Based in Cheltenham, the ‘close-knit team’ at BPE Solicitors LLP showcases ‘depth of knowledge and expertise’ in IP disputes, property litigation, professional negligence claims, contractual disputes and shareholder litigation, amongst others. An ‘extremely effective litigator’, Riyaz Jariwalla leads the team and stands out for his experience in IP disputes, covering the full range of IP rights including trade marks, designs, patents, copyright, confidential information and trade secrets. Philip Radford focuses on professional negligence and contentious probate mandates, while Peter Knibbs handles property, commercial, and corporate litigation. John Carter is ‘incredibly reliable and has encyclopaedic knowledge of his cases’, including professional negligence claims and property litigation. Natalie McMahon, who is ‘efficient and clear in her advice’, is another key contact in the group.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP showcases ‘expert knowledge’ in contentious insurance disputes, as demonstrated by its successful representation of Greggs in a £150m insurance claim triggered by Covid-19, in addition to shareholder litigation, product liability and financial services litigation. Manoj Vaghela leads the Cheltenham-based team and is noted for his expertise in shareholder disputes, with a strong focus on unfair prejudice petitions and derivative actions. Claudine Morgan provides ‘excellent advice’ in contractual disputes, shareholder litigation, D&O claims and breach of fiduciary duties. ‘Happy to get stuck into any problem and pull his sleeves up on difficult problems’, Ben Moore acts for individual and corporate clients on a broad range of commercial disputes.

Based in Cheltenham and London, boutique firm Croft Solicitors maintains a strong track record in high-value disputes before the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, with demonstrable experience in handling cross-border cases. Rupert Croft leads the team and focuses on the full range of commercial litigation, civil fraud cases, financial services litigation, antitrust mandates and property disputes. Laura Nelson has experience in handling a broad spectrum of claims, including secret commission, civil fraud and shareholder disputes. Other key contacts in the group include Tom Blackburn, who specialises in costs litigation and funding, and Edward Hazzan.

Commended as ‘one of the leading firms in the South West, with a reputation for attracting high-value and high-profile cases’, Clarke Willmott LLP stands out for its expertise in the agriculture sector, and counts disputes concerning agri-business, agri-tech, agri-commerce and agri-finance in its caseload. The team is also noted for its capability in handling shareholder and partnership disputes, professional negligence cases, debt recovery and contractual claims. Esther Woolford, who has ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’ in civil litigation concerning agricultural mandates, including property disputes, partnership cases and contentious trusts and probate issues, jointly leads the team alongside ‘great negotiator’ Laura Mackain-Bremner, who was promoted to partner in June 2023. ‘Exceptional’ Polly Ridgway is another key contact in the group.

The ‘knowledgeable’ practice at Harrison Clark Rickerbys handles a broad range of commercial disputes, from representing high-street, private and challenger banks, IFAs and brokers in financial services litigation, to handling IP and technology disputes, business protection cases, and contentious trusts and probate mandates. Adam Finch leads the commercial disputes group and is ‘exceptional in delivering high-quality advice’ to national and international clients, shareholders, directors and high-net-worth individuals, while Steven Murray spearheads the contentious IP practice. Head of the banking and financial services disputes team, Jenny Raymond advises on cases concerning misappropriation of confidential information and breaches of post-termination restrictions, and Andrew Walker spearheads the firm’s real estate disputes offering. Other key contacts include legal directors Cris Manuel-Hughes and Ian Seymour.

The ‘proactive’ team at RWK Goodman handles financial services litigation, contractual disputes, professional negligence claims, contentious data protection mandates and health disputes, and counts regional and international companies among its key list of clients. Mei-Ling Huang leads the practice in Bath and specialises in contentious healthcare mandates, while Marianne Johns, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, spearheads the Swindon-based team and handles contractual and tortious claims. Other key contacts in the firm’s Bath office include Nicola Radcliffe, who focuses on professional negligence and shareholder disputes, and Fran Tremeer, who advises on contentious data protection matters.

Counting national charities, educational establishments, corporate entities and high-net-worth individuals in its ‘established and loyal client base’, Stone King LLP is praised for its ‘strong expertise in property and commercial litigation’. Tony Pidgeon leads the team and specialises in real estate disputes, in addition to contractual disputes, breach of fiduciary duties and injunctive relief. Luke Watson is praised as ‘hugely experienced’ in contentious charity legacy mandates, as well as trust and probate disputes, while Dan Carter handles property litigation and professional negligence claims.

Commended for its ‘unique blend of expertise and personalised client care’, Thrings LLP ‘goes the extra mile’ for its roster of clients in financial services litigation, professional negligence claims, shareholder disputes, debt recovering mandates and contractual disputes. Practice leader Ramona Derbyshire ‘approaches each case with unwavering dedication, ensuring thoroughness and precision’ in commercial disputes, financial services litigation and professional negligence claims. Emily Prout spearheads the inheritance and trusts disputes group, and Annahita Roohi, who ‘shines with her exceptional communication skills and strategic thinking’, is another key contact in the team.

The ‘approachable, friendly and knowledgeable’ team at Willans LLP have been kept busy with shareholder disputes and contentious procurement mandates, while also handling property litigation, inheritance and trust disputes, professional negligence claims and intellectual property cases. Praised as ‘precise and detail-oriented, with a talent for identifying areas of possible risk at an early stage’, practice leader Paul Gordon has a strong track record in High Court cases. Nick Southwell is ‘calm and clear in communication’ when handling property-related claims, while James Melvin-Bath acts for clients in the hospitality, retail, technology and logistics sectors.

With demonstrable experience in the transport, pharmaceutical, leisure and retail sectors, the ‘first-class’ team at Maitland Walker LLP is noted for its expertise in competition and multi-party litigation, IP disputes, professional negligence claims and property litigation. Based in Minehead, Julian Maitland-Walker handles contentious EU and competition law mandates, while Sheree-Ann Virgin operates from the firm’s Taunton office and has experience in commercial property disputes. Praised as ‘excellent lawyers’, Maitland-Walker and Virgin jointly lead the team.

The ‘impressive commercial litigation team’ at Mogers Drewett LLP handles commercial property disputes, contentious trust and probate mandates, shareholder litigation, professional negligence claims and insurance cases. In the firm’s Wells office, John Osman leads the team and handles contentious probate mandates, property disputes, and landlord and tenant matters. Based in Bath, Maeve England has ‘a real eye for detail, coupled with many years of experience’ in real estate and commercial property disputes, in addition to company and partnership commercial cases.

Praised as ‘approachable and responsive’, boutique firm Simon Burn Solicitors handles directors’ disqualification cases, insolvency litigation and privacy-related disputes, including defamation, breach of privacy and blackmail mandates. The ‘small but mighty’ team is led by ‘exceptional negotiator’ Simon Burn, who has experience in insolvency litigation and continues to receive a growing number of instructions concerning investor fraud. David Magill is noted for his expertise in defamation and reputation management cases, while Mark Ingram ‘combines excellent common sense with an astute eye to finding a commercial and tactical way through litigation’.

With demonstrable experience in the real estate, renewables and healthcare sectors, the Devizes-based practice at Wansbroughs is well-placed to handle real estate litigation, in addition to contentious probate mandates, personal injury claims, contractual disputes and data protection cases. ‘Excellent litigator’ and managing partner Oliver Price leads the team and is noted for his expertise in real estate litigation, while Josh Taylor is praised as ‘a leading light in the dispute resolution team, particularly in respect of property-related disputes’. Tim Prees, who spearheads the private client disputes practice, is another key contact in the group.

Counting SMEs, educational institutions, charities, farms and landed estates, and high-net-worth individuals among its key roster of clients, Wilsons handles contractual disputes, shareholder litigation and post-termination restrictive covenant disputes. The Salisbury-based team also counts reputation management, privacy and data protection claims in its caseload. Practice leader Ben Thornton has experience in agricultural tenancy, real property and commercial disputes, while Jenifer Martindale represents clients in commercial contractual disputes. Reputation management expert Debbie Ashenhurst is another key contact in the group.