FS Legal Solicitors LLP

Ranked as a top litigation firm by both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, FS Legal is particularly well known for dealing with high-value, ‘big ticket’ litigation for national corporates and high net worth individuals who seek out the firm based on reputation and word-of-mouth recommendation alone. It is one of the few truly specialist litigation practices in the country. FS Legal does not act for banks, insurers or other large institutions and prides itself on remaining conflict-free.

The firm's lawyers have both national and international reputation being recommended in both Chambers and Legal 500 as ‘Leading Individuals’ or 'Rising Stars'. Chambers notes the firm’s “pragmatic, practical and efficient approach” and “determined litigators with a very good sector knowledge.”, "Every team member demonstrates a quite remarkable depth of knowledge". “FS Legal offers a high concentration of “big hitters” in one firm - so that pretty much all of the solicitors are highly experienced and well-regarded….. The firm appears to be lean and efficient too - there is no “beast” to feed, so clients get a focused dispute resolution service with a high-value insight.”

Legal 500 notes: “FS Legal is a firm that punches well above its weight and is particularly strong in the areas of financial services, pensions and tax schemes” adding that the team has “a deservedly good reputation for providing a top-quality, commercial service“. ‘A team of strong lawyers carrying out serious cases against London firms, and as good as any firm in the regions. It is a disputes only practice so every decision and recruitment is aimed at furthering that goal; essentially a boutique but from before the time firms started using that expression.’

Notable Cases:

Halsall v Champion Consulting Ltd [2017] EWHC 1079 (QB)

Represented the claimants in a £6M claim arising out of tax avoidance schemes. This widely reported case is believed to be one of the first claims of this type to reach the courts.

Knights & Others v Townsend Harrison Ltd 2021 EWHC 2563 (QB)

Represented the Claimants in a seven-figure claim against accountants in relation to alleged negligent advice concerning a foreign exchange and tax scheme.

Instructed by shareholders in an £80M dispute.

Financial Conduct Authority v Steel & Foster

Acting for the Defendants in a ground breaking £7M claim.

Anthony Barness and Otrs v Formation Group Pls & Otrs

Representing one of the 150 defendants in this multi million pound claim brought by over 260 separate claimants.

Fine v Greystone Financial Services Limited

Represented the Claimant in a £4.6M claim.

Magic Carpet (Commercials) Limited, Jerry Holt, Jackie Holt (2021) v Qubic Tax Limited and Otrs

Represented the Claimants in a £2.3M against former accountants and tax promoter.

Acting for a group of high net worth individuals in a £5M claim re negligent conduct of litigation.

Acting for a client in a seven-figure professional negligence claim against Gibraltar based IFA company arising out of the clients’ investment into a £50M failed investment scheme.

Acting for the Claimants in a £16M claim against the promotors of a failed tax mitigation scheme.

Advising on a £2.6M claim against well-known solicitors and accountants regarding losses arising from a £20M corporate transaction.

Acting in a £2.3M loss of opportunity negligence claim against a firm of solicitors.

Advising on a £12M+ claim arising from undisclosed commissions against a tax promoter and accountant together with a related professional negligence loss of opportunity claim against a firm of

solicitors.

Acting on a £6M+ claim against tax promoter, Qubic Tax Limited, and an accountancy firm for recommending a high-risk tax scheme. Along with an associated claim against the client's former solicitors for negligently pursuing the latter and allowing negligence claims to expire.

Acting in a negligence claim against solicitors for £5M+ losses arising from a £15M corporate sale.

Representing the claimants in a £9M action arising out of EBT and EFURBs tax mitigations schemes in a claim against their tax advisers and accountants.

Represented a high profile claimant in a £22M claim against his former solicitors, a well known national firm, concerning the acquisition of a substantial shareholding of a UK PLC.

Representing the claimants in a £4M+ claim against a firm of solicitors in a loss of opportunity claim.

Represented 300+ claimants in a £3M+ claim against a firm of solicitors arising out of the promotion and sale of a land banking scheme involving four substantial land sites across the UK.

Advising on a £3M+ claim against and IFA firm arising from a negligent pension transfer.

Managing Partners: Paul Crutchley

Senior Partner: Gareth Fatchett

Number of partners: 4

Number of assistant solicitors: 10

Number of other fee-earners: 5

UK Offices: Birmingham, Manchester

Contacts:

Litigation: Kit Sorrell, Julia Norris (Manchester)

Regulatory: Gareth Fatchett (Birmingham)

Construction: Kit Sorrell (Manchester)

Corporate: Paul Crutchley, Baljit Ruprah (Birmingham)

Employment: Baljit Ruprah (Birmingham)

MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE

Litigation: 60%

Construction: 10%

Corporate, Commercial & Employment: 20%

Regulatory: 10%

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK

Litigation:

The firm specialises in high-value, complex and often high-profile litigation.

Regulatory:

The firm is a well known specialist in the financial sector.

Construction:

The team acts in adjudication, arbitration and High Court claims.

Corporate:

The firm is skilled in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, restructuring and insolvency.