Geldards LLP > Derby, England > Firm Profile

Geldards LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Nottingham and Derby Tier 1

Geldards LLP is highly regarded for its skill in automotive litigation, and Jonathan Butler is highly regarded by clients in the retail, engineering, and sports industries. Andrea Clayton has a particular focus on engineering cases, and Lewis Adamson’s niche is built around advising vehicle retailers and manufacturers on a broad range of commercial disputes, including bourgeoning secret commission matters. Rebecca Stojak is pivotal to the firm’s equine law offering. Nino Simone leads the practice.

Private client > Family Tier 1

Geldards LLP‘s broad family law offering spans mediation, private FDRs and neutral evaluations, family arbitration and collaborative law, among many others, and has been praised as ‘a force of a team’ who are ‘thorough, knowledgeable and approachable’. Experienced specialist family practitioner Fiona Apthorpe heads the team. Jane Cowley is notable for her strong matrimonial finance practice which sees her routinely act on matters with complex tax, pensions and trust issues. Claire Dean chiefly lends her expertise to high net worth financial remedy cases and is also highly regarded for her experience on complex and sensitive children cases. Natalie Haydon-Yeung represents HNWIs on financial matters involving property portfolios, business assets, trust assets and pensions, as well as undertaking complex children cases.

Public sector Tier 1

Geldards LLP‘s dedicated public sector offering fields specialist solicitors with a deep understanding of projects and public law issues. On behalf of local authorities, the firm undertakes a broad workload which includes handling complex projects, planning issues, and public procurement matters. Paul Hilsdon has notable experience working for local authorities, universities, and multi-academy trusts, while Chris Hawrylak is highly regarded for his risk management, funding documentation, and project capabilities. Clare Hardy is skilled at governance and administrative law work, and Neil Walker has specialist real estate expertise.

Real estate > Commercial property: Nottingham and Derby Tier 1

Geldards LLP is well respected in the region for its breadth of experience and effective representation of private and public sector clients. Residential and commercial developments continue to be a fruitful source of work, with Graham Banks routinely acting for developers, landowners, and occupiers. Heather Dixon assumes a central role in the firm’s work with industrial and logistics clients, while Paul Hilsdon predominantly caters to public sector clients, including multi-academy trusts and universities. David Watson and Jamie Gordon both retired in July 2023, and Neil Walker and Jay Atubra joined from Browne Jacobson LLP and Knights plc, respectively, while Tiffany Cloynes departed in April 2023.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 1

With expertise in endorsement, licensing, and sponsorship sporting agreements, the Derby-based practice Geldards LLP often advises a broad range of sporting entities on appearance agreements, media, and regulatory matters. Practice head Jamie Goldberg is a key port of call for various high-profile athletes on image rights and intellectual property issues. Rebecca Stojak is particularly proficient in equine law and often represents domestic and international sporting and Olympic professionals on competition disputes. She is also well-regarded for her experience in advising sports professionals on defamation issues.

Wales > Corporate and commercial Tier 1

The 'commercially astute' team at Geldards LLP is a popular choice among corporates and funds on both the buy and sell-side of M&A transactions. Within this context, as well as handling conventional private equity-backed and strategic M&A, the team has developed niche expertise handling Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) which continues to gain popularity as a means for SME business owners to divest their share in a business and to avoid capital gains tax (CGT) liability. Corporate head Andrew Morris is highly attuned to the needs of local businesses, both as a result of his fee-earning work for clients, including in the tech, healthcare and financial services, as well as through his role as a member of the Business Council of the Cardiff Capital Region  which promotes the needs of businesses in South Wales. Alex Butler also remains a pivotal member of the team particularly in relation to private equity/venture capital-backed mandates, both on the sell side as well as for financial sponsors on their inward investment. Butler also continues to cultivate the firm's strong relationship with Development Bank of Wales, advising it on its internal fund structures as well as in connection with its investment activity. Chris Williams heads up the commercial offering, helping to service both private sector clients as well as the firm's impressive roster of public sector entities.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 1

Leveraging its longstanding and impressive overarching public sector ties, including for the Welsh government, Geldards LLP's litigation team is regularly engaged in some of the highest-profile matters in the country. In this context, as well as continuing to represent the Welsh Ministers in a high-profile competition law claim relating to a drug to treat high blood pressure, the firm also acts for the Ministers at the high-profile infected blood inquiry. Jonathan Griffiths is at the forefront of much of the public sector work, and is noted for his public procurement and judicial review prowess, in particular. On the private sector front, Michael Evans excels in handling commercial contract, shareholders disputes, debt recovery and contentious insolvency matters. Team head Paul Hopkins maintains a strong practice in the public sector, as well as handling a considerable amount of broader commercial litigation for corporate clients.

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 1

With core charities law expertise, including on governance and constitutional issues, and the ability to leverage full-service competence, Geldards LLP remains a popular choice among many leading Welsh charities to advise across a myriad of commercial, regulatory, transactional and disputes-related work. Team head Harriet Morgan brings 'a calm, friendly nature to proceedings whilst maintaining a professional demeanour', and is particularly accomplished at advising on property matters for clients in the sector, including those in the social housing space. Fluent Welsh speaking senior associate Bethan Walsh provides an 'exceptional client service' to local charities, often in the medium of Welsh, across a range of governance/contractual issues, ongoing operational matters, as well as in relation to mergers. Marie Philippe also continues to grow her practice, having successfully covered Walsh's recent maternity leave, and is appreciated for her 'pragmatic and very useful advice' and her ability to explain matters in a non-legalistic way. Giselle Davies also handles some fee-earning work in her role as a consultant.

Wales > Public sector Tier 1

Able to provide 'a one-stop-shop across all disciplines', and with an overarching knowledge of the nuances and intricacies of the Welsh public law framework, Geldards LLP remains a popular choice among local and central government bodies. Under the guidance of the 'exceptionally strong' Charles Felgate, the firm has been very visible in the planning sphere, regularly advising public sector clients on major Welsh transport/infrastructure projects, both from a contentious and non-contentious perspective. Notably, he recently secured an important victory for a Welsh national park, in what was one of the most consequential planning decisions to reach the higher courts over the last two decades. 'Outstanding' construction lawyer Tony Norris is 'brilliant to work with', regularly advising central government and local authorities on the contractual aspects of key infrastructure projects, as well as in any subsequent arbitrations. Commercial litigator Jonathan Griffiths excels at public procurement ligation, while employment lawyer Helen Snow, who oversees the multi-disciplinary public sector offering, is particularly skilled in relation to agricultural workers' terms and conditions in Wales. .

Real estate > Construction Tier 1

Under the leadership of the 'outstanding' Tony Norris, Geldards LLP 'takes on all areas of construction work at the very highest level' for a public sector-focused client base. Recognised as being 'tough and commercial', Norris' market-leading reputation regularly sees him instructed by the Welsh government on many of its key infrastructure projects. In addition, on the contractual front, framework agreements he has drafted have become the industry standard and are used in relation to the majority of local authority and police capital projects in the South West of Wales. Claire Laviers, who was promoted to partner in August 2023, regularly assists Norris on major public sector-led work, as well as handling her own deal flow for local authorities and stakeholders in the private sector (including on complex multi-party projects).

Real estate > Planning and environment Tier 1

Particularly adept at handling high-profile Wales-based planning matters for public sector clients and also active for local authorities in England, Geldards LLP is a clear market leader, regularly providing the planning advice on many of the most strategically important mandates. 'Exceptionally strong' team head Charles Felgate draws upon 'decades of practical experience' and is effective at handling high-profile contentious matters, as demonstrated by his recent high-profile victory before the Supreme Court for a Welsh national park, which affirmed the Court of Appeal decision that found against allowing further developments pursuant to the original historical planning permission. Senior associate Tomos Phillips is also recommended and has particular expertise in advising local authorities on compulsory purchase order (CPO)-related matters.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 1

Geldards LLP provides 'sound and to-the-point advice' to private and public sector clients across a wide array of disputes, running the gamut from advice on rights of way disputes and adverse possession, through to commercial landlord and tenant disputes regarding dilapidations and rent arrears. Leveraging 'vast experience combined with wisdom and a client-friendly manner', team head Ed Meggitt's own practice is reflective of the overall diversity of work handled by the team, being as comfortable handling ongoing property portfolio matters for retail clients as he is advising on abstruse legal issues relating to water law, including recent advice to the Environmental Agency involving the right of boat owners to moor on the Thames. 'At the top of her game', Nicola Lawrence provides 'thorough and commercially driven advice' to commercial landlords on portfolio management matters, as well as regularly advising local authorities across an array of property litigation. Senior associate Llinos Davies is 'responsive, knowledgeable and easy to deal with' and continues to develop particularly strong ties with national retailers, which she regularly advises on lease renewal proceedings.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 1

The ‘approachable and responsive’ team at Geldards LLP provides a ‘first-class service’ to private and public sector clients seeking holistic IP counselling, from the inception of an idea and taking that to market to commercialisation strategies and subsequent enforcement, if necessary. The ‘brilliant’ Chris Williams heads up the non-contentious offering and has vast experience advising clients from the healthcare, design and manufacturing sectors, in particular, on IP commercialisation, as well as providing due diligence assistance to the corporate team on M&A transactions involving IP-rich clients.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 1

Drawing upon a 'depth within the team that a client can rely on quantitatively and qualitatively', Geldards LLP is able to handle a significant range and volume of tech and IT-related contract work for clients in the public and private sectors. Team head Justin Harrington, who has vast technical knowledge and is able to 'think very broadly and imaginatively', remains the main draw of the practice, advising on complex UK-wide technology deals, including for end users and suppliers on IT services within the heavily regulated financial services sector. Many of the firm's mandates also include aspects of "big data", and team members are all well-equipped to advise on attendant data protection issues.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Nottingham and Derby Tier 2

Recently handling corporate governance M&A, refinancing, and restructuring, Geldards LLP is knowledgeable of bespoke IT supply and resale arrangements, framework manufacturing agreements, as well as outsourcing agreements. Leading the firm’s corporate practice, Debra Martin splits her time between Derby and Nottingham and specialises in employee ownership trusts, private equity, and venture capital matters. In Derby, Jamie Goldberg oversees the firm’s commercial and sports team, he is a key port of call for high-profile athletes on image rights licenses, as well as sponsorship and endorsement agreements. In Nottingham, Jenny Chatten spearheads the firm’s banking department and is knowledgeable of the franchising and healthcare sectors, while Derby-based Manjot Shokar is another key team member.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 2

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

Highlighted for its experience in advising local authorities on insolvency issues, Geldards LLP is regularly instructed by buyers and sellers on purchases out of administration and liquidation. Nino Simone oversees the team from Derby, and is lauded as ‘a very adept insolvency solicitor who has the knowledge and experience of complex legal situations.’ In Nottingham, Ruth Thurland is skilled at contentious and non-contentious corporate and personal insolvency, including company director disqualification. She is also a strong choice for German financial institutions on issues surrounding UK insolvency and is praised by clients as ‘extremely attentive and knowledgeable.’

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2

Geldards LLP is particularly noted in the market for the team’s work advising entrepreneurs and wealthy families on wealth management issues, working closely with the firm’s corporate, commercial, property, family and agriculture teams. Erica Thomson and Jaclyn Barnes jointly head up the practice; the pair act for a roster of high-net-worth individuals on wealth preservation and tax planning mandates as well as trust creation and probate matters.

Real estate > Construction Tier 2

Geldards LLP is well respected for its work in the industrial and logistics sectors, in which it acts for a range of developer clients. The team is also active in advising on regenerative projects undertaken by local authorities. Team head Chris Hawrylak advises various construction stakeholders and has noteworthy expertise in energy projects, while Claire Laviers assists with all stages of construction projects. Grace Day routinely advises on a litany of contentious and non-contentious construction matters.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 2

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 2

Potential infringement risks, the acquisition of trade marks out of insolvency, and trade mark applications remain a cornerstone of the practice at Geldards LLP. Splitting his time between Derby and Nottingham, Jamie Goldberg oversees the practice. Goldberg advises golfers and tennis players on endorsement, image rights and licensing, as well as sponsorship, he is also lauded for his ‘great industry knowledge.’ In Derby, Saima Shabir and Tamsin Mason-Rowe are experienced in data protection and contractual work.

Public sector > Education: individuals Tier 2

With a focus on representing parents before SEND Tribunals, Geldards LLP has experience in mental capacity law, and judicial review claims relating to issues such as admission appeals, non-provision of special education provision, and home-to-school transport. The department is led by Adam Friel who has vast experience in acting for parents in first-tier tribunal (SEND) appeals. Kevin McManamon is well versed in SEN and mental capacity cases and Welsh education law. Douglas Hamer is praised for his ‘meticulously detailed and nuanced understanding of the factors that are necessary to build strong supporting evidence in the case of EHCP appeals’ and Salise Dourmoush is also highly recommended.

Employment Tier 2

The 'approachable and responsive' team at Geldards LLP provides 'pragmatic and transparent' advice to Welsh public and private sector employers across a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Welsh speaking team head Lowri Phillips has an eclectic practice that encompasses equal pay work for local authorities, as well as a considerable volume of advice to private sector employers (including an increasing number in the financial services space) across a range of advisory and ongoing operational work, including as it relates to data protection. Like Phillips, Helen Snow is also able to provide advice through the medium of Welsh, a skill which is often utilised by her public sector-focused client base, which are appreciative of her 'accurate and helpful' advice, including on niche employment law for Wales-based agricultural workers. Joga Singh 'provides very astute and pragmatic advice' to respondents, particularly in the context of multi-faceted employment tribunal matters.

Insurance > Clinical negligence: claimant Tier 2

'Hardworking' and 'thorough in their approach to investigating claims', Geldards LLP provides an 'efficient and responsive service' to claimants across a broad spectrum of clinical negligence matters, including those of the utmost severity. 'Highly personable and knowledgeable' team head Spencer Collier 'leaves no stone unturned and approaches cases with a forensic eye'. As well as regularly handling maximum severity brain and spinal injury cases, Collier is also often engaged in novel cases, including a number of matters centred around the concept of informed consent. Exhibiting a 'great knowledge of the law, strong tactical instincts and a high level of client care skills', senior associate Rachel Kirby is also a key member of the team, who as part of her broad ranging practice has developed an interest in pursuing claims for clients who have suffered spinal injuries as a result of negligent surgery.

Insurance > Personal injury: defendant Tier 2

The 'highly proficient and pragmatic' team at Geldards LLP is 'comfortable with all aspects of the litigation', providing a cradle-to-grave service on behalf of insurers, public sector clients and corporates across a range of employers' and public liability claims. 'Very hardworking' and 'highly experienced' team head Donna Makin is key to the team's success in the space, including for self-insureds, and is very skilled at 'achieving fantastic results', including in the context of very complex occupational disease claims.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 2

The 'bright and capable' team at Geldards LLP continues to thrive in the market, generating work from the firm's broader private client team and its market-leading charities group, as well as standalone instructions from individuals, whether in their capacity as executors, beneficiaries and claimants not named in the will (for example in Inheritance Act claims). Team head Laura Alliss is 'a pragmatic, realistic, tough but sensible lawyer', who has been pivotal to the firm's success in the area, including on often very challenging cases involving promissory estoppel.

Private client > Family Tier 2

With a greater profile in the local market as a result of some notable hires in 2023, Geldards LLP is much better positioned to handle a larger volume and range of family work. The ‘highly respected and well regarded’ Adrienne Donneky now heads the team following the retirement of Gaynor Dickens and her arrival in November 2023, followed shortly thereafter by the ‘empathetic’ Belinda Moseley (who excels at handling Children Act cases) from Hugh James, was a major coup for the firm, particularly in light of her skill at advising high-net-worth business clients and those with independent wealth such as family trusts. ‘Compassionate and approachable’ senior associate Aysha Chouhdary  is also a key member of the team, and following her arrival in March 2023 from Irwin Mitchell adds further bandwidth to the practice by dint of her ability to handle Islamic divorce and family matters.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2

Now with two partners focused on work in the space following Anne Taylor and Gillian Crouch's promotion in January 2024, as well as effectively being able to leverage resources in other associated practice areas, including corporate, charities, property and family, Geldards LLP provides 'outstanding advice and an excellent customer service' to a varied mix of clients, both on a standalone basis, as well as work which is sourced from professional referrals both inside and outside of Wales. Taylor, who heads up the wealth planning sub-group, 'combines a technical mastery with a personable approach', ensuring that she is well-positioned to advise high-net-worth individuals, including those with newly found wealth through her work for recent lottery winners (on the Camelot panel). Crouch takes the lead on estate and trust administration work and is recognised as a 'very safe pair of hands', including on the management of trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries, and an increasing amount of advice to charities on the legacies they receive. 

Real estate > Commercial property Tier 2

Acting on its own as well as often working in unison with the firm’s strong construction and planning offerings, Geldards LLP‘s team provides ‘in-depth advice’ and a truly one-stop-shop service for stakeholders on commercial property projects, from construction, site assembly and delivery of the project through to letting, management and disposal. Although she also handles some private sector work, team head Susanne Bradley is perhaps best-known for her public sector expertise, including advising the Welsh government on major regeneration projects of great strategic importance. As well as his core focus advising on landlord and tenant work in the office and retail sector, Ioan Owen also continues to regularly advise landowners on renewables projects. Adam Thomas is the principal contact for secured lending transactions for a plethora of lenders, while Henry Bright, who was recently promoted to senior associate, is continuing to develop excellent ties with numerous local authorities, including advising on the management of their housing portfolios. Liz Ganderton has experience in leases and telecommunications agreements for manufacturing and education clients.

Real estate > Social housing Tier 2

The ‘knowledgeable’ multidisciplinary team at Geldards LLP provides ‘a very customer-oriented service’ to a number of Wales-based housing associations across the gamut of their property needs and ongoing operational requirements, adding extra strength by dint of its strong working relationships with many local authorities. Team head Harriet Morgan has ‘vast expertise and depth of knowledge in the sector’, which is buttressed by her equally strong overarching charity law prowess, ensuring clients are expertly supported in governance matters. Liz Ganderton regularly advises RSLs on SUDS legislation and secured lending concerns.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 2

Employment Tier 3

Spread across Cardiff, Derby, London, and Nottingham, Geldards LLP fields a considerable workload spanning corporate transactions, employment tribunals, as well as disciplinaries, grievances, and investigations. With over two decades of experience, Lowri Phillips leads the team and is well-informed in employee data breaches, equal pay, senior management restructurings, and whistleblowing cases. Rachel Mills often handles contractual issues, termination procedures, and TUPE, while Joga Singh’s immigration practice encompasses obtaining sponsorship licenses, right-to-work checks, and visa compliance.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 3

Often acting for large companies and public sector organisations in the procurement of software and technology-related services, Geldards LLP is knowledgeable of data protection, for which Tamsin Mason-Rowe is a key contact. The practice is also geared to handle broadband projects, cloud services contracts, and outsourcing arrangements. Jamie Goldberg leads the practice, while Saima Shabir is often engaged in IT contracts, as well as licensing and intellectual property. All of the individuals that have been mentioned are located in Nottingham.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 3