Freeths appoint new partner to lead its Commercial Litigation practice in Oxford

National  law firm Freeths has appointed Caroline Watson as head of the firm’s Oxford commercial litigation practice.

Caroline joins from Thrings LLP, with more than 18 years’ experience, and advises individuals, owner-managed businesses, PLCs and international organisations on how to protect their commercial interests, manage risks and resolve disputes.

Caroline is highly regarded for resolving disputes using alternative dispute resolution methods such as negotiation, adjudication or mediation. She also has extensive experience of complex corporate / commercial High Court and arbitration proceedings to call upon when needed.  She has particular specialisms in advising IT and technology businesses as well as clients in the Financial Services sector on policy-holder disputes.

Since 2016, Caroline has consistently been recommended in the UK’s leading legal directory, The Legal 500. This analyses the capabilities of lawyers and law firms across the UK, with comprehensive research on who in the legal industry is providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to clients and corporate counsel. In this year’s edition, she was referred to as: "Without a doubt is an amazing litigator and negotiator. Real leading individual in her field. Thinks out of the box, great with clients, innovative and calming influence in difficult situations. Would recommend time and time again."

Freeths’ Oxford litigation practice is well known for advising businesses operating in various sectors.  This ranges from technology and life sciences to logistics, construction and manufacturing, on contractual disputes (with customers, suppliers, agents or other businesses); allegations of fraud, intellectual property disputes; IT and cyber issues; disputes arising from mergers and acquisitions; shareholder conflicts (including unfair prejudice petitions to the court under s994 Companies Act); and on professional negligence matters.   Caroline’s background in complex corporate and commercial disputes brings weighty additional expertise in these areas.

Sarah Foster, Oxford Managing Partner at Freeths, said: “Over the years our litigation practice has gone from strength to strength. Caroline is a highly rated litigation lawyer with a wealth of experience advising on commercial disputes. As the new head of our Oxford commercial litigation practice, Caroline will ensure the continued success of the team. Her appointment shows our intention to become a regional heavyweight in litigation law in the region.”

Caroline Watson, Partner and Head of the Oxford Commercial Litigation team at Freeths, added: “Freeths is a true heavyweight and more than a match for any other litigation team in the country. The Oxford litigation team is one of the largest in the Thames Valley and is market-leading for its Commercial, Property and Data Protection/ Intellectual Property disputes work.  It is an integral part of the firm’s national litigation practice which was awarded national litigation team of the year at both “The Lawyer Awards 2020” and “The British Legal Awards 2020.

“It’s a really exciting time to be joining the firm and an honour to be given the opportunity to head up the Oxford Commercial Litigation team of this Award-winning litigation practice.  The team has an extremely successful history and I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to build on this and grow the team into the strongest possible offering in the Thames Valley.  Our key focus is on protecting our clients’ commercial interests and resolving their disputes as swiftly and cost effectively as possible.”