Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Adele is a defamation and privacy specialist with over 15 years of experience. She advises both claimants and defendants in relation to defamation, privacy, breach of confidence, data protection and reputation management. She also regularly provides guidance in relation to forthcoming publications. Her clients have included private individuals, companies, charities, high profile figures and sportspeople.  Recent work highlights include: successfully settling privacy claims for a number of 56 Dean Street patients following the disclosure of information by the sexual health clinic; acting for three individuals in misuse of private information claims arising out of Operation Elveden, an investigation into allegations of inappropriate payments by journalists to police officers and other public officials; acting for PC Toby Rowland in his high profile libel claim against Andrew Mitchell MP in relation to what became known as ‘Plebgate’; representing leading businessman Peter Cruddas in his libel action against The Sunday Times; acting for defendants Carmarthenshire County Council and its chief executive in a libel claim brought by a blogger and a successful counterclaim by the chief executive against the blogger.

Director in charge of the trust and personal tax administration team. Specialist in the taxation of UK trusts, personal taxation of beneficiaries of UK and non-resident trusts. Recognised in Private Client Practitioner’s ‘Top 35 Under 35’ list.

Alex is a partner in the London office and a member of the firm’s shipping and international trade teams. He advises on disputes arising under charterparties, bills of lading, shipbuilding and restructuring contracts, as well as wet work, including casualties and LOFs. He is also experienced in trade, including letters of credit, sale and purchase contracts, factoring, debt collection, insurance (both marine and non-marine), coverage advice, facility agreements, transactional documentation and policy wordings. Alex's clients include shipowners, insurers, P&I clubs, charterers, traders, manufacturers and logistics providers. He has run court proceedings and arbitrations in many jurisdictions and has obtained and challenged arrests, injunctions and security measures worldwide. Alex lectures extensively on many legal and practical aspects of trade and shipping including charterparties, procurement and arbitration. He is the course director of the Lloyds Maritime Academy Certificate in Charterparties Distance Learning Course.

Alex is a partner in the real estate team in London. He specialises in real estate acquisitions and disposals, leases and asset management, and development projects. He also advises on the real estate aspects of financing transactions and corporate acquisitions. He acts for a broad range of clients including private and institutional investors, family offices, corporate occupiers and developers. Alex is regularly engaged by corporate occupiers to advise on their office headquarter requirements and assists FTSE 100 companies, pharmaceutical companies, insurers, law firms and recruitment companies.

Alex is a partner in the commercial dispute resolution group with particular expertise within the areas of technology, IP and media and insolvency. He advises on a variety of significant commercial disputes, including arbitrations, financial services, complex technology/healthcare disputes, regulatory issues, public/procurement and substantial national, and cross-border claims. Notable recent cases include the following: advising on the reported case of Jordan Grand Prix Ltd v Tiger Telematics Inc; R v Cockburn; advising Grant Thornton on the administration of Aquarius Limited; advising on the effect of the collapse of the split capital trust market and SWAPS claims.

Partner in the real estate department specialising in investment and retail work, with expertise in the petrol station sector acting for Malthurst.

Alison Hills is the head of the pensions team at Penningtons Manches Cooper. Alison has a broad range of pensions experience and provides her clients with well-reasoned, practical advice, having taken into account the relevant technical complexities and important reputational, commercial and personal factors. She is based in London but also works out of the Guildford and Basingstoke offices. Advising on all aspects of pensions law, her clients range from individuals and small self-administered schemes to trustees and sponsoring employers of large defined benefit multi-employer schemes with assets in excess of £350 million. Alison is well versed in advising overseas clients who may be less familiar with their UK pension obligations. Areas of particular specialism include advising on governance, pensions aspects of corporate restructurings/transactions including employer scheme-exits, section 75 debts, implementing flexible apportionment arrangements, member disputes, maladministration claims, implementing scheme benefit structure changes (including closure to accrual), liability management exercises such as pension increase exchange and enhanced transfer exercises, auto-enrolment compliance and salary sacrifice implementation. She is an associate of the Pensions Management Institute and a member of the Association of Pension Lawyers’ Education and Seminars Committee.

Amanda is a partner in the family team and a member of Penningtons Manches Cooper’s private wealth group. She offers a depth of resource for clients and brings more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of family law, but especially complex children matters and high finance including offshore trusts, complicated property aspects and corporate structures. She also regularly negotiates complex pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Amanda is a trained mediator who strongly believes in resolution without recourse to court proceedings wherever possible. She approaches all her cases with the same pragmatic and empathetic approach, seeking to find sensible and fair solutions at the earliest opportunity be it in relation to children or the financial aspects of relationship breakdown.

Partner specialising in both contentious and non contentious employment law issues. He has particular experience in the areas of age discrimination and the enforcement of post-termination restrictions. His corporate practice is drawn from a number of sectors including media, retail and financial services where he advises on day-to-day and post-employment issues. Andrew also acts for several household names in the technology sector. He has specialist expertise in the sports and entertainment industry and heads up the firm’s sports and entertainment sector group. He has been instructed by sports clubs, agents and professionals on a variety of matters including disciplinary and contractual disputes. On the individual side, he advises many senior executives and non-UK domiciled high net worth individuals.

A partner in the firm’s commercial, IP and IT team. Specialises in intellectual property, especially copyright and trade marks; and commercial contracts including agency, distribution and supply agreements.

Anna is the head of the family law department, and specialises in matrimonial, financial and children cases. She has extensive experience in cases of a complex nature (including those with international aspects) and a particular interest in international relocation cases. She represented the father in Re C [2003] 1 FLR 1066, the mother in Re D [2006] Fam Law 1006 and the father in Re C (International Relocation) [2015] EWCA 1305. Anna was included in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 2016. She is a trained collaborative lawyer.

Anthea is a partner in the employment team in London. She advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, and has particular expertise in discrimination, whistleblowing claims, regulatory issues, large group claims and test litigation. Dealing with tribunal, county court, High Court and appellate litigation, she represents clients from a wide range of industry sectors. She regularly assists staff associations and trade unions on all aspects of employment law, including regulatory issues and internal policies and procedures. She also provides advice to their members.

Ben is a partner in the real estate litigation team and leads the team’s fire safety practice. He works closely with institutional landlords, investment funds and social housing providers in relation to policy level guidance on fire safety strategy across their portfolios, and provides ongoing advice in relation to the Government’s Non-ACM Building Safety Fund. Ben offers holistic landlord and tenant advice regarding the effective management of their portfolios, including on development disputes, breaches of covenant, forfeiture and the recovery of arrears. His expertise also extends to providing comprehensive advice on complex residential property issues including rent and service charge disputes (most recently the Supreme Court case of Aviva v Williams), enfranchisement claims, party wall disputes, boundary disputes and adverse possession claims. Ben also specialises in property-related professional negligence claims and vacant possession strategies for large-scale development sites. He has spoken at a number of events, such as the National Housing Federation’s annual ‘Leaseholder and Tenant Service Charges’ conference, and the Asset Management Conference (Housing Quality Network), where he leads peer-to-peer discussions on service charges and fire safety works, discussing apportioning and charging for fire safety improvements. Separately, he regularly contributes to articles on the issue (including a fire safety podcast for the leading real estate publication, Estates Gazette), together with seminars and bespoke training sessions for clients and other property professionals.

Binder is a partner in the employment team. He joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2017 from another leading City law firm where he was a partner for over 16 years. He advises on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment and partnership matters and is recognised, in particular, for his expertise in complex discrimination claims, class actions, collective labour and trade union law. Binder is experienced in all forms of employment litigation, both in the High Court and tribunals, as well as discrimination (in employment and partnership), regulatory issues and industrial action injunctions. He works for a wide range of staff associations and their members and, in addition, acts for senior employees and partners, frequently in relation to discrimination claims. Recognised as a leader in his field by a number of legal directories, Binder has been described as ‘extremely knowledgeable’; ‘excellent in his dealing with members and highly regarded for his expertise in discrimination and industrial action claims’; ‘knows his law and gets good results for his clients’; and ‘one of the very best employment lawyers in the UK. His ability to spot the key issues in a case is unrivalled and his legal analysis is always spot on. He is a modest but brilliant lawyer’. He is a past treasurer of the Employment Lawyers Association and is a frequent speaker within the profession and to clients. He is a regular media commentator on employment issues.

Charlotte is a partner in the commercial dispute resolution team and an experienced commercial litigator. She advises on a broad range of complex, high-value cross-border disputes across a number of commercial and business sectors, including financial services (having previously been on secondment at a large institutional bank), company disputes, corporate insolvency and civil fraud. She has specialist expertise in digital assets where she advises clients about cryptocurrencies, NFTs and blockchain disputes, and she successfully acted in one of the very few contested cryptocurrency disputes. In 2023, Charlotte won the esteemed title of ‘Woman of the Year – FinTech/Crypto Innovation – UK’ at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards, for the impact of her work in the sector. She sits on the Law Society Council on behalf of civil litigators (non-personal injury) and is also the chair of EMEA for Multilaw's Young Lawyers Group.

Chris is a partner in the employment team in London, with more than 25 years’ experience as a UK employment law specialist. His practice covers all aspects of English employment law, ranging from HR advisory to cross border compliance, trade union and employee relations issues, collective redundancies/restructuring, restrictive covenants, and whistleblowing. Chris also advises on employment tribunal claims, handling senior level grievances/disciplinaries and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulatory issues. As one of our North America group lead partners, his role includes working regularly with US and Canadian clients. A CEDR accredited mediator, Chris has a keen interest in employment and commercial mediation. From 2011 to 2017, Chris was the CBI’s governing body representative for the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specialised agency in the United Nations. Consequently, he fully understands the ILO’s supervisory system and the challenges faced by unionised businesses, especially those that are alleged to have breached ILO freedom of association and collective bargaining conventions. He has been named in the UK Top 100 Corporate Modern Slavery Influencers’ Index, which acknowledges individuals from all business sectors who are raising awareness of modern slavery and labour exploitation. Since 2019, he has collaborated with the Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors (APSCA) by sitting on their disciplinary panels to determine cases of breaches of APSCA’s code of professional standards. Chris was previously head of employment at a London-based international law firm.

Chris is a partner in the construction advisory and dispute resolution team in London, specialising in construction and related insurance disputes. He focuses on handling high value and technically complex disputes, such as those in relation to post completion defects, professional negligence, payment claims, delay and prolongation, and termination issues. He is experienced in disputes arising from large-scale civil infrastructure schemes across all major sectors, as well as commercial building projects. He also regularly advises on construction insurance coverage matters, including undertaking complicated coverage investigations and disputes. Chris also specialises in building safety issues, acting for developers, owners, contractors, professionals, and insurers on a range of cladding and other fire safety related disputes. He was consulted by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities over aspects of the Building Safety Bill during its passage through Parliament. He is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution used in the construction industry, including multi-party TCC litigation, arbitration, and adjudication. He also regularly advises clients in the background on live projects to mitigate or avoid escalation into formal disputes.

Claire is a partner in the firm’s best practice group and a member of the strategy board. As director of knowledge and learning, she is responsible for developing and driving the firm's knowledge management strategy and leading a highly regarded team of knowledge lawyers, knowledge and information professionals and technologists. She guides the learning and development team in delivering and supporting the firm’s training and continuing development programmes. Claire qualified as a construction litigation lawyer in 1999. She has acted for clients across the industry in a broad range of engineering, construction and commercial disputes. successfully concluding cases through negotiated settlements and where necessary at trial including to the Supreme Court. Having established and led knowledge functions at her previous firms, she joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2023. With over 15 years of knowledge management experience, her focus is on using knowledge, technology and project management expertise, to ‘makes things better’ - better for clients, better for the business and better for employees. One of Claire’s main drivers for her and the team is to identify opportunities for the firm to collaborate with clients, to help them deliver their own strategic goals. As a keen supporter of Penningtons Manches Cooper’s ambition to be regarded as the most human law firm and a qualified Mental Health First Aider, Claire works closely with colleagues on the delivery of the firm’s inclusion agenda. She is a qualified solicitor advocate and change management registered practitioner. She is a member of several key networks and committees supporting KM and innovation in the legal industry as well as a regular speaker at KM events and contributes to their advisory boards.

Partner specialising in tax and estate planning to include the administration of large and complex estates, often with an international or contentious aspect; will and trust drafting, elderly client and capacity issues and a wide range of asset protection and equity work.

Darryl is a partner in the marine, trade and energy team in the London office and a key member of the emergency response team. He is one of the few shipping lawyers who specialise in both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ work from collisions, salvage, groundings, total losses, fires and piracy through to charterparty disputes and claims arising under bills of lading. Based in Norway for one year and in Singapore for five years, Darryl receives instructions from salvors, container lines, dry bulk and tanker owners as well as charterers, traders, P&I clubs and other insurers.

Partner with a real estate litigation practice, acting for commercial and residential landlords and tenants, property companies and private individuals; the work includes party wall and rights to light disputes, 1954 Act lease renewals, rent reviews, dilapidations and service charge disputes, arrears and possession claims, squatters, enfranchisement and lease extensions.

David is a partner in the commercial dispute resolution team in the London office and head of the transport sector group. He joined Penningtons Manches from Wedlake Saint in 2011, having qualified as a solicitor in 1985 with a magic circle law firm. He specialises in all aspects of dispute resolution and also has particular expertise in transport regulatory work including representing clients at public inquiries and advising goods vehicle and passenger service operators on regulatory matters and road traffic prosecutions. Additionally, David leads Penningtons Manches' professional negligence team which has a growing specialism in acting for claimants in high value, multi-party actions against solicitors. He is currently advising on three separate multi-party professional negligence actions against legal practices, including a claim for a large number of prospective purchasers of holiday homes in failed property developments in Calabria, Italy. A committee member of both the London and South Eastern Coach Passenger Transport Association and the Freight Transport Association's Greater London Freight Council, David also holds a Certificate of Professional Competence.

David is a senior partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper who has undertaken leading management roles within the firm over the past 25 years. Appointed managing partner in 2008, he became chief executive in 2013 following the high profile merger of Penningtons and Manches and held this position until October 2022 when he passed the reins to new chief executive Helen Drayton after a six month transition period. Widely respected for his calm and inclusive approach, he continues to support Helen and the leadership team, helping the firm shape and develop its strategy both in the UK and globally. He maintains a strong involvement with the firm’s sustainability agenda as it pursues long-term systemic change and works towards reaching net zero. Prior to taking on the chief executive role, David’s legal experience included a couple of decades as a tort lawyer specialising in clinical negligence, an area in which the firm is regarded as a front-runner, as well as overseeing tortious and contractual claims arising from accidents abroad.

Partner in the London commercial dispute resolution team acting in all areas of commercial and general dispute resolution and with a particular interest in commercial contract disputes.He is also a key member of the professional negligence team with considerable expertise in handling professional negligence claims.He has a growing specialism in acting for claimants in high value, multi-party actions against solicitors.

Partner specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration work, including physical commodities and a wide range of real estate disputes.

Specialises in and high-net-worth sales and purchases of residential properties within the private wealth sector, particularly for overseas clients.

Elise is a partner in the clinical negligence team. She has a particular interest in women’s health litigation and has represented a number of clients in transvaginal mesh litigation. She is active in raising awareness relating to women’s health issues. Elise also specialises in claims concerning cosmetic treatments and delays in diagnosis of cancer. She currently acts for a group of clients in claims against a Bristol colorectal surgeon. Additionally, she advises on product liability claims against both UK based and foreign defendants and is an active member of the American Association for Justice. Regularly providing comment for the press on current issues and with articles frequently published in legal journals, Elise has also spoken at a number of events, including ‘Women of the World’ in London. She is known for her attention to detail, professionalism and empathy.

Partner with experience in all aspects of family law, and particularly in cases with an international dimension. She often advises clients on complex financial disputes where there are assets in multiple jurisdictions, including offshore trusts. She also represents parents in disputes concerning children, involving issues such as how much time the children should spend with their parents, their health and education, as well as where they should live. She has extensive experience in cases involving the international relocation of children.She works closely with colleagues in the private wealth sector to advise high net worth individuals on all aspects of wealth protection, including cohabitation and nuptial agreements, and financial provision for children.

George is a partner in the international trade and commodities group in the London office. He is an expert in the resolution of disputes within the commodities sector relating to oil and gas, metals and mining, soft commodities and trade finance. His expertise extends to the resolution of disputes in the English courts and under international arbitration rules – including those of the ICC, UNCITRAL and the LCIA – and trade arbitration rules – including those of FOSFA, GAFTA, the RSA and SAL. He also advises clients on non-contentious, regulatory and compliance issues. George has advised national oil companies, international trading companies and other clients across the supply chain on disputes arising from drilling rig and FPSO contracts, sale and purchase agreements, and commercial and agency contracts. He frequently deals with non-payment, breach of warranty claims, quality and condition issues and many other contentious matters. George spent six months seconded to the in-house legal department of Shell International in London. He regularly presents internationally at industry events on commodities, the law of the sea, oil and gas, and arbitration generally. He has served on numerous occasions as an honorary legal adviser at the Royal Courts of Justice CAB on a pro bono basis.

Partner. Gillian advises on all areas of domestic and international family law and has an extensive international practice. Gillian is the immediate past Chair to the Family Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA) and has been an officer since 2007. She is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL). She is on the editorial board of the College of Law. She is also a member of the LNTV Legal Expert Panel. She was a recommended member of the Citywealth Leaders’ List in 2015 and also rated as a Super Lawyer in the same year. Gillian has a bias towards the financial aspects of relationship breakdown and regularly deals with highly complex, high-net-worth financial claims. She is also very experienced in private law children disputes and financial applications by a single parent on behalf of a child. She is experienced in private law children disputes, having acted in a number of important reported cases, including Re Y (A Child) (Private Law: Interim Change of Residence) [2014] EWHC 1068 (Fam). She was also involved in the ‘Cinderella Law’ campaign, which resulted in it becoming part of Statute in the Serious Crime Act 2015. Gillian is a respected author and has written for publications such as the ‘Law Society Gazette’ and co-authored on ‘Clarke, Hall and Morrison on Children’. She is often quoted in print media and has broadcast on national radio. She is the co-chair of the IBA Human Trafficking Task Force and is coordinating training in England and Wales to all police forces and the judiciary. She is also an invited member of the Santa Marta Group which has as its aim combatting human trafficking. Gillian’s work with the IBA and Santa Marta Group is carried out on a strictly pro bono basis. She is a panel advisor to Kevin Hyland OBE, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. In 2016, Gillian was given Freedom of the City of London and became a Liveryman in The City of London Solicitors' Company.

Grant is a partner in the banking and finance team. He specialises in finance law including bilateral and syndicated secured and unsecured lending, trade finance and banking regulation and compliance. He has particular expertise in advising the London branches of overseas banks on a broad range of operational, regulatory and transactional requirements. He also has specific expertise in ship, yacht and structured finance work.

Hazar is an immigration partner, known for her pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to solving her client’s immigration problems. She advises on the full spectrum of immigration routes, on citizenship, the EU Settlement Scheme and sponsor compliance. Her role as Chair of Trustees of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) means that she often liaises with senior UKVI officials raising policy and operational issues on behalf of the sector. She heads the firm’s private wealth immigration offering, working alongside colleagues to provide a full-service covering tax, family and real estate to those looking to relocate to the UK with their families. Hazar is recognised for her expertise in the education sector, built over 14 years. She advises on all aspects of compliance, risk management, and restructuring. Her clients include universities, independent schools and large private education providers. She is experienced in providing global immigration solutions to large multinational organisations from a wide range of sectors including retail, sports, entertainment and technology. Fluent in Arabic, she has contacts throughout the Middle East, in particular the UAE, and regularly visits the region. Hazar is a frequent speaker on immigration law.

James is a partner in the London commercial dispute resolution team. He has a broad commercial litigation and dispute resolution practice with a particular focus on shipping, insurance, and personal injury and fatality claims. His clients include ship owners, marine insurers, cruise and ferry operators, and oil companies. James has particular expertise in investigations by the MCA, MAIB and HSE following accidents and collisions and regularly advises on injuries and death at sea or on offshore installations. He has extensive experience in the offshore and energy sectors and regularly acts for shipowners and their insurers in disputes arising from the operation of vessels in and around wind farms and other offshore installations. He advises on the contracts frequently used in the offshore/energy markets with a particular focus on BIMCO contracts. James also advises on salvage and wreck removal. James’ sports practice focuses on football. He advises players, clubs and intermediaries on transfers, image rights, contract negotiations and disciplinary issues at a club and Football Association (FA) level. He also has significant experience of FIFA and CAS claims and advises on the regulatory requirements of the English FA.

James is a partner in the private client team in the London office advising on a broad range of domestic and international issues. He acts for high net worth individuals, families, trustees, banks and entrepreneurs on wills, trusts, and succession planning. He also advises on UK and international tax issues, owner-managed business succession planning, administration of estates and powers of attorney. He has extensive experience in advising clients on regularising their UK tax affairs, particularly in relation to the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility and the application of the Swiss-UK Tax Cooperation Agreement. James features in the Eprivateclient 'Top 35 Under 35' list 2015 for young private client practitioners. He has had several articles published in well-regarded private client journals including the Trusts and Estates Law Journal and Private Client Practitioner.

Partner in the London real estate team specialising in the acquisition and disposal of investment properties, development work, the property aspects of secured lending, and advising landlords and tenants. He acts for a range of clients including institutional investors, private real estate companies, real estate funds, offshore private trusts, banks, and tenant occupiers.

Described as a ‘guru of international family law’, James Stewart is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and general editor of the definitive publication on comparative international family law, Family Law: A Global Guide (the ‘Blue Book’). James shines in difficult, often international, cases that need strategic vision, diligent execution and a motivated, able team. With a focus on complex family disputes, marital agreements and cases with an international dimension, including claims for financial relief following overseas divorces (Part III), James has become the family lawyer of choice for family offices, trustees and others who find themselves embroiled in complex English divorce and family proceedings. A leading QC describes James as ‘undoubtedly one of the leaders in family law globally’. In September 2020, James was appointed Visiting Professor of Law at Ulster University and also serves on the Consultation Board for Practical Law – Family. James continues to chair the annual Legal Dinner in aid of the leading peacebuilding charity, Co-operation Ireland. Dual-qualified in England & Wales and Northern Ireland, James is also a family arbitrator and a collaborative family lawyer.

Partner in the London real estate team specialising in all aspects of non-contentious landlord and tenant law, freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals (including portfolio sales), site development and property advice for charities.

James is a partner in the commercial dispute resolution team. He is an experienced commercial litigator dealing with corporate dispute resolution, whether by formal court/arbitration proceedings or alternative dispute resolution. He has a particular specialism in director and shareholder disputes, often involving a restructuring element. He also works on a wide range of other disputes including banking, breach of warranty and general contractual issues, spread over broad industry sectors including property, general retail and banking. As a result of his role as chair of the Multilaw Young Lawyers Group, he spends considerable time on international matters.

Jane headed the family department from 2006 until 31 March 2022, when she stepped down as a partner and became a senior consultant in the firm. She is a recognised expert in high value divorce finances with many years’ experience of cases involving trusts, inherited wealth, complicated remuneration structures and assets overseas. Her expertise includes the preparation of pre nuptial and post nuptial agreements. Jane is also a recognised expert in cases involving unmarried couples and has contributed to a number of significant practice guides to the law in this area. Many of Jane’s cases have an international dimension and she is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practising lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries. Jane has been ranked in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame since 2020, having previously been ranked as a Leading Individual for many years. She is recognised by Best Lawyers UK 2022 as a leading expert in family law and is a Recommended Lawyer in Spears 500 2022. She is  ranked as a Leading Individual in Chambers UK High Net Worth and Chambers UK. Jane has played a leading role in the development and practice of family law for 40 years.  She is a former chair of Resolution, the leading organisation of family justice professionals in England and Wales. She was the first private law solicitor member of the Family Justice Council, which advises the government on family policy issues, and chaired its private law Children in Families Committee for six years. She is an active member of Resolution’s Cohabitation Committee, which campaigns for reform of the law to provide protection for vulnerable cohabitants. Jane has represented clients involved in some of the country’s leading reported cases, including T v T, a case relating to jurisdiction in European family disputes and Grey, one of the leading Court of Appeal decisions on the impact of cohabitation on maintenance claims for wives and former wives.

Jeremy is head of the reputation management team specialising in defamation, privacy, data protection, confidentiality and harassment.Acted for PC Toby Rowland in his successful libel action against Andrew Mitchell MP (the ‘Plebgate’ case); for Peter Cruddas, CEO of CMC Markets and former Treasurer of the Conservative Party in his successful libel action against the Sunday Times and two of its journalists; for Carmarthenshire County Council in its successful defence of a libel action brought by Jacqueline Thompson and in the successful counterclaim for libel damages by its Chief Executive, Mark James; and for Robert Murat in successful libel claims against the Sun on Sunday, Daily Mail, Express and Daily Star. Has advised the Police Federation, the NASUWT and the League Managers’ Association and their members on defamation and privacy matters for many years. Publications of note: ‘A Practical Guide to Libel and Slander’ (with Lorna Skinner) (2003 – Butterworths/Lexis Nexis); defamation contributor to ‘Civil Court Service’ (published annually by Lexis Nexis)

Partner in the real estate team with a broad range of commercial and residential experience. He has particular expertise in acting for family offices on a range of investment and development matters.He also has extensive knowledge of the automotive, rail and retail sectors, having advised on a number of landmark transactions for multinationals and public sector organisations alike. Examples include acting for a major auto manufacturer on its largest dealership in Europe and for the financial services division of one of the world’s leading automotive companies on its award winning UK headquarters. Joel also sits on the board of the British Motor Museum.His work covers new builds in the private rented sector, regeneration projects, shopping centres, hotels and leisure properties, car dealerships, offices and warehouses.

John is a consultant in the marine, trade and energy team, and is based in the London office. He has in-depth experience of a range of maritime problems, particularly those affecting the cruise and ferry industries, superyachts and marine leisure, and the offshore industry. A member of the firm’s 24/7 global response team, John regularly advises shipowners, P&I clubs and underwriters on issues involving collision, salvage and insurance disputes. He also advises clients in respect of marine personal injury and fatality incidents, for which he is regarded as a market leader. With the increase in criminal sanctions in recent years, John has developed a particular expertise in guiding clients through investigations by the MAIB and HSE and in defending prosecutions by the MCA Enforcement Unit and the police. He holds the Diplôme Supérieur de Droit et de Français des Affaires, and is admitted to the Paris Bar.

John is a partner in the commercial dispute resolution department, specialising in product liability, EU competition, regulation and judicial review. Important cases John has advised on include a challenge to the constitutionality of an EU Directive concerning tobacco advertising, which was litigated successfully before the House of Lords and European Court of Justice. Advice and assistance is regularly provided to multinational consumer products manufacturers and distributors on product safety issues (including recalls) and compliance with product labelling and advertising requirements. He has particular experience working with companies from the Americas region.

Partner specialising in clinical negligence litigation and defamation.

John is an experienced insolvency and civil fraud partner in the commercial dispute resolution team who advises on proceedings at all levels of the English courts. He has significant experience in both domestic and cross-border insolvencies, and has developed a particular specialism in contentious cases arising out of fraud. John has advised on a number of complex, high value matters involving concurrent criminal or regulatory investigations, including the US trustee of Bernard L Madoff Investment Securities LLC, and the estate of Bernard L Madoff. He also has specialist expertise in digital assets where he advises clients on cryptocurrency, NFT and blockchain disputes. He advises on all aspects of asset investigation and recovery, including corporate and personal insolvency, and has assisted in the recovery of all types of assets, from bitcoin and other crypto assets to racehorses and overseas properties.

Kamran is a partner in the commercial dispute resolution team. He advises clients on a wide variety of commercial, financial and property-related disputes as well as on professional negligence actions. Primarily, his work is focused in the banking, finance and real estate sectors, and clients include banks, other financial institutions and real estate funds. Since 2009, Kamran has successfully acted for a large number of banking and finance sector clients in professional negligence actions, predominantly against valuers and solicitors.

UK and international tax planning for high-net-worth individuals, with expertise in dealing with UK/US issues; capital tax mitigation and exit planning for owners of SMEs, will and trust drafting and related advice on trustees’ and executors’ powers and duties. Recognised in Private Client Practitioner’s ‘Top 35 Under 35’ list.

Partner in the family law team. Undertakes financial orders on divorce/relationship breakdown/civil partnership dissolution; nuptial agreements; Children Act cases, with an emphasis on same-sex disputes; and pre-conception agreements. Regularly contributes to legal journals and writes articles for the gay press.

Consultant working with property companies and entrepreneurs, institutions, developers, retailers and other occupiers. Advising on high level strategy and key negotiations, leading the legal team on substantial transactions, disputes and joint ventures. Recent work includes establishing and negotiating joint venture for redevelopment of major London station; advising developer on novel mixed use development in joint venture with leading Housing Association; advising blue chip retailers on strategic property matters; advising Irish developers and retailers on assembly and financing of their London portfolios; restructuring joint venture owning iconic London building; negotiating buy out of minority interests in high profile property company; acting for developers in disputes with funds over final profit payments; acting for owners of major business park on its funding and expansion.

Partner in the London private client team advising HNW individuals, families and trustees on a broad range of private wealth, tax and trust matters. Her core focus is on wealth and succession planning for UK and international families, including remittance and pre-immigration planning, tax-efficient financial arrangements post-divorce and administering complex estates. She has also built a specialism in advising family businesses.

Mark has a broad practice in shipping, commodity and commercial litigation. He has conducted arbitrations in London, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Stockholm either as counsel or lead partner. He also has considerable wet shipping experience having handled all types of casualties. He has litigated shipbuilding, construction and mining disputes. A fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker, Mark studied in China and is adept at working with Chinese evidence, both oral and written. He was one of the first foreign maritime lawyers to work in China in the late 1980s.  In London arbitration he was the lead partner in a significant arbitration arising out of a cancellation dispute involving the vessel Atalanta. This has generated consequential High Court litigation in Westwood Shipping Lines and Weyerhaeuser NR Company v Universal Schifffahrtsgesellschaft mbH [2012].

Mark is a partner in the banking and finance practice with expertise covering investment, development and structured financing advice for borrowers, lenders and junior and mezzanine debt providers. He works closely with other practice areas of the firm, including real estate, social housing, construction, private equity and restructuring.

Partner in the social housing team specialising in acting for registered providers on their acquisitions by way of outright purchase, conditional agreements, option agreements, golden brick agreements and associated development agreements.Additionally, Mark advises registered providers on all aspects of home ownership sales including shared ownership, market sales, help to buy, right to buy and lease extensions. He provides guidance on the management of housing stock including stock transfers, deeds relating to rights of light, party wall issues, loft conversions, assured shorthold tenancies and assignments of leasehold properties.Mark also acts for private clients and companies on a range of transactions.

Partner with more than 30 years’ experience specialising in commercial and residential property in prime central London primarily for high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Main specialisation is in investment (both residential and commercial) and enfranchisement of flats and houses within London. Acts for various private limited property companies and investors, particularly property traders. Also advises on SDLT as well as complicated enfranchisement claims and landlord and tenant matters for both landlords and tenants.

Matthew is a partner, and global head of the corporate team. He provides cross border corporate and finance expertise to a wide range of quoted and unquoted mid cap companies. In addition to acquisitions and disposals, AIM listings and fund raising, Matthew advises on acquisition finance, restructuring and refinancing work, acting for both clients and lenders. He has developed expertise in accelerated sale processes and also specialises in asset realisation in the fields of corporate recovery and insolvency. Matthew is co-head of the firm's fashion, luxury and lifestyle sector group with a number of well-known brands in his client portfolio. Through the fashion, luxury and lifestyle sector, he is able to make a valuable contribution to the firm's digital technology expertise, particularly where it overlaps with the retail world. He is also a core member of the firm’s North American group, reflective of his cross border practice.

Partner in the commercial dispute resolution team advising on a wide variety of financial services and complex commercial disputes as well as on regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, and civil fraud claims. He has conducted group litigation for shareholder and investor claimants, and acted in international arbitrations and litigation in a number of high profile cases. His clients include funds, bondholders, investors and investor groups, banks and other financial institutions, high net worth individuals and corporates. Recent claims have involved contracts for difference (CfD), financial spread betting and exchange traded funds (ETF). He is also a solicitor advocate.

Nick is a partner in the shipping group in the London office and a key member of the emergency response team. His clients include salvors, shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, hull and property insurers. He specialises in advising on and handling claims relating to marine casualties, collisions, salvage, towage, wreck removal, cargo damage, machinery breakdowns and general average. This includes advising on contractual matters. Nick also has experience of criminal offences at sea matters and regulatory investigations, including Police, MCA and MAIB, following accidents, fatalities and breaches of the collision regulations. He has investigated casualties in the UK, Europe, Africa and South Asia. Prior to becoming a solicitor, Nick worked as crew in the yachting industry and still races regularly. This insider industry knowledge well qualifies him to advise on yachting claims, including racing rule disputes, collisions, product defects, and marina and yard liabilities.

Nick is a partner in the London office specialising in both contentious and non-contentious employment work. He has particular expertise in the international aspects of employment law, industrial relations law and in the employment aspects of sport – particularly professional football. He advises on a wide range of HR problems, policies and strategy including the management of large-scale business re-organisations. His client base includes airlines, telecommunications companies, insurers, commercial marine sector businesses, yacht sector clients, as well as senior executive clients and clients in the employment aspects of sport. Nick provides a full range of advice for his clients which includes document reviews; general employment; employment litigation in the High Court and employment tribunal; industrial relations law advice for employers; the employment law aspects of company sales and business transfers; private international law aspects of employment law; and aviation and maritime employment law. He is the author of Trade Union Law and Collective Employment Rights (Jordan); an editor of the Sweet & Maxwell Employment Law Encyclopedia; and a contributor to Tolley’s Employment Law Service and Tolley’s Health and Safety Handbook. He is recognised by The Legal 500 as being ‘hugely experienced’ and ‘great to have in your corner’.

Consultant specialising in commercial chancery; corporate recovery and insolvency; contentious banking; partnership disputes; banking law; and professional negligence actions against solicitors, valuers and accountants.

Pat is an immigration partner who advises corporate and education sector clients, including the board of various universities and large private sector clients on risk management, sponsor compliance matters, partnership arrangements and the immigration aspects of business restructuring. Pat often liaises with senior UKVI officials on behalf of clients. She also has experience of challenging UKVI decisions to suspend, revoke or other UKVI action against sponsors. Her specialist areas of work also include immigration services for private individuals, many of whom are applying for Tier 1 investor and entrepreneur visas. She has a wealth of experience in dealing with human rights cases, appeals, judicial reviews and Court of Appeal matters. Her clients are spread across the firm’s education, charities, retail, sports and entertainment and technology sectors.

Paul is head of the firm’s 40-lawyer employment team. He advises on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment and partnership matters and is recognised, in particular, for his expertise in restrictive covenant and injunction issues. Paul is experienced in all forms of employment litigation, both in the High Court and tribunals, as well as boardroom disputes, discrimination (in employment and partnership), TUPE matters and outsourcings. He works for a wide range of private sector employers, from a major fast food retailer to financial institutions and also acts for senior employees, including partners, founders and FTSE C-suite executives.

Paul is a partner in the shipping team and has a ‘dry’ maritime practice, consisting predominantly of P&I and defence matters. He receives instructions from owners, charterers and cargo interests together with their respective insurers. His experience covers a full range of maritime and insurance disputes, involving arbitration, mediation and commercial litigation at the highest appellate level. He has a significant track record in dealing with disputes involving bills of lading and other contracts of carriage, as well as charterparty recoveries. He has also developed particular expertise in handling containerised cargo claims and liquid cargo contamination claims comprising complex technical issues.

Partner specialising in real estate and property finance issues.

Peter is a partner in the Construction and Infrastructure team in London, specialising in construction and related insurance disputes. Recognised by The Legal 500 as 'an energetic and effective litigator', he is highly experienced in resolving disputes arising on building, infrastructure and other engineering projects. He regularly advises employers, contractors, subcontractors, professionals and insurers on claims and dispute avoidance during projects and represents clients in litigation, arbitration, adjudication, expert determination and mediation. Peter has particular expertise in the use of adjudication to resolve disputes over interim applications, final accounts, variations, delay and other issues. Peter’s expertise in adjudication led to his client obtaining: the first ever stay of court proceedings for a final determination pending compliance with adjudication decisions in Anglo Swiss Holdings Ltd & Ors v Packman Lucas Ltd [2009] EWHC 3212 (TCC); a rare injunction preventing further adjudications pending compliance with earlier decisions in Mentmore Towers Ltd & Ors v Packman Lucas Ltd [2010] EWHC 457 (TCC); and an order for sale of two valuable properties to enforce adjudication decisions in Packman Lucas Ltd v Mentmore Towers Ltd & Anor [2010] EWHC 1037 (TCC). Peter also acted for the successful party in Bloomberg LP v Malling Pre-Cast Ltd [2015] EWHC 2858 (TCC) relating to the interpretation of a collateral warranty and Bloomberg LP v Sandberg and others [2016] EWHC 488 (TCC) relating to cost budgeting.   Peter advises clients on live projects, including on change and termination and on managing the consequences of major events such as fire or escape of water and following the discovery of defects post completion, dealing with the initial consequences and investigations through to any ensuing dispute. He is currently advising several clients on fire safety issues in relation to cladding. Peter also advises clients on insurance coverage.

Phillip is a commercial disputes partner, head of the IT and IP disputes team and co-head of the India group at Penningtons Manches Cooper. He has over 20 years’ experience of complex, high value commercial litigation and arbitration, often with a cross-border element, and regularly advises on commercial, technology, financial services and civil fraud disputes, as well as enforcement and asset recovery.   Phillip has acted on a number of board and shareholder, banking and IT disputes and represents a range of private sector clients. He assists businesses and individuals with insolvency and regulatory compliance issues, and has a particular interest in contentious and transactional work involving India, having acted on several English law disputes involving Indian parties. 

Rebecca is a partner in the family department, advising on all issues arising from divorce and relationship breakdown, both financial and children related. She is experienced in drafting pre- and post-nuptial agreements, both domestic and international, and in resolving issues between unmarried couples. A member of Resolution, the leading association of family lawyers in England and Wales, she is also a trained collaborative lawyer. Highly regarded by clients and her peers, she is one of the few family lawyers to have been recognised by The Lawyer as a prestigious ‘Hot 100’ alumni. She is also listed in the Citywealth Leaders List. Her recent work includes acting in the reported case of AI and MT, where the High Court agreed to refer the children, divorce and financial issues between a couple to religious arbitration; advising the successful defendant in F v Y (Abduction: Acquiescence) involving an alleged wrongful removal of a child to Russia; and acting in Re: B (Children), one of the first reported Court of Appeal cases to focus on the English court’s jurisdiction under Article 3 of the European Maintenance Regulation.

Rebecca is an associate director and specialist family lawyer with 10 years of experience working with international and domestic clients in London and the South East. She has particular expertise advising on financial issues including pensions, trusts and businesses. As a knowledge lawyer for the family department at Penningtons Manches Cooper, having changed her focus from advising individuals to supporting a legal team, she writes precedents, organises training and seminars, encourages and facilitates the sharing of knowledge and improves processes and systems.  An experienced author of legal materials and articles, Rebecca has worked as a freelance professional support lawyer for LexisNexis. She has also written articles for New Law Journal, Solicitors Journal, Family Law Journal, Resolution’s The Review and Pensions World. 

Rhys is a partner in the London office and a member of the shipping team. He has over 35 years’ experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, specialising in a wide range of insurance and reinsurance (marine and non-marine), in maritime casualties, such as groundings, explosions, fires and structural failures, as well as piracy, kidnap and ransom, political violence and offshore construction. Rhys has a particular interest in crisis management and cyber hazard. He is an active commercial mediator at SeaMediation.com and a listed Distinguished Neutral at CPR in New York. Rhys is the author of Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediation in England and Wales, the second edition, published in 2019, and the principal architect and co-author of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Practice, published by the Institute of Insurance of London in 2011.

Richard is an experienced commercial litigator who deals in a wide range of contentious and dispute resolution work as well as commercial arbitrations. He is also an accredited mediation advocate and a member of the Commercial Litigation Association. Within his broad-based practice he specialises in commercial, corporate and property related disputes, professional negligence and matters arising from the international wealth sector. He also works closely with the family, private client and employment teams and is an expert in conflicts of law and jurisdiction issues, particularly with regard to the US. Through a combination of both strategic and legal advice, Richard plays an integral role in his clients’ businesses. Much of his work has an international and offshore element and he often manages multi-jurisdictional disputes. He is well regarded by his peers for his keen understanding of trial work on both sides of the Atlantic and is a leading partner in the firm's North America group. Richard has a wealth of experience in international and domestic arbitration and has published widely on these topics. He is often consulted by leading national newspapers for his comments on topical international law matters.

Robert is a contentious financial markets litigation specialist of over 20 years’ experience and is recognised as one of the leading practitioners in the field. Robert heads the firm’s International Financial Markets Litigation practice which includes: asset management disputes; structured products and derivatives disputes; contentious regulatory and investigations; and exchange based product and commodities disputes.

Ruby is a partner in the employment team based in London, with a focus on acting for senior executives and partners, many of whom are based in the financial and professional services sectors. She advises on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment and partnership matters and is recognised, in particular, for her expertise in exit strategies, complex exit settlement negotiations, whistleblowing, and discrimination claims. Her clients include managing directors, finance and compliance directors, founders, and C-suite executives. Recognised as a leader in her field, she has over a decade’s experience and is commended by clients for her empathy, pragmatism, and tough negotiation skills. In addition to her senior executive practice, Ruby has a significant track record in advising, litigating, and negotiating on maternity, sex, age, and disability discrimination cases. She has a strong interest in issues facing women at work, including pregnancy and maternity discrimination, equal pay disputes, salary negotiations and sexual harassment, and she also frequently advises individuals with mental health conditions in relation to disability discrimination and reasonable adjustment disputes. She is adept at helping her clients navigate internal grievance, conduct and performance processes. A regular contributor to the print and broadcast media on employment law issues, Ruby has established herself as a sought-after spokesperson.

Rustam is a consultant in Penningtons Manches Cooper's commercial dispute resolution team and the India group. He has over 35 years of commercial dispute resolution experience and during this period has been involved in high-value UK and cross-border litigation, including banking litigation and international arbitration as well as mediations resulting in early resolution of disputes. He also advises clients on pre-action strategy, again with the aim of resolving disputes early on. Rustam continues to represent several well known Indian corporates, banks, high-net-worth individuals and their families.

Partner in the private client team specialising in international wealth structuring, trusts and succession planning. Advises entrepreneurs, business owners, fund managers, property developers, international families, offshore trust companies and private banks on a range of private client matters. His practice includes ultra-high net worth Asian clients from Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as UK resident non-domiciled clients, some of whom have UK-US tax issues.

Partner within the Housing and Property Disputes team specialising in all aspects of housing and property litigation including defective new build issues, complex disrepair, homelessness and possession cases. Also specialising in judicial review, particularly in relation to housing cases, and commercial property litigation.

A partner in the London office, Sarah is an accomplished sailor and yachtmaster who has competed internationally and worked on yachts. She has developed particular expertise in yacht-related matters and advises owners, managers and yards on contracts relevant to superyacht operations, including charters and management agreements. She also advises on yacht and superyacht claims and disputes, including casualties and disputes under related contracts such as sale and purchase, build and refit, and charters.  Sarah is regularly instructed on a broad range of commercial shipping matters including charterparty and bill of lading disputes, and insurance claims. She advises on regulatory issues, including those arising from the Maritime Labour Convention and crewing generally. A fluent Spanish speaker, she also works alongside the personal injury team on accident claims.

Partner in the contentious private client team advising individuals on a broad range of contentious and non contentious private client matters. Her contentious practice includes trust and estate litigation, disputed wills, breach of trust claims, administration disputes, professional negligence and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims.Her non-contentious practice encompasses complex probate issues, powers of attorney, residential property ownership and general issues relating to personal affairs.

partner

Partner dealing with corporate tax, VAT and stamp duty.

Tammy is a partner in the London office, specialising in all areas of family law, particularly those with an international element. She regularly advises on child abduction and international relocation of children, financial issues arising from separation, Family Law Act applications, disputes about child arrangements and prenuptial agreements. She is also experienced in representing vulnerable clients, including teenage children.

Partner in the real estate division in London. His practice encompasses contentious and non-contentious planning and infrastructure matters, including public inquiries, judicial reviews, High Court challenges, planning obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy, and compulsory purchase orders.Acting for developers of all sizes, listed housebuilders, landowners, owners and occupiers, local authorities and other public bodies, he has particular expertise in large-scale strategic development projects, most of which comprise a significant amount of residential development. Regularly instructed on highways and other infrastructure schemes required to facilitate development and on land use issues, including environmental and ecological issues.

Tom is an employment partner in London. He acts for a range of clients from individual directors and executives to multinational companies. He regularly advises both boards and individuals on team moves and on financial regulatory matters where he has a particular expertise. He has a depth of experience in sex discrimination and whistleblowing. He has carried out several sex discrimination cases and achieved high payout settlements.

Tristan is a partner in the personal injury team, based in the London office. He advises on all types of maximum severity personal injury work including road traffic and aviation accidents, employers’ and public liability claims and high value spinal, head and amputation injury claims. He has a special interest in marine accident work and a long track record of litigating in the Admiralty Court. With many years’ experience of acting for both private clients and a range of associations, Tristan has represented the Police Federation on numerous occasions, in particular acting for officers at risk under the Winsor reforms and where injuries prevent them from returning to front line or non-adjusted duties.

Warren is a leading personal injury practitioner with more than 30 years’ experience of handling catastrophic personal injury and fatal accident claims arising from UK and overseas accidents. He is involved in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation throughout the world and has conducted claims across Europe, Asia, the Far East, Australia, USA and the Caribbean. Warren has received multiple awards in recognition of his work including from UKABIF for inspiration in brain injury, the Spinal Injuries Association’s Excellence in Legal Care Award, and Eclipse Proclaim's ‘Claimant Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year’ and Catastrophic Injury Lawyer of the Year.