The team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is the ‘top choice for litigation of significant value, strategic importance or complexity’, covering the whole gamut from general commercial disputes to more specialist areas, including insurance disputes, with a dedicated international arbitration practice. The firm is particularly well placed to see clients through the energy transition, and provides a comprehensive service for its clients through alternative legal services businesses within the firm’s international offices. Paul Lewis, previously the head of the insurance disputes practice at the firm, has recently replaced Damien Byrne Hill as managing partner of the disputes practice, with the latter returning to full-time practice. Alan Watts is another key name at leadership level, acting as the head of both global class actions, and UK commercial litigation. The ’excellent technical knowledge’ of the team is thanks in part to dual-qualified Julian Copeman, Natasha Johnson, Andrew Cooke, and solicitor advocate Rachel Lidgate. Of counsel Catherine Emanuel is another key figure in the team, with specific expertise in class actions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Unique strength in depth for UK dispute resolution, including expertise in numerous specialist areas.’
- ‘Chris Bushell - extensive experience of shareholder claims under FSMA despite this being a new area of law.’
- ‘I have been seriously impressed by their capabilities. They have a strong litigation and competition litigation offering, from junior associate level through to partners. They are able to get up to speed with issues quickly and understand our products at a deep level. It is refreshing to find associates that are as knowledgeable about the law and procedure as the partners.’
- ‘Stephen Wisking is a rare find. He has a deep and extensive knowledge of both the law and CAT procedure, from direct experience. He is able to combine his competition expertise with a strategic litigator's mind. I unfalteringly trust his judgment on large scale competition class actions.'
- ‘Possibly one of the most adept teams I have worked with; incredibly client-focused and able to respond to queries quickly and comprehensively.’
- ‘The team has important availability, excellent technical knowledge, transparent exchanges’
- ‘The quality of service is second to none; a top choice for litigation of a significant value, strategic importance or complexity.’
- ‘The speed with which you can bring a partner on board and up to speed when a complex dispute arises is continually impressive.'
Key clients
- AerCap Ireland Limited
- Certain of the non-executive directors of Carillion
- CNH Industrial, Iveco Group N.V. and Stellantis (together "Iveco")
- Jinxin Inc
- Post Office Limited
- RSA Insurance Group Limited
- Sky
- J.D. Williams & Company Limited
Work highlights
- Supporting to AerCap Ireland Limited in relation to recovery actions against airline lessees and guarantors relating to the loss of aircraft and engines in Ukraine and Russia following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of international sanctions.
- Acting as advisors to certain of the former non-executive directors of Carillion plc in relation to director disqualification proceedings brought by the Secretary of State. The liquidation of Carillion was extremely high profile and is continuing to attract significant publicity, including as a result of related parliamentary select committee investigations, FCA and FRC investigations and a civil claim by the Official Receiver against Carillion's former auditors KPMG.
- Advising Iveco as UK competition litigation counsel in relation to follow-on damages claims stemming from the European Commission's settlement decision in Trucks, one of the most high profile competition infringement and follow-on damages cases in Europe. Currently there are in excess of 30 claims in the UK including two proposed Collective Proceedings Orders under the UK's regime for collective redress in competition cases.
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.
Hall of fameHerbert Smith Freehills LLP
Alan is a disputes partner and the firm’s Head of Global Class Actions, Head of Commercial Litigation UK and Co-Head of Partnerships.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Natasha is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution team in our London office.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Andrew is a Partner specialising in commercial, corporate and restructuring litigation.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Rachel is a Partner and solicitor advocate in the firm's dispute resolution division in London.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Paul Lewis, Alan Watts