The ‘commercially astute, intellectually rigorous’ team at DLA Piper supports multinational clients active in a wide range of sectors, including the renewable energy, insurance, government, and real estate spaces, handling the full spectrum of commercial disputes as well as complex fraud matters and sanctions work. Practice head Phillip Kelly has a specific focus on high-value disputes within the technology, government contracting, and outsourcing sectors, and Neil Bowker, who is the national head of the litigation and regulatory team, utilises his ‘rare strategic insight’ to support international clients. Laura Moorcroft represents multinational corporations within the hospitality and leisure, real estate, media, sports, and entertainment sectors, and Siona Spillett handles a wide range of disputes, including complex contractual arrangements and brand protection matters. Former practice head Nick Bamford departed to Pinsent Masons LLP in October 2023.

The team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, headed up by Birmingham-based Adam Fisher and Rich Lloyd, and Nottingham-based Louise Howarth, represents UK and foreign clients which are active in the automotive, aerospace, industrial engineering, energy, technology and outsourcing industries in various commercial disputes. The team has particular strengths in civil fraud matters and corporate disputes. Ridah Iqbal has particular expertise in the technology and outsourcing space, where she has advised on software licensing discrepancies, identity theft, and hacking matters.

With ‘impressive legal skills and great commercial nous’, Fieldfisher LLP is well placed to handle high-value commercial claims for its notable roster of clients that are active within various industries, including the IT, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. The team is also growing its energy disputes practice, acting in international gas pricing disputes, price review disputes, and claims concerning energy transportation and storage. Practice head Richard Waugh specialises in commercial court-based litigation, while Adam Sturt’s practice covers director and shareholder disputes, misappropriation of confidential information claims and restraint of trade issues. Jim Sharkey handles offshore litigation and claims in the banking sector, and Stephen May has notable expertise at the intersection of litigation and regulatory issues. Emma Birch has notable experience handling competition claims with a particular focus on ESG disputes, and Zaakira Allana is also recommended. Ann Benzimra departed the firm in February 2023.

The commercial litigation team at Gowling WLG, led by insurance specialist Samantha Holland, represents clients in a variety of claims, and is particularly strong in advising on emerging areas of law such as crypto assets, AI, and ESG. Patrick Arben concentrates on tech-related disputes, while Helen Davenport specialises in cyber security, contentious data protection, and technology disputes. International litigation and arbitration specialist Tom Price routinely handles work from the CEE and CIS as well as the natural resources and energy sector. Andrew Smith handles a wide range of disputes including economic tort claims, misfeasance issues, contract terminations, and guarantees and indemnities.

Pinsent Masons LLP has experience acting for state entities, commercial organisations, regulatory bodies, and quasi-state entities before the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the ECJ. Department head Nick Bamford joined the team in November 2023 from DLA Piper, and has notable expertise in project and manufacturing disputes. Andrew Herring has significant experience in interim court applications, and Anthony Minnis routinely litigates contractual disputes with particular strength in the science, industry, and technology sectors.

DWF‘s ‘incredibly strong, client-focused team’ specialises in three main areas: technology disputes, namely software disputes and project delays or failures; trade disputes, with expertise in commercial agency claims within the aerospace and retail sectors; and fraud disputes. The team is led by Andrew Leach, who has notable expertise litigating shareholder claims, contractual disputes and corporate disputes, while Darren Kenny represents high-net-worth individuals, banks, and companies in a broad range of disputes including commercial fraud claims. Ben Griffin has significant experience acting for clients in a wide variety of industries including the energy and natural resources, IT and telecoms, financial services, aerospace, transport, healthcare, and food and hospitality sectors.

Freeths LLP acts for domestic and foreign businesses in a wide range of matters including breach of contract claims, unlawful terminations and injunctive proceedings. The team is co-led by Richard Coates, who has a notable focus on the automotive sector, where he routinely acts for large UK car retailers, trade bodies and car dealer groups; and Louise Wilson, whose practice covers breach of warranty, fraudulent representation, negligence, product liability, and deceit claims. Michael Hoskins handles professional negligence claims against solicitors, insurance brokers, and Josh Middleton advises on group action claims, breach of warranty issues and professional negligence matters.

Gateley Legal‘s broad practice covers the pensions, charities, manufacturing, recruitment and sports spaces, where the team routinely works on high-value contractual matters as well as injunctive proceedings. The team is co-led by Steve Goodrham, who has extensive experience litigating breach of warranty claims, shareholder disputes, and professional negligence claims; and Neil Warner, who has significant expertise acting in restrictive covenants and breach of confidentiality claims. Kate Canning routinely handles applications for urgent interim relief search orders, delivery up orders, and prohibitive injunctions, while Safeea Shafiq specialises in shareholder disputes and claims involving fraud.

Mills & Reeve LLP acts for a diverse range of clients with a specific focus on the sports industry, routinely advising premier league football clubs and international sports agencies on various commercial matters. Practice head Simon Garbett, who joined from Squire Patton Boggs in May 2023, has notable experience advising on cross-border disputes, while Claire Crawford, who joined in July 2023 from Capsticks LLP, acts in contentious procurement mandates. Phil Hutchinson specialises in sports disputes, in particular the football industry, and Preena Lal is also a key team member.

Shoosmiths LLP acts for an impressive roster of domestic and international clients including FTSE 100 companies and clients within the financial services industry; the team has niche expertise in handling complex fraud and corporate disputes. The practice is headed up by Alex Bishop, who routinely supports clients within the retail, leisure, IT, and manufacturing industries on a wide range of commercial disputes and injunctive proceedings, such as freezing orders and search and seizure orders. Jonathan Smart is a notable team member for his ‘combination of intelligence, practical advice and charm’. In November 2023, Roger Potgieter and Mark Elder departed to TLT and Andrew Whalley joined from DWF. Hannah Field also joined the team from Goodwin in May 2023.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s practice covers a broad range of general commercial disputes, and has particular expertise in civil fraud and cyber related issues, acting for domestic and international clients. Group head Helen Briant has a particular focus on complex commercial disputes involving allegations of fraud, while Jamie De Souza advises start-ups, SMEs, PLCs, and individuals on a diverse range of commercial disputes. Elizabeth Mulley acts for businesses, charities, councils, housing associations and private individuals, and Emily Sharples handles contractual disputes, professional negligence claims and breach of confidence matters as well as fraud and dishonesty claims.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s litigation, advisory and regulatory team is best known for its notable expertise in disputes arising out of the delivery of infrastructure and public services, including IP, IT and technology outsourcing disputes. Adam Kendall, who leads the practice, acts for a broad range of private and public clients, including public bodies within local and central government, health sector clients, and housing sector names. Emma Beynon has experience handling complex PFI and PPP cases across various industry sectors including waste management and building management issues, as well as resolving general commercial disputes for local authorities, healthcare bodies, and contractors.

The team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP handles breach of contract claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, warranty claims, data protection and database misuse claims, and financial disputes. Barry Jervis, who heads up the team, has significant experience handling corporate disputes, such as warranty claims and shareholder disputes. James Woolstenhulme handles corporate and shareholder disputes as well as injunctions and procurement issues, while Andrew Adams supports both institutional and corporate clients. Ben Humphreys concentrates his practice on complex breach of contract claims and business protection claims.

The commercial litigation team at Squire Patton Boggs routinely acts for clients active in the retail, food and drink, manufacturing, and automotive industries, in contractual, product liability, recall, and delay claims. The team also has expertise in IT and tech disputes as well as defamation cases and pension disputes. Practice head Ellie Pinnells, who joined the team in May 2024, excels in competition follow on damages claims, and Ian Skinner has notable expertise in professional negligence claims, while Mariyam Harunah advises domestic and international companies on the full range of reputational matters. Simon Garbett departed to Mills & Reeve LLP and, in September 2024, Victoria Callicott joined the practice from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

Sydney Mitchell LLP has ‘excellent legal knowledge’ across commercial disputes including freezing injunctions, breach of contract claims and partnership disputes. The team is headed up by ‘outstanding negotiator’ Dean Parnell, whose practice covers shareholder disputes, warranty claims, injunctive relief, contractual disputes, and partnership disputes. Ian Sheppard‘s practice spans professional negligence claims, fraudulent misrepresentation claims, claims against insurers and general contractual disputes.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP‘s team routinely works on a diverse range of issues, including commercial contract disputes, professional negligence claims, and defamation and reputation management issues. Practice head Ramjeet Kandola has extensive expertise across the health and social care, local government, and education sectors, where she routinely advises on disputes arising out of commercial contracts. Liam Fitzgerald is also a key name to note for commercial and property disputes. Niamh Millross and Richard Burton departed the firm in February and June 2023, respectively.

Clarke Willmott LLP routinely handles general commercial litigation for banking and finance clients. Peter Brewer focuses his practice on corporate litigation, namely shareholder disputes, complex contractual litigation, and professional negligence claims. Paul Griffiths has longstanding experience handling professional negligence claims, financial services disputes, and commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Richard Howell moved to Knights plc in May 2023.

Irwin Mitchell has notable expertise handling commercial disputes within the pensions, sport, financial services, manufacturing, and consumer sectors. The team is co-led by Garon Anthony, Katie Byrne, and Thomas Barnard. Anthony, who joined from Knights plc in January 2024, has extensive experience handling cross-border claims, shareholder claims, and commercial contractual claims. Katherine East routinely acts on breach of contract, misrepresentation and franchise agreement disputes.

The Wilkes Partnership‘s main focus is on business-to-business disputes such as manufacturing claims, sale of goods matters, and construction disputes; The team also handles shareholder and director disputes. Practice head Simon Thomas has notable expertise in sale of goods, supply of services and business-to-business supply chain disputes; while Gavin Evans has a broad commercial litigation practice where he routinely advises on complex director and shareholder matters.

Weightmans LLP has extensive experience in a wide range of commercial disputes including contractual disputes, conspiracy and fraud claims, injunction proceedings, and director and shareholder disputes. The team is headed up by Mark Surguy, who has expertise in insolvency, company, and commercial claims as well as complex civil fraud cases. Jon-Paul Casati, who joined from Irwin Mitchell in February 2023, routinely handles director and shareholder disputes, with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector.