Bishop & Sewell LLP

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Partner and head of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution team

Admitted April 2002; joined Bishop & Sewell January 2007.

Karen leads Bishop & Sewell LLP’s dispute resolution and insolvency teams. Her practice has given her experience of a range of work in these areas. She has over ten years’ experience, hence her command of the law and procedure in these areas, and her ability to apply both to achieve the best for her clients. Karen’s general litigation caseload sees her instructed regularly in matters that cover the range of the court hierarchy, from County Courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. In terms of subject matter, these disputes have involved terms and conditions, the standard of works and services provided, disputes between directors and shareholders, contentious probate, ownership of goods, nuisance, professional negligence and contractual disputes. Recently, she has had conduct of two matters that went before the Court of Appeal. One related to tree root nuisance, and the other to the setting aside of a freezing order. She has particular expertise in conducting landlord and tenant litigation in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal and County Courts. This includes acting for both landlords and tenants in issues such as the forfeiture of leases, injunctions, nuisance, recovery of service charges and rent, and possession work. In the insolvency arena, Karen’s expertise applies to both personal and corporate insolvency, often acting for the liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy. Her work in this field includes asset tracing, applications to set aside transactions at undervalue, advice on preferential payments, the compulsory winding up of companies and the issuing and defending of bankruptcy petitions. Karen trained and worked at Wedlake Saint and Machins (now part of Penningtons LLP) before joining Bishop and Sewell LLP.

Karen is a member of R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals) and the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society.

University of Exeter (BA (Hons) Law; LPC).

Karen enjoys playing all sports particularly skiing and horse riding. She is also a big fan of watching rugby, football and cricket.