Our experience
Our experience includes not only high value, complex claims that often have a multi-jurisdictional element, but also managing day-to-day business problems as and when they arise.
We want our clients to see us as business advisers, on hand to provide user-friendly, impartial advice and real commercial guidance they can trust from the very outset of a dispute, when it matters most.
The quality of our legal advice and our technical expertise are a given. What sets us apart is our approach to commercial dispute resolution, which is driven by the results you want to achieve.
Straightforward, realistic legal advice
Although we pride ourselves on bringing a creative approach to finding a solution for disputes, we provide advice that is straightforward and, when it needs to be, frank. In fact, we take the view that sound commercial judgement requires a realistic view of your position, and that is what you can expect us to provide. You can also be sure that our advice is provided 'in context', and is informed by a real understanding of the commercial background to your dispute. Most importantly, we work in partnership with you to ensure that you remain in control of timescales and legal costs.
We often undertake work with an international element and are able to provide a seamless service through an established and close network of law and accountancy firms to ensure that you receive appropriate advice and assistance wherever a dispute may have occurred. We also work closely with our colleagues in other departments with sector specific experience, which enables us to tap in to specialist industry knowledge when required.
Some examples of our recent experience can be found below.
Commercial disputes
- Acting for a local hi-tech company defending a £19,000,000 claim for alleged latent design defects issued in the Technology and Construction Court in London. Tim Richards led the team, which successfully used mediation to assist in resolving the dispute
- Acting for the subsidiary of a substantial multi-national US satellite operating corporation. Simon Barnett heads the team which handles claims for breach of contract totalling in excess of £10,000,000, in multiple jurisdictions including Europe, Africa and Asia
- Acting for the liquidators of a company against a High Street bank on a multi-million pound cheque conversion claim which settled shortly before trial
- Acting for a German company which designs and manufactures airport resource management systems, in a high value contractual dispute with a former business partner. The claim ultimately settled at mediation
- Defending a high net worth individual against a multi million pound claim for the breach of a joint venture agreement in the property development sector, taking the case to conclusion at a 5 day High Court trial
- Acting for a major dairy farmer in a high value dispute with its feed supplier
- Acting for the successful Claimant in the reported Court of Appeal case of County Home Search (Thames and Chilterns) Limited v David Cowham The case resulted in new law from the Court of Appeal on the interpretation of contractual terms.
- Representing one of the UK's leading specialists in composting and recycling based in sites across the South West, in a substantial contractual claim against one of its competitors.
- Acting for the director/shareholders of an owner managed business defending a Supreme Court Act Section 51 non party costs order application against them. The case resulted in a ground breaking Judgment in the Bristol Mercantile Court.
- Acting for the UK's largest producer of mushrooms in a significant dispute concerning business rates with a local council. The dispute concerned the ratings value of agricultural land. The action by the council was withdrawn with no ratings liability.
- Acting for the country's leading supplier of land and property environmental information in relation to a claim by a customer. The action was dismissed, which was a significant result as the case could have led to a flood of similar claims.
Intellectual Property
- Acting for one of the country's leading sports events organisers prosecuting a trademark infringement action against a household name international sports company in the High Court.
- Regularly advising a well known shoe designer on the registration of designs and the prosecution of trademark infringement claims.
- Advising a well known author on a potential copyright claim.
Corporate / Partnership Disputes
- Acting for a high profile equity investment firm involving claims for alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and breach of confidence by company directors. The claim involved advising on the possibility of a derivative action and other potential shareholder remedies.
- Acting on several high value claims against the vendors of companies for breach of Sale and Purchase Agreements.
- Acting for a Cayman company in a joint venture dispute concerning a substantial real estate development project in London.
- Bringing proceedings on behalf of a venture capitalist against the directors of a telecommunications company. The claim involved allegations of misrepresentation and fraud by the directors and breach of a Shareholders Agreement.
- Prosecuting a large breach of fiduciary duty claim against a former director of a company trading in the area of garden architecture and adornments.
- Bringing a Companies Act 2006 section 994 petition for unfair prejudice on behalf of a minority shareholder against majority shareholders.
- Advising the partners to a European office of a London law firm in a dispute with their partners.
Professional Negligence
- Acting for a private individual in a professional negligence claim against a firm of accountants for providing misleading advice prior to a sale of the client's business.
- Acting for a company against a firm of solicitors who had failed to advise correctly when purchasing a property.
- Acting for a company against a firm of accountants who failed to provide accurate tax advice.
- Acting for a private individual in a claim against a national firm of valuers and auctioneers who had failed to correctly identify and value a high value artefact.
