Direct Access Barrister: a better way with business disputes

Direct Access Barrister for Business and Shareholder Disputes

What I Do

Shareholder Disputes

If you are a shareholder who has been excluded from management, denied information, had your stake diluted or had company funds misused, you may have a claim under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006. These are known as unfair prejudice petitions. I advise on whether you have a viable claim, what remedies are realistic, and how to use the legal process to achieve the outcome you actually want, whether that is a buyout, restored control or something else.

Learn more about unfair prejudice claims and derivative actions.

Partnership Disputes

Partnerships break down for a range of reasons: disagreements over profit, exclusion, a mismatch of expectations that was never properly put into writing, or a fundamental change in the relationship between the partners. I advise on your legal position, your options for exit or resolution, and how to protect your interests whether or not the dispute ends up in court.

Learn more about resolving business partnership disputes.

Family Business Disputes

These are often the most difficult disputes of all, because the legal and commercial issues run alongside long personal histories, loyalty conflicts and unresolved grievances. I have my own experience of involvement in a family business that fell into administration, which gives me a different kind of insight into how these situations operate.

Learn more about family business disputes.

Directors’ Duties and Boardroom Disputes

Where relationships between directors have broken down, where a director has acted in breach of their duties, or where control of a company is genuinely contested, I advise on the legal framework and on the strategic steps most likely to resolve matters effectively. Where the conduct has harmed the company itself, this may give rise to a derivative action brought on behalf of the company.

Business Contract Disputes

I advise and represent clients in business-to-business contract disputes, including misrepresentation claims, warranty disputes, breach of restrictive covenant matters and technology and IT contract disputes.

Advocacy and Representation in Court

Where disputes cannot be resolved by agreement, I represent clients in the High Court, County Court, Employment Tribunal and other forums. My preparation is thorough, my advocacy is direct, and my focus is always on what will actually move the case in your favour, not just on making legal arguments.

Who I Act For

I act for business owners, shareholders, directors, partners and family business members involved in serious commercial disputes. My clients typically come to me at one of two moments: early, when something has gone wrong and they want to understand their position before committing to a course of action, or urgently, when a dispute has already escalated and they need someone who can get up to speed quickly and advise with confidence.

The disputes I handle range from £25,000 contract claims to partnership and shareholder disputes worth over £100 million. The largest single matter I have been involved in was a £120 million partnership dispute between six brothers and their children.

What Is a Direct Access Barrister?

Historically, you could only instruct a barrister through a solicitor. That changed with the introduction of the direct access scheme. You can now instruct a qualified barrister directly, without first going through a solicitor.

That matters for several reasons. You get specialist advice earlier and more efficiently. You deal with one person rather than two. Costs are more controlled because you are not paying a solicitor to communicate between you and your barrister. And strategic thinking begins immediately, rather than after a solicitor has taken instructions and passed them on.

Direct access is not suitable for every case. Where a solicitor’s involvement would genuinely add value, I will say so. But for many business disputes, particularly at the advisory and strategic stage, direct access is faster, leaner and more effective.

Why My Commercial Background Matters

Most barristers have spent their entire professional lives in law. I did not.

Before qualifying as a barrister, I worked as a money market trader at Sumitomo Bank in the City of London, personally managing positions of around $2 billion daily. I then set up, grew and sold three technology businesses. I was an equity-holding director of one of the UK’s leading online price comparison sites for over thirteen years. I have been a shareholder, an employer, an entrepreneur and a director.

When I advise a client on whether to fight or settle, how to assess litigation risk, how much a dispute is really costing them in distraction and lost opportunity, and what a realistic commercial outcome looks like, I am drawing on that experience as well as on legal training and over twenty years of case work.

That combination is genuinely unusual. I am not aware of another barrister specialising in this area with the same breadth of commercial experience before the Bar.

What You Can Expect From Me

I will tell you where you stand. Not in hedged, qualified language designed to protect me if I turn out to be wrong, but in plain terms that give you a real basis for decision making.

I will assess your case commercially as well as legally. Litigation is a business decision. The question is never just whether you can win. It is whether the cost, time, disruption and uncertainty of pursuing a claim are justified by the likely outcome, and whether there is a better route to the result you want.

I will be honest about the risks as well as the opportunities. If your case is weaker than you think, I will tell you. If the other side has a stronger position than they have let on, I would rather you know that early.

I am approachable and responsive. Clients in the middle of a business dispute do not need a barrister who is difficult to reach or who communicates only through formal correspondence.

I am regulated by the Bar Standards Board. If you have cause to complain, here is a link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I instruct a barrister without a solicitor?

Yes. Under the direct access scheme, you can instruct a qualified barrister directly. I am authorised to accept direct access instructions and can advise, draft documents and represent you in court without a solicitor being involved, where that is appropriate for your case.

How much does a direct access barrister cost?

I typically agree a fixed fee in advance for defined pieces of work, or an agreed hourly rate for ongoing advisory work. This gives you cost certainty and avoids open-ended billing. Fees vary depending on the complexity and scope of the matter. Contact me for a free initial discussion and fee proposal.

When would you recommend involving a solicitor as well?

For complex, high-value litigation with significant document management requirements, or where ongoing correspondence and case management would benefit from solicitor support, I will say so. My priority is always that your case is handled in the way that gives you the best outcome, not the way that maximises my involvement.

What types of cases do you specialise in?

I specialise in shareholder disputes including unfair prejudice petitions and derivative actions, business partnership disputes, family business disputes, directors’ duties claims and business contract disputes. I also represent clients at mediation as a mediation advocate.

How quickly can you take on a case?

I can usually review papers and provide an initial view promptly. Contact me with the details and I will confirm my availability and how I can help.

Do you only work in London?

I am based in London but accept instructions from clients throughout England and Wales and will travel for hearings and meetings as required.

What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?

Barristers specialise in advocacy and legal advice on specific issues. Solicitors manage the broader conduct of legal matters. Historically you needed a solicitor to access a barrister, but direct access changed this. In many business dispute situations, particularly at the advice and strategy stage, a barrister can handle everything you need.

What My Clients Say

“…outstanding… beyond reproach… best possible outcome… fully recommend… cannot thank him enough.”

“Your expert legal advice is second to none and your client care is beyond compare.”

“Exceptional professionalism, legal expertise, and personal approach.”

“No delays, no time wasted at all and very well organised. If anyone is looking for a barrister, I highly recommend Robin Somerville, given my own personal experience.” Commercial dispute, unpaid commission

“Unmataged professionalism and integrity… relentless dedication to his clients… fought tirelessly on my behalf.”

“Thank you and wow, what a result!”

See all testimonials.

Published Resources

My book The Shareholder Disputes Handbook is a practical guide for business owners, directors and shareholders dealing with disputes over company ownership and control. It covers unfair prejudice petitions, derivative actions, remedies, and the strategic decisions that arise at every stage of a dispute.

Winning at Commercial Mediation addresses the strategic and practical dimensions of business dispute mediation, including how to prepare, how to negotiate effectively, and how to use mediation as a tool for achieving the best available outcome rather than simply a mechanism for compromise.

Both books reflect the way I approach disputes in practice. See all books.

Take the Next Step

If you are involved in a shareholder dispute, partnership dispute, family business dispute or other serious business conflict, early specialist advice can make a significant difference to the outcome.

Contact me to arrange an initial discussion. I will assess whether your matter is suitable for direct access, give you an early view of how I can assist, and set out a clear proposal for next steps.

Call 020 4538 0246, use the contact form below, or book a call directly.