Partner with extensive experience of a wide variety of high-profile and large-value disputes for commercial enterprises; expertise includes both defending and bringing warranty and indemnity claims; contractual disputes and dealing with loss-of-profit claims; defending and bringing negligence claims; obtaining urgent injunctive relief, for example in relation to employee fraud and making applications for judicial review against public authorities and central government. Particular expertise in disputes relating to pensions, tax and trusts. CEDR-accredited mediator and higher rights of audience in civil proceedings. Acted in the following reported tax cases: Howell and Morton v Linda Trippier (HMT) [2004] EWCA Civ 885, Halifax plc and others v The Commissioners and Customs & Excise for the VAT and Duties Tribunal (LTL 12/6/022); appeal to the High Court and reference to the ECJ [2006]; Neways International (UK) Limited v Customs & Excise Commissioners [2003] WL 1823113; Bradmount Investments Ltd v Williams de Broe plc and others [2005] EWHC 2449; Betafence v Veys [2006] EWHC 999.
England - North West • Dispute resolution
Addleshaw Goddard
The widely renowned team at Addleshaw Goddard is recognised for its excellence in Manchester, acting on high-value commercial and banking-related litigation spanning all sectors. Leading the team is Susan Garrett, an eminent litigator who also heads up the tech dispute and pension litigation practices at the firm, alongside Nick Ashcroft, known for his international practice. Other notable individuals in the team include Samantha Haigh, acting for domestic and international clients across a range of sectors, with a focus on retail and consumer, financial services, and energy, and Victoria Pool, frequently acting on the highest-value disputes in the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Their collaborative approach is what makes them unique. Lots of firms use the phrase - AG actually deliver on it.'
- 'The way in which they work to deliver for the client is exceptional. The diversity and inclusion within AG is also market leading.'
- 'They have very capable lawyers and the bandwidth to mix it with anyone and regularly do. I cannot rate them highly enough. They are a pleasure to work with and are quite rightly top of the tree for litigation in Manchester.'
- 'Samantha Haigh is an extremely capable lawyer. Very forward thinking. She immerses herself in the detail and finds practical solutions. Sam is very easy to deal with - excellent manner with clients.'
- 'High calibre partners supported by bright associates well versed in handling very complex disputes.'
- 'I have worked with Nick Ashcroft and Victoria Pool. I find them both to be very savvy and commercially aware. Nick has an interesting niche with work from East Africa.'
Key clients
- Accrol Group Holdings Plc
- Associated British Foods including British Sugar
- Britvic Plc
- Soteria Insurance Limited
- Co-op Group Limited
- Credico Marketing Limited
- Diageo plc
- Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank (TDB)
- Road Haulage Association Limited
- NKT A/S and NKT Verwaltungs GmbH
- Skanska Construction UK Limited
- Stroma Building Control Limited
- Tata Chemicals Europe Limited
- Toyota Material Handling UK Limited
- Trustees of the BT Rolatruc Limited Staff Life Assurance and Pension Scheme
- Tsemex Global Enterprise Plc and Tsemex Hotels and Business Plc
Work highlights
- Successfully acting for Soteria Insurance in the Court of Appeal against IBM and defeating IBM's repeated attempts to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
- Acting for The Road Haulage Association with transport specialists Backhouse Jones in a unique opt-in class action seeking to represent more than 15,000 class members and £1 billion+ in damages.
- Acting for Credico Marketing Limited in a business protection dispute concerning the enforcement of restrictive covenants in commercial trading agreements.
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.
Leading individuals
Mark is a partner specialising in commercial litigation. Mark provides advice to a wide range of clients including leading FTSE 100 corporates, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals, on disputes including complex fraud claims contractual and outsourcing disputes, contract termination and warranty claims. Mark has significant experience of leading complex, high-value litigation for multinational and major FTSE 100 companies both in the English High Court and in International Arbitration including claims supported by urgent injunctive relief and worldwide freezing injunctions. Mark is responsible for Addleshaw Goodard’s approach to edisclosure. Mark has a particular interest in disputes involving cross-border issues and regularly advises on matters involving jurisdictions in Europe, Africa and South and Central America. Mark is a lead partner in Addleshaw Goddard’s Africa Business Group. Mark’s arbitration experience includes disputes under ICC, LCIA, SCC and Uncitral rules.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Susan Garrett, Nick Ashcroft