Muckle LLP’s Newcastle-based dispute resolution practice, led by ‘stand-out partner’ Susan Howe, advises international clients on a range of matters, not limited to contractual disputes concerning land, IP issues in the media space and data protection breach defences. George Festing is the key contact for clients in media industry, while Leah Heatley specialises in cross-jurisdictional disputes and public procurement challenges. Associate Alex Speirs is the go-to for contentious probate work and is experienced in working on high court claims, which includes breach of warranty disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Muckle provides an excellent in-depth service which combines expert legal knowledge with genuine commercial acumen.’
‘Susan Howe is the stand-out partner in the practice. She provides thoughtful and highly strategic leadership on every case.’
‘The firm combines a depth of knowledge with genuine commercial insight resulting in an exceptional client service experience. Put simply we would not consider going elsewhere’
‘Head of department Susan Howe has created the standout commercial litigation team in the North East. I wouldn’t go any where else for sound commercial, business focused litigation advice.’
‘What you get from Susan Howe is very clear legal analysis combined with a strategic commercial approach, and someone who doesn’t give up in a fight.’
‘Muckle has an excellent litigation team. It is responsive and able to adapt its litigation styles to the personalities involved in disputes to facilitate and achieve resolution before disputes escalate to full litigation.’
‘Leah Heatley is fantastic. She is our go to dispute advisor in the UK. Able to unpick complex problems, suggest strategies for resolution, and delivers difficult advice in way which is easy to understand to get buy in from the client. Also, able to put up a good fight!’

Key clients

Sunningdale House Developments Limited
Caribbean Premier League Limited
Atomos Investments Limited
Trivsel UK Limited
County Football Association
The Station Hotel (Newcastle) Limited
Hays Travel Limited
parkrun Limited
MRI Software Limited
BDW Trading Limited (trading as Barratt Homes)

Work highlights

Instructed by Sunningdale to advise on a high value dispute with a county council regarding a conditional agreement to purchase a plot of land for development.
Providing ongoing advice to the Carribean Premier League (CPL) on various IP-related litigation matters.
Defended Atmos Investments Limited in a high court claim brought by a former employee alleging breaches of data protection legislation, breach of confidence and privacy.