Graham Small

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Graham has practised commercial law in Manchester for over 30 years and in that time has handled most forms of commercial disputes.

Graham is recognised in the Legal 500 (2022) as a key individual and is described by clients as an “astute tactician” and a “genuine problem solver”. His experience and business acumen enables him to navigate through the complexities of any commercial problem.

He handles complex commercial disputes including applications for urgent interim relief, professional negligence claims and shareholder disputes. His present cases include shareholder disputes in values of up to £200m. He works with international lawyers in cross border disputes as well as dealing with disputes governed by arbitration (where English law is applicable) and has recently handled significant disputes involving ship building and an international agency agreement in the Middle East.

He acts on contentious insolvency matters including claims against directors under the Insolvency Act. His work increasingly involves allegations of fraud and dishonesty and often in regulated industries and professions. He regularly receives instructions from Insolvency Practitioners who are involved in commercial disputes. 

Graham has partner responsibility for the firm’s digital assets offering led by Jemma Fleetwood and is part of the firm’s Boardroom Disputes team. 

Graham advises clients with insurance coverage issues and can be seen discussing business interruption insurance on JMW's Inside Man:

Amongst his many career highlights are successfully litigating against Mohammed al Fayed, securing a summary judgment for an ex senior police officer in defamation relating to the conviction of the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as “Wearside Jack”, and acting in a dispute concerning the management agreement of Take That.

He has run many cases to trial and subsequently to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and personally undertook one of the first court appointed mediations to be authorised by the State of New York regarding the ownership rights of a TV Channel.

His clients include HNW and high profile individuals based nationally and internationally, institutions and professionals.

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