Best UK Litigation Lawyers and How To Choose The Right Firm
Need a litigation solicitor for a business dispute, debt recovery, shareholder or partnership claim, or other civil matter in the UK? Get in touch and we will try to point you in the right direction.
The firms below are regularly recommended by independent directories and client feedback. Short quotes reflect directory or client testimonials with sources in the endnotes.
Top commercial litigation solicitors in London
- Saunders Law – specialist, partner-led disputes practice. Client comment: “Stand out for laser focus on quality and client care.” [1] See also Matthew Purcell.
- Slaughter and May – market-leading team for complex, high-value disputes. Client comment: “Blend of legal rigour, responsiveness, practicality and commercial sense.” [2]
- A&O Shearman – global disputes capability post-merger. Client comment: “Strong strategic advice across contentious mandates.” [3]
- Clifford Chance – premium commercial and banking litigation. Client comment: “Fantastic team… the very highest quality service.” [4]
- Hogan Lovells – corporate and shareholder litigation strength. Client comment: “Superb senior litigator… excellent judgment.” [5]
- Freshfields – financial disputes and international arbitration. Client comment: “Clear leader… multiple star partners.” [6]
- Herbert Smith Freehills – consistently top-tier for commercial litigation. Client comment: “Consistently brilliant, incisive, available and reliable.” [7]
- Linklaters – complex, international litigation bench. Client comment: “Truly exceptional for complex, international litigation.” [8]
- Collyer Bristow – mid-market disputes specialists. Client comment: “Attentive service… direct partner contact makes the difference.” [9]
- Witan Solicitors – experienced litigation solicitors since 1986. Client comment: “Knowledgeable and professional… highly recommended.” [10]
- Duncan Lewis – national disputes coverage. Client comment: “Highly professional service… efficient and competent.” [11]
Manchester commercial litigation firms
- Slater Heelis – broad business disputes practice. Client comment: “Extremely talented, professional and competent.” [12]
- JMW Solicitors – one of the North West’s larger teams. Client comment: “Client-friendly team with a good range of expertise.” [13]
Birmingham litigation solicitors
- George Green LLP – West Midlands disputes specialists. Client comment: “Stand-out team of talented lawyers… very well led.” [14]
- CSK Legal – niche litigation boutique in Birmingham. Client comment: “Excellent solicitor… enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated.” [15]
Edinburgh and Glasgow litigation solicitors
- Brodies – Scotland’s largest disputes team. Client comment: “Proactive and pragmatic… solutions-focused.” [16]
- Burness Paull – complex, high-value commercial disputes. Client comment: “Client-focused approach… impressive team.” [17]
- MBM Commercial – tech and growth-company disputes. Client comment: “Strong team… proactive and helpful.” [18]
- Drummond Miller – full-service litigation. Client comment: “Clear, concise and supportive throughout.” [19]
- BBM Solicitors – commercial and insolvency disputes. Client comment: “Professional and pragmatic… strong communication.” [20]
- Complete Clarity – business disputes across Scotland. Client comment: “Excellent service… honest and professional.” [21]
How to sue a company or person in the UK
Rules and procedures differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A solicitor can advise where to start a claim, whether to seek urgent relief like an interim interdict or injunction, and whether arbitration or mediation is better for your objectives.
What can you sue for?
- Shareholder disputes including unfair prejudice petitions under section 994 Companies Act [22]
- Debt recovery and money claims [23]
- Complex commercial contract claims, misrepresentation and breach
- Professional negligence and pre-action protocols [24]
- Construction and procurement disputes in the TCC [25]
- Land and boundary disputes [26]
- Landlord and tenant possession and rent disputes [27]
- Personal injury claims and limitation [28]
- Probate, wills and inheritance disputes [29]
- Franchise disputes and BFA standards [30]
- Partnership disputes and dissolution [31]
- Insurance claim disputes and ombudsman options [32]
- Small claims and bespoke ADR
- Intellectual property disputes and enforcement [33]
Litigation funding options
- Fixed or staged fees
- Blended hourly rates
- Third-party litigation funding for suitable, high-value cases
- Conditional fee arrangements and discounted CFAs
- Damages-based agreements where permitted
- Monthly fixed-fee retainers for ongoing disputes
In Scotland, additional routes exist; see guidance noted in the endnotes. [34]
FAQs
1. What does a litigation solicitor do?
Advises on strategy, evidence, risk and settlement, conducts pre-action steps, issues proceedings, handles disclosure, interim applications, trial and enforcement.
2. How do I choose the right firm?
Match experience to your dispute type and forum, check directory rankings and recent matters, and ask about team structure, budget and timeline.
3. What are pre-action protocols?
They set out steps parties should take before suing, such as detailed letters of claim and disclosure. Non-compliance can impact costs and case management.
4. What is the difference between litigation, arbitration and mediation?
Litigation is court-based and public. Arbitration is private and contract-based with enforceable awards. Mediation is a confidential facilitated negotiation.
5. How long do I have to bring a claim?
Limitation varies by claim type and jurisdiction. In many contract and tort claims in England and Wales it is typically six years, but take advice early.
6. Can I get an urgent injunction?
Yes, where there is a serious issue to be tried, damages are inadequate and the balance of convenience favours relief. Seek immediate advice.
7. What will it cost and how can I fund it?
Costs depend on complexity, volume of evidence and opponent behaviour. Discuss budgets, caps, fixed phases, CFAs, DBAs and third-party funding.
8. Where should I start proceedings?
Jurisdiction and venue depend on contract terms, defendant location, governing law and where damage occurred. Your solicitor will analyse forum and strategy.
9. What happens after judgment?
If unpaid, options include charging orders, third-party debt orders, orders to obtain information, insolvency steps, or cross-border enforcement if applicable.
10. Can I settle at any time?
Yes. Use Part 36 offers, mediation and without-prejudice negotiations to control risk and costs.
Get guidance
If in doubt, ask for a quick assessment of forum, merits, budget and urgency. Contact us and we will try to help.
Endnotes
- Saunders Law client feedback and directory commentary, including Legal 500 UK (Commercial Litigation), and firm materials. Legal 500 profile and saunders.co.uk. Representative quote source: Legal 500 research team. Link.
- Slaughter and May disputes. Representative quote: “blend of legal rigour…” from Legal 500 testimonials. Legal 500, and firm page slaughterandmay.com.
- A&O Shearman disputes capability post-merger. See firm services. aoshearman.com.
- Clifford Chance testimonials: “Fantastic team…”. Legal 500. Practice page: cliffordchance.com.
- Hogan Lovells testimonials referencing senior litigators. Legal 500. Corporate and shareholder litigation overview: hoganlovells.com.
- Freshfields testimonials highlighting leadership in arbitration. Legal 500. Disputes service page: freshfields.com.
- Herbert Smith Freehills testimonials: “consistently brilliant…”. Legal 500. Disputes page: hsf.com.
- Linklaters testimonials: “truly exceptional for complex, international litigation.” Legal 500. Dispute resolution page: linklaters.com.
- Collyer Bristow testimonials: “attentive and committed service.” Legal 500. Service page: collyerbristow.com.
- Witan Solicitors client comments. witansolicitors.co.uk and selected reviews. Google reviews.
- Duncan Lewis litigation overview and client feedback. duncanlewis.co.uk and Legal 500 recognition. Legal 500.
- Slater Heelis testimonials. Legal 500 and firm page slaterheelis.co.uk.
- JMW Solicitors testimonials. Legal 500 and client page jmw.co.uk.
- George Green LLP testimonials. Legal 500 and firm testimonials georgegreen.co.uk.
- CSK Legal overview and reviews. csklegal.co.uk and third-party review excerpt. Birdeye.
- Brodies litigation service page and client references. brodies.com.
- Burness Paull dispute resolution page and client references. burnesspaull.com.
- MBM Commercial disputes page and Legal 500 ranking note. mbmcommercial.co.uk.
- Drummond Miller litigation page and client feedback. drummondmiller.co.uk.
- BBM Solicitors litigation page and client feedback. bbmsolicitors.co.uk.
- Complete Clarity litigation page and client feedback. completeclaritysolicitors.com.
- Companies Act 2006 s.994 unfair prejudice petitions. legislation.gov.uk.
- Make a court claim for money (England and Wales). GOV.UK.
- Professional negligence pre-action protocol overview. Wilson Browne guide and MoJ reference. Practical Law.
- Technology and Construction Court Guide. judiciary.uk.
- Land Registry practice guide on objections and disputes. GOV.UK.
- Possession action process guidance. GOV.UK.
- Personal injury overview and time limits. Citizens Advice.
- Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. legislation.gov.uk.
- British Franchise Association Code of Ethics. thebfa.org PDF.
- Partnership Act 1890, dissolution and winding-up references. legislation.gov.uk.
- Financial Ombudsman Service guidance on insurance disputes. financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
- UK Intellectual Property Office overview. GOV.UK.
- Civil litigation funding in Scotland overview. Out-Law.