National law firm Ashfords has appointed Andrew Perkins as its new commercial disputes head, replacing partner Rory Mac Neice, who will continue to lead the firm’s sport practice.
Andrew has been a commercial disputes partner at Ashfords, which has an office in Bristol, for 10 years, principally focussing on shareholder disputes – he has advised on more than 200 cases and contractual disputes relating to joint ventures, business acquisitions and finance. 
He has also been recognised as a leading practitioner by independent law sector guides Legal 500 and Chambers for the past 15 years.
Prior to joining Ashfords, he was joint managing partner at Devon firm Kitsons, where he worked for 17 years.
Andrew said: “It’s a particularly interesting time, as the disputes market returns to full swing following Covid-19 and at a time when financial pressures are starting to impact on businesses.
“The cost of pursuing or defending litigation is a significant consideration and our focus is very much on providing a streamlined and cost-effective service through an exceptionally strong team with real expertise and experience in a wide range of disputes disciplines and business sectors.”
Ashfords commercial disputes team works with local, national and international clients, providing advice on a variety of legal issues from health & safety, data and environmental regulation through to cases relating to debt, business transactions, professional negligence, commercial contracts and shareholder litigation.
With the cost of High Court litigation increasingly seen as a barrier to justice, the team works with its clients to pursue and defend claims in a cost-effective way.
In response to the introduction next year of a new ‘fixed costs regime’ for lower value cases, the team has also developed a ‘stand-alone’ service for pursuing these types of cases within the revised structure that will apply to them.
Andrew’s appointment is one of a number of recent management changes at Ashfords, including the appointments of Rory Suggett as its new corporate head, Jocelyn Ormond as its new Bristol head and Tim Heal as chair.
The firm, which has offices in Exeter, London, Taunton and Plymouth as well as Bristol, also attracted a number of senior lateral hires, including partner Ian Manners in its business risk & regulation team, and construction & infrastructure partner Carl Thompson in its energy & resource management sector.
