We provide the complete commercial debt recovery service; from outsourced early arrears collections through to expert litigation, all handled in-house by a multi-award-winning law firm.
We provide the complete commercial debt recovery service; from outsourced early arrears collections through to expert litigation, all handled in-house by a multi-award-winning law firm.
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We are pleased to report our most successful Legal 500 rankings to date with a record number of practice areas and individuals recommended this year.
As the world’s leading legal directory, Legal 500 recognises law firms in the global legal market and highlights practice area teams that provide cutting-edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel, as well as those with a reputation for handling complex, innovative deals and a clear investment plan for the future.
With 14 of the firm’s practice areas recommended in the 2025 edition, along with a record number of ‘Leading Partners’ and ‘Leading Associates’ in the firm’s long history, this is excellent recognition of the breadth and depth of our services and market expertise.
Our recommended practice areas:
Our Dispute Resolution team has once again retained its ‘Top Tier’ status for commercial litigation, a record it has held for an incredible 12 consecutive years. The department is noted for excelling ‘at every level of the UK judicial system, as well as in the European Court of Justice, and regularly handles high-stakes and complex High Court work.’
Chief Executive Qamer Ghafoor has retained his ‘Hall of Fame’ status for commercial litigation, one of only three lawyers in the entire East Midlands region to hold this title. Qamer is a noteworthy name within commercial and insurance litigation and is lauded as ‘an experienced and robust litigator who is excellent at achieving results for clients.’ Additionally, the ‘diligent and bright’ Kelly Savage is named a ‘Leading Associate,’ noted for her expertise in contract, shareholder, and professional negligence litigation. Jon Jefferies is highlighted for being an ‘experienced litigator with a broad remit which includes all aspects of complex commercial litigation and property-related disputes.’
Having garnered a national reputation for its debt recovery service and being particularly active in the utility industry—pursuing debts on behalf of some of the largest UK providers—our Debt Services team retains its ‘Top Tier’ status for the seventh consecutive year. Group head Niall Gilhooley, noted for his extensive debt experience, leads the department, which advises at all stages of recovery, from initial contact through to litigation and enforcement.
‘Leading Partner’ Qamer Ghafoor has been commended for being skilled in litigation, including claims pertaining to high-value securities and insolvencies, while Debt Recovery Managers Catherine Marksman and Natalie Lloyd-Nash have both been recognised as ‘Leading Associates,’ signifying a record number of individuals in the department with this leading status.
With a ‘demonstrable ability to manage property disputes at every level of the UK judicial system, acting for an enviable client list that includes landowners, developers, and commercial landlords’, the firm’s Property Litigation department is recognised as a ‘Top Tier’ practice for the third year running.
Practice head Qamer Ghafoor is noted for advising extensively on large, complex commercial disputes, while Kelly Savage, who has undertaken key roles in High Court and Court of Appeal cases, has been awarded the ‘Leading Associate’ title for the first time in property litigation. Jon Jefferies, who joined the practice from Freeths LLP in November 2023, brings notable experience in commercial litigation and insolvency cases. He, along with senior associate Jo Milward, has been named a ‘Recommended Lawyer.’
Senior Partner and Licensing practice head Andrew Cochrane continues to be named in the ‘Hall of Fame’ for his extensive experience in all aspects of alcohol and entertainment licensing, including the tenanted pub market—making him one of only two lawyers in the entire East Midlands region to receive this accolade. For his ability to secure testing extensions and challenge new licenses, regularly acting for hospitality operators, George Domleo retains his ‘Leading Associate’ status for 2025.
Our Corporate and Commercial teams were ranked again this year, with corporate restructuring and funding transactions, property joint ventures, banking and commercial arrangements, and data protection being the cornerstones of the practice. Described as ‘quick to assimilate complex issues in a transaction,’ corporate lead Martyn Brierley, commercial lead Haroon Younis, and corporate partner Mark Wilcock all continue to be recognised as ‘Recommended Lawyers.’
Lauded as ‘a very strong specialist defendant PI practice,’ the firm’s Insurance Litigation team continues to expand and strengthen its reputation for handling large-loss, catastrophic, and fraudulent personal injury matters, as well as credit hire claims, under group head Anthony Carrington. Jonathan Gilbert retains his ‘Leading Partner’ status and is ‘highlighted for his capabilities in cases involving severe brain and spinal injuries.’ The ‘knowledgeable’ large-loss lead Nigel Partridge has been noted as being ‘well-regarded in the motor insurance sector,’ while Philip Thompson has again been named a ‘Leading Associate,’ recognised for his expertise in handling matters involving subtle brain injury, spinal cord injury, and psychological damage.
Recently bolstering its commercial insurance claims expertise, the firm’s Professional Negligence practice has maintained its high rankings this year for its proficiency in handling business and individual claims against a broad range of professionals, including brokers, solicitors, and surveyors. Department head Qamer Ghafoor is ‘reputed for his strength in commercial dispute resolution and property litigation.’ Kelly Savage is highlighted for her strength in commercial litigation, and Sundeep Sandhu is vastly experienced in contractual, insolvency, as well as property and land property disputes.
Recognised for its development work and leadership on key land sales and purchases across various industries, the firm’s Commercial Property team also retained its high rankings in the fiercely competitive region. Janet Rhodes has spearheaded the practice since joining from Freeths LLP in July 2023, bringing over 25 years of commercial real estate experience. Ian Beardmore has advised property and construction clients on key site acquisitions and disposals, while Ben Pickup assists with development matters, from initial promotion to disposal. Sanveer Sandhu, who regularly advises on the full spectrum of property work, has again been named a ‘Next Generation Partner.’
Well-versed in employment tribunal litigation, disciplinary hearings, redundancies, and restructures, our Employment practice continues to thrive. The team’s expertise extends to the Public Sector category, having been recognised for its education offering, and handles a spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters on behalf of nurseries, schools, and universities, with particular expertise in employment-related mandates. Practice lead Briony McDermott, along with first-time ranked Becky Madden, are both recognised as ‘Recommended Lawyers.’
Following our strategic acquisition of Walker Morris’ Banking & Finance Recoveries division in September 2024, it is also great to see that Ellen McLean has once again been recognised for Banking Litigation in the Yorkshire and Humber region as part of her tenure in the Finance Dispute Resolution team at Walker Morris LLP. She has received high praise from her clients being described as ‘highly knowledgeable, easy-going and calm under pressure, but forthright and determined when she needs to be.’ Another client said: “Ellen McLean stands out for her wealth of experience and her legal and commercial aptitude. There is nothing that Ellen does not know about residential mortgage claims, and she is deservedly considered to be a leading individual in the area.”
With Claire Rudkin at the helm, who excels in handling high-net-worth estates and complex trusts, the firm’s Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts department was again recognised this year and highlighted for acting for a varied client roster, featuring both foreign and UK-domiciled individuals. Clients also praise the ‘exceptional’ William Harper, who has again been named a ‘Next Generation Partner,’ and the ‘outstanding’ Samuel Balmbra, who was promoted to senior associate in 2024.
The Contentious Probate department is highlighted for covering the full array of contentious probate work for beneficiaries, trustees, and executors. Sundeep Sandhu, who oversees the practice, has been described as ‘knowledgeable about professional negligence surrounding the drafting of wills and trusts matters’ and ‘analytical, organised, and a pleasure to work with.’
Our Family & Matrimonial team continues to be recognised as one of the leading family law practices in the region for its extensive work portfolio, encompassing divorce, nuptial agreements, separation agreements, freezing orders, and children’s cases, among many others. Angela Davis leads the team, lending her expertise to all aspects of family law, including arrangements for children and financial matters. Erica Wakeman specialises in resolving financial matters following divorce or separation.
The firm’s multidisciplinary Agriculture & Estates team continues to be highlighted for its advice on a gamut of agricultural and rural affairs matters, including dispute resolution, property issues, and transactional work. Paul Sabin oversees the practice and is well-versed in the freehold acquisitions and disposals of farms. With over two decades of experience, Claire Rudkin leads the Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts team and handles estate and trust matters related to agricultural assets. Other key members of the team include Sundeep Sandhu, who has a strong track record in commercial and civil disputes.
“I am incredibly proud to see a record number of the firm’s practice areas and lawyers recognised by Legal 500 this year. It is a testament to the outstanding expertise and dedication of our teams, and I’m especially delighted for those receiving their first-time recognition.
“These rankings highlight the collective effort, hard work, and commitment of everyone at Flint Bishop, both legal and support staff. Our success is a direct result of their continued dedication, and I’d like to personally thank each member of the team for their invaluable contributions.
“With our future growth and strategic ambitions, we will continue to invest in our people, office spaces and technology to provide the best environment possible for our staff, enabling us to enhance our operational efficiency to deliver innovative solutions to our clients. Our trajectory is clear – we aim to become a recognised national player in the legal industry, while maintaining the values and culture that have been instrumental to our success.”
Commercial litigation
“The department provides an excellent service for clients and is competitive with leading London commercial litigation firms within its practice areas, particularly in insurance disputes. It has a strong client focus and combines solid legal analysis with a pragmatic approach to resolving disputes.”
Corporate and commercial
“I always found the corporate team at Flint Bishop very easy to deal with. They are pragmatic and commercial in their approach, maintaining excellent communication with both the clients and the other professional services involved in a transaction.”
“A strong local focus with national capabilities. They provide a highly responsive, excellent partner-led service.”
Debt recovery
“What I think Flint Bishop does well is they understand the importance of the work to the client, they make it a genuine priority to them, and they then use their core business strength to deliver that.”
‘We find Flint Bishop to be head and shoulders above the rest.”
Employment
“The team listens to their clients to understand how they operate and understand their culture and ethos so they can tailor their support accordingly. It’s a real partnership, which I have great faith and confidence in.”
“The availability of advice is excellent both over the phone/email and from their document bank. They also host regular face-to-face and emailed employment law updates which are extremely helpful.”
Insurance (person injury and clinical negligence: defendant)
“Flint Bishop has a crack team of defendant personal injury solicitors. They are highly adept at handling serious injury cases, and matters involving indemnity and fraud.”
“Dedicated and high-quality service provided. They are organised, thorough, conscientious, responsive, and they take a realistic view on their cases.”
Licensing
“Flint Bishop deals with our alcohol licensing requirements. It is very reassuring to know that we can call on them for any advice in this area. They are always extremely responsive and helpful, they communicate well, dealing with any issues arising and are very quick to answer any requests or queries made.”
“The whole team is excellent and respond quickly and efficiently.”
Property Litigation
“I have worked with Flint Bishop on several cases in the past few years and have been very impressed by the quality of their work. They have an impressive portfolio of clients.”
“I have enjoyed working with Jo Milward. Jo has an experienced and practical approach to litigation. She has a keen sense of her client’s needs.”
Real estate (commercial property)
“We have worked with Janet Rhodes over many years, and she continues to work methodically and efficiently, always willing to go the extra mile. She is perceptive and pragmatic, and gets the job done without grandstanding or side-tracking culminating in an efficient service that you can depend on.”
Family
“The private client family team at Flint Bishop is exceptional. Their lawyers are knowledgeable approachable and extremely capable of understanding client’s needs and problems and finding quick solutions.”
“Angela Davis is a diligent and thorough solicitor with a wealth of experience in both Children Act matters and matrimonial finance. She is always thoroughly prepared and has an eye for detail.”
Personal tax, trusts and probate
“Flint Bishop has always supported me in terms of legalities. Always there for me, by considering my needs and situation sympathetically.”
“I have dealt with William Harper and he has been exceptional in keeping me informed on the relevant issues as they have occurred and fully explaining the steps needed to resolve them. I would not hesitate in using William again should the need arise in the future.”
Contentious trusts and probate
“Sundeep Sandhu is an excellent lawyer. She is analytical, organised, and a pleasure to work with. What distinguishes Sundeep from competitors is her responsiveness and her ability quickly to comprehend complex issues and to get the heart of what will determine the case.”
“Sundeep Sandhu gives her clients confidence through her calm and reassuring manner. I greatly valued how easy it was to work with her and how confident I could be that the clients had been given realistic and forthright advice.”
Contact Us
For more information on our Legal 500 rankings, please contact us on 01332 226 126 or complete the form below.
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