UK Guide 2026 : Yorkshire
Ranked Individuals
Provided by Freeths LLP
The Yorkshire Dispute Resolution team continues to grow revenue and headcount. During the 2020/21 financial year, the team maintained its average annual growth rate of over 10% (average over 5 year period). This growth is again set to continue with the recruitment that both offices have made, despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 and national lockdowns throughout 2021.
The team was pleased to improve its ranking in Chambers and Partners to Band 3 and to maintain its Legal 500 ranking for both Leeds (Tier 3) and Sheffield (Tier 2).
The Yorkshire-wide team now comprises 10 qualified lawyers, plus 4 other legal assistants/trainee solicitors. These numbers comprise pure commercial litigation lawyers, and exclude real estate litigation, insurance litigation, corporate defence, contentious trusts and probate and construction litigation lawyers who form part of the wider Leeds office disputes group.
The team continues to attract high quality, complex and specialist work, including:
Provided by Chambers
Freeths has a notable team assisting with a variety of commercial disputes, including litigation relating to shareholder and commercial disagreements, trust disputes and IT-related disputes. It acts for a varied client roster including companies in professional services, hospitality and retail.
Provided by Chambers
The commercial litigation team at Freeths continues to remain a go-to for complex and high value commercial claims. A thorough team with tenacious litigators, they are firmly on the side of clients.
I use Freeths more than any other law firm as I find them so easy to work with.
The Freeths disputes team are incredibly proactive and detail-oriented. They understand the complexities of our business and the need for quick resolutions. They are diligent and committed.
Provided by Chambers
James Berry is head of dispute resolution at Freeths in Sheffield. He is well-regarded for his commercial disputes practice and acts in a variety of matters, including shareholder disputes and breach of contract claims.
James provides a proactive service and full understanding of technical matters and commercial impacts.
James is very client-centric. He is confident yet always measured in his delivery of advice.
James Hartley is a highly skilled litigation partner with in-depth knowledge of high-stakes cases. He is well versed in a broad variety of matters, including breach of commercial agreements and joint venture and shareholder disputes.
James Hartley is an incredibly safe pair of hands.
Ciaran Dearden is a solid up-and-coming partner in the litigation team with experience in a wide range of cases involving such matters as breach of contract, unfair prejudice claims and shareholder disputes.
Ciaran Dearden exhibits tenacity, fair play and expert legal knowledge, with a good customer interface.
Litigation
Litigation
Litigation
Provided by Freeths LLP
Ciaran Dearden
View profile of Ciaran DeardenJames Berry
View profile of James BerryJames Hartley
View profile of James Hartley
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