Strengths: ‘The team's knowledge and the depth of advice they give is extremely thorough. They take time to understand the brief and work responsively to conclusions.’
‘The firm has deeply impressive bench strength - associates and partners alike have been able to advise robustly and directly negotiate to advance interests to good effect.’
‘Their legal advice has always been given with an eye to commercial considerations.’
Chambers UK - 2023 edition
Clare Arthurs heads the litigation team, which features international litigation leader Richard Marshall, who is ‘fiercely bright‘; IP & IT disputes head Phillip D’Costa; and cross-border disputes expert Alex Fox. Michael Brown acts in financial services-related commercial disputes; David O’Brien ‘sees points that others would not‘; and Kamran Rehman is a 2021 recruit from Shakespeare Martineau LLP. Charlotte Hill and Oliver Cooke are experienced senior associates, while former practice head Rustam Dubash retired from the partnership during 2022, but remains a consultant.
‘Operates a highly sophisticated litigation outfit, and is exceptional in dealing with top-end shareholder and director disputes.’
‘Penningtons provides a bespoke service to meet its clients’ needs – one of the strongest teams around for mid-market commercial litigation.’
‘Tremendously direct, concrete, actionable advice in the restructuring and litigation space.’
‘Oliver Cooke is an excellent senior associate with in-depth legal knowledge, and who takes a sensible and commercial approach to resolving disputes.’
‘Alex Fox’s enthusiasm ensures that claims are driven forward with a clear strategic vision, and senior associate Charlotte Hill is a rising star.’
‘Richard Marshall is as tactically astute as he is knowledgeable. It is the breadth of his experience that is of the greatest benefit to the clients.’
‘David O’Brien is a cut above the rest.’
‘Associate Charlie Shillito and Partner Rebecca Andrews-Walker were both able to provide time-critical advice that was very direct and suited to the contentious nature of the proceedings in question. Right resources, team, skill-set, and proper case management: really outstanding!’
The Legal 500 - 2023 edition
Strengths: A client says: ‘Our overall impression is that they are a very professional and efficient firm of solicitors, and they got a good result for us.’
Chambers UK - 2022 edition
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is 'very strong across the board in commercial dispute resolution'. Rustam Dubash has approximately 30 years of experience of UK and cross-border litigation. David Niven regularly acts for claimants in multi-party actions against solicitors and other professionals. Alex Fox leads the business and finance disputes team; Richard Marshall is international litigation head, while Philip D’Costa leads the firm's IP and IT disputes offering. David O’Brien is 'well-prepared and quick to respond', according to a client. Charlotte Hill and Harriet Vidot are also recommended. Kamran Rehman recently joined from Shakespeare Martineau LLP.
The Oxford team has particular expertise in general commercial litigation, IT disputes, restructuring and insolvency, and regulatory matters. Emma Davies has a wide-ranging commercial practice, specialising in financial litigation, including derivative claims and data protection. Rebecca Andrews-Walker is also recommended and has a fast-growing practice in contentious insolvency matters.
‘Very strong across the board in commercial dispute resolution and extremely good at finding commercial solutions to thorny legal problems.‘
‘We dealt mainly with Rebecca Andrews-Walker; she was very approachable and understood our requirements.’
Emma Davies is utterly determined and indefatigable. She will work as hard as the situation requires and will not give up until done.’
John Doherty leads the product liability team; he is 'very bright, organised and very good indeed with clients'.
‘Alex Fox is quick to go the second mile for the client and is constantly looking for creative solutions to legal disputes. David Niven has one of the strongest track records of class actions in the financial services arena. David O’Brien is one of the rising stars of banking litigation. He is distinguished by his attention to detail and his commitment to achieving the best outcomes for his clients.’
‘Richard Marshall gets the job done. Terrier-like and tenacious, so as to achieve excellent results for clients.’
‘Charlotte Hill is a force of nature. She really steps up to the plate and takes the lead on cases.’
The Legal 500 - 2022 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
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 Cooper LLP is experienced in specialist areas such as group action litigation, banking and finance disputes, defamation and reputation management, cybercrime, product liability, and IP and IT matters. Rustam Dubash heads the department, Richard Marshall leads the international litigation and arbitration team, and David Niven heads the professional negligence and group actions practice. Also highly regarded are Phillip D’Costa, Alex Fox, Dan Hyde, John Doherty, Donald Lambert and Noel McMichael. David O’Brien was made partner.
The practice 'has one of the strongest teams in banking litigation among the mid-size firms'. It has particular expertise in high-profile swaps litigation and has been increasingly instructed on financial institutions-related litigation involving The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
John Doherty handles international product liability cases, regulatory matters and dispute prevention and strategy.
The Oxford-based team headed by Julie Bond continues to be active in major disputes in the energy, education and retail sectors. Senior associate Emma Davies is a name to note for financial litigation and regulatory matters.
The Legal 500 - 2020 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 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
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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.
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