Simon Hughes and Peter Kouwenberg head the corporate and commercial sides of Taylor Walton LLP's Luton-based team, respectively. Hughes is an important name for advice on M&A, joint ventures and equity investments, among other corporate transactions. Kouwenberg predominantly focuses on commercial contracts but also provides specialist advice on a broader range of commercial issues. Jeremy Brockis is another important port of call, as a highly experienced corporate practitioner.  

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Simon Hughes provides common sense and succinct advice which allows us to work swiftly and efficiently. Simon’s previous city experience is helpful when purchasing or investing in businesses with a city firm on the other side.'

  • ‘Taylor Walton have provided me with personal and business legal services for over 40 years. Their expertise in all fields of law provide a client with the comfort of having access to multiple legal arms within one organisation - a huge benefit from a business perspective. Their billing is also fair for the expertise and high level of customer service they provide.’

  • ‘I have dealt with Jeremy Bockis and his team on several occasions over the past decade or so, most recently on the sale of my business. The team are extremely professional at all levels; have a huge understanding of how to get the job done in the most efficient manner; are always available, including Jeremy himself; and will go the extra mile whenever circumstances require them to. ’

  • ‘I mainly have dealings with Peter Kouwenberg who is very patient and explains everything to me in a manner I can understand, which is not the case with many people. Peter always replies quickly and then works very efficiently to get the job done, which is important when there are time restraints and costs if time is overrun. Peter is very knowledgeable and can usually answer my questions instantly, but if is something new regarding off shore matters he always double checks to make sure that I have got the story right.'

  • ‘A strong combination of excellent commercial contract experience, common sense, professionalism, diligence, and a high customer service focus.’

  • ‘Peter Kouwenberg was my main contact. I found he had a sophisticated knowledge of legal contracts and provided me with excellent advice in successfully negotiating with a new business partner and in producing a legal agreement with them to work together. He was thoughtful, knowledgeable and wise, and always looked after my best interests.'

  • ‘We have had various dealings with TW on company acquisitions and found TW to provide the best service to date. They have been transparent on fee matters, qualified in their advice and assured with their dealings on our behalf.’

  • ‘Toby Walker works on our behalf for corporate matters and he has always provided a very good service from outset, scoping work, fee matters and speed of service.'

Work highlights

  • Advising shareholders on the multi-million sale of their shares for a large UK company, including the preparation of a specimen locked-box SPA, information memorandum, NDA and auction process letter.
  • Acted for the shareholders in the ultra-high-worth sale of a group of companies involving approximately 1,600 permanent and temporary staff, requiring a highly organised approach to due diligence and disclosure management.
  • Acted for the shareholders in the sale of the entire issued share capital of a company to an existing group with other businesses in the care sector.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Simon Hughes, Peter Kouwenberg

Other key lawyers

Jeremy Brockis, Toby Walker