Ciaran Dearden
Freeths LLPFreeths 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.
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.
Gary Duffy
Freeths LLPLeading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
James Berry
Freeths LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
James Berry