Regional heavyweights
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
EVERSHEDS LLP
Newcastle
MUCKLE LLP
Newcastle
WATSON BURTON LLP
Newcastle
DICKINSON Dees LLP
continues to dominate the North East market.
2007 saw continued substantial growth, and the firm's offices in
York
and
London
have enabled it to attract some major new clients nationally as well as instructions on groundbreaking deals.
While it is unquestionably the region's number one, it is taking significant transitional steps to become a nationally recognised practice. The firm now employs 923 staff, of whom 79 are partners across its offices in the North East and
Yorkshire
.
Ward Hadaway is increasingly viewed as a major player, in the region and beyond. Strategically, its focus on public sector work is proving successful, with the firm advising on over pounds 2bn-worth of public sector projects across the country in 2007. On the private side it is regularly instructed on significant deals, with deal values almost trebling in the last two years.
The firm extended its presence outside the region by opening a
Leeds
office in the summer.
Eversheds LLP's
Newcastle
office is noted for its excellent service levels in key practice areas including commercial property, public sector and shipping, and has the benefit of the firm's extensive national resources and international links.
Muckle LLP
is recognised by competitors and clients alike as having progressed well in the past 12 months, and is one of the winners of 2007. This is particularly so on the corporate side, where its team of 22 lawyers has taken strides forward in terms of profile and deal quality.
Watson Burton LLP
announced a record number of promotions in 2007, with six new partners making a firm total of 39. The firm's strategy of replacing long-term industrial disease work by developing core practice areas in corporate, commercial property, construction, and employment continues apace, and it saw 20% growth in turnover over the year. The team in
Newcastle
regularly combines with colleagues in
Leeds
and
London
.
On the merger front,
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
and Teesside's Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP
have announced that they are to merge in
; the new firm will be called Mincoff Jacksons.
Agr iculture and estates
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
CARTMELL SHEPHERD Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
BHP Law Darlington Jacksons Commercial &Private Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees Latimer Hinks Darlington
Burnetts
Carlisle Hayton Winkley Kendal Kendal Smith
&Graham Hartlepool
Dickinson Dees LLP's
'hugely experienced'
Simon Kirkup
is at the forefront of agricultural work, and the firm is often first choice for clients wishing to buy or sell a significant agricultural or sporting estate in the region.
The National Trust
, Natural England, a number of landowning local authorities, and many significant landowners instruct the firm.
Cartmell Shepherd commands widespread respect in the market.
The dedicated team acts for a wide range of agricultural clients, with team head
Tim Cartmell
leading the way.
Ward Hadaway, under the 'knowledgeable'
Christopher Hewitt
, counts English Heritage,
Northumberland National Park
, and the
National Trust
among its clients.
It also acts for a substantial range of farming interests and private individuals across the North East and
Cumbria
. The firm advised on eight options for wind farms during the year.
BHP Law has a deeply rooted agricultural and estates practice.
Peter Blackett
heads a 'hands-on and experienced' three-partner team which has recently advised a number of large-scale agricultural businesses and farming families.
Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP
is located in one of the UK's major agricultural heartlands, and has a significant practice, with
Adrienne Patterson
leading a seven-partner team. The firm is one of only seven on the NFU's panel.
Latimer Hinks has a well-established practice which deals with a range of complex matters including environmental land use.
Anne Elliott
is 'very good'.
Burnetts can draw on its expertise in several areas including property and corporate to assist its agricultural clients, and
Hayton Winkley Kendal
and Smith &Graham are also recommended.
In rankings for each category firms are listed A-Z in tiers
Banking and finance
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
Eversheds LLP Newcastle Muckle LLP Newcastle
Ward Hadaway Newcastle
Watson Burton LLP Newcastle Hay &Kilner Newcastle Jacksons Commercial &Private Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees McKeags Law Firm Newcastle Sintons LLP Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP
is 'justifiably in pole position' and is 'unquestionably the strongest team both in terms of individuals and service offering'.
2007 was the team's most successful year ever, completing deals with facilities totalling pounds 4bn.
Deborah Kirtley's
eight-partner team has a national reputation in hotel finance in particular. The strength in depth coupled with top-class service levels has attracted a roster of active clients that includes
Barclays
,
Newcastle Building Society
and
Lloyds TSB
.
Eversheds LLP's
practice, under
Andrew Nunn
, is 'weighty, impressive and very practical'. It is the only firm officially panelled to every bank with an office in the North East, and has seen a growing stream of work from
Barclays
,
HSBC
and
Lloyds TSB
. In 2007 it completed 150 transactions worth over pounds 3bn.
Muckle LLP
has a growing presence in the market; areas of strength for
Stephen McNicol's
team are enterprise zone funding and property finance. The recruitment of
Matt Collen
from *Ward Hadaway brings the number of partners in the team to four. Clients include
Bank of Scotland
.
Ward Hadaway's
Julie Harrison
is recognised as 'a particularly strong practitioner' and one of the leading banking lawyers in the region. The team handles refinancing work for banks including
Barclays
; it was reappointed to
Barclays'
national panel for business banking, and is newly appointed to
Lloyds TSB's
corporate finance panel.
Watson Burton LLP's
team, headed by associate
Mark Lazenby
, has advised a broad spectrum of clients including
Clydesdale Bank
and
Silverlink Holdings
.
Julian Gill
left for *
Dickinson Dees LLP
.
Paul Taylor's
team at Hay &Kilner acts for a number of clearing banks, and is increasingly handling consumer credit and compliance work.
Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP
, under
Jane Armitage
, is new to the ranking; panels include
Allied Irish Bank
and
Clydesdale Bank
.
McKeags Law Firm, under
Alexandra Cook
, in 2007 undertook pounds 440m-worth of deals on the commercial finance side, and advised on over pounds 500m-worth of buy-to-let and equity releases.
Sintons LLP
more than doubled its aggregate deal value in 2007, to pounds 150m.
Andrew Walker's
'strong' team is on the panels of
Yorkshire Bank
and
Handelsbanken
among others.
Char ities
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
Muckle LLP Newcastle
Sintons LLP Newcastle
Ward Hadaway Newcastle
Watson Burton LLP Newcastle
Hay &Kilner Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP
is increasingly being asked to tender for new work across the UK. The firm's 13-partner, multi-disciplinary practice, led by Ros Harwood, is 'innovative, and offers the full range of services required'.
One highlight of 2007 was advising Vitalise on its multimillion-pound merger with two other charities. The firm's independent schools practice is developing year on year.
At
Muckle LLP
, senior partner
Hugh Welch
advises the
Community Foundation
serving
Tyne and Wear
and
Northumberland
, which gave around pounds 7m of charitable grants to community and voluntary projects last year. The firm also has an expanding independent schools practice, combining charity and educational law.
Many of
Sintons LLP's
commercial and educational clients are registered charities, and it also acts for the
Methodist Church
, with
Jane Lowdon
widely recognised for her ecclesiastical law experience. The firm is noted for its 'wise counsel and expert guidance', and rises a tier in the ranking this year.
Ward Hadaway has a developing charities practice, and advises
North East Museum Libraries
and Archives, the
Institute of Historic Building Conservation
, and the
Arts Council
.
Colin Hewitt
is recommended.
Watson Burton LLP
has consolidated its position as a leading adviser to charities operating in the community sports and education sector.
John Devine
heads the team.
Hay &Kilner's
John Luke
is well respected. The firm acts for a number of ecclesiastical and mental health charities in particular.
Claris D'cruz
, a former head of charities at *
Dickinson Dees LLP
, is still based in the region and acts as a consultant for
Salisbury
-based Wilsons.
Clinical negligence - claimant
HAY &KILNER Newcastle
IRWIN MITCHELL Newcastle
MINCOFFS SOLICITORS LLP
Newcastle
SAMUEL PHILLIPS LAW FIRM Newcastle
Archers Law LLP Stockton-on-Te es Armstrong Foulkes Middlesbro ugh Ben Hoare Bell LLP Sunderland Burnetts Carlisle Browell Smith &Co Newcastle
Freemans
Newcastle
McKeag &Co Newcastle
Peter Maughan
&Co Gateshead Thompsons Newcastle
Hay &Kilner handles complex, high-value cases, with
David Bradshaw
, a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence panel, 'one of the market leaders'. Cases handled regularly involve injuries of the utmost severity, and the team has a particular focus on birth trauma cases.
Also active on complex, high-value work including birth trauma cases,
Irwin Mitchell
has a 'first-class' eight-fee-earner clinical negligence team in the region, with the additional benefit of access to the firm's wider resources.
Angela Curran
is 'analytical and perceptive', and the team is noted for its holistic approach.
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP's
Alison Ainsley
is a
Law Society
panel member, and deals with a wide range of claims including cases over pounds 1m.
Samuel Phillips Law Firm has more than 30 years' experience in large medical negligence claims and has secured many awards over pounds 1m including a number of significant cerebral palsy cases.
Barry Speker
is a
Law Society
panel member, and the firm is one of the very few with a legal aid franchise for clinical negligence work.
Archers Law LLP's
Alistair Smith
and
Angela Torrance
are 'excellent'.
Specialist clinical negligence firm Armstrong Foulkes enters the ranking this year.
Law Society
panel member
Hilton Armstrong
and
Peter Foulkes
are experienced practitioners.
Ben
Hoare Bell LLP
, under
Chris Lucarelli
, has over 60 years' experience, and has three team-members on the
Law Society's
clinical negligence panel.
Burnetts is singled out for its 'very strong' practice;
Vicki Jagger
and
Victoria Watson
are particularly reputed for neonatal and gynaecological misdiagnosis cases.
Browell Smith &Co attracts a substantial number of instructions across the region; Dr
Nicholas Wilkes
is a member of both the
Law Society
and AvMA specialist clinical negligence panels and is dual qualified as a doctor and a solicitor.
Thompsons has in
Janet Allan
and
Gillian Muir
two practitioners of note.
Clinical negligence - defendant
EVERSHEDS LLP
Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
Samuel Phillips Law Firm Newcastle
Few doubt the experience and commercial acumen of
Eversheds LLP
, whose 'knowledge is always of the highest order'.
Bill Gilliam's
team settled claims worth over pounds 28m in 2007.
The NHSLA and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
are among its clients, and the firm is the exclusive provider of clinical negligence services to the largest private hospital group in the UK.
Ward Hadaway has a four-partner team led by
Jeffrey Keeble
, who has over 25 years' experience of working with NHS clients. Managing partner
Jamie Martin
is also widely respected, and they are both panel members of the NHSLA Clinical Negligence panel.
County Durham
and
Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
is a new client.
Samuel Phillips Law Firm acts for hospitals in particular.
In rankings for each category firms are listed A-Z in tiers
Commercial litigation -
Newcastle
DICKINSON DEES LLP
EVERSHEDS LLP
MUCKLE LLP
WARD HADAWAY WATSON BURTON LLP
Crutes Law Firm Hay &Kilner
BHP Law
Short Richardson &Forth LLP
Sintons LLP
Gibson &
Co Gordon Brown Associates Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
The largest team in the North East,
Dickinson Dees LLP
, led by the 'very commercially aware'
John Marshall
, now has 18 full-time litigators including specialist teams handling transport, pensions and private client litigation. The team was appointed to the panel of
Barclays Bank plc
to advise on trust and will disputes, and continues to advise Newcastle United FC.
Eversheds LLP
has an excellent reputation, and a track record in high-value litigation.
Bill Gilliam
and
Susan Howe
have strong healthcare expertise and are winning an increasing volume of instructions from Primary Care Trusts, Foundation Trusts and private providers. The firm's 'RAPID Resolution' approach to project managing cases has proved very popular with clients.
Muckle LLP
rises a tier partly on the strength of glowing client feedback confirming its overall 'excellence'. Although a relatively small team, it advised on a number of high-quality disputes, including representing a local television production company in relation to a six-figure claim for royalty payments.
Stewart Irvine
heads the practice and
Tony McPhillips
is highly recommended.
Ward Hadaway had a strong 2007 involving new client wins and a continuing flow of high-quality instructions from the North East region and beyond, and is particularly recommended for professional negligence, insurance, and private wealth disputes. With six partners led by
Ian Collinson
, it has the strength in depth to deal with large, complex cases, and is noted for its efficiency. It acted for the gambler who recently brought a widely publicised pounds 2m claim against
William Hill
.
Watson Burton LLP's
four-partner team, led by
Allan Henderson
, is 'very impressive'.
Mark Heath
is particularly noted for his expertise in commercial fraud in the NHS, involving the civil prosecution of ophthalmic, pharmaceutical, dental and medical practitioners. This has in turn led to an expanding commercial fraud practice, with the firm acting for asset-based lenders nationwide.
The 18-strong team is also attracting an increasing number of defamation cases.
Crutes Law Firm, with its strong litigation heritage, is winning increasingly prestigious and technically challenging cases, and
Helen Ager
is highly rated. The firm has seen an increase in contentious insolvency cases and some cutting-edge work on directors' duties.
Dispute resolution is a significant practice area for Hay &Kilner.
Insurance and professional partnership disputes are a specialism of the four-partner team led by the 'experienced and professional'
Martin Soloman
. Railway litigation, judicial review, and minority shareholder claims also feature heavily.
BHP Law, with an expanding team led by
Graeme Ritzema
and
Ursula Collie
, continues to advise a number of clients in the sports sector as well as regional corporates.
Short Richardson &Forth LLP's
Tim Berg
is experienced in mediation and arbitration.
Sintons LLP
rises a tier this year.
With an increasingly sophisticated client base and client confidence growing, the team is 'impressive from start to finish'. Led by
Catherine Wood
it continues to advise the insurance industry in cases arising from damage to Network Rail infrastructure.
Also recommended are: the 'very able and cost efficient' Gibson &Co; new entry
Gordon Brown Associates
, with
Jonathan Stokes
(formerly of *
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
) leading the team; and
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
, where trained mediator
Sara Keating
heads the practice.
Commercial litigation - Elsewhere in the Nor th
Baines Wilson Solicitors Carlisle Burnetts Carlisle Crutes Law Firm Carlisle Dickinson Dees LLP Tees Valley Jacksons Commercial &Private Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees BHP Law Durham Cartmell Shepherd Carlisle Endeavour Partnership LLP Stockton-on-Te es Hayton Winkley Kendal Kendal Latimer Hinks Darlington Tilly Bailey &Irvine Stockton-on-Tees
Baines Wilson Solicitors continues to develop steadily under
Bob Elliott
.
Clients include a number of SMEs in the South East.
Burnetts'
Patricia Hall
has a wealth of experience in heavyweight litigation. She has conducted a number of judicial review cases in the education sector and elsewhere, and has a strong professional negligence practice. The team is 'practical and focused '.
Crutes Law Firm has a growing practice, and, in
Michael Robson
, a highly respected practitioner.
Craig Monty
heads the team at
Dickinson Dees LLP's
Tees Valley
office. A wide range of cases - including fraud, product recall and professional negligence - are undertaken, and clients appreciate the 'professional and pragmatic' approach. Growth areas include pensions disputes, advising employers and trustees.
Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP
- with a three-partner team led by managing partner
Nigel Kidwell
- is 'prepared to really fight your corner'. Its developing equine law practice receives instructions from throughout the UK, on cases ranging from RTAs to professional negligence claims against veterinary surgeons.
At BHP Law,
Ursula Collie's
specialist areas include property disputes, professional negligence and disputed probate.
Cartmell Shepherd enjoys a solid reputation.
Nicholas Richards
is the contact.
Endeavour Partnership LLP's
Paul Bennett
has a reputation in contentious probate, and the team is undertaking a growing number of cases in this area. Clients note 'an appreciation of the realities of commercial life and a very high standard of technical expertise'.
Hayton Winkley Kendal
provides a comprehensive service, with
John Oldroyd
recommended, as is
Mark Gardiner
at Latimer Hinks.
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine continues to gain recognition in the local business community.
Alison Tate
heads a 'straightforward, client-focused' team.
Commercial property -
Newcastle
DICKINSON DEES LLP
EVERSHEDS LLP MUCKLE LLP
WARD HADAWAY WATSON BURTON LLP
Crutes Law Firm Hay &Kilner Mincoffs Solicitors LLP Sintons
LLP BHP Law Hunt Kidd Law Firm LLP McKeags Law Firm
Short Richardson &Forth LLP
Dickinson Dees LLP
had a boom year across both the private and public sectors, with the 11-partner team - led by
Ian Ward
- continuing to attract a range of choice instructions.
The 'remarkably good' team acted on the site acquisition and redevelopment of
Europe's
largest high density polyethylene plant (at
Wilton International
), and new client wins included seven local authorities in
Wales
. New arrival
David Stone
adds to the firm's expertise in development, where
Stephen Jackson
is a recognised specialist.
Eversheds LLP
is notable for the strength and depth of its regional practice;
Newcastle Airport
,
Greggs
, and
Newcastle University
all regularly instruct the firm. Practice head
Adrian Stanley
and
Claire Morgan
specialise in urban regeneration schemes, and new arrival
Mitch Brown
(ex-*
Dickinson Dees LLP
) is a name to watch. The firm attracts a considerable amount of real estate and development work on the back of its national reputation in the education and healthcare sectors.
2007 saw
Muckle LLP
add
Bank of Ireland
,
Grainger plc
and a range of public sector clients to its client base.
Development, investment, finance and planning have all been active areas for the seven-partner team, which is led by
Jonathan Combe
and includes the recommended
Jason Wainwright
. It rises a tier in the ranking this year.
Ward Hadaway's increasingly dynamic practice, led by
Malcolm Lloyd
, is expanding beyond the housebuilding work for which it enjoys a pre-eminent reputation and in which
Alan Harkness
'excels'.
Leading the charge is
Chris Hugill
.
Public sector work represents a growing portion of the overall workload; clients include a consortium of 18 South Yorkshire NHS trusts.
Watson Burton LLP's
team is led by
Richard Freeman-Wallace
and now includes
Barney Frith
, previously at *
Muckle LLP
, who adds to the weight of commercial development and investment talent the firm offers. The total value of instructions undertaken in 2007 rose to pounds 1.85bn.
Co-operative Bank
and
Rok Group
are new panel appointments.
Stuart Palmer
heads a growing department at Crutes Law Firm, which receives a steady stream of public sector instructions while clients on the private sector side include
Yorkshire Bank
.
Paul Earnshaw
and
Gareth Jones
are noted for their 'progressive style'.
Hay &Kilner acts for two major plc banks.
Paul Taylor
and his team handled a stream of purchases and sales for investment companies and a substantial volume of commercial leasing for landlords in 2007.
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP's
'high-profile and experienced'
Howard Gold
and
Henry Cave
continue to spearhead a property team that was joined in 2007 by new partner
Philip Dean
from *Ward Hadaway.
Transaction levels remained high.
Highlights included instructions on several future development sites for a regional plc.
Sintons LLP
has the 'confidence to deal with the meatiest of matters', and rises a tier this year. Joint heads
Andrew Walker
and
Hilary Parker
were joined by partner
Paul Liddle
from *Ward Hadaway in 2007. Clients include the Church Commissioners for
England
, and the Secretary of State for Health.
BHP Law, under
Simon Robinson
, continues to attract high-quality instructions.
Hunt Kidd Law Firm LLP
has two experienced practitioners in
Kenneth Hunt
and
Richard Brown
.
McKeags Law Firm's
Alexander Cook
is recommended.
In rankings for each category firms are listed A-Z in tiers
Commercial property - Elsewhere in the North
Archers Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees BHP Law Durham, Darlington Burnetts Carlisle Dickinson Dees LLP Tees Valley Endeavour Partnership LLP Stockton-on-Te es Jacksons Commercial &Private Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees
Baines Wilson Solicitors Carlisle Cartmell Shepherd Carlisle Crutes Law Firm Stockton-on-Tees Gordon Brown Associates Chester-le-Street Latimer Hinks Darlington Punch Robson Middlesbrough Tilly Bailey &
Irvine Wynyard Park
Archers Law LLP's
Christopher Todd
remains a strong presence in the market. The firm recently advised on the development of a 130,000 sq ft mixed use office and industrial park.
BHP Law's
Simon Robinson
heads a 'very focused' team which deals with a wide range of property matters and specialises in development, investment and agricultural property.
Burnetts' property practice was bolstered by the arrival of
Jonathan Marshall
from *Ward Hadaway. Public sector clients, particularly in the education sector, remain a driving force for the practice; a key client is UCLan, with practice head
John Priddle
recently acting in its pounds 6.5m disposal of a
Knowledge Park
in
Preston
.
Tony Lake
is recommended.
Dickinson Dees LLP
works on some of the largest projects, with
Barbara Painter
leading a premier team offering cross-office expertise where necessar y.
Endeavour Partnership LLP's
Simon Wake
has particular experience in the disposal of environmentally sensitive areas in Teesside, including the redevelopment of former ICI sites. The team is 'effective, responsive and focused'.
Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP's
Geoff Skeoch
leads an 'energetic and enthusiastic' team that is regularly at the heart of some of the largest commercial property transactions in Teesside.
Baines Wilson Solicitors has a particularly strong development practice, with
Sean Logue
active in the acquisition and development of business, industrial and retail parks throughout the UK. The firm also acted on numerous joint ventures involving residential development sites.
Crutes Law Firm has seen a substantial increase in property instructions, with the 'reliable'
Gareth Jones
winning work from major banks, private property investors and commercial developers.
Gordon Brown is the contact at new entry
Gordon Brown Associates
.
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine has the talents of the high-profile
Martin Levinson
to draw on; he is 'experienced, hands on and commercially astute'. New clients include a major regional developer.
Construction
WATSON BURTON LLP
Newcastle
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
Eversheds LLP Newcastle
Hay &Kilner Newcastle
Muckle LLP Newcastle
BHP Law Darlington
Burnetts Carlisle
Watson Burton LLP
scores 'ten out of ten' with many clients and remains the pre-eminent team in the region.
Senior partner
Rob Langley
leads the practice, and has overseen particular expansion on the non-contentious side. Roddy
Gordon and Mark Lawton
are strongly recommended, though the firm will doubtless miss
Fiona Swift
and
Nick Kippax
. The firm's
London
office, which focuses on engineering and construction, is of growing importance.
At
Dickinson Dees LLP
,
Simon Lewis
leads on contentious work and has 'real ability in prioritising commercial objectives'; his team dealt with a significant number of adjudications, with a combined value over pounds 12m. On the non-contentious side, the team is developing its energy/infrastructure and projects work. The practice has an increasingly international element, acting for example for a major international construction services organisation.
Ward Hadaway's construction and engineering team over the past year advised on projects worth more than pounds 500m. Led by
Ralph Wrighton
, the team advises commercial and residential developers and contractors, and process engineering is a key sector.
Jonathan Marshall
has left the firm for *Burnetts.
Eversheds LLP's
Mary Anne Roff
leads an employer-focused team which now includes
Michael Conroy Harris
, formerly head of construction at Laytons. A national and international client base ranges from
One Northeast
to a major German mining multinational.
Hay &Kilner is involved in a number of weighty construction matters in the railway industry.
Martin Solomon
acts for a number of engineering companies.
Muckle LLP
is increasingly involved in substantial hotel projects. New recruit
Tim Craig
, a former head of construction at *
DLA Piper UK LLP
in
Manchester
, has joined
Jonathan Combe's
team.
BHP Law enters the ranking following the arrival of
Andrea Gardner
, formerly of *
Watson Burton LLP
. Construction and engineering law specialist
Jonathan Marshall
has joined Burnetts.
Corporate and commercial -
Newcastle
DICKINSON DEES LLP
WARD HADAWAY
EVERSHEDS LLP
MUCKLE LLP
WATSON BURTON LLP
Hay &Kilner
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
Sintons LLP
Dickinson Dees LLP
is the 'clear winner in a talented field'. 2007 was a year of further expansion and important new client wins, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. With 31 partners and over 120 fee-earners, the firm is unmatched on strength in depth. It advised on a record number of completed transactions with an aggregate value over pounds 5bn.
Jamie Pass
and
Andrew Scott
are 'simply the best'.
Ward Hadaway provides 'excellent services and punches well beyond its weight'. With a growing focus on high-end work, 2007 was a record year with 98 deals totalling pounds 843m completed. Martin Hulls' team includes
Andrew Hoyle
, former senior partner at *
Watson Burton LLP
, and
Mike Spetch
, who recently arrived from *
Eversheds LLP
.
Eversheds LLP
, thanks to its international capabilities and reputation, continues to attract instructions from significant overseas companies doing business in the region. The 22-fee-earner team includes partners
Alan Fletcher
and
Ruth Connorton
, and handled over 30 deals totalling over pounds 800m.
Muckle LLP
has made great progress recently, and is certainly one to watch. The eight-partner team is making inroads into larger-scale work and higher-quality clients, although it remains to be seen what impact the departure of senior partner
Ian Gilthorpe
will have. Team head
Robert Phillips
- a 'class act' - was joined by
Matt Collen
, formerly of *Ward Hadaway, in 2007; together with
Andrew Davison
and
Hugh Welch
, they continue to focus on a core regional client base.
2007 saw
Watson Burton LLP
complete around 60 transactions worth over pounds 490m. Highlights included head
Gillian Hall
acting for a listed US company on a pounds 57.5m acquisition.
Julian Hall
and
Mike Warburton
have both left the practice.
Hay &Kilner saw turnover increase by nearly 20% in 2007, with
Nick James
leading a steady stream of work.
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP's
Paul Hughes
was involved in the reconstruction of a group of 20 offshore companies worth over pounds 100m.
Sintons LLP
continues to punch above its weight with a clear market consensus that the team, including partners
Karen Simms
and
Christopher Welch
, is one to watch.
2007 saw the team increase its transactional and project work to pounds 500m.
In rankings for each category firms are listed A-Z in tiers
Corporate and commercial -
Cumbria
BAINES WILSON SOLICITORS Carlisle
BURNETTS Carlisle
Cartmell Shepherd Carlisle
Livingstons Solicitors Carlisle
Baines Wilson Solicitors - a 'solid and reliable performer' - remains a leading force in
Cumbria
.
Andrew Hill
and
John Wilson
deliver a partner-led service that combines commercial, pragmatic advice with the ability to drive through transactions. 2007 saw a significant increase in both the volume and value of deals handled.
At Burnetts, corporate partner
Vaughan Jones
is particularly strong in the education sector. 2007 saw the team act for UCLan in the major transfer of their
Newton Rigg
and Carlisle campuses to the new
University of Cumbria
. Practice head
John Noctor's
expertise in the nuclear sector is widely recognised, and the team was recently entrusted with the transfer of patents in 27 different countries for the
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
.
Timothy Sykes
at Cartmell Shepherd and
Steve Walker
at Livingstons Solicitors are both experienced practitioners.
Corporate and commercial - Elsewhere in the Nor th
Dickinson Dees LLP Tees Valley
Endeavour Partnership LLP
Stockton-on-Tees
Archers Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees
BHP Law Darlington
Jacksons Commercial &Private Law
LLP Stockton-on-Tees
Latimer Hinks Darlington
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine Stockton-on-Tees
Merritt &Co Yarm
Punch Robson
Middlesbro ugh Smith &Graham Hartlepool
Dickinson Dees LLP's
Nigel Williams
is to many the most active and talented player in Teeside. The team can draw on the support and back-up of colleagues in
Newcastle
and
York
, and undertakes some major transactions. Clients include high-profile names such as
Castlebeck Group
and
Durham Tees Valley Airport
.
Endeavour Partnership LLP
had another successful year, involving transactional work with an aggregate value of over pounds 200m. A 10-partner firm, it is recognised as a niche commercial practice focused on delivering services to clients primarily in the
Tees Valley
but also beyond.
Toby Tilly
and
Paul Bury
provide 'excellent services carried out to a high degree of professionalism'.
Archers Law LLP
is sharpening its commercial presence, with
John Richardson
the main contact. In 2007 the team acted on an asset sale to a plc with a potential earn-out value of pounds 23m.
BHP Law has seen a number of significant arrivals, including
Stephen Greenway
. He joins a five-partner team led by
Gary Copeland
, which has been involved in a variety of multimillion-pound transactions.
Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP's
Tony Wentworth
leads a 'clever and approachable' team. In 2007 it handled deals totalling over pounds 60m. It is on the franchisee panels of numerous banks (including
Lloyds TSB
) and other franchisors Latimer Hinks in
Darlington
retains the confidence of the market, with
Nick Poole
attracting praise.
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine, led by
John Walters
, regularly advises on local and national deals worth up to pounds 10m.
Also recommended are Merritt &Co, led by
Noel Coward
; Punch Robson; and Smith &Graham.
Corporate tax
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
Ward Hadaway Newcastle
Eversheds LLP Newcastle
Watson Burton LLP Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP's
Jeremy Smith
has a substantial practice advising companies on tax and related issues, while
Christian Rogers
(based in
York
) has a particular specialism advising on complex tax investigations by HMRC. The 'resourceful, astute' team recently recruited two VAT specialists.
Ward Hadaway is increasingly strong in property and entrepreneurial tax.
Paul Christian
and his team acted on the establishment of employee share structures for a number of listed companies, including
Tanfield
.
A number of people in
Eversheds LLP's
30-strong national tax team spend time in the
Newcastle
office, including
David Jervis
. The firm provides strategic tax advice to
One NorthEast
and
Northumberland Estates
among others.
Watson Burton LLP's
team, led by
Richard Sowler
, has a growing reputation for tax litigation. It provides 'fast and competent advice'.
Cr ime
CRUTES LAW FIRM Stockton- On- Tees
FORRESTER SOLICITORS Jarrow
HAY &KILNER Newcastle
PEARSON CAULFIELD Newcastle
STEPHENS MCDONALD &ROBSON Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
Brown Beer Nixon Mallon Redcar
David Gray Solicitors Newcastle
McKeag &Co Newcastle
Russell Jones
&Walker
Samuel Phillips Law Firm Newcastle
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine Hartlepool
New and more complex corporate manslaughter legislation and higher fines has moved criminal work higher up the agenda for many firms.
Crutes Law Firm has niche expertise in white-collar matters.
Noted for its 'accuracy',
Rod Searl's
team has been instrumental in the defence of local authorities in the North East and beyond on a range of issues.
Geoffrey Forrester
at Forrester Solicitors is a strong regional name.
Hay &Kilner has a growing, three-partner practice led by
Mark Harrison
. Confiscation orders and proceeds of crime actions are specialist areas, and the team is also experienced in defending road traffic prosecutions.
Robert Hart
and
Gerry Bass
are practitioners of note.
Lewis Pearson
at Pearson Caulfield is also recommended.
Another niche practice with a strong reputation is Stephens McDonald &Robson;
Bradley Stephens
stands out.
Stephen Graham
heads Ward Hadaway 's motoring and regulatory defence team, representing clients charged with regulatory criminal offences.
Also recommended are: Brown Beer Nixon Mallon, which is particularly strong on RTAs; David Gray Solicitors, where
Brain Hegarty's
team is experienced in defending motoring offences and has a growing profile in the region; McKeag &Co, which can draw on the talents of
Denise Jackman
;
Russell Jones
&Walker's
Alan Samuels
, who represents an impressive number of institutional clients; Samuel Phillips Law Firm, where
Stuart Grant
is a highly experienced practitioner; and
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine's
John Ellwood
, who provides 'clear and succinct' advice.
Debt recovery
BHP LAW Darlington
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
HAY &KILNER Newcastle
MUCKLE LLP
Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
WATSON BURTON LLP
Newcastle
BHP Law has a very busy team led by Tom Lisgo.
Dickinson Dees LLP
has a wide-ranging portfolio of clients including individuals, commercial ventures, education and pensions providers, and bodies in the government sector; among them are
Durham University
and Railways Pensions Management Investments.
The practice is led by managing partner
Jonathan Blair
.
At Hay &Kilner, commercial recoveries manager
Barry Arkle
can draw on the resources of a 40-fee-earner department which represents a variety of regional commercial clients. The firm offers a bespoke mortgage recovery service to two major banks.
Muckle LLP
gained some 27 new clients during 2007, including conservatory manufacturer
Amdega Ltd.
Stewart Irvine
leads the team.
Ward Hadaway has a 13-strong, 'straightforward and accessible' team led by
Pauline Appleyard
. New client wins include
Anglia Regional Co-operative Society
.
Watson Burton LLP's
debt recovery team had another successful year handling volume debt recovery for small and large clients. It undertakes mortgage recovery work for
Halifax plc
.
Employment
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
EVERSHEDS LLP
Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
WATSON BURTON LLP
Newcastle
MUCKLE LLP
Newcastle
THOMPSONS
Newcastle
BHP Law Newcastle
Browell Smith &Co Newcastle
Crutes Law Firm Newcastle
Hay &Kilner Newcastle
Jacksons Commercial &Private
Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees
Samuel Phillips Law Firm Newcastle
Short Richardson &Forth LLP Newcastle
Sintons LLP Newcastle
Archers Law LLP
Stockton-on-Tees
Baines Wilson Solicitors Carlisle
Burnetts Carlisle
Endeavour Partnership LLP
Stockton-on-Tees
Hayton Winkley Kendal Kendal
Hunt Kidd Law Firm LLP Newcastle
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP Newcastle
Stefan Cross Solicitors Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP
acts almost exclusively for employers and attracts a substantial amount of standalone work. The 'simply brilliant'
Glenn Calvert
heads a team of five partners including senior partner
Robin Bloom
. A broad range of public and private sector clients includes the Universities of
Durham
and Teesside, and Nike. The last 12 months has seen the team at the forefront in the defence of equal pay claims against NHS trusts nationally.
Eversheds LLP
is a clear market favourite with clients confident of a 'commercially astute and analytical approach'. Team leader
Simon Loy
and
Shirley Wright
act for a list of heavyweight private and public sector clients including
City of Sunderland Council
, Nissan and Tarmac, and 2007 saw the firm conduct national test-case litigation in the NHS.
Michael Ord
has transferred to the
Birmingham
office.
Ward Hadaway is increasingly perceived as a major player. The six-partner, 'very good value' team, led by
Bernard Hodgson
and
Joe Thornhill
, numbers 16 fee-earners including three part-time judges in the
Employment Tribunal
. It has worked hard to broaden its client base and has an increasing profile for public sector work. The team is 'sharp, personable, and effectively identifies and concentrates on the main issues'.
Watson Burton LLP
had a very good year with new client wins for the ambitious five-partner team including
Teesside Power
and the
Gill Group
. The reputation of practice head Dr
John McMullen
- widely recognised as 'the TUPE guru' - carries the practice far. Clients include higher education institutions and other household names, and the firm has a growing local government practice. In 2007 it advised the
British Association of Colliery Management
in a leading EAT case concerning trade union consultation and protective awards.
Muckle LLP
has a 'very good' employment practice noted for its 'proactive, fast, and responsive' approach. In one of its busiest years,
Tony McPhillips'
team handled six
High Court
employment disputes.
The firm acts for an expanding roster of privately owned companies, plcs and high-net-worth individuals.
Thompsons has in
Iain Birrell
a specialist in trade union discrimination and large-scale collective claims, with particular expertise in statutory dispute resolution mechanisms.
Graeme Ritzema
is the name to note at BHP Law.
Browell Smith &Co has a dedicated trade union client base, and specialises in acting for claimants only. The six-fee-earner unit is led by
Brian Freeman
. It acts nationally for the NUM as well as GMB Northern and Southern Regions, and is often involved in cutting-edge cases.
Crutes Law Firm has long enjoyed a healthy workload in the public sector as a result of its traditional NHS and local authority client base.
David Gibson's
team is increasingly acting for the private sector, advising AIM-listed companies and SMEs in the chemicals sector.
At Hay &Kilner,
Neil Dwyer
and his team had a busy 2007, advising on injunctions and reorganisations in particular.
Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP
is one to watch, and has in senior partner
Kevin Fletcher
a high-profile and experienced practitioner who 'always delivers the goods'. The three-partner team - which includes
Andrew Twineham
and
Mark Foster
- has a growing reputation and acts for numerous high-profile organisations.
Samuel Phillips Law Firm has a significant and growing public sector client base. Managing partner
Robert Gibson
heads a team heavily involved in NHS equal pay cases as well as acting for the largest NHS trust in the region.
Barry Speker
is a part-time employment judge. The firm undertakes a significant volume of claimant cases and has an 'experienced and direct approach'.
At Short Richardson &Forth LLP, highly experienced consultant
Michael Short
and
Max Winthrop
are recommended.
Sintons LLP's
Christopher Welch
is increasingly handling complex restructuring and transactional work.
He provides 'excellent personal service, and is very strong in this discipline'.
Archers Law LLP
was one of the first firms in the region to participate in the Judicial Mediation Scheme.
Robert Irons
acts for a large trade union. Baines Wilson Solicitors is the only team in
Cumbria
to act exclusively for employers, and
Joanne Holborn
has a heavy focus on the corporate private sector.
Burnetts has in senior partner
John Morris
and his three-partner team a group of 'highly talented, clever individuals'.
Endeavour Partnership LLP
is particularly solid on TUPE issues, with
Julie Bruce
at the helm. Also recommended are:
Hayton Winkley Bromley Wood
;
Hunt Kidd Law Firm LLP
;
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
; and specialist equal pay practice Stefan Cross Solicitors.
In rankings for each category firms are listed A-Z in tiers
Energy
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
Eversheds LLP Newcastle
Ward Hadaway Newcastle
Watson Burton LLP Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP's
'hugely respected'
Jonathan Hewitt
and his team are involved in a broad spectrum of work including acting nationally for landowners on wind farm developments. Gas, electricity, and regulatory issues feature heavily.
Eversheds LLP
has an experienced oil and gas team, a strong nuclear team and a leading renewable energy practice, with
Stephen Mackin
rated as 'a star'. It is particularly experienced in energy-related regulatory, shipping, and construction work. Ward Hadaway and the 'highly accomplished and experienced'
Watson Burton LLP
are known for the construction aspects of energy projects.
Environment
Dickinson Dees LLP Newcastle
Ward Hadaway Newcastle
Watson Burton LLP Newcastle
Hay &Kilner Newcastle
Jacksons Commercial &Private
Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees Sintons LLP Newcastle
Stuart Wardlaw
heads the team at
Dickinson Dees LLP
, whose specialisms include major public sector waste projects. It is assisting a national public sector client in the restoration and management of a formerly heavily industrialised part of the UK coastline, advising on remediation, operational management and liability issues.
Ward Hadaway's practice continues to expand under
Neil Robson
, with focal areas including waste management, contaminated land, and contentious regulatory issues; it has advised on high-profile waste contracts for clients in the chemical and alternative energy spheres.
Watson Burton LLP
advised on matters ranging from corporate support to criminal investigations and enforcement action. Tristan Meears-White is a 'knowledgeable' regulatory specialist, and
Bryan Riley
is also rated.
Sintons LLP
is new to the ranking, with
Paul Liddle
the name to note.
EU and competition
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
EVERSHEDS LLP
Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP
has handled a significant number of EU merger clearance referrals back to the UK.
Neil Warwick
has 'a professional and pragmatic approach' and is noted for his 'excellent technical knowledge'.
The team is a panel member for
One NorthEast
.
Eversheds LLP's
Newcastle
team leads the firm's expertise nationally on the EU implications of regeneration projects, with
Ruth Connorton
nationally renowned and noted as offering 'a professional and seamless service'. The North East Centre of Procurement Excellence (on behalf of 25 constituent councils) and
Sunderland
arc are clients.
Family
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
HAY &KILNER Newcastle
MINCOFFS SOLICITORS LLP
Newcastle
SAMUEL PHILLIPS LAW FIRM Newcastle
SINTONS LLP
Newcastle
Crutes Law Firm
Stockton-on-Tees
David Gray Solicitors Newcastle
Ward Hadaway Newcastle
Watson Burton LLP Newcastle
BHP Law Darlington
Burnetts Carlisle
Colette Stroud Solicitors Ponte
land
McKeag &Co Newcastle
Muckle LLP Newcastle
The 14-strong team at
Dickinson Dees LLP
- the largest in the area - includes practice head
Margaret Simpson
,
Lyn Rutherford
(now a consultant), and
Ian Kennerley
, who is recognised for high-value ancillary relief and child care work for local authorities in particular. With a focus on high-net-worth individuals, the team is involved in numerous cases involving assets over pounds 5m, and offers a one-stop-shop approach.
Hay &Kilner's 'very well-regarded', three-partner team is led by
Nicola Matthews
and includes
Rob Hart
and
Jacqui Slater
. It attracts a large number of wealthy clients. It is noted for its practical approach, and is active in mediation.
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
has a 'substantial' practice, with the 'highly experienced'
Mike Smith
a member of the
Law Society Family Panel
.
Samuel Phillips Law Firm has the 'very practical'
Jennifer Goldstein
, whose specialisms include pensions rights on divorce. The firm also advises on child law, and acts for a number of local private adoption and fostering agencies.
Sintons LLP's
'bright' team is increasingly attracting high-value ancillary relief cases, with
Tim Gray
and
Steven Freeman
in 2007 acting in several cases involving complex international jurisdictional issues concerning children and marriages.
Crutes Law Firm no longer takes on legal aid work, now focusing exclusively on private clients.
Christine Blount
is known for her specialist knowledge of domestic violence and childcare issues.
David Gray Solicitors has a four-partner team led by
Mary Shaw
, who successfully conducted the first collaborative law case in the region.
Ward Hadaway reports a marked increase in the complexity and value of cases undertaken in the past 12 months. Practice head
Jonathan Flower
and
Tim Scott
are recommended.
Watson Burton LLP
represents many wealthy individuals from the regional business and professional communities.
Lyn Ayrton
is noted for her 'precision and skill' in dealing with financial matters.
BHP Law's
Robin Winskell
continues to advise some of the region's leading sports personalities in sport and business, providing 'solid, clear and thoughtful' advice.
Burnetts has a long tradition of advising in this area, with
Doug Claxton
leading the team.
Joanne Major
at niche firm Colette Stroud Solicitors is 'a rapidly rising star', and
Jonathan Dunkley
continues to develop the practice at
Muckle LLP
.
McKeag &Co's
Sue McArthur
is recommended.
Insolvency and corporate recovery
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
EVERSHEDS LLP
Newcastle
Hay &Kilner Newcastle
Ward Hadaway Newcastle
Watson Burton LLP Newcastle
BHP Law Newcastle
Jacksons Commercial &Private
Law LLP Stockton-on-Tees
Dickinson Dees LLP
has a thriving practice of five partners and 20 other fee-earners, led by
Sally Dallow
. The team acted in over 260 matters for major financial institutions and IPs in the region, handling a mix of mainstream insolvency and directors' disqualification work, and handles a significant amount of work for the
Department for Business
, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. It has been joined by
Will Gunston
from *Osborne Clarke in
London
and
Julian Gill
from *
Watson Burton LLP
.
Eversheds LLP
- led by the 'quick-thinking and clever'
Paul Dutton
- was appointed to the
Barclays Risk Panel
, and is the only firm in the region on all the bank risk panels. It also acts for regional asset-based lenders and insolvency specialists, and national accountancy practices, with corporate restructuring and debt-for-equity corporate recovery work both areas of specialism.
Licensed IP Neil Harrold at Hay &Kilner undertakes a mix of corporate and personal insolvency work for most of the major firms of IPs in the North East, as well as some based further afield. The firm acted in several LPA receiverships involving properties across the country.
Ward Hadaway's 'very amenable and approachable' team is challenging the top tier.
Jim James
is handling a growing amount of public sector and pensions-related work. A varied caseload includes a large volume of pre-pack administration work, with over 30 cases completed for a range of IPs.
Andrew Cawkwell
at
Watson Burton LLP
heads a team handling an array of high-value and complex administrations and restructurings, with the sale and purchase of insolvent businesses an expanding part of the practice. The departure however of
Julian Gill
is a substantial loss.
BHP Law is new to the ranking.
Graham Ridler
has over 20 years' experience in the field.
Jacksons Commercial &
Private Law LLP
has a credible and growing practice led by
Stephen Wiles
.
Intellectual property and information technology
DICKINSON DEES LLP
Newcastle
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
EVERSHEDS LLP
Newcastle
MUCKLE LLP
Newcastle
WATSON BURTON LLP
Newcastle
Baines Wilson Solicitors Carlisle
Hay &Kilner Newcastle
Sintons LLP Newcastle
McDaniel &Co.
Newcastle
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP Newcastle
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine Stockton-on-Tees
The success of
Dickinson Dees LLP
is due in no small part to the sterling reputation of team head and IT outsourcing specialist
Andrew Scott
and IP expert
Mark Pearce
; it is 'rare to find a team you can trust so completely'. On the technology side, the firm's reputation in the financial services sector in particular is growing. New clients include
Mellon Bank
and on the IP side US anti-plagiarism software provider iParadigms.
Ward Hadaway is increasingly busy on contentious patent and unregistered design rights issues, and had a strong year with fee-income up by a third. Led by the 'formidably able'
Alex Shiel
, the team acts for household names such as
Barratt Developments plc
and the
Arts Council
.
Judy Baker
is singled out for her freedom of information practice.
Eversheds LLP's
Paula Barrett
leads the
IT and e
-commerce practice in the North and the firm's data protection group nationally. 2007 saw the team advise a major financial institution on the outsourcing of call centre services to
India
, and Silverlink Software and Orchard Information Systems are regular clients.
Janet Knowles
and
Antony Gold
on the IP side are 'skilled opposition' according to peers, and win plaudits for their 'highly specialised skills'. Internet branding is a strong area.
Muckle LLP
now has a three-partner team following the arrival of
Alan Grisedale
. Practice head
Gill Hunter
is particularly renowned for her non-contentious technology expertise and especially e-business and IP exploitation work.
NaREC (the New and Renewable Energy Centre) is a client.
At
Watson Burton LLP
,
Mark Whitehead
heads the IT side while new associate
Ed Meikle
- a new arrival from *
Dickinson Dees LLP
- deals with the IP side. The team continues to advise blue-chip industrial clients across a variety of sectors, and has made strides forward in relation to IT suppliers. New clients including Everton FC. Baines Wilson Solicitors has a genuine specialism in this area, with areas of focus including trade marks, domain name disputes, and copyright.
Bob Elliott
and
John Wilson
are the names to note.
Hay &Kilner is developing its IP practice, through
Martin Solomon
and
Nick James
, and
Sintons LLP
has a dedicated IP/IT practice led by
Pippa May
.
McDaniel &Co., a niche practice led by
Niall Head-Rapson
, has an excellent client base and a 'deserved reputation for technical ability'.
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine acts for a number of national clients.
Amanda Mitten
recently advised a leading name on brand protection issues.
Licensing
MINCOFFS SOLICITORS LLP
Newcastle
SINTONS LLP
Newcastle
FREEMANS
Newcastle
MCKENZIE BELL Sunderland
TILLY BAILEY
&IRVINE Hartlepool
WARD HADAWAY Newcastle
WATSON BURTON LLP
Newcastle
Crutes Law Firm Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP Newcastle
Hay &Kilner Wallsend
Eversheds LLP Newcastle
Muckle LLP Newcastle
Patterson Glenton
&Stracey Newcastle
Smith &Graham Hartlepool
Wallers
Newcastle
Mincoffs Solicitors LLP
has a 'clear footprint in the licensing market', with
Richard Arnot
acting for clients throughout the country. The department remains very busy particularly following the implementation of new gambling legislation in 2005. It is increasingly instructed to deal with new gaming applications, especially for adult gaming centres and betting premises.
Sintons LLP
has in joint practice heads
Lucy Winskell
and
Sarah Smith
'two regional heavyweight practitioners'. The team acts for operators of single and multiple sites at all levels, including handling judicial reviews. Gaming clients are significantly on the increase, while other licensing clients include
Alnwick Castle Estate
.
Freemans and
McKenzie Bell
have long had fine reputations in this field, with the ability to deal with a varied caseload for a mix of leading clients.
Tilly Bailey
&Irvine has a solid track record built on many successful applications handled by
John Ellwood
for the region's growing food and leisure sector businesses.
Ward Hadaway's client base features English Heritage, Malmaison and
Hotel Du Vin
.
Stephen Graham
is team head.
Watson Burton LLP
has a number of national clients as well as longstanding regional ones, with the defence of regulatory prosecutions a key area. Tristan Meears-White is 'extremely knowledgeable yet retains a highly pragmatic approach to problem solving'.
In rankings for each category firms are listed A-Z in tiers
Media and entertainment
Dickinson Dees LLP Newcastle
Mincoffs Solicitor
