Saunders Law

Saunders Law is a prominent litigation and media firm established in 1974. The firm is recognised for advising on high-profile and complex litigation, trusted by global organisations, media outlets, artists, public figures, and private individuals. Its ethos is defined by a strong commitment to justice for both clients and society.

The firm advises on commercial litigation and international arbitration, with Matthew Purcell’s team acting for a wide client base ranging from medium-sized businesses and global PLCs to individuals and charitable organisations. The team has a notable presence in the Middle East and Asia, advising sovereign wealth funds, global holding companies, and manufacturers in disputes and arbitrations exceeding £100m. The practice works closely with media lawyers to protect the rights of artists, media and entertainment companies, and others in the creative industries.

In media, entertainment, and copyright matters, James Ware and Joanna Stephenson lead a team providing comprehensive commercial and contentious services to global media organisations, artists, and creatives. David Gore heads the contentious media and IP litigation team.

Nia Williams leads the human rights and police misconduct practice, representing clients whose rights have been infringed by the state. The team is known for its work in cases involving police and prison misconduct, discrimination, data protection, and privacy. It has particular expertise in deaths in custody, including cases involving police restraint, shootings, and prison-related fatalities, and is regularly instructed in high-profile litigation, including acting as lead solicitors for civil claims arising from the Hillsborough tragedy.

The firm also has one of the largest dedicated public inquiry teams in the country, led by partner Cyrilia Davies Knight. The team has represented clients before all major public inquiries, including the COVID-19 Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry, the Undercover Policing Inquiry, and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, as well as before Parliamentary Committees and the Leveson Inquiry.

Saunders Law’s fraud practice advises on matters ranging from HMRC investigations to complex allegations such as the Wickes Plc trial, City money laundering, market abuse, and insider trading. The team’s work frequently has an international dimension, including extraditions, European arrest warrants, international evidence collection, and foreign asset forfeiture.

The regulation and professional discipline team, led by Alistair Parker, represents regulated professionals in proceedings before bodies such as the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, General Medical Council, CILEX, and the Bar Standards Board. Matthew Purcell secured one of the few cases where dishonesty sanctions by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal did not result in strike-off. The firm is a longstanding member of the Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme and has represented clients before the High Court, Court of Appeal, Privy Council, Select Committees, and the Leveson Inquiry.

Since its establishment, the firm has maintained a strong private criminal defence practice, headed by Alistair Parker. Its notable cases include the successful appeal of Tony Martin’s murder conviction and the clearing of Jenny Holt before the Privy Council. The team has acted in numerous miscarriage of justice cases, including for Kevin Nunn before the Supreme Court and Criminal Cases Review Commission, as well as securing the quashing of a rape conviction in 2017. James Saunders, a renowned criminal strategist, continues to act as a consultant to the firm.

In public law, the firm regularly brings judicial review proceedings in the High Court against unlawful or controversial administrative decisions by public bodies, including matters relating to police discipline, the criminal justice system, universities, schools, and regulatory bodies.

Staffing
3 UK partners
24 other UK fee-earners