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.
News
As the world’s leading legal directory, The Legal 500 highlights law firms and solicitors that demonstrate strong technical ability, as well as those with a reputation for handling complex, innovative deals and a clear investment plan for the future.
A record number of 32 individuals across 14 of the firm’s practice areas have been recommended in the 2024 edition, an 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 11 consecutive years. The department is noted for boasting ‘a client list which comprises household names across a variety of sectors’, and is credited for handling ‘complex and business-critical disputes before all the various domestic courts.’
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 continues to act for clients in complex high-value litigation and is lauded for continuing to handle “complex disputes with a particular niche in waste management and recycling”, in addition to acting as the firm’s chief executive. Qamer is described as “ a robust litigator, an excellent negotiator and an astute tactician.”
Additionally, “Bright, diligent and a pleasure to work with”, Kelly Savage is named as Rising Star and Senior Associate, Richard Burton, is a recommended lawyer in The Legal 500 2024.
Specialising in offering complete end-to-end collections solutions to many of the UK’s leading household name brands, our Debt Services team retains its ‘Top Tier’ status for the sixth consecutive year. Led by Niall Gilhooley, the department is noted for its strength and enviable track record in the B2B utility industry where it acts for some of the largest energy suppliers in the UK for both live and ceased debts.
Debt Recovery Manager Natalie Lloyd-Nash has again been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’, with fellow Debt Recovery Manager & Associate Solicitor Catherine Marksman named once again as a recommended lawyer.
The firm’s Property Litigation department is recognised as a ‘Top Tier’ practice for the second year running, with ‘always very pleasant and efficient’ Jo Milward being recognised as a recommended lawyer for 2024.
The team is praised for dealing with ‘all forms of commercial property disputes with a particular focus on landlord and tenant and property-related disputes.” Qamer Ghafoor, Kelly Savage and Sundeep Sandhu are named as other key lawyers.
Chairman & Senior Partner 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. Senior Associate George Domleo is recognised as a Rising Star for 2024.
Our Corporate and Commercial teams were again ranked this year and have been praised for ‘regularly handling M&A transactions in the range of £5m to £50m involving listed companies, SMEs and owner-managed businesses.’ Corporate lead Martyn Brierley received positive feedback from several clients, one of whom commented “Martyn has a depth of understanding of our business that enables sound decisions to be made in a timely manner. In addition, he is able to explain clearly in non-legal terms, exactly how things are and meetings are always a pleasure to be part of.”
Commercial partner Haroon Younis is once again recognised as a recommended lawyer, with one client commenting that “Haroon has taken the time to understand our business and feels part of our team.”
The firm’s Education practice continues to thrive, and is noted for showing ‘significant experience in assisting clients in contract and policy writing, TUPE, disciplinary processes, redundancies and restructures, and litigating in employment tribunals, specifically in unfair dismissal and discrimination claims.’ Briony McDermott was also recognised as a key lawyer.
The firm’s Insurance Litigation practice – ‘regional powerhouse in defendant personal injury work’ – has again been recognised, having continued to expand and strengthen its reputation in defendant personal injury work under Practice head and recommended lawyer Anthony Carrington. The department has been praised for being “very hot for fraud
and exaggeration, but also sensible and measured. Cases are well prepared, the best experts are instructed, and reasonable and measured use of counsel is made.”
Special congratulations go to Jonathan Gilbert, who has been named as a ‘Leading Individual’ for the first time in this year’s rankings, and is noted for having ‘extensive defendant insurance litigation experience, leading in claims involving severe brain and spinal injuries, as well as fatal accidents.’
Recommended lawyer Nigel Partridge is “highly experienced and understands how to run catastrophic injury”, while Rising star for 2024 Philip Thompson “is very ambitious and hard-working, and definitely on his way up.”
The firm’s Professional Negligence team has maintained its Tier 2 ranking for 2024. The department is noted for excelling at bringing professional negligence claims against solicitors, brokers and surveyors on behalf of businesses and individuals. Department head Qamer Ghafoor has developed a specialism in complex disputes arising out of corporate and commercial property transactions. Qamer Ghafoor and Rising star Sundeep Sandhu are also noted for having a significant insurance focus.
Described as ‘experienced in advising investors, housebuilders and landowners on a range of matters in the market’, the firm’s Commercial Property team successfully retained its Tier 2 rank in a highly competitive market. A special mention goes to Sanveer Sandhu, who has been recognised as a Next Generation Partner for the first time this year. Our other Recommended lawyers Janet Rhodes, Ian Beardmore, Ben Pickup, Stephen McCarthy, Paul Sabin and Ian Wilson are all noted as other key lawyers within the Commercial Property team.
Our full-service Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts department was again recognised this year, noted for being ‘well equipped to advise on wills, trusts, contentious probate and Court of Protection work.’ Practice head Claire Rudkin is once again listed as a Recommended lawyer, whilst Partner William Harper has been named as a ‘Next Generation Partner’.
Associate Samuel Balmbra, described as “very helpful and good at his job”, is newly recognised as a Recommended Lawyer for 2024. Associates and Recommended Lawyers Marc King and Laura Clare, make up the other trusted counsel in a ‘team with a wealth of experience’.
Our Contentious Probate department – with “amazing” Sundeep Sandhu as practice head – has been recognised for ‘advising on all aspects of contentious probate for beneficiaries, trustees and executors, particularly on disputes concerning the validity of wills and probate fraud claims.’ The team works on a range of high value, complex disputes, with strong experience in professional negligence claims relating to the drafting of wills and trusts.
Our Family & Matrimonial team continue to be recognised as one of the leading family law practices in the region having built up a strong network of international connections and regularly acting on high-net-worth client cases involving multijurisdictional elements. Senior Associate and lead family lawyer Angela Davis received praise for being ‘very well respected’ and for ‘leveraging long-standing experience and knowledge in divorce and separation, pre/post-nuptial agreements, and arrangements for children.’
The firm’s Agriculture & Estates team has retained its Tier 2 status for 2024, having firmly established itself as a recommended practice in the region. Partner and property expert Paul Sabin specialises in complex agricultural property transactions, including freehold acquisitions and disposals of farms.
“It is very encouraging to see that a record number of the firm’s practice areas and lawyers have been recognised in The Legal 500 this year. I am very proud of all of my colleagues who have been noted for their excellent work and especially pleased for those who have been recommended for the first time.”
“This year’s rankings truly reflect the dedication and hard work of our all legal and support team across the firm. Flint Bishop’s success would not be possible without the unwavering support from everyone in the firm and I would like to thank them all for their continued commitment and daily contributions.”
Dispute Resolution
“Flint Bishop provides a strong commercial litigation service that is competitive with leading London firms. Its key strengths lie in its competitive and client- focused approach.”
“Qamer Ghafoor is a robust litigator, an excellent negotiator and an astute tactician.”
“Kelly Savage is bright, diligent, and a pleasure to work with.”
Debt Recovery
“Catherine Marksman is an excellent point of contact. My team at any level are happy and confident to enter dialogue with her to discuss customers or raise any problems they have.”
“The team are fantastic and always available to offer their full support. If there are any minor issues they will resolve immediately and provide detailed feedback.”
“Flint Bishop staff go above and beyond. They provide an exceptional service.”
Commercial Property
“They go out of their way to understand clients’ requirements.”
“The practice always deals with any matters at speed. The attention to detail is far better than any other firm I have used. They also look at any issue in a creative way and come up with solutions.”
“Sanveer Sandhu has always dealt with my affairs in a diligent way. He listens very carefully to my needs, questions my thinking and comes up with feasible solutions. I have not dealt with a better lawyer.”
Property Litigation
“The team of people that I work with are all very personable and knowledgeable.”
“Jo Milward is always very pleasant and efficient. I am made to feel that my instruction matters and that I am not just another number.”
Corporate & Commercial
“Key members of the team are always available, often at short-notice and the Senior Partner provides one point of contact that leads into colleagues as additional expertise is required.”
“Haroon Younis has taken the time to understand our business and feels part of our team.”
“We have dealt with Martyn Brierly, Head of Corporate & Finance, for a number of years. Martyn has a depth of understanding of our business that enables sound decisions to be made in a timely manner. In addition, he is able to explain clearly in non-legal terms, exactly how things are and meetings are always a pleasure to be part of.”
Employment
“The team we work with are exactly that – a team. Although we have an identified contact who we work with for the majority of the time, if the need arises, we can work with anyone in the team and receive the same level of support and guidance. Our contacts have wide-ranging experience and knowledge from recruitment to complicated tribunals and everything in between.”
“The advice and service provided is without exception timely, up to date and is considerate of our sector-specific nuances. It is both practical but ensures compliance. A recent training session with a barrister was engaging, insightful and an excellent add-on provision for employers.”
Insurance Litigation
“A regional powerhouse in defendant personal injury work. Very hot for fraud and exaggeration, but also sensible and measured. Cases are well prepared, the best experts are instructed, and reasonable and measured use of counsel is made. They are great to work with.”
“Philip Thompson is very ambitious and hard-working, and definitely on his way up.”
“Nigel Partridge really knows what he is doing. He is highly experienced and understands how to run catastrophic injury cases. Philip Thompson is very ambitious and hard-working, and definitely on his way up.”
Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts
“William Harper. Full stop. There are too many exceptional qualities to list of which I think I probably couldn’t identify separately anyway. The combination of skill, experience, knowledge mixed with the person that he is, can only be unique.”
“Samuel Balmbra has been very helpful, good at his job, kept me informed in everything. If I needed to talk to him with regard to the estate, he has always been there to give advice or talk me through things.”
“Excellent communication and detailed explanation of work to be performed.”
Contentious Probate
“They are extremely knowledgeable. Friendly and approachable. They always have your best interests at heart. They will look to save costs where they can. They strive for the best outcome for you.”
“Sundeep Sandhu was amazing. She took control of our case and negotiated costs for us. She was always quick to respond and explained everything really well. The whole process was made easy by Sundeep. She understood our requirements and got us the best result. We felt that she really cared about our case.”
“Sundeep Sandhu always makes me feel important and replies to any queries promptly.”
Family & Matrimonial
“Angela has a real eye for detail and thoroughly knows her law. She is a safe pair of hands for the client, and she is also realistic and sensible. She is very well respected.”
“Angela is very reputable, and she is a good, solid, safe pair of hands.”
Contact Us
For more information on our Legal 500 rankings, please contact us on 01332 226 126 or complete the form below.
News