Brabners LLP draws considerable praise from clients for its ‘focused and commercial’ approach. The team is well-positioned to advise on the full scope of corporate and commercial work, including M&A, group organisations, private equity, contracts, e-commerce and data protections matters. The practice is jointly steered by Mark Rathbone and Richard Hough. Rathbone is noted for his expertise in the media, tech, supply chain and logistics and renewables sectors, while Hough is a commercial contracts and healthcare specialist. Elsewhere in the team, Andrew O’Mahony heads the firm’s banking and finance team and handles a considerable amount of private equity and finance work. Colin Bell advises on IP strategies, commercial contracts, licensing arrangements and data protection matters, while Rupert Gill provides M&A advice to corporates, AIM-listed companies and registered providers of social housing. A litany of charities and social enterprises turn to David Maples for advice on governance and constitutional issues, while John Spofforth handles issues relating to both national and international corporate transactions. Other names to note include managing partner Nik White, Nicola Lomas, who specialises in the sale and acquisition of dental practices, and Victoria Trigwell. Michael Brabner is also recommended.
Corporate and commercial: Liverpool in North West
Brabners LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Mark Rathbone; Richard Hough
Autres avocats clés:
Nicola Lomas; Colin Bell; David Maples; Victoria Trigwell; Andrew O’Mahony; Daniel Hayhurst; Michael Brabner
Les références
‘The team at Brabners are always happy to explain legal terms and intricacies to me in lay language so that I can clearly understand, and they don’t mind if I ask basic questions (even if I’ve asked them before!)’
‘Very client focused and commercial approach.’
‘John Spofforth is approachable and pragmatic in his commercial advice.’
Principaux clients
Commonwealth Games Federation
Neuven Solutions Limited
UKE Home Solutions Limited
Aspire Scientific Limited
MSite
Peel Ports Group
Yodel Delivery Network
Parcel2Go
Proact International Limited
Henry Bath & Son Limited
Medtrade Products Ltd
James Hall & Company Ltd (SPAR)
Parasol Ltd
Group Tyre UK Ltd
NWF Group plc
Open Outdoor Media Ltd
Cityheart Ltd
Innox Trading Ltd
GoJoe App Limited
Sinara Consultants Limited
Veka Plc
Chartersync Ltd
Travel Counsellors Limited
Lucid Games Ltd
Corgi Services Ltd
Biograd Limited
Cobalt Housing
Nanosun Ltd
Oneday Ltd
Vascular Perspectives
Terminal Investment Limited Sarl
Atlas Copco Limited
River Capital
Mercia Asset Management
British Swimming
The Royal Parks Limited
Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd
Bikmo Limited
Bleasdale Estates Ltd
The Estate Dairy Ltd
Evoke Creative Limited
Bikmo Limited
DAR Industrial Trucks Ltd
Principaux dossiers
- Providing ongoing legal support to the Commonwealth Games Federation as they prepare for the 2026 and 2030 games.
- Advising the shareholders of Lucid Entertainment Group Ltd on a sale to North American based Lightspeed Studios.
- Advising MPE Group Ltd on the sale of its trading subsidiary, MPE Ltd, to the NYSE listed Esco Technologies.
DLA Piper UK LLP
Operating across a number of sectors, including, but not limited to life sciences, manufacturing, public, tech and infrastructure, the corporate and commercial team at DLA Piper UK LLP manages a steady stream of deals for a diverse portfolio of clients. James Kerrigan oversees the practice alongside Sarah Bell; Kerrigan is noted for his focus on the private equity space, while Bell specialises in joint ventures and multi-million-pound outsourcing and commercial transactions. Peter Brook regularly advises on supply, agency, distribution, outsourcing, joint ventures and collaboration agreements, and Paddy Dwyer stands out for his expertise in commercial contracts.
Responsables de la pratique:
James Kerrigan; Sarah Bell
Autres avocats clés:
Peter Brook; Paddy Dwyer
Principaux clients
Arvato Group
Duracell
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Liverpool Football Club
Suttons Group
UK Government (Cabinet Office, DfT, UK Research and Innovation {Natural Environment Research Council}, DWP and Pensions, Crown Commercial Services, DEFRA, DCMS, BEIS, HMRC, FCDO, the Disclosure and Barring Service)
Unilever
Sciontec
The Contact Company
Elite Telecom plc
The Advanta Group Limited
Sonova UK Limited
Suttons Group Limited
Elan Homes Limited
Keoghs LLP
John Laing Investments Limited
Elite Telecom plc
Principaux dossiers
- Advising on many commercial contracts for the UK government.
- Advised Liverpool based Joloda Hydraroll Group Limited, a BGF backed business, on its acquisition of a majority interest in a Finnish company.
- Advised the Cabinet Office in the UK on corporate and commercial aspects of the sale of its stake in Shared Services Connected Ltd.
Hill Dickinson LLP
Praised as ‘approachable and responsive’, the team at Hill Dickinson LLP is equipped to navigate a wide spectrum of high-value corporate transactions, ranging from mid-market private equity to cross-border work for local and international companies. Practice head Matt Noon is a key port of call for public companies, private companies, entrepreneurs and institutional investors seeking advice on M&A transactions. Mike Jones is recommended for his expertise in the retail, logistics, leisure and property sectors, while Jonathan Brown regularly receives large corporate instructions from listed clients. Elsewhere, Sue Russell maintains a strong M&A practice, handling both public company and private company transactional work, and Craig Scott is routinely instructed by large corporates and private equity investment funds. Other notable individuals include private equity specialist Michael Murphy and Elan Iorwerth.
Responsables de la pratique:
Matt Noon
Autres avocats clés:
Craig Scott; Jonathan Brown; Mike Jones; Sue Russell; Elan Iorwerth
Les références
‘Approachable and responsive.’
‘They have a practical approach to getting the task done. Also proactive with other advisors.’
‘Partner-led so that each new project can hit the ground running. Well connected in the industry and respected.’
Principaux clients
Fishawack Health / Avalere Health
Tactus Holdings Limited
Challenge-TRG Group
Richard Baker Harrison Limited
Bromborough Paint & Building Supplies Limited
Downing Students
Broadway Partners Limited
DPRS Liverpool Limited
Barber of Sheffield
Mercia Asset Management and Enterprise Ventures Growth Fund
Nkt Group A/S
Redde Northgate Plc
Kuehne + Nagel Limited
Iceland Foods Ltd
MSS Group
Millen Capital
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Downing Students on the sale of two purpose-built student accommodation assets to IQ Student Accommodation (a Blackstone portfolio company) for £344m.
- Acted for Johnson Service Group plc in its acquisition of Harkglade Limited and its subsidiaries Celtic Linen Limited and Millbrook Linen Limited for €31.5 million (£27.1 million).
- Acted for Hedgehog Lab Holdings Limited in an investment by BGF into Hedgehog Lab Holdings Limited and the acquisition by Hedgehog Lab Holdings Limited of Hedgehog Lab Limited and Netsells Limited for a transaction value of £6.3m.
DWF
DWF enjoys a strong reputation in the retail sector, acting for a host of leading domestic and international clients. The team earns further praise for its experience in M&A, management buy-outs and shareholder matters. Darren Walsh has specialist expertise in solar PV and battery storage, bioenergy, anaerobic digestion, district heating, tidal and green hydrogen production. Rachael Burke regularly advises clients on commercial contracts, and Liz Clark is noted for her focus on corporate matters. Paul Rimmer is also recommended.
Responsables de la pratique:
Liz Clark; Darren Walsh; Rachael Burke
Autres avocats clés:
Paul Rimmer
Les références
‘The team always go out of their way to explain the detail and check understanding. They manage both their time and our expectations extremely well. They have always achieved our objectives.’
Principaux clients
Inflexion Private Equity Partners
Sciris Group
Superbike Factory Group
Wynnstay Group Plc
PhD Industrial Holdings
O’Neill Patient Solicitors (trading as Movera Group)
Growth Partner
BGF Investments LP
Prefequity
IWG PLC
Sustainable Building Services (UK) Limited
Baird Group (Holdings) Limited
Barnett Waddingham LLP
HHGL Limited (T/A Homebase)
ACC Liverpool Limited
Marks and Spencer plc
KP Snacks Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Inflexion and the management shareholders on the £250m sale of North West-based software business, Mobica, to US-based, NASDAQ-listed business, Cognizant.
- Advised BGF on its follow-on investment into Evoke Creative, a Wirral-based interactive touchscreen kiosk maker.
- Acted for Growth Partner on its £15 million investment in Passenger Clothing, the outdoor clothing brand.
CG Professional Limited
Praised for its 'great collaborative approach', the 'very flexible' corporate team at CG Professional Limited is experienced across a number of sectors, including sports and media, healthcare, construction, retail and tech. Thomas Prince is a key port of call for local clients seeking assistance in various aspects of contract work. He co-heads the team alongside Jennifer Gallagher, who is experienced in international M&A transactions, strategic investments, capital structures, corporate reorganisations, shareholders agreements and implementing joint venture structures.
Responsables de la pratique:
Thomas Prince; Jennifer Gallagher
Autres avocats clés:
Surayya Munshi
Les références
‘Have a real understanding of our business helping drive forward work with real impact.’
‘Surayya Munshi has taken real efforts to get to understand our business.’
‘CG are professional, timely in responding, and will solution any issue. They also have a great network to introduce us to other services outside of legal.’
Principaux clients
Shareholders of Insignia Sports International Limited
ESG Global (Energy) Limited
Tatti Lashes
MDS Healthcare Limited
depotnet Limited
Careium Group
Models 1
Blends Limited & Blends Flavours and Colours Limited
CRE8 Digital Media Limited
University of Liverpool
Avrenim Group
Oxley Developments Limited
Hippo Motor Group
Product Care Group
The Production Factory Group
Wild Thang
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the shareholders of Insignia Sports International Limited on its sale to TGI Sport.
- Advised ESG Global (Energy) Limited on a retained basis in connection with its full portfolio of customer contracts.
- Advising Blends Group in connection with all of its day-to-day commercial contract and corporate law needs.
DTM Legal LLP
Lauded for its ‘attention to detail’, the corporate and commercial team at DTM Legal LLP handles corporate restructuring, IP and M&A matters, acting for a mix of banks, wealth management firms and corporates. Leading the practice is Edward Barnes, who stands out for his specialism in domestic and international joint ventures, advising UK owner-managed businesses, large corporates and foreign companies. Philip Whitehurst is noted for his expertise in the private equity and venture capital investment spaces.
Responsables de la pratique:
Edward Barnes
Autres avocats clés:
Philip Whitehurst
Les références
‘They take the time to ensure they understand the individual situation in front of them rather than applying a generic approach.’
‘Attention to detail and appreciation of the client’s wider objectives.’
‘Phil Whitehurst is just great. Always available and constantly looking after our best interests. He has a great team around him.’
Principaux clients
Evoke Creative Limited
Esterform Packaging Limited
Safeguard Europe Limited
Vast Visibility Limited
Heap & Partners Limited
Marine Specialised Technology Limited
Typhoo Tea Limited
Karl Vella Group Limited
Future Moto Limited
Staffords Limited
79th Group Limited
Cream T Pickups Limited
Tarka Spring Limited
Soundtesting Limited
JSM Company Group Limited
Brand Box International Limited
Evolution Costs Limited
Lewis Reed (WAV) Limited
Smylie Limited
Whole House Ventilation Services Limited
Formwork Direct International Ltd
Ellesey and Company (Lancs) Limited
Atom Scientific Limited
Airship Images Limited
Maes Dolau Caravan Park Limited
Cambria Caravan Park Limited
Esterpet Limited
Hood Seating Limited
Two Mills Asset Management Limited
Clancy Consulting Limited
Wayne Austin IFA Limited
L51 Developments Limited
Daulby Read Limited
LimeSky Investment Partners Limited
Charles Owen Group
Proteus Facades Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Esterform Packaging Limited on its restructure.
- Acting for Fledglings in relation to its sale to Kids Planet.
- Acting for the shareholders and company in relation to a strategic merger of Musker & Garrett chartered accountants and Williamson & Croft.
Napthens LLP
Rated for its ‘excellent communication‘, the ‘knowledgable’ team at Napthens LLP advises a mix of owner-managed businesses, family companies and large corporates on the full scope of corporate transactions, including M&A, buy and build strategies, business and share disposals, and succession planning. Practice head Kieran Donovan draws the following praise from clients: ‘highly experienced and understands the local landscape very well.’
Responsables de la pratique:
Kieran Donovan
Autres avocats clés:
Gareth McIntegart
Les références
‘Friendly, knowledgeable team, excellent communication. A very smooth transition in selling our business. Very happy with their advice and implementation. Highly recommend.’
‘Kieran Donovan led the team, all of whom are simply excellent.’
‘The team specialises in corporate transactions, and is very strong in the small to mid-market space. The people are strong and there is a can-do culture. Very capable, reliable and timely.’
Principaux clients
Applied Nutrition Limited
Shaw Energi Limited
Joloda Hydraroll Limited
River Capital Management Limited
Darkhorse Design Limited
Elitetele.com Plc
Heritage Great Britain Plc
Abbey Logistics Group Limited
Liverpool Media Academy Limited
GBM Digital Technologies Limited
Krol Corlett Construction Group
Alpha Cars (Liverpool) Limited
NPIF NW Equity LP
Maven Capital Partners UK LLP
YFM Equity Partners
DSG Chartered Accountants
BWM Chartered Accountants
Tipografic Limited
Braithwaite Property Company Limited
JK Property Holding Limited
Solen Energy
Deva Group Holdings Limited
Form Leadership Limited
Mersey Forwarding Limited
Finer Engineering Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Alpha Cars Limited t/a Alpha Taxis on its buy and build strategy in 2023.
- Advised the shareholders of Ardent Credit Services Ltd on the sale of the entire share capital to US acquirer Phillips & Cohen Associates.
- Advised the Liverpool-based £250 million turnover business, Standard Fuel Oils, in its acquisition of River Marine Fuels.
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP houses a ‘really helpful, pragmatic and commercial’ team, noted for its expertise in private equity, M&A, data protection and IT matters. The practice is routinely engaged by a host of blue-chip clients, entrusted with advising on a steady stream of transactions. Both Seray Kitchingman and Tom Trowhill lead the practice, and between them specialise in a range of corporate and commercial issues. Gary Jones handles shareholders agreements, mergers and acquisitions, MBOs, joint ventures, private equity, fundraising and AIM flotations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Seray Kitchingman; Tom Trowhill
Autres avocats clés:
Laurence Pritchard; Gary Jones; Michael Murphy
Les références
‘Really helpful, pragmatic and commercial.’
‘Michael Murphy was great, knowledgeable, quick to turn information around, commercial, and helpful in approach – which was needed to get the deal done.’
Principaux clients
S. Norton & Co. Limited
TuffX Processed Glass Limited
George Roberts (North West) Limited
Apadmi Group Limited
HiSpec Electrical Products Limited
River Capital
Foresight Group LLP
Avanite
LDC
Meade King Robinson
Sonoco
Goonhilly Earth Station Limited
Marpol Security Limited
HealthNet Homecare UK Limited
Melitta
Medela AG
British Insurance Brokers’ Association
Hardwood Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised River Capital on its investment in Barons (Fylde Coast) Supplies Limited.
- Advised Foresight Group on their investment in RS Industrial Services.
- Advised Sonoco UK Limited on agreement in relation to new contractual terms with Holland’s Pies.