Ward Hadaway LLP

Ward Hadaway LLP is a full-service commercial law firm, providing legal advice to clients in both the private and public sectors as well as to individuals. It is one of the UK’s top 100 law firms and a major player in the North of England, with offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester.

The firm: Ward Hadaway was formed in 1988 in Newcastle and expanded considerably in the North East over the next 20 years before opening its Leeds office in 2008 and its Manchester office in 2012, giving it a true pan-Northern network.

The firm is well respected and ambitious, with a reputation for innovative thinking and hiring lawyers who combine technical know-how with commercial acumen. Its track record for investing in talented young lawyers and developing their careers is particularly impressive, as demonstrated by the fact that many of its partners trained with the firm.

Ward Hadaway LLP has continued to invest in all its practice areas and across its office network. In October 2016, it expanded its operation in Yorkshire with a move to new office premises at Wellington Place in Leeds, one of the city’s most prestigious new commercial developments. It will continue to invest in operations and look to drive further growth, particularly in Leeds and Manchester, as it aims to provide more services to clients and help them face the challenges of the future, such as Brexit and the rapidly changing landscape across the UK private and public sectors.

As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the firm has invested significant time and resource ensuring that our clients receive the same high service standards they are used to.  This includes development of a COVID-19 hub on our website to provide clients with up to date information on all topics relating to the pandemic. We have also invested heavily in technology to allow our teams to easily transition to home working.

Types of work undertaken: In the private sector, Ward Hadaway LLP works with a wide range of regional, national and international companies across the North and the UK, from start-ups and owner-managed businesses to PLCs and global operators. In the public sector, it provides legal support to more than 70 NHS organisations across England, as well as local government bodies including councils and public/private partnerships, with nationally recognised expertise in areas such as procurement, property and finance.

For individuals, the firm provides a full range of services to enable people to plan for the future and deal with the present.

It is particularly well known for:

Corporate: the experienced team covers all types of corporate transactions, with specialists in private equity and venture capital investments, acquisitions and disposals and IPOs. It is particularly well-regarded for its work with owner-managed businesses. It has specialist expertise in debt finance and tax, enabling it to provide a fully rounded service to clients.

Commercial: the commercial team is known for its innovative work, particularly around the interface between the private and public sectors. It has specialist expert-led units in areas including procurement, intellectual property, IT, competition including state aid and pensions. It has advised on a number of major outsourcing exercises in the private sector and provides a full range of support for businesses and entrepreneurs, including joint ventures, international trade and commercial agreements.

Built environment: the firm provides the full range of property services from site identification and planning through finance, development and construction, to completion and onward sales. It is one of the foremost legal providers to the UK’s leading house builders, as well as advising commercial developers, major national retail chains and property investors. It also has specialist teams advising on public sector property issues and providing services to the social housing sector.

Employment: the firm has a hugely experienced team with a reputation for high quality work and client-focused, accessible advice. It looks after a broad spectrum of employers across every sector, including: trading businesses ranging from SMEs to major national and international plcs; schools and academies; social housing; local Government; NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers and charities.

Litigation: renowned for its expertise in the healthcare sector, Ward Hadaway is one of only eight law firms in the country appointed by NHS Resolution to provide legal advice on both defending clinical negligence and on regulatory, health and disciplinary matters. Its commercial litigation reputation is formidable with experts covering all types of disputes, while its employment team is one of the largest in the North of England and is trusted by major national employers in the private and public sectors.

Private client: the firm serves clients from entrepreneurs and business owners to family estates, providing a full range of personal legal services, including wills and trusts, estate and succession planning, contested trusts and estates, and charity advice. It has been acclaimed as a ‘go-to’ firm for high-net-worth individuals and professionals on issues such as pre-nuptial agreements, divorces and separations, and also provides expert, sensitive advice on children and family law issues.

Offices: Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle