Clarkslegal (Reading, England) has, once again, shone in the Legal 500 Legal Directory Rankings:
South East Regional Overview – Ranked as Regional Heavyweight
Clarkslegal has great strength in environment, public sector and dispute resolution, and is also notable for its employment practice.
Construction
Clarkslegal LLP’s service is ‘second to none’ on the construction side. It continues to represent the University of Reading in an extensive redevelopment programme, and advised new client Huawei Technologies on the acquisition of new headquarters. David Rintoul has a ‘multitude of different strengths’, and is recommended alongside Jessica Taylor, who joined from Trowers & Hamlins LLP.
Corporate/Commercial
Ashan Arif’s team at Clarkslegal has been handling work in IP and public procurement, as well as in infrastructure. In a major highlight, the team advised Carillion on its joint venture with Bombardier Transport to develop the European Train Control System for Network Rail. Arif is also noted for his Islamic finance expertise. John Warchus and Kirstin Parker are key contacts on the commercial IP and procurement sides respectively.
Dispute Resolution
Clarkslegal fields a ‘sophisticated, City-standard litigation practice’. Antony Morris is an ‘excellent head of department who gets fully involved with his clients and with the case at hand’; Chris Tayton is ‘analytical and dependable in the engine room of a heavy case’; and Stephen James ‘gives 110% to supporting counsel at trial’. Recent work includes several cases with an international dimension, including pursuing multi-jurisdictional shipping claims for Cronos Containers.
Employment
Clarkslegal provides an ‘innovative and cost-effective service’ and continues to advise major clients such as Carillion, News International and Jardine Motors Group on a wide range of issues, including industrial action and the employment aspects of M&A transactions.
Head of department Michael Sippitt has ‘unparalleled expertise and experience’, and Helen Beech is ‘extremely thorough, competent and capable’. Experienced associate Rachel Clayfield is ‘personable, attentive and delivers accurate advice in a timely manner’.
Dafydd Downes has an excellent client base featuring SWW Local Authority Consortium, Carillion, and Scottish and Southern Energy, and is noted for his ‘excellent work’ on complex matters. The practice includes corporate support work (particularly relating to outsourcing), tribunal representation, and strategic advice.
Health & Safety
David Rintoul leads a ‘timely, accurate and extremely professional’ team at Clarkslegal, with Rachel Clayfield also recommended.
Personal Tax, Trusts, Probate
Clarkslegal’s team is led by Simon Berry, and has recently advised clients on multi-jurisdictional, Court of Protection and rural estate matters. Berry has a ‘good technical grasp of tax matters’, and associate James Phipps is ‘careful, articulate and helpful’.
Projects Finance and PFI
Kirstin Parker and Richard Higgs have strong experience advising local authorities on both PFIs and PPPs. Parker recently advised a consortium of Welsh local authorities on the procurement process for an energy-from-waste PPP project.
Associate Rhiannon Holtham advises on substantial waste procurements on behalf of the SW Wales and Tomorrow’s Valley procurement hubs.
Public Sector: Education
Clarkslegal continues to advise key clients the University of Reading and CfBT Education Trust, primarily on procurement and property issues. Kirstin Parker heads the team.
Public Sector: Health
Clarkslegal LLP has a strong reputation for real estate and procurement advice to healthcare clients, including NHS trusts and private providers. Commercial property head Rachel Krol and Richard Higgs are key contacts.
Public Sector: Local Government
Clarkslegal’s team has substantial expertise in waste, procurement and environmental matters. Clarkslegal advised a group of Welsh councils on a large procurement for waste treatment contracts to generate renewable energy, and has since been instructed by the Welsh government in relation to standard documentation for similar projects in Wales. Team head Kirstin Parker and associate Rebecca Quinn are recommended.
Real Estate
Rachel Krol’s team at Clarkslegal LLP advises major clients such as Carillion on matters including leases and land options. Richard Higgs was recently promoted to partner.
