Commercial litigation: mid-market

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is home to ‘great litigators, who are strategically astute, technically strong and commercial’. The sizeable commercial dispute resolution team is widely respected for its expertise in civil fraud, asset tracing and recovery actions. At a cross-border level, the firm continues to experience growth in India and North America-related matters. ’Highly adept at devising practical commercial solutions to disputes’, Kamran Rehman succeeded Clare Arthurs as team head in April 2024, while Richard Marshall leads the international disputes group. Michael Brown acts in a range of commercial disputes, including financial services-related conflicts, enforcement actions and civil fraud claims. Also key to the department, David O’Brien co-heads the group action and professional negligence teams alongside David Niven. Charlotte Hill is an experienced commercial litigator and Rustam Dubash is an India disputes expert. The next line of active practitioners comprises Phillip D’Costa, who leads the firm’s IP and IT disputes team; ‘determined litigant’ and business and finance disputes head Alex Fox; and cross-border fraud and contentious insolvency specialist John Adams. Other names to note are Harriet Vidot, Chris Hoyer Miller, Oliver Cooke, Colin Hayes, Richard Raban-Williams, Valya Georgieva, and Lauren Cormack.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Penningtons Manches Cooper displays a commercial awareness that is second to none, particularly when it relates to international transactions.’
‘Penningtons provides a truly 360-degree service that considers all commercial and regulatory aspects. Strength in depth and a fantastic practice. A brilliant team.’
‘Great litigators, who are strategically astute, technically strong and commercial.’
‘Phillip D'Costa has great commercial insight, is never afraid of the fight, and is tenacious in his pursuit of success. David O'Brien is one of the cleverest litigators in the City - legally and tactically superb, he spots things missed by leading silks and is a thoroughly likeable person.’
‘Kamran Rehman possesses robust legal and analytical skills and is highly adept at devising practical commercial solutions to disputes. Alex Fox is a determined litigant who is a great lateral thinker; and David Niven is a hugely experienced litigator.’
‘Richard Marshall is well-connected throughout Europe and is able to provide appropriate commercial advice in both domestic and international contexts. Richard is excellent, with a strong commercial sense in seeking to achieve the clients' litigation objectives; and he also has a very good understanding of US litigation and therefore of the interests and perceptions of US clients.’
‘Oliver Cooke is commercially astute and practically diligent. He provides appropriate support and advice on every occasion.’
‘Valya Georgieva is outstandingly able at organising litigation, and in her understanding of the law and complex legal issues. A top-class litigator. She is extremely knowledgeable, on top of the detail, and very dedicated to her clients.’

Key clients

Arkeyo
Cutlers Holdings
Scarborough Group International
Consumers’ Association Ltd t/a Which?

Work highlights

Instructed by a US law firm to represent individuals that survived an aeroplane crash, as well as the families and estates of those that did not.
Acted for Which? in both its Court of Appeal and Supreme Court interventions in the authorised push payment (APP) fraud case of Philipp v Barclays Bank UK Plc, which involves a point of law relating to the scope of the duty of care and liability for losses sustained through APP fraud.
Acting in various high-profile and reported matters for one of the UK’s largest family-owned property companies, in relation to the sale of Sheffield United Football Club, one of the claims relating to the alleged professional negligence of a law firm and two senior partners.

Lawyers

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Harriet Vidot