Richard Morgan, Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution, Defence, Security and the Forces Sector

Steven Murray’s expert dispute resolution advice came to the aid of a small, long established family business based in Gloucestershire, when a dispute developed between directors which could not be resolved in house.

The situation had been deteriorating over a period of about three years or more and was having a detrimental effect on the running of the business and the people within it. The company engaged HCR to deal with the ongoing dispute and to respond to the numerous spurious accusations targeted at the business and other directors.

Our client said: “It was a tough time for the business, having to deal with this dispute in the middle of a pandemic, but with the assistance of Harrison Clark Rickerbys, it was a great relief that a resolution was eventually reached at mediation. Now the business can look forward to the future with a fresh start.

“We found Steve Murray to be very professional and focused on the real issues of the dispute and not distracted by anything not relevant. Steve was able to appreciate and understand the many challenging issues that a family business has.

“At times it was getting difficult for us to deal with all the bogus accusations, but each time I discussed anything with Steve over the phone, I always felt more positive, which was a great help. I would not hesitate to highly recommend Steve and his team for any dispute that cannot be easily resolved.”

Long-term strategic support for a tech company on a variety of contractual and other issues across a range of customer relationships, gave Clare Murphy the chance to get to know the business in real detail, developing a detailed understanding of subjects ranging from licensing to data protection and the delivery of IT services.

That relationship enabled Clare to become an extension of the client’s business, understanding their plans, imperatives, budgets and the individuals involved. She has been able to handle issues with a light touch behind the scenes or sit in on meetings with her client to support them; her focus has been a practical and commercial outcome to enable them to strengthen client relationships.

The client said: “We have worked with Clare for many years, during which time she has supported us through a wide range of challenges, large and small, always providing a frank, pragmatic, balanced, detailed and friendly approach, helping us to understand the key legal issues at play and strategies to get the best outcomes.”

Keeping a clear focus on key issues enabled Natalie Minott to help the Milton Keynes Muslim Association to deal with a former occupier of an annex to its property who took them to court, making financial claims which would have bankrupted the charity.

The Association allowed the annex to be occupied – heads of terms were agreed, but a lease was not finalised and signed. The occupier fell behind with rent after 18 months, and then wanted to sell his business to a third party and leave. Since there was no lease, that could not happen, and the Association asked for the property simply to be vacated. They decided not to pursue the rent arrears and the occupier left.

But some months later, the Association was taken aback to be taken to court by the occupier who alleged that he had a lease on the property, that he had to vacate it and that he had therefore suffered losses based on a forecast of potential profits from his business.

Natalie was called upon to help the Association and an initial court judgement went against them; their appeal against that judgement was successful, and that success continued as the business owner took every legal action open to him.

Morad Hikal of the Association said: “Natalie was always adamant that we had a good case and that we should pursue it; we are a charity funded mainly by donations, and with five staff to consider, we have to be careful with our outgoings. The charity would have gone bankrupt if it had had to pay what was claimed.

“Natalie kept us informed at all stages and explained her recommendations and options well, highlighting the process for a successful outcome.

“She was excellent to work with and her professionalism left no room for any error as the outcome has shown. We are truly grateful for her leadership and absolute devotion to her work.”

Helen Cain is helping a client to contest the validity of a will to uphold the deceased’s true wishes. In recognition of Helen’s considerate handling of the case to date, her client said:
“I am very happy with everything you are helping me with and your prompt responses to me. You have restored my faith in solicitors!”

Eimir Tuckett’s calm support and experience came to the aid of Mr S, a client who was selling a commercial property in Oxfordshire leased to a commercial tenant who was required to vacate before completion.

The transaction ran into complications when it was discovered that the tenant was in breach of their lease by not paying their rent, unlawfully subletting part of the Property and converting the property without consent.

Eimir, drawing on her own experience and consulting colleague’s expertise in dispute resolution, was able to agree a date with the tenant and the subtenant to vacate the property, and prepare the necessary documents promptly, in order to obtain security for the client.

Mr S said: “Thank you very much for all your work in completing the legal side of the sale of the property. Your calm and reassuring help over all the ups and downs of the last six months has been invaluable and is much appreciated!”

Handling complex overseas disputes and claims for QBE insurance group, Philip Hooley’s diligence and professionalism drew praise from Ash Bathia.

Ash said: “Philip dealt with a number of complex reinsurance claims for QBE with reference to Mexican/ other South American law and jurisdiction and to Caribbean jurisdiction. The individual claims have ranged from serious personal injury to high value pollution claims. His work in these areas has been highly professional.”

Ash Bathia
Managing Director Casualty
QBE now CEO/Underwriter Probitas Syndicate 1492

Mediation and issues of risk, handled expertly by Philip, led Gareth John of Sodexho to say: “I always found him very quick to respond, with first class service, combining razor-sharp legal advice with an important understanding of our commercial objectives. Philip helped in resolving a particularly difficult mediation and his style was commercial and pragmatic leading to a favourable outcome.

Gareth John
European Director of Legal Affairs
Sodexo

Philip Hooley’s willingness to go beyond technical legal advice to provide an opinion on a commercial and realistic approach won him praise from Guy Jones of Fujitsu.

He said: "What I really appreciate from Philip above and beyond his legal expertise (which I rate as excellent) is his ability to provide pragmatic and timely advice in difficult situations. Most other lawyers I have dealt with previously tended not to want to offer an opinion as regards the “best” way forward, whereas Philip is always prepared to do this. It is this particular quality which means that I will always turn to Philip first in any future situations."

Guy Jones
Head of UK&I, the Nordics EMEIA Procurement
Fujitsu

Working closely with Philip Hooley to resolve disputes and handle litigation, Campbell Robertson of Kcom is full of praise for his skills.

He said: “I have known and worked closely with Philip over many years in my former capacity of Director of Outsourcing Services for Hewlett Packard. Philip himself has been adding value to HP for more than 13 years as one of HP’s preferred counsel for the services business.

“Philip uses his significant experience and expertise to create choices for the business decision makers, he always adopts a collaborative and creative approach, explaining the merits and risks of any given scenarios; this allows people to learn and grow from jointly exploring the proposed rationale and action plans. The business has benefited significantly from Philip’s expert contribution and is, without doubt, carrying less risk and more commercial benefit as a result.”

Campbell Robertson
Senior Director
Kcom

We engaged Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ dispute resolution team to deal with a family situation that had become protracted over some five years and was at stalemate.

We were initially impressed with the manner in which both Steven and Ian were quickly able to appreciate and understand the key commercial and family dynamic issues and turn this into a transparent and effective strategy.

Throughout the whole process, Steven and Ian presented a professional and firmly assertive approach which resulted in a settlement being achieved in an excellently negotiated manner.

Whilst commercial resolution was indeed the reason for us seeking the assistance of HCR, we were both extremely impressed by the personal integrity of both Steven and Ian throughout; being both able to weave commercial resolution with the larger interpersonal dynamics and “bigger picture” view.

Throughout, we were always kept up to date with regard to costs and found everyone within HCR to be extremely personable, efficient and effective. As a result of their work, we are now able to move on with our lives and this is wholly down to Steven, Ian, and their professional team within Harrison Clark Rickerbys.

We would have no hesitation, and indeed it is a great pleasure, in recommending HCR to any prospective client, as they provide an increasingly rare commodity - effective litigation combined with integrity, transparency, competitive fees and excellent client communication.

We have worked with Elizabeth Beatty for over 15 years.  During this time she has provided excellent legal support and is always easy to contact and quick to respond to any of our legal requirements. Her focus has been on getting to know us and our business and providing legal advice within this commercial context.

She always provides frank advice and manages our expectations from the outset on the achievable objectives and costs. A very professional and approachable person.

Vim Savani, Finance Director & Company Secretary, Gemco Equipment Ltd 

We approached Adam Finch, partner at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, who specialises in hedge funding claims, in order to help us seek compensation for the IRHPs that were mis-sold to us. During that time we were guided throughout the complicated process by Adam in order to put our case forward to the bank.

During the months that we were involved in negotiations with the bank, we found Harrison Clark Rickerbys to be totally professional, thorough and supportive, ensuring that we were fully aware of the procedures and actions needed to be taken in support of our claim. Their advice was invaluable and as “non-sophisticated customers” felt that we were given every opportunity to fight our claim.

We are extremely pleased that the outcome was successful and we were awarded the full claim amount plus compensation. Without Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ guidance and support, I do not feel that we may have necessarily achieved the same result.

Mr Rigby