With several offices across the North, the commercial litigation offering at Burnetts leverages its geographical spread to advise clients across the region on the full spectrum of commercial litigation matters. Described by clients as ‘astute, hard-working, and very bright‘, practice head James Johnston is an accredited mediator, and specialises in contractual and commercial litigation across a wide variety of sectors, including charities and construction. Georgina Nicholls handles contracts, construction, and shareholders’ disputes, and is adept at professional negligence claims and insolvency issues. Agribusiness disputes are another core pillar of work for the team, and the group is regularly instructed to act on proprietary estoppel cases, partnership disputes, and farming company matters.

Endeavour Partnership LLP fields a team of ‘undisputed titans of commercial litigation’ in Stockton-on-Tees, with a strong foothold in the wind, oil and gas, and marine sectors. The team is recommended for property-related contractual claim litigation and construction disputes, and also regularly instructed to handle product liability matters and professional negligence claims. Ged Flanagan leads the team and specialises in fraud cases, shareholder disputes, and a variety of contractual disputes, while James Craddock is the key contact for clients in the automotive sector. ‘Excellent’ property litigator Alex Smith heads up the firm’s contentious real estate offering and handles portfolio management and construction disputes. Sophie Ryan demonstrates proficiency in insolvency disputes.

Acting for a diverse array of clients ranging from sole traders to corporations, Swinburne Maddison LLP handles a busy workload, which extends to personal and corporate insolvency litigation, contractual disputes, debt recovery, and insurance claims. Managing partner Jonathan Moreland oversees the Durham-based practice and takes point on employment-related disputes as well as contentious corporate and commercial cases. Also in the core team are the ‘superb‘ David Low and Abigail Zuk. Low is an experienced litigator with an emphasis on breach of contract claims and professional negligence actions, while Zuk’s broad commercial litigation practice covers contract disputes and directors’ disputes. James Curran is a name to note for shareholder disputes and defamation claims, while Jenna Keir-Kendrew handles insurance disputes.