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Ranking tables

UK South West Litigation

In all regions outside of London, this section ranks firms and lawyers advising on civil litigation on behalf of businesses, financial institutions and other non-public sector entities, as well as private individuals. The primary focus of the section is contractual litigation and litigation arising out of corporate and commercial arrangements, including shareholder, joint venture, post-M&A and boardroom disputes. In the regions we will also accept banking litigation matters such as the mis-selling of financial products. Less weight is given to civil litigation types which are covered separately in regional sections of the UK guide, such as professional negligence, real estate litigation, construction and IP. Matters involving public sector bodies (such as judicial reviews and procurement challenges) are also covered elsewhere and will generally not be considered here. Other kinds of work not considered as part of the section include criminal litigation, inquests, public inquiries, tribunals, regulatory investigations and related enforcement actions. This section focuses on courtroom litigation, rather than ADR methods such as mediation and arbitration. In particular, International Arbitration is covered extensively elsewhere and so should not be included on a submission to Litigation.

1
Band 1
  1. Burges Salmon LLP
    1
    Burges Salmon LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Burges Salmon has a highly commended team of well-reputed practitioners, known for handling high-value national and international disputes. The firm's expertise covers matters arising from claims of professional negligence, breach of contract and contentious insolvency proceedings. It advises an enviable list of key commercial clients, particularly those from the transport, financial services, retail and energy sectors.
  2. Michelmores LLP
    1
    Michelmores LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Michelmores is a prominent firm in the South West with a presence in London to better assist international clients and handle high-value claims. The practice is experienced in handling a range of contractual disputes, including breaches of statutory and fiduciary duties, with further expertise in matters that concern joint ventures and shareholder agreements. The firm's clients include major corporations and financial institutions.
  3. Osborne Clarke LLP
    1
    Osborne Clarke LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Osborne Clarke has a sizeable department with a strong reputation for commercial litigation. The firm is a popular choice for high-value disputes in the energy, technology, financial services and rail sectors. The team acts on behalf of an impressive list of household-name companies on matters ranging from contractual litigation to contentious data protection and cybersecurity matters. The firm is frequently sought out for heavyweight cross-border work.
2
Band 2
  1. Ashfords LLP
    2
    Ashfords LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Ashfords has a specialised team with a broad coverage of the South West that also regularly acts on multi-jurisdictional international disputes. The firm assists domestic and international clients with matters including shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims and breach of contract cases. It represents clients from a range of sectors including banking and finance, while also demonstrating experience litigating on behalf of public sector clients.
  2. 2
    Clarke Willmott LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 2 |
  3. DAC Beachcroft LLP
    2
    DAC Beachcroft LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 2 |
    The litigation group at DAC Beachcroft is a popular choice for key names from the insurance, healthcare and financial services industries. The practice advises on contentious data protection issues, insurance coverage and pension disputes. Its lawyers are also experienced in handling contract disputes and fraud claims, while also specialising in disputes involving allegations of professional negligence. The team's capabilities include cross-border litigation.
  4. Foot Anstey LLP
    2
    Foot Anstey LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Foot Anstey has a prominent commercial litigation practice that acts for clients across the globe on contentious matters including high-value contractual disputes. The firm also offers significant expertise in finance and property litigation, with further experience acting on investment-related disputes. Its clients include key names from the banking and financial services sector.
  5. Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    2
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Womble Bond Dickinson regularly advises on significant contractual disputes. It is also adept at handling debt and asset recovery claims, as well as fraud cases. The litigation team counsels clients across a wide range of sectors, and is especially well regarded for its work on contentious matters pertaining to the energy and transport sectors.
  6. TLT LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 2
3
Band 3
  1. Charles Russell Speechlys
    3
    Charles Russell Speechlys
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 3 |
    The Charles Russell Speechlys team in Cheltenham can offer clients both UK and cross-border expertise. The firm covers various aspects of commercial litigation, including disputes concerning shareholder agreements, financial products and breaches of fiduciary and statutory duties. The practice also advises on disputes pertaining to insurance. Its clients include companies as well as high net worth individuals.
  2. RWK Goodman
    3
    RWK Goodman
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 3 |
    RWK Goodman assists clients with matters ranging from financial services to disputes with service providers. The firm represents individuals as well as corporations across a range of sectors and can draw on the expertise of other departments within the firm to offer a cross-practice approach. The practice also advises on shareholder disputes and contractual litigation.
  3. Thrings LLP
    3
    Thrings LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Thrings covers a broad range of litigation, from purely commercial to financial services and fraud. The firm acts for private individuals and companies from a range of sectors, including technology, banking and media. The practice is particularly active in contractual disputes as well as allegations of misfeasance concerning investments and pensions. It also capably handles shareholder litigation and land and agricultural disputes, including proprietary estoppel claims.
  4. Stephens Scown LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 3
  5. VWV
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 3
4
Band 4
  1. Harrison Clark Rickerbys
    4
    Harrison Clark Rickerbys
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Harrison Clark Rickerbys has a strong litigation team in Cheltenham active on a broad range of contentious commercial matters. The team's areas of expertise include claims for financial mis-selling, breaches of directors' duties and shareholder litigation, along with contractual disputes.
  2. Shakespeare Martineau
    4
    Shakespeare Martineau
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Shakespeare Martineau has a compact but effective litigation department acting for clients on contractual claims, professional negligence and shareholder disputes, among others. The firm is noted for handling mid to high-value matters on behalf of corporate and individual clients, with notable experience handling contentious matters in the manufacturing industry. Formerly GL Law, in September 2022 the firm merged with Shakespeare Martineau.
  3. Trowers & Hamlins LLP
    4
    Trowers & Hamlins LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Trowers & Hamlins has an Exeter-based team with notable expertise in commercial litigation. The practice regularly acts for clients in the insurance and property sectors and is particularly skilled when it comes to contractual disputes and data protection issues. The firm also has a significant focus on contentious matters concerning aviation.
  4. Wilsons
    4
    Wilsons
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Wilsons acted for the former CEO and shareholder of a UK technology company who was unfairly dismissed and his shares repurchased by the company at an undervalue. Following a successful employment tribunal, the client is now pursuing claims for repayment of a director's loan and damages for breach of contract.
  5. Kitsons LLP
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 4
  6. Willans
    Litigation
    2023 | Band 4