The 'partner-led' team at Acuity Law provides a 'commercial service' to local, UK-wide and international corporates across a broad swathe of commercial litigation, ranging from shareholder and commercial contract disputes to public procurement and construction matters. Clients also benefit from access to a range of useful internal products, including Litigation Funding Assist, which affords clients the opportunity to achieve favourable rates via the firm's arrangements with various litigation funders. Swansea-based partner Hugh Hitchcock brings a high degree of commerciality to the table as a result of his vast experience handling both corporate and media-related disputes and is noted for his 'practical, pragmatic and pugnacious' approach. 'Brilliant in the detail and strategy', Cardiff-based Aisha Wardell co-heads the team alongside Hitchcock and is noted for her 'calm and considered approach', including in the context of arbitration proceedings.

The 'very professional' team at Blake Morgan LLP provides 'high-quality advice' to private and public sector clients across a myriad disputes. Lee Fisher takes the lead on much of the private sector work, both across corporate/shareholder litigation, as well as IP matters, including on the enforcement of patents and trade marks. Joanne Thompson co-heads the team alongside Fisher and is best-known for her procurement defence work for contracting bodies in challenges made by unsuccessful bidders. She is also one of many in the team who have considerable experience handling major public inquiries, including her work for NHS England in the Covid-19 inquiry. Sarah Whittle is also pivotal to the firm's success for public sector clients (particularly within the health sector), including as it relates to public procurement and judicial review challenges. Joanna Corbett-Simmons maintains a good balance of public and private sector instructions and 'has a very bright future ahead of her'. 

 

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP comprises of 'good legal and litigation all-rounders', which is reflected in the scope of work handled for private and public sector clients, running the gamut from financial services and corporate/shareholder disputes, public procurement and judicial review challenges. 'Responsive, pragmatic, down-to-earth and to the point', Richard Pitt is at the forefront of the office's commercial litigation work for clients in core firmwide industry sectors, including transport, IT and renewables. In addition, alongside Helen Rowland ('good judgement and a very safe pair of hands'), he heads up the office's public procurement offering, which is particularly skilled at representing claimants in bringing challenges in failed bids. Luisa Gibbons has a core focus on public sector matters, including for education institutions in contractual disputes and judicial review proceedings. Under the leadership of Gareth Vowles , the office also excels in handling financial services-related litigation and aided by very effective legal technology solutions, the team excels in defending banks in document intensive mass tort litigation, including as it relates to mis-selling of financial products.

Leveraging its longstanding and impressive overarching public sector ties, including for the Welsh government, Geldards LLP's litigation team is regularly engaged in some of the highest-profile matters in the country. In this context, as well as continuing to represent the Welsh Ministers in a high-profile competition law claim relating to a drug to treat high blood pressure, the firm also acts for the Ministers at the high-profile infected blood inquiry. Jonathan Griffiths is at the forefront of much of the public sector work, and is noted for his public procurement and judicial review prowess, in particular. On the private sector front, Michael Evans excels in handling commercial contract, shareholders disputes, debt recovery and contentious insolvency matters. Team head Paul Hopkins maintains a strong practice in the public sector, as well as handling a considerable amount of broader commercial litigation for corporate clients.

Drawing upon 'incredible knowledge and expertise', both in relation to the substantive law and the procedural rules, Hugh James provides 'pragmatic, commercially minded and robust' advice to public sector, private sector and not-for-profit clients across a wide-range of high-stakes contractual and commercial disputes, as well as niche areas concerning professional negligence and defamation. Team head Richard Locke has strong and well-established ties with numerous major regional heavyweights, including Welsh Water, which he recently successfully represented as an interested party in a judicial review surrounding a decision made by Cardiff Council to grant planning permission in respect of a sewage pumping station and associated surface water extraction scheme. The 'tenacious' Tracey Singlehurst-Ward leverages 'strong legal knowledge and excellent strategic insight' to good effect for clients seeking resolution of often highly complex issues relating to IP, media, sport and defamation. The 'very bright' Abigail Flanagan has 'excellent knowledge of the law and is brilliant with clients', which she effectively represents in relation to pensions and professional negligence matters, and core contractual/ shareholders disputes, including complex litigation involving injunctive relief.

With a its main base in Swansea and increasingly active from the firm's thriving Carmarthen office, the 'superb' practice at Morgan LaRoche punches well-above-its weight, regularly 'dealing with difficult and heavy cases', both locally and throughout the UK. A litigator of 'long and broad experience', Jason Williams reflects the varied caseload of the firm as a whole and 'his experience across different fields makes him an imaginative and flexible solver of problems'. Llyr Davies, who co-heads the team with Williams from the firm's Carmarthen office, provides 'no-nonsense, pragmatic and cost-effective advice' to West Walian clients often in the medium of Welsh. As well as his expertise in relation to shareholder, company and partnership disputes, Davies has also generated an excellent relationship with local professional services companies which continues to generate a significant amount of contentious insolvency work, as well as a growing amount of contentious probate matters. In Swansea, the 'extremely hardworking' Gemma Thomas continues to thrive, producing 'fantastic work that is both clear and detailed'; she recently worked with Williams on a successful hearing before the Court of Appeal, having herself led on the previous successful appearance in the High Court for the claimant regarding the inflated payment of a company in reliance of false warranties and fraudulent misrepresentations. Ashley Davies 'provides clear and precise commercial advice' for defendants and claimants in relation to shareholder disputes, debt recovery and professional negligence, while at an associate level the 'up and coming' Robert Davies also continues to impress across a range of corporate and insolvency disputes.

Acting on an ad-hoc standalone basis, as well as being to leverage strong institutional relationships, Berry Smith displays 'strong commercial acumen and excellent analytical skills’ on behalf of public, private and third sector clients across a wide range of commercial litigation/contractual disputes. Nick Parker has a strong grounding in corporate disputes (including director's disqualification proceedings) as well as public procurement matters, work which he combines with a well-established mediation practice. Iwan Doull, who co-heads the team with Parker, has a mastery of many types of litigation, including in the insurance sector, where his work for After the event (ATE) insurance providers continues to gain national recognition.

Based in Newport but by no means restricted to handling purely parochial cases, the 'approachable, friendly and responsive' team at Harding Evans LLP punches well above its weight and provides a 'first-class service' to individuals, SMEs and larger corporates, including on matters which have national ramifications. This has been exemplified by being a party in several reported cases in recent years, including a precedent setting case dealing with commercial landlord and tenant disputes. 'Outstanding' team head Ben Jenkins led on the aforementioned matter and is appreciated by clients for his 'commercially aware' advice across a range of commercial litigation matters, as well as having niche expertise in defamation law. 'Very astute' associate William Watkins also regularly assists Jenkins on large-scale disputes, as well as having his own caseload, including as it relates to debt recovery matters - an area that he also benefits from his qualification as a high court bailiff.

Leveraging robust ties with local businesses, as well as generating a significant amount of referral work from regional professional services firms, well-established Swansea-based firm JCP Solicitors is seen with considerable regularity acting for clients as defendants and claimants across a myriad corporate/commercial disputes, including as it relates to shareholder/partnership litigation. Andrew Meech is engaged in much of this work, although his longstanding relationship with Italian sportswear manufacturer Macron has also led to increased traction among other northern European clients, in particular. David Owen is also a key member of the team with debt recovery (for lender clients) and contentious insolvency matters core areas of focus.

The 'strong and dynamic' team at Red Kite Law LLP continues to gain market share on behalf of corporates, individuals and SMEs, which are appreciative of the 'cost-effective' and 'highly commercial' advice it provides across a myriad commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes and issues relating to fraud and deceit. Much of the success for the firm's increased visibility in the space can be attributed to the stellar efforts of Rhian Davies who provides 'very effective leadership', and is 'dynamic, practical and commercial in her approach', skilled as she is at handling full-blown disputes as well as being appreciative of the importance of strategic advice at a pre-action stage to minimise costs and to prevent a matter from unnecessarily mushrooming out of control. Davies also regularly handles work for Welsh higher education providers through the firm's NPS panel appointment. Steven Koukos  is another a key member of the team and is recognised as a 'genuine all round gem' with proficiency across a range of 'commercial dispute resolution from company to property and commercial matters'. 

Leveraging its public sector ties, developed chiefly as a result of the firm's market-leading health and safety, and defendant personal injury practices, Dolmans also handles some more conventional commercial litigation for many of the same for local authority clients. The firm also represents private sector companies in breach of contract claims through their insurers, as well as advising insurers on coverage issues. The team is led by Peter Bennett.

The 'responsive and helpful' team at Gomer Williams & Co provides 'clear and precise advice' to a loyal and growing base of individuals and businesses throughout south Wales. Team head Clare Tregoning is 'knowledgeable in all matters relating to commercial litigation', including as it relates to contract disputes, as well as contentious property and IP matters.

Now with two experienced partners in its ranks following Wayne Beynon's arrival in 2023, Harrison Clark Rickerbys has greater strength-in-depth with which to service existing and standalone clients which are instructing the team across a broad swathe of commercial litigation assignments. Beynon's core focus remains on handling IP-related disputes, complementing co-head Hefin Archer-Williams ' strength at handling corporate and shareholder matters, where he is noted for his ability to look 'at the bigger commercial picture as well as the legal issues in the dispute'. 

Newport-based firm RDP Law handles a range of commercial litigation work for South Wales-based SMEs, partnerships and individuals, working alongside the firm’s corporate and real estate departments, if required. As well as handling an increasing volume of minority shareholder disputes, the firm also regularly handles litigation for local property developers and is adept at resolving matters utilising ADR methods, if necessary. Although she is best known for her property litigation expertise, Sarah Porter also handles some broader civil litigation in her role as team head.

At well-established Cardiff-based firm Robertson Solicitors, 'extremely conscientious and hardworking' litigation head William Baird  has a strong reputation advising clients across a range of commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes. He is praised for his 'excellent judgement' and willingness to 'go the extra mile'.