Clarkslegal`s lawyers have again featured strongly in the independent Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 legal directories.
Accomplished team with the experience to handle an array of local, national and international matters. Advises a range of industry players, including contractors, developers and purchasers of construction services. Provides significant expertise in procurement and contract matters for major development projects. Also represents clients in disputes, including arbitrations and adjudications.
"The firm provides a very good and thorough service."
"They're very useful for property construction matters."
"They compare well with London peers."
Ashan Arif is a very bright individual who seems to have very broad experience.
Outstanding practice regularly involved in high-profile disputes. Acts for clients active in a variety of sectors, including the energy, shipping and automotive industries. Expertise covers a wide range of commercial and contractual disputes.
The team has been recognised for their high level of service with clients describing them as "attentive and efficient" and "the team is always responsive."
Head of department Antony Morris is described as "excellent" by one client, who adds: "He took ownership of the case and led from the front. At meetings he took a tough line but was always fair and understood our needs and objectives." His expertise covers a broad array of commercial and contractual cases, including shareholder disputes. He has notable experience of contentious matters in the energy sector.
Christopher Tayton handles a broad scope of contractual disputes, including insurance and liability cases and professional negligence proceedings.
He is described as "very thorough and has a great depth of understanding of commercial law."
Stephen James has experience handling contractual disputes pertaining to distribution and supply agreements. He is described as:
"Knowledgeable" and praised for his "good, sound advice."
The team maintains a healthy reputation in the higher and further education sector advising predominantly on redevelopment projects, disputes and student accommodation. We act for a mix of prominent clients, including universities, education trusts and local authorities.
Clients describe the education team as:
"Outstanding and provides timely and precise advice."
"They know the sector and provide good-quality work."
Advises on the full range of issues affecting employers and employees, with notable strength in restructures and TUPE transfers and senior executive matters. Also handles large-scale litigations, tribunals and problems with regard to industrial relations. Acts for a range of clients from small businesses to large employers in the technology, pharmaceutical and construction sectors.
The "formidable" Michael Sippitt combines his role as chair of the firm with consultancy work for the firm's clients. He is noted for his expertise with regard to industrial relations, redundancy and senior executive issues.
Helen Beech is recommended for her work on restructures, change programmes and TUPE matters. She is commended by clients for "giving excellent specialist advice."
Monica Atwal represents clients on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, and has notable experience handling discrimination and disability claims. One client says: "The speed at which her mind moves and her grasp of very complex cases is phenomenal."
Regularly assists local authorities with their environmental matters. Also advises private sector clients, handling issues such as waste management and the environmental aspects of development projects.
Wide-ranging practice with notable work on waste management projects and issues relating to local authority governance. Also notable for its PFI work.
Advises on major commercial and residential property transactions and development projects. Also equipped to assist with complex investment and portfolio management matters. Regularly handles public sector work, including assisting clients in the education and healthcare industries. Strong client base consists of notable regional and national organisations. Further strength in advising clients in the hotels and leisure sector.
Clients have described the department as:
"Clarkslegal on the whole give an impression of a professional and easy company to work with. They are always more than happy to help, even if it is just a phone call for some legal advice."
"The client service is very good indeed. They offer legal opinions in a practical way rather then just quoting the law; they advise us on how it should be applied to our circumstances."
Rachel Krol has been described by clients as "extremely knowledgeable and has a great eye for detail."
Clarkslegal LLP regularly acts for both purchaser and supplier clients in relation to major construction projects and has seen considerable growth in the contentious side of the practice. The team advises on joint ventures, contracts, and surety documents, as well as bringing and defending claims in adjudications, the technology and construction court and by arbitration. Ruth Wilkinson, who clients describe as 'exceptional’, is a specialist in contract drafting, disputes and advisory issues.
‘Ruth Wilkinson’s qualities are that she is approachable and honest in her opinion. We value her advice.’
‘In my experience, the Clarkslegal construction team are extremely professional, knowledgeable and friendly.‘
‘Ruth Wilkinson is always friendly and proactive. We value her knowledge and expertise.‘
Clarkslegal LLP assists national and international clients, as well as regional businesses and SMEs, with M&A, AIM listings and private equity investments. The team also advise on shareholder issues and sales of businesses assets.
Practice head Ashan Arif is experienced in advising technology start-ups and early-stage and scaling stage technology businesses. Chrysilla de Vere joined from Slade Legal in 2019 to increase the team's offering in brand protection and licensing issues.
"One of the leading dispute resolution teams in the region."
Clarkslegal LLP advises high-profile clients from the automotive, education and technology sectors on a complete range of contentious matters.
Practice head Antony Morris is a 'very good commercial litigator'; he frequently engages in cross-border work and focuses his practice on professional negligence, commercial contract disputes and international trade issues.
Christopher Tayton advises on IT, intellectual property and product liability matters.
Stephen James and associate Emma Butcher are other key figures.
‘Chris Tayton is very good, thorough and professional at his job.’
‘Personal attention and good professional service.’
‘I have been instructed by Antony Morris in professional liability cases. He has great intelligence, a fine judgement of the realities of litigation, good judgement, he is efficient and very easy to work with.’
Clarkslegal LLP maintains 'an exceptional balance of expertise and personality' in advising large national and international business clients on major projects such as restructurings and TUPE transfers, large redundancy programmes and industrial relations/employee engagement projects.
The team also handles complex litigation at tribunal level.
Michael Sippitt is particularly strong in industrial relations strategies; Helen Beech advises on complex restructurings and change programmes.
Monica Atwal is recommended for her contentious work handling discrimination cases, particularly disability claims.
‘Invariably extremely knowledgeable, efficient, well-prepared and delightful to work with. Cannot rate them too highly.’
‘Helen Beech. An excellent and unflappable employment lawyer who is a pleasure to work with. Highly skilled and professional.’
‘Monica Atwal is excellent. She leads her team from the front. Her enthusiasm for her clients and tenacity in the pursuit of their interests are second to none and she always gives realistic and practical advice.’
Clarkslegal LLP advises multinational clients on a broad range of issues, including securing employer sponsorship licences and responding to immigration enforcement notices, as well as advising tier 1 investors entering the UK on start-up/innovator visas.
Though focusing on business immigration, the team also handles personal matters, assisting company directors and their family members with obtaining dependent visas and securing status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Monica Atwal leads the practice and aids entrepreneurs, investors and overseas companies setting up in the UK.
‘We have been working with Clarkslegal since 2016. All of the people we worked with have been nothing but highly professional.’
At Clarkslegal LLP, the education practice has extensive experience advising schools, higher education institutions and local authorities on the full spectrum of issues. Based in Reading, the team has notable strength across construction, employment and dispute resolution mandates and also regularly acts for charity sector clients.
Clarkslegal LLP is 'well respected in the market' for providing a full real estate service to theeducation, leisure, construction, manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Shona Dunning has a broad real estate practice working for clients that include commercial landlords, developers, pension funds, lenders, charities and retail occupiers.
Simon Ralphs has a detailed knowledge of franchise arrangements and a particular focus on the food and restaurant sector.
‘They respond very quickly and I am always able to communicate the same day with a solicitor that can help and most usually my contacts. Advice is always sound and straightforward and easy to understand.’
‘This firm takes its responsibility and client care very seriously. ‘