Freeths LLP

Freeths LLP pulls together an impressive contentious offering with industrial and technology disputes standing out as core areas of expertise for the team. Judicial review proceedings, shareholder disputes and pensions litigations make up some of the unit’s varied caseload. Practice head James Berry is noted for being ‘calm, controlled, clever and hard-working.’ In addition to his far-reaching experience in commercial disputes, the Sheffield-based practitioner is equipped to deal with enforcement and insolvency-related issues. Ciaran Dearden is another core member of the group and is praised for his ’strong understanding of the law and commercial realities’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘James Berry and Ciaran Dearden pulled off an amazing effort in getting substantial disclosure done at breakneck speed. They are careful, conscientious and committed to achieving the client's goals.’
‘James Berry is great. Very calm, controlled, clever and hardworking.’
‘Outstanding levels of service. Superb, frequent, proactive, clear-English communication. Proactive with scenario planning and clear advice to assist decision-making. A fantastic experience with James Berry and Gary Duffy ’
‘James Berry and Garry Duffy were both absolutely superb.’
‘Ciaran Deardon has a strong understanding of the law and the commercial realities that present themselves in litigation.'

Key clients

Advanced Alloys Limited
Begbies Traynor (SY) LLP
Queenscourt Limited (trading as QFM Group)
Canning Conveyor Co. Limited
Spencer Technologies Inc
Clear Line Maintenance Ltd
Ant Marketing Limited
Evenort Limited
MGS Technical Plastics Limited
Aldi Stores Limited
Flexi-Films UK Limited
Paragon Quality Foods Limited
NG Bailey Limited
New Era Development (UK) Limited
Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust
IPL Plastics
IAA Vehicle Services Limited

Work highlights

Acting for a national insolvency practitioner in respect of complex litigation involving a large construction company (with turnover in excess of £80m prior to liquidation).
Acting for the shareholder of a leading well-known international hotels brand valued at circa €65m in a cross-border shareholder and director dispute which involves issues of diversion of business opportunities, misfeasance, misappropriation, fraud and tax evasion.
Acting for a major supplier to the bulk handling industry with a circa £600,000 professional negligence claim against a firm of structural engineers in relation to the catastrophic failure of a ship-to-shore conveyor at a major shipping port.