McCormicks

McCormicks is an award-winning law firm based in Harrogate, recognised as one of the leading regional practices and noted for handling high-profile national and regional matters. The firm has grown organically and is known for its ability to operate successfully in the corporate and commercial sector while maintaining a strong private client practice. It combines traditional values of integrity, technical excellence, and hard work with a reputation for vibrancy, dynamism, and a commitment to delivering high-quality service and innovation.

The firm’s principal areas of work include corporate and commercial matters—such as commercial property, franchising, intellectual property, liquor licensing, employment, IT, e-commerce, and leisure—commercial dispute resolution, competition, corporate recovery, corporate crime and risk, and private client services encompassing family and matrimonial law and charities. Clients include owner-managed businesses, partnerships, public and private companies, banks, insurance companies, and prominent personalities from sport and entertainment. Notable regional clients include Rudding Park and Harrogate International Festivals.

McCormicks is distinguished in sports and media law. Senior partner Peter McCormick is widely regarded as a leading sports lawyer, advising on football, rugby, horse racing, cricket, motor racing, and athletics. He serves as chairman of the Legal Advisory Group of the Premier League, has been acting chairman of the Premier League (2014–15), and is chairman of the Premier League Football Board, vice chairman of the FA, a member of the Football Regulatory Authority and the Professional Game Board, and chairman of the FA International Committee and FA Group Remuneration Committee. Clients in this area include Leeds United FC, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, Harrogate Town FC, and other leading organisations and individuals. The firm is also highly regarded for regulatory and disciplinary work in sport and the professions, with Mr McCormick acting for the Premier League and as a chairman of tribunals and arbitrations, including for Sports Resolutions (UK).

The commercial dispute resolution practice covers personal litigation, defamation, property litigation, contract disputes, construction, intellectual property, debt recovery for national institutions, and contentious trusts and probate, with strong expertise in alternative dispute resolution and mediation. The firm has nationally recognised experience in competition law, having represented a construction company in the largest investigation launched by the OFT and the largest appeal case in the history of the Competition Appeal Tribunal, achieving the first successful appeal on all issues, including liability, in a case involving penalties under the Competition Act 1998.

McCormicks also has a long-standing reputation in criminal law, focusing on serious fraud, major crime, and tax investigation defence. Partner Peter Minnikin leads the team in major tax cases and VAT tribunals, and the firm was among the first appointed to the Specialist Fraud Panel and the Very High Costs Cases Panel. The team is also experienced in defending all types of road traffic cases.

Private client services include residential conveyancing, wills, trusts, settlements, inheritance and tax planning, and charity law. The firm advises more than 20 charities, including the Outward Bound Trust, The Premier League Charitable Fund, the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation, and the War Memorials Trust. Family law services cover childcare, divorce, and separation, and the firm was among the first to be accredited under the Law Society’s Family Law Scheme. Mr Rogers is a member of the Family Panel, and the firm is a member of Resolution.

Staffing
6 UK partners
13 other UK fee-earners