Mike Barlow
Mike is Head of our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team. He is a highly experienced commercial litigator, providing measured and practical advice on a wide range of business disputes and leading an effective team of committed lawyers.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Mike heads the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team and has over 30 years’ experience assisting clients resolve commercial disputes. Mike specialises in complex contractual and business disputes including disputes arising from business sales, shareholder and partnership disputes, construction disputes, intellectual property disputes and disputes concerning breach of restrictive covenants and the misuse of confidential information.
Mike prides himself on providing concise, clear and pragmatic advice, focused on achieving his clients’ commercial objectives. Where a resolution to a potential dispute is unavoidable, Mike’s clients are assured that he will robustly represent their interests in High Court litigation or arbitration and/or mediation where appropriate.
Mike is supported by a dedicated team of professionals and works closely with the firm’s Corporate & Commercial and Employment Teams. He joined the partnership in 2000, serving as Finance Partner and Managing Partner before becoming Senior Partner in April 2025.
Outside of work, Mike’s interests include sailing and cycling.
- ICC arbitration – successfully represented UK inventor/licensor in dispute with US licensee in respect of breach/termination of a long-term technology licence for the US, Canada and Mexico, patent and trade mark infringement in the US, claims for injunctions and damages exceeding US $100m, including punitive damages under US law.
- Represented European law firm defending a high value professional negligence claim in the High Court, including advising in relation to issues surrounding duties under partnership agreements, international shipping/charterparty obligations, scope of retainer, obligations owed by the firm to its regulator and conflict of laws
- Advising members of UK based international law firm in relation to enforceability of restrictions in LLP members’ agreement
- Represented partner of law firm following contested expulsion from partnership
- Defended a substantial claim for damages against a company and three individuals in the window manufacturing and supply industry. The claim (brought by a company which the three individuals had previously been directors of/employed by) included allegations of breach of contract/restrictions; breach of confidence; breach of fidelity; and breach of fiduciary duty. Key issues included whether consideration was given for the restrictions contained in one individual’s contract of employment (and whether those restrictions were enforceable) and whether the individuals had retained and used confidential information belonging to the claimant. The claim also included allegations of inducement of breach of contract and conspiracy.
- The Burke Partnership (a firm) v The Body Shop International Limited [2023]. Acted for the successful claimant (a local family-run business involved in the operation of Body Shop stores across the region) in a claim for declarative relief to prevent a wrongful termination by the multinational Defendant franchisor. Read more here
- Pursued relief under Section 994 Companies Act in relation to unfair prejudice on behalf of a director/shareholder of Group companies excluded from the management of the businesses which operated as a quasi-partnership, resulting in negotiated buy-out of minority shareholdings on favourable terms.
- Acted for developer and associated construction services company defending high value High Court proceedings brought in the Technology and Construction Court in connection with a construction dispute concerning a luxury hotel.
- Represented supplier of medical equipment in a High Court claim relating to COVID supply chain issues.
- Represented corporate client in connection with professional negligence claim against firm of solicitors.
- Represented group of creditors resisting injunction to restrain presentation of petition to wind up debtor company.
- Joined Leathes Prior in 1995 following an early career in commerce and draws on his background specialising in business and commercial disputes
- Qualified as a Solicitor in 1997
- Joined the Partnership in 2000
- Finance Partner - 2001
- Managing Partner - 2002
- Senior Partner - April 2025
