Derek Simmonds

ExpertiseDerek AdvisesExperience HighlightsCareer History

Partner

Dispute Resolution

+44 (0) 7775 620 067 Email Derek

Get in touch

For further advice please contact us for a free consultation.

-
+44 (0)3330 143 401 info@gunnercooke.com
Derek's team
Jordan Whyte
+44 (0) 7966 798 153 Email Jordan LinkedIn
Testimonials

Your preparation proved to be invaluable and I have no doubt contributed significantly to achieving such a swift agreement.

Managing Director

Worcester

I have used Derek since last August 2016 to provide me with business support . He has helped me with planning the re organisation of my business. This has involved complex negotiations and heads of terms with a joint venture partner which has concluded with a successful outcome. I have found Derek to be very personable and approachable person who takes the time to understand what I need. I have particularly liked working with Derek because he demonstrates and communicates his knowledge and experience careful, methodically, and in layman’s terms.
I will be using him further to help me plan for the next stage of the development of my business .

Managing Director

WF

Derek has acted on our behalf since 2012 in connection with very complex proceedings involving the repossession of a farm and cattle. This led to High Court Proceedings challenging the validity of our agreements and indemnities which were successfully opposed. Difficult costs claims and a host of satellite issues had to be dealt with including Mediation. This also involved a long trial, high values and a colossal amount of paperwork. There have been many tricky problems to overcome. Derek’s work has also extended to overseeing an array of different proceedings in Scotland working with our Scottish Lawyers. The quality of the service and advice we have received can only be described as excellent! Derek has gone the extra mile with us working for us at weekends, out of hours and even when he is on holiday. I like working with Derek because he took the time to understand our requirements and to understand the way we do business. He is also very intuitive and practical, an excellent advisor and supporter.

Managing Director

Outlook Finance Ltd

After briefly meeting Derek at a networking event in 2016, he has fast become a go to source for me. Advising me in particular on a recent matter concerning an agreement lease on an office in London. Derek instantly made me feel comfortable speaking to him about the issue and was able to come back to me very quickly with sound and constructive advice on my matter. Quite often when you go to seek advice you can sometimes feel like your matter is a small instance in a solicitors day, but this was certainly not the case with Derek, as he took a completely personal approach to the matter acting in my best interests throughout. I would have absolutely no concerns in recommending Derek to anyone I know for their requirements. A total delight to work with. Thank you Derek!

Daniel .C. Lewis

I have known Derek and used him since 2009. Derek has always been on the end of a phone for me which is very important for my business; if he cannot deal with an issue he will always find some one who can. I used Derek on a very complex dispute back in 2009 which lasted nearly 4 years, Derek was there every step of the way. If there were any issues he was always very thorough as to the consequences and also getting the paperwork in order. I found him cautious, knowledgeable and providing good advice. I’ve continued to use Derek in business expansion, in fact we use him for any issues where we may need a lawyer, anything from a letter for a small debt or claim, a lease or any conveyancing work.

Jason Tucker

Venture Construction and Developments

I have recently had cause to refer a couple of my clients to Derek Simmonds – The Dispute Resolution Lawyer for litigation advice and support. The feedback and results that this has brought to my clients has been superb. The efficiency and professionalism that Derek provides through his business is second to none and I would have no hesitation in recommending him to other businesses needing clear, cost effective and customer orientated support.

HR Dept Worcestershire

Director

Derek came by personal recommendation, which is always a good start, and I am in turn pleased to pass on this recommendation to anyone reading this, who is up against it, feeling stressed and pressurised, and needs good legal advice and representation. In Derek Simmonds we have had a strong advocate in our corner, who cuts through obfuscation and gets straight to the point. He distilled issues and arguments with precision and crisp clear language: he tells it like it is, both to us and for us. He is sharp. He tells us up front what the costs will be and sticks to it. Above all, he gave us confidence which sustained us in tricky times.

Bill and Su McConnel

Derek has been extremely professional & supportive through such challenging times dealing with the estate of my late mother. He is very polite, compassionate & efficient. He has been open & honest about the services I do & do not need from him and my options going forward. I am extremely grateful for the expert advice he has given me and the speed in which he responds to communication is outstanding. After just one meeting with Derek I felt reassured that I was in the right hands. Highly recommended – Thank you Derek!

Connor Jones

Having introduced numerous satisfied clients to Derek for over 20 years I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone seeking professional, quality and highly personalised legal advice.

Andrew Prosser

Prosser Knowles Associates

Partner

Dispute Resolution

+44 (0) 7775 620 067 Email Derek

Expertise

Derek is a dispute resolution lawyer and accredited mediator who works with private and commercial clients. Derek has a broad range of experience with particular focus in property disputes (ownership boundaries, rights of way, tenancy); commercial disputes (defended debt) contract, partnership shareholder disputes; Building disputes (acting for both builders and property owners); Trusts and estates, inheritance tax claims and other claims against estates; and professional negligence.

Derek is also a strong supporter of mediation and provides training on mediation.

Derek Advises

  • Company directors/shareholders
  • Builders and property owners
  • Individuals

Experience Highlights

  • Acted for the owner of a £2m Mill House that was devastated by escaping flood water from an adjacent farm on higher ground. The claim was for negligence and nuisance against a famer that had developed commercial fishing pools on designated flood plain without planning permission or advice – settled at the Court door. A second claim for breach of the settlement terms went to the Court of Appeal – further settled at mediation. A third claim followed for breach of contract – again settled. It involved complex expert evidence, causation and damages arguments.
  • A substantial building dispute for a developer client which many interim applications including a freezing order. Successfully won at trial. – fees circa £500k.
  • Proceedings arising from a Company Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement for non-payment of staged consideration has led to satellite litigation under warranties and personal guarantees against the Directors and applications for third party disclosure.
  • 3 mediations as the mediation advocate for a motor manufacturer, one involving technical issues with the development of a new vehicle; a second involving battery problems with a supplier for a new electric car that was under road testing. All settled successfully.
  • The setting up of complex contract arrangements for a national brand, who were in the process of launching a new online service in the UK with and American partner.
  • Acting for 3 former directors who were sued on personal guarantees by an international freight forwarding company who were owed £400k following the collapse of the region’s biggest clothing reprocessing plant. The claim on the personal guarantees failed due to an unexpected and very big stroke of luck when the claimant failed to prove at trial a chain of assignment.
  • Currently acting for a secondary lender who is owed circa £2m under charges against two farms and lease agreements for equipment and stock. 600 head of cattle have been repossessed and an LPA receiver appointed. Claims now brought by the farming family challenging the validity of the agreements and termination provisions.

Career History

Previous Law Firms

  • Ellis Hass & Co, Associate Director
  • Gordon Lutton, Consultant
  • Talbots Solicitors, Senior Equity Partner

Get in touch

For further advice please contact us for a free consultation.

-
+44 (0)3330 143 401 info@gunnercooke.com
Derek's team
Jordan Whyte
+44 (0) 7966 798 153 Email Jordan LinkedIn
Testimonials

Your preparation proved to be invaluable and I have no doubt contributed significantly to achieving such a swift agreement.

Managing Director

Worcester

I have used Derek since last August 2016 to provide me with business support . He has helped me with planning the re organisation of my business. This has involved complex negotiations and heads of terms with a joint venture partner which has concluded with a successful outcome. I have found Derek to be very personable and approachable person who takes the time to understand what I need. I have particularly liked working with Derek because he demonstrates and communicates his knowledge and experience careful, methodically, and in layman’s terms.
I will be using him further to help me plan for the next stage of the development of my business .

Managing Director

WF

Derek has acted on our behalf since 2012 in connection with very complex proceedings involving the repossession of a farm and cattle. This led to High Court Proceedings challenging the validity of our agreements and indemnities which were successfully opposed. Difficult costs claims and a host of satellite issues had to be dealt with including Mediation. This also involved a long trial, high values and a colossal amount of paperwork. There have been many tricky problems to overcome. Derek’s work has also extended to overseeing an array of different proceedings in Scotland working with our Scottish Lawyers. The quality of the service and advice we have received can only be described as excellent! Derek has gone the extra mile with us working for us at weekends, out of hours and even when he is on holiday. I like working with Derek because he took the time to understand our requirements and to understand the way we do business. He is also very intuitive and practical, an excellent advisor and supporter.

Managing Director

Outlook Finance Ltd

After briefly meeting Derek at a networking event in 2016, he has fast become a go to source for me. Advising me in particular on a recent matter concerning an agreement lease on an office in London. Derek instantly made me feel comfortable speaking to him about the issue and was able to come back to me very quickly with sound and constructive advice on my matter. Quite often when you go to seek advice you can sometimes feel like your matter is a small instance in a solicitors day, but this was certainly not the case with Derek, as he took a completely personal approach to the matter acting in my best interests throughout. I would have absolutely no concerns in recommending Derek to anyone I know for their requirements. A total delight to work with. Thank you Derek!

Daniel .C. Lewis

I have known Derek and used him since 2009. Derek has always been on the end of a phone for me which is very important for my business; if he cannot deal with an issue he will always find some one who can. I used Derek on a very complex dispute back in 2009 which lasted nearly 4 years, Derek was there every step of the way. If there were any issues he was always very thorough as to the consequences and also getting the paperwork in order. I found him cautious, knowledgeable and providing good advice. I’ve continued to use Derek in business expansion, in fact we use him for any issues where we may need a lawyer, anything from a letter for a small debt or claim, a lease or any conveyancing work.

Jason Tucker

Venture Construction and Developments

I have recently had cause to refer a couple of my clients to Derek Simmonds – The Dispute Resolution Lawyer for litigation advice and support. The feedback and results that this has brought to my clients has been superb. The efficiency and professionalism that Derek provides through his business is second to none and I would have no hesitation in recommending him to other businesses needing clear, cost effective and customer orientated support.

HR Dept Worcestershire

Director

Derek came by personal recommendation, which is always a good start, and I am in turn pleased to pass on this recommendation to anyone reading this, who is up against it, feeling stressed and pressurised, and needs good legal advice and representation. In Derek Simmonds we have had a strong advocate in our corner, who cuts through obfuscation and gets straight to the point. He distilled issues and arguments with precision and crisp clear language: he tells it like it is, both to us and for us. He is sharp. He tells us up front what the costs will be and sticks to it. Above all, he gave us confidence which sustained us in tricky times.

Bill and Su McConnel

Derek has been extremely professional & supportive through such challenging times dealing with the estate of my late mother. He is very polite, compassionate & efficient. He has been open & honest about the services I do & do not need from him and my options going forward. I am extremely grateful for the expert advice he has given me and the speed in which he responds to communication is outstanding. After just one meeting with Derek I felt reassured that I was in the right hands. Highly recommended – Thank you Derek!

Connor Jones

Having introduced numerous satisfied clients to Derek for over 20 years I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone seeking professional, quality and highly personalised legal advice.

Andrew Prosser

Prosser Knowles Associates