Richard Simmonds
Solicitor
Swithchboard: 01782 205000
Direct Line: 01782 404680
PA: Kate Thorley
Practice areas
Experienced in commercial dispute resolution, insolvency and commercial property law, Richard assists all manner of clients achieve their business goals and settle their disputes.
Richard joined the firm in 2006 following his time specialising in commercial dispute resolution, insolvency and banking law with Eversheds in Cardiff.
Dealing with all elements of dispute resolution, Richard also acts on behalf of landlords and tenants in commercial property transactions including; dispositions, acquisitions, lease grants, surrenders and renewals.
Richard also assists the sports law team in a dispute resolution and advises on the technical interpretation of the various sporting bodies’ rules and regulations and the rights these afford to its players and members.
Specialisms
- Commercial contract disputes
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Property litigation
- Lease grants and renewals
- Lease surrenders
- Commercial property purchases and sales
- Intellectual property registration, protection and enforcement of rights
- Insurance litigation
- Advocacy
- Insolvency practice and procedure
- Injunctions
- FIFA and ECB Statutes
- Intellectual property for athletes
Notable cases
- Successfully defended Toyota (GB) PLC in a claim against it for breach of contract and breach of duty resulting in the claim against it being struck out and costs awarded to the client.
- Acting for multiple landlords and tenants in the granting and renewing of leases of commercial premises throughout Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.
- Advised several local design houses and printers in breach of copyright and quality claims, both claimant and defendant
- Advised and acted on the sale of commercial premises which were part of the Stoke on Trent Regeneration scheme valued over £500,000
- Defending clients in nuisance and negligence claim for damage caused by flooding from a residential property development
- Advising directors of insolvent company as to their personal liability running into several hundred thousand pounds.
- Advising landlord in a claim for substantial rent arrears on commercial premises, complicated when one tenant was wound up and another made bankrupt.
- Acted for high profile sports clients in actions relating to their prestige cars including the recovery of a Bentley Continental GT
- Successfully defended high profile sports client in an action against former agent for misrepresentation resulting in claim being abandoned and costs awarded to client
Professional memberships & pro bono
- Chairman of the Law Society’s Junior Lawyer Division for Staffordshire
- NULC Business Club
- Future Finest
- The Law Society
- Successfully completed the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice with fellow colleagues.
Personal
In his spare time Richard enjoys playing football and is a keen Stoke City supporter.
Richard also enjoys martial arts, golf, cycling, tennis and motorsport.
