Praised for its ‘wealth of experience and knowledge’, the team at Shoosmiths LLP is particularly strong in acting for clients in the automotive, IT, and technology sectors. Spearheading the practice, Jonathan Smart is located in Solent; he regularly acts for clients such as Honda and Volkswagen Group. Luke Coleborn is ‘an excellent lawyer’ who advises on various shareholder disputes, negligence claims, and breaches of warranties. Shelley White and Laura Clark are also key members of the team; White is recommended for high-value commercial disputes, while Clark has experience with multijurisdictional contractual disputes.

The commercial disputes practice at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is led by Tom Beezer in Southampton, and is especially skilled at handling matters in the retail, technology, and energy sectors. Ian Newcombe advises on a broad range of claims, including contractual and share purchase disputes, while Andrew Parsons is recommended for matters relating to IT, cybersecurity, and digital media. Amy Prime and Jenny Gibbs are also noted for their assistance on some of the firm’s most important cases;  Prime has experience advising on cases in the High Court, while Gibbs regularly advises on data protection breaches. Gavin Matthews retired in April 2023.

Blake Morgan LLP regularly handles commercial litigation across a variety of sectors, including the sport, retail, and utilities industries. Based in Southampton, Dan Geddes leads the team; he is recommended for shareholder and contract disputes as well as contentious insolvency matters. Richard Portlock advises on professional negligence and judicial review cases. Described as ‘exceptional’, Michael Colledge and Vikki Sidaway are further standout members of the team; Colledge handles disputes relating to insurance coverage and pensions, while Sidaway regularly assists clients with a range of commercial litigation matters. Jill Bainbridge left the firm in April 2023.

Moore Barlow advises on a wide range of commercial disputes, including debt recovery work, IP issues, and warranty breaches. The practice's experience encompasses a variety of sectors such as the manufacturing, insurance, retail, and education industries. The team is co-led by Claire Haverfield in Southampton and David Foster in Guildford. Described as ‘a talented litigator’, Haverfield is recommended for contractual claims, while Foster has more than four decades of experience advising on high-value disputes. Noted for her capabilities in the financial services sector, Susannah Marsh regularly advises lenders and mortgage providers. Mark Osgood left the firm in May 2024.

Paris Smith LLP routinely advises clients on warranty claims, shareholder disputes, and debt recovery issues. David Eminton heads up the dispute resolution practice in Southampton with more than three decades of experience handling both commercial and property litigation. Helen Brown handles a variety of matters such as contractual disputes, IP infringement work, and professional negligence claims. Praised for being ‘pragmatic and commercially astute’, Chris Holliss specialises in litigation relating to banking and finance as well as insurance issues.

The commercial litigation practice at Trethowans LLP is a go-to source of advice for both national and international household brands. Heading up the team in Southampton, Karl Cameron focuses on litigation relating to property, construction, and financial services issues. Jennifer Bowes handles a wide range of commercial disputes, including breaches of contract, warranty claims, IP matters, and shareholder disputes. Another standout lawyer is Richard Cook, who advises on a consultancy basis; Cook has a wealth of experience, which encompasses professional negligence claims, misuse of confidential information matters, and claims arising out of asset sale agreements. The team in Bournemouth was strengthened by the addition of Mark Osgood, who joined from Moore Barlow in May 2024.

The team at BDB Pitmans is led by Philip Smith in Reading, who has experience advising on multijurisdictional claims. Based in the Southampton office, Claire Collings advises on IP disputes, product liability matters, and breaches of contracts. Jacqueline Dickinson is another notable member of the team; she focuses on disputes within the financial services and insurance sectors. Rick Munro has taken on a consultancy role at the firm; he is a seasoned litigator with a depth of experience in resolving shareholder disputes and claims relating to insolvencies.

Clarke Willmott LLP regularly handles commercial litigation across a variety of sectors, including the retail, technology, education, and financial services industries. The ‘highly competent’ team is co-led by Owen Williams and Cathy Harris. Williams splits his time between the London and Southampton offices; he is recommended for his skills resolving shareholder disputes. Harris has a breadth of experience advising on defamation claims, contract disputes, breaches of restrictive covenants, and allegations of professional negligence.

With Andrew Witt spearheading the team in Chandler’s Ford, the commercial dispute resolution practice at Dutton Gregory LLP has a growing presence in Hampshire. Praised for being an ‘outstanding lawyer’, Witt focusses on insolvency matters and shareholder disputes. Jayna Patel is another core member of the team, who specialises in professional negligence claims, advising individuals, financial institutions, and SMEs.

Herrington Carmichael LLP has a broad commercial litigation practice, which encompasses shareholder disputes, debt enforcement work, and breach of contract claims. Described as ‘an excellent lawyer’ and ‘experienced litigator’, Stephen Baker heads up the team in Farnborough. Frankie Tierney and Edward Jones are also names to note; Tierney focuses on complex litigation and has experience with cases in the High Court, while Jones advises on a wide range of matters, including professional negligence claims, insolvencies, and property disputes.

Located in Basingstoke, Phillips Solicitors houses a ‘knowledgeable and dedicated’ team that advises on professional negligence claims, shareholder disputes, and debt recovery issues. Leading the practice, Max Hope is ‘an exceptional commercial litigator’, who regularly handles matters relating to property developments. The team was strengthened by the addition of George English, who joined from Gardner Leader LLP in August 2023; English has experience litigating in both the County Courts and the High Court.