Helmed by the ‘exceptional’ Ben Lowans, the ‘experienced knowledgeable and enthusiastic’ team at Addleshaw Goddard‘s Leeds office is instructed by a broad array of financial institutions, ranging from high street banks to asset finance lenders and asset-based lenders. Core areas of activity include secret commission claims in motor finance, misselling of mortgage product cases and the tracing and recovery of assets. Lowans’ broad practice runs to fraud-based litigation for financial services clients. Jennifer Hedley is well-placed to assist with reputational issues in high-profile disputes involving financial institutions. Sandip Singh and Matthew Dibb are further names to note. Sally Emerton retired in August 2023.

Picked out for its ability to act in ‘sensitive banking matters which are high profile or potentially have wider ramifications for the banking industry’, DLA Piper‘s sizeable financial services litigation division is geared to handle complex cross-border disputes, test cases with the potential to set precedent, and contemporary issues such as crypto disputes. Practice head Adam Ibrahim is frequently tasked with handling cases relating to fraud, conspiracy and negligence by clients including challenger banks and building societies. Seasoned practitioner Hugh Evans‘ broad practice spans high-value mortgage disputes and APP fraud cases. Sohail Ali and Chris Harvey are praised as ‘exceptionally detail-oriented and level-headed, strategic thinkers’. Paul McNamee leads the Sheffield office’s banking and finance litigation team.

The banking litigation team at Gateley Legal sits within the firm’s wider commercial litigation team and works particularly closely with the asset finances disputes team, the restructuring team and financial services regulatory practice. Team head Roger McCourt, described as an ‘excellent and highly pragmatic lawyer’,  is well-placed to assist lenders with issues such as breach of contract and professional negligence claims.

The  ‘exceptionally proactive’ team at Shoosmiths LLP has a strong track record in asset finance cases including business-to-business recoveries and disputes. Civil fraud and advice about specialist asset finance contracts are further areas of strength. Leadership duties are split between David Farnell and Jonathan Mills.  Farnell is well versed in asset finance fraud work, while Mills is an authority on quality disputes and return of goods cases.

The finance dispute resolution team at Walker Morris LLP acts for a range of clients including challenger banks, fintechs and payment services providers. It is also described as the ‘go-to team for many high street and commercial lenders’. Practice co-chair Rob Payne - praised for his ‘ very commercial and pragmatic legal advice’ - is equipped to handle a range of work including exit advice, fraud and asset-tracing. Fellow co-practice chair Richard Sandford is praised for his ‘great eye for detail’. Ellen McLean is acquainted with the intricacies of complex mortgage fraud.