Kate has a varied litigation and arbitration practice, acting for corporations, institutions and individuals. Her practice encompasses: the handling of high value commercial disputes, both in the High Court and through arbitration. Often Kate becomes involved at the pre-action stage, providing strategic advice to ensure that her clients are in the best possible position in the event that they need to advance, or respond to, a claim for breach of contract or negligence. She also supports clients through informal dispute resolution processes and in the negotiation of exit strategies; civil fraud: Kate has advised in relation to claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, and breach of duty by directors and co-contractors, many of which have involved freezing injunctions, search orders, and international parties; advising on disputes in an insolvency context against former directors in relation to historic transactions, wrongful and/or fraudulent trading, and breaches of duty; dealing with significant High Court employment disputes involving claims by senior executives for compensation following alleged wrongful termination, and injunctions to prevent large scale team moves and the use of confidential information; and acting for trustees in ultra-high value contentious trust claims in various jurisdictions; and representing Higher Education institutions and schools in relation to their disputes with students; advising sports organisations on contentious issues, including selection and disciplinary matters and their disputes with commercial partners.
England - London • Dispute resolution
Farrer & Co
Farrer & Co's 'dispute resolution team is second to none in terms of technical quality and relationship building'. The core of the firm's corporate and commercial litigation practice involves major disputes, with a particular focus on cases involving complex company structures and asset holdings, shareholder conflicts, and cross-border commercial contracts. The team predominantly acts in matters comprising international components; and it is particularly expert in both coordinating proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, and handling cases encompassing jurisdictional issues. Corporate and shareholder dispute specialist Kate Allass is 'one of the best in the mid-market sector'; Ben Longworth's commercial disputes practice encompasses contractual claims, shareholder disputes, post-M&A issues, and insurance coverage matters; and Jolyon Connell is 'a class act, who speaks honestly and directly'. At associate level, seniors William Charrington, Charles Fursdon and Blue Elliott all maintain busy commercial disputes practices, while Victoria Atkins and Sally Mantell are also experienced litigators.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The dispute resolution team is second to none in terms of technical quality and relationship building.'
'They understand the benefit of building two-way relationships with barristers' chambers and the clerks in particular. They understand the need for barristers in a way that a lot of firms don't.’
‘Kate Allass is one of the best in the mid-market sector.’
‘Ben Longworth particularly impresses, providing robust and commercial advice, and taking great care to investigate the factual matrix underlying the claim. Unreservedly recommended.’
‘Jolyon Connell is a class act, who speaks honestly and directly, but always in a collegiate way. He is razor-sharp, and it is clear that he is a technically very gifted lawyer and would be the first port of call for a dispute.’
‘Jolyon Connell is a super partner - extremely competent, commercial, and great to work with.’
‘Good ability to work in a fluid way with clients' own teams - good, honest advice, whether it's saying what is wanted or not’
‘A great team, providing fantastic value for money for clients. Seamless to deal with, and technology is used to maximum efficiency.’
Key clients
- ANZ Bank
- University College, Oxford
Work highlights
- Acted for Alison Cooper in her claim against dnata Catering Services, concerning a breach of contract (leading to loss of share value).
- Acted for University College Oxford in defending a High Court claim brought by a former student, who alleges various breaches of contract/negligence against the College (arising out of the alleged failure to provide adequate disability support).
- Defended ANZ Bank in High Court proceedings issued against it for unjust enrichment, breach of constructive trust, and knowing receipt.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Rising stars
Next Generation Partners
Jolyon advises individuals, companies and institutions on a wide range of contentious matters. His practice includes disputes arising out of breaches of duty, civil fraud, commercial contract disputes and enforcement actions. He has experience of all stages of the litigation process and significant trial experience before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Jolyon also has experience of alternative forms of dispute resolution including arbitration and numerous mediations. He has particular experience of complex, high value commercial disputes involving financial institutions and investment funds (both international and domestic) and the complex issues surrounding those claims, including claims involving constructive trusts. He has also advised on several disputes involving alleged breaches of duty by agents and institutions.
Ben advises corporate clients, high net worth individuals and not-for-profit organisations on a wide range of complex contentious matters. His practice focusses on high-value disputes arising out of commercial contracts, post M&A issues, shareholder disputes, professional negligence and civil fraud. His recent experience includes advising a large international business on a multi-million pound High Court civil fraud and breach of contract claim, defending the sellers of an educational business against substantial warranty and indemnity claims and advising an international software company pursuing a multi-million pound breach of contract claim. Ben advises both employers and employees on High Court claims arising out of large-scale team moves and allegations of misuse of confidential information. He also has a busy practice advising independent schools on disputes with suppliers, parents and overseas partners. Ben is often instructed at the pre-action stage to provide strategic advice to help put clients in the best possible position. He has extensive experience of resolving disputes through negotiation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, particularly mediation. He also has significant trial experience in the High Court and the Court of Appeal and of making and responding to applications for injunctive relief.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kate Allass