Clifton Ingram has once again been recommended in the 2017 edition of the Legal 500, with 20 lawyers getting a specific mention. For 30 years The Legal 500 has independently reviewed the expertise of lawyers across the UK and recommends individuals based on how they are perceived by clients and peers in the industry.
Real estate - Commercial property - Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
At Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors, managing partner Tim Read handled two sizeable transactions for landowners in selling 34 hectares of land at Matthews Green Farm to Bovis Homes and Gleeson Homes, and was retained by Just Eat Holding and Just Eat plc to obtain leases for four floors at the companies’ London base. Chris Baggs’ recent workload included selling residential and agricultural properties. Practice head Ian Graham is also noted with senior associate Jonathan Foulds, who arrived from Stevens & Bolton LLP.
Private client - Personal tax, trusts and probate - Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
Praised for providing a ‘reliable’ service, Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors has recently advised high-net-worth individuals on a range of cross-border matters, including protecting business assets, tax matters, and estate planning and administration. The ‘helpful and knowledgeable’ Peter McGeown leads a team that includes Stephanie Rose, who has notable strength in advising elderly and vulnerable clients as well as their families, carers and trustees. Other key contacts include senior associate Anita Prymak and associate Alison Cross.
Private client - Family - Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
The ‘modern and forward-thinking’ team at Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors delivers ‘an impressive standard of professionalism across the board’. Under the leadership of ‘formidable litigator’ Anne Deller and Kate Grant, who is ‘robust, independent, personable and measured’, the practice ‘punches above its weight’ in Children Act cases, international child abduction disputes, pension sharing orders, financial remedy and other matters. Nicholas Rodriguez made partner and his expertise includes special guardianship orders and leave to remove cases. Senior consultant Sarah Benfield ‘is a towering authority’ and someone that ‘clients want in their corner during a tough situation’. Associate Ruby Tufail and solicitor Joanne Backwith are also recommended.
Human resources - Employment - Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M4
Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors excels in the technology, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Recent work includes advising a software company on various matters, including senior executive exits, disciplinary actions and preventing litigation concerning pregnancy and sex discrimination claims. The ‘very personable’ Alison Gair leads the practice and represented the Reading Hebrew Congregation in a dispute with a Rabbi and Rebbetzin, who filed unfair dismissal, breach of contract, holiday pay and a series of other claims against the charity. Senior associate Robert Cherry is also recommended and recently advised an automotive sector company on flexitime, staff absences and terminating employment contracts. Knight Strip Metals, Longacres Garden Centre and Uninterruptible Power Supplies are other clients.
Dispute resolution - Commercial litigation - Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors’ ‘ethos of client care and developing individual relationships with clients makes it a firm for life’. Under the stewardship of Jonathan Davis, the practice is ‘excellent in every respect’ for a range of property disputes, particularly landlord and tenant cases.
Corporate and commercial - Corporate and commercial - Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M4
Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors has a ‘strong presence in the local market’, particularly among owner-managed businesses; the team adopts ‘a commercial approach on fees without compromising on service and quality’. Practice head Bill Annan handled various matters for The Romans Group, including share acquisitions, the sale of a business and advising on commercial contracts. The ‘pragmatic’ Barry Niven acted for Can Advertising Holdings on the management buyout of a healthcare agency. Retail, manufacturing and financial companies also instructed the practice.
Finance - Insolvency and corporate recovery
The three-partner insolvency team at Clifton Ingram LLP Solicitors undertakes both corporate and personal insolvency matters. Reading-based Barry Niven’s practice spans business transactions, asset recovery for practitioners, restructuring and refinancing, winding-up petitions, individual voluntary arrangements and claims that fall under wrongful trading, misfeasance, retention of title, security and undervalue transactions. Niven is supported by Jonathan Davis in Wokingham, who handle antecedent transactions claims and other contentious matters. In the past year, the team advised companies and their representatives on their administrations and liquidations as well as reorganisations and disputes involving property.