Acuity Law is a popular choice among local and UK-wide businesses for representation in high-stakes and strategically important commercial litigation, including on shareholder and corporate disputes. With a ‘firm but persuasive approach’, Aisha Wardell has strength in handling cases going through the court system, and is also very skilled at advising on risk management. Leveraging ‘unerringly good commercial instincts’, Hugh Hitchcock co-heads the team alongside Wardell, and as well as core commercial contractual disputes expertise is also adept at advising on media-related litigation.
Commercial litigation in Wales
Acuity Law
Praxisleiter:
Hugh Hitchcock; Aisha Wardell
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Huw Roffe; Jared Ursell; Martin Cox; Hannah Jones; Soshana Day
Referenzen
‚They are client focused litigators that deliver great outcomes. Skilled at distilling complex legal argument into plain English, supporting clients to make decisions on the points that really matter.‘
‚Hugh Hitchcock has wide experience across a range of legal sectors, with unerringly good commercial instincts.‘
‚Hugh Hitchcock brings ingenuity and passion to compliment his decades of experience. A back room brawler of a litigator when required, combined with a subtle feel for negotiation.‘
Kernmandanten
BraceUrself Ltd
Royal Docks Hotel Holdings Limited
Homes of England Ltd
HR Investor Group
PortmanDentex
Au Vodka Limited
Loches Capital Limited
IRIS Software Group
Monroe Partners Limited
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing BraceUrself in its claim against NHS England concerning the award of a contract for orthodontic services. The matter went to the Court of Appeal.
- Advising HR Investor Group (a group of 26 individuals and companies) in their suit against 12 defendants, claiming that they, inter alia, unlawfully established and operated unregulated collective investment schemes, and practised misrepresentation and deceit.
- Acting on behalf of a shareholder who is seeking damages, declarations and orders concerning breaches of a Shareholders Agreement relating to an independent hospital in South Wales. Following an unsuccessful 10-day trial in April 2024, the claimant was granted grounds of appeal by the Deputy High Court Judge.
Blake Morgan LLP
The ‘efficient and skilled’ team at Blake Morgan LLP is well-positioned to provide very effective representation to both private and public sector clients across a wide range of commercial litigation. Lee Fisher is at the forefront of much of the private sector work and has developed a particularly strong reputation handling corporate/shareholder and IP disputes. Joanne Thompson, who co-heads the team alongside Fisher, has strength in matters involving public sector entities. In this regard, as well as acting for defendants and claimants in public procurement litigation, Thompson is also well-versed at handling public inquiry matters. Sarah Whittle is also adept at handling public procurement-related litigation, as well as defending public sector clients against judicial review challenges to their decisions.
Praxisleiter:
Lee Fisher; Joanne Thompson
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Sarah Whittle; Joanna Corbett-Simmons; Daniel Taylor; Holly Spencer-Biggs
Referenzen
‘The team is determined, efficient and skilled.’
‘The team punches well above its weight in terms of the quality of its work and the effectiveness of its lawyers.’
‘Joanne Thompson is one of the top procurement litigators in the market; a genuine specialist in the challenging field of procurement litigation.’
Kernmandanten
N H S England
Andrew McCarthy/Garrison Barclay
Clarins (UK) Limited
Zip World Limited
KSY Juice Blends Limited
Real Group Limited
Digital Health Care Wales
All 7 Health Board in Wales
Welsh Local Government Association
Welsh Ministers
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for NHS England in a landmark case in the Court of Appeal concerning the issue of when an error made in a procurement process is “sufficiently serious” to warrant an award in damages (Braceurself v NHS England).
- Advising public bodies such as NHS England and Welsh Blood Service (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust) in respect of the public inquiries such as the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Covid Inquiry.
- Acting for KSY Juice Blends UK Limited in proceedings against Citrusuco GmbH (one of the two largest global orange juice producers) in a multi-million-pound breach of contract claim.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
With a large pool of resources at its disposal, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is effectively able to resource a wide variety of Wales and UK-wide commercial litigation work, including in core firmwide areas of sector focus, such as transport and energy. Team head Richard Pitt is central, alongside the ‘extremely effective’ Helen Rowland, to the firm’s aptitude in public procurement, with both regularly achieving success for both claimants challenging public authority decisions and for procuring authorities defending challenges. Financial services-related matters also form a key part of the Cardiff office’s litigation strength, with Gareth Vowles heading up this subgroup. Luisa Gibbons is also a key contact, particularly with regard to public sector matters.
Praxisleiter:
Richard Pitt
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Gareth Vowles; Robert Phillips; Alison Short; Glenn Newberry; Helen Rowland; Tom Black; Wayne Davies; Luisa Gibbons; James Coleman; Lindsey Caddy; Daniel Gilligan
Referenzen
‚Helen Rowland is an extremely effective partner.‘
‚They are a very strong regional litigation practice, good at understanding clients‘ business and needs, and then effective at delivering solutions for the client.‘
Kernmandanten
Air Liquide Healthcare Limited
Optima Healthcare Limited
The Stationery Office
Network Rail
Consultant Connect
Lumon Risk Management Limited
Close Brothers Limited
Marelli
Serious Fraud Office
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Agents Mutual
EDF Energy
Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water
Teaching Regulatory Agency
MSA Fire & Safety
United Learning Trust
Kingswood Holdings
Transport for London
Leica Geosystems Limited
Geldards LLP
Under the leadership of the experienced Paul Hopkins, Geldards LLP has established a strong local reputation for its aptitude at handling complex commercial disputes, often involving multiple parties. Many of these occur within the public sector, with Jonathan Griffiths skilled at representing both claimants and defendants in judicial review proceedings. Although Michael Evans also handles some public sector work, he has carved out a niche in relation to contractual disputes within the private sector. Rhys Thompson provides vital support on large-scale public sector disputes and is also developing a caseload for private sector clients across a range of contractual litigation.
Praxisleiter:
Paul Hopkins
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jonathan Griffiths; Michael Evans; Rhys Thompson
Referenzen
‚Paul Hopkins provides an excellent service.‘
‚They are creative and commercial, take great care over their cases and understand the needs of their clients.‘
Kernmandanten
The Welsh Ministers
Breacon Beacons National Park Authority
Snowdonia National Park Authority
Natural Resources Wales
Warrington Borough Council
Propel Finance plc
The Mentholatum Company Limited
SAS Fandi Emballages
OOHPod Limited
Celsa UK Group
Resource Limited and related companies (including Euro Commercials (South Wales) Limited and Isoclad Limited)
Jardine Norton Capital A Limited
AC Gill Limited
BGF Investment Management Limited
Welsh Revenue Authority
Welsh Air Ambulance
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing the Welsh Ministers in a multi-million pound, cross jurisdictional competition claim against Servier Laboratories.
- Advising Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust as an Interested Party to a judicial review challenge by an individual claimant, to a decision of the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee of recommendations relating to the reorganisation of the bases from which the Wales Air Ambulance service is based.
- Represented the Welsh Ministers at the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Hugh James
Leveraging strong ties with regional businesses, Hugh James is seen with considerable regularity on the defendant and claimant side across a range of consequential commercial litigation disputes. ‘Very insightful’ team head Richard Locke is well-versed in utilising the full array of litigation and ADR techniques to secure the best result for clients across the spectrum of corporate and commercial disputes. The ‘outstanding’ Tracey Singlehurst-Ward has developed a particular niche acting for sports clubs and governing bodies, utilising media and IP litigation prowess. An ‘effective litigator’ with specialist expertise in relation to professional negligence claims, Abigail Flanagan is also noted for her overarching skill in securing injunctive relief for clients.
Praxisleiter:
Richard Locke
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Tracey Singlehurst-Ward; Abigail Flanagan
Referenzen
‚They are extremely professional and approachable.‘
‚Hugh James has an excellent commercial litigation practice, particularly for clients with mid-sized claims. Their lawyers are very personable and great with clients, always with an eye for the best commercial solution to their issues.‘
‚Richard Locke is a very experienced litigator, he has a great eye for detail and for the strength of a case. He is very insightful and always focused on the end result.‘
Kernmandanten
NatWest
British Boxing Board of Control
Welsh Government
Ceredigion Recycling and Furniture Team (CRAFT)
Rockwool Limited
Welsh Water
Cardiff County Council
Natural Resources Wales
Development Bank of Wales
Bristol Water
Highlight-Mandate
- Acted for Involegal LLP by Assignment from Transform Medical Group (CS) Limited ) (In Administration) a professional negligence against its solicitors BLM LLP.
- Representing the British Boxing Board of Control on some of its highest-profile cases.
- Acted for Ceredigion Recycling and Furniture Team (CRAFT) a not for profit company in a claim against former directors for breach of their fiduciary duties.
Morgan LaRoche
Led by the ‘extremely smart’ Jason Williams and Llŷr Davies, Morgan LaRoche attracts clients from across Wales and England. Davies, one of numerous Welsh speakers in the Carmarthen office, has strong ties with local businesses as well as professional advisers, including accountancy firms. Williams has expertise across a myriad of company law issues, including unfair prejudice claims. Swansea-based partner Gemma Thomas has broad commercial litigation expertise, including in relation to warranty/contract and company/partnership disputes. Robert Davies, whose primary focus is property disputes, is also well-versed representing businesses in commercial litigation matters and rounds out the team at a partner level from the firm’s Swansea headquarters.
Praxisleiter:
Jason Williams; Llŷr Davies
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Gemma Thomas; Ashley Davies; Robert Davies
Referenzen
‚It is a very hardworking and dedicated team.‘
‚The team at Morgan LaRoche are very diligent and quick to grasp complex issues, providing insightful advice and clearly communicating overall strategy.‘
‚Jason Williams is an excellent lawyer and able to advise clients of litigation risks in mediation context.‘
Kernmandanten
Cawdor Cars (Newcastle Emlyn) Limited
Llanelec Precision Engineering Company Limited
Mon Motor Group
Principality Building Society
Nemo Personal Finance Ltd
Blackhills Caravan Sales Ltd
Genesis Property Maintenance Ltd
G Filer Engineering Limited
AMP Clean Energy
Colosseum Dental UK Limited
Swansea Building Society
Pelenna Property Partnership Limited
Hafan Cymru
MDW (Holdings) Limited
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council on post-judgment enforcement proceedings following successful application for a freezing injunction and ongoing Insolvency Act applications.
- Represented Blackhills Caravan Sales Limited for recovery of sums owed from a defendant residing in Spain.
Berry Smith
Led by the ‘clever, hardworking and collaborative’ Iwan Doull, Berry Smith has established a strong reputation among regional Welsh SMEs, private individuals, and public sector clients as a result of its flexible and pragmatic approach to commercial litigation, be it on the claimant or defendant side. As well as his broad-based expertise at handling commercial contract and shareholder disputes, Doull maintains a thriving UK-wide offering for legal expenses insurers. ‘A top flight litigator’, Nick Parker also maintains a very active fee-earning practice, including on directors disqualification proceedings and public procurement matters.
Praxisleiter:
Iwan Doull
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Nick Parker; Lauren Parsons; Antony Gibbons
Referenzen
‚Great litigation tacticians who achieve excellent results for their clients.‘
‘Iwan Doull is a pleasure to work with. He’s clever, hardworking, and collaborative. His client base is impressive, and he really knows his stuff.’
Iwan Doull’s affable persona masks a steely determination to advance his client’s best interests. Iwan brings his vast experience and problem-solving ability to bear in all his cases.‘
Kernmandanten
Consumer Energy Solutions
Celtic Oriental Ltd
Welsh Government
Weldec Ltd
ARAG Plc
Brit Insurance
The Involve Group of Companies
Huw Lake
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for the Welsh Government in a multi-party action in the High Court, defending a claim against it for £10.7m.
- Represented majority shareholders in ejecting director and minority shareholder in a company, Celtic Oriental Limited, which manufactures soy sauce for pot noodles worldwide.
- Defending a claim against a former shareholder of the estate of other shareholder in a care home company.
Harding Evans LLP
Newport-based Harding Evans LLP is a popular choice among local businesses and individuals as defendants and claimants across a wide range of commercial disputes. ‘Tenacious and efficient’ team head Ben Jenkins exemplifies the eclectic nature of the work handled by the team, as comfortable handling shareholder and breach of contract disputes as defamation cases and sensitive work for high-profile individuals. The ‘hardworking and highly skilled’ William Watkins regularly assists Jenkins on commercial litigation matters, as well as having a standalone caseload relating to debt recovery matters.
Praxisleiter:
Ben Jenkins
Weitere Kernanwälte:
William Watkins
Referenzen
‚The firm goes the extra mile to accommodate their clients.‘
‚Hardworking and highly skilled, they approach every case with precision, strategic thinking, and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes.‘
‚William Watkins is hardworking and highly skilled, he brings sharp legal expertise and strategic thinking to every case, ensuring no detail is overlooked.‘
Kernmandanten
Mr Sam Warburton
Euro Foods Group
Water Treatment Products Limited
The London Trading Company (UK) Ltd
The Vale of Glamorgan Hotel Limited T/A The Vale Resort
BOGOD Group
Pobl Group
NAAFI
Wet and Forget Limited
Menzies LLP
Landmark Entertainment Limited
Number One Property Management Limited
Leekes Limited
Arvans Civil Engineering Limited
Hughes Forrest Limited
Bottlers & Distillers (Wales) Limited T/A Hensol Castle Distillery
Pantanas Care Centre
Polar Cooling Services Limited
Jencap Partners Limited
Bond Demolition Limited
The Care Collective
Builders Merchant Federation
Croeso Pubs Limited
Reginald Moore Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted a food and drink supplier in preventing a potential £10m loss as a result of a fraud.
- Obtaining a judgment of over £1m in complex commercial Litigation and enforcing on behalf of our client Water Treatment Products Limited.
- Advising a client in a multi-million pound partnership dispute.
JCP Solicitors
Drawing on strong connections with local businesses and benefiting from substantial referral work from regional professional services firms, Swansea-based JCP Solicitors frequently represents clients – both claimants and defendants – across corporate and commercial disputes, including shareholder and partnership litigation. ‘Very knowledgeable’ team head Andrew Meech is integral to much of this activity. Additionally, ‘thorough and personable litigator’ David Owen has expertise in debt recovery for lender clients and contentious insolvency matters.
Praxisleiter:
Andrew Meech
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Sophie Thomas; David Owen
Referenzen
‚Client focused, tactically astute and efficient.‘
‚Robust and well considered advice from a diverse team.‘
‚Andrew Meech is direct, honest and very knowledgeable.‘
Kernmandanten
Macron SPA
Macron Sportswear UK Limited
Red Kite Law LLP
Now with two partners in the Swansea-based team dedicated to commercial litigation following the promotion of Steven Koukos in October 2024, Red Kite Law LLP has the critical mass and strength-in-depth to handle a significant volume and range of commercial litigation for SMEs, individuals and public sector clients. Team head Rhian Davies has an excellent understanding of internal commercial drivers/pinch-points, and provides advice to local businesses across a corporate and commercial disputes, including with regard to unfair prejudice matters and directors’ duties. Koukos is also skilled at handling core commercial contract litigation and has particular expertise in relation to fraud and deceit cases.
Praxisleiter:
Rhian Davies
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Steven Koukos
Referenzen
‚The level of service is exceptional, and the team has particular expertise in explaining complex legal matters and an appropriate solution in a manner which is both easy to understand and reassuring for us as clients.‘
‚The formidable team is well versed in all aspects of commercial dispute resolution and comfortable handling claims across all of the tracks.‘
‚They are well versed in all aspects of commercial dispute resolution.‘
Kernmandanten
Milford Haven Port Authority
Castell Howell Foods Limited
Phoenix Legal Services Limited
Valero Energy
Swansea University
Bexmoor Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising a company and group of shareholders in relation to a shareholder dispute.
- Advising a company on a £2m plus fraud and deceit claim against ex-employees.
- Advising a company in relation to a £200m fraud and deceit claim against ex-employees.
Darwin Gray LLP
Darwin Gray LLP provides a comprehensive service to private individuals and corporate entities across a wide range of commercial disputes. Team head Rhodri Lewis is adept at resolving disputes using conventional litigation techniques as well as ADR methods, regularly prevailing for clients in business litigation. As well as advising on corporate and commercial disputes, Fiona Hughes has developed a strong grounding in financial services disputes, including work involving fraud and professional negligence claims. Siôn Fôn has a versatile practice that includes commercial and property litigation.
Praxisleiter:
Rhodri Lewis
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Patrick Murphy; Siôn Fôn; Fiona Hughes
Kernmandanten
Cathays and Central Youth Community Project
Adra (Tai) Cyf
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised and represented a pair of private clients in an unfair prejudice petition.
- Defending Nadira Irshad and Curdworth Limited against complex allegations of breach of partnership agreement and breach of trust.
- Advising a private individual in response to a petition to wind up a restaurant company on just and equitable grounds.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Under the leadership of the ‘highly skilled and knowledgeable’ Wayne Beynon, who joined in April 2023 from Capital Law Limited, Harrison Clark Rickerbys continues to forge a strong reputation among regional and UK-wide businesses, both for its skill in providing advice on risk management measures and across a wide array of commercial litigation and contentious IP matters. Welsh-speaking lawyer Hefin Archer-Williams is also a key member of the team with particular specialisms in disciplinary hearings for professional services individuals and for clients in the sports sector, including governing bodies, across a range of disputes.
Praxisleiter:
Wayne Beynon
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Hefin Archer-Williams; Laura Bufton
Referenzen
‚The team is experienced and client-focused and so well-organised they make litigation seem effortless.‘
‚Wayne Beynon is highly skilled and knowledgeable, with an excellent reputation among clients and the bench.‘
‚Hefin Archer-Williams is a standout and provides realistic advice.‘
Kernmandanten
IG Design Group
Prospero Group Ltd
Amber Energy Ltd
The CPD Group Limited
Coffee Masters Limited
S & D Sealants Limited
Eureka Physiocare Limited
Aldridge Security Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Providing a range of contentious and non-contentious advisory services to IG Design Group, predominantly relating to contractual or IP infringement issues (often with an international element).
- Providing a range of contentious advisory services to this Prospero Group Limited, predominantly relating to contractual or post termination restrictive covenant issues.
Dolmans
Building on its strong public sector relationships, largely established through its leading health and safety and defendant personal injury practices, Dolmans also undertakes more traditional commercial litigation for many of these same local authority clients. Team head Peter Bennett is key to this but also handles some work for private sector clients through their insurers, as does Simon Evans, chiefly in the context of property litigation.
Praxisleiter:
Peter Bennett
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Philip Bradley; Simon Evans; Claire Thomas
Kernmandanten
Dauson Group of Companies
AXA XL Insurance Limited
Kudos Liability Adjusters
Ageas Insurance
Highlight-Mandate
- Ongoing assistance provided to a Local Authority regarding an ongoing influx of housing disrepair claims by tenants within their area.
Gomer Williams & Co
The ‘commercially-minded and client-focused’ team at Gomer Williams & Co provides a very personalised service to private individuals and local south Wales-based businesses across a compelling mix of commercial litigation. Key to the firm’s success in the area is ‘very professional’ team head Clare Tregoning, who has a ‘good grasp of law and procedure’, including as it relates to contractual disputes, property law, IP and contentious probate.
Praxisleiter:
Clare Tregoning
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Nia Edwards
Referenzen
‚Gomer Williams is very professional but maintains a caring relationship, which is enormously appreciated.‘
‚The team is commercially-minded and client focused.‘
‚Clare Tregoning always takes time to make sure she understands the issues and guides me accordingly. She’s very professional but caring at the same time. Wonderful.‘
Kernmandanten
Phoenix Music International Limited
European Airline Solutions Limited
City and County of Swansea
Elcarim Business Solutions Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising a private company in relation to claims for copyright infringement carried out between 2011 and 2022.
- Advising a number of property investors in their claims against a freehold owner for breach of lease covenants including change of use and rent arrears following the use of a 5 star hotel as a centre for asylum seekers.
- Representing a private individual client for claims of breach of partnership agreement, determinations on the date of dissolution and accounting exercises.
RDP Law
The ‘small and agile’ team at RDP Law represents local SMEs, partnerships and high-net-worth-individuals, as claimants or defendants, across a wide array of contractual and tortious disputes, frequently seeking early resolution of matters through an effective use of ADR techniques. As a qualified mediator, Sarah Porter has excellent insight into different litigation methods and is key to the firm’s success in handling a myriad of commercial disputes, including an increasing number of unfair prejudice petitions.
Praxisleiter:
Sarah Porter
Referenzen
‚The small and agile team has experience across a breadth of commercial disputes, which means the same team can help commercial clients across the run of their potential litigation exposure.‘