The Legal 500 summary of Clarkslegal can be found here and the following paragraphs summarise the outstanding feedback attributed to our work.
Construction
Clients ‘strongly recommend’ Clarkslegal LLP, which delivers the ‘highest standard of professionalism and knowledge’. Led by David Rintoul, the department is advising the University of Reading on its £45m halls and catering project – one of the largest construction projects in the region.
Corporate/Commercial
The team at Clarkslegal is noted for its growing experience in the clean technology sector. In 2010, practice head Kevin Byrne advised Dutch company Royal Ten Cate on its £10m acquisition of AML Group. The group also added AIM-listed eg solutions to a client roster that includes Trada Technology and Carillion.
Dispute Resolution
‘Up there with the best’, Clarkslegal has a ‘highly client-focused approach’ coupled with ‘deep knowledge’. The practice ‘competes with all the major London firms’ on commercial and public sector disputes, and has particular expertise in environmental, commercial agency and product liability claims. The team features ‘brilliant negotiator’ and ‘excellent strategist’ Antony Morris; Chris Tayton, who is an ‘excellent adviser’; and ‘dogged and determined’ associate and ‘first-class litigator’ Stephen James.
Employment
‘Technically good, and business orientated’, Clarkslegal handled a number of employment matters arising from restructuring programmes, for the likes of Sun Microsystems. With an ‘innovative, proactive and responsive approach’, it also advised Gate Gourmet London in five appeals in the employment appeal tribunal. ‘Expert’ Michael Sippitt leads the team, which also features Monica Atwal, who gets ‘fantastic results’ defending tribunal claims, and the ‘outstanding’ Helen Beech. The firm also benefits from its own HR consultancy, Forbury People.
In Wales, Clarkslegal`s Dafydd Downes acts for Wales and South West based public sector clients, and recently advised various companies on employment issues as well as acting in a high-profile employment tribunal case.
In London, Clarkslegal handles tribunal defence and advisory work for Carillion, Lafarge Cement, and News International. The team includes the ‘outstanding’ Michael Sippitt; Helen Beech; and the ‘pragmatic and precise’ Simon Lapthorne.
Environment
Clarkslegal advises on an array of environmental issues, and has expertise in niche areas including carbon credits and environmental project finance. Michael Sippitt and Kirstin Parker are recommended.
Health & Safety
At Clarkslegal, David Rintoul’s ‘excellent team’ recently advised in a number of noise-induced hearing loss claims and asbestos-related disease cases. Rachel Clayfield is ‘first class’.
Personal Tax, Trusts, Probate
At Clarkslegal, ‘very professional’ associate Simon Berry assists high-net-worth individuals on tax and probate matters, and also advises on major estates and assets abroad.
Projects and Energy
Clarkslegal specialises in waste energy and management, acting for local authorities on major projects. Julie James and associate Rhiannon Holtham advised collaborating councils on procuring a large-scale PPP.
Public Sector: Education
Clarkslegal advises the University of Reading on various matters including procurement and sales of parts of the estate. Practice head Kirstin Parker is recommended.
Public Sector: Local Government
Clarkslegal’s team is advising a number of collaborating councils on a significant and large-scale procurement, and Blaenau-Gwent County Borough Council on an ethical standards inquiry. Other clients include The South West Wales Consortium and Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust. Kirstin Parker leads the team.
In Wales, Clarkslegal acts for local government, with a niche in environmental waste management. Public sector specialist Julie James advised Blaenau Gwent Council in relation to an ethical standards enquiry and reorganising educational arrangements. Clarkslegal also advises on procurement, PPPs and outsourcing schemes for the likes of Swansea Council and Caerphilly County Borough Council. Recent work includes advising on various waste management procurement projects.
Real Estate
The ‘responsive’ Clarkslegal advises Carillion, Lafarge and Air France. Rachel Krol and David Mills are advising the University of Reading on a £100m public procurement project. Associate Richard Higgs is ‘proactive’.
Planning and Environment
Clarkslegal focuses on environmental public sector projects. Julie James and ‘conscientious, effective’ associate Rhiannon Holtham acted for the South West Wales Waste Consortium on contractual matters, and local councils on a renewables PPP.
TMT
John Warchus leads the IT team at Clarkslegal, which recently advised new client Satyam Computer Services on an IT project dispute. It also assists Carillion and GTL Europe in IT matters.
