Commercial Litigation
Introduction
Ashfords team is recognised for its expertise, depth of resources and practical commercial approach. Our work embraces a diverse range of disputes including breach of contract claims; shareholder, director and partnership disputes; intellectual property disputes; professional negligence; warranty claims; defamation; banking litigation, and claims with an international element.
We also have specialist teams dealing with Sports disputes and Marine disputes.
We are actively involved in all forms of alternative dispute resolution and have vast experience of mediation and arbitration.
Our clients include international, national and local companies as well as public sector bodies.
Work handled includes
- Commercial contractual disputes
- Shareholder and director disputes and unfair prejudice claims
- Product liability claims
- Warranty claims and disputes arising out of company asset or share sales
- Inheritance Act claims
- Professional negligence claims
- IP Litigation and Disputes
- Claims with a foreign element and the enforcement of Foreign Judgments
- Jurisdictional Issues
- Mediation
- Arbitration
- Internet and Telecommunications litigation
- Sport
- Marine & Transport disputes
- Professional Practice
- Pensions litigation
- Banking & Finance
- Insurance disputes
- Defamation
- Licensing
- Judicial Review
- Office of Fair Trading dawn raids
Recent work handled includes:
- Acting in a $20 million dollar claim on behalf of a major European bank
- Advising a large Japanese Bank on pursuing a debt of $10m under a Term Loan Agreement
- Acting for development client in multi million pound claim for professional negligence relating to compulsory purchase of land
- Acting in claim for professional negligence resulting from collapse of high profile libel case
- Acting in reported High Court proceedings concerning design rights infringement
- Equitable Life Rectification Scheme – Ian Daniells appointed to an independent assessors role with assistance and administration from the firm. This national appointment involved a large number of cases (over 430) where we have operated mediation by letter and telephone and, where there is no agreement, made a decision.
- Representing three Defendants in a two-year long running libel case listed for a five-day trial before a jury in the High Court in November 2003. The clients were advised by David Beadel and specialist Counsel from 1 Brick Court. The case settled on the first day of trial on favourable terms.
- We have strong international links, both through ADVOC (the international network of independent law firms of which Ashfords was the founder member); through the regular recruitment of German trainee lawyers, and through links with foreign law firms and clients
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT THE TEAM
Ashfords is one of the South West's leading players. The "strength and depth" of expertise and resources is much admired by interviewees. In terms of size, capability and specialist skills, this group is "hard to beat."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2008 Edition
Ashfords' litigation practice enjoys 'regional primacy' and is 'head and shoulders above the rest'
Legal 500, 2007 Edition
Clients appreciate the firm's "excellent international connections," and relish the ten-lawyer team's evident "clout and experience."
Observers note members' dedication to "getting the job done" and are impressed by the personal treatment on offer: "Responsive and eager to please, they make clients feel like part of the team ."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2007 Edition
The Team "delivers specialist quality advice in different areas such as sport and intellectual property."
Leader of the department, the "approachable" Ian Daniells has "the right genetic makeup for a mediator," sources said.
Former National Hunt jockey Rory Mac Neice has the mentality of a sportsman in the sense that he "does not like losing," commentators said.
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2006 Edition
"Whereas most firms just dabble in litigation Ashfords does it properly"
Legal 500, 2006 Edition
Ian Daniells brings broad experience and a 'business-like approach' to partnership and shareholder disputes, and fiduciary duty claims.
Partner David Beadel is a particularly strong choice for media-related disputes, including defamation claims.
Legal 500, 2005 Edition
"understand our needs as a business and take a very professional approach."
Ian Daniells, head of the commercial litigation team, approaches legal disputes with "a positive style, and will tell you in language that's easy to understand whether or not you have a good argument."
Chambers 2004 Edition
