The cross-office litigation practice at Birketts LLP has a key hub in Ipswich, where the vastly experienced Matthew Atkins and up-and-coming partner Josh Ripman are the standout practitioners. They have ‘both commercial acumen and pragmatism, and deal with matters with great efficiency and drive‘. The firm handles the full range of  tortious and contractual claims, commercial fraud, shareholder’s disputes, breach of restrictive covenant agreements, product liability matters, partnership disputes, and matters arising from corporate transactions. Legal director Ceri Rogers, who is ‘a very assured litigator, with a steely determination‘, formerly at Fieldfisher, and senior associate Hayley Songhurst, previously of Ellisons Solicitors, joined the Ipswich litigation group in 2023.

Based in Bury St Edmunds, Greene & Greene is known for 'outstanding service, competence and personal touch'. The firm has a reputation for providing City quality work with a more personal approach, handling local, regional, national and international work. The firm is frequently involved in cross-border asset recovery cases. The litigation group is led by Rob Adam, who is 'commercially-minded, sensible and great with clients', and Michael Batty, who is 'a great commercial partner with a shrewd eye for what works'. Senior associate Rachel Turner-George and associate Bee Belby are recommended for high-value fraud claims and breach of contract matters respectively.

Greenwoods has a deep bench of litigators across its Cambridge, London and Peterborough offices, the latter being a key hub and home to vastly experienced practice head and ‘highly tenacious litigators‘ Huw Wallis. Emerging partner talents Adele Whaley and Jamie McConnell (who is ‘diligent, with an excellent eye for detail‘) are also highly recommended by peers and clients alike. The firm is ‘incredibly committed and thorough in advancing its clients’ interests‘. Its high-calibre work sees it frequently pitted against London or international firms, as well as regional heavyweights, in multimillion-pound claims, often with an international angle.

The Peterborough office of Buckles Solicitors LLP is part of a strong cross-office team, working with experts in Cambridge, London, Bristol, Stamford and Nottingham. New practice head Phillippa O'Neill, who joined from  Knights plc, in 2023, joins CEDR-accredited mediator and veteran litigator James Maxey, who specialises in company and partnership disputes, breach of commercial trading agreements, claims arising out of corporate warranties, professional negligence, shareholder disputes and breach of director’s duties. The firm recently represented a German national in a four-day trial in Central London County Court.

The litigation practice at Prettys Solicitors LLP in Ipswich is best known for breach of contract, professional negligence, insolvency, director and shareholder disputes. The firm is also adept in fraud, insurance and regulatory matters. Practice head and accredited mediator Peter Blake is ‘a very impressive and knowledgeable lawyer, very good with his clients‘. Experienced advocate Graham Mead is ‘very experienced and has a wealth of knowledge to draw on‘. Partner Bushra Elzubeir, and associate Michael Booth also play central roles in the practice.

The national dispute resolution practice at Ashtons Legal is led by Tom Bailey   from Norwich, but has a strong presence outside the city thanks to up-and-coming partner Annabel Mayer in Bury St Edmunds. She is 'strong on the law and very commercially aware' and clients praise her 'willingness to really listen at a difficult time'. The firm is well regarded for its work in franchising litigation, commercial disputes, shareholder disputes, breach of director’s duties and matters arising from corporate transactions.

Hunt & Coombs LLP, which has a long-standing presence in Peterborough, is ‘always efficient, helpful and friendly‘. Up-and-coming partner Helen Townsend leads the practice, in which senior associates Norman Hunter-Goulder in St Neots and Peterborough-based Rebecca Beynon-Phillips provide strong support. They provide ‘sensible, practical and realistic advice‘ on general commercial litigation and professional negligence cases. The practice is currently handling a property development partnership dispute involving mediation to agree the terms of sale for a series for properties.

Roythornes Solicitors has a cross-office litigation group, led by Peter Cusick in Spalding, that increasingly devotes resources to the Alconbury office, where up-and-coming partner Alex Forster (who is 'very bright and a future star') takes the lead. The firm frequently acts for large companies in complex and high-value professional negligence claims, company disputes, shareholder disputes and general commercial litigation. Forster is currently handling a £5m dispute for shareholders in a de-merging family business.

Fraser Dawbarns has a ‘smart, accessible client-focused team‘ handling commercial disputes for clients in North and West Norfolk, and East Cambridgeshire. Practice head Neil John in Wisbech calls upon ‘insightful and pragmatic‘ senior associate Joshua Shuardson-Hipkin in King’s Lynn to handle high-value matters. The firm is currently advising a local renewables company that specialises in anaerobic digestors on a dispute concerning its withdrawal from a proposed joint venture. ‘What sets the firm apart is the personalised service‘, remarks a client.

Shears Law is a niche litigation practice led by name partner Richard Shears, whose vast experience in contractual disputes, civil fraud, professional negligence claims and employment/recruitment disputes, has helped him to build a strong presence in the local market. Clients note that ‘the knowledge and value for money is exceptional‘, and that the ‘pragmatic and sensible‘ Shears is ‘meticulous and thorough, ensuring no detail is overlooked and every strategy is precisely tailored‘.