakia. Director Victoria Sandell is frequently involved in multimillion-pound disputes and is ‘a fantastic lawyer, leader and litigator‘. She is currently working with Green on a multi-jurisdiction shareholder dispute with a Saudi minority shareholder.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Green


Autres avocats clés:

Victoria Sandell


Les références

‘Howes Percival LLP are really well placed within their market sector.’

‘Michael Green is a vastly experienced lawyer. Tenacious, detailed and very competent. Victoria Sandell is a very fine lawyer and has a great future.’

‘My dealings with this firm are as a mediator where they represent one of the parties at the mediation. They are part of a national firm and I deal mainly with their insolvency team. Very expert, approachable and commercial.’

Principaux clients

Ben’s Cookies


C. Hoare & Co


Wonop ApS


Saxton 4×4


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for and settling at mediation a shareholder dispute with Saudi minority shareholders for a multinational high street retailer.
  • Acting for exiting partners in £78m Agri dispute.
  • Successfully representing Wonop ApS, a Danish corporate software developer at trial in Commercial Court claim re: crypto currency case against Fetch.ai Limited, obtaining order for c.USD$1m plus costs.

Stobbs IP

A leading firm for IP and brand management, Stobbs IP in Ely continues to broaden the scope of its litigation practice into general commercial disputes. Head of litigation and 'phenomenal team builderGeoff Steward and head of dispute management Chris Sleep are the key contacts, though clients also recommend 'superb technical lawyer' Charlotte Peach, who also has a management role in the litigation and commercial teams. 'Essentially a London-style commercial litigation boutique but at far better value', remarks one client. Steward recently defended Dryrobe Limited in a breach of contract claim against Superdry.

Responsables de la pratique:

Geoff Steward; Chris Sleep


Autres avocats clés:

Charlotte Peach


Les références

‘This is a superb team. Essentially a London-style commercial litigation boutique but at far better value. They consistently produce superb results for their impressive client list.’

‘Geoff Steward is a phenomenal team builder and excellent litigator. Partners at other firms fear facing him. Charlotte Peach is a superb technical lawyer and is going places fast.’

‘The Stobbs team provides quick, clear and well-founded expertise with a practice oriented approach. They speak the right business language, without any unnecessary long legal commentary. Very proactive in respect of new (IP) challenges, they are often more up-to date compared to other firms.

Principaux clients

AG Barr (Irn Bru etc)


Beiersdorf (Nivea etc.)


Britvic


Brown Forman (Jack Daniels etc)


Combe International (Vagisil)


Dryrobe


Harley-Davidson USA Inc.


Liverpool Football Club


Marks and Spencer


Mars


Nike


O2


PZ Cussons


Reckitt


The Ritz Hotel London


UEFA


Yoox Net-a-Porter


Webstorm Information Technology Private Limited (an Indian entity)


AFTV


Berry Bros


Clear Score Technology Limited


Culturestore Limited


Cyan Blue Odds Limited (T/A Oddschecker)


Danone


DKNY


Ecolab


Eton College


Fine and Country


Foo Fighters / Dave Grohl


Ford Motor Co.


giffgaff


GLD Group (Umbro)


GoPro


Grandmaster Flash


Green Energy UK


Immersive Labs


Informa Plc


John Torode


Jude Bellingham


Jurgen Klopp


La Prairie


Levito AG


Mattel


Medium Rare N.V. (T/A as Stake)


Neuehouse & Fotografiska


Nirvana


Olive and Orange Ltd


Orla Kiely


Pharrell Williams


Pip & Nut


Quintessentially Group


RLTV Media


Ronnie Scotts


Slater & Gordon


Snap Inc


Stanley Black and Decker Inc.


The Goodwood Estate Limited


Tik Tok


Tumblr


University of Cambridge


Wendy’s


Wilmington Plc


Xaar


Yahoo


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for retailer M&S in High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings against Aldi in respect of M&S’ registered designs covering light up gin bottles which the High Court held were infringed by Aldi’s ‘gin globes’.
  • Acted for Chinese shoe manufacturer Dream Pairs in the High Court and Court of Appeal in respect of trade mark infringement proceedings brought by Iconix, owners of the Umbro brand, and relating to the Umbro logo.
  • Acting for Dryrobe in relation to a breach of contract dispute brought by Superdry. Proceedings have been issued in the High Court Shorter Trials Scheme and are approaching the Case Management stage.

Tees Law

The litigation practice at Tees Law is led from Bishop’s Stortford but its Cambridge office has significant experience in the form of senior associate Sara Stabler, who frequently handles complex, multi-party contract disputes, as well as shareholder and partnership disputes. Her team has grown with the addition of senior associate Angela Togher from Sebastians Solicitors and associate Christina Stout from Mishcon de Reya LLP. Stabler is currently handling a shareholder dispute arising from the death of a retired director.

Responsables de la pratique:

Darren Perks


Autres avocats clés:

Sara Stabler; Angela Togher; Christina Stout


Les références

‘Quick to react, attention to detail and extensive knowledge of relevant case law and professional practice.’

‘Chris Claxton-Shirley: Wonderfully well-mannered, sharp intellect, incisive and very sensible about what and what is not relevant. Very quick at getting back to you.’

Alex Waples: Wide knowledge of the law at stake, prepared to tackle extremely difficult issues head on, great sense of humour which is needed when things get awkward.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advising on shareholder dispute following death of retired director and the estate aggressively pursuing the company regarding terms of agreement (reached verbally with the deceased).
  • Successfully defending a claim between a former couple that the beneficial interest in the property was greater than that recorded in the trust deed. Deal value of £350,000.00.
  • Advising client company and negotiating with HMRC regarding backdated tax relief following change of premises. Deal value £2 million.