Liam Tolen

Biography

Liam is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution team, having trained with the firm and qualified in 2013. He specialises in complex commercial disputes with particular expertise in shareholder disputes and restrictive covenant matters. Liam also has a growing reputation in defamation and harassment-related cases, where he is frequently instructed in high-stakes, sensitive matters.

Liam advises a broad spectrum of clients from start-ups through to multi-national companies. Liam has developed a practice in contractual disputes arising out of franchise relationships and other commercial contracts, specialising in post-termination and restraint of trade disputes.

Increasingly, Liam is instructed in relation to reputation management matters which often include elements of harassment. Predominantly Liam’s work in defamation and harassment arises from soured business relationships and often involves injunction work, where Liam is well-versed in advising clients when dealing with fast-moving litigation.

Known for being robust and solution driven, Liam is adept at resolving disputes, often without the need for legal proceedings. He is recognised lawyer in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

Relevant experience

Successfully struck out a defamation claim brought against an NHS Trust employee following an internal report concerning a colleagues arrest.
Secured favourable settlement terms for a purchaser of a business by pursuing an injunction against the former owner who had breached post-sale non-compete restrictions.
Advising a UK Government body in relation to high profile reputational matter including privacy issues in the face of widespread national media coverage.
Acting for a multi-national company in a supply chain dispute seeking in excess of £2 million in damages.
Advising former Cabinet Minister in relation to defamation claims against two national newspapers, resulting in published apologies and payments to our client.
Acting for a high net worth individual in proceedings in the High Court concerning the purchase of a high-tech boat.
Advising prominent entrepreneur, obtaining an injunction and damages in relation to harassment following a dispute concerning the purchase of a business.
Acting for majority shareholders following the departure of the company’s Managing Director, successfully resisting allegations of unfairly prejudicial conduct.
Part of the Ashfords Team acting in Shazam Productions Ltd -v- Only Fools The Dining Experience Ltd & Ors (Rev1) [2022] EWHC 1379 (IPEC) a landmark case recognising ‘Del Boy’ as a protectable copyright character.