Herrington Carmichael LLP > Ascot, England > Firm Profile

Herrington Carmichael LLP
102 Berkshire House
39-51 High Street
Ascot
SL5 7HY
England

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Hampshire Tier 2

Herrington Carmichael LLP houses a corporate and commercial team that is ‘efficient, highly experienced, and consistently goes above and beyond to assist clients’. Managing partner Yavan Brar heads up the practice in Farnborough; he regularly advises on corporate restructuring and M&A matters. Cesare McArdle stands out for his experience navigating complex international agreements. Mark Chapman is recommended for commercial matters within the manufacturing and financial services sectors. Matthew Lea has since left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Yavan Brar

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Their attitude and approach are fantastic, which makes working with them smooth and efficient. I was impressed by their ability to navigate complex legal issues while keeping the bigger picture in mind.’

‘Yavan Brar’s approach to legal matters is both commercial and practical, making him an invaluable asset to any transaction. His positive attitude and solution-oriented mindset makes even the most complex legal issues seem manageable.’

‘Herrington Carmichael offers support across a wide range of laws. Their strength lies in their people who are experienced, diligent, and thorough.’

‘Their team is efficient, highly experienced, and consistently goes above and beyond to assist clients.’

‘Yavan Brar is a pragmatic and commercially minded lawyer. He is an excellent managing partner.’

‘They were always available when needed, quick to respond, and thorough in their work.’

Key clients

APN Group

Metro Bank

Lumin Wealth

Lumin Group

Portable Multimedia

HCI Financial

VPS Holdings

Cennox Group

Alarm Communication

Boom Spin

Wessex

Grundon Waste Management

The Beaufort Group of Companies

Shareholders of Weston Cummins

Buyline Norway

The Manor House Hotel (Castle Combe)

Strata Residential Finance

Andreas Stihl

Fuel Cell Systems

Exclusive Hotels (Lainston House)

Amazon Filters

BGF Investments LP and BGF UK Enterprise Fund

Optimale

CV Library

Nurvv Group

Elevate 2

Meson Capital Partners

SatixFy

Futura Financial Solutions

One Four Nine Group

Employment > Employment: Hampshire Tier 2

Herrington Carmichael LLP‘s team, led by the ‘charismatic, pragmatic and sharp‘ Alistair McArthur, is known for its ability to handle the full range of issues concerning cross-border senior exits, unfair dismissals, and whistleblowing employment tribunal proceedings. McArthur is well-versed in TUPE and post-termination issues, while Darren Smith is noted for his strong focus on the leisure and hospitality sector, often representing clients in discrimination cases. Hannah King is a key name within the team for data protection work.

Practice head(s):

Alistair McArthur

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They are a dynamic and charismatic team. They are very knowledgeable and work well together on cases for a coordinated approach. In the region they are amongst the top specialists for employment work and in particular high value/high risk cases. ’

‘Alistair McArthur – One of the best client focused employment specialists in the region. He is charismatic, pragmatic and sharp. He is calm when difficult issues arise in litigation and instils confidence. Clients genuinely like and trust Alistair!’

‘A very impressive team of experienced individuals with some excellent blue chip clients.’

‘Alistair McArthur is a no nonsense straight talking adviser who is very experienced. He is well supported by Hannah King, who is very able.’

‘Alistair McArthur leads an excellent employment team. The team has a good spread of exceptional practitioners and an enviable client list. His team is the one I would recommend.’

‘Alistair leads by excellent example. Darren Smith is another good partner of note.’

‘Everyone is excellent, including Alistair McArthur, Darren Smith, Hannah King and Tom Hyatt.’

‘Darren Smith has been our go-to for legal advice for several years; he understands our culture and the types of issues we face, as a business. He gives pragmatic advice and offers commercial solutions. He’s also a nice man!’

Key clients

Silvesea Cruises (UK)

Vistry Group

Andreas Stihl

CLEAN Linen Services

proAV

Royal Caribbean

Fourwalls

Tech 21 (UK)

Aldermore Bank

MotoNovo Finance

Vineyard Group

Infor (United Kingdom)

Work highlights

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Hampshire Tier 2

Located in Farnborough, the team at Herrington Carmichael LLP is particularly skilled at handling cross-border matters that deal with complex issues of residency and taxation. Spearheading the team, Charlotte Drury-Woods has been increasingly involved in contentious matters relating to estate administration. Graeme Black is another integral member of the team, and routinely advises high-net-worth families on their general affairs; he is especially recommended for elderly clients and vulnerable individuals who need assistance with trust administration and will drafting. Nicole Miller is also noted for her depth of experience advising on trusts and taxes.

Practice head(s):

Charlotte Drury-Woods

Other key lawyers:

Graeme Black; Nicole Miller; Minnaar Badenhorst; Kelly Hurst

Testimonials

‘The team at Herrington Carmichael is fantastic. They always put clients first and ensure that they have good outcomes. The advice can be complex, but they make it easy to understand and ensure that they are always doing the right thing by the client.’

‘Nicole Miller is highly qualified, highly experienced, and a pleasure to deal with. Clients only ever have positive things to say about her. Working together has been fantastic.’

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Hampshire Tier 3

Herrington Carmichael LLP has a broad commercial litigation practice, which encompasses shareholder disputes, debt enforcement work, and breach of contract claims. Described as ‘an excellent lawyer’ and ‘experienced litigator’, Stephen Baker heads up the team in Farnborough. Frankie Tierney and Edward Jones are also names to note; Tierney focuses on complex litigation and has experience with cases in the High Court, while Jones advises on a wide range of matters, including professional negligence claims, insolvencies, and property disputes.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Baker

Other key lawyers:

James Musallam; Frankie Tierney; Edward Jones

Testimonials

‘The team are very responsive to our needs and provide good, commercially relevant advice.’

‘Stephen Baker provides well-rounded advice. He is very open and honest with any advice and clearly states the boundaries of his expertise.’

‘Herrington Carmichael provide quality legal advice. The people at the firm are professional, personable, and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Stephen Baker gives commercially focused and pragmatic advice. He gives a realistic assessment of your options and potential outcomes so that you can make an informed choice on the best way to proceed for your business.’

‘Stephen Baker is happy to talk through any questions you may have. With his depth of knowledge and experience, he is able to explain legal concepts and litigation processes in an understandable and practical way. He is also a pleasure to work with!’

‘The team has a wide range of expertise in commercial dispute resolution, and in particular in company/shareholder disputes.’

‘Stephen Baker is an excellent lawyer.’

‘Stephen Baker is an expert at dealing with clients. He is an experienced litigator with good judgment. He is also a good team player and enjoyable to work with.’

Employment > Immigration Tier 3

Herrington Carmichael LLP fields an experienced team that handles SMS reporting, skilled worker, business visitor, ICT and family visas, as well as sponsor licence applications. Usof Shah is a key name to note for his immigration experience, advising both corporate and private clients.

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘I have always found the team to be very responsive in any query posed to them. They take the time to listen and understand any issues. They are very customer service focused, professional and a pleasure to work with.’

‘I have worked with Usof Shah for a number of years within Immigration services. Usof is always willing to explain processes clearly and takes time to make sure I understand what I need to do. He is very clear in explaining what work needs to be carried out from him and his team and always provides costing upfront so there are no surprises.’

‘Herrington Carmichael has a great team providing a broad spectrum of immigration services.’

‘Full of knowledge, great advice and supportive.’

‘Usof Shah is fantastic.’

‘They provide tremendous, responsive and friendly support both professionally and emotionally. They always listen to clients carefully and give bespoke advice for legal matters.’

‘Usof Shah is the best solicitor that I have ever worked with. He always does his best to answer any concerns and gives the best advice based on his up-to-date expertise.’

Work highlights

Real estate > Commercial property: Hampshire Tier 3

The real estate team at Herrington Carmichael LLP is noted for its broad expertise in property finance and development schemes. Liz Hailey leads the practice out of the Farnborough office, regularly assisting tenants, landlords, investors, and lenders. Tim Hardesty and Rachel Duncan are key names within the group. Hardesty has broad expertise in residential development projects and land acquisitions, while Duncan exhibits vast knowledge of the leasing of investment properties.

Practice head(s):

Liz Hailey

Other key lawyers:

Tim Hardesty; Daniel York; Rachel Duncan; Anna Svensson

Testimonials

‘They have always made me feel like they are on my side by taking the time to listen and chat.’

Key clients

Grundon Waste Management

Metro Bank

National Westminster

Work highlights

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 4

Based in Farnborough, Stephen Baker heads the real estate litigation team at Herrington Carmichael LLP. Notable members of the team include Frankie Tierney and Edward Jones. Tierney is a seasoned litigator with a wealth of experience handling dilapidation claims and restrictive covenant issues, while Jones is noted for his skills with advising on boundary disputes and rent reviews.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Baker

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Edward Jones is always looking for innovative ways to deliver advice.’

‘They were honesty and thought. They offered well considered solutions.’

‘Frankie Tierney is very efficient and pleasant to work with. She really fights on behalf of her clients.’

Work highlights

Herrington Carmichael is a full service law firm offering legal advice to UK and international businesses as well as individuals and families. With offices in London, Hampshire and Berkshire they provide an increasingly specialist legal practice – with dedicated experts operating at the forefront of their individual areas of law. They provide practical, deep understanding and professional teams in each of the legal disciplines they specialise in.

The firm: The origins of the practice can be traced back over 180 years in Wokingham and 150 in Aldershot. It acquired its present name in 1935 when Walter Herrington and Graham Carmichael merged their practices. In recent years it has expanded through organic development as well as astute mergers and takeovers, including merging with Southorns in 2003, Stanbury’s in 2004, and Metcalfe and Mather in 2005. Bonnetts Solicitors was acquired on 1 March 2022, the firm retain their Ascot office and also opened a Reading office on 1 September 2022. In May 2023, the firm moved their Head Office around the corner and over the Surrey border into Farnborough, Hampshire.

Types of work undertaken: The corporate team is highly experienced across the full ambit of transactional work within a wide range of industry sectors. Expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, MBOs and MBIs, private equity investments, banking law, shareholder protection, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations, insolvency and corporate recovery, financial services and consumer law. The team also offers a wide range of due diligence and legal audit solutions.

The firm’s commercial expertise centres on providing efficiency, securing and assisting in revenue generation for clients. It has particular expertise in IT/IP law and covers the usual commercial services, which include terms of supply of goods and services, franchise agreements, e-commerce, distribution agreements research and development technology licensing, intellectual property, IT and software, advertising and sales promotions, sponsorship, bespoke contracts and financial services.

For employees, services range from advising on redundancy, reorganisation, and constructive dismissal to disciplinary and grievance procedures, compromise agreements, maternity/paternity and adoption issues, harassment and bullying, flexible working and tribunal and court claims.

The property law / real estate department is the largest in the local region, with staff based in Farnborough dealing with matters including property development and plot sales for regional and local house builders. Services for landowners include selling land for development. Landlord and tenant services are provided for all parties from negotiating new leases to lease renewals, and advising on rent reviews. All aspects of residential property and conveyancing are handled including Help to Buy, shared ownership and HomeBuy.

Dispute resolution services cover a range of business and personal issues. Services are geared to keeping clients out of court wherever possible, while ensuring the best possible outcome in terms of time and money. Employment services for employers include an HR retainer service, an employment health check, handling unfair dismissal and redundancy claims as well as compromise agreements, discrimination claims, breach of contract, TUPE issues and contracts, procedures and policies. Restrictive covenants, termination of employment, recruitment and data protection issues are handled, as well as disciplinary and grievance procedures along with consultancy and service agreements. A full range of property disputes are handled, from business land disputes to boundary disputes and restrictive covenants.

Family and matrimonial law services include mediation as well as all aspects of family relationships. The department advises on separation and ending a relationship including financial matters and issues relating to children. Specialist services for the healthcare sector include corporate and commercial matters, such as medical practice and care home sales and acquisitions, as well as employment issues.

The private client department provides a comprehensive service including wills, inheritance tax, powers of attorney, services for the elderly, equity release and probate issues.

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner, Head of Corporate and Commercial Yavan Brar yavan.brar@herrington-carmichael.com 0118 989 9713
Partner, Commercial Mark Chapman mark.chapman@herrington-carmichael.com 01276 854 928
Partner, Corporate Alex Canham alex.canham@herrington-carmichael.com 0118 989 9717
Head of Dispute Resolution Stephen Baker stephen.baker@herrington-carmichael.com 01276 854 922
Partner, Real Estate Tim Hardesty tim.hardesty@herrington-carmichael.com 01276 854 905
Head of Real Estate Liz Hailey liz.hailey@herrington-carmichael.com 01276 748 852
Partner, Real Estate Rachel Duncan rachel.duncan@herrington-carmichael.com 01276 748 382
Head of Employment Alistair McArthur alistair.mcarthur@herrington-carmichael.com 0118 989 8158
Partner, Employment Darren Smith darren.smith@herrington-carmichael.com 0118 989 8151
Head of New Build Property Annari Holmes annari.holmes@herrington-carmichael.com 01276 854 940
Partner, Family Law Sarah Speed sarah.speed@herrington-carmichael.com 01276 854 924
Head of Private Wealth and Inheritance Charlotte Woods charlotte.woods@herrington-carmichael.com 0118 989 9705
Photo Name Position Profile
Stephen  Baker photo Mr Stephen Baker Stephen is the Head of Dispute Resolution. He has a wealth of…
Alex Canham photo Mr Alex Canham Working with the Corporate team since 2010, Alex advises clients on a variety…
Mark Chapman photo Mr Mark Chapman Mark is a Partner in our Commercial team. Before returning to Herrington…
Charlotte  Drury-Woods photo Mrs Charlotte Drury-Woods Charlotte is Head of the Private Wealth & Inheritance Team. Charlotte regularly…
Rachel Duncan photo Rachel Duncan Rachel is a Partner in the Real Estate Group and has over…
Liz  Hailey photo Mrs Liz Hailey Liz has been Head of the Real Estate Department since June 2023,…
Tim Hardesty photo Mr Tim Hardesty Tim is a Partner in the real estate team. Tim has particular…
Annari Holmes photo Mrs Annari Holmes Partner & Head of Department
Matt Jenkin photo Mr Matt Jenkin Matt is an experienced employment lawyer who regularly advises employers and senior…
Cesare McArdle photo Mr Cesare McArdle Partner, Commercial & Construction
Alistair McArthur photo Mr Alistair McArthur Alistair is an experienced employment lawyer with particular expertise in advising on…
Darren Smith photo Mr Darren Smith Partner, Employment Law Darren Smith is a employment law solicitor with a…
Photo Name Position Profile
Yavan Brar photo Mr Yavan Brar Yavan was appointed as Managing Partner on 1 October 2019. He established…
Number of UK partners : 19
Number of other UK fee-earners : 92
Number of support staff : 85
Afrikaans
English (fluent)
Law Society
IR Global (www.irglobal.com)
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Association of Lifetime Lawyers
Resolution Family Law
British Franchise Association
Professional Negligence Lawyers Association