I am a Partner in the Commercial Dispute Resolution Team at Butcher & Barlow, having joined the Firm in May 2023. I advise business owners, directors, shareholders and SMEs on resolving complex commercial disputes and, wherever possible, helping them avoid disputes before they escalate.
Clients often come to me when a disagreement is threatening their business, whether that’s a shareholder relationship breaking down, a key employee leaving with clients or confidential information, a contract dispute affecting cashflow, or allegations that could damage a business’s reputation. My role is to provide clear, commercial advice that helps clients understand their options quickly and make informed decisions with confidence.
I have over 16 years’ experience acting for high-net-worth individuals, owner-managed businesses, SMEs, PLCs and multinational organisations across a broad range of commercial disputes, including:
- shareholder, director and boardroom disputes;
- breach of contract and commercial disputes;
- business protection, including restrictive covenants, confidential information and team moves;
- urgent injunctions and emergency court applications;
- defamation and reputation management;
- fraud and asset recovery;
- professional negligence claims; and
- commercial insolvency and related disputes.
I am an experienced commercial litigator with extensive experience of High Court litigation, mediation, arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Whilst I am comfortable pursuing matters through to trial where necessary, my focus is always on achieving the best commercial outcome for my clients in the most proportionate and cost-effective way.
Previous experience includes:
- Acting for one of the UK’s largest providers of care and support services in High Court proceedings involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty and unlawful means conspiracy following a 14-day trial.
- Leading a nationwide reputation management matter for one of the UK’s fastest-growing PLCs, involving urgent search orders, Norwich Pharmacal Orders and the identification of those responsible for a coordinated online campaign of fake reviews.
- Successfully obtaining and enforcing urgent injunctions in restrictive covenant and confidential information disputes, protecting businesses from departing employees and safeguarding valuable commercial interests.
- Advising businesses and individuals on shareholder and director disputes, including deadlock, governance issues and business exits.
- Acting in complex cross-border commercial disputes, including LCIA arbitration and subsequent international enforcement proceedings.
- Successfully obtaining Norwich Pharmacal Orders to trace individuals involved in fraudulent activity and secure evidence from third parties.
I work closely with accountants, insolvency practitioners and other professional advisers, often becoming involved at an early stage to help identify legal risks, preserve commercial relationships and prevent issues developing into costly litigation.
Outside work, I enjoy giving back to the local community. I manage my son’s grassroots football team, sit on the management committee of the wider club and serve as a Co-opted Governor at my children’s school. I’m also a keen padel player and lifelong Manchester United supporter, although my enthusiasm for both (usually the latter) is occasionally tested.
