Counting domestic clearing banks and international financial institutions, challenger banks and alternative providers in the fintech sector among its key roster of clients, Addleshaw Goddard’s finance disputes practice is fully embedded in niche areas, including asset finance, regulated lending, and digital assets. Praised as an ‘outstanding operator’, Harold Brako leads the team and has demonstrable experience in banking, asset-based lending and receivables financing disputes, often involving cross-border elements. Legal director Helen Collinge is a ‘fantastic source of knowledge’ when advising on recovery, enforcement and fraud actions involving factoring, invoice discounting and asset finance, while managing associate Ashlee Simms is praised as a ‘star of the future’.
Banking litigation in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Harold Brako
Other key lawyers:
Helen Collinge; Ashlee Simms; Patricia Elder; Danielle Cooper
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely knowledgeable, capable and delivers insightful, focused and commercial advice.’
‘Harold Brako is simply excellent. His knowledge and calm demeanor are second-to-none.’
‘Ashlee Simms and Harold Brako have as always been on top of every case we have presented them with. Addleshaws as a whole are unique in the sense that every case gets an incredible attention to detail and therefore strong defence.’
‘Harold Brako and his team, including Danielle Cooper, have provided a very accurate and well-argued analysis of the litigation I am engaged in.’
‘Ashlee Simms’ ability to deliver on some rather difficult cases this past year has been greatly appreciated. Nothing is ever too much.’
‘Harold Brako is the stand-out partner for me – affable, great reputation, attentive, commercial and always with a good eye for what’s going on around him.’
‘The Manchester team are always on hand to help. They are transparent with their fees and always quick to invoice any unbilled work so that I can ensure this is captured on our systems and paid within payment terms.’
‘Harold Brako is an outstanding operator in his area. Helen Collinge is a fantastic source of knowledge and Ashlee Simms is a star of the future.’
Key clients
Aldermore Bank
Amicus Asset Finance Limited
Ultimate Finance Limited
Bibby Financial Services Limited
Praetura Asset Finance Limited
Genser Energy Ghana Limited
Dell Bank International d.a.c trading as Dell Financial
Services
Goldcrest Finance Limited
Elevar Finance SPV Photon LLC
Reward Finance Group
Kroll Advisory Ltd
DF Capital Bank Limited
McCrory Brickwork Limited
Agilitas IT Solutions Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Kroll, the administrators of the Arena Group of Companies following its collapse in November 2021.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper’s ‘versatile team’ has stellar experience advising on mandates concerning retail banking and payment services, spanning credit card processing, merchant acquiring and consumer credit for high-street banks, challenger banks, fintech payments providers and specialist consumer credit providers. Other key areas of expertise include asset and aviation finance. In Manchester, co-chair of the firm’s international payments group Stewart Plant, who is ‘a recognised name in the field’, jointly leads the practice alongside Liverpool-based John Gollaglee, who specialises in corporate investigations. Praised for his ‘strategic instincts’, senior associate Benjamin Fellows is another key contact in the Manchester office.
Practice head(s):
Stewart Plant; John Gollaglee
Other key lawyers:
Benjamin Fellows; David Cook; Philip Williams; Leontia McArdle; Andrew Horton
Testimonials
‘They have always been a strong bank panel firm, who are able to handle all but the biggest cases.’
‘Stewart Plant is a recognised name in the field. Ben Fellows is responsive and easy to work with, and with good strategic instincts.’
‘A versatile team providing an efficient and helpful service.’
Key clients
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (incl. NatWest, Lombard, RBS Invoice Finance)
The Co-operative Bank
Close Brothers Group
Elavon Financial Services
First Data Corporation
Worldpay (UK) Limited
Metro Bank
Payvision
Lloyds Banking Group (incl. HBOS and C&G)
Global Payments
NewDay
National Asset Management Agency
Work highlights
- Acting for Close, advising in relation to allegations made by multiple customers (comprising companies, sole traders and partnerships), alleging misrepresentation and breach of contract against Close and a finance broker.
- Acting for NewDay Ltd in the defence of mass claimant Payment Protection Insurance claims with a value in excess of GBP10 million brought by customers and former customers of the Bank.
- Advising JD Williams & Company Ltd in the defence of mass claimant litigation in connection with the mis-selling of retail finance products to customers and former customers.
TLT
Praised for its ‘intellectual capacity to assess the most complex cases and the “street fighter” tenacity to drive a case through to a successful outcome’, TLT has ‘established itself as a go-to adviser for retail banking disputes’, with demonstrable experience advising on title rectification mandates. Other key areas of expertise include contentious FS investigations and secured litigation, in addition to contentious regulatory mandates. ‘King of title rectification’ James Chadwick leads the team and has considerable experience in retail banking litigation, as well as advising UK lenders on issues affecting their portfolios. Key contacts in the group include Roisin McGlinn, Chantal Peters, Steve Walpole and Sonjia Taylor, who is ‘an unsung, technical standout in secured lending’.
Practice head(s):
James Chadwick
Other key lawyers:
Roisin McGlinn; Chantal Peters; Steve Walpole; Sonjia Taylor
Testimonials
‘James Chadwick is second to none. King of title rectification work. There is nothing he cannot sort for the client. Roisin McGlinn is a solid performer.’
‘TLT’s Manchester office offers a solid team of financial services litigators. With strength in title rectification and secured debt matters, TLT has established itself as the “go to” for retail banking disputes.’
‘Steve Walpole is really easy to work with, gives good client advice and guidance; efficiently handles preparation for hearings.’
‘James Chadwick is a tenacious litigator who strikes the uncommon balance of also being exceptionally personable and flexible for clients. Ever pragmatic, James thinks outside the box to offer client services, fee structures, and solutions in a way most traditional law firms still struggle to grasp.’
‘Sonjia Taylor is an unsung, technical standout in secured lending. She leaves no stone unturned and is the safest pair of hands in the industry for title rectification/security issues. Exceptionally approachable, Sonjia is the type of lawyer you are comfortable to put directly in front of the business on any matter, and from whom you hope TLT are training their next generation of litigators.’
‘Growing team which has become the predominant banking litigation practice for the North West; indeed, one of the best in the country. Strength in depth. Hugely knowledgeable team from top to bottom. Very client friendly. Safe pair of hands.’
‘James Chadwick and Chantal Peters have been our key points of contact and are always receptive and make themselves available to support as and when needed, even at short notice.’
‘A very strong litigation team, with the intellectual capacity to assess the most complex cases and the “street fighter” tenacity to drive a case through to a successful outcome.’
Key clients
Santander UK plc
Lloyds Banking Group
Nationwide Building Society
Triodos Bank
One Savings Bank
Co-operative Bank plc
TSB Bank plc
Skipton Building Society
UKAR
West Bromwich Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society
Computershare
Bank of America
Hampshire Trust Bank
The Cumberland
Darlington Building Society
Seneca Finance Limited
FRP Advisory
Templeton LPA
Landwood
Kensington
Copper Technologies (UK) Limited
Ecology Building Society
Newcastle Building Society
Morgan Stanley
Capita
Together Money
Hampshire Trust Bank
Arbuthnot Latham
DWF
Praised as ‘responsive and supportive, offering valuable advice’, DWF boasts impressive experience in FCA-regulated motor vehicle recoveries matters, acting for leading motor finance providers, motor deals and credit intermediaries on mandates associated with the commission mis-selling wave. Other key areas of expertise include cyber and data privacy disputes in the financial services sector, in addition to asset finance litigation. Motor finance specialist John Perez jointly leads the team alongside Ritchie Irvine, who has experience in asset finance disputes, fraud cases and mis-selling actions. Senior associate Mahesh Vara is another key contact in the team, while Ben Johnson left to Squire Patton Boggs in March 2023.
Practice head(s):
John Perez; Ritchie Irvine
Other key lawyers:
Mahesh Vara
Testimonials
‘High quality team, experienced and pragmatic.’
‘Responsive and supportive, offering valuable advice’
‘Ritchie Irvine and his team are an essential support function to the business. They always act on the best interest of us to protect and guide us when we require assistance. They provide great industry insight as well as sound legal advice.’
Key clients
Lloyds Banking Group, including Lloyds Bank plc, Bank of Scotland plc and Lloyds Commercial Finance
Santander Consumer (UK) plc trading as Santander Consumer Finance
Shawbrook Bank Limited
The Mortgage Lender
Metro Bank Plc
RBS Group, including National Westminster Bank Plc
BMW Financial Services
PSA Finance UK Ltd
UK Asset Resolution Limited (UKAR), including Bradford & Bingley plc, Mortgage Express and NRAM plc (formerly called Northern Rock plc)
Money Barn
Barclays Partner Finance
NextGear Capital UK Limited (part of the Cox Automotive Group)
Elavon Financial Services DAC
Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC t/a Novuna
Work highlights
- Advising motor finance companies and motor dealers in relation to a wave of alleged mis-selling claims involving DiC Commission structures and the application to the APR/Interest Rate on regulated agreements.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP houses a ‘strong banking litigation practice in the North West with experienced and capable lawyers offering a high-quality service’. Based in Manchester, the team regularly collaborates with the firm’s offices across the UK to advise on high-value, and often cross-border cases concerning retail finance, investment mis-selling, asset finance, professional negligence and invoice finance. Practice head James Southworth ‘offers commercially astute advice’ to major investment, corporate and retail banks, while principal associate Lindsey Roberts ‘provides strategic and valuable input’ when handling banking and financial services disputes.
Practice head(s):
James Southworth
Other key lawyers:
Lindsey Roberts; Tom Parry; Victoria Rogers
Testimonials
‘Eversheds is able to field a diverse global team of complementary specialists to handle large and complex international litigation.’
‘Victoria Rogers is adept at managing large-scale litigation.’
‘Advice provided by Tom Parry and Martin Ward is always balanced and their knowledge of the financial services market is excellent. Responses always provided in a timely manner.’
‘ESI has a strong banking litigation practice in the North West with experienced and capable lawyers offering a high-quality service.’
‘Lindsey Roberts and James Southworth are trusted advisers. James has excellent industry knowledge and offers commercially astute advice. Lindsey provides strategic and valuable input in the work she does for us and is efficient, responsive and extremely capable.’
Key clients
The Co-operative Bank Plc
Santander UK Plc/Santander Cards UK Limited
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Work highlights
- Acted for an international bank in seeking to recover losses flowing from a multinational fraudulent conspiracy worth US$6bn.
- Acted for a number of major financial services firms in defending significant volumes of mis-selling claims.
- Acted for a public sector body in relation to a multi-million pound dispute arising from pensions administration regulations, involving a combination of Part 7 proceedings and judicial review.
Hill Dickinson LLP
Hill Dickinson LLP’s finance litigation practice excels in mandates concerning asset-back lending, including invoice discounting and receivables finance, with key clients including Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance, Bibby Financial Services and Mitsubishi HC Capital UK, among others. ‘Subject-matter expert’ Sharon Williamson leads the team and handles a broad range of finance disputes, in addition to litigation relating to fraudulent transactions. Other key contacts in the group include Iain Campbell, who focuses on CCA regulated matters, and senior associate John Quicler.
Practice head(s):
Sharon Williamson
Other key lawyers:
Iain Campbell; John Quicler
Testimonials
‘Sharon Williamson is always on hand, contactable and readily available. Gives advice you can rely on.’
‘Expert advice, speed of service and good value for money.’
‘Sharon Williamson is a subject-matter expert. Proactive, clear, makes time to understand her client’s requirements.’
Key clients
Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited
Bibby Commercial Finance Limited
Bibby Factors Limited
Bibby Invoice Discounting Limited
Bibby Factors Scotland Limited
Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC.
Metro Bank t/as SME Invoice Finance
WeDo Finance Limited
Cynergy Business Finance Limited
Pia Financial Group Limited
Global Reach Partners Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for Notemachine in judicial review proceedings against the Payment Systems Regulator after the fee rates payable were reduced by LINK.
- Acted for an Asset Based Lender in pursuing a customer, who had been served with notice of assignment of the invoices to our client, for a second payment as they had paid the supplier direct and not received a valid receipt.
- Advising Global Reach Partners Limited on the enforcement of an unsigned corporate guarantee and construction of a settlement agreement.
Squire Patton Boggs
The financial services litigation practice at Squire Patton Boggs advises lenders in high-value professional negligence claims, in addition to acting for financial institutions in PPI and investment mis-selling disputes. Noted for its cross-border capability, the team is also well-placed to collaborate with the firm’s pensions group when representing trustees, employers and representative beneficiaries across a range of disputes. Following the retirement of Anthony Taylor in April 2022, directors Peter Lees and Mike Caird, who handle professional negligence claims, jointly lead the practice. Lee Norman and Ben Johnson joined the team from DWF in December 2022 and March 2023 respectively.
Practice head(s):
Mike Caird; Peter Lees
Other key lawyers:
Lee Norman; Ben Johnson
Key clients
Manchester Building Society
Lloyds Banking Group
Close Brothers Asset Finance
Mortgage Express