England - London • Dispute resolution

Wedlake Bell

More informationMore information

Wedlake Bell is renowned for its work in the utilities and finance sectors, acting for debt buyers and lenders as well as insurers, landlords, government departments and local government. Frances Coulson has over 30 years’ experience in contentious insolvency, covering all forms of debt, with particular expertise in cases involving fraud and injunctive relief. Coulson co-heads the sizeable practice with Charles Robinson, a leading figure in the utilities debt arena, where he developed a specialisation in countering fraud including phoenixism, ‘creditor avoidance’ and commodity theft. Graham McPhie acts in disrepair claims and other legal services for social housing.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Industry knowledge is second to none.'
  • 'Exceptional understanding of the industry I work in.'
  • 'The team are incredibly knowledgable with regard to our industry and provide really thorough advice when needed. Their pleadings and general drafting is of the highest standard.'

Key clients

  • British Gas Trading Ltd
  • E.ON UK plc
  • Npower Commercial Gas
  • Orsted Energy Sales UK Limited
  • Corona Energy
  • Smartestenergy

Work highlights

  • Advised British Gas in respect of a variety of unpaid electricity charges.
  • Prosecuted petition for costs for BGC Partners LLP against debtor who deployed debt breathing space and foreshadowed further breathing space relief.
  • Advised E.ON Energy in respect of a variety of unpaid electricity charges.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Charles Robinson

Charles Robinson

Wedlake Bell LLP

Charles is widely known for gas and electricity supply dispute resolution and advisory work and oversees a specialist team of experienced solicitors. He has over 20 years’ experience acting for suppliers including a majority of the Big Five. With deep industry knowledge Charles advises on late billing, shipperless supplies, multi-tenanted sites, split supplies, off-site metering, vacant and squatter sites, erroneous transfers, supplies to insolvent entities, mis-selling and broker disputes, fraudulent COTs, datalogger / SMART meter failures, late meter installations, meter accuracy disputes, disputed disconnections, multiplier errors, mis-estimation and industry charge challenges. He acts on disputed warrant applications and has obtained multi million pound recoveries for commodity theft. Charles’ team is experienced in working with suppliers in countering fraud including phoenixism, ‘creditor avoidance’ and commodity theft.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Frances Coulson, Charles Robinson

Other key lawyers

Graham McPhie