Muckle LLP’s corporate team is a trusted adviser on significant transactions, acting for repeat acquirers, private equity investors, and international businesses investing in the UK. The commercial team supports regional, national, and global clients across IT, IP, procurement, sports, education, and public sectors; it provides full-service project and commercial contract advice, including due diligence on M&A deals. Head of corporate Anthony Evans leads on corporate finance work, while Alex Craig, head of commercial, specialises in IP and technology issues. Key lawyers include Philip Clare, Adam Rayner, Sarah Forster, Matthew Walsh, Tom Justice, and Stephanie Brown, who was promoted to partner in 2024; all offer expertise across corporate, private equity, and commercial matters.

Ward Hadaway LLP’s corporate team offers in-depth corporate and commercial expertise, supported by in-house tax, banking, and finance specialists. The team advises across all sectors, with a focus on the leisure, human capital, technology, life sciences, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. It handles a broad range of corporate transactions, including acquisitions, finance raisings, restructurings, and shareholder agreements, acting for clients from entrepreneurs and SMEs to PLCs and equity funders. The commercial team has notable expertise in the transport sector and outsourcing work, particularly in regulated industries. Team head Damien Charlton is a highly experienced commercial lawyer with a strong track record in outsourcing contracts and a specialist focus on dental practice sales and acquisitions. Other key names include funding and investment specialist Richard Butts, corporate governance expert Matthew Cormack, and Steven Roper, who is active in the transport and infrastructure sectors. Clare French also contributes to the practice.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP’s corporate team is highly active in international transactions, advising clients across the retail, leisure, real estate, technology, and defence sectors. The team, led by Ben Butler, is known for handling complex and high-value deals. Clients include multinational corporations, family-owned businesses, private equity-backed firms, and public authorities. The team also integrates tax specialists to provide corporate tax advice. Robert Phillips focuses on investment and exit strategies for owner-managers and shareholders, while Simon Watts leads the UK firm’s US desk. Stacey Hall and David Ridley specialise in M&A and private equity, and Oliver Rickett works with high-growth clients, particularly in the technology sector.

Mincoffs Solicitors LLP’s corporate and commercial team is highly active in North East deals, with growing national and international recognition. The team advises businesses of all sizes across sectors including the leisure and hospitality, construction, healthcare, technology, and media spaces. It handles private and public M&A, venture capital, private equity, joint ventures, and capital markets work. Paul Hughes leads the corporate team, while Antony Hall heads the commercial team. Oliver Moore leads a newly introduced restructuring and insolvency specialism. Chris Hughes advises on corporate finance and restructuring work, and Jennifer Wade specialises in commercial contracts, procurement, IP, and data protection issues.

Sintons LLP’s corporate team focuses on M&A, buyouts, private equity deals, and complex reorganisations, acting for SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and private corporates; it is particularly active in healthcare, technology, manufacturing, renewables, and leisure sectors. The commercial team advises on high-profile national and international projects, covering contracts, IP, compliance, and data protection, with growing expertise in digital services. Adrian Dye leads the corporate group, specialising in healthcare and technology deals, while Karen Simms heads the commercial practice, advising on high-value contracts. Emma Pern handles M&A, buyouts, and private equity mandates for domestic and international clients, and Christopher Welch focuses on the leisure and care sectors.

Weightmans’ corporate team advises on acquisitions, disposals, private equity and venture capital deals, and debt funding work, with particular expertise in supporting fast-growing technology businesses and independent financial advisers. Duncan Reid leads the team, advising on M&A and investment transactions, while Paul Wigham specialises in acquisitions, disposals, and private equity investments, particularly for early-stage companies. Kirsty Adamson has extensive experience in private company transactions and venture capital funding, advising both investors and businesses.

Burnetts’ corporate team has seen sectoral growth in the healthcare and professional services spaces, while expanding its work in employee ownership trusts, complex reorganisations, and M&A transactions. Michael Walby leads the team from Carlisle, while Paul Bell is recognised for his corporate M&A expertise with owner-managed businesses and SMEs. Peter Robinson has decades of national and international corporate finance experience, underpinning the firm’s strong reputation in transactional work.

Clarke Mairs Law Limited’s company and commercial department is renowned for its pharmacy sector M&A expertise, now evolving into a broader commercial practice. The team has advised on renewables, professional services, and data software mandates, while consistently delivering on pharmacy instructions. Leveraging the firm’s wider expertise, the department is led by Alex Robson, who efficiently coordinates M&A work across various departments.

Hay & Kilner’s corporate team advises owner-managed companies and North East SMEs, as well as national and international businesses. With sector expertise in the care home, energy, automotive, pharmaceutical, veterinary, real estate, technology, and leisure sectors, the team delivers tailored advice. Co-head Jonathan Waters focuses on M&A, notably involving care homes and advises leisure and charity clients. Co-head Mark Adams specialises in owner-managed businesses, particularly in the technology and automotive spaces, while Ben Jackson combines M&A expertise with IP and data protection skills.