With ‘impressive legal skills and great commercial nous’, Fieldfisher LLP is well placed to handle high-value commercial claims for its notable roster of clients that are active within various industries, including the IT, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. The team is also growing its energy disputes practice, acting in international gas pricing disputes, price review disputes, and claims concerning energy transportation and storage. Practice head Richard Waugh specialises in commercial court-based litigation, while Adam Sturt’s practice covers director and shareholder disputes, misappropriation of confidential information claims and restraint of trade issues. Jim Sharkey handles offshore litigation and claims in the banking sector, and Stephen May has notable expertise at the intersection of litigation and regulatory issues. Emma Birch has notable experience handling competition claims with a particular focus on ESG disputes, and Zaakira Allana is also recommended. Ann Benzimra departed the firm in February 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Approachable with good communication, pragmatic commercial advice.’

  • ‘Commercial team is best in Midlands by miles. Very hands on, with top legal minds and tenacious but realistic.’

  • ‘Adam Sturt. Head and shoulders above the others and mega thorough - no stone left unturned.’

  • ‘The team is a heavyweight City-level practice that is able to handle the biggest and most complex cases. They provide a partner-led service that is very commercial in outlook – focused in on our needs and priorities in a dispute and always maintaining strong strategic oversight.'

  • ‘Stephen May is a real leader in the market and a cut above other regional operators. He brings a strategic vision to every stage of a dispute so that the objective and tactics are always clear.'

  • ‘Individual innovative approach combined with professionalism.'

  • ‘Fieldfisher's practice sets itself apart through its exceptional agility and commitment to client service. Their dedication to collaboration, both internally and with clients, enhances their ability to deliver tailored solutions.'

  • ‘Emma Birch is top of her game. Intelligent, expert and responsive. Delightful to work with.'

Key clients

  • AB (a FTSE100 company), XYZ and another leading exam board
  • Achilles Information Limited
  • Advance Group
  • Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
  • Boparan Holdings Limited t/a 2 Sisters Food Group
  • Boparan Private Office
  • Britannia Holdings 2006 Limited
  • Capital One bank
  • Celera Telecom Limited
  • Deep Sky Leasing
  • DHL Parcel UK Limited
  • DS Smith Plc
  • Eckoh PLC & Syntec Limited
  • Felix LP
  • Financial Models Corporation Limited
  • Fives SA
  • FLSmidth A/S
  • Foelfach Stone Limited
  • FoliuMed Pharma GmbH Med
  • Gardner Aerospace
  • Harland & Wolff Plc.
  • Henderson and Jones Limited
  • Leo Services Holdings Limited
  • Live Nation Music (UK) Limited
  • Live Nation Music (UK) Limited and Ticketmaster UK Limited
  • MGA Entertainment Inc., MGA Entertainment UK Limited
  • Millbrook Healthcare
  • Morrisroe Demolition Limited
  • Mr Sonashah Shivdasani, Tamilco Holdings S.A.
  • Pearson Plc
  • PlanET Biogastechnik GmbH
  • Reaction Engines Limited v BNP Paribas Depositary Services (Jersey) Limited
  • Robert Bosch
  • Shield Group, including R A Shield Holdings Limited, Shield Engineering (Syston) Limited
  • SigmaFin Limited
  • Trend Micro (UK) Limited
  • Witanhurst Construction Management Limited
  • WPR Agency Limited

Work highlights

  • Representing the Shield Group in a series of related disputes arising out of the management and re-organisation of the business between 2012 and 2020.
  • Pursuing a multi-million-pound claim for follow on damages on behalf of DS Smith Plc against DAF, MAN, Daimler, Iveco and Volvo/Renault due to their participation in a long-running truck cartel.
  • Advising an individual in respect of a $1.9bn claim and a Worldwide Freezing Order in the sum of $2.6bn imposed against him by PrivatBank.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Richard Waugh

Other key lawyers

Adam Sturt, Jim Sharkey, Stephen May, Emma Birch, Zaakira Allana