Noted for its ‘strong business-minded approach’, Clarkslegal LLP operates for a stellar client roster, within the automotive sector in particular. Disputes covered by the group include matters relating to international trade, public procurement, and outsourcing issues. Practice head and ’tactical heavyweight’ Antony Morris‘ arsenal of skills extends from corporate and commercial disputes to IT and telecoms claims. Christopher Tayton leverages his disputes experience to handle commercial injunctions and fraud claims. Other key names to note in the practice includes ’formidable’ construction expert Stephen James and ‘intellectually excellent’ Emma Butcher, who demonstrates particular proficiencies in relation to public procurement and product liability matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Clarkslegal has a strong business-minded approach to litigation, which is not just for show. It is strategically involved with the Confederation of British Industry and has strong links with similar organisations internationally.’
  • ‘Antony Morris is a tactical heavyweight. He gets into the detail of the case and triages the best and worst arguments very effectively. As a result, his advice is incredibly commercial and practical.'

  • 'Stephen James is impressive and a formidable opponent. He prepares a case impeccably and identifies what to look for at an early stage. He has an excellent understanding of settlement techniques and negotiations and delivers them very effectively in practice.'
  • 'On procurement and product liability claims, Emma Butcher is intellectually excellent, and a very reassuring litigator to work with.’
  • ‘The team are very dedicated to their clients and have a longstanding list of repeat customers as a result. Preparation is always great, and partner input happens at all stages, more so than with other firms.’

  • 'Antony Morris - extremely reassuring in his knowledge and gravitas.'
  • ‘The team is extremely engaged and responsive, going the extra mile for clients.’

  • ‘Antony Morris and Emma Butcher are very hands on partners, who know their cases inside out and keep their clients closely informed. ’

Key clients

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited
  • Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Lumen Technologies UK Ltd
  • BMW (UK) Limited
  • JDM Technology Group
  • Willmott Dixon
  • Element Materials Technology Group
  • University of Reading
  • Crown Packaging Manufacturing UK Ltd
  • CAB Automotive Ltd
  • MVL Group
  • InstaGroup Limited
  • OASIS
  • Canon (UK) Limited

Work highlights

  • Acting for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as the defendant in €6.5m High Court proceedings brought by  Topalsson.
  • Acting for one of thirteen defendants in a High Court claim brought by Equity Real Estates Limited and related companies, in which the claimants are seeking over £10m in damages.
  • Representing BMW (UK) Limited in a claim for damages brought by the family of a police officer who was killed in a road traffic accident on the M6.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
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Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Antony Morris

Other key lawyers

Christopher Tayton, Stephen James, Emma Butcher