The 2007 edition of Legal 500 ‘The Clients’ Guide to UK Law Firms’ confirms Greenwoods as a regional heavyweight and reports:

"Greenwoods Solicitors LLP is a well-established corporate firm serving many clients from outside the region, though it also has a strong local presence." (Legal 500 2007)

Corporate and Commercial

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP’s team, led by the ‘exemplary’ David Woods, benefits from the corporate finance expertise of managing director Shelagh Smith and the high quality of the ‘conscientious’ Martin Smith’s transactional work. Recent deals include WR Refrigeration’s purchase of the Hussmann maintenance business and the sale of a local architect’s practice, along with some high-value deals in the food sector. (Legal 500 2007)

Greenwoods’ corporate team deals with M&A, corporate restructuring and charity work. Based in Peterborough, the firm has built up a number of long-standing client relationships and is able to advise on a variety of matters. The directors in the corporate team have significant business experience, with several having City backgrounds and some having sat on company boards in a number of sectors. Head of the company and commercial department, David Woods is a “high-grade lawyer,” say peers. On the corporate side, he advises on trade sales and acquisitions, MBOs and group restructurings, while on the commercial side he advises on a range of commercial contracts. Deals include a substantial share acquisition for a US business, an MBO in the IT sector and the refinancing of a food processing company. (Chambers UK 2007-2008)

Employment and Pensions

Robert Dillarstone at ‘first-class’ Greenwoods Solicitors LLP is respected for high-level strategic work, including a recent group-wide restructuring for a listed company. John Macaulay is praised for his employment and discrimination law expertise, with a disability discrimination claim among recent highlights. Pauline Anning’s advice on employee benefits is much sought after. (Legal 500 2007)

At Greenwoods Solicitors LLP, consultant Pauline Anning lends pensions and employee benefits experience to the corporate team. (Legal 500 2007)

Its “responsiveness and dedication to understanding their clients’ needs” are among compliments paid to this Peterborough principal. The firm added a solicitor from Prettys in September 2006 and the seven-lawyer employment team is celebrated for its private sector respondent work, particularly in media, construction and financial services. The head of the employment and employee benefits group, Robert Dillarstone draws admiring nods for a “clear and concise” style and worked on a group-wide restructuring for a large plc client. Heading the firm’s training programme and “pitching it just at the right level” is John Macaulay. Clients admire him for his “easy explanations of complex and technical points.” In addition to the training aspect of his work, he assisted a service provider to major food retailers in connection with the acquisition of a rival, which involved significant TUPE transfers. (Chambers UK 2007-2008)

Consultant Pauline Anning at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP provides support to the firm's corporate team in relation to pensions and employee benefits. (Legal 500 2007)

Commercial Property

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP’s highly rated senior director Stephen Illingworth leads a ‘very close and well-briefed’ team, where property specialist Nick Plumb and consultant Karin Horsley are much valued. Large and complex transactions for industrial clients, private investors and commercial developers locally and beyond East Anglia are standard fare. (Legal 500 2007)

“Pre-eminent in the Peterborough real estate market,” Greenwoods has excellent local expertise. The property team acts for a range of clients that include FTSE 100 companies, private investors, owner-managed businesses and regional developers. It experienced a surge in development work, which it handles alongside its work for occupiers and investors. The firm also has strong planning, property litigation and construction units. The “impressive” Stephen Illingworth heads up the group, and is complimented by interviewees for his straightforward and no-nonsense approach. (Chambers UK 2007-2008)

Property Litigation

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP handled a high-value dilapidation dispute, boundary disputes, commercial lease forfeitures and a £3m leasehold covenant dispute as the team focuses on larger, more complex matters. (Legal 500 2007)

This Peterborough-based firm has carved a name for itself in the area of lease renewals, acting for both landlords and tenants. It has also been handling an increasing amount of terminal dilapidations matters. In one notable case, the team acted for a tenant whose landlord was unable to prove that there were proposals to redevelop a property. (Chambers UK 2007-2008)

Construction

… Greenwoods Solicitors LLP focuses on litigation for major contractors, employers, utilities, insurers and consultants. Matters arising from an urban renewal scheme near the Thames Gateway, public finance developments in London, and alleged defects in a large residential development in Cambridgeshire are example of recent work. (Legal 500 2007)

Greenwoods boasts a “very strong, traditional construction presence,” particularly in the contentious arena. The team has recently represented a contractor in adjudication proceedings and subsequent enforcement proceedings in the TCC, advised consultants on disputes relating to a publicly financed infrastructure development in London and acted for a major developer regarding alleged defects of a residential development in Cambridgeshire. (Chambers UK 2007-2008)

Health and Safety

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP has experienced business defence partner Kathryn Gilbertson. She is described as ‘excellent in every aspect’, notching up notable successes throughout her career, not least in R v Gillian Beckingham at the Court of Appeal, successfully appealing a conviction for manslaughter after an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in Barrow. The firm successfully appealed a claim of RSI for Emap and a Food Safety Improvement Notice for the Savoy Hotel. (Legal 500 2007)

Crime

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP has experienced partner Kathryn Gilbertson handling major business defence and corporate killing matters. Clients like her ‘passion, knowledge, preparedness and speed of response’. (Legal 500 2007)

Environment

Kathryn Gilbertson’s highly respected practice at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP in Peterborough defends environmental prosecutions. (Legal 500 2007)

Commercial Litigation

Darren Morgan heads the dispute resolution team at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP, advising blue-chip companies including motor manufacturers on contract disputes, negligence claims and shareholder disputes. A growing regional and national focus shows the firm’s improving reputation. (Legal 500 2007)

Greenwoods is one of the largest firms in Peterborough; it “exerts a massive influence in the city” and its practice extends beyond the immediate locale. The team receives instructions from across the UK and abroad, including Ireland, Italy and Australia.

The automotive, transport and food industries are specialities of the group, and it has also established a reputation for advising national publishing companies on defamation claims and references to the PCC. In a complex case, the group successfully acted for a firm of landscape architects owed £250,000 of fees for consultancy work on one of the largest regeneration schemes in the country. Commentators highlight the group’s sound technical skills and understanding of corporate entities, remarking that it “exudes professionalism.” Darren Morgan leads the litigation sector of the firm. (Chambers UK 2007-2008)

Information and Technology

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP's commercial lawyer David Woods advises local software developers and local authorities on IT. (Legal 500 2007)

Media and Entertainment

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP's managing director Shelagh Smith heads a multi-disciplinary team advising major media clients on matters including pre-publication issues, licence agreements, e-commerce, press complaints and commercial issues. (Legal 500 2007)

EU and Competition

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP’s team, under managing director Shelagh Smith, acts for owner-managed businesses and plcs, including European companies. Business defence specialist Kathryn Gilbertson is experienced in European trading law. The firm recently acted for a trade association on allegations of abuse of a dominant position. (Legal 500 2007)

Intellectual Property

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP … handles disputes for UK, US and European clients in fields such as publishing, software, chemicals and medical devices and construction. … advised a US wine industry association on trade mark issues and a UK medical company on patent infringement. (Legal 500 2007)

Insolvency and Corporate Recovery

At Greenwoods Solicitors LLP, litigation partner Darren Morgan receives instructions from insolvency practitioners throughout East Anglia. (Legal 500 2007)

Charities

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP draws on skills from across the firm, including Shelagh Smith’s corporate and commercial expertise and Kathryn Gilbertson’s outstanding regulatory practice. The firm advises charities on many issues, including cross-border mergers, performance management and restructuring. (Legal 500 2007)

Social Housing

Greenwoods Solicitors LLP, acts for many UK housing associations. Recent work includes complex right-to-buy matters and significant ASBO work. The firm is known for its quick, cost-efficient approach. (Legal 500 2007)

Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate

Consultant Nick Monsell at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP specialises in tax-efficient structures for high-value wills, trusts and estates. (Legal 500 2007)