Commercial dispute resolution

Disputes are an inevitable part of commercial life. At Penningtons Manches Cooper, we have substantial experience in helping clients anticipate and avoid potential disputes, as well as resolving those that do occur effectively. We are trusted to act on high-profile, complex and often groundbreaking commercial litigation in the UK and internationally, building strategies that reflect your objectives and align with your resources and priorities.

Specialist litigation expertise

From cross-border disputes that may threaten the existence of a company to sensitive judicial review proceedings, our commercial dispute resolution team handles a wide spectrum of demanding, high-value cases. We are also adept at advising on numerous specialist issues such as the choice of dispute resolution clauses in contracts and mediation of long-running, intractable conflicts.

We take time to understand each client’s objectives before devising and implementing an approach that is both robust and pragmatic. While we are highly experienced litigators, we also have a strong track record of success in alternative dispute resolution. Our lawyers combine deep technical expertise with commercial insight, supporting clients in managing legal risk and reputational issues with clarity and confidence.

In the UK our clients range from multi-national corporations, banks and other financial institutions to educational establishments and family owned businesses. We act for both companies involved in strategically significant litigation and for individuals seeking collective redress through group claims.

Our expertise covers tax and crypto-asset issues, jurisdictional challenges, and contractual and shareholder conflicts. We are also recognised for our work with professional practices, advising on the full range of general partnership and LLP matters, including incorporation, restructuring, partner departures and insolvency.

Great litigators, who are strategically astute, technically strong and commercial.

We are frequently involved in disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions, working closely with colleagues in our European and Singapore offices as well as our international networks, Multilaw and the European Law Group, and other overseas firms. We also collaborate with accountancy firms and corporates to deliver global solutions.

Our lawyers have extensive expertise in the enforcement of foreign judgments and are regularly called upon to conduct global asset tracing investigations. Recently completed matters have involved the US, Brazil, India, Thailand and Singapore.

We are particularly skilled at managing complex stakeholder relationships, tight budgets and challenging timeframes. Our team and its members are consistently recognised in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 for their expertise in contentious matters.

How we help our clients

International and UK litigation and arbitration

Banking and financial services disputes

Group action litigation

Investigations and enforcement

Commercial fraud and asset tracing

Intellectual property disputes

IT and outsourcing disputes

Professional negligence

Reputation management and privacy

Real estate disputes

Regulatory compliance

Costs law services

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Penningtons provides a truly 360-degree service that considers all commercial and regulatory aspects. Strength in depth and a fantastic practice. A brilliant team.

Penningtons Manches Cooper displays a commercial awareness that is second to none.

Highly professional firm willing to take on highly complex cases to deliver justice for their clients.

Penningtons Manches Cooper have provided me with a formidable team to undertake my litigation.

The team provides a seamless and responsive service with timely responses.

Recent work highlights

Multi-jurisdictional luxury goods dispute

Acting for two Italian agents in the luxury goods industry regarding a dispute involving several entities over breaches of agency agreements and breaches of the Commercial Agents Regulations 1993. The case was resolved with a significant settlement in favour of our clients.

Shareholder dispute and misconduct allegations

Acting for a California-based German shareholder and former director, and another minority shareholder, in a dispute with the majority shareholder involving allegations of unfair prejudice, fraud, forgery, and breaches of partnership and company law across multiple corporate entities.

Danish tax fraud allegations defence

Representing multiple related clients accused of participating in a large-scale fraud against the Danish tax authority. The high-profile, multi-jurisdictional case involves complex conspiracy allegations and is widely reported as potentially the most expensive litigation in English legal history.

Insolvency-linked guarantee dispute

Acting for the director of a leading travel business in defending claims under personal guarantees following the company’s insolvency, which left substantial bank and private equity debts unpaid.

Profit sharing from sale of golf course

Advising on a multi-jurisdictional claim, spanning Guerney, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK, relating to a profit sharing agreement arising from the sale of a world-renowned golf course.

Fiduciary sale misrepresentation case

Representing the seller of a fiduciary services business in defending proceedings for rescission, based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentation and breaches of warranty in a sale and purchase agreement.

Landmark case on APP duty of care

Representing Which? as intervener in Philipp v Barclays Bank UK plc before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. This landmark authorised push payment fraud case clarified the legal scope of banks’ duty of care and liability for customer losses.

Shareholder dispute in multinational group

Defending a client against a fraudulent misrepresentation claim by a multinational group seeking rescission of a sale agreement, involving a worldwide freezing order, proprietary injunction, and coordination of litigation strategies across four jurisdictions.

High Court group action defence

Successfully defending a High Court application to strike out 134 group claims as an abuse of process, with the Court of Appeal upholding the decision, confirming the claims raised common issues and were suitable for collective proceedings.

Landmark case on APP duty of care

Shareholder dispute in multinational group

High Court group action defence

Case studies

Penningtons Manches Cooper has successfully defended a High Court challenge to a group claim, in a ruling that supports cost-effective collective redress and confirms that multiple claimants can use a single claim form where it is considered convenient.