What people say about us

Stephanie Code is a prominent clinical negligence lawyer with notable experience in cerebral palsy claims and severe injury cases stemming from surgical negligence.

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

Alison Appelboam Meadows has an encyclopaedic knowledge of birth injury claims and is a first rate litigator, highly respected by clients and opponents alike with excellent judgment.

Rosie Nelson brings her 'excellent instincts' to a wide range of cerebral palsy matters, orthopaedic injuries and claims involving elderly care.

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Alison Appelboam Meadows is a superstar, with knowledge second to none in birth injury claims, she’s tenacious, bright and hugely sympathetic.

Described as a ‘solicitor with a bright future in clinical negligence’, Rosie Nelson, who specialises in cerebral palsy, birth injury, orthopaedic and sepsis cases, is one to watch in the team.

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

You are encouraged to be innovative and creative in all areas of your career while being part of a fully supportive team.

Bill Smith, Senior associate

The team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP builds a long-lasting, trusting and successful cooperation with its clients.

The Legal 500 – 2019 edition

They join the dots between all their different disciplines – there is one point of contact that keeps things simple and manageable for their client. They keep in regular and constant communication, making sure the client has all the tools and advice needed to make an informed decision.

The Legal 500 – 2020 edition

Gavin Stenton provides thoughtful, strategic advice at reasonable rates.

The Legal 500 – 2020 edition

Anna Frankum and Gavin Stenton are first class, very competent and easy to work with.

The Legal 500 – 2020 edition

'They are approachable and responsive, and they understand the environment in which we operate.'

'They put cases together strategically and have a really good understanding of what teamwork means.'

Chambers UK - 2016 edition

Well-regarded team with solid expertise in regulatory matters and strong capabilities in general commercial and financial disputes, including notable experience in interest rate swap mis-selling claims. Also handles IT, IP and data protection issues.

Strengths: ‘One word that I would use to describe them is 'pragmatic'. They always look for the practical solution.’

‘They are very well organised, easy to work with and look after their clients well.’ 

Notable practitioners
Julie Bond is described as a ‘good, practical commercial litigator’ who is ‘very tenacious and thorough.’ She offers strong experience in compliance and corporate governance issues, including professional negligence cases.

Chambers UK - 2017 edition

Well-regarded team with solid expertise in regulatory matters and strong capabilities in general commercial and financial disputes, including notable experience in interest rate swap misselling claims. Also handles IT, IP and data protection issues. Popular with clients from the charities, education, healthcare and trusts sectors, as well as retail. Has a strong track record in mediation and other forms of ADR.

Strengths: ‘The firm has a really conscientious and hands-on approach to litigation, and always puts the interests of the client at the forefront of their considerations when advancing a case,’ an interviewee says. 

Notable practitioners
Julie Bond is an established commercial litigator, offering strong expertise in compliance and corporate governance issues, including professional negligence cases and fraud-related matters. Sources note her experience and strong reputation.

Senior associate Emma Davies acts on the firm's key cases, and is described by sources as ‘really hard working and committed, leaving no stones unturned and making sure clients' interests are looked after.’ Her experience includes contentious financial and regulatory cases.

Chambers UK - 2018 edition

Well-regarded team with solid expertise in regulatory matters and strong capabilities in general commercial, banking and financial disputes, including notable experience in interest rate swap mis-selling claims. Also handles IT and IP-related litigation. Popular with companies from the education and healthcare sectors, and also represents individuals.

Strengths: One source describes the practitioners as ‘very well organised’ and ‘great communicators’ who ‘work very cohesively as a team.’

Notable practitioners
According to sources, Julie Bond has ‘a well-deserved excellent reputation.’ She offers experience in a variety of commercial and financial disputes, often pertaining to breach of contract and professional negligence.

Emma Davies has particular knowledge of commercial litigation connected to banking and financial disputes, including regulatory issues. One source praises her ‘energetic’ approach as well as her thoroughness, explaining that ‘no stone is left unturned.’

Chambers UK - 2019 edition

Well-regarded commercial litigation team with strong capabilities in banking and financial disputes. Also handles general contractual disputes, acting for companies in the construction and manufacturing industries, as well as representing individuals. Experienced advising on insolvency-related litigation.

Strengths: A source comments on the firm's 'good regional footprint and good reputation.'

Notable practitioners
Consultant Julie Bond previously led the commercial dispute resolution team in Oxford. She has significant experience acting on contractual disputes.

Emma Davies has a wide-ranging commercial disputes practice. She is noted for her work on litigation in the financial services sector.

David Niven is recognised for his experience dealing with regulatory issues at public inquiries and road traffic-related criminal prosecutions. He has notable experience representing goods vehicle and passenger service operators. 'He is a seasoned litigator. He is determined and extremely hard-working.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

Rustam Dubash is recommended, and David Niven is ‘efficient’.

Julie Bond handles professional negligence and regulatory cases, and has particular expertise in compliance matters. The partners are supported by senior associate Emma Davies, whose expertise includes data protection, licensing and environmental law.

The Legal 500 - 2015

Penningtons Manches LLP has expertise in cross-border disputes and professional negligence claims. Rustam Dubash, John Doherty and Alex Fox are highly rated; and David Niven is ‘top notch’.

They have ‘a strong track record of seeking innovative solutions on behalf of clients’. Emma Davies is ‘driven, efficient and approachable’, and Alex Fox is commended for his ‘strong tactical acumen, which ensures a robust and effective running of the case’.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP has particular expertise in cross-border and international disputes, as evidenced by the firm’s well-established India group and recently founded San Francisco office; and the practice’s work ranges from shareholder disputes to complex contractual claims. Rustam Dubash is head of commercial dispute resolution and Alex Fox ‘has a very commercial approach’. John Doherty and Richard Marshall are key advisers; Jeremy Clarke-Williams joined the team in 2017.

‘Client-focused’ Emma Davies and London-based Alex Fox have been handling tax claims related to film investment schemes for high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, sportsmen and other high-profile clients. Julie Bond recently handled complex fraud and regulatory matters in the healthcare, real estate and research sectors. 

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP's 'level of service is outstanding and the team understands clients' commercial concerns'. Its commercial litigation work covers international litigation; group actions; banking and finance disputes; and defamation and reputation management. Other areas of strength are cyber crime, IP and IT disputes, product liability, regulatory matters and high-net-worth disputes.

Commercial dispute resolution group Rustam Dubash is India group head, John Doherty's 'advice is a luxury for clients' and Richard Marshall is international litigation and arbitration head. Also recommended are Alex Fox, Jeremy Clarke-Williams, Noel McMichael, David Niven and Philip D’Costa.

John Doherty acts for large multinationals in unsafe consumer products matters and investigations conducted by Trading Standards, among other work. The practice was boosted with the hiring of Dan Hyde.

Julie Bond, who heads the Oxford commercial disputes team, specialises in commercial and corporate disputes, with an emphasis on regulatory work, professional negligence cases and fraud. Bond acted for the Pirbright Institute and has also been advising Sum-It on a potential claim alongside senior associate Emma Davies. Regulatory law expert Ed Weightman returned to the practice after a five-year stint with energy regulator Ofgem. Senior associate Rebecca Andrews-Walker is recognised for her expertise in insolvency and recoveries matters and contentious bankruptcy proceedings.

The Legal 500 - 2019 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP 'has good depth of experience in commercial litigation, and provides advice that is both practically and commercially sound, while being highly effective'. The team's scope of work covers general commercial litigation, international litigation and arbitration, and group action litigation. Other litigation areas include banking and finance disputes, reputation management, cybercrime, product liability, energy, HNW disputes, and IP and IT; and the practice's international work involves diverse jurisdictions, such as India and South America. Commercial dispute resolution head Rustam Dubash also heads the India group; David Niven and David O’Brien co-head the professional negligence and group action practices; Alex Fox leads the business and finance disputes team; while Richard Marshall is international litigation head. Also highly rated are IP and IT disputes head, Phillip D’Costa and regulatory head John Doherty. Michael Brown joined as a partner in 2019, and consultant Noel McMichael and senior associate Charlotte Hill are also experienced practitioners.

Phillip D’Costa is a particularly astute tactician. He has many years of experience of commercial litigation and provides legal advice which based on my personal experience is both practical and commercially sound. 

John Doherty can be relied on to give the legal position and advice on the correct course to take, even when this is uncomfortable to hear.

David O’Brien: one of the brightest and most astute litigators in the market. Phenomenally clever, hard-working and insightful.

David Niven is a seasoned litigator, commercially astute, dedicated to pursuing his clients’ interests and never afraid of the competition.

Jenna Coad: efficient, easy to deal with and never misses a beat.

The 'brilliant' business and financial disputes team benefits from experience acting for and against banks in litigation, with particular expertise in swaps litigation. Practice head Rustam Dubash has significant experience representing Indian companies; Alexander Fox handles both traditional banking and fintech disputes, including cryptocurrency claims, while Phillip D’Costa  is noted for contentious regulatory matters. Other names to note include Michael Brown, who brings misselling of investment products claims, LIBOR and card payment services disputes expertise. Recently promoted partner Emma Davies (who splits her time between Oxford and London) and 'tenacious litigator' Charlotte Hill are other names to note.

They are brilliant – hungry for work, engaged and always willing to go the extra mile for us. I have the feeling they are punching above their weight in terms of the mandates they win. Clients love them.

Emma Davies is unusually hard-working and determined and will leave no stone unturned to achieve the result intended.

Alex Fox is both charming and effective. He excels at seeing both the big picture, but is also a hands-on partner with a good grip of the detail. He is extremely calm and thoughtful in a crisis, and adept at getting the best out of his team.

James Harrison never misses a beat, is commercially astute and a great tactician.

Charlotte Hill is a tenacious litigator, and a real force of nature. She is brilliant at case management and marshalling evidence.

Former Oxford practice head Julie Bond, who is now a consultant, has particular expertise in regulatory compliance and corporate governance issues. Senior associate Ed Weightman specialises in energy regulatory matters.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Penningtons Manches is ideal for those who want to work in a friendly, open and inclusive environment with a clear structure for career progression.

Andrea Law, HR director

An absolutely first-rate firm. 
They are commercially realistic and their advice is always tailored to get what the client needs.

Chambers UK