Expertise
Since qualifying with the firm in 2007, Louise has focused on commercial dispute resolution and risk management, including procurement challenges, public law disputes and high value complex contractual disputes (including warranty claims, shareholder disputes and litigation involving large scale project agreements) in a number of sectors.
She has particular experience of the management of confidential data and information in disputes (whether personal or business data).
Louise acts for both public and private clients, and provides advice on live claims alongside dealing with alternative dispute resolution, dispute avoidance and risk management support. She assists with contract negotiations and terminations, contractual exit strategies and settlements, high profile judicial reviews and supporting tender teams with complex procurement processes and the related contracts.
Louise has particular experience in a number of sectors, including retail, manufacturing and transport, and is particularly known for her expertise in the health sector, dealing with claims for private providers of products and services to the NHS, and also advising on the management of complex contractual disputes.
Louise's recent experience includes:
- advising private and public sector organisations on complex and/or critical issues, including the management, re-negotiation, default and termination of major contractual relationships, including outsourcing arrangements and IT infrastructure projects, including advising a major high street pharmacy on achieving a clean exit from the supplier of its patient records management (PRM) system and the associated hard and software
- supporting high-net worth individuals with warranty claims, earn out disputes, unfair prejudice and minority shareholder claims, following the sale of businesses in the retail, manufacturing and engineering space, including successfully achieving a drop hands settlement on a multi-million warranty claim stemming from the sale of a business by an OBE entrepreneur
- dealing with contractual claims and contentious supplier exits in the telecoms, pharmacy and retail sectors, including the exit of a global call centre operator plc from its contract with a high street retailer
- acting for a manufacturer in a dispute in both England and Northern Ireland relating to its Irish distributor and customer over the termination of distribution arrangements and withholding of associated payments and
- advising a large telecoms plc on various sub-contractor and contractual disputes relating to the Project Agreement signed for the build and maintenance phases of an expanded broadband network in the north of England, and acting for local authorities in dispute avoidance measures when managing their contracts with subcontractors for the design and build of superfast broadband networks.
- Publications
- Louise is the co-author of the UK Chapter of The Government Procurement Review, the eighth edition of which will be published in 2020
- Languages
- French
- Professional memberships
- Louise is a member of the Procurement Lawyers' Association (PLA) and successfully acted in Counted4 v Sunderland City Council, the leading case on the definition of a conflict of interest in public tender processes. She is also the co-author of the UK Chapter of The Government Procurement Review.
- Testimonials
Ranked Band 4 UK wide for Public Procurement in Chambers and Partners 2022
Next Generation Partner for Commercial Disputes – Legal 500 2022
Next Generation Partner for Health – Legal 500 2022
'Louise Dobson is very helpful, knowledgeable, and approachable. She understands the pressures the business is facing and tailors advice to suit that.’ Legal 500 – 2022
'The partner Louise Dobson was exceptional throughout, highly effective communicator and clear lines of responsibility within her team where we were working with them directly on the material. Good level of challenge, done in a respectable way and always explaining thought processes and legal basis. Strong input on best strategy and approach to negotiation element of the matter.’ Legal 500 - 2022
‘Louise Dobson is exceptionally knowledgeable, experienced and always makes herself available for meetings at short notice. She has great skill in being able to translate complex legal arguments into easy to understand components.’ Legal 500 - 2022
"Louise Dobson is very good - she is savvy and really roots for her clients." Chambers 2021 – Band 4 ranking for Public Procurement UK wide
"Louise Dobson is a relatively new partner but a ferocious litigator who goes the extra mile for her clients. She is very focussed on her clients’ commercial needs and is astute in using the law to achieve their required results, whilst remaining sensitive to the optics and relationships in the health sector." Legal 500 2021
‘Louise Dobson always goes the extra mile for her clients.’ Legal 500 2021
"Louise Dobson is great at client handling and managing large teams. Their team’s knowledge base is very strong with an in depth understanding of the particular challenges in this sector. User friendly, personable and commercial." Legal 500 2021
Next Generation Partner for Commercial Disputes – Legal 500 2021
"Louise Dobson, who became a partner in May 2020, stands out for her regulatory and contentious work in the health and pharmaceuticals sectors." Legal 500 2021
"Louise is fearless, strategic and focuses on the client's expectations and requirements." Chambers 2021
Associate to Watch for Public Procurement UK Wide Chambers 2021
"Rising Star for Commercial Litigation in Yorkshire" Legal 500 2021
"Louise Dobson has particular experience in the health sector. Recently promoted to partner in a well-deserved appointment, she is a ferocious litigator and a pragmatic and able lawyer- definitely better to have her for you than against you!" Legal 500 2021
"Louise Dobson is ‘a very effective public procurement litigator'" Chambers 2020
"Louise Dobson has an ability to 'translate business goals into legal parameters' and is 'approachable, calm and extremely diligent'" Chambers 2020
"Louise Dobson really knows her stuff" Legal 500 2020
"Louise is an invaluable asset to our company – she is very knowledgeable across a range of topics and is always responsive to the matters we seek advice for" Chambers 2019
"Louise Dobson is 'one of the most hard-working lawyers in the whole of Yorkshire: always available and able to judge competing demands effectively" Chambers 2019
Louise Dobson
All you need to know about Procurement Reform
The Procurement Bill is making its way through parliament. It is expected to become law in early 2023 and represents the most significant shake-up to procurement law and practice for a generation.
Our hub brings together in one place key resources and our insights on this crucial development.
Read our insights
Legal 500 Dispute Resolution Firm of the Year Award 2019
Our dispute resolution practice was named The Legal 500 Dispute Resolution Team of the Year 2019. This is brilliant recognition of our continued commitment to growth, innovation and excellence. What makes this accolade all the more special is that it is based upon client and market feedback.
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