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We are a team of more than 500 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to unicorns and non-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition.
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International Offices
gunnercooke has 12 offices globally including the UK, Scotland, US, Germany and CEE, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover China and Hong Kong, Spain, France, Italy, Brazil and Portugal. Our team has experience working across 101 different countries, speaking 30 languages and are dual-qualified in 15 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
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Our story
gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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Expertise
Helen’s primary expertise is in Commercial Litigation, having practised for over 18 years in that field. Helen is extremely skilled in advising clients on complex contentious matters although her work takes her across all aspects of commercial litigation including contentious insolvency and contentious intellectual property.
With a wide experience of both bringing and defending high value contentious matters, encompassing all manner of business disputes, Helen has dealt with multi million pound breach of contract disputes, warranty claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, product liability claims and applications of various natures for injunctive relief.
Helen Advises
- The boards of large plc corporations
- In-house counsel
- Financial institutions
- Private individuals
Experience Highlights
- Codent Ltd v Lyson Ltd [2005] EWCA Civ 1835, [2007] 2 Costs LR 185: Defending high value product liability claim with lengthy contested trials on both liability and quantum. Claim valued in the region of £1million. This resulted in a reported decision of the Court of Appeal in relation to the effect of a Defendant’s Part 36 offer.
- Mediterranean Shipping Company Limited v MSC Europe Limited (HC, 2009): Acting on behalf of international cruise company in bringing claim for trade mark infringement. Issues related to community trade marks and Article 111 defence under CTMR. An interim application on the first day of trial resulted in an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
- Successfully bringing a claim in the High Court against former directors and employees in connection with breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud and the making of a secret profit, coupled with defending Part 20 claims for misrepresentation against company and individual directors. The High Court found in favour of Helen’s clients after a seven day trial.
- Bringing multi million pound claim in partnership dispute which eventually settled the day before commencement of a seven day trial, after weeks of difficult and lengthy negotiations culminating in frenzied activity pre-trial.
- Defending a claim for breach of fiduciary duty brought against a former director and former employee of company as well as third party company. Claim valued in excess of £1million and settled following lengthy without prejudice negotiations.
- Acting for liquidators in connection with their investigations into the conduct of former directors/shadow directors of a company in liquidation and investigating possible fraud. Claim worth in excess of £1.2million.
- Breach of contract/warranty claim with potential injunction proceedings in New Zealand. Claim worth in excess of £2million but settlement reached.
Career History
Previous Law Firms
- Hill Dickinson LLP, Partner
Education
- Manchester Metropolitan University (LLB Hons)
- College of Law, Chester
- Admitted as Solicitor (1996)
Expertise
Back to top
Helen’s primary expertise is in Commercial Litigation, having practised for over 18 years in that field. Helen is extremely skilled in advising clients on complex contentious matters although her work takes her across all aspects of commercial litigation including contentious insolvency and contentious intellectual property.
With a wide experience of both bringing and defending high value contentious matters, encompassing all manner of business disputes, Helen has dealt with multi million pound breach of contract disputes, warranty claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, product liability claims and applications of various natures for injunctive relief.
Helen Advises
Back to top
- The boards of large plc corporations
- In-house counsel
- Financial institutions
- Private individuals
Experience Highlights
Back to top
- Codent Ltd v Lyson Ltd [2005] EWCA Civ 1835, [2007] 2 Costs LR 185: Defending high value product liability claim with lengthy contested trials on both liability and quantum. Claim valued in the region of £1million. This resulted in a reported decision of the Court of Appeal in relation to the effect of a Defendant’s Part 36 offer.
- Mediterranean Shipping Company Limited v MSC Europe Limited (HC, 2009): Acting on behalf of international cruise company in bringing claim for trade mark infringement. Issues related to community trade marks and Article 111 defence under CTMR. An interim application on the first day of trial resulted in an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
- Successfully bringing a claim in the High Court against former directors and employees in connection with breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud and the making of a secret profit, coupled with defending Part 20 claims for misrepresentation against company and individual directors. The High Court found in favour of Helen’s clients after a seven day trial.
- Bringing multi million pound claim in partnership dispute which eventually settled the day before commencement of a seven day trial, after weeks of difficult and lengthy negotiations culminating in frenzied activity pre-trial.
- Defending a claim for breach of fiduciary duty brought against a former director and former employee of company as well as third party company. Claim valued in excess of £1million and settled following lengthy without prejudice negotiations.
- Acting for liquidators in connection with their investigations into the conduct of former directors/shadow directors of a company in liquidation and investigating possible fraud. Claim worth in excess of £1.2million.
- Breach of contract/warranty claim with potential injunction proceedings in New Zealand. Claim worth in excess of £2million but settlement reached.
Career History
Back to top
Previous Law Firms
- Hill Dickinson LLP, Partner
Education
- Manchester Metropolitan University (LLB Hons)
- College of Law, Chester
- Admitted as Solicitor (1996)
Testimonials
"Her sound, timely advice and she provides a level of commerciality that we need."
Sally Evans
RSK Group