‘Excellent tactician’ Michael Smith, who splits his time between Manchester and Leeds, heads up the ’enthusiastic,’ property litigation group at Pinsent Masons LLP in Manchester. Smith is particularly adept at handling Electricity Act 1989-related disputes. Standout examples of the team’s work include its acting for United Utilities in the Supreme Court, in a case involving discharges into the Manchester Shipping Canal. Bethan Holley is a key name of note. Hannah Carter left the firm in April 2023.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Michael Smith is always a real pleasure to work with - a pragmatic and efficient litigator who never fails to see the wood for the trees. Joseph Green also stands out - he has great attention-to-detail and runs a very tight ship.’
‘The team is a real star line-up - Joseph is very clever and always cool as a cucumber.’
Key clients
- United Utilities Water Limited
- Water Plus Limited & United Utilities Water Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for United Utilities Water Limited in respect of the Manchester Ship Canal’s appeal to the Supreme Court, which was heard in March 2023 in respect of discharge in the canal.
- Acted for United Utilities Water Limited and Water Plus Limited in litigation arising from claims by the University of Salford for the reimbursement of allegedly overpaid surface water and highways drainage charges, which settled on very favourable terms for our client immediately prior to the start of a 10-day High Court trial.