What people say about us

Strengths: ‘Penningtons gives clear explanations and advice on best courses of action to mitigate against any risk where possible. The team listens to us and understands our concerns.

Penningtons can give knowledgeable advice and their partners are accessible, helpful and efficient. They also provide timely responses.’

‘The team can break down matters into a digestible format. They provide strong support during negotiations.’

‘Penningtons has always been excellent at tackling issues that arise and they're good at coming up with creative solutions.’

‘The team has always given excellent and timely advice and they're always available to answer questions.’

Notable practitioners

‘Andrew Casstles is approachable and offers excellent legal and practical advice.’

Tom Manderson: ‘His service is phenomenal: he responds immediately and gives clear explanations.’

Linda Storey: ‘Linda keeps abreast of industry changes and is proactive in providing updates, training and advice. Her experience has proved invaluable.’

Catherine Bradshaw: ‘Catherine is always helpful and responsive.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

Strong team acting for a broad range of social housing providers on matters including acquisitions, sales, procurement and housing management litigation. Continues to advise on shared ownership units sales for housing associations. Also skilled in advising on joint venture agreements and development issues.

Strengths: One source comments: 'They are very approachable, efficient and knowledgeable.'

'They are a solid firm. They know what they are doing and are very well respected for their shared ownership team.'

Notable practitioners
Linda Storey is head of the firm's social housing team. She is recognised for representing registered providers on a range of transactional matters and planning agreements. 'She is approachable, knowledgeable and reassuring in her approach.'

Gemma Bell is a popular choice of representative for housing associations, offering strong governance experience and expert handling of corporate transactions. 'She is really collaborative in her approach and looks to get the best for her clients.'

Catherine Bradshaw focuses her practice on transactional and development matters for registered providers. She advises on acquisitions, development agreements and leasing matters. 'We have received great service from her - she is always quick to reply and deals with any issue promptly. She represents us professionally and defends our position.'

Andrew Casstles focuses his social housing practice on development transactions, acting for housing association clients. 'He is a very knowledgeable lawyer with excellent attention to detail and a calm demeanour, even during challenging negotiations.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP offers ‘good value for money’ on the social housing side; its ‘strong team’ has ‘strength in depth’, and is led by Linda Storey. It recently advised Sovereign Housing Association on a buyback agreement with Newbury Building Society to provide mortgages to first-time buyers.

Provides ‘rounded opinion’ on a broad range of day-to-day matters including procurement, development and tenancy fraud. Linda Storey’s ‘proactive’ team recently won panel positions with Paragon Housing and Spectrum. Andrew Casstles and senior case manager Laura McCann are also recommended.

The Legal 500 - 2013 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP’s social housing team is ‘very strong across the board', and delivers ‘invaluable advice'. Practice head Linda Storey is recommended.

Clients appreciate Penningtons Manches LLP’s excellent service, swift comprehensive advice and clear guidance' on a broad range of matters including procurement, development and tenancy fraud.

Andrew Casstles ‘provides effective solutions to complex issues and is committed to achieving best value for his clients'. Peter Massey, whose clients include Family Mosaic, gives ‘clear and pragmatic' advice.

Legal 500 - 2014 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP has a strong track record advising on shared ownership schemes, with ‘very good’ practice head Linda Storey a key name in this space. Storey led advice to Southern Housing on developing a product aimed at existing shared owners seeking to purchase a property on the open market.

Penningtons Manches LLP provides an ‘excellent’ service and is noted for its ‘prompt and sensible advice’. Real estate partner Andrew Casstles led a team advising Spectrum Housing Group on its joint venture with a south west based local authority for the development of 550 dwellings. Also recommended is construction partner Peter Massey.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition

The social housing team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP draws on both its national network of offices and unique regional expertise in home ownership, securitisation, and portfolio management to advise registered providers and local authorities on high-value financings and transactions. Practice head Linda Storey chiefly handles acquisitions, disposals, planning agreements and leasing matters, while Reading-based Eugene Wojciechowski – who is well versed in unlawful discrimination claims – helms the firm’s social housing employment offering. Charlotte D’Avola is the lead for housing securitisation and portfolio work, specialising in major facility agreements and asset management matters. Laura McCann and Graham Phillips act for housing providers in the sale and purchase of affordable housing units.

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP acts for housing associations, investors, developers and local authorities on developments, acquisitions, planning and construction matters, including the development of new investment and social housing delivery models via, for example, joint ventures.

Practice head Linda Storey focuses on the transactional side, often handling acquisitions and disposals as well as their associated planning agreements. Eugene Wojciechowski heads the social housing employment offering, where he acts on matters relating to issues including discrimination and modern slavery. Commercial property lawyer Catherine Bradshaw advises on complex transactions, acquisitions, and regeneration schemes, while associate Charlotte D’Avola leads on securitisation and portfolio management. Laura McCann and Graham Phillips are also recommended.

‘Stand-out’ Andrew Casstles ‘understands the registered provider world very well’ with particular experience of development transactions for housing association clients. Mark Sellers acts for registered providers on acquisitions, including by way of golden brick agreements and option agreements.

‘The social housing team provide an excellent service, the team are friendly and patient and take the time to explain and provide alternative options. Matters are dealt with promptly and nothing is too much bother.’

‘Tailored service, excellent knowledge of our business, timely responses, clear explanations, takes the time to discuss matters’

‘Linda Storey and Laura McCann have provided us a really great service and continue to impress with their knowledge and experience and willingness to provide an excellent service.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP is instructed by a host of national housing associations in relation to property transactions, litigation, landlord and tenant issues and development joint venture agreements. Headed by Linda Storey, the team has been involved in several affordable housing and shared-ownership developments. In one example, Andrew Casstles advised Southern Housing Group on the acquisition of two development sites and a leaseback transaction, while Storey handled the sharedownership leases and unit sales at the site. Similarly, Peter Massey assisted Sovereign Housing Association with a joint venture agreement with Kier Construction to develop a 280- unit mixed-tenure residential scheme. Senior associate Charlotte D’Avola leads a team that provides ongoing advice to Family Mosaic Housing in relation to charging, release and substitution work. David Masters is instructed by housing associations in connection with Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 obligations. Mark Sellers, who advises registered providers on site acquisitions and development agreements, joined the team.

The Legal 500 - 2019 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has successfully grown its social housing practice, with clients drawn to its broad range of services. Linda Storey heads the team, which acts for more than 50 housing associations. It also generates work from local authorities, local housing companies, private developers and consultants. In 2018, Andrew Casstles led the advice to Richmond Housing Partnership Limited on a £3.1m land acquisition, which included assistance with the planning-related aspects of the transactions. In addition, Casstles and Storey acted for Metropolitan Thames Valley on the forward-funding acquisition and development of 58 affordable residential units. Other services span areas such as housing management, securitisation, construction and joint ventures. Peter Massey and Ben Robinson are also active practitioners in this space. Tim Johnson joined the team.

Employment expert Eugene Wojciechowski is a recommended partner.

Associate Charlotte D’Avola is another notable individual.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP provides a ‘very good all-round experience’ to housing associations across the UK, which encompasses advice on developments, acquisitions and litigation. 

Linda Storey leads the social housing team and has over 20 years' experience advising housing providers on acquisitions, disposals, associated planning agreements, home ownership transactions and lease extensions.

Andrew Casstles heads up the London team. Another name to note is Mark Sellers, who advises on acquisitions by outright purchase, conditional agreements, option agreements and golden brick agreements. Ben Robinson is a specialist in contentious housing issues. 

Linda Storey gives sound advice and is proactive in finding solutions. Andrew Casstles provides clear and easily interpreted advice.

Peter Massey brings a strong commercial focus, and draws on his experience across both the private and housing association sectors to highlight potential different options that can help to unblock an impasse.

Charlotte D’Avola stands out as being willing to help on many different fronts – she has an encyclopaedic knowledge that has come in useful several times.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Notable firm in the social housing sector with strength in development and acquisition matters. Regularly acts for housing association clients. Frequently advises on regeneration projects, development schemes and employment matters.

Strengths: One client says: ‘The firm is very efficient and breaks down the legal language into layperson's terms.’

Another source adds: ‘The lawyers are very good, responding quickly and dealing with issues straight away.’

Notable practitioners

Catherine Bradshaw: ‘Catherine Bradshaw always provides a good service with excellent professional advice. The work is done on time and to a high standard. She is easily contactable and happy to answer any questions.’

Andrew Casstles focuses his social housing practice on development transactions, acting for housing association clients. ‘He offers a really great service and always responds promptly.’

Linda Storey: ‘Linda Storey is an industry expert, she is always available and she will ensure a quality service is provided.’

Chambers UK – 2022 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP is ‘the firm of choice for many clients’ due to its ‘comprehensive and swift service combined with clear unequivocal advice and expansive legal expertise’. ‘Expert property lawyer’ Andrew Casstles advised Spectrum Housing Group on its acquisition of 62 residential dwellings from a developer, and assisted the client with the purchase of land that was subject to planning conditions surrounding an affordable residential scheme. The team also includes ‘pragmatic, commercial and highly competent’ construction specialist Peter Massey, who led advice to One Housing Group on a remediation contract relating to the remediation of a major gasworks site in London, which will be used as a residential and commercial scheme. Practice head Linda Storey, who specialises in home ownership matters, and senior associate Charlotte D’Avola are also recommended.

Employment disputes partner Eugene Wojciechowski is also a name to note.

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

Offers expertise in the development and procurement of local authority housing. Also counsels on finance issues and stock transfers. Growing practice relating to the development of new home ownership schemes.

Strengths: One interviewee admires the firm for providing ‘a highly comprehensive service,’ adding: ‘The advice they give is articulate and very thorough.’

Clients say: ‘They're very good, they have good communication and a good client overview.’

Notable practitioners
Social housing team head Linda Storey is described as ‘very approachable and pragmatic’ by market sources. She advises a range of registered providers on home ownership sales, right to buy and property acquisitions.

Andrew Casstles has a commendable property practice which includes advising on site acquisitions and regeneration. He also has notable strength in funding matters. Clients highlight his ‘very clear advice and very comprehensive and commercial contract drafting.’

Catherine Bradshaw of Penningtons Manches LLP is recognised for her expertise in advising registered providers across a range of development and acquisition matters. She is also noted for her handling of infrastructure agreements.

Chambers UK - 2018 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP draws on an international sports group, which acts for footballers, managers and Formula One clients across a broad sweep of areas. Work covered includes disciplinary proceedings, employment disputes and civil law claims relating to misconduct, libel and professional negligence, among other areas. On the non-contentious side, the group advises on the immigration status of athletes, acquisitions for stadium developments and GDPR compliance. Nick Humphreys is very active in the High Court and Employment Tribunals, where he handles litigation for managers, coaches, backroom staff and executives in the football industry, while employment specialist Andrew Haywood is known for giving internal advice to clubs in relation to player and manager acquisitions and exits.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is the point of call for the League Managers Association and has recently represented managers such as Lee Bowyer and Alex McLeish on libel claims. More broadly, the team advises on general commercial and employment disputes for individual athletes, managers and coaches. Andrew Haywood is notably adept in employment issues, particularly in relation to discrimination and disciplinary issues. Nick Humphreys is an expert in employment litigation, whereas Richard Marshall focuses on commercial litigation and arbitration. Jeremy Clarke-Williams handles privacy and defamation disputes.

Andrew Haywood is an employment specialist who is very dynamic and user-friendly.

Nick Humphreys will get results for managers and backroom staff.

Richard Marshall is a highly experienced practitioner who is always well prepared and is willing to go the extra mile for his clients. 

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

The ‘enthusiastic, dynamic’ team at Penningtons Manches LLP stands out for its commitment. The ‘authoritative’ Richard Marshall and the ‘technically strong, responsive and hardworking’ Andrew Haywood are the key contacts, and are ‘extremely personable, energetic and passionate about sport’. Litigator Alex Fox, who has ‘an extremely commercial’ approach, advised the owners of Notts County FC on seeking a resolution to its high-profile commercial problems.

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is ‘strong across the board in sport, from commercial and employment through to regulatory matters’. Football is a keystone of the practice, which notably represents the League Managers Association, individual managers, players and intermediaries on the full gamut of relevant matters including contractual disputes and reputation management. Practice head Andrew Haywood is also a veteran of many disciplinary, discrimination and business protection mandates and oversees a team which directs the remainder of its sector-specific emphasis towards sailing and yacht races, motor sports, esports and the representation of young athletes, including several Team GB athletes and Paralympic hopefuls.

'Nick Humphreys may be the hardest-working lawyer in Western Europe. I have seen him handle effectively workloads that would crush an ordinary lawyer. Nothing is too much for a client to ask. He is there when you need him and delivers when he is asked to. He is exceptional.’

‘James Severn has excellent international connections, with particular strength in arbitrations in sport. Richard Marshall is a commercial dispute resolution partner with a specialist niche in the sporting sector. Andrew Haywood is an employment law specialist who has carved out a niche in sporting disputes.’

‘Richard Marshall is very experienced and always great to work with. Oliver Cooke is very bright and accessible.’

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP’s full-service sports offering supports clients across football, including the League Managers Association, motorsports, athletics and esports. The practice also retains expertise in sailing and yacht races. Team head Andrew Haywood focuses on employment, eligibility, discrimination, business protection and disciplinary issues in sports. Richard Marshall has extensive experience in contentious sports-related matters, particularly regarding tax and fraud cases.

‘Really strong with their offering in sport, particularly employment, commercial and related regulatory/disciplinary disputes.’

‘Oliver Cooke is also a knowledgeable lawyer, hard-working and adopts a commercial approach to disputes.’

‘Andrew Haywood is pre-eminent about employment disputes in sport.’

‘Nick Humphreys has a niche specialism in manager disputes’. 

‘Richard Marshall is a specialist at high-value contract disputes in sport.’

‘James Severn is great at arbitrations in sport.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

'One to watch' in the sports sector, Penningtons Manches LLP has been 'building up its sports practice with real energy'; motorsports, power-boat racing, football and golf have been particular areas of activity. Exemplifying the practice's strength in commercial litigation, the 'committed', 'energetic and highly accomplished' Richard Marshall continued to advise the Ortiz-Patiño estate on its potential €15m breach of contract claim concerning its sale of Valderrama Group, owner of the Valderrama Golf Club. Immigration is another area of expertise: Hazar ElChamaa acted for an e-sports tournament organiser on obtaining a visa for an e-sports player to enable him to play in a UK competition, and advised one international footballer on the impact of Brexit on his transfer to a UK premiership club. Rennes FC is another client. 'Very pragmatic' employment and disciplinary expert Andrew Haywood heads the department, and is 'ambitious for outcomes for his clients'.

The Legal 500 - 2019 edition

Linzi Bull frequently acts on matters spanning multiple jurisdictions, fielding experience in areas such as surrogacy and divorce proceedings. She has recent experience in representing same-sex couples and transgender clients in parental registration cases.

"Linzi is at the cutting edge of family law." "She is a likeable, approachable, hugely insightful and accomplished lawyer." "She's a very good team worker and a good listener; when it comes to executive action she is quite exceptionally resourceful and rigorous."

Chambers UK – 2021 edition