Litigation
UK Guide 2025 : Midlands
Band 3
About
Provided by Shakespeare Martineau
Our dispute resolution team is a national team with a huge reputation for complex and high value litigation. Clients receive an experienced partner led service supported by a team of talented legal directors, associates and solicitors well known for handling the full range of contractual, commercial and corporate disputes across a broad spectrum of industries including banking and finance, manufacturing and distribution, IT, higher education and energy.
We have experience in international arbitration and ADR and are instructed on cases issued in all levels of the courts and in most arbitral forums. The breadth of matters handled is diverse ranging from general commercial claims to insolvency and corporate disputes, disputes concerning fiduciary duties, contractual disputes, agency and shareholder disputes, breach of sale and purchase agreements, and warranty and indemnity claims as well as professional negligence disputes, financial services disputes, and claims relating to fraud and bribery and conspiracy.
In addition to pure litigation, the team has also built a reputation for international arbitration matters.
Chambers Review
Shakespeare Martineau has a well-regarded litigation team in Birmingham that frequently represents national and international blue-chip organisations, including clients in the education, healthcare and energy sectors. The firm handles substantial contractual disputes, shareholder litigation and fraud cases. It also offers the benefit of significant experience in mediation and other methods of alternative dispute resolution.
Work Highlights
- Shakespeare Martineau acted for Fan Tuan Holdings, a Canadian-based global Asian food delivery platform, and its founders in relation to a Commercial Court claim relating to an alleged conspiracy over a double sale of assets belonging to Easi Group in Australia to the tune of AUD50 million.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The firm is really well respected in the local community and nationally; they are forward-thinking, with a pragmatic approach and a particular awareness of the needs of the client on any matter."
"A really professional outfit that, being based outside London, gives economic advantages while being a gold-plated London-style service."
"There has always been a subject specialist available as required, and we are very pleased with levels of acumen and pragmatism."
"The firm is really well respected in the local community and nationally; they are forward-thinking, with a pragmatic approach and a particular awareness of the needs of the client on any matter."
"A really professional outfit that, being based outside London, gives economic advantages while being a gold-plated London-style service."
"There has always been a subject specialist available as required, and we are very pleased with levels of acumen and pragmatism."
Notable Practitioners
Mark Beesley is managing director of the litigation and dispute resolution group at Shakespeare Martineau. He is well equipped to advise on misuse of information disputes, as part of his wider litigation practice.
"Mark Beesley is a wonderful tactician in litigation and incredibly frank when it comes to giving advice."
Timothy Speed is a disputes specialist with a strong track record in litigation arising from breach of warranty, as well as corporate and banking-related matters.
James Woolstenhulme has a thriving commercial litigation practice which sees him advising on fund recovery, contractual and finance disputes, among others.
"From a tactical point of view, James has an excellent touch with advice. He takes no prisoners and adapts really well to every changing situation."
"James is a great strategist and is very client-focused."
Ranked Lawyers at
Shakespeare Martineau
Midlands
Members
Provided by Shakespeare Martineau
Alex Ryan
Andrew Adams
Barry Jervis
Ben Humphreys
Catherine Savage
Claire Burrows
Dan Jennings
Jonathan Stork
Kendal Litherland
Nicola Lediard
Steven Skiba
Tim Speed