Commercial litigation: mid-market

Humphries Kerstetter LLP

Humphries Kerstetter LLP is ‘a top dispute resolution boutique in London’. The 19-strong practice represents UK and internationally-based corporations, banks, funds and HNW individuals in high-stakes disputes; such matters are frequently before the English Commercial Court and involve international parties or coordination with proceedings in other countries. The firm’s sector expertise covers banking, financial services, energy, defence, insurance, IT, international trade, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, media, and construction. As of April 2024, experienced financial services litigator Joanna Pearson, who ’gets great results’, is the firm’s managing partner, replacing commercial and financial disputes specialist James Russell, whose cases often involve trust and company law issues. The practice also showcases Kristopher Kerstetter, who represents companies from the energy, telecoms, financial services, media, insurance and industrial projects sectors; Toby Starr, who ‘always looks for the best solution’; and veteran litigator Mark Humphries. Other key figures are Robert Javin-Fisher, an expert in contractual and shareholder disputes, as well as professional negligence, group litigation and competition-related follow-on claims; Chris Louth, who is ’an absolute credit to the firm and himself’; and Harriet Bush, who has notable experience in product liability matters, negligence and shareholder disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Excellent knowledge of all legal matters - a pragmatic approach, while always focusing on the client's interests.’
‘Humphries Kerstetter is a top dispute resolution boutique in London. They are very available and deliver to-the-point and well-reasoned advice. It is a great pleasure to work with them.’
‘The teamwork is seamless and in unison. Very experienced group with a formidable track record. Responsive, knowledgeable and decisive. Their knowledge and personable natures give clients reassurance and confidence during complex, stressful situations.’
‘More than a match for the big firms, Humphries Kerstetter has a sophisticated grasp of international litigation. Its smaller teams mean it can focus with maximum efficiency on the client and their objectives.’
‘Toby Starr always looks for the best solution and not the best way to charge fees.’
‘Chris Louth is possibly one of the best lawyers around. Hugely knowledgeable, capable and insightful. Always available, incredibly helpful and a true support throughout the legal process. An absolute credit to the firm and himself.’
‘Kristopher Kerstetter is superb and a great team player; Joanna Pearson is a hands-on partner who gets great results through careful analysis and identification of the winning point for her clients; and James Russell is outstanding - clever, hard-working and a delight to work with.’
‘Mark Humphries. Kristopher Kerstetter and Toby Starr are all top practitioners, who provide excellent advice in an authoritative, confident and wise manner.’

Key clients

Uro Property Holdings
Grupo TSK
Eville & Jones (Group)
Avatel Telecom

Work highlights

Acting for Uro Property Holdings in a dispute with BNP Paribas, which relates to the acceleration of a €1.3bn securitised loan.
Acting for Grupo TSK in an exchange rate dispute with Deutsche Bank.
Acting for Eville & Jones (Group) in a case that involved allegations of breach of a shareholders’ agreement on the part of the ex-managing director of the claimant group (among others).