Cleaver Fulton Rankin

Managing Partner: Jonathan Forrester

Directors: 19

Associates/Assistants: 15

Other Fee-earners: 16

CONTACTS

Administrative & Public Law: Brendan Martyn

Banking: Stephen Cross

Charities: Stephen Cross

Litigation: Jeanette Donohoe, Patrick Fleming, Jonathan Forrester, Aaron Moore, Maria McNally, Anna McClimonds

Corporate & Commercial: Stuart Sproule

Construction: Patrick Fleming, Aaron Moore

Corporate Finance: Stephen Cross

Employment & Immigration: Michael Black

Energy: Joe Marley, Stephen Cross, Maria McNally, Michael Boyce

Family & Matrimonial: Lorraine Keown

Insolvency/Business Restructuring: Jeanette Donohoe, Maria McNally

Intellectual Property: Michael King

Planning/Environmental: Brendan Martyn

Projects: Patrick Fleming

Commercial Property: Joe Marley, Michael Boyce, Patrick O'Hanlon, Alan McAlister

Procurement: Patrick Fleming

Private Client: Michael Graham

THE FIRM

Cleaver Fulton Rankin is a leading commercial law firm in Northern Ireland, providing a full legal service to both commercial and individual private clients, including family businesses, SMEs, international and global companies, government bodies, public sector organisations, financial institutions and charities.

The firm’s primary areas of work are described below and comprise of commercial property, corporate & commercial, employment & immigration, dispute resolution, planning & environment and private client, supplemented by niche units specialising in areas such as construction, procurement, and insolvency & business restructuring, and intellectual property.

We offer unique sector expertise across areas such as property & construction, energy & renewables, manufacturing and technology. In addition, we offer specialist legal solutions, such as a legal technology, including eDiscovery and managed document review; our CFR HR consultancy service, providing expert HR and employment law advice; and an ESG Hub, to support clients with legal matters related to Environmental, Social and Governance issues in business.

While the firm is an independent Northern Ireland owned and managed practice, it has an alliance with Matheson solicitors in the Republic of Ireland to provide an all-island service, and is a member of LawNet, an association of independent UK law firms and NextLaw, Referral Network.

PRNCIPAL AREAS OF WORK

Banking & Finance:

The banking and finance team has recognised expertise in acting on the full range of finance transactions, including corporate finance and project finance transactions, acquisition finance, commercial property finance, asset backed lending, invoice discounting, factoring, restructuring and specific services relating to the securitisation of Northern Irish assets. The firm also advises on applicable regulation, compliance and best practice.

Corporate & Commercial:

The corporate & commercial team has a long-standing reputation for providing sound practical advice to clients in both the private and public sectors, and across a wide range of industries on all types of commercial transactions including intellectual property, construction, energy, IT, banking and charity law.

Dispute Resolution:

The dispute resolution team has an impressive clientele in a variety of practice areas including general commercial litigation, construction, property, defamation, disputes about wills and trusts, corporate recovery, insurance, intellectual property and IT, personal injury, debt recovery, procurement and product liability. The team also specialise in alternative dispute resolution including adjudication, mediation and arbitration, with qualified mediators and adjudicators.

Employment & Immigration:

The employment team is widely acknowledged for its expertise both locally and nationally. It offers guidance to clients, many of whom are businesses and lawyers operating in other jurisdictions, on the differences in employment law which exist in Northern Ireland and practical advice on measures which should be taken in specific circumstances. The firm’s specialist Immigration team are experts in providing strategic advice to businesses and securing employment visas for highly skilled foreign talent to the UK, whilst also assisting private individuals to live, work or study in the UK.

Planning & Environmental:

The planning & environmental team, at the forefront of this specialised area of law, has a wealth of experience in providing practical legal advice throughout the planning application process, appeals and inquiries. The firm also provides environmental and planning due diligence for property transactions and company acquisitions.

Private Client:

The private client team is dedicated to providing high quality specialist advice on inheritance tax and estate planning, including the use of lifetime and testamentary trusts where appropriate. In addition, the team regularly advise on the administration of trusts and estates, enduring powers of attorney, nursing care issues and matters involving the Office of Care and Protection. The firm also has a flourishing family law practice which covers both matrimonial and children’s law and works alongside the private client department in this regard.

Commercial Property:

The property team has extensive experience in all aspects of non-contentious commercial and residential property matters with a broad client portfolio including developers, investment institutions, national retail chains, PFI projects and joint ventures. The team is well used to working seamlessly with other professionals to deliver on major projects for clients.