Commercial litigator with over 10 years experience acting for large national firms and owner-managed businesses. Also an ADR Group accredited civil and commercial mediator. Deputy Head of Dispute Resolution and Head of Commercial Litigation at Talbots Law (ranked Tier 2 for commercial litigation by the Legal 500 - 2023), and recognised in that directory as ‘a talented individual, with good commercial judgment, excellent technical ability and a very composed personality.’ Regularly instructed on complex commercial contract disputes, defective goods and services, and professional negligence claims proceeding in the High Court, with a particular interest and specialism in shareholder and boardroom disputes having successfully taken many matters to trial, and settled many more via mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. The law can be used as a sword or a shield, but is more often like a cryptic crossword that is less relevant than the commercial context within which it sits. Legal proceedings are sometimes necessary or unavoidable, but more often than not settlement can be negotiated. Getting around a table and discussing matters face-to-face with your opponent helps to focus both parties on what the issues really are, and what each party is hoping to (and can realistically expect to) achieve. I have extensive experience of working effectively with clients across the UK and internationally to understand their business and the problem they are facing in granular detail; developing a strategy that will resolve the issue; and then implementing that strategy as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.