Law firm Hill Dickinson has revealed the lateral hire of commercial dispute resolution partner Duncan Hope.

Duncan joins the firm’s Manchester-based Dispute Resolution team from Irwin Mitchell where he led the latter’s national litigation team.

Craig Scott, national head of Business Services at Hill Dickinson, welcomed Duncan to the firm saying: “Duncan’s appointment is one of a number of significant lateral partner hires we have made across the firm already in 2023. His appointment adds significant capacity and new client work to our growing national Disputes team.

“As our dispute resolution case load continues to grow – and in particular in response to increasing demand from our clients for effective mediation as an alternative to costly court proceedings – we are delighted to be building our team and to be able to attract experienced partners of Duncan’s calibre and professional reputation to join us.”

Fiona Parry, head of Commercial Litigation, added: “The commercial litigation market is buoyant and our very capable team of results-orientated litigators have seen a real increase in clients who are attracted to our trusted adviser approach and innovative fee arrangements.

“Duncan is an experienced and extremely well-regarded partner in Manchester and beyond, with some excellent clients. His arrival provides additional bench strength to our Manchester team.”

Duncan Hope said: “The opportunity to join Hill Dickinson at this point in my career was too good to resist. I’m delighted to become a member of a high performing, award winning, commercial litigation team at a firm which prides itself on acting as a trusted adviser to businesses, organisations and individuals across a wide range of sectors.”

Duncan brings over 20 years’ experience at leading national and international law firms and considerable experience of advising on a varied caseload of commercial disputes including higher court proceedings and mediation.

He has particular expertise in disputes relating to commercial contracts, professional negligence, corporate relationships (involving sellers, buyers, shareholders and/or directors), restrictive covenants and theft of confidential information, and public procurement.

Duncan completed his law degree at Nottingham University, graduating in 1997, and after completing his LPC has acquired top level commercial litigation experience at law firms including Eversheds, DLA Piper, DWF and Irwin Mitchell.

He will be based in Hill Dickinson’s Manchester office.