Andy Burnham signals reform of non-compete clauses — what could change?
We explain the reforms that could be on the horizon and what employers should be doing now to prepare.
Commercial & Contractual Disputes
Our award-winning commercial litigation lawyers provide the solutions you need to prevent contractual disputes from damaging your business.
With a large, dedicated team of award-winning commercial litigators, we offer the commercially focused solutions you need to prevent disputes from damaging your business.
Since commercial disputes can occur at any time, you need true experts who understand exactly what matters to you.
We advise on a wide range of disputes concerning financial services, sport, manufacturing and supply chain, sales, IT law, transportation, e-commerce and outsourcing for a variety of clients, including prominent personalities from the worlds of sport and entertainment, as well as businesses, brands and multinational corporates.
We act in a range of high-profile disputes including cases that involve sums in excess of £40m and attract worldwide press coverage.
Wherever possible, we aim to avoid claims by employing proactive risk management strategies. Yet when necessary, we use litigation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation and arbitration to defend claims.
Our team is made up of highly experienced lawyers who’ll evaluate the merits of your case at the outset and provide straightforward advice to find the best solution that fits your needs and objectives.
We’re recognised as the Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year by The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards 2026 and recommended in The Times Best Law Firms for commercial dispute resolution as well as the top tier of The Legal 500 for commercial litigation in Liverpool and Manchester.
To discuss your corporate and commercial legal requirements, email hello@brabners.com, call us on 0333 004 4488 or fill in our contact form.
Experienced commercial disputes lawyers
Our team is led by highly experienced commercial litigator Jeff Lewis, who has practised since 1989, and is very highly regarded for his tenacity and dedication in fighting on behalf of his clients. Jeff has been consistently recognised in the top tiers of both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners throughout his career and is a member of The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame. One of the top 250 most influential people in Greater Manchester, Jeff is a former President of Manchester Law Society who currently sits as a Council member of The Law Society and is a member of its Civil Justice Committee as well as the Property Litigation Association. He also sits as a Deputy District Judge and holds Higher Rights of Audience in civil cases.
Multi-award-winning commercial litigator Paul Lunt is a fellow Hall of Famer in The Legal 500 who handles a variety of contentious commercial matters in the corporate field with a focus on company and shareholder disputes, as well as contractual and tortious disputes, professional negligence claims and insolvency-related matters.
The “fast and dynamic” Helen Otty brings a wealth of experience in commercial and company disputes including shareholder and partnership disputes, procurement law and breach of warranty claims, with 25 years’ of litigation and arbitration experience. She’s recognised as both a Recommended Lawyer and Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500, which describes her as “outstanding” and “a seasoned commercial litigator” who “advises on high-value international arbitrations, commercial and company disputes”.
Phil Weldon offers another 15 years’ worth of commercial litigation experience. He advises in a range of commercial disputes including breach of contract and warranty claims, shareholder and partnership disputes and corporate transactional disputes (including dental corporate).
Meet the team
“It’s not only the outstanding knowledge I have seen from the [commercial litigation] team but also how they care about the human aspect of a complex case and the impact it can have on the individuals they look after. This combination is unique and makes them stand out against their peers.”
Client feedback, Legal 500, 2027
“They really get to the bottom of everything and leave no stone unturned. They get to know every part of your company, history and how it all works.”
Client feedback, Legal 500, 2027
“Brabners is one of the leading commercial dispute resolution teams outside of London, with a great team of solicitors at all levels.”
Legal 500, 2026
“Brabners is widely recognised for its broad litigation expertise... representing entrepreneurs, SMEs and family businesses in their most complex disputes. This effective practice is particularly active in insolvency litigation, director and shareholder disputes and debt recovery claims.”
Legal 500, 2026
“Among recent successful cases its litigation team won a landmark defamation and malicious falsehood case in the Supreme Court overturning an early Court of Appeal ruling. It acted for the recruitment agency LCA Jobs and its owner, Lynda Cannell, who had been sued for libel, slander and malicious falsehood by a former employee, Fiona George, who the Supreme Court ruled was only entitled to £5 in nominal damages for her claim in malicious falsehood.”
The Times Best Law Firms 2025
Recognised as a top-tier firm in The Legal 500
Commercial & contractual disputes FAQs
Commercial disputes and litigation insights
Landmark CAS ruling on pregnancy discrimination — 5 lessons for women’s football
Learn more about the background to the case, why the ruling matters for maternity protections in women’s football and the key lessons for football clubs.
Wagatha Christie lawyer: “City fans may find themselves cheering Everton”
Everton is fighting a compensation ruling that could have implications for potential claims against City, according to Coleen Rooney's lawyer, Paul Lunt.
Talk to us
Loading form...