The Norwich office of Birketts LLP plays a central role in its region-wide litigation practice, being home to lead partner and qualified barrister Andrew Kinnison and ‘extremely efficient and prompt‘ senior associate Adam Blenkinsop. The firm climbs the ranking this year having been involved in numerous multimillion-pound cases, notably in Kinnison’s area of contractual disputes, insolvency,  and shareholder disputes. Blenkinsop handles complex and high-value disputes for corporate, charitable, and private clients, while associate Chloe Bird has a varied caseload that includes breach of contract and contract interpretation matters,  unfair prejudice petitions, and breach of directors’ duties cases.

The Norwich office of regional powerhouse Mills & Reeve LLP is a key pillar of its firm-wide litigation group, which handles a growing caseload of national and international work, as well as many of the biggest cases emerging from the East Anglia region. Practice head Rachel McDonnell is 'an exceptional lawyer with great instincts'. She has notable expertise in financial services disputes, including regulatory investigations, economic crime and enforcement proceedings. In her 'proactive, very client-friendly' team, consultant Rachel Higgs, who handles high-value fraud, breach of warranty and shareholder and partnership disputes, and associate Abaigh Compton, who excels in defamation and restrictive covenant matters, are key practitioners.

Ashtons Legal has ‘a very good commercial litigation offering, with particular experience in franchising disputes‘, and that expertise is largely centred on its Norwich office, where lead partner and qualified barrister Tom Bailey resides. Bailey, who is ‘very focused and relaxed, and explains legal points clearly and concisely‘, predominantly acts in the higher courts in complex and high-value cases for listed and non-listed companies, individuals and public bodies. His recent work includes a £4.5m breach of contract dispute. Insolvency and restructuring partner Fiona Stuart also handles high-profile contentious matters.

Howes Percival LLP‘s Norwich office litigation group is led by Gordon Simpson, who ‘tackles every issue in a very considered and professional manner‘. He has developed a specialism in shareholder disputes, acting for a number of directors and shareholders in unfair prejudice proceedings, though he also has notable expertise in high-value disputes in the energy sector. Associate Sam Leaver, who joined from Spire Solicitors LLP in late 2023, assists with shareholder and contractual disputes, and associated damages claims.

Fosters has a long-standing presence in Norwich and across Norfolk for commercial litigation, which focuses on shareholder and partnership disputes, unfair prejudice claims, complex contractual disputes, defamation suits and more. Practice head Chris Fielding is frequently instructed to represent clients in the County Court and High Court. Simon Loome, who was a founding member of the Norwich operation of Isadore Goldman, joined in 2023, bringing extensive experience in commercial and insolvency litigation. Senior associate Gurpal Singh moved to Meaby & Co in London.

The litigation practice at Nicholsons Solicitors LLP centres on lead partner Robert Tiffen, who has successfully built a strong national reputation for franchising disputes. The firm started its litigation practice in Norwich c2020 with Tiffen working between the Norwich and Lowestoft offices, and it has succeeded in creating ‘a lean practice that achieves outstanding, commercial results for clients‘. The firm’s boutique-style service caters for businesses and high-net-worth individuals throughout Norfolk and Suffolk, notably in the energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.