Sydney Mitchell LLP

Sydney Mitchell Solicitors is a leading regional firm providing a comprehensive range of legal services to regional, national and international clients. The firm Won the Birmingham Law Society Regional Law Firm of the Year 2020-21, previously winning the Birmingham Law Society – Law Firm of the Year 5 to 16 partners – in 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2008.  The firm is seen by many as being one of the strongest medium-sized firms within the Greater Birmingham and Midlands region. The firm won Excellence in Professional Services in the Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards 2023.

The firm: Founded in 1763 by Richard Chattock, Sydney Mitchell Solicitors has been serving the West Midlands community for over 260 years. The firm is identified as a top-tier firm in The Legal 500 and is recognised for most of its practice areas within this publication. It also has both Lexcel and Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation. Understanding clients and their businesses is the cornerstone of the firm’s success and this approach ensures the various teams provide specialist advice and support that is tailored to the needs and objectives of their clients. The firm is able to offer a more personal service to clients regardless of the value or complexity of the instruction and it prides itself on being able to offer a first-class service that is often partner-led.

Types of work undertaken
Corporate and commercial: Sydney Mitchell has built a strong reputation in supplying innovative legal solutions for businesses of every size, from start-ups to listed companies with global brands. In January 2016 the corporate team was identified as one of five finalists in the Birmingham Legal Awards where the other four finalist corporate teams were from national and international law firms. The team has acted on a variety of complex high-profile commercial transactions including a multi-million pound financial agreement involving commercial property and commercial aspects, European data protection processes connected to a listing on NYSE, and a US supply agreement.

Litigation and dispute resolution:  the firm is recognised as a top-ten litigation practice within Birmingham. It is able to undertake most areas of commercial disputes and is very experienced in dealing with complicated big ticket disputes. Recently experience includes appearing before the Court of Appeal on three separate matters, securing injunctive relief against one of the main political parties in relation to the suspension of one of its members and has acted in a high profile fraud matter valued in the region of £15m. The team regularly acts for organisations involved in multimillion pound disputes and has built up an expertise in SWAP claims. It is also very experienced in ADR/mediation and has a qualified mediator who has led over 50 commercial mediations. The team is also able to offer a supervising solicitor to oversee the execution of search orders.

Employment: the employment team act for a broad range of companies and businesses in relation to both non contentious and contentious employment work. The team are able to offer flexibility in terms of fee structures which also include an annual retainer product called Employment Armour. This is a fixed fee employment law advice and assistance service which will provide practical support to employers when they have to deal with employment law issues within the work place. The employment team also regularly act for directors and senior employees (of both private and public limited companies) in relation to contentious employment matters such as the negotiation of a termination package as well as employment tribunal claims.

Private client: the firm is particularly strong in this sector. The department continues to grow and has seen a marked increase in the quantity and complexity of new instructions. As part of an ongoing commitment to elderly client services the firm supports private clients with care funding and continuing healthcare assessment processes.

Contentious Probate: Our specialist team has built up a formidable reputation for contentious probate and contentious court of protection work and it is now seen as a leader for this practice area within the Greater Birmingham area. The team handles complex cases involving multimillion pound estates as well as smaller estates which can be equally challenging. The team continues to grow and is highly regarded for its expertise in a broad range of matters which includes disputes relating to wills, inheritance and trusts as well as the mismanagement of estate and trust funds. The team is also committed to raising awareness in respect of financial abuse of the elderly, which remains a growing concern.

Personal injury: the firm operates a specialist PI team that is very experienced in claimant work covering general personal injury, clinical negligence claims and work-related accident claims. A high proportion of work undertaken is multi-track work carried out for local clients who come to the firm on recommendation from former clients.

Family law: the firm has an excellent reputation in family law. Whereas many larger firms have changed focus away from family law, Sydney Mitchell has always seen it as part of its core offering and is now highly regarded in the West Midlands, advising on multi-million pound and international divorces.

Property: residential and commercial property has always been an important part of the firm’s services and despite all the changes in the property market over the years, the team is flourishing and undertaking high-end work.

Insolvency: the insolvency team advises in all aspects of contentions and non-contentious insolvency matters in particular, administrations, liquidations, and bankruptcy; the team also deals with the appointment of Fixed Charge and LPA Receiver and acts for Receivers following appointment.  They further act for lenders advising on the restructuring and recovery of loans and act for directors in respect of wrongful trading claims, misfeasance claims and directors disqualification proceedings.

Immigration: Recognised for three consecutive years as a Top Tier department in the legal 500 publication, our immigration team is very experienced in explaining and guiding clients through the increasingly complex immigration process by simplifying the legal procedure and offering clear and honest advice on all types of immigration applications and appeals.  As a result of politics and ever-changing world events, immigration rules and laws change frequently, sometimes without notice. Our team’s expert and up to date knowledge ensures that our clients do not go down the wrong path, thereby increasing chances of success and saving clients’ money in the long term.