Insolvency

Legal Expertise:

James has specialised in corporate and company commercial law for twenty five years advising on new business ventures, legal structures, sales & acquisitions, mergers, buy-outs, corporate investments and a wide range of commercial contracts.

He represents a wide variety of clients across various sectors including in media & advertising, branding & web design, engineering & manufacturing, transport & logistics, technology & software solutions, professional services, property investment, the drinks & fashion industries and sports & entertainment. He is known for his commitment to his clients, sound business sense and calm legal authority.

Recent transactions include the sale of a number of technology and IT businesses, acquisition of a transport and logistics business (aviation), acquisition of an event management company, acquisition of a business solutions provider and subsequent joint venture with a leading international management consultancy firm, sale of an energy technology business, restructuring of a property investment portfolio and the sale of a technology, media and communications group.

Background:

James was educated at Eton College and Bristol University. He then trained at the College of Law before qualifying with Cumberland Ellis LLP an established London firm and joining their commercial department in 2000, becoming a partner there in 2006. James joined the partnership at Hart Brown in October 2010 and now heads up the Commercial & Corporate Department.

Other business related positions include (i) member of the Havaianas Club (an exclusive entrepreneurs business club) (ii) involvement in Euro juris and related international legal networks and (iii) trustee of the Betty Riseley Trust and The Woodspring Trust.

Past times and hobbies include a fair amount of sport, particularly tennis and cricket and hiking, sailing, surfing or skiing whenever the chance arises. More sedate interests include reading (preferably historical novels), the occasional game of chess or poker and, hiking in the South Downs or days on the water in Chichester Harbour.

Nigel read Psychology and Politics in South Africa. He went on to qualify as a solicitor in 1995 and initially practiced as a prosecutor before moving into private practice where he specialised in commercial work. He then moved into the business recovery and restructuring department at Pricewaterhouse Coopers broadening his understanding further of the problems and challenges a business faces.

Relocating to England in 1999 Nigel joined Hart Brown in 2002 and became a partner in 2004.

Nigel often received praise from his clients, these are just a few of the comments:

"Very efficient, cost effective service."

"This marks the end of a very long (15 years) and successful relationship with Hart Brown on the liquidation of the company. We thank the partners and staff at Hart Brown for all the advice and wise counsel they have given us over the years."

"You have an excellent team of people who make sure they understand the needs of the client."

Nick qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and lives with his family in Cornwall. Nick loves boats, watersports and motorcycles. He is hoping to find more time for reading and just enjoying views.

He is part of the Hart Brown commercial and corporate team acting for a variety of clients, some of whom he has been acting for over a period of many years.

Nick’s role is often what is known as General Counsel, but he uses his experience to quickly apply a process of narrowing down the requirements and opportunities that each client’s unique circumstances will bring.

He has helped a variety of clients from small SMEs to larger multi-national companies, but his approach is always the same – sensible, down-to-earth and pragmatic.

Nick applies himself with vigour, energy, enthusiasm and pragmatism, as well as sympathy for the individual client’s circumstances and he never loses sight of the ultimate aim in each case. He has a deep sense of fairness and will apply that for his clients.

Nick's specialisms are buying and selling businesses, whether by way of shares or asset based deals, Shareholders’ Agreements and Cross Option Agreements and has often acted for dentists in buying and selling dental practices.

What do Nick's clients say?

"It has been an absolute pleasure working with you over these past 15 years. You helped us through so many challenges, from our very first days to what the business has become today, always with great support and an ability to help us finding solutions even when it seemed that… none were left."

Ed studied law at the University of Sheffield, before moving to the USA. He was admitted to the Missouri (USA) Bar in 2008 where he practised until moving back to England in 2024 and joining Hart Brown in 2025. During his time practising in the USA, Ed spent a large portion of his career providing corporate and commercial advice to small and medium sized companies, as well as government institutions in the role of an outside General Counsel.

Ed received multiple awards and recognitions during his time practising in the USA. Ed also served as the President of a regional chamber of commerce, whose membership included some of the largest companies in the USA.

Ed’s experience extends to commercial disputes in a wide variety of business sectors. Ed has significant experience with mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes, as well as conducting contested hearings and trials. Ed has also twice argued before the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals (8th Circuit) in cases involving commercial disputes.

Ed is part of the commercial and corporate team at Hart Brown, providing both general business advice and working with clients on the sale and purchase of businesses. Ed enjoys learning about his clients' businesses and partnering with them to find the best solution to assist them with their goals.