Geraldine Ryan
UK Guide 2025
Band 1 : Litigation
Band 1
About
Provided by Geraldine Ryan
Practice Areas
Geraldine leads the Commercial Litigation team in CMS’s Manchester office. With over 30 years’ experience of handling all types of high-profile, high-value and complex litigation, including arbitration and judicial review, Geraldine specialises in commercial dispute resolution, contractual and negligence disputes and also has a particular specialism in reputation risk, defamation and contractual termination advice.
Always keen to see the commercial angles and alive to costs risks and reduction, she has been praised by clients for her “highly responsive and valuable advice”. When appropriate she has represented clients in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court but believes on a focus of getting the best commercial result and on using ADR to resolve matters.
Particular interest in reputation risk and investigations. Geraldine has acted on a number of reported cases.
Work Highlights
Advising an airport in relation to a multi-million breach of contract claim.
Handling a claim against a Local Government Pension Fund on behalf of a proprietor of academy schools involving a complaint to the Pensions Ombudsman and a multi-million pound High Court claim.
Advising the Road User Charging Adjudicators on a judicial review brought by Halton Borough Council in the Administrative Court in Manchester in relation to charges to use the Mersey bridges.
Dealing with an ICC Arbitration in relation to a multi million contractual dispute on behalf of a shared workspace provider.
Education
University of Sheffield
LLB
1987
Chambers Review
UK
Geraldine Ryan offers clients deep expertise in complex litigation, particularly contractual and negligence disputes. She also acts on defamation cases and assists with reputation management issues.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Geraldine Ryan is extremely personable, very knowledgeable and able to communicate advice in a clear, concise and commercial manner."
"Geraldine Ryan is very strong in all areas and able to deliver a high level of service."
"Geraldine Ryan runs an efficient and effective commercial litigation department. She brings sensible judgement and a tactical approach to cases."
"Geraldine Ryan is quite simply magnificent: unflappable, dignified, polite, and even courteous when dealing with the other side."
"Geraldine Ryan is a very competent and experienced commercial litigator. She is both knowledgeable and practical, offering commercial ideas and solutions."
"Geraldine Ryan is extremely personable, very knowledgeable and able to communicate advice in a clear, concise and commercial manner."
"Geraldine Ryan is very strong in all areas and able to deliver a high level of service."
"Geraldine Ryan runs an efficient and effective commercial litigation department. She brings sensible judgement and a tactical approach to cases."
"Geraldine Ryan is quite simply magnificent: unflappable, dignified, polite, and even courteous when dealing with the other side."
"Geraldine Ryan is a very competent and experienced commercial litigator. She is both knowledgeable and practical, offering commercial ideas and solutions."