Tom Bailey > Ashtons Legal > Norwich, England > Lawyer Profile

The national dispute resolution practice at Ashtons Legal is led by Tom Bailey   from Norwich, but has a strong presence outside the city thanks to up-and-coming partner Annabel Mayer in Bury St Edmunds. She is ‘strong on the law and very commercially aware‘ and clients praise her ‘willingness to really listen at a difficult time‘. The firm is well regarded for its work in franchising litigation, commercial disputes, shareholder disputes, breach of director’s duties and matters arising from corporate transactions.

Ashtons Legal has ‘a very good commercial litigation offering, with particular experience in franchising disputes‘, and that expertise is largely centred on its Norwich office, where lead partner and qualified barrister Tom Bailey resides. Bailey, who is ‘very focused and relaxed, and explains legal points clearly and concisely‘, predominantly acts in the higher courts in complex and high-value cases for listed and non-listed companies, individuals and public bodies. His recent work includes a £4.5m breach of contract dispute. Insolvency and restructuring partner Fiona Stuart also handles high-profile contentious matters.

Ashtons Legal has a strong commercial litigation practice across East Anglia, led by Tom Bailey in Norwich. In the Cambridge team ‘brilliant and hugely experienced‘ key partner Michael Frape frequently handles high-value, technically complex, commercial disputes, notably in the financial services, property development, retail and leisure sectors. Known for providing ‘knowledgeable, balanced advice‘, the firm has a diverse client base that includes Cambridge colleges, regional developers and national franchisors. Associate Jasdeep Rai, who joined from Greenwoods in late 2023, is ‘exceptional in his all-round approach‘.

Ashtons Legal‘s Norwich-based franchising department supports both domestic and international clients, of which its portfolio predominantly consists of franchisors, master licences, and franchise developers. A particular strength of the group is assisting clients with expansion overseas, in addition to bringing overseas brands into the UK and developing franchise models. Damian Humphrey sits at the helm of the practice with significant expertise in franchise expansion. Other key members of the team include specialist franchising litigator Tom Bailey, who is skilled in breaches of franchise agreements, and Tracy Williamson, who acts for start-ups and established franchisors.