Taylors adds to disputes team

Taylors Solicitors has appointed Alison Rowley as a senior associate in its disputes team.

The commercial law firm, which has offices in Blackburn and Manchester, has seen growing demand for its dispute services arising from the pandemic and the fallout from Brexit. Year-on-year fee income for Taylors’ disputes team grew more than 30 per cent in the first half of 2021.

Alison brings nearly 15 years of experience to the role, having previously worked on a range of legal issues, including minority shareholder petitions, supply chain disagreements and commercial landlord and tenant disputes.

Elaine Hurn, managing partner at Taylors, said: "Due to the fallout from the pandemic, we have seen a marked increase in demand from clients for support on commercial disputes of various types, and we expect this to rise further as government support schemes come to an end.

"Lockdowns, combined with Brexit, have interrupted many trading agreements, leading to fragmented supply chains and breaches of contractual obligations. As profits have reduced and cash has tightened, companies can no longer afford to carry underperforming family members, and acrimonious shareholder disputes have ensued."

"Some companies have delayed acting until the pandemic has passed its peak to assess the full extent of their losses. Many are struggling to balance the books, with full responsibility for pre-pandemic sized workforces returning from furlough, reduced revenues and the obligation to pay instalments on CBILS loans.

"Also, a large number of companies in long-term supply agreements are looking to renegotiate minimum purchase obligations or face large penalties for delays in deliveries without the benefit of force majeure clauses."