Praised for providing ‘tactically astute advice that takes the commercial context into account’, DLA Piper‘s litigation and arbitration team offers comprehensive support for a range of disputes spanning banking, engineering, industrials, transport, life sciences and technology. Richard Norman heads up the team and has a proven track record in telecoms disputes. The team additionally frequently works pro bono with recent mandates including work concerning conversion therapy and survivors of human trafficking. Mick Lawlor is well-versed in disputes pertaining to industrial issues. Daniel Jones and Barney Connell‘s expertise further extends the unit’s strong technology disputes offer, while Sam Gokarn-Millington‘s consumer litigation prowess has made him a popular choice with cryptocurrency platforms.

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’.

Bolstered by the arrival of Simon Lockley and his disputes team from Lupton Fawcett  in January 2024, BRM Solicitors disputes covers a range of industries. The firm’s longstanding expertise in property litigation sits alongside specialist knowledge in contentious probate cases and shareholder disputes. Practice head Rob Cooke is a key contact for real estate investors, retailers and restauranteurs. Lockley’s broad practice extends to claims against employees and directors for breach of contract. Kirsty Coggin, who joined the firm at the same time as Lockley, is well-versed in contractual disputes. Kate Fowler is another name to note.

With disputes in sectors ranging from waste management to manufacturing, Wake Smith Solicitors Limited handles a broad range of disputes covering issues such as vicarious liability and product liability claims. Elizabeth Shaw heads up the team and centres her practice on the property aspects of commercial litigation. Michael Doherty, who qualified as a mediator in November 2023, is praised for his ability to ‘build a good rapport with counsel‘ and to ‘make effective use of the bar‘.