Our debt recovery track record is second to none – exactly what you’d expect from us, the largest independent High Court enforcement company.
More Authorised HCEOs than any other with over 400 years combined experience
Excellent client service and agents covering all of England and Wales
Multiple industry awards for our technology and training
www.hcegroup.co.uk
After months of in-depth research throughout 2025, The Legal 500 UK Solicitors Guide 2026 is now live. This year’s edition profiles nearly 1,200 firms and more than 13,000 individuals, highlighting the standout practices and practitioners shaping the legal market across the UK writes Amy Ulliott, Editor, The Legal 500
Crucially, the 2026 guide marks the debut of The Legal 500’s new law firm comparison tool. This innovative feature allows users to compare up to three firms side by side—examining rankings, recent work highlights, and individual lawyer accolades—to better inform their decisionmaking.
In the West Midlands, the legal market continues to perform strongly, though the pace of certain trends seen in previous years has begun to ease. Broader market uncertainty has introduced caution into the real estate and corporate spaces, with some deals slowing as a result. However, the region remains highly active in other areas: energy is a particular growth point, with a notable uptick in renewable mandates—especially in offshore wind and solar—and the technology and AI sectors are driving demand through an expanding start-up ecosystem.
There has also been strategic movement across the market. Ward Hadaway’s launch in Birmingham in June 2025 marks its first base outside the north of England, and several firms—including TLT and Fieldfisher—have recently undertaken significant office relocations or expansions, signalling confidence in the region’s longterm potential.
"This year’s West Midlands coverage includes over 110 law firms ranked across 40 practice areas."
This year’s West Midlands coverage includes over 110 law firms ranked across 40 practice areas. Employment is once again the largest section, featuring 36 firms, followed closely by Personal tax, trusts and probate, with 25 firms ranked. Birmingham-
based practices feature prominently across the guide, particularly in Commercial litigation: Birmingham and Commercial property: Birmingham—both of which include 21 ranked firms.
Individual lawyer recognition remains a key benchmark of excellence. Nearly 700 lawyers are ranked in the West Midlands this year and on behalf of myself and Edgar Tate, Deputy Editor of The Legal 500 UK Regions, we would like to congratulate all the firms and individuals recognised in this year’s West Midlands guide.
To see the full UK listings, visit www.legal500.com/launch-uk/
What a privilege it is to introduce this year's Legal 500 supplement, celebrating the exceptional lawyers and law firms across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands who've been recognised for excellence in their fields.
I've practised law in Birmingham for more than twenty years, and I can tell you with absolute certainty: this is one of the best places in the country to build a career in law. What makes it special isn't just the quality of work—though that speaks for itself—it's the people. Our strength lies in our supportive, genuinely collegiate legal community, and that's something I'm reminded of daily in my first weeks as President.
Here's something I've been reflecting on recently: our work matters profoundly. Birmingham Law Society exists to uphold three core values—community, excellence, and advocacy—and when you read through these pages, you'll see those values come vividly to life.
The real story behind the Legal 500 isn't about awards or rankings, important though they are. It's about the people: the partner staying late to mentor a nervous junior; the team
pulling together on a complex deal that nobody thought could close; the practitioner who finds time to make a real difference in their community. Recognition like this is never achieved alone. It flows from commitment, collaboration, and a shared belief that what we do has purpose—the same belief that sits at the heart of everything Birmingham Law Society strives to achieve.
The talent represented here is genuinely remarkable. From international firms handling sophisticated cross-border matters to boutique practices deeply rooted in their communities, the West Midlands showcases the best of our profession: expertise matched with integrity, ambition balanced by genuine care for clients and colleagues.
Our region has always been a legal powerhouse—rich in tradition yet forward-looking and innovative. The lawyers recognised here aren't just maintaining that reputation; they're actively shaping what contemporary legal practice looks like. They're embracing technology, adapting to change, remaining steadfast in their commitment to access to justice, and crucially, investing in people and giving back to the profession.
I'm particularly struck by the diversity within our legal community—in practice areas, firm structures, clients served, and in the lived experiences our lawyers bring to their work. This diversity makes us stronger, broadens our perspectives, and ensures that when people need legal help, they can find someone who truly understands their world.
"diversity makes us stronger, broadens our perspectives, and ensures that when people need legal help, they can find someone who truly understands their world."
To everyone recognised in this year's Legal 500: congratulations. Your achievements elevate not only your firms but our entire region. You're ambassadors for legal excellence, and your dedication inspires the next generation coming up behind you. But here's the thing—this supplement isn't only a celebration. It's also a call to action. Birmingham Law Society thrives because of member engagement, and I mean your engagement. Whether you appear in these pages or aspire to future recognition, I'd love to see you get involved: come to our events, join a committee, share your expertise, mentor someone, volunteer. Through collective participation, we strengthen our profession, support one another, and keep excellence within reach for everyone.
Together, we're making Birmingham and the West Midlands a place where legal excellence thrives, where community is nurtured, and where advocacy—for our profession and our clients—remains unwavering. I'm genuinely excited about working with all of you to make this another memorable and impactful year for our legal community.
Thank you for everything you do.
Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers (“HH”) is a boutique and recognised corporate practice with a national footprint dealing predominantly with M&A but with a strong Real Estate, Banking & Finance and Dispute Resolution team.
HH partnered with Bamboo Holdings Group Limited in July 2023 (“Bamboo”) and has continued its growth without diluting focus on its key practice areas being:
• CORPORATE M&A remains 80% of HH’s practice and HH’s client base comprises of high profile recognised SME businesses nationally and internationally.
• REAL ESTATE This practice area has seen significant growth in the last 12 months as HH’s business clients continue to seek investment in highly sought after commercial sites and sites with development opportunities.
• BANKING & FINANCE Being a niche corporate practice, HH has achieved recognition in this sector due to its longstanding relationships with national banks including National Westminster Bank, HSBC UK Bank, Lloyds Bank as well as specialist lenders such as Invest and Fund.
• DISPUTE RESOLUTION HH’s focus on commerciality and no-nonsense approach sets it apart when resolving commercial disputes as it is known for getting a resolution where others cannot.
Since HH’s alliance with Bamboo, its specialist practice areas have gone from strength to strength with the additional support of Bamboo’s multi-faceted legal offering through its relationship with Carbon Law Partners. HH marked its 20th anniversary in 2025 which it celebrated with its “Visionary Dinner” at Weston Park, an iconic stately home set within 1,000 acres of Capability Brown parkland. HH has hosted many corporate dinners over the last two decades at Weston Park, which has become a firm fixture in the diarises of business and professional clients. The event focused on “tomorrow’s world”, “pioneering”, “trail blazing”, “enterprising” and “innovating” to create a forward-looking theme in addition to celebrating the last 20 years of success.
The two founders, Colin Rodrigues and Harminder Sandhu created, nurtured and developed HH to bring it to its 20th birthday, and now HH is part of the Bamboo group, its continued success will be intertwined with Bamboo’s future, ambitious and innovative growth strategies.
Castle Court 2, Dudley DY1 4RD
Tel: 01384 216840 hawkinshatton.co.uk
AGRICULTURE AND ESTATES
Alex Robinson Wright Hassall
Alexandra Philllips MFG Solicitors LLP
Peter Snodgrass Shakespeare Martineau
Sarah Baugh FBC Manby Bowdler
Tom Devey FBC Manby Bowdler
BANKING AND FINANCE
Chris Brierley Gowling WLG
David Adams Shoosmiths LLP
David Doogan Pinsent Masons LLP
James Dyson Freeths LLP
Mohammed Saqub Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Naomi Tudor Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Natalie Barnes Shoosmiths LLP
Patrick Davis Eversheds Sutherland
Stephen Bottley DLA Piper LLP (US)
Victoria Baker Pinsent Masons LLP
BANKING LITIGATION
Martin Ward Eversheds Sutherland
Roger Potgieter Shoosmiths LLP
CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Dominic Curran Anthony Collins Solicitors
Kirsty McEwen Higgs
Mark Lewis Lodders Solicitors
Shivaji Shiva VWV
CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE: CLAIMANT
Ally Taft Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Beth Heath Lanyon Bowdler
Clare Langford Higgs LLP
Emma Broomfield Lanyon Bowdler
Emma Rush Irwin Mitchell
Kashmir Uppal Shoosmiths LLP
Lindsay Tomlinson Irwin Mitchell
Lucy Small Lanyon Bowdler
Luke Daniels Irwin Mitchell
Phil Barnes Shoosmiths
Sara Burns Irwin Mitchell
Tim Gray FBC Manby Bowdler
CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE: DEFENDENT
Jasmine Armstrong Weightmans
Jonathan Fuggle Browne Jacobson LLP
Sarah Hopwood Weightmans LLP
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: BIRMINGHAM
Adam Fisher Eversheds Sutherland
Adam Kendall Bevan Brittan
Andrew Herring Pinsent Masons
Andrew Leach DWF
Andrew Smith Gowling WLG
Helen Briant Trowers & Hamlins
James Woolstenhulme Shakespeare Martineau
Louise Wilson Freeths
Mark Surguy Weightmans
Neil Bowker DLA Piper (US)
Neil Warner Gateley Legal
Phillip Kelly DLA Piper (US)
Richard Waugh Fieldfisher
Roger Potgieter TLT
Simon Garbett Mills & Reeve
Stephen May Fieldfisher
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Adam Pike Talbots Law
Charlotte Clode FBC Manby Bowdler
Elizabeth Beatty Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Guy Birkett FBC Manby Bowdler
Julia Lowe Higgs LLP
Matt Dudley Higgs LLP
Morgan Rees George Green
Samuel Pedley MFG Solicitors LLP
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: BIRMINGHAM
Andrew Mellor Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Ben Acheson Irwin Mitchell
Chris Plumley Trowers & Hamlins
Dawn Hilton Eversheds Sutherland
Gurjit Atwal Eversheds Sutherland
Helen Emmerson Gowling WLG
Iftkhar Ahmed Eversheds Sutherland
Jason Jackson Shoosmiths LLP
Kultar Khangura Pinsent Masons LLP
Lisa Middleton Pinsent MasonsLLP
Melanie Williams DWF
Monique Sutherland DLA Piper LLP (US)
Pam Scott Gateley Legal
Richard Bate Gowling WLG
Richard Pettifor Gateley Legal
Sue Simpson Fieldfisher
Tom Johnson Pinsent Masons
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY:
ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Claire Waring Wright Hassall LLP
Clare Regan MFG Solicitors LLP
Daniel Blood Band Hatton Button
David Slade Wright Hassall
James Mottram Lodders Solicitors LLP
Victoria Longmore Lodders Solicitors LLP
CONSTRUCTION
Andrew James Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Andrew Millross Anthony Collins Solicitors
David Jones Eversheds Sutherland
Heidi Brennan Lodders Solicitors LLP
Martino Giaquinto Mills & Reeve LLP
Nigel Blundell Pinsent Masons
Patrick Garner Shoosmiths
Paul Green Gowling WLG
Perveen Akhter Freeths
Peter Scurlock Eversheds Sutherland
Philip Harris Wright Hassall LLP
Ray O’Connor Squire Patton Boggs
Richard Green Gowling WLG
Stephen Malley DLA Piper (US)
Stuart Pemble Mills & Reeve LLP
Zoe Stollard Browne Jacobson LLP
CONTENTIOUS TRUSTS AND PROBATE
Beth King-Smith Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Craig Ridge Higgs
Kamal Majevadia Irwin Mitchell
Mark Abrol Meridian Private Client
CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL: BIRMINGHAM
Amardeep Gill Trowers & Hamlins
Catherine Eley Eversheds Sutherland
Charles Cook DLA Piper LLP (US)
Clare Francis Pinsent Masons LLP
David Vaughan Gowling WLG
John Campion DWF
Keith Spedding Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Lee Clifford Freeths LLP
Mike Jackson Browne Jacobson LLP
Nicole Livesey Pinsent Masons LLP
Nigel Cooke Eversheds Sutherland
Noel Haywood DLA Piper LLP (US)
Tim Lake DLA Piper LLP (US)
Tom Durrant Squire Patton Boggs
CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL:
ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Andrew Smith Sharkespeare Martineau
Arpinder Dhillon Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Clare Emery Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Edward Burrell Lanyon Bowdler
Gareth Burge Knights Plc
Jamie Partington Higgs
John Heaton Higgs
Neil Jones Ansons
Paul Bennett Ansons
Robert Lee Wright Hassall LLP
Sarah Ward George Green LLP
CORPORATE TAX
Andrew Noble Browne Jacobson LLP
Becky Rees Parisi Tax
Jon Stevens DWF
Kate Featherstone Irwin Mitchell
Kevin Lowe Mills & Reeve LLP
Lee Nuttall Gowling WLG
Lisa Stevenson Parisi Tax LLP
DEBT RECOVERY
Alan Hamblett Shakespeare Martineau
Darren Davoile Coltman Warner Cranston
Eddie Flanagan Shakespeare Martineau
Jayne Gardner
Shakespeare Martineau
Leanne Schneider Rose Sydney Mitchell
EDUCATION
Gayle Ditchburn Pinsent Masons
Gurvinder Samra Shoosmiths
Jane Byford VWV
Mark Taylor Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Nick Mackenzie Browne Jacobson LLP
Richard Freeth Stone King LLP
Richard Sykes Mills & Reeve LLP
Smita Jamdar Shakespeare Martineau LLP
EMPLOYMENT
Anna Dabek Anthony Collins Solictors
Anna Fletcher Gowling WLG
Benedict Gorner Gateley Legal
Charlie Frost Squire Patton Boggs
David Sykes Averta Employment Lawyers
Elaine Huttley Irwin Mitchell
Emma Phillips DLA Piper LLP (US)
Emma Lousie Hewitt Sydney MItchell LLP
Helen Corden Pinsent Masons LLP
Jawaid Rehman Weightmans LLP
Jonathan Coley Pinsent Masons LLP
Nick Jew Keystone Law
Ramez Moussa Squire Patton Boggs
Rebecca Sawbridge Freeths LLP
Richard Santy Mills & Reeve LLP
Sally Morris MFG Solicitors LLP
Tim Jones Higgs LLP
ENERGY, PROJECT FINANCE & PFI
Dominic Richardson Gowling WLG
Gus Wood Gowling WLG
James Larmour Freeths LLP
John Tyerman Pinsent Masons LLP
Kirstin Roberts Freeths LLP
Paul Hill Browne Jacobson LLP
Zoe Stollard Browne Jacobson LLP
ENVIRONMENT
Andrew Litchfield Gowling WLG
David Egan Eversheds Sutherland
Lee McBride Gateley Legal
Ruth Armstrong Gateley Legal
FAMILY: BIRMINGHAM
Christopher Lloyd-Smith Anthony Collins Solicitors
Elizabeth Wyatt Anthony Collins Solicitors
Helen Jane Arnold Benussi & Co Limited
Jas Tamber Anthony Collins Solicitors
Karen Moores Sydney Mitchell LLP
Mark Hands Irwin Mitchell
Rayner Grice Clarke Willmott LLP
Sarah Balfour Irwin Mitchell
Tania Derret Smith Weightmans LLP
Vivienne Middleton Lodders Solicitors LLP
Zahra Pabani Irwin Mitchell
FAMILY: ELSEWHERE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Anne Thomson FBC Manby Bowdler
Linda Jones Brethertons
Lisa Blizzard Alsters Kelley Solicitors
Nadia Davis Knights Plc
Philip Barnsley Higgs
Philip Rea Knights Plc
Philippa Pearson Lanyon Bowdler
Richard Westley Pickerings Solicitors
Shane Miller Knights Plc
Sue Hodgson Lanyon Bowdler
Tracy Cross Band Hatton Button LLP
Ben Henry Jonas Roy Bloom
Steven Jonas Jonas Roy Bloom
Matt O'Brien Jonas Roy Bloom
James Turner Tuckers Solicitors
HEALTH
Clare Auty Browne Jacobson LLP
Henry Matveieff Capsticks LLP
Jasmine Armstrong Weightmans LLP
Jill Mason Mills & Reeve LLP
Jog Hundle Mills & ReeveLLP
Tom Eastwood Pinsent Masons LLP
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Andrew Brammer Weightmans LLP
David Egan DWF
Hayley Saunders Shoosmiths LLP
Ruth Armstrong Gateley Legal
Simon Bellfield DWF
IMMIGRATION
Andre Minnaar Sydney Mitchell LLP
Audrey Elliott Eversheds Sutherland
Darren Middleton Duncan Lewis Solicitors
INSOLVENCY AND CORPORATE RECOVERY
Amy Flavell Pinsent Masons LLP
Andrew Taylor Shakespeare Martineau
Daniel French Gateley Legal
Devinder Singh Squire Patton Boggs
JEnna Poulton Eversheds Sutherland
John Jeffreys Freeths LLP
Mark Wilson Gateley Legal
Russell Hill Squire Patton Boggs
Sam Payne Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Stephen George Browne Jacobson LLP
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Andrew Brennan Shoosmiths LLP
Claire O'Brien Mills & Reeve LLP
Lisa Page Penningtons Manches Cooper
Mark Daniels Browne Jacobson LLP
Martin Noble Freeths LLP
Nicholas Briggs Shakespeare Martineau
Richard Taylor DLP Piper LLP (US)
Simon Barker Freeths LLP
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Amardeep Gill Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Derek Adamson DWF
Matthew Gregson Anthony Collins Solicitors
Zo Hoida Browne Jacobson LLP
PENSIONS
Christopher Stiles Gowling WLG
Emma King Eversheds Sutherland
Gary Delderfield Eversheds Sutherland
Joanne Tibbott Gowling WLG
Michael Collins Gateley Legal
Nick Stones Pinsent MasonsLLP
Paul Carberry Gowling WLG
Sarah Franklin Eversheds Sutherland
PERSONAL INJURY: CLAIMANT
Andy Shaw Higgs LLP
Annmarie Wilde The Wilkes Partnership
Dawn Humphries Lanyon Bowdler
Hilary Wetherell Irwin Mitchell
Joe Speed Horwich Cohen Coghlan
Luke Daniels Irwin Mitchell
Philip Banks Irwin Mitchell
Philip Edwards Clarke Willmott
Stephen Nye Irwin Mitchell
Susan Todhunter FBC Manby Bowdler
PERSONAL INJURY: DEFENDANT
Bridget Tatham Browne Jacobson LLP
Charles Ashmore DWF
David Tuck Weightmans LLP
Henry Bermingham Weightmans LLP
Ian Davies Kennedys
James Arrowsmith Browne Jacobson LLP
James Shrimpton Kennedys
Julian Dexter Keoghs LLP
Julie Park Keoghs LLP
Ken Young Keoghs LLP
Kevin Lawson Browne Jacobson LLP
Matthew Harpin Browne Jacobson LLP
Penelope Marshall Weightmans LLP
PERSONAL TAX, TRUSTS AND PROBATE
Catriona Attride Mills & Reeve LLP
Dawn Oliver Lodders Solicitors LLP
Eamonn Daly Meridian Private Client
Emma Harrison Pickerings Solicitors
Graham Fuller FBC Manby Bowdler
Hannah Tait Shakespeare Martineau
John Grundy Mills & Reeve LLP
Jon Croxford Meridian Private Client
Laura Banks Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Louise Igoe Lodders Solicitors LLP
Rachael Armstrong VWV
Sarah Louise Walker Weightmans LLP
Tracy Creed Sydney Mitchell LLP
PLANNING
Howard Bassford DLA Piper LLP (US)
John Gregory Weightmens LLP
Lucy Thomas Pinsent Masons LLP
Matthew Scudamore Gateley Legal
Rosalind Andrews Planet Law
Simon Stanion Shakespeare Martineau
Toni Weston Gowling WLG
Trevor Ivory DLA Piper LLP (US)
PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
David Gooding Mills & Reeve LLP
Eamon Mooney Kennedys
Julian Smart Clyde & Co
PROPERTY LITIGATION
Alicia Foo Pinsent Masons LLP
Clive Chalkley Gowling WLG
James Fownes Shakespeare Martineau
Kate McCall Shoosmiths LLP
Martin Edwards Shakespeare Martineau
Paul Barker Gowling WLG
Paul Knight Shoosmiths LLP
SOCIAL HOUSING
Andrew Dudley Anthony Collins Solicitors
Baljit Basra Devonshires Solicitors LLP
Daniel Skinner Roythornes Solicitors
David Perry Shoosmiths LLP
Gemma Bell Devonshires Solicitors LLP
Jacqueline Knox Gowling WLG
Peter Hubbard Anthony Collins Solicitors
Victoria Jardine Anthony Collins Solicitors
Yetunde Dania Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP
Eversheds Sutherland
Shoosmiths LLP
DLA Piper
Gowling WLG
Gateley Legal
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Freeths LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP
DWF
Squire Patton Boggs
Wright Hassall LLP
Aaron & Partners LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys 1 2 3 4
Pinsent Masons LLP‘s finance and restructuring team is well known in the market for its extensive experience and breadth of knowledge. The practice acts on many complex corporate lending and real estate finance matters, with strong capabilities in advising clients on asset-based lending matters. Furthermore, the team has marketleading expertise in various sectors, including the advanced manufacturing, technology, and healthcare spaces. David Doogan leads the ‘consistently excellent’ team, with Victoria Baker specialising in structured finance products that range from asset-based lending transactions to securitisations and private placements. Oliver Morgan is also a prominent part of the team and is highly regarded for his work in corporate lending and leveraged finance.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s banking team is regularly engaged by clients to handle a range of work throughout the practice area. The group’s corporate lending group is renowned for managing complex and multibank transactions; the team also has an excellent reputation for handling asset-based lending mandates, particularly those used to fund acquisitions. Patrick Davis heads the department, also acting as national head of the leveraged finance team. Davis brings extensive experience across all types of banking work to the team, but has particular expertise in leveraged finance and corporate lending matters. Ben Tumelty heads the asset-based lending practice.
Shoosmiths LLP‘s banking and finance team advises clients on a range of matters throughout the practice area. The group offers specialist advice on asset-based lending, leveraged and acquisition finance work, as well as general corporate banking and real estate finance matters. Furthermore, the team offers niche experience in the drafting of bank standard documentation, education finance matters, and pensions finance work. Jon Bew leads the Birmingham office, as well as acting as national head of the asset-based lending team, and area in which Natalie Barnes also has notable experience. In the real estate finance sector, David Adams has
the team is well-placed to assist a range of clients with their banking matters. Andrew Madden heads the Birmingham group, with a focus on structured finance and corporate lending deals. Chris Jones acts for a range of both lenders and borrowers on a variety of financing transactions, with strong knowledge of corporate and leveraged finance matters. Furthermore, Alison Davidson-Cox bolsters the team with experience in alternative funding solutions, and Sharon Malhi has knowledge of real estate and development finance transactions.
DWF‘s finance and restructuring team is well-aligned with the firm’s sector approach and has particular expertise in the real estate, hospitality, and financial services sectors. With a diverse range of bank and borrower clients, the team has evidenced expertise in real estate finance transactions, particularly those including investment, development, and distressed financing elements. Richard Holmes leads the local practice and is well-regarded for his experience in the real estate finance market.
particular experience, often collaborating with the firm’s real estate experts.
DLA Piper‘s finance team handles a wide range of complex matters, including syndicated corporate financings, both public and private leveraged buyouts, real estate financings, and asset-based lending. Demonstrating an excellent breadth of knowledge, the team advises clients from a variety of sectors, from energy and technology spaces to media and entertainment industries. Stephen Bottley heads the Birmingham offering, with a particular focus on international venture and growth finance matters. Key support in this area is provided by Aino Miles, Gemma Rooney, and Luke Roberts.
Gowling WLG‘s banking and finance team supports clients on a wide range of business objectives. The team’s work covers a wide range of sectors and financing products, including corporate bank work, real estate finance work, debt capital markets, and bond issuances, as well as project finance work and traditional clearing bank work. With considerable sector-specific expertise, the group has a strong reputation advising clients with specialist social housing sector work. Navin Prabhakar leads the team and acts as the primary contact for the practice’s clearing bank work, while Chris Brierley has in-depth knowledge of low carbon and social housing sectors. Key support is provided by Angela Rawlins.
The banking and finance team at Gateley Legal has a notably strong private equity and acquisition finance practice, representing leading regional clients. Further, the team is regularly engaged by funders providing leveraged and corporate finance. With strong asset-based lending experience,
Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s banking and finance team is regularly engaged by clients to handle a range of complex real estate finance and corporate banking matters. The practice is noted for its considerable expertise in the Islamic finance area, often advising the government on the impact of legislative changes on Islamic finance transactions. Naomi Tudor heads the corporate banking team, with expertise in corporate and property finance work on bilateral and syndicated transactions. In addition, Mohammed Saqub specialises in Islamic finance, handling related commercial property investment transactions and leading the team in this area.
The banking and finance team at Freeths LLP is regularly engaged by clients from a range of sectors, and the group demonstrates particular experience in the healthcare sector, advising key funders and large corporate care home operations, as well as clients in the real estate and project finance sectors, often advising traditional funders and various student accommodation developers and investors. James Dyson leads the Birmingham office, specialising in corporate lending transactions, including acquisition finance matters and leveraged buy-outs.
Browne Jacobson LLP‘s banking and finance team is well-known in the market for representing a range of lenders, funders, and corporates on financing transactions involving bilateral and syndicated lending platforms, often including structured finance, private equity funding, project finance, and asset-based lending. Emma Hinton heads the banking and finance team in the Midlands, with a particular focus on nonbank funders, as well as the health and social care sectors.
Mills & Reeve LLP‘s banking and finance team advises on a range of financings across various sectors, and the team has a particular focus on debt transactions, advising both banks and corporate borrowers. The team is led by David Varnham, who also leads the international finance group, and brings considerable experience of structured and corporate finance matters, with cross-sector expertise.
Squire Patton Boggs‘ financial services team is well-known in the local market for offering clients a range of advice, assisting with corporate banking and finance matters, particularly acting for lenders and borrowers, alongside handling leveraged finance, asset-based lending, and general advisory work. Paula Laird leads the team with considerable experience in cross-border asset-based lending work, while Chris Hastings bolsters the team’s experience with his knowledge of leveraged finance matters.
Wright Hassall LLP‘s finance team is predominantly known for its real estate finance practice, and the team has an excellent reputation acting for lenders, advising on a variety of non-regulated lending, including bridging and loans between individuals, group companies, and family members. Lucie Byron heads the banking and finance team, with a particular focus on advising lender clients on the restructuring of existing lending and novations.
Aaron & Partners LLP‘s banking and finance team forms part of the firm’s wider corporate and commercial department. The group acts for both borrowers and lenders, counting numerous banks as clients. While Stuart Scott-Goldstone leads the wider department, Hugh Strickland leads the banking and finance team and specialises in a wide variety of banking and finance matters.
The banking and finance team at Clarke Willmott LLP acts for several high street lenders across various sectors, including the investment, development finance, and healthcare spaces. Andrew Stokes leads the group, spearheading the real estate finance offering, while Richard Saxton focuses on complex borrower side work and Peter Brewer has experience in the contentious mandates.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys‘ banking and finance team is well-regarded in the market, helping clients navigate complex legal issues arising from debt finance transactions. The practice assists clients with all types of loans and funding structures, handling acquisitions, leverage financings, real estate financings, and development matters. Harry Bengough acts as head of the team, with experience ranging from bilateral transactions to cross-border syndicated facilities.
Irwin Mitchell
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Fletchers Solicitors
Lanyon Bowdler
Higgs LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Wright Hassall LLP
Thompsons Solicitors LLP
FBC Manby Bowdler
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Waldrons Solicitors
The Wilkes Partnership
Irwin Mitchell fields a medical negligence team which covers a broad spectrum of claims, from birth injuries and neonatal deaths, to cancers and mental health. Luke Daniels leads the team and is noted for his ability to represent clients across the full range of claims and inquests, with a strong focus on maximum severity birth injury cases. Lisa Jordan has extensive experience in cerebral palsy claims while Emma Rush acts in life-changing injury cases on behalf of adults and children. Sara Burns has a particular focus on brain and spinal injury matters and Laura Daly’s expertise lies in wrongful birth and birth injury claims. Lindsay Tomlinson, Tom Fletcher and Jenna Harris are also key members of the team.
Rankeshwar Batta leads the clinical negligence team at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP. The team is wellequipped to handle mental health claims, and cases involving negligent treatment and hospital acquired infections. Ann Houghton is noted for her work on high-profile and complex clinical negligence claims. David Evison is an expert in injury law and has a niche in human rights and inquest matters, often acting for children who have not received adequate care from local authorities. Victoria Fullilove handles a wide array of cases, with a strong focus on complex maximum severity claims.
Fletchers Solicitors‘ practice, which transferred from Shoosmiths LLP in 2025, stands out due to its deep knowledge of high-value, complex clinical negligence cases involving birth, brain and spinal injuries. Phil Barnes leads the practice and Kashmir Uppal is an expert in catastrophic injury cases, most notably cerebral palsy claims. Natasha Read is a key name for high-value neurological cases, while Richard Bannister often advises on fatal accidents, delayed cancer diagnosis, brain injury and surgical cases. Dan O’Keefe specialises in spinal injury and Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) matters. Sharon Banga focuses on complex birth injures and claims relating to kidney, neurological, spine and
1 2 3 4
amputation injuries. Nicholas Tubb is also recommended.
Under the leadership of Beth Heath and Lucy Small, the clinical negligence team at Lanyon Bowdler handles a wide variety of claims, and is noted for its ongoing representation of families affected by the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust maternity scandal. Heath handles birth injury claims while Small covers complex and high-value medical negligence cases. Emma Broomfield has extensive experience advising on cerebral palsy, catastrophic brain and spinal injury claims. Key names of note include Laura Weir and Natasha Gibbons, who handles spinal injuries and cancer diagnosis cases. Adam Hodson focuses on fatal claims and amputationrelated matters.
Higgs LLP’s clinical negligence team focuses on high-value, complex claims involving serious birth injuries, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, delayed diagnoses and fatal claims.
Clare Langford leads the team and has extensive experience across a variety of complex clinical negligence cases, with a strong focus on those involving delays in diagnosing meningitis and loss of vision.
Charlotte Measures is well-regarded for her sensitive handling of cases involving the death of children and delayed diagnoses of cancer leading to a terminal prognosis. Jenny Tetlow is also known for her ability to handle a wide range of high value claims. Sarah Huntbach is another name to note.
The medical accident group at Harrison Clark Rickerbys specialises in birth, catastrophic, spinal, stroke and brain injury claims, in addition to matters concerning GP negligence, fatal accidents and inquests. The team is also noted for its expertise in cases concerning orthopaedic-related issues, gynaecological care, and misdiagnoses. Ally Taft heads the group, and stands out for her expertise in birth injury cases, fatal claims and claims involving bowel problems. Co-head Peter Savage has a wealth of experience advising on brain and spinal injuries cases; he also
represents children who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Elizabeth Wickson and Fahmidah Ali are also key contacts within the team.
Linda Millband and Tony Mikhael oversee the clinical negligence practice at Thompsons Solicitors LLP Millband handles a varied caseload of matters involving high-value traumatic and life-changing injuries; Millband also handles botched tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation claims, and cases concerning cerebral palsy, paraplegia, meningitis and cancer misdiagnoses. Mikhael’s specialism centres on cases involving both the misdiagnoses of cancer and the delay in its treatment.
FBC Manby Bowdler has expertise in a broad range of clinical negligence matters, with an emphasis on severe and complex cases concerning brain and spinal injuries, and industrial disease. Tim Gray leads the team, and his specialism is in severe brain injury cases, including those acquired as a result of mismanaged births. Susan Todhunter leads the firm’s catastrophic injury team, while Michael Portman-Hann works exclusively on clinical negligence cases and inquests.
Trading as Lime Solicitors, the medical negligence team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP offers advice on the full spectrum of clinical negligence claims. James Anderson is at the helm and has extensive experience handling a wide
array of matters involving brain and birth injuries, delays in cancer diagnoses, and GP negligence. Anderson is also wellequipped to advise on cases concerning orthopaedic injuries, surgical errors and obstetric mismanagement, having been promoted to partner in May 2024.
clinical negligence cases, from birth and brain injury and maximum severity injury, to delayed diagnosis and surgical error claims.
The Wilkes Partnership handles a variety of clinical negligence claims at a local and national level. Annmarie Wilde guides the clinical negligence team, and is well-regarded for her handling of complex and severe cases. The 'talented' Kate Campbell-Gunn is a skilled litigator with vast experience in acting for claimants.
Weightmans LLP Bevan Brittan LLP Browne Jacobson LLP
Capsticks LLP Kennedys
Weightmans LLP is well-versed in a variety of major medical negligence, dentistry and cosmetic treatment claims.
Deborah Bannister, Jasmine Armstrong, Sarah Hopwood and Richard Briggs jointly lead the practice. Bannister and Briggs handle a broad range of claims, from catastrophic injury to misdiagnosis and surgical error, while Armstrong handles healthcare-specific issues. Hopwood has a strong focus on group litigation, also assisting clients with regulatory and media-related issues.
Tony Yeaman routinely advises NHS boards on claims and risk management, and Melanie Isherwood is an expert in claims brought by vulnerable litigants.
Maryam Storr and Sarah Skinner are also recommended. Christian Lowden departed in December 2024
Under the leadership of Tim Hodgetts, the health and care resolution team at Bevan Brittan LLP advises NHS trusts and medical malpractice insurers on the full spectrum of clinical negligence matters. Lauren Halliday oversees a broad range of high-value claims relating to brain, spinal and surgical injuries while Raj King handles cases involving obstetrics and spinal and surgical injuries.
Elena Goodfellow’s varied caseload spans high-value brain injury claims brought against the NHS and private practice, and treatment claims brought against individual clinicians or clinics. Hannah Cons is also a name to note.
Browne Jacobson LLP fields an extensive defendant clinical negligence team which has specialism including maternity, dental, spinal, primary care and mental health. Spinal surgery expert Jonathan Fuggle leads the team alongside Sian Brown, who focuses on maternity claims. Sarah Manning undertakes substantial cases, while Sarah White handles obstetric claims. Louise Jeffers routinely handles spinal cord and acquired brain injury claims. Emma Rees and Kate Westley are also names to note.
Christopher Malla, Avinder Sidhu and Katie Tonks lead the clinical negligence team at Kennedys. Alongside the NHS team, the group has a dedicated private healthcare offering and represents private hospitals, clinics, healthcare professionals and their insurers. Malla has extensive experience across a wide array of matters and is currently advising NHS Resolution on Covid-19 claims. Sidhu specialises in maximum severity cases including birth injuries and neurosurgical complications, while Tonks focuses on medical malpractice claims and oversees the growing private healthcare practice. Kathryn Dwyer and Stephanie Cuthbert are both key figures within the team. Christian Lowden joined the team in January 2025.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Fieldfisher
Eversheds Sutherland
DLA Piper
Gowling WLG
Gateley Legal
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
DWF
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Freeths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP
Weightmans LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP
Squire Patton Boggs
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Irwin Mitchell
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
The Wilkes Partnership
Clarke Willmott LLP 1 2 3 4
Pinsent Masons LLP‘s disputes resolution team has deep sector knowledge throughout the energy, financial institutions, life sciences, and healthcare markets. With excellent international experience, the team is able to provide advice to private international clients, as well as public international clients, including government agencies, UK government departments, and large blue-chip businesses. Nick Bamford leads the team with experience in multijurisdictional actions and expertise in manufacturing and project disputes. Further strengthening the team, Andrew Herring leads on significant civil fraud and asset recovery matters.
The dispute resolution team at Fieldfisher LLP handles a range of leading work, including competition litigation, class actions, and energy arbitration matters. With sector specialisms that include the manufacturing, engineering, energy, and IT spaces, the practice is well-positioned to assist a variety of clients. Richard Waugh leads the Birmingham dispute resolution team, with particular expertise in energy sector disputes, including international gas pricing and long-term supply contract disputes. Furthermore, Stephen May leads the competition litigation team, and Darren Kenny advises on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, with expertise in commercial fraud disputes, regularly representing ultra-high-net-worth individuals, banks, and businesses.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s dispute resolution team is well known for its sector-specific expertise, in particular regarding the automotive, aerospace
Emma Carr has particular experience handling professional negligence claims and managing litigation risks.
Gateley Legal‘s commercial dispute resolution team handles significant litigation mandates for several clients. The team has a wide range of experience in various sectors, and is recognised for its expertise in the manufacturing, retail, charities, and sports industries. The group demonstrates experience in obtaining and defending without notice injunctions, particularly in relation to the enforcement of employment restrictive covenants. Neil Warner leads the team and is regularly instructed by sports clients, including Premier League football clubs.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s dispute resolution team regularly handles significant matters across a range of market areas, including shareholder disputes, conspiracy and fraud claims, warranty claims, breach of contract claims, and financial disputes. The team has experience handling High Court litigation, as well as appeal leave and arbitration proceedings. James Woolstenhulme heads the Birmingham offering, and has particular experience in shareholder disputes, injunctions, and procurement issues.
claims. Key support in this area is provided by Josh Middleton.
Shoosmiths LLP‘s dispute resolution and litigation team handles a range of large and complex disputes for a variety of clients, often with an international element. The practice is recognised for its focus on the financial services, technology, automotive, and retail sectors. Alongside handling commercial and corporate disputes, the team is noted for its complex fraud work. Alex Bishop leads the team, with experience handling fraud and internal investigations, including obtaining freezing orders, search and seizure orders, and other injunctive relief.
and defence, technology, and energy sectors. The practice exhibits strong capabilities in handling high-value commercial and corporate disputes, including court litigation and arbitration matters. Further, the team benefits from the joint leadership of Rich Lloyd and Adam Fisher. Lloyd has particular expertise in managing disputes for clients in the industrial engineering sector, while Fisher’s experience lies in the automotive, aerospace, and defence sectors, with a focus on class actions and group litigation. Key support in this area is provided by Ridah Iqbal.
DLA Piper‘s litigation and regulatory team is regularly engaged with highprofile mandates, including domestic High Court litigation, international arbitration, and inquiry support work. The team demonstrates considerable breadth and depth of knowledge with key areas of expertise in the technology, life sciences, financial services, and industrial sectors. Phillip Kelly leads the team, bringing significant experience in domestic and international litigation, regularly acting on cross-border disputes with expert knowledge of outsourcing and government contracting. The team is bolstered by Neil Bowker, handling a broad range of international and domestic matters while managing commercial sensitivities and reputational implications.
Gowling WLG‘s dispute resolution team has a wealth of in-depth sector expertise, including in the automotive, retail, energy, and litigation finance areas, ensuring the firm is uniquely placed to respond to a variety of client dispute resolution and risk management needs. As well as offering core disputes advice on commercial, tortious, and contractual disputes, the team handles post-M&A claims, cryptoasset issues, and environmental claims. The team is led by Samantha Holland, who brings experience in the transport, infrastructure, and nuclear sectors. Sean Adams handles a range of post-M&A and corporate-related disputes, while
DWF‘s international arbitration and litigation team is regularly engaged by clients throughout various market sectors; the practice is well known for handling issues arising from technology projects, such as project delays and defective software, as well as disputes resulting from international trade contracts, and also acting for victims of fraud. Andrew Leach heads the team, with particular experience in international fraud claims, working with both private individuals and businesses. Further support is provided by Ben Griffin.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s commercial litigation team handles a wide range of corporate and commercial disputes, including shareholder matters, breach of contract claims, contentious insolvency issues, and restrictive covenant disputes. Furthermore, the team is noted for dealing with civil fraud and cyberrelated issues for both domestic and international clients. Helen Briant leads a talented team, with Jamie De Souza noted for his work in the manufacturing sector, and advising owner-managed businesses. Key support in this area is provided by Emily Sharples.
The commercial dispute resolution team at Freeths LLP acts for international and national businesses and high-net-worth individuals across a diverse range of specialist sectors, with recent work spanning corporate M&A disputes, including breach of warranty disputes, completion account disputes, and allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, deceit, and conspiracy. The talented team benefits from the joint leadership of Richard Coates, a specialist in contractual and corporate disputes, and Louise Wilson, who has experience in professional negligence
Mills & Reeve LLP‘s dispute resolution team undertakes a broad range of contentious work, including arbitration, procurement, education, and cyber security disputes. The team regularly handles automotive and manufacturing supply chain disputes, with a focus on non-payment, product quality, and lack of performance issues. Furthermore, the practice is noted for its expertise in sports-related matters, working with professional sportspeople as well as Premier League football clubs and international sports agencies. Simon Garbett heads the Birmingham commercial disputes team and has significant experience in supply chain advisory work. Claire Crawford leads the contentious procurement practice and specialises in advising both contracting authorities and economic operators in a range of matters.
The litigation team at Weightmans LLP has a broad range of experience in commercial, company, and insolvency law. Mark Surguy leads the team and has expertise in civil fraud matters, often managing cases where there is a civil and criminal interface. Further support is provided by Jon-Paul Casati, who has a particular focus on the manufacturing sector, working with clients in the local region as well as parent companies based in other jurisdictions.
Bevan Brittan LLP‘s commercial litigation team covers a broad range of disputes, acting for numerous public sector organisations from local authorities to NHS Trusts and housing bodies. The team also represents private corporations, with particular experience in representing clients which contract with the public sector. With specialist expertise in resolving disputes arising out of the delivery of public services and infrastructure, the team has a deep understanding of the interface between the public and private sectors. Adam Kendall leads the team and brings significant experience in advising both public and private sector clients in litigation and arbitration matters.
Squire Patton Boggs‘ commercial litigation team specialises in disputes in the automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. The work focuses on supply chain risk management and product liability issues, with claims varying from contractual disputes to those involving product
defects, force majeure clauses, and other delay issues. Ellie Pinnells heads the team, specialising in private competition follow-on damages claims, as well as group litigation, representing both claimants and defendants. Key support is provided by Victoria Callicott and Mariyam Harunah.
Sydney Mitchell LLP‘s dispute resolution team handles a range of matters throughout a variety of sectors. The team is often involved in high-value, complex commercial disputes, with work including shareholder disputes, warranty claims, injunctive relief issues, contractual disputes, and partnership disputes. Dean Parnell co-heads the team with Leanne Schneider-Rose, with experience in injunctive relief matters such as search orders and insolvency matters, respectively.
Irwin Mitchell‘s commercial dispute resolution team provides a comprehensive service, with specialised teams handling disputes in the sport, manufacturing, and consumer sectors. Furthermore, the practice evidences strong capabilities in the financial services sector, especially in relation to FCA regulatory and enforcement issues. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Garon Anthony and Katie Byrne, with Katherine East providing key support to the team.
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP‘s commercial litigation team focuses on key client sectors, particularly social landlords, local authorities, and healthcare organisations. The practice handles the full range of issues, from commercial contract disputes to matters of professional negligence and defamation. Ramjeet Kandola leads the team, specialising in resolving disputes arising out of commercial contracts.
The Wilkes Partnership‘s commercial dispute resolution team’s primary focus is on business-to-business disputes, ranging from manufacturing and sale of goods matters to construction disputes. Further, the team also represents individuals in matters such as director or shareholder disputes, as well as defamation claims. Simon Thomas acts as head of the team, specialising in the IT, automotive, and retail industries.
Clarke Willmott LLP‘s commercial and private client litigation team handles a range of corporate litigation matters, particularly in relation to minority shareholder claims. With excellent knowledge regarding professional negligence claims, the team is often engaged by local building society clients. Peter Brewer heads the practice, with a particular focus on shareholder disputes and contractual litigation; he also has expertise in unfair prejudice petitions.
George Green LLP
Wright Hassall LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Higgs LLP
Talbots Law
Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited
MFG Solicitors LLP
FBC Manby Bowdler
Band Hatton Button LLP
Ansons
Enoch Evans LLP
Lanyon Bowdler
Aaron & Partners LLP
Lodders Solicitors LLP
George Green LLP‘s litigation and dispute resolution team acts for a range of clients, including large regional companies, as well as substantial national and international corporate clients in complex matters before the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. The team is regularly involved in high-value corporate and commercial litigation, including contractual disputes, competition disputes, and unfair prejudice claims.
The experienced Morgan Rees leads the team, with specialisms in shareholder disputes, insolvency cases, and defamation matters. Key support in this area is provided by George Gwynn, who is noted for his focus on insurance and construction disputes.
Wright Hassall LLP‘s commercial litigation team handles a range of contractual and corporate matters, from advice on contractual terminations to breach of warranty claims, post-termination restrictive covenants, and shareholder disputes.
The team regularly works with clients from specialist manufacturing and technology sectors, and is prominent in the sports sector, working with membership organisations and associations. Nathan Talbott leads the team, with particular experience in tax and financial disputes, commercial disputes, and professional negligence matters. Further support is provided by Jennifer Rhind, who has a focus on defamation, malicious falsehood, and harassment claims.
The dispute resolution team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys offers a wide range of technical expertise, regularly handling commercial matters that include shareholder disputes, indemnity claims, and directors’ duties issues. Furthermore, the firm benefits from deep-sector specialist experience in niche practice areas, such as the defence sector, where the team provides services to both domestic and international companies concerning security-related goods and international fraud investigations.
Other areas of particular strength include the healthcare and fisheries sectors. Elizabeth Beatty leads the team with considerable experience handling shareholder, cross-border, and trustee disputes, as well as professional negligence matters. Tom Williams advises a range of clients, with particular focus on supply of goods and services disputes and the enforcement of restrictive covenants against employees and sellers of businesses.
Higgs LLP‘s dispute resolution team is known for its commercial litigation expertise, which focuses on corporate and commercial disputes, including warranty and deferred consideration claims arising out of transactions, director and shareholder disputes, intellectual property disputes, and reputation management matters. Julia Lowe leads the team, with wide-ranging commercial litigation experience, while Matt Dudley focuses on breach of contract, shareholder, and boardroom disputes. James Modley works with a range of clients and has specific experience in acting for high-profile individuals in the sports industry.
The dispute resolution team at Talbots Law represents a range of clients, from large enterprises and high street household brands to directors and shareholders. The team operates throughout a range of sectors, representing clients in contractual disputes, debt recovery issues, professional negligence claims, and insolvency litigation. The practice benefits from the joint leadership of Jagdip Bains, who focuses on contract, construction, and corporate disputes, and Adam Pike, who specialises in shareholder and boardroom disputes. The team is further strengthened by key support from Nasar Sarwar, who focuses on contractual disputes alongside professional negligence claims.
MFG Solicitors LLP‘s commercial litigation and dispute resolution team’s experience covers a wide range
of matters, from contractual and warranty disputes to shareholder and partnership disputes, as well as civil fraud claims, freezing orders, and asset recovery work. Tom Esler leads the talented team, with vast experience in commercial dispute resolution and risk management, primarily acting for shareholders and directors of owner-managed businesses and advising on matters such as company law, e-commerce, and intellectual property claims. Samuel Pedley strengthens the offering with significant involvement in contentious insolvency and bankruptcy work. Key support in this area is provided by Rebecca Rogers.
FBC Manby Bowdler‘s litigation team is recognised for its handling of disputes that involve aspects of insolvency, company, and real estate law. Furthermore, the team is noted for its strong agricultural team and representation of rural clients in property-related matters. Charlotte Clode heads the team, handling a variety of commercial matters, including intellectual property work and mandates with reputational aspects. The team is bolstered by the experience of Guy Birkett and the work of Elisabeth Glover, who specialises in contract disputes, commercial debts, and professional negligence matters.
Band Hatton Button LLP‘s litigation team provides a commercial service, with strength in the areas of contractual disputes, insolvency, inheritance claims, and professional negligence matters. John French heads the department, with litigation expertise in neighbour and boundary disputes, challenging public authority decisions, as well as residential and tenant possession matters. Raman Dhillon provides key support, with experience in privacy claims and defending directors’ disqualification proceedings.
Ansons‘ dispute resolution team handles a range of matters for commercial clients, with expertise in handling complex shareholder and partnership disputes, insolvency matters, construction disputes, and contentious probate matters. The team is engaged by a diverse client base, from property developers to pharmacy and healthcare companies. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Martin de Ridder, who focuses on shareholder disputes and insolvency matters, and Jason Alcock, a specialist in property and employment-related disputes.
Enoch Evans LLP‘s commercial litigation and dispute resolution team provides a core litigation service that encompasses all aspects of commercial dispute resolution, with particular expertise in handling injunctions, shareholder disputes, and property litigation. Furthermore, the team is well versed in matters relating to breach of contract, professional negligence claims, and dilapidation disputes. Stephen Nixon leads the team, with regular instructions concerning shareholder disputes.
Lanyon Bowdler‘s dispute resolution team is regularly engaged by clients to handle a range of work, with particular expertise in the manufacturing, construction, and agricultural sectors. Further evidenced is a strength in advising owners and managers in shareholder disputes, often in relation to unfair prejudice and derivative actions. Andrew Pegg leads the department with a focus on breach of contract and professional negligence claims.
Aaron & Partners LLP‘s dispute resolution team handles a wide range of shareholder and partnership disputes arising out of corporate transactions. Furthermore, the team also assists clients with contractual disputes, often in the logistics and IT sectors, as well as claims involving restrictive covenants and professional negligence issues. Nick Clarke heads the department, while Stephen Taylor leads the offering from the Shrewsbury office, with experience in unfair prejudice proceedings, customer disputes, and contentious divorce proceedings.
The commercial dispute resolution team at Lodders Solicitors LLP regularly advises a range of clients on a variety of dispute matters. With experience working with SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and individuals, the team is well placed to assist on a range of mandates. Furthermore, the practice has strength in handling warranty claims, partnership disputes, professional negligence claims, as well as contentious insolvency work and construction disputes. Andrew Wylde leads the team, with particular expertise in resolving contractual disputes, shareholder disputes, and insolvency matters.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Eversheds Sutherland
Gowling WLG
Gateley Legal
Shoosmiths LLP
Fieldfisher
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Freeths LLP
Squire Patton Boggs
Browne Jacobson LLP
DLA Piper
Mills & Reeve LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
DWF
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Weightmans LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP
Sydney Mitchell LLP
The Wilkes Partnership
Clarke Willmott LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP‘s property team routinely acts on significant transactions across the region. The team offers specialist housing advice to clients in both the public and private sectors, regarding regeneration projects, redevelopment work, and housing infrastructure funding. Furthermore, the practice offers strong healthcare, investment and asset management, property restructuring, and specialist energy sector advice. The team is led by Lisa Middleton, who also heads the real estate data centre practice. Tom Johnson heads the mixed-use and residential development team, while Kultar Khangura regularly leads on complex regeneration projects. The healthcare real estate team is led by Tom Eastwood, while Carl Scott leads the firm’s restructuring practice, and Rebecca Rowley advises on housingled development and infrastructure schemes, acting as a specialist in the public sector.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP’s real estate team is regularly involved in large and complex matters throughout the property space. The team handles a range of work, from commercial development issues to advising on local government and infrastructure matters. Furthermore, the team offers a robust data centre offering, acting for numerous data centre owners and operators on both national and international deals. The team is headed by Matthew Storer, who focuses on government and infrastructure matters. In addition, Dawn Hilton leads the corporate real estate practice, while Iftkhar Ahmed and Gurjit Atwal focus
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on financial institutions and investments, respectively. Elsewhere, Ben Newton has particular expertise and experience in relation to the development of mixed-use schemes.
Gowling WLG‘s real estate team advises throughout the lifecycle of numerous large projects, and the team has particular strength in advising on large mixed-use, retail, industrial, and regeneration development schemes. Alongside this, the group advises clients on energy and utility sector real estate matters, as well as large investment and asset management matters. Christopher Hunt leads the real estate team, with experienced support from John Burns and Richard Bate, who is a specialist in residential developments. Matthew Walker provides a variety of experience with a focus on the industrial and logistics sector, while Helen Emmerson leads the firm’s energy and utility sector offering. Key support in this area is provided by Arminder Dhillon and James Eddowes.
Gateley Legal‘s real estate and residential development team provides the full range of property services to a variety of clients. The team advises on all aspects of residential and commercial development matters, property finance issues, real estate investments, portfolio management, and litigation, with considerable expertise in the development sectors and fielding industrial and logistics specialists. The team is jointly led by Rebecca Sherwin and Callum Nuttall. Pam Scott specialises in residential development work, and Richard Pettifor is an expert
in real estate funding and investment, while Chris Adams has particular expertise in the industrial, retail, and high-rise residential development sectors. Key support is provided by Charlotte Hickman.
Shoosmiths LLP‘s real estate team is regularly engaged by a range of clients to handle a variety of matters; the group handles commercial development projects, investment opportunities, and real estate finance matters, acting for clients involved in the hospitality, social housing, and data centre spaces. Jason Jackson acts as the national head of the real estate team, while the experienced Beth McArdle heads the Birmingham office with a focus on occupier clients. Tim Flight is noted for his experience and work in the property finance team.
The real estate team at Fieldfisher LLP has a notable reputation for handling acquisition, development and portfolio management matters for both national and international clients. The practice offers development and regeneration advice, assisting clients in various sectors. Furthermore, the team is well-positioned to advise corporate occupiers and has a strong reputation in the real estate insolvency market. The team is led by Sue Simpson, who has particular expertise in resolving complex site assembly and planning issues.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP's real estate group regularly advises on complex mixed-use projects led by both private and public sector clients. The practice is well-known for assisting clients with the investment in and development of regeneration and new urban communities, industrial and logistic assets, as well as affordable and social housing sectors. Chris Plumley co-leads the regional public sector practice with expertise in significant regeneration schemes.
Freeths LLP‘s real estate team is regularly involved in development work in the public sector, advising a range of local authorities on regeneration projects, and has a growing commercial development practice. The group also demonstrates experience in handling investment, housebuilding, and strategic land acquisition work. The team is led by the experienced Mitchell Ball, who has a particular focus on town centre regeneration projects. Mohammed Alam specialises in commercial development matters, Emily Danson leads the housebuilding and strategic land offering, and Hannah Greatbatch provides key support throughout the practice.
Squire Patton Boggs‘ real estate team handles a range of work, and demonstrates knowledge and experience in assisting clients with commercial development, hospitality, and infrastructure matters. The team is led by Nick Green, a specialist in corporate real estate, with particular strength in the hotel, retail, and healthcare sectors. Neil Taylor specialises in residential and commercial developments, acting for a range of
clients from landowners to corporate occupiers.
Browne Jacobson LLP‘s real estate team represents a mixture of private and public sector clients. The practice is well known for its specific areas of focus that include development, housing, and regeneration matters, as well as investment and financing issues, and work in the healthcare sector. Dominic Swift leads the real estate team in Birmingham, with expertise working with higher education institutions.
DLA Piper‘s real estate team operates throughout the space, providing clients with advice throughout the lifecycle of a property. The team has considerable strength in depth, with a large team providing experience to clients across investment, development, and asset management issues. The team is led by Petra Billing, with the experienced Monique Sutherland bringing expertise in the development and infrastructure area, and Katie Jacobson specialising in investment work. Key support in this area is provided by Rachel Williams.
Mills & Reeve LLP‘s real estate team advises a broad range of clients in both the public and private sectors. The practice has an excellent track record of acting for clients in the higher education sector and the healthcare sector, while also working with commercial clients. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Michael Whatley and Christian Bull.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s real estate team acts for a variety of clients throughout the practice area, and the group works with landowners, promoters, and house builders on the acquisition and disposal of residential development land. Further, the team possesses considerable expertise working with commercial development clients in the office, retail, and leisure sectors. A large leadership team provides a wealth of experience to the team, consisting of managing director Victoria Tester, national head of residential development Neil Gosling, and Joanna Deffley, who acts as the head of the West Midlands offering.
DWF‘s real estate team acts for a diverse range of public and private sector clients. The practice is noted for its strong hospitality practice, led by Melanie Williams, who has particular expertise in the acquisition of hotels, as well as development and refurbishment projects and real estate finance matters. Charlotte Ward offers significant advice to developers, investors, and corporate occupiers throughout the market.
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP‘s commercial real estate team has a presence in all aspects of the market, including property developments, investment opportunities, and distressed property work-outs. Joel Kordan leads the team, with particular expertise in acting for family offices on a range of investment and development matters, while Andrew Mellor handles commercial and mixed-use sites. Key support is provided in this area by Emma Connaughton and Samantha Vaughan.
Weightmans LLP‘s real estate team is involved in various industry sectors; the firm has a strong education sector offering, alongside handling a range of refinancing, development, and construction projects. Abdul Zaheed leads the Birmingham team and advises on a range of matters.
Bevan Brittan LLP‘s property team is incredibly active throughout the market, handling work for clients in the private sector, as well as in the local authority, housing, and health sectors. Rebecca Pendlebury heads the property team in Birmingham and acts for local authorities, with specialisms in regeneration and development schemes.
Sydney Mitchell LLP‘s commercial property team is continually called upon by clients to handle a range of transactions, including lease renewals, refinancing agreements, as well as acquisitions and disposals of both development sites and sites for owneroccupied businesses. Claire Cooper co-heads the team with Shilpa Unarkat, with specific experience assisting clients in the healthcare and engineering sectors, respectively.
The Wilkes Partnership‘s real estate team specialises in advising a range of interested commercial property parties, from landlords, developers, and landowners, to commercial businesses and property portfolios. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Tim Coplestone, a specialist in commercial property developments, and Mark Hodgson, who brings extensive experience in various landlord and tenant matters.
Clarke Willmott LLP‘s commercial property team acts for a range of public sector clients, developers, and investors, demonstrating experience in investment and asset management issues that range from acquisitions to portfolio advice. Iain Harrison leads the team, with extensive experience in the retail sector, acting for several high street names.
HCR Law has retained top-tier rankings in the Legal 500 directory for 2026, recognised for its sustained growth and specialist sector practices.
The results reinforce the firm’s position as a leading law firm across the region, from its long-established presence in Worcester and Hereford to its fast-growing Birmingham office, which continues to expand in response to rising client demand.
Corporate and Commercial maintains its Tier 1 ranking in the West Midlands, following the Corporate team’s recent recognition as the leading legal adviser for M&A activity across both the UK and the region, as reported by Experian.
Within the Corporate team, Arpinder Dhillon, Partner and Head of Wye Valley Office, is recognised as a leading partner, while Partner Helen Higginbotham is listed as a next generation partner.
The Dispute Resolution team also retains its Tier 1 ranking in Commercial Litigation, with Partner Elizabeth Beatty named as a leading partner. One Legal 500 testimonial highlights HCR’s client-centred ethos, describing the team as a “well-led, content team, dedicated to serving their clients rather than hitting targets.”
The Family Law team continues to lead, retaining its Tier 1 ranking. Partners Christopher Finch, Head of Family in Hereford, and James Osborne are both recognised as next generation partners.
In Contentious Trusts and Probate, the team climbs to Tier 2, with Beth King-Smith – Partner, Head of Disputed Wills, Trusts and Estates and Joint Head of Private Client in Worcester – acknowledged as a leading partner. The team also retains Tier 2 rankings for Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate.
Meanwhile, four new practice areas are ranked for the first time: Employment (across two categories), Banking and Finance and Commercial Property.
The Employment team receives special recognition in Health & Safety, listed as a firm to watch, with Partner Kate Oliver named as a next generation partner. The team also achieves a Tier 3 ranking in Immigration, after being listed as a firm to watch last year.
Further Tier 2 and Tier 3 rankings across Insolvency and Corporate Recovery, Clinical Negligence: Claimant, and Construction reflect HCR’s multi-disciplinary expertise for clients across the West Midlands.
Rebecca Leask, pictured, above, Head of Birmingham Office, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many HCR lawyers recognised in the latest Legal 500 directory. These results reflect the strength of our reputation and the exceptional service we deliver to clients. The rankings are further proof of our growing influence across the West Midlands’ legal landscape.”
Lodders Solicitors
Higgs LLP
Wright Hassall LLP
Ansons
MFG Solicitors LLP
Band Hatton Button LLP
Pickerings Solicitors
Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited
Lanyon Bowdler
JG Poole & Co. LLP
Aaron & Partners LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
The real estate team at Lodders Solicitors LLP provides a full service for clients on all aspects of acquiring, managing, developing, and disposing of property. The group is particularly well known for its expertise in strategic land and residential development work. Advising a range of clients from land promoters and developers to landowners and housebuilders, the team evidences strong knowledge and experience throughout the sector. Mark Miller acts as head of the real estate group and joint head of the strategic land and residential development team alongside James Mottram. Further expertise comes from Victoria Longmore, head of the planning and highways team, while key support is provided by Lauren Pearson.
Higgs LLP‘s property team acts for a wide range of clients, including national retailers, charities, pension funds, landed estates, and international banks. The practice offers full-service advice on development work, from strategic land acquisitions, developments, construction issues, and ultimate plot sales. Jen Hicks-Jones leads the team in the Midlands, with particular experience advising corporate occupiers, investor landlords, and landowners on high-value and complex strategic transactions. Sarah Bradford brings experience in the leisure and retail sectors to the team, while Maria Nicol has forged a specialism dealing with pension scheme property transactions.
Wright Hassall LLP‘s commercial real estate team works on all types of land development projects, including instant and strategic land transactions, alongside providing specialist planning advice to landowners, housebuilders, developers, and promoters in developing green and brownfield sites as well as urban regeneration projects. Andrew Jones heads the development team, with experience of advising clients on refinancing matters, while
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Kylie Cooper leads the commercial real estate practice, with extensive experience in the charity sector. Further support is provided by David Slade and Claire Waring.
Ansons‘ commercial property team is regularly engaged by a range of clients that encompass a huge variety of sectors, including development, education, property investment, and technology companies. The team provides a range of advice to clients, assisting with the sale and purchase of land and buildings, development work, agricultural land and farming transactions, asset management, and secure lending issues. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Richard Saum, who advises on a range of commercial property matters, and Neil Faunch, who has specialist knowledge of HS2 and CPO matters. Additionally, Alex Jayne-Lowe and Jon Rowley bring experience in advising on the property aspects of corporate transactions and acting for both developers and landowners on high-complexity transactions.
The commercial property team at MFG Solicitors LLP is regularly involved in the residential developer, renewable energy, and healthcare spaces. The group provides expert advice to clients in matters ranging from agriculture and estates work, property investments, regenerations and renewables projects, and handles landlord and tenant matters. Clare Regan leads the team, with a particular focus on the negotiation of renewable energy schemes, particularly those with solar and battery storage elements. Elsewhere, David Raymont handles a range of commercial property matters with experience handling mixed-use commercial developments.
Band Hatton Button LLP‘s commercial property team assists with
both commercial sales and purchases, as well as handling landlord and tenant work, alongside offering advice on commercial and residential development work. With a diverse client base, ranging from individuals to sole traders and partnerships, as well as large public companies and charities, the team is well-positioned to advise on a range of matters. Daniel Blood heads the team, continually handling commercial property acquisitions and the associated development of properties.
Pickerings Solicitors‘ commercial property team has wide-ranging expertise in all aspects of commercial property. The team is well-positioned to advise clients on matters ranging from shop leases to complex development and funding issues, including in the agricultural and energy sectors. Kate Pearce heads the team with expertise in both commercial and residential developments, with a thorough understanding of funding arrangements and requirements.
Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited‘s real estate team acts for a range of business clients across a variety of sectors, including the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and hospitality spaces. The practice demonstrates expertise in advising clients on a range of transactions, from acquisitions of property to drafting commercial leases. The team is led by firm founding partner Colin Rodrigues.
Lanyon Bowdler‘s commercial and agricultural property department advises on a broad range of work, involving retail shopping centres, warehouses, office complexes, as well as environmental schemes and renewable projects. The team works with various clients, from landed estates and landlords to local authorities and those in hospitality. Praveen Chaudhari leads the team and acts in a wide range of non-contentious commercial property transactions. Further support is provided by Tania McGee, who specialises in dealing with the sale and purchase of agricultural farmland.
The commercial real estate team at JG Poole & Co. LLP is highly regarded for its work in the commercial development and investment spaces. Further, the team regularly advises on residential development projects, as well as affordable housing transactions and land promotion matters. James PoloRichards leads the practice, specialising in commercial investment matters and working with developers and investors when managing assets.
Aaron & Partners LLP's real estate team offers advice to a range of clients and has specialist experience in food retail, residential, and commercial development projects, as well as renewable energy and waste management matters. The team is led by Emma McGlinchey, who has a background in food and retail work, with key support provided by Hannah Fynn, a specialist in property development work.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys‘ real estate team advises on both commercial and residential real estate matters, with a strong reputation in particular niches such as real estate finance, healthcare issues, and residential developments. Alongside this offering is traditional expertise in commercial property transactions with a particular focus on the office and warehouse spaces. Philip Parkinson heads the real estate department and is regularly engaged in warehouse and distribution transactions.
Wright Hassall LLP
Higgs LLP
Irwin Mitchell
Mills & Reeve LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Roythornes Solicitors
MFG Solicitors LLP
FBC Manby Bowdler
Meridian Private Client Solicitors Limited
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
George Green LLP
Lanyon Bowdler
Freeths LLP
The Wilkes Partnership
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Gateley Legal
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Keelys LLP
Rothley Law Limited 1 2 3 4
Wright Hassall LLP handles the full spectrum of contentious trust and probate work and with the team housing four full Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) members. Martin Oliver spearheads the practice and has extensive experience handling high-profile inheritance disputes. Katie Alsop has niche expertise in agricultural litigation relating to estates and wills, often involving high-value farms and farming businesses. Anna Sutcliffe, Danielle Pawson and Charlotte Kahrman are all key figures within the team.
Kamal Majevadia and Cara Hough head up the department at Irwin Mitchell. The team specialises in a wide range of matters, with a particular focus on farming and family business disputes, notably involving proprietary estoppel and succession upon death. Michelle Chapman is a full member of ACTAPS, with her caseload including validity challenges, TOLATA and Inheritance Act claims, infant approval hearings and trust disputes. Marie Newton is noted for her broad expertise, spanning executor/attorney disputes and contested Court of Protection matters.
Andrew Wilkinson oversees the practice at Shakespeare Martineau LLP. The group offers advice on contentious trust and probate matters and professional negligence issues, as well as charity related work. Wilkinson specialises in
extensive experience advising on the validity of wills, as well as trust disputes and TOLATA matters arising from cohabitation disputes. Angie Manley has vast knowledge of high-value and complex multi-party probate claims.
Meridian Private Client Solicitors Limited Solicitors Limited is highly specialised, offering advice across estate and trust administration, non-contentious estate and tax planning advice and contentious trusts and probate. Mark Abrol is at the helm and advises on all areas of contentious trust and probate, with a particular focus on executor disputes and matters involving property issues. Mark Terrar has a wealth of experience in complex trusts, tax structures and cross-border matters. Emma-Louise Green is also a key figure within the team, alongside Abrol and Terrar she is a full member of ACTAPS.
particularly adept at advising private individuals on a range of matters, such as probate, Inheritance Act, Breach of Trust and removal claims. Working alongside Lynch, Jack Ackrill is a full member of ACTAPS, and a key member of the team.
high-value, cross-border matters. The 'practical and knowledgeable' Alistair Spencer and Tamsin Walker, who is noted by clients for her 'outstanding' ability to handle complex issues, are also highly recommended.
At Roythornes Solicitors, practice head Gavin Faber is highly regarded for his work acting for professional trustees, executors, trust corporations, charities and individuals in complex, high value claims. Emily Parry undertakes a broad range of contentious trust and probate-related matters, such as professional negligence claims involving negligent drafting of wills and other testamentary documents.
The team at MFG Solicitors LLP is led by Andrew Chandler in Kidderminster. The group acts for both claimants and defendants across a broad spectrum of matters, including Inheritance Act claims and claims regarding the validity of wills. Chandler is an ACTAPS member and oversees all aspects of contentious probate instructions. Robert Weston is also a member of ACTAPS and an experienced litigator, and Victoria Wall is another key member of the team.
The contentious trusts and probate team at FBC Manby Bowdler is well-versed in complex, high-value and multi-jurisdictional instructions. The team, headed by Charlotte Clode, often acts in Court of Appeal proceedings. Kimberly Mears has
Harrison Clark Rickerbys is well-regarded for its work on complex family trust disputes, Inheritance Act claims and the removal of executors. National practice head Beth King-Smith is a leading figure in the sector, routinely taking on complex instructions and often acting as an Independent Administrator in difficult estates. Alyson McGowan works alongside King-Smith and is experienced in high-value matters. She also has a particular niche advising on cases with an agricultural dimension.
George Green LLP’s contentious trusts and probate team is led by the experienced Susan Ford. Ford is regularly instructed in a wide array of mandates, including will validity disputes, in addition to Inheritance Act, breach of trust and proprietary estoppel claims. Ford is also a skilled litigator and mediator. Liam Owen left the practice in August 2024.
Vale leads the department at Lanyon Bowdler, which notably represents the National Farmers Union in the West Midlands. Vale herself is a specialist in probate and agricultural disputes, Inheritance Act claims and applications to remove executors. Vale is also well-equipped to handle rectification claims, as well as related professional negligence and financial abuse-related work.
Under the leadership of Mark Keeley, the team at Freeths LLP is known for handling high-value Inheritance Act claims, will disputes, removal applications and Court of Protection work. The group often handles matters which involve cross-border elements. Max Orbach is another key contact at the firm with extensive experience in handling complex cases, with particular expertise acting for executors and trustees.
Kevin Lynch leads the contentious probate team at The Wilkes Partnership, which operates at a local and national level. The team is
Sydney Mitchell LLP fields a skilled team with broad experience in commercial and property litigation. Dean Parnell heads up the practice and is an expert in high-value, complex commercial disputes. Tracy Creed maintains a varied caseload and specialises in assisting elderly clients with securing care funding for vulnerable adults.
Gateley Legal houses a national offering which handles will validity issues, related professional negligence work and family provision claims. Annam Nasir leads the team in Birmingham and has a wealth of experience across the full spectrum of inheritance and trust disputes, also handling cases involving assets abroad.
Helen Briant leads the private wealth disputes team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP. Briant specialises in domestic and international contentious trust and probate matters, with a strong focus on family disputes. Liz Mulley handles a wide array of high-value and complex commercial litigation matters, maintaining a wider practice involving civil fraud and cyber response work.
Under the leadership of the 'fantastic' Liam Owen and Patrick Farrington, the contentious trusts and probate team at Keelys LLP handles the full range of issues within the sector. Owen is a mediator and has experience handling FDR hearings, and is praised by clients for his 'amazing expertise and litigation skills', while Farrington is well-versed in complex commercial litigation. Farrington is also a High Court Enforcement Officer, making him a specialist in enforcement matters.
The team at Rothley Law Limited is headed up by Laura Abbott. Abbott is well-versed in financial provision claims relating to the Inheritance Act, and also has expertise in claims relating to the validity of wills, executor disputes and professional negligence issues arising in relation to will preparation or estate administration. Mitra Mann joined the firm in December 2024 and is well-regarded for her work on complex and highvalue inheritance matters, wills and executor disputes.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Eversheds Sutherland
Shoosmiths LLP
DLA Piper
Gowling WLG
Gateley Legal
Mills & Reeve LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Freeths LLP
Squire Patton Boggs
Browne Jacobson LLP
Legal Clarity
DWF
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
The Wilkes Partnership
Hill Dickinson LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP 1 2 3 4
Leveraging strong cross-border expertise — primarily in matters concerning the US, Europe, and Middle East — the full-service, Birmingham-based corporate team at Pinsent Masons LLP regularly handles high-value acquisitions and joint ventures. On the commercial side, the firm displays vast knowledge in IP and data protection matters, steered by commercial lead Clare Francis. Corporate head Nicole Livesey specialises in the tech, manufacturing, and industrial sectors, while Andrew Hornigold notably acts for private equity-backed businesses. Other key figures include Joanne Ellis, who is wellversed in disposals, and John Tyerman , an energy and infrastructure expert.
With a strong track record in midmarket private equity mandates, M&A transactions, and complex disposals, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP showcases ‘specialist knowledge in technical areas’, especially in the retail, food, and energy spheres. On the commercial side, the department’s focus is broad, spanning from employment and tax to the regulatory compliance aspects of cross-border corporate transactions. Catherine Eley heads the corporate division from Birmingham, specialising in joint ventures and share sales, while Kelly Holmes acts as the commercial lead. Nigel Cooke consistently assists major corporates, Louise Finnie concentrates on private equity transactions, and Tom Milburn is a fundraising expert. Both Thomas Plant and Rob Worsfold are also noted as integral members of the team.
Demonstrating strength in M&A, private equity, venture capital, and capital markets mandates, Shoosmiths LLP is characterised as ‘professional, patient, and commercial’, particularly in its approach to strategic divestments and complex investment rounds. The practice is highly regarded for its expertise in the tech and consumer goods fields, routinely overseeing M&A and disposals of issued share capital. Based in Birmingham, Alistair Hammerton co-heads the outfit alongside Simon McArdle, both of whom specialise in funding rounds and major logistics deals. Ben Turner regularly advises large corporates and high-growth businesses; Alastair Peet acts for growth capital investors; and Daniel Shilvock focuses on private equity transactions. Fiona Teague is also recommended.
Renowned for providing ‘fast, accurate, and pragmatic advice’, DLA Piper has extensive expertise in complex multi-jurisdictional M&A and disposals, with a special focus on pharma and tech sector work. The practice is well-versed in mandates concerning strategic partnerships and investments on behalf of listed companies and is experienced in managing all elements of regulatory compliance. Heading the Birmingham-based team, Tim Lake routinely acts for founder shareholders and large corporate vendors on cross-border transactions. Charles Cook primarily concentrates on the automotive and energy spheres, while Noel Haywood is a specialist in the food and retail sectors. Robert
Newman and Ryan Harrison routinely handle commercial contracts and capital markets issues. Kirsty Underhill is also recommended.
Spearheaded by the ‘invaluable’
Sarah Riding and Chris Towle, the Birmingham-based Gowling WLG practice has vast expertise in the retail, automotive, and real estate industries, routinely handling corporate disposals and pre-sale reorganisations. The firm’s commercial offering is extensive, notably covering IP, logistics agreements, and consumer contract proceedings. Working between London and Birmingham, Riding focuses on manufacturing arrangements, while Birmingham-based Towle is highly knowledgeable in multijurisdictional restructurings. Anurag Singh is an M&A specialist; Sharon Ayres is experienced in real estate joint ventures; and Elizabeth Williams advises public and private sector clients. Christopher Letters and Amar Adatia are each highlighted for their investment work.
Specialising in fundraising work in the energy space, alongside cross-border M&A transactions across the tech and healthcare fields, Gateley Legal routinely advises investment banks and major shareholders. The team is well equipped to oversee complex joint ventures and refinancings, with Birmingham-based head Andrew Cowan being an expert in reorganisations and disposals. Beth Mather predominantly focuses on private equity proceedings, Paul Cliff assists clients in acquisitions and when floating on the capital markets, while Max Moore mainly concentrates on the real estate sector. Adam Percival and Sam Meiklejohn are also highlighted as key contacts.
Headed up by the Birminghambased Junaid Haroon and Jayne Hussey, Mills & Reeve LLP has in-depth experience in a range of corporate transactions, from sales of issued share capital to cross-border M&A. The food and manufacturing sectors represent key areas of focus, with Hussey regularly advising on long-term purchasing and logistics arrangements. Harron is a corporate finance specialist, often working on private equity investments, while Julian Smith is knowledgeable in disposal projects. Ryan Hawley is labelled as ‘proactive’ and ‘responsive’, and Paul Krivosic stands out for his joint venture capabilities.
Handling a range of corporate transactions, spanning from IPOs to early-stage investment work, Shakespeare Martineau LLP regularly acts for entrepreneurs, large corporates, and multinationals. Leading the Birmingham practice, Michael Stace has a strong track record in cross-border M&A and joint venture arrangements, while Keith
Counting companies from across the tech, financial services, and healthcare sectors amongst its key clients, Squire Patton Boggs regularly advises on buy-side M&A transactions and business reorganisations. The firm’s corporate coverage extends to capital markets, with the team frequently advising on sales of issued share capital. Based in Birmingham, Geoff Perry and Simon Jones co-head the outfit; the former acts for professional investors and major corporations, while the latter has expertise in relation to outsourcing and logistics projects. Tom Durrant is a key name to note disposals, while Matt Smith chiefly focuses on general corporate governance. Partho Chaudhuri joined the practice in September 2025.
Demonstrating vast strength in the insurance broker and tech sectors, Browne Jacobson LLP’s M&A and private equity teams work seamlessly when handling complex exits and management buyouts. The firm consistently represents private equity houses and corporates in multijurisdictional acquisitions and re-investments, with Richard Cox heading the corporate outfit. The West Midlands offering is led by Mike Jackson, who specialises in fundraising rounds and portfolio transactions. Gareth Davies regularly advises sponsors and management clients, while Roger Birchall is noted for his wide-ranging corporate acumen. Matthew Dorman is also cited as key. All named lawyers are Birminghambased.
Covering all elements of disposals of issued share capital and complex share acquisitions, Legal Clarity represents domestic and international clients across the tech and manufacturing fields. Based in Birmingham, Richard Underwood specialises in joint ventures, reorganisations, and M&A. Gary Davie specialises in corporate transactions, and Chris Wright focuses on commercial matters and restructurings. Martin Clifford is also recommended.
reorganisations and venture capital transactions. In Birmingham, the ‘highly experienced’ Adam McGiveron is knowledgeable in M&A and private equity investments. Richard Wrigley is a corporate governance specialist, while Emma Bryant is skilled in complex commercial negotiations and acquisitions.
Showcasing a strong track record in high-value acquisitions and sales of issued share capital, The Wilkes Partnership’s ‘commercial approach’ attracts multinational companies and entrepreneurs. Team head Gareth O’Hara is a specialist in the automotive retail sector. Rick Smyth routinely acts for major shareholders in buyouts, while Jeremy Parkin is a commercial contracts expert. Lucy Freeman is experienced in fundraisings and corporate reorganisations. Helen Smart is also recommended.
Routinely overseeing cross-border sales of issued share capital, fundraising rounds, and M&A transactions, Hill Dickinson LLP's 'very proactive’ practice showcases strong crossborder capabilities with the US and Europe. Nick Dawson and Emma Callow head the outfit from Birmingham; Dawson is an expert in joint ventures and corporate restructurings, while Callow is highly knowledgeable on private equity investments. Matt Smith concentrates on divestments. Tom Wisniewski is also recommended.
Spedding focuses on public company transactions. Jody Webb advises founders and private equity investors, and Peter Mayhew has vast knowledge in VCT investments. Jennie Davis is also recommended. Kavita Patel retired as partner in June 2024.
Acting on behalf of domestic and international clients, both public and private, particularly in transport and IT, Freeths LLP provides ‘top-tier legal advice’ in complex managementbuyout acquisitions and sales of issued share capital. On the commercial side, the firm fields specialists from across the IP, employment, and regulatory spheres; commercial head Mark Neale is an expert in IT outsourcing transactions. Corporate lead Lee Clifford has vast expertise in M&A and private equity-related matters. Tom Brown covers all aspects of corporate law, and Nigel Gardner primarily handles logistics and supply chain issues. Mohammed Abbas is highlighted for his investment work, and Olivia Johnson is also cited as integral.
Advising both institutions and management teams on M&A, IPOs, and secondary fundraisings, DWF is especially active across the consumer goods, financial services, and transport sectors. The practice’s services include handling business contracts, public procurement, and regulatory compliance issues, while corporate team lead Mark Gibson specialises in corporate reorganisations and disposals. John Campion primarily focuses on M&A and takeovers, while the commercial head Ben McLeod is highly knowledgeable on commercial agreements in the tech sphere. All named lawyers are Birmingham-based.
An ‘excellent proposition for its clients’, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has vast expertise in the automotive, retail, and manufacturing fields, regularly handling group
Most recently handling a mix of equity investments, IT framework agreements, and software services contracts, Trowers & Hamlins LLP is hailed for its ‘personal approach’ by a range of multinationals and private equity houses. Amardeep Gill and Moad Giebaly spearhead the Birmingham-based offering, both of whom specialise in GDPR and ICT arrangements, alongside corporate restructurings. Louis Sebastian is a procurement expert, while Matt Whelan is also highlighted for his commercial contract expertise.
Especially active in the recruitment and entertainment sectors, Clarke Willmott LLP has considerable experience handling acquisitions of issued share capital and corporate restructurings. Leading the Birmingham-based outfit, Kim Klahn primarily focuses on management buyouts and corporate restructurings, while Aidan Clucas advises on investments and shareholder and constitutional matters, often in the tech and manufacturing spheres.
Higgs LLP
Wright Hassall LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
George Green LLP
Ansons
Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Lanyon Bowdler
Lodders Solicitors LLP
Band Hatton Button LLP
Enoch Evans LLP
Pickerings Solicitors
Talbots Law
Aaron & Partners LLP
MFG Solicitors LLP
Knights plc 1 2 3 4
Regularly advising on sales of listed company shares and complex fundraising rounds, Higgs LLP offers bespoke advice to clients on all aspects of management buyouts and tax reorganisations. The department regularly leverages its strong crossborder knowledge when assisting shareholders and private equity-backed corporations; the head of business services, John Heaton, is a specialist in M&A transactions and investments. Joining him in Brierly Hill, Richard Griffiths leads the corporate division, bringing considerable knowledge in mergers and share sales to the team. Other key figures include Nick Taylor, a strong corporate lawyer, and Jamie Partington, a venture capital expert. Geoff Kettle is also recommended.
Spearheaded by the Leamington Spabased duo of Freya Summers and Ann Critchell-Ward, Wright Hassall LLP has a strong track record in handling M&A, investment transactions, and restructuring projects. The division is especially well-versed in advising on cross-border sales and acquisitions, mainly within the engineering and industrial adhesives spheres. The practice has extensive expertise in managing fundraising rounds in the tech sphere and the purchase of issued share capital, with Summers chiefly focusing on private equity investments and shareholder agreements. Since joining the firm in October 2024, CritchellWard concentrates on all aspects of IP law and commercial contracts, while Rees Herrod is knowledgeable on reorganisations.
Specialising in handling complex management buyouts and acquisitions of assets, the ‘collaborative, and highly knowledgeable’ Harrison
the Sutton Coldfield-based co-head Neil Jones primarily focusing on private equity transactions and joint ventures. From Cannock, fellow co-lead Jamie Gill is knowledgeable on management buyouts and commercial agreements, while Dudley’s Paul Bennett supports companies with investments and capital reduction demergers.
practice head Marta Fisher specialises in all elements of corporate and commercial law, while Chloe Lovelock is highlighted for her experience in asset acquisitions and disposals.
Enoch Evans LLP specialises in complex M&A transactions and joint venture agreements. The firm has particular expertise in the pharmaceutical and engineering sectors and is recognised for its experience in share capital transactions. Based in Walsall, Sukie Shemar advises multinationals and SMEs on all aspects of corporate transactions, while David Evans is knowledgeable in commercial contract matters.
Clark Rickerbys team represents multinational clients from across the manufacturing, pharma, and aerospace sectors. The practice is well-versed in managing sales of issued share capital and corporate restructurings, with Wye Valley-based Arpinder Dhillon noted for her expertise in M&A transactions and disposals. The Worcester-based trio of Charlotte Thornton-Smith, Rebecca Leask, and Robert Capper are highlighted for their business contract and commercial expertise, while Alison Scott concentrates on joint ventures from Birmingham and Worcester. Based between Wye Valley and Hereford, Jennifer Staples focuses on corporate transactions in the education sector, and both Daniel De Saulles and Helen Higginbotham are also recommended.
Regarded for its ‘client-focused’ and ‘service centric’ approach, George Green LLP routinely acts for SMEs and owner-managed businesses, specialising in major M&A and share purchases, predominantly within the hospitality and manufacturing spheres. Additionally, the team is well versed in reorganisations and capital market transactions, with the Cradley Heathbased lead Sarah Ward concentrating on joint ventures and debt funding matters. Philip Round heads the firm’s banking and finance division, while in Wolverhampton, Kam Johal is noted for their restructuring expertise. Kate Hackett recently joined the practice as a partner in December 2024.
Fielding a team of specialists in the healthcare, manufacturing, and education fields, Ansons is highly regarded for its advice in complex disposals and M&A transactions. On the commercial side, the practice regularly assists with commercial contract and shareholder agreement issues, with
Boasting vast expertise in demergers, corporate reorganisations, and capital markets transactions, Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Limited is praised for its 'very knowledgeable lawyers, excellent service and delivery' when representing clients in the insurance, IT support, and manufacturing sectors. The ‘friendly, very knowledgeable’ team leader, Colin Rodrigues operates out of Dudley, primarily acting on crossborder purchases of issued share capital and management buyouts. The division consistently undertakes M&A transactions and capital reduction demergers.
Advising a range of charities, financial institutions, and investment managers, Shakespeare Martineau LLP is renowned for its corporate offering, spanning from mid-market M&A to management buyouts. Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, team leader Andrew Smith consistently acts for public and private companies in restructurings and debt fundraisings, while Ellis Pugh is experienced in supporting social enterprises and notfor-profit organisations with corporate governance issues. Nikki Sohal is also highlighted for her venture capital work.
With the ‘professional, patient and friendly’ Grainne Walters at the helm, Lanyon Bowdler is experienced in all aspects of management buyouts and acquisitions of issued share capital. Covering industries ranging from packaging to transport, the Shrewsburybased Walters is well-versed in business contracts and commercial law proceedings. In Ludlow, Edward Burrell is noted for his corporate law expertise, while Jennifer Edwards is noted for her data protection advice.
Lodders Solicitors LLP has extensive expertise in complex joint ventures, purchases of issued share capital, and refinancings. The firm regularly acts for companies and ownermanagers across the UK. Practice head Graham Spalding splits his time between Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham. Spalding is a specialist in M&A and commercial law proceedings, while Bradley Quin predominantly focuses on reorganisations and private equity transactions. Stuart Price is an IP and tech expert. Leanne Lawrence is also recommended.
Band Hatton Button LLP delivers bespoke advice in complex management buyouts, internal reorganisations of share capital, and refinancings, mainly representing national companies and publicly listed corporations. Based in Coventry,
Headed by the ‘approachable’ and ‘knowledgeable’ Craig Davies in Tamworth, Pickerings Solicitors routinely acts on behalf of ownermanaged businesses and multinational groups on complex corporate restructurings and sales of issued share capital. Davies is especially wellversed in advising on share purchase agreements and contractual matters, while Keri Pointon stands out for her ‘efficiency’ and ‘attention’ when handling acquisitions.
Talbots Law covers the full spectrum of corporate transactions, ranging from management buyouts to reorganisations, with a particular focus on investments and capital markets matters. Splitting his time between Stourbridge and Wolverhampton, Mike Linford has extensive experience advising owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs active in the worlds of automotive, manufacturing, and IT. Shaun Owen chiefly focuses on joint ventures and exit strategies. Andrew Martin is also recommended.
Counting companies from across the logistics, food, and retail industries amongst its key clients, the ‘very professional but extremely friendly’ Aaron & Partners LLP practice specialises in disposals of shares and investment rounds. Stuart ScottGoldstone heads the team from the Chester office and is supported by the Shrewsbury-based Hugh Strickland, an expert in joint venture agreements and group reorganisations. Zoe Lloyd also comes recommended.
Regularly overseeing multi-jurisdictional sales of shares and capital markets transactions, the ‘commercial and proactive’ MFG Solicitors LLP practice consistently represents multinational groups and startups. Clare Lang heads the national offering, while Laura Charles leads the Birmingham-based team, specialising in asset disposals and management buyouts. Lang is an expert in commercial transactions, while the Kidderminster-based Lucy Harrold is also recommended.
DWF
DLA Piper
Gowling WLG
Higgs LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP
Parisi Tax LLP
Irwin Mitchell Mills & Reeve LLP 1 2 3
Led by the firm's global head of tax and private capital Jon Stevens, the DWF team specialises in negotiating tax schedules in high-value acquisitions and aiding in BPRA claims. The firm fields experts in real estate and property tax proceedings, while simultaneously displaying in-depth knowledge in the retail, hospitality, and public sectors. Stevens has extensive expertise in group restructurings and reorganisations, and Tom Rank has considerable experience in handling employment taxes and share incentives. Tajinder Barring primarily focuses on tax investigations and disputes, and Alex Tolcher covers land transaction taxes and capital allowances. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.
Demonstrating vast expertise in the tax aspects of cross-border corporate transactions -- including joint ventures, disposals, and M&A -- DLA Piper is routinely engaged to advise domestic and international clients. The practice’s cross-sector knowledge is extensive, notably focusing on the banking, insurance, and transport sectors, as well as assisting real estate asset managers and investors with complex tax strategies. Mark Burgess heads the Birmingham-based tax offering, specialising in all elements of corporate and real estate taxation, working with a host of private companies and public sector bodies. Additionally, Nick Hinton provides in-depth insight into employee incentive share option arrangements and indemnity insurance policies.
Headed by Lee Nuttall, an expert on real estate and funds tax, the Gowling WLG team leverages its cross-border expertise when supporting domestic and international clients on the tax consequences of corporate transactions and stamp duty implications. The team additionally handles the negotiation of tax covenants and warranties, as well as the VAT implications and capital allowances associated with highvalue transactions. Kate Featherstone concentrates on M&A and private equity-funded transactions since joining the firm as a partner in October 2024, while Michael Sweeney is a real estate tax expert, often focusing on residential development projects. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.
The Brierly Hill-based Higgs LLP practice regularly works with large corporates, owner-managed businesses, and high-net-worth individuals, predominantly concentrating on management buyout schemes and tax legislative requirements. The firm is renowned for its handling of complex property tax issues and corporate group restructurings, with team leader Susheel Gupta providing specialised guidance on tax-efficient structures and employee incentive schemes. Richard Ferguson stands out for his tax knowledge in demergers and buyouts; Johnathan Hunter is highlighted for his capital gains tax insights; and George Hinchmore focuses on tax covenants and warranties issues.
Well-equipped to provide structuring and transactional tax assistance in corporate acquisitions, private equity investments, and trade disposals, Browne Jacobson LLP regularly acts on behalf of local authorities and not-for-profits. The team is also experienced in employee share incentive schemes and advising on private joint venture tax issues, with practice head Beth Dowson supporting clients with the tax aspects of corporate restructures and demergers. Andrew Noble is knowledgeable on tax efficient structuring matters. Rebecca Burge is a real estate tax specialist, and Christian Burchardt primarily focuses on stamp duty issues, while both Craig Thomas and Jade Williamson are also recommended. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.
With a strong track record in work covering tax covenants, employee share incentive schemes, and property taxation issues, Parisi Tax LLP leverages its cross-border expertise when handling the tax implications and general structuring of high-value acquisitions, particularly in the travel, retail, and engineering sectors. Lisa Stevenson and Becky Rees spearhead the outfit from Sutton Coldfield; Stevenson is highly regarded for her work in both entrepreneur and management team-led tax planning, while Coldfield covers the tax aspects of M&A deals. Jon Robinson is experienced in group reorganisation-based work, and Patrick Allan is recommended for property investment-related matters.
Benjamin Franklin coined the phrase, “in this world nothing can be certain except death and taxes”. Businesses crave certainty to allow them to expand, grow productivity and be innovative. These are the colours on the pallets of entrepreneurs enabling them to paint the picture of success writes Colin Rodrigues, founding partner at Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers Ltd.
In my view, the current vision of UK PLC is monochrome, and I say this having practiced in the M&A sector for over 30 years and having been a business owner. In the last 12 months alone, I have seen exit of business clients to warmer climates, deals taking longer to complete, and businesses delaying investment to achieve growth.
The level of M&A activity is an indicator of the challenges faced by the UK economy, as when M&A is busy, so is the economy, as businesses seek opportunities for consolidation, growth, expansion and succession. Hawkins Hatton Corporate Lawyers, being a boutique M&A practice, has witnessed the highs and the lows of a widespread of industry sectors within UK PLC over the last 20 years.
The recent ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor published on 9 October 2025 reported, “a record of 60% of firms are worried about the tax burden, a ten-fold increase over the last 5 years”. That is why the disruption caused to businesses in October 2024 has led to even greater fears in the run up to the November 2025 budget, given the Chancellor has again laid the seeds of increased taxes to fill the fiscal black hole.
The ICAEW reports business confidence is low. There is no point blaming Brexit for not providing the UK economy with free trade tail winds, but instead, global events led the UK economy into choppy waters, and the UK continues to navigate the rocks of recession.
The UK could be heading for calmer waters given Sir Kier Starmer’s successful trade mission in India, but the journey to safe harbours is still distant, given the November 2025 budget and there remains concerns on entrepreneurs jumping the UK PLC ship. Henley & Partners reported the outflow of entrepreneurs is projected to be 9,500 millionaires for this year alone.
Unless there is a drastic change in policy, the storm clouds will never recede, and the political turmoil will fan the winds of destruction for UK businesses and deal another death blow to what was a vibrant UK economy when I first set sail as a young and enthusiastic Corporate Lawyer in the 90s.
Mills & Reeve LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP
Eversheds Sutherland
DLA Piper
Gowling WLG
Gateley Legal
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Averta Employment Lawyers LLP
Squire Patton Boggs
Browne Jacobson LLP
Irwin Mitchell VWV
Weightmans LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP
Freeths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP
Higgs LLP
Wright Hassall LLP
Lanyon Bowdler
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Aaron & Partners LLP
MFG Solicitors LLP
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Heminsley Law
George Green LLP
TLT
Pickerings Solicitors
The Wilkes Partnership
Pillinger & Associates
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Band Hatton Button LLP
Ansons
Lodders Solicitors LLP
Knights plc 1 2 3 4 5 6
Mills & Reeve LLP‘s employment, pensions, and immigration team acts for several high-profile clients across both the public and private sectors, providing employment support on various projects. The strength of the team is evidenced by its leadership. In the West Midlands, Jog Hundle is well-regarded for her knowledge of the space and ability to find solutions to complex issues, often involving significant allegations of whistleblowing and discrimination. Richard Santy has a particular focus on complex litigation, while Richard Barker and Kate Watkins advise a range of private sector clients on a broad spectrum of employment matters.
Pinsent Masons LLP‘s employment team acts for a range of local, national,
The team benefits from the experienced leadership of Audrey Elliott, a specialist in both employment law and business immigration. Elsewhere in the team, Hannah Wilkins co-leads the crossborder employment practice, specialising in supporting global companies with issues such as restructurings and strategic outsourcing. Key support in this area is provided by Michael Hardiman, who focuses on employee relations issues.
DLA Piper‘s employment team offers clients a range of advice, and is well-regarded for delivering on large national and international restructuring and reorganisation matters. Further, the practice shows particular strength in handling complex Employment Tribunal litigation, and obtaining injunctive relief in the context of post-employment restraints. Emma Phillips leads the team with extensive experience in transactions, litigation, and cross-border projects. Sandra Wallace bolsters the team's experience, with a practice that revolves around international reorganisation and global employment compliance work. Key support in this area is provided by Lisa Hodgson, who brings significant experience in the consumer goods sector.
cases, as well as immigration-related work, and the employment-related aspects of corporate transactions. In Birmingham, David Browne heads the team, with expertise in advising on major restructures, while Tom Long is recognised for his work in the education sector.
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP‘s employment and pensions team is recognised for its expertise in the social housing, education, and charities spaces. The team exhibits strong capabilities to advise on current UK employment law compliance, providing advice on redundancies and business restructurings, as well as handling investigations, resolving trade union issues, and acting in tribunal cases. The experienced Anna Dabek leads the team, with specialisation in the health and social care sector. Further support comes from Matthew Gregson, who leads the firm’s local government sector work, and Matthew Wort.
and international names. Offering a range of employment services, the team regularly handles tribunal litigation, boardlevel restructurings, pay gap reporting, Brexit advice, and cross-jurisdictional projects. Further, the team offers advice on industrial action, as well as handling sensitive governance, discrimination, and whistleblowing claims. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Jonathan Coley, who leads the team’s specialist trade union practice, often dealing with issues of major reputational impact, and Helen Corden, who handles a range of sensitive issues in the public and private sectors.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s employment, labour, and pensions practice group regularly acts for a range of clients. The team is engaged by public sector clients, as well as various educational institutions, while also representing clients from the financial services, technology, and industrial sectors. With a strong international reach, the team is often engaged on cross-border employment issues, including redundancy exercises, global outsourcings, and the employment aspects of large M&A deals.
Gowling WLG‘s employment, labour, and equalities team is well regarded for its full-service advice to both national and international public and private sector clients. The team demonstrates specialisms in the manufacturing, real estate, retail, and central government sectors and is often seen to be advising regulators, social housing and healthcare companies, and start-ups. Such well-rounded experience and expertise is developed by practice head Jonathan Chamberlain, who brings substantial experience of international employment work, including crossborder restructurings and litigation. Anna Fletcher assists clients with a wide range of issues, from workforce planning to dispute resolution.
Gateley Legal‘s employment team is regularly engaged by clients in a range of matters, and the practice offers advice regarding site closures and restructuring projects, and handles matters concerning senior employees in severance and dispute situations. Further, the team evidences experience handling contentious work, including representing individuals in litigation on sensitive discrimination matters. Benedict Gorner leads the team, with a particular focus on restrictive covenant advice and enforcement work. The ‘friendly and approachable’ Merran Sewell demonstrates extensive experience of multi-party litigation, including tribunal claims, appellate litigation, and TUPE regulations.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s employment team advises both employers and employees across a variety of sectors. The team is well known for handling Employment Tribunal litigation, including whistleblowing and discrimination
Averta Employment Lawyers LLP‘s team operates as a niche employment law practice focusing on the needs of directors, managers, senior executives, and other professionals. When representing clients, the team handles a range of matters, including the negotiation of exit packages, settlement agreements, and discrimination claims. The group also advises on contracts and service agreements presented to clients from prospective employers. Alan Jones and David Sykes are highly experienced, providing complicated advice to clients concerning allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and whistleblowing claims. Further, Sykes has developed an expertise in handling virtual meetings with large groups of employees facing redundancy. Key support is provided by Izzy Canbury.
Squire Patton Boggs‘ labour and employment team is regularly instructed by global companies to handle complex matters. The team demonstrates experience handling investigations, litigation, and domestic and multijurisdictional restructuring and reorganisation projects, as well as board-level strategic workforce support. The team is led by Ramez Moussa, who has a particular focus on advising on employment issues that arise from insolvency situations. The team further benefits from the experience of Charlie Frost, who regularly provides support to international clients on business reorganisation and collective consultation issues.
The employment team at Browne Jacobson LLP acts for a range of clients across the firm’s key sectors, from the corporate and insurance spaces to local government, healthcare, and education clients. The practice is well-regarded for its employment advice on corporate transactions, advice on restructuring and relocations, as well as on contentious matters, with frequent work in the Employment Tribunal. Emma Capper heads the team, with a particular
focus on large-scale restructuring projects, employment disputes, board exits, and investigations. Jacqui Atkinson leads the team’s healthcare offering, with experience advising a range of NHS organisations, working with trust boards and senior individuals on sensitive issues.
Irwin Mitchell‘s employment team is noted for its depth of expertise, acting for both employers and senior employees in executive severance and dispute situations. The team is regularly engaged by clients from a wide range of sectors, including the retail, education, and manufacturing spaces. Elaine Huttley leads the team, undertaking a wide variety of advisory work for high street names, handling complex restructuring and change management matters, as well as leading on contentious tribunal matters. Laura Willis offers key support to the team in this area.
VWV‘s employment team acts as a trusted employment adviser, focusing on the education, charities, and commercial spaces. The team advises on all aspects of employment law, from helpline support to HR professionals, assisting with strategic closures, redundancies, and TUPEs, to senior executive issues and restrictive covenant matters. The team benefits from the joint leadership and experience of Jane Byford, who specialises in complex employment litigation, and Kathy Halliday, who brings particular experience in change management projects, including largescale redundancies and site closures.
Weightmans LLP‘s employment, pensions, and immigration team has particular strength in key sectors such as the hospitality and local government spaces, and also acts for the police, advising such clients on a range of employment matters. Further, the practice offers deep specialism in equal pay claims, with a dedicated practice led by Jawaid Rehman, particularly focused on defending claims against public sector organisations in the retail sector. Rehman heads the wider team, and alongside his equal pay expertise, has experience dealing with cases that involve embassies.
Bevan Brittan LLP‘s employment, pensions, and immigration team works throughout the healthcare, local authority, and higher education sectors. The team demonstrates particular strength in the independent health and social care market, handling contentious matters as well as non-contentious work such as restructurings and undertaking HR due diligence. The team benefits from the experience of Jodie Sinclair and Ashley Norman, who co-head the practice, while James Gutteridge brings experience in contentious issues, often multiple-claim and multi-day litigation.
Freeths LLP‘s employment team provides specialist advice to a wide range of employers, acting for reputable private sector clients, as well as those in the public and educational sectors. With a strong offering providing advice on restructurings, TUPE, and the enforcement of covenants, the team is
well-placed to advise clients on a range of matters. Furthermore, the team demonstrates capabilities in handling tribunal claims, with specialist advocates. Rebecca Sawbridge leads the team, with particular experience in business restructurings and redundancy processes.
Shoosmiths LLP‘s employment team acts for a range of clients, including large companies and organisations in a variety of employment matters, as well as senior executives in high-value severance negotiations. Further, the team manages a large Employment Tribunal caseload, with expertise in handling sensitive executive exits in regulated sectors such as the financial services space. Nick Vernon leads the team with his recent practice focusing on business-critical hires and terminations, complex disputes, and business reorganisations.
Higgs LLP‘s employment team continues to advise SMEs and ownermanaged businesses on a range of employment matters. The team has extensive experience in the property, transport, manufacturing, and care sectors, as well as offering advice to private clients on settlement agreements and senior executive terminations. Tim Jones leads the team with particular specialisms in Employment Tribunal advocacy and advising on confidentiality and restraint of trade provisions.
Wright Hassall LLP‘s employment law team offers a range of advice to its clients, often assisting with corporate matters, and providing guidance on TUPE transfers as part of wider asset purchasing. Further, the team also handles contentious work, acting for both employers and employees in tribunal proceedings. Tina Chander leads the practice and has extensive experience acting for global organisations, leading on multijurisdictional investigations involving allegations of misconduct, harassment, and discrimination.
Lanyon Bowdler‘s employment team offers specialist advice in TUPE and business transfers, as well as advice to private employees, including senior executives, regarding restrictive covenants, tribunal claims, and settlement agreements. The practice demonstrates particular experience in advising schools and colleges in relation to academy conversions. The team is led by John Merry, whose expertise spans employment contracts, service agreements, and restrictive covenants.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s employment team regularly assists clients in the public, private, and third sectors. The team advises on both contentious and non-contentious work, including unfair dismissal claims, discrimination and pay claims, as well as day-to-day enquiries and compliance matters. Rebecca McGuirk leads the team, with particular expertise in advising on TUPE, large-scale redundancies, and restructurings.
The employment team at Aaron &
Partners LLP has a strong reputation for specialising in sports-related matters, large-scale redundancies, as well as TUPE and corporate support work.
Helen Watson and Ben Mason lead the team, with Mason taking control of the Shropshire team, focusing on the financial, IT, and sports sectors. Jennifer Gibson offers key support to the team, with particular experience representing clients in Employment Tribunal claims. MFG Solicitors LLP‘s employment and HR services team regularly assists clients with TUPE advice in relation to M&A transactions, as well as discrimination claims, dismissals, redundancies, and compliance matters. Sally Morris heads the team, advising on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters.
Sydney Mitchell LLP‘s employment department represents both employers and employees, with significant work in Employment Tribunal hearings, often concerning discrimination claims, trade union disputes, and injunction proceedings. The team also advises on non-contentious matters, such as TUPE, handbook drafting, and contractual issues. Emma-Louise Hewitt leads the team, working with clients on the full range of employment issues.
Heminsley Law‘s employment and people risk team advises companies on a wide range of people risks, from employment law to bribery and corruption issues. The firm is wellregarded for its expertise in handling sensitive internal issues, whistleblowing and discrimination claims, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Trevor Gibson leads the team, with support from Jemma O’Reilly and Simon Stephen.
The employment team at George Green LLP provides key support to the firm’s corporate team, with solid expertise in TUPE, restrictive covenants, and confidentiality litigation. Tim Lang leads the team with expertise in data protection advice, while Amy Brokenshire offers additional strength advising employer clients on senior level exits.
TLT‘s employment team demonstrates strong expertise across multiple sectors, advising clients on a range of matters, including senior executive exits, reorganisations, and general employment advice as part of corporate transactions. The experienced Charlie Rae leads the team, with particular focus on advice relating to senior executive terminations, outsourcing and insourcing situations, and TUPE.
Pickerings Solicitors‘ employment team acts for organisations in a variety of sectors, including the manufacturing, leisure, care, and education spaces. The team is experienced in dispute resolution matters, handling difficult employee situations as well as tribunal cases involving discrimination, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal, and wage claims. Joanna Robson leads the team, with particular experience handling contentious discrimination cases, often concerning pregnancy, maternity, and family-friendly work rights.
The Wilkes Partnership‘s employment team provides the full range of contentious and noncontentious employment law advice, including specialist expertise on TUPE, discrimination claims, and restrictive covenants. James Leo heads the team and primarily focuses on contentious
matters. Pam Sidhu is noted for her experience in business immigration, including skilled worker sponsorship matters.
Pillinger & Associates‘ employment team offers a range of advice to clients throughout the market. The team exhibits strong capabilities when handling non-contentious large-scale redundancies and HR-related matters, as well as contentious claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination, and victimisation, both on behalf of employers and employees. Amanda Pillinger acts as a sole practitioner with a strong reputation in the market.
Harrison Clark
Rickerbys' employment team offers general employment law advice with expertise in the defence, infrastructure, and national security sectors. The team is well-positioned to advise clients on all types of tribunal litigation, HR advisory matters, exit negotiations, and redundancies. The practice benefits from the experienced leadership of Michael Stokes, with particular expertise in trade unions and collective labour law; Omer Simjee, who brings experience in the Employment Tribunal; and Rebecca Kirk, who is ‘outstanding in her professional approach’.
Band Hatton Button LLP‘s employment team deals with a varied caseload of both contentious and non-contentious matters, working with commercial clients and private individuals. With experience handling employment contracts, business transfers, and consultancy agreements alongside Employment Tribunal litigation, the team is well placed to advise clients on the full range of employment law matters. Mark Ridley heads the team with a focus on advising both employers and employees in relation to unfair dismissal, redundancy, breach of contract, and discrimination claims.
Ansons' employment team assists clients with internal matters such as employment documentation, disciplinary and grievance issues, and terminations, to large redundancy and restructuring projects. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Jason Alcock, experienced in contentious issues before the Employment Tribunal, and Martin de Ridder.
Lodders Solicitors LLP‘s employment team focuses on performance and absence management, disciplinary and grievance procedures, as well as redundancies, reorganisations, and termination of employment issues. Damian Kelly leads the practice, assisting clients from a variety of sectors on a wide range of employment matters.
Irwin Mitchell
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Mills & Reeve LLP
Weightmans LLP
The Wilkes Partnership
Clarke Willmott LLP
Lodders Solicitors LLP
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Stowe Family Law LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Shakespeare Martineau LLP VWV
Rayden Solicitors
Cartwright King
Brendan Fleming Limited 1 2 3
Irwin Mitchell remains a go-to choice for significantly wealthy individuals seeking advice on a wide array of complex and acrimonious nuptial finance matters, modern family matters such as surrogacy and assisted reproduction, and complex child issues. Highly reputed family lawyer Mark Hands leads the team, supported by ‘force of nature’ Zahra Pabani, whose remit encompasses high-value financial remedy and pre- and post-nuptial agreements for ultra wealthy clients, and Sarah Balfour, a principal point of contact for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and elderly or vulnerable clients and their families. Marie Kilgallen’s caseload spans child law work, financial remedy, and wealth protection. Also on the team is the ‘truly excellent’ Sabrina Powell, well-versed in advising cohabiting and unmarried couples, and Charlotte Clewes, who is noted for knowledge of issues of capacity and her extensive areas of capability. Dan Moreton is a key contact for LBGTQ+ families, and hybrid mediator Rachel Baker leads the team’s NCDR practice. Sangeeta Kohli, Tara Smith, and Lucy Todd are also recommended.
Noted for its uniquely well-staffed public and private family law practices, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP handles a large volume of work for legal aid and high-net-worth clients across Birmingham. Highly regarded financial remedy litigator, mediator, and arbitrator Christopher Lloyd-Smith co-leads the team alongside Jas Tamber, an expert in representing both parents and children in cases of serious abuse. Also on the team is Elizabeth Wyatt, who tackles high-value financial remedy and private child law matters, and ‘excellent lawyer’ Maria Ramon, a key contact for wealthy divorces, complex nuptial finance litigation, and child-centred mediation. ‘Trusted solicitor’ Madhur Sharma handles issues complicated by issues of radicalisation, non-accidental
law and other ADR methods and wellversed across the full spectrum of private family law matters, the team is equipped to handle disputes involving cross-border assets as well as issues of capacity, abuse, and coercive control. Mike Follis arrived in November of 2024, bringing over 40 years of experience to the practice.
With lawyers dedicated to private and public family law work, The Wilkes Partnership assists a broad client base with the full spectrum of nuptial and child law-related matters. Veteran Aaron Keene leads the private family law team, which includes highly recommended mediator Jackie Lee, and well-rounded practitioners Shabina Bi and Grace Hallam. The public law group, led by complex childcare expert Ruth HarrisonByrne, consists of Samantha Hodson, who handles highly sensitive matters involving children and vulnerable people, as well as seasoned specialist Gail Hope. Hayley McCormack joined the practice in June 2025.
injury, neglect, contested adoption and multijurisdictional cases, while Charlotte Raybould is recognised for her work on sensitive children’s cases. Andrew Crumpton, Kadie Bennett, and ‘standout associate’ Narinder Singh are further key names.
Krina Parmar, an experienced specialist in public child law matters involving highly sensitive and culturally complex safeguarding and criminal matters, co-leads the team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors alongside Rupinder Jagdev, whose broad practice includes matters linked with immigration issues, sexual abuse, and more; Julie McNamara, whose focus is on divorce, private child law matters, and issues of international child abduction and domestic abuse; and Sophie Burchett, who pivots across private and public child law matters, handling instructions related to abuse, neglect, substance abuse, and non-accidental injury. Working under their leadership are divorce and child lawyer Adam Bloodworth; Harriet Phillips, who handles complex child matters; and Oluwatobi Akinwande, who concentrates on domestic abuse cases. Anil Jakhu, Henna Sajid and Arti Maini are further key names.
Mills & Reeve LLP houses a comprehensive private family law practice poised to assist clients with various matters, from multijurisdictional financial remedy issues to assisted reproduction matters. Practice lead Katherine Kennedy focuses on high-networth clients negotiating settlements involving complex businesses, trusts, and high-profile individuals. Kennedy is supported by a team, which includes Matthew Saunderson, who focuses on TOLATA, Schedule 1, and surrogacy cases, among other family law instructions, and Stephanie Hawthorn, a key litigator of complex child and financial matters. Victoria Potts specialises in surrogacy work.
Tania Derrett-Smith, who handles the financial aspects of relationship breakdowns and disputes over child arrangements, leads Weightmans LLP’s Birmingham-based family offering, supported by Rupa Parekh, whose broad remit encompasses high-net-worth financial remedy and wealth protection agreements. Trained in collaborative
Clarke Willmott LLP‘s family law practice is wide-reaching, with significant experience in instructions complicated by domestic abuse and coercive control, and financial remedy negotiations involving family businesses. Adept across litigation and alternative methods such as private FDR, the team is led by the ‘brilliant’ Rayner Grice, whose expansive practice spans highvalue divorce, separation and complex children law matters involving a range of issues including parental alienation and abuse. The bench is strengthened by Adam Maguire, a key contact for wealth protection agreements and financial remedy, and Caroline Young, a lawyer experienced in complex private child law matters related to neglect and abuse.
Led by non-Hague child relocation expert and ‘outstanding practitioner’ Vivienne Middleton, Lodders Solicitors LLP’s family law practice takes on high-value and high-complexity cases for a wealthy client base, from wealth protection agreements to conflicted child-related disputes. Middleton is supported by Justin Creed, a lawyer notably experienced in financial remedy matters involving farms, large estates, and complex businesses; and Baldish Khatkar, a key contact for clients from minority backgrounds. Another important name is Katie Hurst, whose broad practice encompasses nuptial matters featuring elements of domestic abuse. Former practice head Beverley Morris left the firm for Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ London office, and Caroline Dresden also left the team.
With notable experience navigating matters involving abuse, Sydney Mitchell LLP‘s family offering runs the gamut of mandates. Co-leading the practice is Karen Moores, whose remit spans matrimonial finance, complex pension issues and children issues. She is joined by fellow co-head Mauro Vinti, who handles a variety of financial matters, including those involving businesses, complex commercial aspects, and international assets. The
‘thorough, honest, and supportive’ Gemma Whitchurch focuses on financial remedy issues and cases complicated by abuse; trained collaborative lawyer Teresa Mannion bolsters the firm’s ADR offering; and Claire Sargant and Emma Gray come highly recommended by clients.
Rebecca Calden-Storr, who advises clients in regard to high-value financial remedy and delicate child-related issues, leads the team at boutique firm Stowe Family Law LLP, which deals with complex, multijurisdictional work across the full gamut of family law matters. Seasoned practitioner Claire Cleary specialises in high-net-worth financial remedy work, and Sara Morton is recommended for complex financial cases involving business assets, pensions, and overseas assets. Alice Price advises on a wide range of matters, including complex pension issues, and Emma Gibson focuses on private children law cases. TOLATA work is led by barrister Ethan Connor, who joined the firm in February 2025.
Offering a host of ADR methods alongside representation in court, Harrison Clark Rickerbys‘ Birmingham office sees a stream of highnet-worth individuals seeking advice on financial remedies, cohabitation matters, child contact issues, and various other private family law matters. The ‘amazing’ Victoria Fellows leads the team, assisting clients with all aspects of matrimonial financial planning and dispute resolution. Mediator Hannah Nicholls offers the firm’s ‘one couple one lawyer’ service, and is well-versed in international child relocation issues. Shereen Chohan has experience advising cohabiting couples on matters such as TOLATA and Schedule 1, and is spearheading the firm’s Sharia law offering.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP’s Birmingham-based family offering is well-rehearsed in the negotiation of complex, high-value, acrimonious, and often multijurisdictional financial remedies and other instructions related to the finances and children of married and cohabiting couples. The group is led by ‘genuine force’ Aasha Choudhary, and includes Monica Ghai, who handles child and financial remedy matters with culturally complex elements, and ‘skillful technician’ Robert Norris, who comes highly recommended for high-risk child law issues, high-net-worth divorce, and wealth protection agreements. Deanna Phillips-Mills is another key team member.
Led by Lucy Barr, VWV’s family offering in Birmingham is engaged by high-net-worth clients to handle the complex financial side of divorce through contentious and alternative means, as well as to draw up pre- and post-nuptial agreements for individuals with significant assets to protect. The group, which includes Amy Parker, is also experienced in matters involving children.
Rayden Solicitors is engaged by a diverse client base on a variety of financial remedy proceedings and children work. ‘Absolute stalwart’ Mary Kaye, whose practice centres around highly sensitive child cases, wealth protection agreements, and other nuptial finance matters, leads the team, which includes Lauren Parton, a key contact for unmarried and married couples alike. Patrice Coughlin specialises in children matters and the breakdown of cohabitee relationships.
Cartwright King is known for its work handling highly sensitive child abuse and neglect matters involving FGM, forced marriage, issues of mental health and housing instability, and more. Practice co-head Fiona Bowen concentrates on complex childcare proceedings, often involving issues of abuse, capacity, and Court of Protection matters. Other co-lead Matthew Cannan is a public law specialist experienced in a range of high-risk and cross-border care matters, and is well-practiced in acting before the Family Drug and Alcohol Court. Daniel Maiden is well-versed in representing children.
‘Outstanding lawyer‘ Samantha Gallett and the ‘highly committed’ Rebecca Ward lead the team at Brendan Fleming Limited, which handles private and public family law work, specialising in legal aid cases centred around allegations of non-accidental child injury. Other key team members include Ellie Satterthwaite and Natasha Satterthwaite, who each come highly recommended by clients.
Higgs LLP
MFG Solicitors LLP
FBC Manby Bowdler
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Brethertons LLP
Lanyon Bowdler
Pickerings Solicitors
Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd
Knights plc
Band Hatton Button LLP
George Green LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Wright Hassall LLP
Mercy Messenger 1 2 3 4
Based in Brierly Hill, Higgs LLP’s family law practice serves a varied and highnet-worth client roster from across the region with complex financial remedy, wealth protection, cohabitation, and childrelated matters, both in and out of court. Seasoned practitioner Philip Barnsley heads the operation, supported by Rhian Gray, who has a niche specialism handling cases involving a party who has lost capacity. Ellie Norton takes on instructions centred around a range of sensitive family law issues. Harbinder Gosal joined the firm in January 2025.
Katherine Tippetts, whose caseload primarily consists of high-net-worth wealth protection and financial remedy matters, heads up the family law offering at West Midlands outfit MFG Solicitors LLP. The team is well-versed in the full spectrum of private family law matters, with Elizabeth Tuchener-Ellis taking the helm on complex child-related work involving international complexities, and also offering support to clients in high-networth financial remedy cases. Another key figure in the practice is the Worcesterbased and ‘tactically astute’ Gurdip Kaur Brring, who specialises in divorces involving family businesses, offshore assets, and farms, as well as cohabitation matters, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Sian Kenkre comes highly recommended for various issues, and ‘one to watch’ Kennedy Langley and Anna Robinson support the group from Kidderminster.
Based across various locations in the West Midlands, the substantial family law practice at FBC Manby Bowdler is headed by high-value and agricultural financial remedy specialist Philip Cowell. The team has vast experience advising high-net-worth clients with complex assets and businesses, including those overseas or inherited from family. The firm also houses a team of solicitors with notable expertise working on Children Act cases involving serious allegations and safeguarding issues. Sarah Millington handles child-related and matrimonial matters for farming clients, and Elizabeth Harris-Clark specialises in highly sensitive child law cases. Mediator Claire Darley has particular experience handling financial matters involving overseas assets and resources. Collaborative lawyer Emma Smith and well-rounded practitioner Kate Rowley are further key
cohabitation agreements, and various child law matters, Pickerings Solicitors’ Tamworth-based family team is led by a duo of experienced names. Co-lead Susan Davies is the firm’s divorce and separation lead, acting for clients in litigation and through collaborative and other alternative means, and fellow co-head Richard Westley handles the practice’s children law caseload and is highly experienced in acting for children directly in public and private law disputes. Joanna Craddock takes on care cases for children, parents, and family members and is also adept at navigating serious cases, an area where Hannah Naughton is similarly well-versed. Seasoned solicitor Jane Hinds focuses on matrimonial instructions.
names. Rajpreet Sangha offers a variety of services including the negotiation of wealth protection agreements, and veteran family specialist Anne Thomson supports the group as a consultant.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys assists a variety of families with the full range of matrimonial and child-related issues, emphasising alternative dispute resolution while remaining active in litigation. Spread across the region, the Worcester office is co-led by Anita Hennessey, an advocate who focuses on highly sensitive child-related cases, and Laura Williams, a mediator and specialist adviser to unmarried couples; the Hereford offering has been headed by Christopher Finch since April 2025. The leads are supported by Wye Valley-based financial remedy and child lawyer Alex Wilson, seasoned litigator James Osborne, and Maxine Reid, who concentrates on financial work involving overseas assets and interests. Lauren Nash and Amy-Marie Vale are both experienced advocates.
From negotiating pre-nuptial agreements to navigating complex and sensitive child cases, the team at Lanyon Bowdler helps clients before the courts and via ADR under the direction of ‘exceptional’ Sue Hodgson, an expert in complex childrelated disputes, including cases with crossborder, safeguarding, and criminal aspects. Philippa Pearson’s practice encompasses managing child law matters and the financial fallout of relationship breakdowns, from marriages to civil partnerships, specialising in advising farming clients. Staci Robinson comes highly recommended for a variety of family law instructions, and Caroline Yorke, Lisa Grimmet, and ‘very strong associate’ Anne Lewis are further key team members.
Experienced in nuptial finance negotiations,
Spread across the Warwickshire and Coventry region, Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd offers private and public family law counsel. Shelley De’Worringham leads on private matters, including high-value and acrimonious financial remedy, pre- and post-nuptial agreement negotiations, cohabitation disputes, surrogacy arrangements, and Child Act disputes. Lisa Blizzard heads up the firm’s public family law offering, often receiving instructions relating to neurodiverse children. Collaboratively trained lawyer Jonathan Miller has notable experience advising cohabiting couples, and Lynne Steptoe specialises in divorce, financial relief, contested child disputes, and injunctive relief proceedings. Also on the team is Alex Butler, whose broad remit includes cases involving local authorities.
As a trained collaborative lawyer and experienced child-inclusive and hybrid mediator, Tracy Cross leads the compact team at Coventry outfit Band Hatton Button LLP, which routinely assists high-net-worth clients engaged in financial remedy proceedings with cross-border aspects, as well as handling complex family matters involving criminal elements, and other matters complicated by abuse, estrangement, and more. Ruth Hayfield supports Cross with the full spectrum of matters and has a particular interest in child work.
Black Country-based George Green LLP is led by Mark Vandaele, who specialises in financial remedy proceedings where complex business structures and challenging company valuation disputes arise. Gemma Fenton leads in Sutton Coldfield, and is knowledgeable in Children Act disputes and relationship breakdown. In Cradley Heath, Richard Port is best known for his work with victims of domestic abuse. Aimee Stokes is experienced in child-related litigation and out-of-court resolution options.
Experienced in Children Act proceedings as well as matrimonial finance work, handling financial remedy disputes involving international assets, trusts, businesses and large pensions, and negotiating wealth protection agreements, the team at Shakespeare Martineau LLP advises a wealthy client base. Helen Bowns heads up the team from the Stratford-uponAvon office, acting for high-net-worth clients. Deanna Phillips-Mills’ broad practice covers relationship breakdown and matters involving domestic abuse.
Under the leadership of new practice head Karen Brennan, the team at Wright Hassall LLP assists clients, often with business and agricultural assets, regarding financial remedy matters and wealth protection and cohabitation agreements. The team also handles private child law cases, an area where Laura Stocks focuses.
Jonas Roy Bloom
Cartwright King
Kangs Solicitors
Tuckers Solicitors
Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd
GQS Solicitors
Kang & Co Solicitors
Hussain Solicitors 1 2 3
Regularly involved in high-profile HMRC investigations and general crime cases before the NCA and SFO, Cartwright King specialises in acting on behalf of small businesses and multinational companies across the banking, construction, and manufacturing sectors. The practice’s expertise ranges from assisting clients on the avoidance of fraud to compliance with anti-money laundering legislation, while team head Laura Smith is an expert in financial crime proceedings. In Birmingham, John Allchin is highly knowledgeable on Russian sanction laws and fraudulent trading issues, while Sharad Buddhdev, who works between Leicester and Birmingham, plays a pivotal role in murder and drugs claims.
Fielding specialists in criminal and white-collar crime defence claims, Kangs Solicitors is praised for its representation of high-profile private clients, media personalities, and large corporations. The team is well-versed in money laundering, VAT fraud, and complex theft cases, and demonstrates an increasing focus on crypto-based crimes. Splitting his time between London and Birmingham, team leader Hamraj Kang is highly knowledgeable in VAT fraud and corruption disputes, while Birmingham-based John Veale predominantly concentrates on Ponzi schemes and bribery proceedings. Helen Holder is a serious crime expert. Timothy Thompson is also recommended.
Tuckers Solicitors provides tailored advice on the full range of criminal offences, spanning from fraud and financial crime, with a particular focus on supply of drugs and speeding offence claims. The practice is experienced in both burglary charges and sexual assault cases; Birminghambased co-lead Alex Atkins regularly represents vulnerable clients accused of serious crimes. Fellow practice coheads Karl Brankin and Paul Kay both specialise in white-collar and business crime disputes. Brankin is based in Coventry, while Kay is based in Stoke.
Overseeing complex extradition claims as well as matters concerning drug importation and money laundering offences, Alsters Kelley Solicitors
Ltd has experience in advising clients at Magistrates, Crown, and High Courts. The firm’s wide-ranging expertise extends to assault claims and careless driving offences, with practice head Jas Thiara chiefly focusing on criminal defence work and breaches of food safety regulations from her bases in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.
Spearheaded by the Birminghambased duo of Ishfaq Qadir and Ahmer Sattar, GQS Solicitors regularly works with clients being investigated and prosecuted by law enforcement agencies, ranging from HMRC to the NCA. Qadir advises on all aspects of financial crime and sexual offences, chiefly representing company directors and estate agents, while Sattar heads up the serious and complex crime team.
Working with a host of private clients, Kang & Co Solicitors specialises in allegations of assault, dangerous driving, and arson claims. The practice’s scope of expertise is extensive, ranging from rape charges to motor collision cases, with Birmingham-based Manjinder Kang and Kirandeep Kang spearheading the outfit. Both are highly knowledgeable on all aspects of serious criminal and driving offences, with a specific focus on specimen and speeding claims.
Notably focused on cases concerning conspiracy to supply firearms and drug importation, Hussain Solicitors is well equipped to represent defendants before the Birmingham and Wolverhampton Crown Courts. Based in Birmingham, team leader Basharat Hussain has considerable experience in high-profile terrorism and fraud cases, while Abid Hussain is noted for his experience in murder proceedings. Nadeem Naguthney is also recommended.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Weightmans LLP
Shoosmiths LLP
Gowling WLG
DAC Beachcroft LLP
Gateley Legal
DWF
Bevan Brittan LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP
Clyde & Co
Keoghs LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Kennedys
The health and safety and regulatory risk advisory team at Pinsent Masons LLP has considerable experience advising clients in the construction, manufacturing, transport, and waste industries. Alongside contentious work, the team also offers noncontentious advisory assistance, including compliance advice and training courses. Furthermore, the practice demonstrates expertise in marine safety matters, acting for energy clients, offshore drilling contractors, and marine insurers. Sean Elson leads the Birmingham team, specialising in corporate regulatory affairs. Elson’s experience as a criminal advocate provides an understanding of the criminal courts and rules of evidence in regulatory matters.
Weightmans LLP‘s regulatory core team is regularly engaged by clients throughout the space. The practice has specialist teams handling environmental and business crime, and defends and prosecutes health and safety, food safety, and fire safety mandates. With a broad range of clients, from educational institutions to blue-chip international companies and major insurers, the team is well-experienced to assist with a range of matters. Andrew Brammer leads the team, with a focus on protecting both businesses and individuals during investigations, prosecutions, and inquests. Further support is provided by Tom Boulton and James Muller.
1 2 3
Shoosmiths LLP‘s business crime and compliance team remains a reliable firm for corporates and senior leaders involved in serious cases involving fatalities, manslaughter, and major accidents; the group is also well-regarded for its crisis management expertise and understanding of adverse press and reputational risk. The team continues to provide specialist advice throughout a variety of sectors, including the healthcare, manufacturing, and food spaces. Hayley Saunders leads the national team out of the Birmingham office, with both contentious and noncontentious offerings. Kirsty Hughes advises companies on a wide range of health and safety matters, handling both internal and external investigations.
Gowling WLG‘s regulatory crime team understands and is immersed in key sectors including the construction, quarrying, and manufacturing spaces, as well as food and healthcare industries.
The team has strong capabilities in handling investigations by both the police and HSE, with regard to serious offences such as corporate manslaughter, and resultingly the team is well-versed in managing adverse press coverage and maintaining clients’ reputations. Andrew Litchfield leads the Birmingham team with wide experience of regulatory investigations, while Michael Hafen and Natalie Barton-Howes bolster the strength of the team.
DAC Beachcroft LLP‘s safety, health, and environmental regulatory team continues to advise clients involved in significant manslaughter, health and safety, and environmental cases, with industry expertise that spans the construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and transport spaces. The Birmingham team handles a range of matters from manslaughter investigations, prosecutions, environmental investigations, as well as food safety and inquests. Steven Harrison leads the Birmingham team, with significant experience handling all aspects of regulatory investigations and prosecutions, and a background in defendant personal injury work; Harrison is well placed to advise on both civil and criminal aspects of the cases he is involved with. Further support in this area comes from Rebecca Dart.
Gateley Legal‘s regulatory and business defence team handles a range of health and safety matters, providing advice on all aspects of crisis management. With expertise across a number of sectors, including the housebuilding, construction, and manufacturing spaces, the team advises on major health and safety investigations across a range of regulatory issues. Ruth Armstrong leads the team and offers specialist crisis management services. Key support is provided by Sophie McCormick.
DWF‘s regulatory, compliance, and investigations team handles a range of serious health and safety cases. The team’s expertise spans various sectors, from the energy, maritime, and retail industries to the healthcare, construction, and local government spaces. With specialisms in contentious health and safety work, the team regularly avoids convictions for corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, and other safety offenses, while also offering non-contentious advice to clients. The team benefits from the joint leadership of David Egan and Simon Belfield, with knowledge ranging from serious workplace incidents to public inquiries. Caroline Depledge is also recommended for investigations and prosecutions.
Bevan Brittan LLP‘s criminal regulatory and compliance team handles a range of health and safety matters; non-contentious advice includes assisting with fire safety, building safety, and statutory compliance, and the group also acts for local authorities prosecuting contentious proceedings, and defends private and public sector organisations. Adam Kendall leads the team and brings a wealth of experience, particularly in the
aftermath of workplace fatalities, advising both individuals and organisations subject to police investigation.
Browne Jacobson LLP‘s insurance and public risk team acts for many private sector organisations in relation to health and safety accidents and incidents, including fatal accidents. The general team also advises on health and safety issues arising from the food, environment, healthcare, and road traffic spaces, and works with numerous public sector clients, often representing local authorities in respect of fatal and non-fatal accidents. Rachel Lyne acts out of the Birmingham office, with significant experience advising clients on corporate manslaughter, fire safety, and food hygiene matters.
1 2 3
The safety, health, and environmental regulatory team at Clyde & Co handles a variety of health and safety matters, and is regularly instructed by corporate and insurer clients, alongside providing assistance to clients in the aftermath of serious incidents. Further, the group handles significant litigation as part of serious manslaughter cases, as well as working with clients subjected to a range of internal and external investigations. Bob Davies leads the Birmingham team, with extensive experience handling health and safety executive investigations and prosecutions.
Keoghs LLP‘s crime and regulatory team handles a variety of high-profile health and safety breaches for a range of clients, including corporate entities, insurers, and individual directors. The team has experience handling adverse event investigations, inquests, inquiries, and prosecutions sought by the CPS, HSE, and fire and food authorities. Chris Green leads the team, with specialist knowledge of traffic commissioner inquiries, motoring prosecutions, and food safety breaches.
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP's regulatory team provides advice to clients from a range of sectors, with significant experience in health and safety, fire safety, and building safety legislation. The team regularly advises and represents clients in HSE, police, and internal investigations, as well as in prosecutions and inquest proceedings. Tim Coolican leads the team, often assisting clients with their health and safety obligations in relation to employees, residents, and members of the public.
Kennedys‘ health and safety team advises and represents defendants facing police, HSE, and local authority prosecutions, and also assists in court and during inquest proceedings. With specialist knowledge of motoring offences, the team regularly handles driving cases and frequently acts for companies during the immediate aftermath of serious incidents. Naomi North heads the team, with considerable experience in high-profile and technical motor cases, often receiving instruction from insurers.
Sometimes it is the minor details that prevent the successful enforcement of a County Court Judgment (CCJ).
The most critical of these is suing the correct entity, because we can only pursue the party named on the writ of control. Although it sounds obvious, it happens more frequently than you might expect and can be easily prevented through some simple checks by you and your client.
These include checking the status of a business - whether a limited company, PLC or a sole trader. If they trade as one name but are registered as another, name both, for example Joe Bloggs trading as Bloggs the Builder, or ABC Limited trading as Bloggs Construction.
If there is a written purchase order, estimate or contract, look at the business name provided and check them on Companies House. If there is any lack of clarity, resolve this before submitting Form N1.
Whilst a client may want to pursue the case as far as possible, it is worth researching whether the business is still actively trading, has income and/or assets, or have they appointed an administrator or liquidator? If your client wishes to do these checks, credit reference agencies and Companies House are good sources of information.
If you think it unlikely that the debtor will pay once the CCJ is awarded and that enforcement action will be required, as much information about the debtor as possible will support the case: phone numbers, email address, trading address (often different to the registered address), operating hours. For individuals, find their employment and marital status, home and work address, vehicle details and date of birth.
As High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEO), we can enforce any unregulated debt of £600 or more. We are the largest independent High Court enforcement company, have enforcement agents nationwide and a strong focus on providing excellent client service, with a 94% client satisfaction score.
We also have a strong track record of success. Based on the most recent data released by the High Court Enforcement Officers Association, we have 22% market share, but we collected 27% of all the money recovered. The industry average for the proportion of cleared writs paid in full was 19.5%, but our rate was 24.3%.
Get in touch to find out more about how we can support you and your clients. Visit hcegroup.co.uk, call us on 08450 999 666 or email ClientServices@hcegroup.co.uk
Gateley Legal
Pinsent Masons LLP
Eversheds Sutherland
Shoosmiths LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Freeths LLP
Squire Patton Boggs
Browne Jacobson LLP
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Higgs LLP
The Wilkes Partnership
DLA Piper
Gowling WLG 1 2 3
Gateley Legal‘s restructuring and insolvency team is regularly engaged by a variety of clients across the practice area. The restructuring advisory team offers a range of restructuring advice to banks, private equity clients, asset-based lenders, and insolvency practitioners. Daniel French leads this team with expertise in advising distressed businesses, with a particular focus on real estate issues arising within an insolvency context. Furthermore, the contentious insolvency team handles a range of insolvency-related litigation, often acting on behalf of officeholders and institutional creditors. Mark Wilson heads this area of the practice, with particular expertise in civil fraud matters, often advising on complex claims for dishonest assistance, conspiracy, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
The finance and restructuring team at Pinsent Masons LLP is a bank-led restructuring team and is noted for its relationships with several clearing banks and asset-based lenders. While the team does handle traditional work, it is particularly well-known for its market-leading pensions restructuring expertise, providing complex advice and assisting with pensions insolvencies. Further, the team is established in the debt market, with expertise in all forms of debt trading. Amy Flavell leads the team and is acknowledged for her ability to assist clients with both contentious and non-contentious work, and for sector specialisms that include charity restructurings, retail CVAs, and energy sector mandates. Sarah Robinson has strong relationships with local insolvency practitioners and has assisted on several restructuring matters.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s restructuring team advises on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious, corporate and real estate insolvency matters, as well as on complex club
and syndicated financial restructurings. The team regularly handles solvent and insolvent debt restructurings across several sectors, including the retail, leisure, energy, and real estate spaces. Furthermore, the practice demonstrates unique technical experience in supersenior and unitranche restructurings, alongside experience with a wide range of debt management restructuring tools. Andrew Jordan acts out of the Birmingham office, also leading the national restructuring group, and handles complex restructuring mandates for a range of clients. Jenna Poulton leads the Birmingham team and is highly regarded for her experience with financial restructuring mandates, particularly those with multi-faceted lending structures. Key support is provided by Anne-Louise Lawrence.
Shoosmiths LLP's corporate restructuring and advisory team continually advises clients on a range of matters throughout the market, and regularly acts for leading banks, financial institutions, major insolvency practitioners, as well as distressed lenders and private equity firms from a wide range of sectors, including the retail, engineering, technology, and financial services spaces. Demonstrating exceptional knowledge of administration matters, restructuring plans, company voluntary arrangements, and liquidation matters, the practice is well-suited to assist clients with a range of issues. James Keates leads the team, with a particular focus on distressed lending, corporate recoveries, and restructuring plans. Key support is provided by Charlotte Duce.
expertise from within the firm, particularly in the banking and financial services space, to assist clients with a full range of matters. Andrew Taylor is the national head of the team, advising on formal insolvency issues; additional support is provided by Sheena Tandy and Christopher Neale.
Freeths LLP's restructuring and insolvency team advises on complex issues across a diverse client base, including insolvency practitioners, banks, debt funders, and large corporations, possessing significant experience in addressing issues across various sectors, such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and real estate spaces. The team benefits from the joint leadership of John Jeffreys and Mike Gilmour, with respective focuses on restructuring and bankruptcy work. Key support is provided by Grace Millar, who regularly advises insolvency practitioners, directors, and other stakeholders on both contentious and non-contentious insolvency matters.
Squire Patton Boggs‘ restructuring and insolvency team advises a variety of clients on complex matters. The team demonstrates expertise in a range of sectors, handling key work in the retail and hospitality sector, financial and banking services space, and manufacturing industry. The breadth of knowledge is evidenced by the team’s leadership team, with Devinder Singh specialising in contentious insolvency, restructuring and advisory work for insolvency practitioners, corporates and financial institutions. Elsewhere in the team, Russell Hill handles distressed disposals and restructurings, while Oliver Ward-Jones has excellent knowledge across all areas of restructuring and insolvency law.
Browne Jacobson LLP‘s restructuring and insolvency team is primarily non-contentious focused, with expertise in advising on restructurings in the automotive and aerospace sectors, as well as advising on the insolvencies of regulated financial services providers, and assisting asset-based lenders. The practice benefits from the experienced leadership of Stephen George, with particular expertise in distressed debt recovery, corporate restructuring, and formal insolvency matters. Amy Keogh focuses on non-contentious transactions, acting for insolvency practitioners, clearing banks, and asset-based lenders throughout the market.
The restructuring and insolvency team at Sydney Mitchell LLP acts for a range of clients, providing advice on corporate recovery and insolvency matters. The group is particularly wellknown for its advice to bridging lenders on recovery options regarding property portfolios where the borrower is an individual or company, and assisting insolvency practitioners in contentious matters involving claims against directors. Leanne Schneider-Rose has particular experience concerning the law on receivers and often advises lenders, insolvency practitioners, and agents on related issues. Key support is provided by Heleena Gandham.
and reorganisations. The team is led by Sam Payne, with a particular focus on advisory and transactional assignments, and bolstered by the experience of Alan Meiklejohn, who advises a range of office holders and fixed-charge receivers in insolvency practices. Stuart Taylor regularly advises insolvency practitioners.
Higgs LLP‘s restructuring and insolvency team regularly handles business restructuring matters, corporate insolvency issues, contentious insolvency disputes, as well as individual director disqualification and bankruptcy matters. Lauren Hartigan-Pritchard heads the team, with expertise that spans the market, often advising on large transactional and advisory insolvency matters regarding the sale and purchase of distressed businesses. The team is strengthened by the arrival of Lewis Onions, with additional support provided by Suky Mann and Chloe Shilton.
The Wilkes Partnership‘s business recovery and insolvency team handles a range of contentious and non-contentious insolvency work for both personal and corporate clients, working with insolvency practitioners and directors throughout the market. David Cleary heads the team, regularly advising officeholders on all aspects of corporate insolvencies and restructuring matters. Andrew Garland and David Guest provide additional support, with expertise in defending directors subject to disqualification proceedings and personal insolvency matters, respectively.
DLA Piper‘s insolvency and restructuring team advises a broad range of clients on all aspects of insolvency and restructuring matters. The team is well-known for its depth of expertise, particularly in the retail, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors. Deborah Brown and Aino Miles operate out of the Birmingham office, and have experience in non-contentious corporate restructuring work, advising a range of corporate clients, lenders, insolvency practitioners, and property agents.
Gowling WLG‘s restructuring and insolvency team has significant experience handling distressed situations and managing a wide stakeholder base, including sponsors, pension trustees, overseas parent companies, and various regulatory bodies. With experience across a broad cross section of industries, the restructuring team regularly advises on administration, insolvency, and restructuring matters. Jasvir Jootla leads the team with particular expertise in distressed restructuring assignments, and key support in the Birmingham office is provided by Ian Weatherall and Emily Rust.
and lenders, as well as corporates. The practice is able to exploit sector
Harrison Clark Rickerbys‘ restructuring and insolvency team advises on both restructuring matters and contentious insolvency litigation. The team is well regarded for its expertise in handling complex restructurings, acting for insolvency practitioners, directors, and lenders, alongside assisting with insolvency disputes, other litigation,
Mills & Reeve LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Lodders Solicitors LLP
Meridian Private Client Solicitors Limited
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Enoch Evans LLP
Lanyon Bowdler
The Wilkes Partnership
Sydney Mitchell LLP
FBC Manby Bowdler
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Band Hatton Button LLP
VWV
Wright Hassall LLP
Pickerings Solicitors
Weightmans LLP
Aaron & Partners LLP
MFG Solicitors LLP
George Green LLP
Higgs LLP
Irwin Mitchell
Talbot & Co
Mander Hadley Solicitors
Roythornes Solicitors
Talbots Law 1 2 3 4
Mills & Reeve LLP is highly regarded for private client work in the West Midlands, thanks to its deep bench of talented and experienced lawyers. The group stands out for its advice to business owners, particularly family businesses, and high-net-worth individuals, families and landed estate clients, excelling in estate planning and wealth structuring work. Regionally, John Grundy and Catriona Attride are the leading practitioners in the area. Lucy Howard, who focuses predominantly on contentious matters, and Adam Williams, who is a key adviser to wealthy philanthropists and their charities, play central roles in the practice. Stephen Atkinson is among the region’s leading experts on family investment company planning and implementation issues, and Sarah Wood is highly regarded as an emerging talent.
Clients of Shakespeare Martineau LLP remark on the firm’s in-depth knowledge of complex trust and tax law. The firm handles the full range of wealth, tax and succession planning matters for families, landed estates, entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as trust and estate administration involving international assets, and advice to elderly clients on capacity issues, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters. The ‘helpful, patient and caring’
firm that has ‘great knowledge of the law and the intricacies that surround it’. Key partner Jon Croxford leads the private client group, while Natasha Smith takes the lead on tax matters, and Eamonn Daly handles tax planning, wealth succession, and asset protection for high and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Executors of complex estates, and UK-based trustees often seek out Peter Gate, who leads the estate planning group. Senior tax manager Jordan Jackson specialises in HMRC disclosure, investigations and compliance work.
The Birmingham office of Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is home to highly skilled private client specialists, including lead partner Donna Holmes, who frequently acts as a deputy for disabled or vulnerable clients, and handles numerous PI trusts. Lindsey Bohanna takes the lead on estate planning and administration issues. As well as advising on wealth protection structures for families and high-networth, and Court of Protection matters, recent work has included advice on problematic home loan schemes.
Sydney Mitchell LLP is 'readily accessible and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to tax and trusts'. The private client practice handles complex tax and estate administration matters, contested and non-contested Court of Protection matters, care funding work, and much more. Tracy Creed in Shirley, who is 'one of the leading lawyers in the country in critical health care', and Shelley Collingbourne in Sheldon are the key contacts. They lead a team of 'friendly, open and knowledgeable' professionals, among them Shirley-based Lorna Payne, who specialises in assisting high-net-worth clients with wills, power of attorney and tax planning.
At FBC Manby Bowdler, the private client group is ‘personable and professional and clearly has a lot of expertise’, according to clients. Kim Carr in Wolverhampton, Graham Fuller in Shrewsbury, and Sara Simson in Redditch lead the West Midlands wills, probate and lifetime planning team, which frequently assists business owners and agricultural estate owners with complex estate planning and business succession matters. In Wolverhampton, the ‘highly responsive, compassionate and personable’ Christopher Bate is an expert in Court of Protection matters and PI trusts, and the ‘incredibly knowledgeable and efficient’ Christina Polychronakis in Wolverhampton is one of the firm’s many full members of STEP.
Hannah Tait in Solihull and Verity Kirby in Birmingham lead the practice. Also in Birmingham, former practice head Lesley Davies and tax specialist Julia Rosenbloom, who ‘has an energetic yet thorough approach to dealing with clients’, are highly regarded.
The Stratford-upon-Avon office of Lodders Solicitors LLP is home to a deep bench of experienced lawyers, who are ‘very approachable and offer a personable service’. The team is led by Louise Igoe, who assists high-networth clients on estate and succession planning, and oversees the administration of complex estates involving agricultural and business properties. John Rouse frequently advises farmers on tax and estate planning for strategic land sites. Dawn Oliver is vastly experienced in estate and lifetime planning, and is a trustee of numerous large grant making charities. New arrival Michelle Gavin from Band Hatton Button LLP is ‘extremely helpful and displays a huge level of knowledge’, while Jennifer Russell is recognised as an emerging talent. The firm recently opened a Birmingham office.
Meridian Private
Enoch Evans LLP has expanded its reach across the region in recent years and consistently delivers ‘exceptional client service, technical expertise, and a compassionate approach to sensitive matters’. ‘Highly knowledgeable and very experienced’ practice head Richard Neea in Walsall leads the group, in which Reiss Matthews in Sutton Coldfield provides ‘clear, thoughtful advice’, and Emily Kenny in Cannock and Lisa Flavell in Walsall have extensive expertise in wills drafting, care fees, asset protection, and IHT planning. The firm also excels in Court of Protection matters.
Lanyon Bowdler‘s private client offering has a presence in all of the firm’s offices and serves clients across Shropshire, Herefordshire and North Wales. The service is ‘efficient and streamlined’, and practice head Edward Rees in Telford is well known for his work on trusts and high-net-worth estate administration. David Pugh in Shrewsbury handles a variety of matters including the preparation of wills encompassing business and agricultural property relief. In Oswestry, Karl Beckett and the ‘knowledgeable and experienced, always responsive’ Kevin Thomas are the key contacts.
The private client group at The Wilkes Partnership is 'caring, kind and professional', and acts for high-net-worth individuals and SME owners across the region and further afield on the full range of tax, trusts, wills and estates matters. Trust specialist Andrew Hasnip in Birmingham and the 'unfailingly efficient' Ellie Holland in Solihull, who frequently advises on succession planning for business owners, co-lead the practice. The 'diligent and expeditious' Sophie Fenn and Ann-Marie Aston, both based in Solihull, play central roles in the firm's Court of Protection work and are experienced in acting as professional deputies.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys has continued to build on its strong presence in the West Midlands with notable hires at partner level. In late 2024, Terry Cooper joined the Birmingham office from Knights plc, and Claire Pottinger (who ‘exceeds expectations with her knowledge, industry expertise, and specialist insights’) joined the Worcester team from George Green LLP. They joined the experienced team led by Laura Banks in Birmingham, Beth KingSmith in Worcester, Julia Stahl in Wye Valley, and Emily Sadler in Hereford. All have extensive expertise in advising highnet-worth individuals, business owners, farmers and elderly clients on all aspects of private wealth.
The private client practice at Band Hatton Button LLP in Coventry, which is led by high-net-worth and complex financial remedy specialist Tracy Cross, is 'very responsive and cares about its clients'. Newly promoted Charlotte Macalister, who deals with Court of Protection matters, as well as wills, LPAs, deputyships, and estate administration, is the standout practitioner, and clients praise her 'friendly, sensitive yet professional approach'. The firm is sought after for advice on all aspects of wealth protection and inheritance planning. VWV has 'a strong, professional team always willing to go the extra mile for clients'. It is well-versed in advising high-net-worth business owners, farming families, politicians, private banks and charities on estates, trusts and tax matters. Local partner Rachael
Armstrong, who is co-head of the firm-wide private client group, 'sets the highest of standards and works tirelessly for clients'.
Based in Leamington Spa, Wright Hassall LLP has expertise in dealing with elderly or vulnerable clients, as well as high-net-worth individuals with complex probate and estate administration concerns. Clients are ‘consistently impressed by the firm’s collaborative approach and high standards’. Head of the firm’s dispute resolution and corporate groups Gemma Carson oversees the private client team, in which the ‘client-focused, caring and knowledgeable’ Richard Dundee is the key adviser on trusts; he frequently assists with the administration of high-value estates with international or agricultural assets.
Based in Tamworth and attracting a high-net-worth client base from further afield, Pickerings Solicitors is singled out for its 'excellent personal service'. Key partners are Lucy Cooling, who is the go-to lawyer for complex trusts, and head of private client Emma Harrison, whose broad practice frequently includes estates and probate work involving significant property assets. Marie Tisdale is particularly strong in matters concerning agricultural farming businesses and rural estate succession planning.
Weightmans LLP has a deep bench of lawyers in its Birmingham office, where the national team manager Sarah Louise Walker oversees the firm-wide practice; her work includes complex matters involving trusts with agricultural interests. The firm is particularly wellknown for its work on handling estates and trusts on behalf of business owners, which includes advice on lifetime trusts, charitable trusts, business protection and family investment companies.
The wills, trusts and tax group at Aaron & Partners LLP is 'extremely professional, but also friendly which makes the whole experience a lot easier and more comfortable'. The practice is led by Clive Pointon in Chester and sole Shrewsbury-based partner Lynda Richards. Amy Morris is a key adviser on succession planning and estate administration.
MFG Solicitors LLP is well versed in estate administration, probate, tax and wealth planning, trusts and Court of Protection matters for clients with significant assets, among them business owners and company directors, as well as the very vulnerable and elderly. Giles Scott in Kidderminster leads the practice. Tax specialist Sally Smith and Janna Vigar, who frequently handles probate and estate administration matters with business and agricultural elements, are the key contacts in Ludlow. Valerie Robinson in Dudley is 'thorough, extremely knowledgeable, very professional and always approachable'.
According to clients, George Green LLP is 'large enough to cope and small
enough to care'; the team handles the full range of work from simple LPA to complex IHT planning, and frequently acts as independent trustee in contested matters. Louise Axford in Cradley Heath leads the group and is described as 'technically on point and trustworthy'. Kate Mahon recently joined the team in Sutton Coldfield.
Irwin Mitchell's lifetime and estate planning team is known for 'its combination of deep industry expertise and a client-centric approach'. Clients remark that it provides 'not only high-quality legal advice but also strategic insight' into complex matters of estate and succession planning, asset protection, cross-jurisdictional issues, trusts, and other wealth structures for high-net-worth clients. Jessica Beddows, who is the lead partner in Birmingham, 'effectively bridges the gap between legal theory and real-world application'.
Talbot & Co in Burton upon Trent is regarded as 'knowledgeable, proactive and experienced' and Tom Bramall is 'a safe pair of hands and can advise on big and small estates’. He has acted for many generations of high-net-worth families on trust and estate administration issues, tax planning, and wealth management.
The private client team as Mander Hadley Solicitors works across its Coventry and Kenilworth offices, advising on complex probate matters, inheritance tax planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Court of Protection matters. The 'extremely approachable' Rachel Blackburn leads the practice, and 'amazingly helpful' probate specialist Linsey Graham is highly recommended by clients.
Roythornes Solicitors has grown its presence in the West Midlands, and the practice is led from Tim Galloway in Huntingdon and Court of Protection and PI trust specialist Joanna Grewer in Birmingham, whose advice is 'sensible, authoritative and, importantly, very practical'. Amy Lloyd is a key adviser on complex capital tax planning for highnet-worth individuals.
Talbots Law is 'excellent at dealing with estate administration'. Jodi Flint in Kidderminster, who excels in wills and tax planning, the administration of estates and post-death issues, leads the deep bench of trusts and estates specialists. Key names include Richard Stone in Stourbridge, Trish Venables (who is 'always professional yet friendly') and Stan Willets in Dudley, and Holly Elphick in Codsall.
THE LEGAL 500 2026.
No5 is proud to have retained its position as one of the country’s dominant sets having been ranked across 15 practice areas in the Midlands; Individually our barristers received 152 Midlands rankings in addition to 197 nationwide. These specialisms include Administrative and Public Law; Business and Regulatory Crime; Clinical Negligence; Commercial Litigation; Company and Insolvency; Court of Protection (Health & Welfare); Crime; Employment; Family: Children and Domestic Violence; Personal Injury; Planning and Environment; Private Wealth, Probate and Tax; Professional Disciplinary Law; Property and Construction; and Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy.
This rounds off a fantastic year for No5, which has seen Michelle Heeley KC and Peter Goatley KC take over the reigns as Heads of Chambers, and Tom Schofield appointed the rank of King’s Counsel. Michelle Heeley KC and Sioned Davies were named Barrister of the Year and Junior Barrister of the Year, respectively, at the Birmingham Law Society Awards. In addition, family barristers Orla Grant and Heather Popley were recognised as Barrister of the Year at the Worcestershire Law Society and Leicestershire Law Society Awards respectively.
Tony McDaid, pictured, CEO of No5 Barristers’ Chambers, said: "We are delighted with the rankings and feedback in the Midlands that Legal 500 have so diligently compiled. To see No5 described as a ‘fantastic set with an incredible strength in depth’ and ‘widely considered to be ‘the leading set in the Midlands” is a testament to the hard work of the members and the administration. We are immensely grateful to our clients for taking the time to provide feedback and we look forward to growing and developing chambers in 2026.”
Founded over a century ago, No5 now houses over 260 barristers, including 40 silks, and provides both national and international services from its offices in Birmingham, London and Bristol.
Throughout its history, No5 has developed a reputation for breaking new ground and continues to be regarded as a forwardthinking set. No5 maintains its success in traditional sectors of law while offering specialist advice and representation at the cutting edge of newly evolving areas.
Chambers continues to attract high-quality work in all disciplines, combining excellent service standards with a progressive, modern and flexible approach to clients’ needs.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Eversheds Sutherland
Gowling WLG
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shoosmiths LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP
Squire Patton Boggs
MFG Solicitors LLP
Band Hatton Button LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Freeths LLP
The Wilkes Partnership
DLA Piper
Lodders Solicitors LLP 1 2 3 4 5
Fostering close links with major universities and multinational corporations, Pinsent Masons LLP has vast expertise in complex breach of restrictive covenant and lease termination claims. Additionally, the firm is well-versed in highprofile rights of light cases and data protection proceedings. Based in Birmingham, the ‘absolutely fantastic’ practice head Alicia Foo is an expert in securing possession orders and injunctions. Sarah Campey focuses on cases arising out of residential regeneration schemes, and Craig Downhill is knowledgeable in easement disputes, while Pierre Smith focuses on the retail, energy, and electronic communications fields. All named lawyers are based in Birmingham.
Delivering bespoke advice on Building Safety Act claims and mandatory injunction proceedings in a ‘commercial and implementable way’, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has strong links with banks, institutional landlords, and energy companies. The firm routinely assists with complex vacant possession strategy issues relating to mixed-use developments and car parks, whilst the Birmingham-based team lead David Feist specialises in real estate disputes and regeneration schemes. Lisa Barge is an expert in dilapidation cases, Rob Holloway concentrates on portfolio management matters, and Paul Moorcroft is noted for his landlord and tenant work. Arren Thornton primarily focuses on the utility sector, while Samantha Miller is noted for her knowledge in infrastructure initiatives. With a strong track record in restrictive covenant claims, dilapidation cases, and complex rent review issues,
commercial developers. Dilapidations and contested lease renewals are further areas of expertise. The Birmingham-based duo of Kate McCall and Nicholas Shepherd lead the outfit, both of whom are noted for their focus on rent reviews and break disputes. Paul Knight acts for commercial landlords, while Elinor Sandbach is a litigation specialist. Richard Wilcox mainly advises on disputes under development agreements. Natalie Aldread is also recommended.
her lease renewal litigation expertise. MFG Solicitors LLP specialises in complex adverse possession and trespass disputes, representing clients from across the energy, real estate, and agriculture sectors. Headed up by Worcester-based Kirsten Bridgewater — who focuses on misrepresentation and environmental issues — the firm has vast expertise in nuisance and negligence claims. Bromsgrove-based Harjie Singh Bindra is a property litigation expert, while Worcester-based Kevin Morgan covers boundary disputes.
Based in Coventry, Band Hatton Button LLP has extensive expertise in complex dilapidation disputes and rent arrears claims. John French heads the team, while Jon Wilby is noted for his focus on commercial property and construction work. French routinely acts for private investor landlords, while both Raman Dhillon and Katie Stanton are also recommended.
Gowling WLG is routinely called upon by local boroughs, insurance corporations, and government departments. The practice has expertise in managing rights of light and alleged misrepresentation disputes, with noteworthy experience in High Court proceedings. Clive Chalkley oversees the national offering, while Paul Barker spearheads the Birmingham division, specialising in acting for energy providers and housebuilders. Rob Bridgman is hailed as an ‘excellent partner’ who focuses on the telecoms sector. David Wigy is experienced in advising on developers’ breaches under development agreements. Thomas Kiernan-Wilson is also recommended.
Covering a wide range of property disputes, spanning from lease terminations to right of light cases, Shakespeare Martineau LLP regularly acts on behalf of national universities and multinational corporations. The practice’s knowledge extends to claims regarding landlords’ repudiatory breaches and obtaining emergency Possession Orders, all headed up by Vanessa Joll. Based in Birmingham, Martin Edwards is highly knowledgeable in restrictive covenant and dilapidation proceedings, while the ‘excellent’ James Fownes covers all aspects of commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Other key figures include Justine Ball, who routinely acts for developers and landowners.
Demonstrating extensive knowledge in tenant regearing forfeitures and rent arrear claims, the ‘superb’ Shoosmiths LLP team draws upon strong cross-border capabilities when assisting corporate occupiers and
Predominantly focusing on breach of contract claims in tandem with complex enforcement actions, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP is experienced in representing city councils and housing associations on all aspects of property litigation. Based in Birmingham, Helen Tucker focuses on leaseholder disputes and disrepair claims, while Philip Scully acts for institutional landlords and retail tenants. Rebecca Sembuuze specialises in lease injunction cases.
Fielding specialists in forfeiture and rent arrear cases before the High Court, Bevan Brittan LLP routinely advises major trusts and boroughs, demonstrating a specific focus on the health and property investment sectors. Birmingham-based Mark Robertson is an expert in propertyrelated telecoms disputes. Raman Thandi-Bal and Chris Deverex are also highlighted as key members.
Focused on the public, retail, and insurance sectors, Browne Jacobson LLP is highly regarded for its expertise in rent arrears and trespassing claims. The firm’s expertise extends to cladding replacement and Building Safety Act cases. The team is led by James Coles, who works between the firm's offices in Birmingham and Nottingham. Other key figures include Hannah Parry, an expert property litigator, and Katie Briggs, who acts for commercial landlords and tenants.
Maintaining close ties with major universities and housing associations, Mills & Reeve LLP is highly knowledgeable in dilapidation, insurance arrears, and misrepresentation claims. From Birmingham, practice head Henry Mahalski is well versed in restrictive covenant and lease renewal disputes. Charlotte De Silva concentrates on rent review cases, while Laura Woodward is also highlighted for their wide-ranging experience in contentious matters.
Concentrating on complex break clause and dilapidation claims, the Squire Patton Boggs team is hailed by clients for its ‘knowledge’ and ‘professionalism’. Michelle Adams, who heads the Birmingham offering, specialises in the telecoms sector, while Mobeen Amin concentrates on breach of covenant disputes and forfeitures. Stephanie Hadley is also highlighted for
Fielding experts in handling major cases involving fire safety and Building Safety Act issues, Freeths LLP regularly advises commercial landlords and multinational corporations. Led by ‘standout’ head David Marsden , a specialist property litigator, the Birmingham-based team has noteworthy experience in managing cases before the County Court.
Showing expertise in lease renewal disputes and trespass claims, The Wilkes Partnership routinely acts for both commercial landlords and tenants. Led by the Birmingham-based practice head Kevin Lynch, an expert in dilapidations and easement disputes, the team is noted for its experience in forfeiture and restrictive covenant issues. Other key figures include Harriet Critchley, who is noted for her experience in matters concerning rent review and contested break notices.
Handling a range of dilapidation, debt recovery, and judicial review claims, DLA Piper provides ‘invaluable legal and commercial’ advice to clients from across the infrastructure, retail, and real estate sectors. Petra Billing heads the Birmingham-based outfit, primarily focusing on minerals litigation, while Rob Shaw is experienced in the telecoms industry. Samuel Lane is noted for his expertise in adverse possession cases. Mary Barraclough is also recommended.
Splitting her time between Stratfordupon-Avon and Birmingham, Victoria Khandker, a specialist in contractual property disputes, leads the Lodders Solicitors LLP team. The group is well versed in complex trespass claims and adverse possession proceedings, with Stratford-based Kyle Wyness focusing on dilapidation cases. Ellie Crofts and Lauren Hutchinson are also recommended.
contested probate. Congratulations to Aaron Luxton, Craig Ludlow, Danielle Gotts St Clair, Jamie Johnston, and Kinza Wahid who all received a first ranking, and Oliver Nunn who was named as the Midlands’ only ranked specialist agricultural law barrister.
3PB’s Tier 1 family law group once again tops the rankings in divorce/financial remedy and children/domestic abuse. This year has seen exceptional growth in 3PB’s Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) services, notably family law arbitrations and mediations with financial remedies and private law children cases to the fore. Congratulations to Ayesha Bell-Paris and Matiss Krumins who all received a first ranking.
Established Midlands set ranked in Legal 500 across 26 areas of law
“3PB is an excellent set with a range of barristers of the highest quality ”
“Their growth is testament to their success and breadth and depth of their experience ”
“The clerks are helpful and always willing to assist ”
“An exceptional chambers, from the first point of contact with the clerks through to the end of the matter Nothing is ever too much and counsel are approachable and available ”
Legal 500 2026
LEADING SETS 1
Offering a wide range of business and regulatory crime expertise, No5 Barristers’ Chambers is ‘a very strong set’ with members who are well-versed in prosecuting and defending clients in corporate and gross negligence manslaughter, environmental offences, health and safety fatalities, trading standards and food safety cases. Christopher Hopkins, known for his ‘sound tactical judgement and a pragmatic approach’, successfully represented a defendant convicted of causing death by careless driving before the Court of Appeal in an appeal for the suspension of the sentence. Tim Pole, pictured, acted as counsel for a construction company in bringing a fine approaching £1m down to £50,000, resulting from a prosecution brought by the HSE following a fatal accident.
The regulatory team at St Philips Chambers offers significant expertise in handling the full spectrum of consumer offences and business crime matters, including both prosecution and defence work. Jonathan Barker, pictured, is ‘a hard-working junior with an excellent manner with clients’, and a highly soughtafter counsel for health and safety issues, currently acting for a defendant in a multi-million-pound business fraud case. Ben Mills notably represented the HSE in HSE v Balfour Beatty, a case involving an accident on a construction site at the University of Birmingham, resulting in one worker’s death and life-changing permanent injuries to another.
LEADING SETS 1
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is widely considered to be ‘the leading set in the Midlands with a first-rate private wealth offering.’ Louise Corfield, pictured, handles all aspects of contentious probate work, including will validity challenges, Inheritance Act claims, and claims concerning the administration of trusts and estates. The ‘exceptionally thorough’ Angus Burden focuses exclusively on contentious trusts and probate work. He is also noted for his considerable mediation experience. Ian Bridge has a strong track record handling tax disputes. Jason Perrin has recently acted in significant High Court cases involving wills and estates; both concerned wills challenged on grounds of fraud, undue influence, and lack of testamentary capacity, among other issues.
St Philips Chambers has a particularly strong reputation for its ‘depth of expertise in relation to contentious probate matters’.
John Aldis, pictured, has considerable experience acting in claims where wills are challenged on the grounds of incapacity, undue influence, or fraudulent calumny. He is widely praised by clients for his attention to detail and technical knowledge. With a facility for ‘breaking down complex ideas’, Christopher Buckingham has a varied practice with a particular emphasis on traditional chancery work. John Randall KC retired from practice in April 2025.
LEADING SETS 1
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is ‘a fantastic set with an incredible strength in depth in the medical negligence field from junior to KC‘. Led by the ‘remarkably intelligent‘ John Coughlan KC, the team has a solid track record in handling a wide range of complex clinical negligence work. The ‘very thorough‘ Chris Bright KC often advises on brain injury cases, while Mamta Gupta is well versed in handling gynaecological, orthopaedic, and birth injury cases, as well as mental health suicide cases. Dental negligence matters are a core area of strength for Louisa Sherlock. Richard Grimshaw was appointed to the circuit bench in October 2024.
LEADING SETS 3
Kings Chambers has a strong reputation in the Midlands for its clinical negligence offering. Satinder Hunjan KC, pictured, is highly regarded for his expertise in advising on complex, high-value claims, including birth injuries. Anna Diamond specialises in clinical negligence law and regularly acts for claimants and defendants in a wide range of matters, including claims of delayed or missed diagnoses. Nicholas Truelove is ‘a strong advocate and always performs exceptionally well in court‘, with an excellent track record in representing claimants in clinical negligence work.
At St Philips Chambers, Colin Baran garners praise for his ‘particular expertise in gynaecological injury and delay in diagnosis of cancer cases, where his depth of knowledge and experience really stands out‘. Petar Starcevic‘s workload includes claims involving alleged missed or delayed diagnoses. Andrew Evans‘ ‘ability to explain complex medical and legal issues with clarity is invaluable‘; he acts for claimants in a wide spectrum of complex matters, including spinal injury cases. fatal, neurological, spinal, and orthopaedic injuries. Neil Shastri-Hurst is now Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley.
LEADING SETS 1
No5 Barristers’ Chambers continues to offer ‘strength in depth at all levels’ when it comes to commercial dispute resolution. Nicholas Cobill, pictured, is praised by clients as ‘tremendously clever with a brilliant legal mind’. He regularly appears in high-value multitrack proceedings in the High Court; in A F Kopp Limited v HSBC UK Bank PLC he is acting for HSBC in relation to claims brought by a former business customer for breach of contact and breach of duty of care arising from the suspension of a foreign currency account during an anti-money laundering review - the claim concerns the effect of a standard banking clause that excludes liability for direct or consequential loss. Yasmin Yasseri has an excellent reputation for her ‘hands-on approach’ and ‘keen eye for detail’. In Muylle-Facon BV v Combrink & Others she is defending her client against accusations that it procured a breach of contact. At the more junior end, Annie Townley continues to build a strong practice.
St Philips Chambers is ‘one of the leading sets in the Midlands’ for commercial litigation work with a ‘broad depth of expertise’.
John Brennan is a senior junior with considerable experience in high-value commercial disputes. Robert Mundy KC’s , pictured, wide-ranging practice covers contractual, company, insolvency, and commercial fraud disputes; he took silk in March 2025. Ali Tabari stands out for his experience handling disputes involving allegations of fraud. Marc Brown is ‘technically astute and leaves no stone unturned in court’. Kirsty White’s varied practice regularly sees her appear in the High Court and County Court as well as from time to time in the Court of Appeal. She recently acted for the defendant in Hussain v Ford Motor Company Limited, defending the company against a claim for damages arising from a defective vehicle. John Randall KC retired from practice in April 2025.
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is one of the leading sets in the Midlands for company and insolvency work with considerable strength in depth, particularly at the senior end. Mark Anderson KC is praised by clients for his ‘superlative ability to explain the most complex points in the most straightforward way’. Mohammed Zaman KC has notable recent experience in high-value shareholder disputes; he is currently acting on behalf of former North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen in relation to three linked unfair prejudice petitions concerning agricultural and property trading companies.
St Philips Chambers ‘is a well-regarded set known for its expertise in company and insolvency’ work with some ‘standout individuals’ in these fields. Robert Mundy KC’s wide-ranging practice includes high-profile company and insolvency cases; in Syspal Capital Ltd v Truman he represented the claimant, with the trial considering the terms on which a majority shareholder was entitled to purchase the minority shareholder’s shares. He took silk in March 2025. Ali Tabari is praised by clients as ‘completely unflappable’ and noted for his ‘clear and practical advice’. Natalie Kearney has a strong track record in both company and insolvency work; she appeared in Lime & Black BPS Limited (In Liquidation) v Gill, in which a claim was brought by a company in liquidation involving allegations of de facto directorship, misfeasance, breach of fiduciary duty, and knowing receipt related to VAT fraud.
No5 Barristers’ Chambers continues to be recognised as ‘a very efficient barristers’ chambers’, with its members appearing in a wide array of high-profile and complex criminal cases, including allegations of murder, terrorism, drug conspiracies, and serious sexual offences. Michael Duck KC recently secured convictions in a trial involving the fatal stabbing of a non-league footballer on a nightclub dance floor—two defendants were convicted of murder, while a third was found guilty of affray. Michelle Heeley KC,pictured, described as ‘excellent with clients and advocacy’, successfully prosecuted a defendant in a case involving the homophobic murder of an elderly gay man; the offender received a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years. John O’Higgins recently represented a man convicted of manslaughter after being accused of murder in a case involving the brutal assault of a vulnerable individual in his own home. Ian Bridge and Tim Pole remain go-to counsel for serious road traffic matters and are regularly instructed in cases involving fatal collisions and lifealtering injuries.
Displaying ‘strength in depth and a wide variety of counsel’, St Philips Chambers remains the ‘go-to set’ for advice on the full spectrum of serious criminal work. ‘Effective and robust cross-examiner’ Richard Atkins KC recently prosecuted a case involving a gang who, after attacking a rival’s home on consecutive nights, fatally hacked the rival’s father to death with machetes in broad daylight, resulting in convictions for all defendants for conspiracy to murder, two for murder, and one for manslaughter. Rebecca Wade KC, who is known for her ‘calm and measured approach in advocacy’, successfully prosecuted a gang involved in the fatal stabbing of a man over an electric bike, raising issues around joint enterprise, loss of control, and property ownership, and concluded with multiple convictions for other defendants and a life sentence
Established in 1965, our ethos is to work in partnership with our clients in order to ensure consistent excellence. Chambers prides itself on our attention to detail, approachability, efficiency and skill.
We are the only set of chambers on the Midland Circuit to offer a comprehensive service across the East and West parts and remain to be a modern multi-disciplinary set renowned for its exceptional mix of barristers at all levels of experience, with particular specialism across our core practice areas of:
• Family (Private, Public, Finance)
• Dispute Resolution
• Civil
• Housing
• Business and Property
• Crime
• Regulatory
with a 25-year minimum term for the principal offender. ‘Excellent criminal barrister’ Tom Walkling KC and Jennifer Josephs KC, who is widely praised for her ‘flawlessly prepared, incisive and powerful cross-examination and legal submissions’ took silk in March 2025.
LEADING SETS 1
No5 Barristers’ Chambers remains a ‘go-to chambers for employment work’ in the Midlands ‘with quality counsel at all levels’. ‘Silk in the making’ Mugni Islam-Choudhury mainly acts for large institutional employers such as NHS trusts, charities, and schools, and is noted particularly for his experience handling whistleblowing, grievance, and disciplinary investigations. He leads the team, with discrimination, whistleblowing, and TUPE specialist Jack Feeny deputising. Feeny recently appeared in the Court of Appeal on behalf of the claimants in Clark and Bell v Chief Constables of Derbyshire & West Midlands Police & Home Secretary, with the appeal considering whether the Employment Tribunal had jurisdiction to consider discrimination complaints relating to the policy injury benefit scheme following claims by two retired police officers that the scheme was discriminatory against people with their specific disabilities.
St Philips Chambers is widely praised as ‘a strong chambers with good availability at both senior and junior levels‘ in respect of employment law specialists. The team, led by Edmund Beever, pictured, has considerable combined experience representing large private employers, private individuals, and public sectors clients like NHS trusts and local authorities. Beever’s recent highlights include his representation of Nottinghamshire County Council in connection with a claim for religious discrimination by a Christian teacher dismissed for accessing a genderquestioning child's safeguarding report. Sophie Garner, ‘an excellent lawyer with a very personable and positive approach‘, has a strong track record handling discrimination and whistleblowing cases. Anthony Johnston is known for his ‘sharp and methodical’ advocacy style. He recently acted for the respondent in Pipe v Coventry University Higher Education in relation to a claim of age and disability discrimination brought by an individual with ADHD and insomnia, a former BBC journalist teaching at the university but without a PhD, who alleged that the university’s framework for academic progression unlawfully discriminated against neurodivergent and/or older applicants.
LEADING SETS 2
3PB is well known as a strong set for employment work on the Midlands Circuit with ‘a wide range of counsel of varying seniority and expertise’. Craig Ludlow primarily acts for private and public sector respondent organisations, including corporate clients in the financial services, retail, transport, and aviation sectors as well as NHS trusts, county councils, and education providers. Sarah Bowen is ‘exceptionally detail focused‘ and stands out particularly for her work in
the education, healthcare, and regulatory sectors. With ‘a strong eye for detail and procedure’, Daniel Brown is a discrimination law specialist who often represents doctors and other healthcare professionals, NHS trusts, and care homes.
LEADING SETS 1
With ‘a profound understanding of family law and non-accidental injury cases‘ and considerable experience in care, adoption, and private law matters Vanessa Meachin KC, pictured, heads up the family law group at 3PB, ‘an excellent set with a range of barristers of the highest quality in the field of complex care proceedings‘. Emma Griffiths leads the children law practice, and head of chambers Elizabeth McGrath KC has a ‘brilliant bedside manner‘ and an active private and public law practice, the former including cases surrounding domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, and parental alienation, and the latter demonstrating expertise in proceedings with international elements. Lucy Hendry KC is an ‘extremely effective and dynamic advocate‘ and is highly proficient in representing an array of clients, including children, intervenors, and guardians, including those with cognitive and capacity issues. Turning to the juniors, Nicola Martin also has a broad ranging practice, encompassing care cases arising from serious and fatal injuries to children, and private law cases concerning abduction and relocation. Aimee Fox is highly skilled in handling proceedings centred around children with significant educational needs. Matiss Krumins is another notable practitioner with prowess in administrative law and judicial review proceedings - he appeared in the unusual case of The Father v Worcestershire CC, representing the local authority in the Supreme Court against a litigant in person, who sought the return of his children from a care order not through any family law remedy but through a writ of habeas corpus. Lucy Clayton has a strong focus on cases surrounding issues of parental alienation, sexual abuse, and coercive control, as well as surrogacy-related matters.
No5 Barristers’ Chambers boasts ‘an excellent range of counsel with formidable knowledge’, and one such practitioner is Stefano Nuvoloni KC, who has ‘a thorough and complete knowledge of children’s matters,‘ and predominantly focuses on public children law cases surrounding the most serious of allegations, including the murder of children and parents, as well as fabricated or induced illnesses. Kristina Brown is especially notable in Children Act cases; she has a significantly varied practice that encompasses cases regarding sexual abuse, surrogacy, neglect, and child trafficking, and she is lauded as ‘a wonderfully engaging advocate who is highly respected by judges and opponents’. Victoria Clifford regularly appears before the High Court and is also highly experienced in cases regarding child trafficking, as well as sexual exploitation, brain injuries, and fractures. ‘Formidable advocate‘ Kirsty Gallacher is particularly skilled in handling cases concerning catastrophic brain injuries
to children, while for Orla Grant, FGM protection orders and terrorism-related cases are an area of expertise; across the public and private law spheres, she is instructed by local authorities, parents and extended family members, children, and prospective adopters.
‘Go-to‘ set St Ives Chambers is ‘firmly established within the Midlands‘ and has experienced significant growth, with a number of barristers from KCH Garden Square joining the set in September 2024, and subsequently a new Nottingham office was opened in March 2025. Having previously worked as a child protection social worker, Elizabeth Isaacs KC, pictured, is exceptionally well-placed to handle both complex private and public law proceedings, and she is ‘restless in her pursuit of justice‘. Timothy Bowe KC is ‘extremely intelligent and has an excellent knowledge of the law‘, and he has appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal on behalf of local authorities, parents, and children in cases surrounding allegations of sexual abuse, fabricated and induced illness, and fatal injuries. Among the juniors, Justine Lattimer is a key name to note as an ‘absolutely unshakable‘ practitioner with significant experience in cases surrounding forced marriages, FGM, and sexual abuse allegations, as well as deprivation of liberty. Family law specialist Matthew Maynard, who is ‘always impeccably prepared‘, predominantly practices in public children law, especially complex care proceedings, with expertise in human trafficking and severe injuries to children. Tom Lawal is joint head of the private family law team and exclusively represents parents, grandparents, and children through guardians.
LEADING SETS 2
Christopher Adams, who regularly acts for local authorities, parents, and children in cases surrounding serious injuries to children, and Christopher Watson, pictured, who is experienced in international adoption and inherent jurisdiction cases, jointly head up the children law group at St Philips Chambers, within which sits specialist family practitioner Sara Lewis KC, who is often in the High Court due to her ‘fantastic knowledge of the medical issues‘, representing clients in cases of the upmost seriousness surrounding complex medical evidence and allegations of causing catastrophic and fatal injuries to children, as well as sexual abuse and fabricated and induced illness cases. The set is praised for having ‘top-class barristers‘, and head of the family team as a whole is Carolyn Jones, a ‘formidable advocate‘ who handles both public and private law matters. The ‘sagacious and highly experienced‘ Gemma Bowes has considerable strength in proceedings surrounding forced marriages, fabricated illness, and extremism. Nicholas Brown boasts expertise in care proceedings, with particular expertise in cases regarding FGM; he has an ‘eye for detail and is extremely knowledgeable about the law and procedure‘. Yolanda Pemberton exclusively acts in public law matters and is highly equipped to
act in cases surrounding historic sexual abuse, neglect, and radicalisation. William Horwood predominately acts in public law proceedings and is sought after for his expertise in handling cases regarding the placement of children outside of the UK.
LEADING SETS 1
‘First-rate set‘ 3PB is highly regarded in the Midlands for its excellent track record in handling high-value divorce and financial remedy cases.
Michael George is ‘a shining light in the field of high-net-worth financial remedy work‘. Nathalie Bull, pictured, is regularly instructed in complex financial remedy cases involving international property portfolios and acquisitions of pre-marital or post-separation assets, as well as matters arising from health complexities impacting on earning capacity. Charles Hogan‘s workload includes TOLATA, Part III and Schedule 1 claims. Rachel Bloxwich is well-versed in advising on complex cases involving pensions and business assets, and is often instructed on behalf of individuals who lack capacity to litigate.
LEADING SETS 2
St Philips Chambers is a ‘very strong set for financial remedy work‘, housing a team of ‘excellent financial remedy barristers‘. Juliet Allen is ‘an invaluable asset on high-net-worth finance cases‘, and Jonathan Nosworthy, who leads the finance group, is ‘tactically astute, client focussed and has a razor-sharp brain – he sees things that other advocates do not‘. Leisha Bond regularly acts for married and unmarried couples in cases involving TOLATA applications and Schedule 1 claims. Davinia Riley is often instructed in relation to high-value cases involving businesses and complex trusts.
LEADING SETS 3
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is ‘a solid and reliable set in the financial remedy work area‘. The ‘tactical‘ Stephanie Brown, pictured, is ‘a strong fighter for her clients, always on top of her brief and ready to take their corner‘. She continues to advise on high-value, complex matrimonial finance cases, often involving family companies and business interests and pension issues. The ‘diligent‘ Katie Langdon has an excellent track record in handling property disputes relating to unmarried couples and complex financial remedy cases involving foreign assets. The ‘very bright‘ Hannah Court is often instructed in relation to disputes dealing with international properties, pensions issues, disputed business valuations, and complex
LEADING SETS 1
‘Very solid set‘ No5 Barristers’ Chambers has ‘strength and depth in
abundance‘ in the personal injury area. The ‘intelligent, pragmatic and tactically sharp‘ Henry Pitchers KC heads the personal injury group in chambers, and is well known for his expertise in advising on cases concerning polytrauma, amputations, and brain and spinal injuries, which are also a core area of instruction for Chris Bright KC. Among the juniors, Nick Xydias is sought after for his experience in handling fatal accident cases, Richard Moat regularly advises on industrial disease, chronic pain and psychiatric injury claims, and the ‘consummate professional‘ Esther Gamble is routinely involved in multi-track cases involving fatalities, neurological injuries and amputations. Steven Fisher acts for claimants and defendants in occupiers’ liability, road traffic accidents and employers’ liability cases.
LEADING SETS 2
At St Philips Chambers, Andrew Evans predominantly acts for claimants in cases concerning fatal accidents, catastrophic injuries, and brain and spinal injury claims. Sofia Ashraf‘s, pictured, workload includes psychiatric injury claims, road traffic accidents and employers’ liability cases, and she is well versed in handling instructions from both defendants and claimants. Colin Baran is ‘able to use his commercial acumen and intellect to achieve maximised compensation‘ in public liability and employers’ liability claims which intersect between personal injury law and employment law.
LEADING SETS 1
A ‘go-to for planning and environmental advice’, No5 Barristers Chambers can field an extraordinary array of experience and talent in the planning field. With over four decades of experience, Paul Cairnes KC, pictured, is instructed to lead on planning permission appeals by large developers, and he is joined by Peter Goatley KC, a highway and environmental law specialist, and Richard Humphreys KC, who represents an array of property owners in contentious cases. The depth of the set is illustrated by the presences of the ‘very knowledgeable’ Tim Pole, who leads on complex proceedings concerning illegal waste disposal, the ‘calm, authoritative, and persuasive’ Howard Leithead, who is an expert in appeals under relevant sections of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and Jack Smyth, who appears in the High Court on enforcement matters.
The ‘excellent group’ of planning and environment barristers at Kings Chambers provide counsel on residential,
commercial, and infrastructural developments and permission appeals. The ‘thoughtful, well prepared and focused’ Gary Grant, pictured, and the ‘extremely responsive and accessible’ Paul Tucker KC lead on judicial reviews and planning inquiries for developers and local authorities alike across the Midland Circuit, and Sarah Clover has a niche practice in agents of change cases, representing property owners and councils in complex litigation.
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is widely praised as ‘a good quality set with some excellent barristers‘ at all levels of seniority, with considerable combined expertise spanning the full spectrum of property and construction work. With over 25 years of experience handling property-related work, David Taylor, pictured, is known for being ‘calm and authoritative in court but personable and practical in conference‘; he has recently acted in a boundary dispute as well as in relation to a claim concerning misrepresentation as to the suitability of a building for use as a hotel. David Mitchell regularly appears in High Court cases, particularly in the BPC in Birmingham. Omar Ensaff is noted for his extensive experience handling construction disputes by way of litigation, arbitration, or adjudication proceedings. His varied practice covers delay claims, defect claims, and claims for variation, among other kinds, and he is praised by clients for ‘articulating argument clearly and with precision and persuasive force‘.
St Philips Chambers has a long-established reputation as the ‘top set in the Midlands‘ when it comes to property disputes and hosts ‘a number of able barristers‘ with expertise in this field. With broad experience covering boundary disputes as well as claims concerning easements and restrictive covenants, among other areas, Michelle Caney, pictured, heads the real estate team in chambers. She is noted particularly for her recent involvement in high-profile litigation proceedings concerning claims for possession against persons unknown arising out of protest encampments at various universities. John Aldis’ experience covers boundary disputes as well as adverse possession claims and claims concerning easements. Jonathan Gale recently acted for the claimant in Clapham v Narga, a Leicestershire boundary dispute heard in the Court of Appeal that considered the relationship between adverse possession and overriding interests in registered land where title had been extinguished prior to first registration. John Randall KC retired in April 2025 after 44 years at the Bar, and Anthony Verduyn ceased practising in December 2024 and now exclusively offers mediation services.
We are delighted that 2025 has been another successful year of growth for St Ives Chambers, being recognised in the 2026 edition of the Legal 500 as the “ ‘go-to set’…firmly established within the Midlands”. We remain recognised as “an excellent chambers with many high quality advocates.”
Our rankings have been particularly pleasing with top tier rankings in family law (children and domestic violence) and social housing. We are also ranked as a leading set in family (divorce and financial remedy), crime, property and construction. Forty of our individual members were ranked and we are proud that our rankings cover the full spectrum of experience inclusive of silks, leading juniors and rising stars, demonstrating the wealth of talent throughout Chambers.
We remain recognised as the ‘go-to set’ for children matters, being “exceptionally well-placed to handle both complex private and public law proceedings”. Our “superb” family finance team is highlighted as being “an impressive set of excellent counsel.” The social housing team are noted as having “a breadth of talent… continuing to lead across the Midland Circuit”. Our criminal team are once again recognised for their leading juniors and rising stars. We are particularly proud that our “superb” clerking team continue to be recognised for their unsurpassed levels of client service.
Chambers has “experienced significant growth” following the opening of our premises in Nottingham, making us the only set of chambers on the Midland Circuit to offer a comprehensive service across the East and West of Circuit. We remain a modern multidisciplinary set renowned for its exceptional mix of barristers at all levels of experience.
Our five exceptional pupils accepted tenancy and four more pupils commenced their training with us at the start of October. In recognition of the talent at St Ives, we were shortlisted for Family Set of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2025.
Chambers continues to welcome applications from skilled and dedicated practitioners in our core practice areas.
The past twelve months have once again been marked by growth, success and evolution, further strengthening St Philips’ position as one of the leading multidisciplinary sets on the Midland Circuit and beyond.
A highlight of the year was the appointment of two members to the rank of King’s Counsel – Jennifer Josephs KC and Tom Walkling KC, both from the St Philips Criminal Group. Taking Silk represents the highest recognition of advocacy excellence. Their achievement not only reflects their individual distinction but also underscores Chambers’ ongoing commitment to professional development at every level.
Growth, both organic and strategic, has remained central to St Philips’ success throughout 2025. We have welcomed ten new tenants, including six who successfully completed their pupillage, alongside four key lateral hires: Denise Breen-Lawton KC (Crime & Regulatory), Hassan Sarwar (Family), Henry Skudra (Crime & Regulatory) and Dr Daniel Jacklin (PI/Clinical Negligence and Regulatory). In addition, we have recently
welcomed five new pupils, each bringing fresh energy and insight, ensuring the continued strength of Chambers for years to come.
The recently published Legal 500 Bar rankings once again affirmed St Philips’ reputation for excellence, as we retained our position as a Top Tier Set. In 2025, Chambers achieved 103 individual barrister rankings across the Midland and North Eastern Circuits and 11 Practice Groups ranked. These results reflect the calibre of our members, clerking team and support staff. St Philips extends sincere thanks to our clients for their continued trust and invaluable feedback throughout the Legal 500 research process.
Community engagement has continued to thrive, with members and staff dedicating time and effort to charitable and outreach initiatives. A particular highlight saw seven members of chambers and staff take on a 100km trek across the Sahara Desert, raising an extraordinary £100,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital – an achievement that speaks to the spirit and teamwork that define St Philips.
As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with great pride in what has been achieved and excitement for what lies ahead. St Philips continues to deliver an award-winning, Top Tier service across all core practice areas, built on values of diversity, progression and excellence. With new Silks, members and a dynamic team united by a forward-thinking ethos, the coming year promises to be another remarkable chapter for St Philips.
Tel: 0121 246 7000
Email: enquiries@st-philips.com
Web: www.st-philips.com
Birmingham: 55 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5LS
Leeds: 29 Park Square, Leeds LS1 2PQ
