Once again, the controversial topic of ‘wealth tax’ has reared its head – this time as a potential solution to the ever-increasing bill caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wealth Tax Commission believes that a one-off tax on millionaire couples – taxing those households an extra 1% above a £1 million threshold – could raise £260 billion over five years.

The Commission has suggested that this would prevent the need to increase income tax or VAT, as the government desperately searches for answers on how to repair UK public finances that have been battered by COVID-19. In the last nine months, the government has reportedly spent £280 billion in a bid to conquer the pandemic and support the UK economy. 

While the mere notion of a ‘wealth tax’ is likely to cause great concern amongst those above the threshold, the idea is fraught with problems – one of the reasons why, to date, it has not been introduced. 

Firstly, it would represent a double charge – unfairly taxing money that’s already been subject to tax. This could include income, property or assets that people buy. Secondly, there has been little agreement so far on what the threshold should be. While the Wealth Tax Commission has said £1 million – which would include all assets such as main homes and pension pots, as well as business and financial wealth – this would capture a significant number of people who would not regard themselves as HNW individuals, particularly in the likes of London, where property prices are so inflated. In addition, it would also include any UK resident, including ‘non-doms’, which in itself is steeped in controversy. 

Most experts agree that it would be too complicated to enforce, with the valuation of assets alone causing a considerable headache – meaning people would be required to declare their assets every single year. However, the idea of a wealth tax is not unrealistic and is reasonably common in other European jurisdictions, such as France. But, in its current format it would create significant issues. 

It’s very clear that the level of public spending is unsustainable. While the idea of a ‘wealth tax’ may disappear once again only to appear again in a few years’ time, what it does signal is that change is on the horizon. Next year’s Budget is set to impact on current inheritance tax (IHT) and capital gains tax (CGT) arrangements. 

A number of reviews, commissioned by the Chancellor, have already suggested that changes need to be made to how these taxes are administered – it’s only a matter of time before we see rate increases by the government. 

For example, the Office of Tax Simplification and an All-Party Working Group of MPs, have both suggested changes to IHT, that could impact HNW individuals and business owners if they were to be implemented – with one recommendation stating that all life-time gifts over a modest, but increased, annual allowance should immediately attract IHT and no business property relief should be available.  

The writing is on the wall. There will be changes to the current tax regime. As such, it’s essential that people review their affairs, prioritise estates planning, and put structures in place before any amendments are made. In the past, when significant tax changes have been announced, the cut off date for making plans to mitigate those amendments is the date of the Budget itself – once that happens, the opportunity is lost. Clients need to take advice now. Waiting until the Chancellor makes an announcement in the Spring, regarding specific tax changes, will be too late. 

If you would like further advice on tax planning, speak to our private client team.

A staple in every employment contract, the non-compete clause serves to act as a deterrent for any employee looking to jump ship and set up a similar business in direct competition with their former employer.

Despite being somewhat difficult to enforce, it’s their mere presence in a contract of employment that makes them as effective as they are, particularly when coupled with other clauses, such as confidentiality and protection of intellectual property.

However, there are two schools of thought emerging on the non-compete clause – one that thinks they’re an essential way of protecting a business, by deterring employees from taking ideas, clients and staff to set up shop round the corner within a certain period of time; and then another, which believes that the contractual clause is actually stifling entrepreneurship, particularly in the technology sector, inhibiting economic growth and innovation.

According to reports, the government falls into the latter and will launch a public consultation within days to determine what changes need to be made to non-compete clauses, and to make it harder for employers to block staff from leaving to set up rival companies, in an effort to nurture more start-up businesses.

Apparently, the government is concerned that current use of the clauses is thwarting workers from leaving jobs and setting up their own businesses. As such, ministers are looking at whether reform in this area could enable free movement of future talent – as seen in California and, more specifically, Silicon Valley.

For many business owners, the thought of diluting such a clause, regardless of how difficult it is to enforce, is a worrying one – particularly smaller businesses that don’t have the means to challenge employees who go on to set up rival companies. Importantly, ministers are not expected to ban non-compete clauses altogether, but instead focus on whether they are well targeted and reasonable.

Regardless of the outcome, the fact still remains that the detail within an employment contract is crucial – not only in protecting a business, but also employee rights. We see time and again the value in getting contract wording right. Nothing can be put down to interpretation; nothing can be stretched to fit a certain situation; you have to have an employment contract that is properly drafted to enable an employer to show that the restriction goes no further than is necessary to protect its legitimate business interests. This point was illustrated in the recent case of Gemini Europe Ltd v Sawyer where the High Court agreed to uphold an interim injunction, enforcing a nine-month non-compete clause in a former employee’s contract of employment. This centred on the managing director of Gemini, a company that operates in the emerging and highly lucrative cryptocurrencies sector, leaving the business and joining a competitor three days after his employment came to an end.

Despite a complex contractual arrangement, the court found in favour of the business and was satisfied that the contract was valid, enforceable and that Gemini was entitled to protect confidential information which would have given the competitor an unfair advantage.

Whether a government-inspired public consultation will lead to a reform of non-competing clauses is yet to be seen, but what it does emphasise is the importance of regularly reviewing employee contracts to ensure that not only their restrictive covenant clauses are appropriate and reasonable, but also the confidentiality provisions are up-to-date and relevant.

What’s more, any changes to non-compete clauses can only serve to emphasise and heighten the significance of other clauses contained within employment contracts, such as confidentiality and protection of intellectual property.

If you would like further information on ensuring your employment contracts are watertight, contact our employment team.

“A Member State may not prohibit the marketing of cannabidiol (CBD) lawfully produced in another Member State when it is extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant in its entirety and not solely from its fibre and seeds”. – the European Court of Justice (ECJ)

Beleaguered by a patchwork of regulation and shifting goalposts, these words from came as music to the ears of the burgeoning CBD industry in Europe.

Background

The case followed the criminal conviction of the directors of a French vaping company, prosecuted following the use of CBD extracted from hemp plants (including their leaves and flowers) lawfully grown in the Czech Republic.

French legislation prohibits the marketing of CBD lawfully produced in another member state when it is extracted from the cannabis sativa plant in its entirety.  Current law allows only the commercial use of hemp fibres and seeds.

The French Court asked the ECJ to determine whether its domestic laws were compatible with the free movement of goods.

The ruling

The ECJ determined that free movement of goods should apply to CBD.  Importantly, this was decided on the basis that CBD is not a narcotic (which of course cannot benefit from such freedom).

The ECJ ruled that member states cannot prohibit the marketing of CBD, lawfully produced in another member state when that CBD is extracted from the cannabis sativa plant as a whole.  Such a prohibition can only be justified by the objective of protecting public health but countries should not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve this.  Member states wishing to introduce such rules must assess available scientific data to ensure that any risk to health alleged is real and not based solely on hypothetical considerations.  A prohibition will only be lawful if that risk is sufficiently established.

Why is this important?

In our last newsletter, we reported on the shockwaves created when the European Commission paused all novel food applications for naturally occurring CBD products.

The FSA’s position is now entirely in line with that of the ECJ.  In making its recent decision, the court concluded that:-

• The (natural) CBD product in issue did not appear to have any psychotropic effect or any harmful effect on human health.
• Synthetic CBD would be allowed under French law but has the same properties as the banned natural substance. From a public health perspective, there was no difference between the two.
• According to the current state of scientific knowledge, the CBD in this case appeared to have no psychotropic effect or any harmful impact to humans.

In celebrating the result, Managing Director of the European Industrial Hemp Association Lorenza Romanese welcomed the ruling noting that, in her view, what the European hemp sector needs now is “a fair and coherent legal framework”.

What next?

The Commission has confirmed it, “takes note of the Court’s ruling…and will carefully assess the judgment”.  Its approach to the paused novel food applications will no doubt await events at the UN in early December when the UN is due to vote on a World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation that cannabis be reclassified under the Convention – it is currently in the same category as cocaine and heroin.

A WHO scientific working group has examined the risks of CBD, cannabis and THC and concluded that the current classification could not be justified.  WHO also recommends that preparations with a THC content below 0.2% should be excluded from the Convention altogether.

In the meantime, those placing products on the UK market can enjoy the relative certainty of the timetable set out by the FSA earlier this year. In summary:-

• all CBD products currently on sale can remain so until 31 March 2021, by which time the CBD ingredient must be subject to a valid novel food application. The products can then remain on sale until the application is determined;
• if no application is made, the products should be withdrawn from sale;
• no new products should be placed on the market now.

From April 2021, the FSA will encourage Trading Standards to take enforcement action against businesses contravening the above position.  As a result of this clear framework, it is anticipated that the UK market will begin to flourish ahead of its European counterparts.

If you have any questions about this update or the use of CBD in food and beverages, please contact Rhian Greaves in our Regulatory team.

The British high street has seen a number of significant casualties over the course of 2020, as the sector has faced unprecedented challenges – a word too often overused during the pandemic, but one that is fitting given the strain businesses have been put under.

National and localised lockdowns have forced non-essential retailers to close their doors for significant periods, while reopening has triggered restrictions on capacity and extensive store remodelling to manage footfall in a safe and controlled way.

One of the many high-profile retailers to suffer at the hands of COVID-19 is Edinburgh Woollen Mill – which, together with Ponden Home, called in administrators earlier this month [November], as it closed 56 stores with job losses reaching more than 900. It’s difficult in the current economic climate to point to anything other than the global pandemic as the cause of EWM’s demise, but it does appear that the trading conditions caused by the coronavirus, and the subsequent lockdowns, have primarily led to Edinburgh Woollen Mill’s administration. Comments from the administrators suggest that the brand was trading well pre-pandemic, but the strain of the last six to seven months seems to have created irreparable issues.

The perception is that Edinburgh Woollen Mill’s primary target demographic has either been reluctant or unable – particularly in the case of stores based in tourist-dependent locations – to return to stores because of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed as a result of it. In that respect, the pandemic has clearly been a very significant factor in the situation reaching this point.

Other brands in the EWM Group have also fallen victim to COVID-19, with Jaeger and Peacocks also going into administration only last week [19 November], placing 4,700 jobs at risk. The loss of three brands under one group may be seen as somewhat surprising. At this time of the year, I would expect to see retail businesses attempt to ‘hang on’ in the hope that Christmas trading might improve their position. Clearly, EWM, Jaeger and Peacocks did not feel that was viable here – most likely because of the continuing uncertainty around what impact the restrictions will have moving into December.

Planning and anticipating the future is almost nigh-on impossible in 2020. But, when asked recently by Retail Gazette, ‘does Edinburgh Woollen Mill have a future in the UK?’, my immediate response was, ‘I certainly hope so’. The administrators are trading a significant proportion of the business and continue to look for a buyer. By closing 56 stores, which it’s assumed were underperforming, the business should now be a more attractive proposition for a potential buyer.

The fact of the matter is there’s clearly value in the brand. It’s well-known, with strong customer recognition and trust, which is extremely valuable in the retail sector. There’s an opportunity here for any potential buyer to restructure and streamline the business with a view to trading the brand successfully moving forward.

And that is the key for many retailers that are struggling during irrepressible trading conditions. Businesses and their directors should be alive to the possibility of taking action to restructure or streamline their position before formal insolvency becomes inevitable. There are a number of ways to achieve that – administration isn’t the only option. We’ve seen a significant number of CVAs in the retail sector over the last six to 12 months and there will undoubtedly be more looking at this option. CVAs are often attractive because they allow businesses to minimise the issues that loss-making stores are causing them, while focusing on the sites that are more profitable. Restructuring outside of a CVA/formal process is also a viable option and I’m sure businesses will be reviewing all of their options in that respect.

The decision to go into insolvency will not have been taken lightly by EWM. Whilst the administrators have indicated that the pre-pandemic trading performance was good, it’s probably fair to say that this was a business facing familiar problems caused by the general decline of the high street. Those issues will have been significantly exacerbated when COVID-19 struck. The immediate closure by the administrators suggests that those sites were either trading at a loss, breaking even, or operating at only a small profit. It would then have taken only a few weeks’ reduced income for those stores to become something of a millstone for the rest of the business.

The challenges that Edinburgh Woollen Mill is facing are the same for the majority of the retail sector –  a significant reduction in income and uncertain trading conditions moving forward. Unfortunately, as a result, I would expect to see an increase in retail insolvencies in due course. However, I don’t think we will see that immediately. A lot of retailers, if they’re able to do so, will try and continue operating over Christmas in the hope that will bring increased income. The extension of the furlough scheme until March 2021 will also be crucial for many retailers – it has clearly enabled many businesses to weather the storm so far.

At some point, however, businesses will have to reckon with the end of government support and an increase in creditor pressure. The reduction in income suffered over the course of this pandemic will not make that easy. Nothing is inevitable, and the hope would be that businesses can find restructuring solutions which will prevent them from going out of business entirely, but an increase in insolvency numbers over the next 6 to 12 months does look likely at this point.

Daniel Clarke is Associate Partner, Corporate Services, at Pannone Corporate

Palmbest confirms £28m retail park acquisition

The business has completed the purchase of Staples Corner Shopping Park

Palmbest Limited, part of the Bestway Group of companies, has acquired the 50,500 sq ft site on the Edgware Road. With tenants including Decathlon, Wren Kitchens, Bensons, Argos and HomeSense, the high footfall out-of-town retail scheme is adjacent to the entrance of the future Brent Cross West Thameslink Station.

The Bestway Group is a multinational group of companies which is also the owner of the adjoining four-acre site.

KLM Retail completed the marketing and sale for the vendors. KLM Retail’s Jonathan Perkins said: “The scheme attracted numerous investors and developers, not only due to its reputation as an iconic retailing destination, but also due to the potential future residential value of the site given its close proximity to the new Thameslink station opening next door in 2022.

“This asset is a good example of the resilience and agility of the retail warehousing sector given the continued strong trading performances of the stores; the flexibility for the retailers to use their stores for online fulfilment; and the adaptability of the buildings in the future should other more valuable uses present themselves.”

Pannone Corporate advised Palmbest Limited.  Real estate associate partner, Gareth Birch represented the seller and led the deal. He added: “Palmbest is a strong property business with big growth ambitions. We take a commercial approach to any transaction we’re involved with and in this instance, we were able to lead the acquisition negotiations, as well as handling the legal aspects against a very demanding timeline. The deal is a great result for everyone involved.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Zahir Fazaldin, Head of Property at Bestway said: “The sentiment around retail parks is positive, and Staples Corner is home to some high profile and long established tenant companies that have traded relatively well throughout what has been a very challenging year. The location and connectivity of this site together with its strategic value made this a compelling acquisition for us.”

Chambers and Partners identifies the best law firms globally, from multi-nationals to boutiques. Underpinned by independent research and analysis of feedback from clients, peers and the wider market, Chambers produces annual rankings of teams and individuals according to their area of specialism.

The rankings take into account: client service; technical legal ability; depth of team; commercial vision and business understanding; diligence and value for money. The results of Chambers 2021 have been announced with strong results for individual lawyers and departments at Pannone Corporate.

Commenting on this year’s results, senior partner Paul Jonson said: “Pannone Corporate is punching well above its weight in this year’s Chambers rankings. When you compare our team to the firms ranked at the same level as us, we have nearly twice as many individuals named – as a proportion of our headcount – than our closest regional counterpart.

“I’d like to congratulate the colleagues who have been recognised and our team as a whole. Our people are our greatest asset. Put them together, and it creates something that is even more compelling than the sum of its parts.”

The rankings 

This week marks the start of “Make a Will” month; a date which occurs each October as a way of raising awareness for people to take control of their estate planning and make this a priority.

It’s an important reminder because even though most of us understand that engaging a solicitor to draft a Will has tangible benefits and will reduce stress for loved ones, it’s the kind of planning which people can put off until a later date.

This year is different. In challenging times, naturally people consider their personal position and finances, as well as reflecting on what they can do to help support those that matter most to them. In 2020, we’ve spent more time at home than ever before, so people are looking to get their own house in order as a result. The data backs this up with online searches for ‘making a will’ reaching an all-time high this year.

The benefits of engaging a solicitor to ensure you have a properly drafted Will are clear:

1. it is the only way to ensure that the right people benefit from your estate at the right time;
2. your estate will pay the minimum amount of inheritance tax; and
3. it can avoid disputes in relation to your estate which are stressful, emotional and costly for all involved.

Who is best placed to help make difficult decisions?  

In business and life, we look to the trusted and knowledgeable people around us for their support in taking decisive action.

Careful consideration should be given to who is best placed to be appointed as your executors and trustees. Making a Will gives you the opportunity to choose the experienced advisors or knowledgeable relatives who will be able to make important decisions and ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

Trustees will be able to maximise the value of your assets for the benefit of your family. Without a Will it may be left to inexperienced family members to deal with your affairs at a difficult time when there are many other things they’ll need to consider.

A Will is especially important for anyone involved in running a family business or who has a significant estate. Both circumstances can make the administration of an estate more complex and a Will makes a difficult time easier for those left behind. A well-drafted Will also ensures assets pass tax-efficiently.

Who would you like to benefit?  

The main objective of estate planning is to make sure that your assets pass efficiently to the people you want them to. Preparing your Will is the only way to guarantee that your personal and financial affairs will be handled in line with your wishes, and that only the people you want to benefit from your estate will do so.

Making a Will is sometimes the only way to ensure that certain loved ones receive a share of your estate after you have died. For example, if you wish for your unmarried partner to benefit from your estate in any shape or form, preparing a Will is the only way to make sure that this happens. If you die without a valid Will your estate would be distributed in accordance with the intestacy rules which do not recognise unmarried partners.

Have your circumstances changed?  

Significant life events such as divorce or remarriage should prompt you to review your Will. This is because the act of marriage revokes any Will you may already have in place and divorce, too, has an impact on any existing Will.

If your personal circumstances change, you should seek advice and consider putting a new Will in place. In any event, we recommend reviewing your Will every five years so that your Will remains fit for your circumstances.

If you would like to discuss your existing Will or make a new Will please get in touch with Jane Shaw or Fiona Bushell.

We make it our business to understand business – translating law into opportunity, growth and compliance for our clients. That’s why the Legal 500 acts as such an important resource to us as a firm. Badged as the ‘client’s guide to the best law firms’, it’s the emphasis on ‘clients’ that makes it so relevant to Pannone Corporate.

The Legal 500 rankings for 2021 – highlighting the practice area teams who are providing the highest quality legal advice – have now been published and feature Pannone Corporate in 17 specialist areas of law. This includes Tier 1 listings for our contentious trusts and probate, media and entertainment, and debt recovery teams. With two partners making the ‘Hall of Fame’, seven being chosen as ‘leading individuals’, two as ‘next generation partners’, and five ranked as ‘rising stars’, the latest Legal 500 rankings make for positive reading for the firm.

So, after months of detailed analysis of law firm submissions and thousands of interviews with GCs and private practice lawyers, what did they say about us?

Debt recovery

Praised for offering ‘the knowledge and ability that debt recovery agencies are lacking’, while being ‘extremely knowledgeable’ and always willing to ‘go the extra mile’, our debt recovery team is primarily focused on business-to-business debt issues but is also engaged in all types of debt recovery processes.

‘I have worked with this team for a couple of years and their responsibility and commitment to work is extraordinary.’

Media and entertainment

Described as ‘outstanding’ with a ‘deep understanding of how the media operates’, the media and entertainment team covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, with their expertise encompassing advertising and marketing, defamation and reputation management, as well as expertise across sponsorship, merchandising, social media, publishing and brand protection matters, among others.

‘I do not recall being more impressed with a team that I have not worked with before. Their work ethic, insight and dedication to the client make them a joy to work with.’

Contentious trusts and probate

The contentious trusts and probate team acts in a variety of mid- and high-net-worth estate and trust disputes. It represents an assortment of regional and national clients, as well as an increasing number of international clients. Acting for claimants, executors and beneficiaries in a variety of claims under the Inheritance Act is also a key area of strength.

‘Calm, experienced and well suited to high-value cases with a personal or emotional element… excellent at dealing with difficult or unusual lay clients.’

Employment

 Best known for advising clients on TUPE matters, particularly in the context of outsourcing and in-sourcing, the employment team regularly advises clients in the social housing sector on the TUPE issues which arise from local authority procurement. In addition, the department assists multinational corporations, large public sector organisations and SMEs on a range of matters, including HR support for disciplinary action, grievance investigations, and hearings.

‘A talented and highly responsive team of lawyers who have diverse backgrounds and knowledge and can give you speedy professional advice and guidance.’

Health and safety

The team deals with both contentious and non-contentious health and safety matters, excelling in the care, retail, logistics, social housing, minerals, manufacturing and food industries sectors. The regulatory practice is well-versed in the areas of corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, coroner’s inquests, food, fire and product safety, as well as environmental law issues.

‘It is good to have a diverse mix of core skills, which Pannone offers. Their specialist knowledge of the minerals sector is supported by the addition of a range of specialisms within their portfolio.’

Intellectual property

 Offering a ‘high standard of service and commerciality’, the team specialises in contentious matters, such as trade mark, passing off and copyright disputes, in addition to search orders and injunctive relief. Other areas of specialism include brand licensing, sponsorship and merchandising agreements, technology and patent licensing, as well as research and development agreements. Franchise litigation and disputes related to employee breaches of restrictive covenants are also key offerings for the team.

‘The quality is clear to see. They have strength at all levels. They are a top IP litigation team that can compete with any other.’

IT and telecoms 

The team is engaged in a broad array of IT contract work, including disputes, with specific examples including development, implementation, data centre, hosting and support and maintenance agreements. Further expertise covers data protection, software as a service, software licences and outsourcing, with clients including e-commerce businesses and providers of IT hardware and software, technology and applications.

Personal tax, trusts and probate

The team advises mid- and high-net-worth individuals on wills, trusts and estate issues and general succession planning matters, with particular expertise in lifetime tax planning mandates for entrepreneurs, prominent business owners and non-UK domiciled clients.

Experienced in and ‘well capable of dealing with high-value trusts and estates.’

Professional negligence 

The professional negligence team, which is part of the wider litigation practice, is primarily claimant-side. The team acts against a wide range of professionals, including tax professionals, accountants, solicitors, architects and surveyors. The practice also acts for defendants where there is no insurance or the insurance that is in place does not cover the .

‘This is a highly efficient team, which brings focused intellect and expertise to any case they are retained in.’

Commercial litigation

The litigation and dispute resolution practice handles a range of commercial disputes, with particular experience in the retail, industrial, manufacturing, engineering and recruitment sectors. The team also has a breadth of expertise in commercial, corporate, real estate and commercial fraud matters, together with professional negligence claims, judicial review applications and partnership disputes.

‘Collaborative, approachable and solution-driven.‘

Property litigation

The team, regarded as having ‘the resources and technical skills to handle all sorts of cases, up to large and complex High Court trials’, has a wealth of experience handling disputes such as nuisance and contaminated land claims, contested lease renewals and dilapidation claims, together with a record of work on guarantee claims and matters relating to breach of covenant.

‘Strongly recommended. They are a go-to firm for all kinds of commercial and residential property disputes.’

Charities

The team’s charity and not-for-profit offering draws expertise from our commercial, corporate governance, finance, real estate, IP, IT, dispute resolution and employment departments, and advise clients on a broad range of issues.

Planning and environment

The team undertakes contentious and non-contentious planning and environment work for clients, advising on criminal investigations and proceedings and environmental permissions as well as providing support to the corporate and real estate departments on transactions. Strategic advisory work is another cornerstone of the practice.

Commercial property

The ‘very professional and personable’ team works with a range of clients in the leisure, retail and logistics sectors, regularly advising on commercial property joint ventures and acquisitions.

‘Very good at planning the issues and helping clients to understand any problems.’

Corporate and commercial

The team is acclaimed for its ‘highly knowledgeable and flexible’ service. Its corporate offering handles mid-market M&A and private equity, while the commercial team addresses a broad variety of agreements, including manufacturing, supply and procurement, distribution, outsourcing and joint venture contracts. The team is particularly active in the manufacturing, technology, IT, retail and oil and gas sectors.

‘They manage to combine that quality and professionalism with a very down to earth and approachable attitude, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.’

Insolvency and corporate recovery

The team is highly experienced in supporting businesses and their directors through financially challenging situations and “offers longstanding experience in insolvency and corporate recovery matters.”

The practice is active in contentious and non-contentious restructuring work, with advice given to directors, creditors and lenders.

Credited as being “academically gifted with lots of commercial nous”, the team will advise businesses on exactly what to expect from an insolvency or restructuring process and how to best manage it, with clarity and support for directors to fulfil their responsibilities and statutory duties throughout.

Construction

The construction team provides clients with comprehensive support, which includes advice on contract formation and representation in disputes. The firm acts for both claimants and respondents in adjudications and is also sought out in arbitration and litigation cases. The team’s sector expertise includes power, transport and rail, as well as experience in contentious and non-contentious construction matters.

‘The small team compares favourably and even betters City of London Silver Circle peers for a fraction of the price.’