What can I do for you?
I have been helping clients to resolve commercial disputes for over 25 years and currently lead our commercial disputes team in Norwich. This sometimes involves looking for a low cost, pragmatic solution. On other occasions, it means a tough and tenacious battle through to trial or arbitration. Mostly, it involves guiding clients through a series of judgement calls to ensure that their case is put forward in a clear and compelling way, and that the risks and benefits of litigation or other forms of dispute resolution are fully understood.
Whatever the type of case – a contract dispute, a shareholder dispute, a professional negligence claim or some litigation arising from a corporate transaction – I will adopt a straight talking, clear thinking and commercial approach to help clients minimise the risk and achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Supporting my clients’ objectives
I always try to paint a realistic picture of litigation (and its alternatives) and to address my clients’ concerns about a potentially costly, time consuming and uncertain process. My aim is to give clear advice about the prospects of success, and the likely cost and timeframe, so that decisions can be made on an informed basis and surprises kept to a minimum.
I recently managed a large team of lawyers across our Norwich and Cambridge offices defending a £90 million fraud and breach of warranty claim. The case was complex and demanding and involved forensically piecing together large quantities of evidence to counter the various claims. This required scrutinising over 40,000 documents and arranging for over 50 witnesses to give evidence at trial. The case was settled five weeks into trial with all fraud allegations being withdrawn.
I am currently dealing with a multimillion-pound claim against a firm of accountants arising out of negligent tax planning, and advising on a potential £20 million claim for breach of contract.
What do others say?
Clients rarely see litigation as an attractive option and I therefore employ a no nonsense approach that focuses on the outcome rather than the process. This is reflected in the comments of the two principal legal directories. Legal 500 states: "Rachel Higgs brings a keen intellect and common sense to any legal problem, is extremely client friendly and communicative and provides robust advice." In Chambers UK, I am ranked in the first tier of commercial litigators in East Anglia, and praised for my "tenacity in resolving disputes and her robust defence of her client's interests".
What else should you know?
I was a founder of the Norwich Businesswomen’s Network and have served on a number of outside boards, focusing on risk management. My appointments have included directorships of the Norwich Playhouse and Writers’ Centre Norwich. I am also an experienced commercial mediator.