Gardner Leader LLP

Commercial litigation

Michael Axe is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution and Life Sciences team based in Maidenhead.

Michael is a senior litigator with 20 years’ experience of resolving Commercial Disputes for his clients, with particular expertise in Professional Negligence claims, Franchising disputes, Intellectual Property disputes & Brand Protection,  Director & Shareholder disputes, contentious Tax matters, Insurance disputes and Commercial Agency disputes.

His clients range from multinational corporations, PLCs and SMEs to high net-worth individuals involved in national and international commercial disputes. Michael is highly experienced in court proceedings and methods of alternative dispute resolution including mediation and various forms of arbitration. He has particular experience in cross-border contractual issues and international intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and enforcement.

Commercial Disputes Experience

Michael has a broad commercial practice with a number of specialisms. He acts in professional negligence claims, intellectual property disputes (including passing off claims), franchise disputes (on behalf of both franchisors and franchisees), tax disputes (against HMRC, UK Border Force and various other authorities), commercial agency disputes and a wide variety of insurance disputes. Michael is also regularly instructed in company disputes including shareholder claims and applications for the removal of company directors.