Solicitor Ashley Hurst found himself at the centre of regulatory action brought by the SRA.
Read moreLitigation, Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Lawyers
Our extensive team of specialist litigators has a proven track record in handling high-profile, sensitive and complex disputes for a range of brands and individuals.
Talk to usOur high-profile and award-winning litigation team — one of the largest in the North of England — is made up of over 50 specialist litigators.
We’re experts in settling disputes in the most effective manner — whether through the courts, arbitration, mediation or other alternative forms of dispute resolution.
Legal disputes can be time consuming, costly and potentially damaging for everyone involved. They also carry reputational risks for brands and individuals. Whatever dispute you’re facing, we’re by your side — working tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.
When litigation is an unavoidable outcome, we have a proven track record in resolving disputes and delivering success at court. We’ll robustly and tenaciously fight your case and can work with you to consider the optimal funding solution.
Our significant and diverse client base includes large businesses such as TJ Morris Limited (Home Bargains), the Commonwealth Games Federation, Yodel Delivery Network, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, British Canoeing, Chester Racecourse, the National Pharmacy Association and Quantuma.
We also represent numerous prominent individuals, celebrities and sportspeople — advising across media-related issues such as defamation and privacy, reputation management and intellectual property rights.
Our team is recognised in the top-tier of The Legal 500 2025 for commercial litigation as well as media and entertainment, thanks to our “strong expertise”, “wealth of legal knowledge” and “involvement in high-profile matters, including the ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial” (for which we starred in the Disney+ documentary). We also won the British Legal Awards Litigation Team of the Year award in 2022 and were nominated for Liverpool Law Society’s Team of the Year award in 2023.
Experienced litigators in commercial, financial & professional disputes
We provide support across a wide range of issues, including:
- Commercial & contractual disputes.
- Corporate disputes.
- Professional negligence claims.
- Defamation and privacy disputes.
- Data protection claims.
- Regulatory disputes (including firearms disputes).
- International arbitration.
- Contentious probate, inheritance and trust disputes.
- Shareholder disputes.
- Partnership disputes.
- Debt recovery.
- Medical negligence claims.
- Property litigation.
- Procurement and competition disputes.
- Judicial reviews.
- Restrictive covenant disputes.
- Company restorations and administrative applications.
Our work spans a wide range of sectors from professional services, real estate, recruitment, construction, financial services and healthcare to retail, sport and technology.
Our litigation lawyers have a stand-out track record of succeeding for our clients in the most complex and high-value litigation and arbitration cases.
Accredited, specialist, high-profile litigators
Our team is led by multi-award-winning commercial litigator and sports lawyer Paul Lunt, who has over 25 years’ experience in handling high-profile disputes and is renowned for his work in media-related issues and specialises in shareholder rights and disputes, professional negligence claims and insolvency-related matters. Paul’s accolades include being recognised as a 'Top Flight' Reputation & Privacy Lawyer in the Spear's 500 (2025), one of The Lawyer Magazine’s ‘Hot 100’ Lawyers (2023), Spear's Magazine’s Lawyer of the Year (2022) and Liverpool Law Society’s Outstanding Lawyer of the Year (2022). He was also nominated for the Northern Powerhouse Lawyer of the Year (2023) and Litigation Lawyer of the Year (2024).
Highly experienced commercial litigator Jeff Lewis has practised since 1989 and is extremely well 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. Also recognised as 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.
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).
Our team also includes Matthew Howarth — an experienced commercial litigator and a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and Association of Pensions Lawyers — as well as media and defamation specialist and reputation management, data breach and ‘deep fake’ expert Nick McAleenan.
Meet the team
“Brabners’ commercial litigation team handles a wide range of disputes including privacy and reputation management issues, business interruption claims, breaches of restrictive covenants and property litigation. More recently, the firm has undertaken novel work concerning new causes of action for cladding manufactures with regards to fire safety issues.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Brabners has a broad commercial litigation practice and is regularly instructed on shareholder disputes, as well as breach of contract, fiduciary duty and restrictive covenant cases. The team acts for clients in various sectors, notably within the sports industry, and also has ancillary expertise in fraud and real estate-related disputes.”
Chambers & Partners 2025
“The [commercial litigation] team [at Brabners] is headed up by the 'bright, proactive and commercially savvy' Paul Lunt, who's noted for his focus on media and sports disputes, shareholder disputes, contractual and professional negligence claims.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Known for its strong expertise in defamation and privacy, Brabners handles a broad suite of cases involving malicious falsehood, invasion of privacy, harassment and online abuse. The team assists a varied range of clients, including individuals and corporates within the hospitality and sport sectors.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Praised for its 'wealth of legal knowledge', Brabners covers the full scope of contentious matters, including insolvency, debt recovery, medical negligence and contentious probate. The team earns further praise for its involvement in high-profile matters, including the 'Wagatha Christie' trial.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Paul Lunt and Glyn Lancefield represented my company and two of its Directors in a complex action with potential liabilities of over £1m. Paul is the epitome of the Litigation Partner — strategic in thought, clear in explanation and calm under pressure. Glyn combines a detailed knowledge of court procedure and the law with an ability to give clear and concise advice, undiluted by the client’s own views. In my 30+ years of practising as a solicitor, it has been rare to find fellow professionals who can advise in such a manner. Ultimately, this lengthy and difficult case was settled. I’d like to say a public 'thank you' for their hard work, flexibility and expertise.”
Client feedback
“We’d like to thank both Paul Lunt and Adam Murphy for the exceptional support and expertise provided during litigation. Their human approach and practical common sense made a significant difference throughout the process. From our very first meeting, we were struck by their ability to connect on a personal level while maintaining the highest professional standards. Their empathy and understanding — combined with clear and sensible advice — helped us to navigate what could have been a much more stressful experience. It was reassuring to know that we had them fighting our corner.”
Client feedback
“Without you all, I certainly would not have gotten anywhere with this case. I am totally overwhelmed with your support throughout the past three years… with your professionalism, kindness and advice.”
Pro bono (litigation) client
“Helen Otty is a seasoned commercial litigator who regularly handles matters concerning online defamatory attacks.”
Legal 500 2025 editorial commentary
“Thank you all for your support with the employment tribunal. It started with what I felt was a daunting journey, but one that needed to be taken to try and get justice. When you came on board, you lifted that daunting feeling and gave us hope. You have all shown true professionalism, kindness and understanding. How can we ever repay you. How can I put into words how it felt watching you work, you were amazing. I was so proud and immensely thankful. Thank you for what you’re doing and the caring manner in which you’re doing it.”
Pro bono (litigation) client
Recognised as a top-tier firm in The Legal 500 2025
Rooney v Vardy — The Breakdown
Rooney v Vardy — The Breakdown
In this six-part podcast series, Paul Lunt and Jamie Hurworth give a view ‘behind the scenes’ of the 'Wagatha Christie' trial, discussing the legal hurdles that they faced during the case and answering from a legal perspective any burning questions from the audience.
Case highlights
Coleen Rooney
Representing Coleen Rooney in her successful defence against the libel claim brought by Rebekah Vardy. The ‘Wagatha Christie’ case was one of the most high-profile libel cases in UK history. We acted as the lead strategist and legal advisor for the case, as well as project manager.
Read moreMichael Vaughan OBE
Representing Michael Vaughan OBE (former England cricket captain and broadcaster) in connection with allegations made against him as part of the Yorkshire Country Cricket Club (Azeem Rafiq) racism scandal. Vaughan was cleared of all charges brought against him before the Cricket Disciplinary Commission panel.
Read morePhone hacking
Acting on phone hacking claims against various tabloid newspapers.
Wayne Rooney
Providing Wayne Rooney with urgent crisis management advice after private photos of him were published online and in the tabloid press. Our expertise and ingenuity led to the matter being successfully resolved and all the photos being taken down.
Ben Stokes OBE
Representing Ben Stokes OBE (England international cricketer and test team captain) and his mother (Deborah Stokes) in connection with their invasion of privacy claim against News Group Newspapers Limited (The Sun), securing substantial damages and an apology from the defendant.
Litigation insights
Our litigation team explores the options businesses have when it comes to dealing with negative online reviews — whether the review is honest or dishonest.
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Here, commercial litigator Glyn Lancefield outlines the proposed changes to the pre-action protocol for media and communications claims.
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Experienced commercial litigator Matthew Moy explains what arbitration is and how the AA 2025 will help to clarify and refine key aspects of the arbitration process by improving efficiency, fairness and legal certainty.
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The UK Supreme Court's judgment in Brown v Ridley and Another has important implications for adverse possession claims — particularly in boundary disputes.
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The High Court ruled in favour of Iya Patarkatsishvili and Yevhen Hunyak in their case against William Woodward-Fisher on claims of fraudulent misrepresentation concerning a severe moth infestation.
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The CJC report recommends that a bespoke Pre-Action Protocol be created for claims which, when issued at Court, will be suitable for allocation to the Multi-Track.
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What can legally be done to combat deepfake technology? Hear from the team that secured the UK’s first settlement for a dispute concerning a political deepfake.
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All civil litigation is subject to a Pre-Action Protocol which sets out the parties’ obligations before Court proceedings are commenced. The CJC states that “pre-action protocols play a crucial role in facilitating dispute resolution”.
Read moreTalk to us
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