Clarkslegal prides ourselves on our excellent client service, so it is wonderful to be recommended by Legal 500 UK for our efforts especially during this different time for us all. We are delighted to announce that we have been recognised for the following practice areas; Construction, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Property, Corporate & Commercial, Employment, Immigration and Public Sector.
The Legal 500 UK is an independent guide that analyses the capabilities of law firms and solicitors across the UK, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market. More than four million users visit The Legal 500 website each year and the guide offer those buying legal services in the UK, reliable and up-to-date information on law firms.
Along with the recognition of our practice areas, five of our outstanding solicitors have been recommended by the directory; Antony Morris, Michael Sippitt, Monica Atwal, Rachel Krol and Emma Butcher.
The strong rankings are further endorsed by highly complementary client and peer feedback.
Please see below a selection of client quote extracts from the editorial:
Commercial Litigation
One of the leading dispute resolution teams in the region, Clarkslegal LLP advises high-profile clients from the automotive, education and technology sectors on a complete range of contentious matters. Practice head Antony Morris is a 'very good commercial litigator'; he frequently engages in cross-border work and focuses his practice on professional negligence, commercial contract disputes and international trade issues. Christopher Tayton advises on IT, intellectual property and product liability matters. Stephen James and associate Emma Butcher are other key figures.
‘Chris Tayton is very good, thorough and professional at his job.’
‘Personal attention and good professional service.’
‘I have been instructed by Antony Morris in professional liability cases. He has great intelligence, a fine judgement of the realities of litigation, good judgement, he is efficient and very easy to work with.’
Construction
Clarkslegal LLP regularly acts for both purchaser and supplier clients in relation to major construction projects and has seen considerable growth in the contentious side of the practice. The team advises on joint ventures, contracts, and surety documents, as well as bringing and defending claims in adjudications, the technology and construction court and by arbitration. Ruth Wilkinson, who clients describe as 'exceptional’, is a specialist in contract drafting, disputes and advisory issues.
‘Ruth Wilkinson’s qualities are that she is approachable and honest in her opinion. We value her advice.’
‘In my experience, the Clarkslegal construction team are extremely professional, knowledgeable and friendly.‘
‘Ruth Wilkinson is always friendly and proactive. We value her knowledge and expertise.‘
Employment
Clarkslegal LLP maintains 'an exceptional balance of expertise and personality' in advising large national and international business clients on major projects such as restructurings and TUPE transfers, large redundancy programmes and industrial relations/employee engagement projects. The team also handles complex litigation at tribunal level. Michael Sippitt is particularly strong in industrial relations strategies; Helen Beech advises on complex restructurings and change programmes. Monica Atwal is recommended for her contentious work handling discrimination cases, particularly disability claims.
‘Invariably extremely knowledgeable, efficient, well-prepared and delightful to work with. Cannot rate them too highly.’
‘Helen Beech. An excellent and unflappable employment lawyer who is a pleasure to work with. Highly skilled and professional.’
‘Monica Atwal is excellent. She leads her team from the front. Her enthusiasm for her clients and tenacity in the pursuit of their interests are second to none and she always gives realistic and practical advice.’
Immigration
Clarkslegal LLP advises multinational clients on a broad range of issues, including securing employer sponsorship licences and responding to immigration enforcement notices, as well as advising tier 1 investors entering the UK on start-up/innovator visas. Though focusing on business immigration, the team also handles personal matters, assisting company directors and their family members with obtaining dependent visas and securing status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Monica Atwal leads the practice and aids entrepreneurs, investors and overseas companies setting up in the UK.
‘We have been working with Clarkslegal since 2016. All of the people we worked with have been nothing but highly professional.’
Corporate & Commercial
Clarkslegal LLP assists national and international clients, as well as regional businesses and SMEs, with M&A, AIM listings and private equity investments. The team also advise on shareholder issues and sales of businesses assets. Practice head Ashan Arif is experienced in advising technology start-ups and early-stage and scaling stage technology businesses. Chrysilla de Vere joined from Slade Legal in 2019 to increase the team's offering in brand protection and licensing issues.
Commercial Property
Clarkslegal LLP is 'well respected in the market' for providing a full real estate service to the education, leisure, construction, manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Practice head Rachel Krol, now a consultant, counts FTSE 100 companies in her client base; Shona Dunning arrived from Blaser Mills Law in 2019 and has a broad real estate practice working for clients that include commercial landlords, developers, pension funds, lenders, charities and retail occupiers. Simon Ralphs has a detailed knowledge of franchise arrangements and a particular focus on the food and restaurant sector.
‘They respond very quickly and I am always able to communicate the same day with a solicitor that can help and most usually my contacts. Advice is always sound and straightforward and easy to understand.’
‘This firm takes its responsibility and client care very seriously. ‘
Publics Sector
At Clarkslegal LLP, the education practice has extensive experience advising schools, higher education institutions and local authorities on the full spectrum of issues. Based in Reading, the team has notable strength across construction, employment and dispute resolution mandates and also regularly acts for charity sector clients.
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