Birkett Long LLP‘s ‘incredibly versatile’ dispute resolution department is equipped to comfortably operate across all areas of commercial litigation, including construction, intellectual property, insolvency and public procurement matters. Heading up the North Essex team, Colchester-based Carla Jones joined the team in March 2022 from Palmers, along with Jacqui McGuirk, and offers particular experience in breach of director’s duties, civil fraud and professional negligence claims, while construction expert Suryen Nullatamby in Chelmsford leads the South Essex team. Described as ‘a real presence in this area’, Perdeep Grewal excels in handling contractual disputes, while Peter Allen excels in construction claims. Keith Songhurst left the department in 2022 to head up the firm’s risk and compliance team.
Commercial litigation: Essex in South East
Birkett Long LLP
Practice head(s):
Carla Jones; Suryen Nullatamby
Other key lawyers:
Peter Allen; Jacqui McGuirk; Perdeep Grewal
Testimonials
‘Large, experienced team, which has succeeded in remaining a genuinely local firm for Essex clients.’
‘Perdeep Grewal is an exceptionally thorough litigator.’
‘The team is a good size with a range of experience at different levels. It is well-organised and focuses on client care.’
Key clients
Fläkt Woods Limited
Colchester Institute
Navigator Terminals
University of Essex
Writtle University College
Essex County Cricket Club
Engineer.ai Global Limited
Connells/Sequence Estate Agency Group
BEW Electrical Distributors Limited
Countrywide Estate Agents
CF&L Limited
Plumpton House Limited
Export Movement Services (Rainham) Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for Engineer.ai Global Limited in securing an anti anti-suit injunction for trade mark infringement and passing off.
- Advised Navigator Terminals on securing an injunction to prevent protestors from blocking roads or impeding vehicles in the wake of a number of fuel protests which took place in April 2022.
- Acted on behalf of a former employee and managing director in successfully opposing an application for interim injunctive relief, which was applied for by his former employer, who sought an order requiring the client to comply with a non-competition covenant in his contract of employment.
Birketts LLP
With notable experience in international matters, Birketts LLP‘s well-reputed commercial litigation department is sought out by clients from a broad range of industries, such as the agriculture, banking, technology and transport sectors. Praised by clients for his ‘unpretentious advice’, Daden Hunt leads the department from Chelmsford, and his practice encompasses professional negligence claims, shareholder disputes and complex High Court litigation. William Arran‘s workload extends to crisis and reputation litigation matters and regulatory investigations, and he also has niche expertise in advising clients on international sanctions. Nicholas Phillips and Matthew Weston have knowledge in insolvency related matters.
Practice head(s):
Daden Hunt
Other key lawyers:
William Arran; Nicholas Phillips; Matthew Weston
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely attentive to their customer’s needs. At the same time delivering an exceptionally efficient service at all points of contact.’
‘Friendly and clear advice, and pragmatism.’
‘Daden Hunt gave unpretentious advice, and was responsive to queries.’
Key clients
Foresight Regional Investment II LLP
Sanrose Investments Limited
Abstrakt Services Limited
FEL Avionics
Frontier Agriculture Limited
Brooks Bros Ltd
Work highlights
- Acting for Foresight Regional Investment II LLP in pursuing claims in the High Court for breach of warranty and fraudulent misrepresentation against the vendors of a company acquired by Foresight.
- Advising Sanrose Investments Limited on strategy, and representing the company in High Court proceedings to resolve a long-running dispute.
- Acting for Fel Avionics Limited in a contractual dispute with its supplier over the supply of items for emergency packs for life rafts sold by the client to the Pakistan Navy.
Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP
Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP‘s dispute resolution department is a one-stop shop for the whole array of commercial disputes, and the firm continues to grow its portfolio of property block management company clients. The team is headed up by CEO and mediator Tony Fisher, who splits his time between Chelmsford and Colchester, and has a specialist interest in charity disputes. Joe Sandercock, Billy Smith and Aaron Pottle deal with disputes in niche areas, such as sport and media litigation, and energy disputes.
Practice head(s):
Tony Fisher
Other key lawyers:
Joe Sandercock; Billy Smith; Aaron Pottle
Palmers
Advising on the whole range of commercial disputes, Palmers in Basildon offers its own mediation services, and is particularly well versed in business divorce, intellectual property, commercial fraud, and commercial property litigation. Head of the ‘very knowledgeable‘ commercial litigation team Patricia Wollington joined the firm in April 2022, and works with Luke Morgan, who leads the firm’s wider commercial department and is a core contact for a number of the firm's regional, national and international clients. Jason Borg‘s practice includes shareholder, business sale and contractual disputes.
Practice head(s):
Luke Morgan
Other key lawyers:
James Pettit; Jason Borg; Erin Duffy; Patricia Wollington
Testimonials
‘Immediately the solicitors seemed very knowledgeable and made me feel at ease. Without them and their expertise I don’t think I would have won my case. They were always giving me great advice, yet never pressured me.’
‘Responsive, knowledgeable, proactive.’
‘They are a great practice that are focused on helping clients with their issues in an effective and personable manner.’
Tees Law
Tees Law‘s commercial litigation team is part of the firm’s wider dispute resolution and litigation department, enabling it to offer an all-round service to its clients. The team is led by David Perry in Chelmsford and operates across all of the firm’s six offices. Perry is known for his expertise in high-value insolvency and company disputes, while junior lawyer Ana James-Pittau is well versed in contractual disputes, civil fraud claims, intellectual property disputes and supply of goods and services matters.
Practice head(s):
David Perry
Other key lawyers:
Ana James-Pittau
Testimonials
‘Responsive and experienced.’
‘David Perry is very experienced, knowledgeable and wise.’
‘Attentiveness and professionalism.’
‘I have found the practice to be very responsive. They are knowledgeable and have a wide base of specialisms covered. Would thoroughly recommend.’
‘David Perry has been amazing. He is extremely knowledgeable in many areas, proactive and pragmatic.’
‘David Perry shows star quality. Unflappable and highly commercial.’
Work highlights
- Acted for a national food production company in unfair prejudice proceedings worth £6m.
- Advising on a complex ownership structure dispute worth £5m.
- Advising on a multi-jurisdictional dispute, whereby the client held a second charge over development land overseas. The company had been struck off the register in England in an effort to defeat the charge.
Jefferies Essex LLP
With a specialism in franchise agreement disputes, Jefferies Essex LLP‘s litigation department in Southend covers commercial disputes, professional negligence matters, and M&A litigation. Clients recommend team head Sarah Mitchell, who is regularly instructed on large-scale commercial litigation matters, while Victoria Scott’s workload includes a significant amount of advocacy work. Duncan Bennington advises on insolvency, directors disqualification and property disputes.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Mitchell
Other key lawyers:
Duncan Bennington, Victoria Scott
Testimonials
‘Victoria Scott was efficient and skilled at preparing the case and giving clear and complete instructions. A good solicitor to work with who had good client management.’
‘The service was very good and efficient.’
‘Victoria Scott was efficient and clear in her opinion. Very professional and direct.’
Key clients
Toomey Motor Group Ltd
Laindon Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Representing clients in relation to a proposed section 994 petition, on the basis that the affairs of a company appear to have been conducted by the directors in a manner which is unfairly prejudicial to the interests of the clients and other minority shareholders.
- Representing a major clothing designer and retailer company in connection with a dispute between shareholders of the company, including dealing with negotiations over the sale of the exiting shareholder’s shares.
Mullis & Peake LLP
Mullis & Peake LLP‘s Romford-based dispute resolution team specialises in employment, debt recovery, as well as company and commercial property disputes. Praised by clients for ‘always thinking ten steps ahead of the other side’, department head Holly Minney strengthens the department’s offering with her qualification as solicitor advocate. With past experience working for local governments, Esther Marshall in Shenfield is an expert in employment law and property disputes
Practice head(s):
Holly Minney
Other key lawyers:
Esther Marshall
Testimonials
‘The team offers a level of service that one typically expects from a leading firm based in London. They have expertise and experience across a wide range of areas.’
‘Holly Minney is an excellent litigator. She is hard working, commercially aware and is always thinking ten steps ahead of the other side.’
‘The ability to always be able to speak to a member of their firm who is aware of the subject we wish to discuss.’
‘Genuine expertise and ability to deal with almost every issue without the support of counsel. Very fast adoption of updated technology when it becomes available. The team is very diverse with people of all backgrounds and demographics to be able to understand specific cultural issues and concerns. They also recognise talent and nurture their younger lawyers properly.’
Key clients
Laville Limited/Laser Impex
Rainham Steel
Aquarend Ltd
RCH Care Homes Ltd
Barry Stewart & Sons Ltd
M & J Properties
Barry Stewart & Sons Ltd
PFC Flooring Ltd
Pinney Talfourd LLP
Pinney Talfourd LLP‘s areas of expertise include contract disputes, professional negligence claims, insolvency issues, director and shareholder disputes, and financial services litigation and construction disputes. Known for his ‘wealth of experience’, Nick Hatchett leads the commercial litigation department from the firm’s Brentwood office, and has advised several European banks over the last decade, most notably the Bank of Cyprus.
Practice head(s):
Nick Hatchett
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Eccles
Testimonials
‘Local firm with City expertise. Excellent service and quick to respond to all enquiries without delays. All team members are geared to both commercial and contentious litigation.’
‘Nick Hatchett is a seasoned litigator with a wealth of experience in the industry. Pleasure to work with and commercially minded.’
‘Hands on approach, and direct access to partner involved with a good response time.’
‘Nick Hatchett; forever practical advice.’
‘The variety of colleagues that take a specific and special subject to advise upon, which are referred to if other aspects require such specialist opinions. The member that dealt with my case was very informative at every appropriate stage to keep me aware.’
‘Cost-effective and attentive to detail.’
‘Nick Hatchett – excellent client management.’
Key clients
AstroBank Public Company Ltd
Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd
Begbies Traynor
Fairclough Building Ltd
FRP Advisory Group Ltd
H&M Property Holdings Ltd
Lagdens Seafood Ltd
Mark Riley & Co
Quantuma Advisory
Qquant Cyprus Ltd
Randle Siddeley Ltd
Seemore Glass Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Quantuma on the sale of a leasehold asset which had not been declared by the bankrupt in existing bankruptcy proceedings.
- Advised Cypriot bank AstroBank in relation to the enforcement of foreign judgements in England & Wales, together with proceedings to recover assets.
- Advised H&M Property Holdings, and successfully concluded a professional negligence claim against solicitors.
Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors
Leanne Philp in Harlow leads Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors’ ‘technically outstanding’ dispute resolution team, which advises on debt recovery, breach of contract, and building disputes. Philp’s recent workload includes representing a defendant against a local council, as well as handling a large partnership dispute, while Prabhi Ghura is best known for property disputes.
Practice head(s):
Leanne Philp
Other key lawyers:
Prabhi Ghura
Testimonials
‘They are technically outstanding and very professional. They are very diligent. They meet deadlines.’
‘Leanne Philp is absolutely outstanding. Her work is very professional and she ensures that she meets all relevant deadlines.’
‘They have a solid team, providing well-researched, thorough and practical legal services to clients.’
Thompson Smith and Puxon
Thompson Smith and Puxon‘s ‘vibrant and forward-thinking’ dispute resolution team works closely with the firm’s other departments, including the corporate and commercial team, to offer broad advice to its clients. Colchester-based Andrew Breckenridge heads up the department following Sharon Auton's retirement in December 2022, and is especially well versed in banking and construction disputes. ‘Standout team member’ Laura-Pauline Adcock-Jones is a trained civil-commercial mediator, and offers particular expertise in drafting pleadings and settlement agreements.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Breckenridge
Other key lawyers:
Katie Latham; Laura-Pauline Adcock-Jones
Testimonials
‘A thorough and well-organised team who provide tactical and realistic advice to clients.’
‘Laura-Pauline Adcock-Jones is a standout member of the team at TSP. She has an incredibly approachable manner yet knows how to firmly assert her client’s position. She has a great breadth of knowledge, allowing her to advise clients holistically.’
‘Very much on top of all matters.’
‘The matters raised are often highly contentious however the advice given is always considers all aspects of a case and viable, legal, compliant option to reach a resolution.’
‘The Head of Litigation, Andrew Breckenridge is a particular source of support and great legal analysis of often complex and difficult legal matters.’
‘Andrew Breckenridge is always available. The quality of the responses received are always to the highest standard, clearly showing his understanding of the issues raised, and always offer not only a number of viable resolutions but also a preferred recommended plan of action.’
‘The team is vibrant and forward thinking.’
‘Katie Latham – very proactive and client focused, always willing to go the extra mile. Has a very good attention to detail.’