Smith Hamilton was founded in 2014 as a boutique firm focused on corporate and commercial law, with expertise in fund management and advising senior executives, shareholders and entrepreneurs.
In 2023, the firm became part of MEUM Group, a multidisciplinary platform supporting ultra-high-net-worth individuals, their families and their businesses. During this period, our practice broadened significantly to include family, private client, education, charities and regulatory work, employment, and dispute resolution.
The law firm is now building on that growth to operate independently once again under the Smith Hamilton name. This transition reflects a natural progression in our growth and allows us to focus fully on delivering an integrated legal service under a single specialist brand, while retaining the expanded expertise developed over recent years.
For our clients, it remains very much business as usual – the same team, the same relationships, and an even broader depth of capability.
Dispute Resolution
We act for clients in complex disputes where significant financial, strategic, or reputational interests are at risk.
We act for clients in complex disputes where the commercial, financial and reputational stakes are high. Our work spans shareholder disputes, civil fraud and multi-jurisdictional asset recovery, as well as high-value commercial litigation, arbitration and cross-border matters.
We provide clear, strategic guidance that enables clients to navigate fast-moving situations with confidence, whether protecting assets, managing sensitive negotiations or responding to urgent applications such as freezing or disclosure orders. Continuous partner involvement ensures that decisions are shaped by experience and grounded in a realistic assessment of risk.
Our focus is on achieving effective, durable outcomes while minimising disruption to our clients’ operations and safeguarding their reputation.
Key Figure
Mark Stiebel
Partner
Our Dispute Resolution Services
Shareholder Disputes
Civil Fraud
Asset Recovery
Commercial Litigation
Arbitration
Cross-Border Disputes
Injunctive Relief
Director Disputes
Professional Negligence
We advise on disputes between shareholders where commercial, governance or control issues arise. Our focus is on resolving conflicts efficiently while protecting long-term business value.
- Disputes arising from shareholder agreements
- Conflicts involving ownership, control or decision-making
- Claims for breach of duty or unfair prejudice
- Strategic negotiation and settlement support
- Advice on protecting commercial and reputational interests
We act in complex civil fraud cases involving allegations of deceit, misrepresentation or misuse of assets. Our team delivers swift, strategic action to safeguard client interests.
- Pursuing or defending fraud-based claims
- Tracing and investigating misappropriated assets
- Developing cross-border recovery strategies
- Securing urgent protective measures
- Managing sensitive, reputation-critical matters
We help clients recover assets lost through fraud, breach of duty or financial misconduct, deploying targeted legal tools to secure and enforce recovery.
- Locating and tracing concealed or dissipated assets
- Obtaining freezing and protective orders
- Conducting cross-border recovery efforts
- Enforcing judgments against individuals or entities
- Coordinating asset recovery across multiple jurisdictions
We handle high-value commercial disputes with a pragmatic and strategic approach, ensuring litigation supports broader business objectives.
- Contractual disputes
- Partnership and joint venture disputes
- Misrepresentation and breach of warranty claims
- Business-to-business conflict resolution
- Risk-focused litigation strategy and management
We represent clients in domestic and international arbitration, offering a confidential and efficient route to resolving complex commercial disputes.
- Commercial contract arbitration
- Shareholder and investment-related arbitration
- Enforcement of arbitral awards
- Cross-border arbitration strategy
- Representation under major arbitral rules
We manage disputes involving multiple jurisdictions and legal frameworks, delivering coordinated international strategies.
- Multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes
- Enforcement of overseas judgments
- Cross-border fraud and asset recovery
- Collaboration with international counsel
- Navigating conflicting legal systems and regulatory regimes
We obtain urgent interim orders to protect assets, prevent dissipation and secure critical information when time is of the essence.
- Domestic and worldwide freezing orders
- Disclosure and information-gathering orders
- Search and imaging orders
- Interim injunctions preventing commercial harm
- Urgent court applications and crisis management
We advise on contentious issues involving directors, including alleged breaches of duty, conflicts of interest and misuse of company assets.
- Breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Mismanagement and conflict-of-interest issues
- Disputes relating to appointment or removal
- Governance-related challenges
- Regulatory and professional conduct advice
We act in claims arising from negligent advice or professional misconduct, guiding clients through complex liability, causation and loss issues.
- Claims against solicitors, accountants and other professionals
- Assessment of duty, breach and causation
- Loss evaluation and recovery strategy
- Multi-party and high-value negligence disputes
- Negotiation, mediation and litigation support
Our Team
Who We Act For
Our clients value clear advice, commercial judgement and a calm, steady hand during complex transactions.