Business Details
Trusted Commercial Lawyers in Manchester
Established in 1854, Bootes has built an exceptional reputation as a leading firm specialising in civil and commercial law. Our approach combines deep legal expertise with a commercial perspective, ensuring we address clients' needs while considering their business context. We prioritise proactive strategies, delivering timely and practical solutions through a team of highly experienced solicitors. Our commitment to straightforward advice, free from unnecessary jargon, ensures clients receive clear assessments of potential outcomes.With a focus on dispute resolution, finance litigation, property finance, and property law, we serve entrepreneurs, corporations, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. Our long-standing relationships with clients reflect our dedication to discretion, creativity, and achieving results within niche legal fields. As a Lexcel-accredited firm, we uphold rigorous quality standards for client service, ensuring transparency in fees and a client-first ethos across all operations.
Services
Dispute Resolution
Finance Litigation
Property Finance
Property Law
Commercial Litigation
Mortgage Enforcement
Lease Transactions
Probate Disputes
Employment Law
Development Finance
Highlights and features
- We have over 160 years of experience in commercial law.
- Our team specialises in niche legal areas with proven expertise.
- We prioritise commercial awareness and client-focused strategies.
- We offer transparent fee structures and no-win-no-fee options.
- Our solicitors are recognised leaders in finance and property law.
Associations and certifications
- Lexcel
What people say
Exceptional legal expertise
Timely solutions
Client-focused approach
Proven track record
Transparent fees
Services
Dispute Resolution
Our dispute resolution team specialises in resolving commercial conflicts through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. We handle contract disputes, property conflicts, shareholder disagreements, and injunctions. With decades of courtroom experience, we prioritise cost-effective solutions while preparing robust cases when litigation is necessary. Our approach balances legal precision with commercial pragmatism to protect clients' interests.
Finance Litigation
We represent financial institutions and borrowers in mortgage enforcement, unfair relationship claims, and regulatory compliance matters. Our expertise covers MCOB/CONC regulations, payment protection insurance claims, and interest rate swaps. We combine regulatory knowledge with litigation skills to resolve disputes efficiently, ensuring compliance while achieving favourable outcomes for lenders and borrowers alike.
Property Finance
Our property finance specialists advise lenders and borrowers on secured transactions, including bridging loans and development finance. We draft security documentation, manage regulatory compliance, and handle enforcement proceedings. With expertise in FCA-regulated and unregulated lending, we provide end-to-end solutions for mortgage lenders and investors in residential and commercial property sectors.
Commercial Property
We handle commercial property transactions for buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. Our services include lease negotiations, property development advice, and title dispute resolution. We specialise in high-value residential and commercial property deals, offering practical guidance on planning permissions, overage agreements, and lease renewals under the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954.
Employment Law
We provide legal support for employment-related matters, including unfair dismissal claims, contract disputes, and workplace grievances. Our team advises businesses on compliance with employment regulations while representing individuals in unfair treatment cases. We aim to resolve conflicts through negotiation but are prepared to litigate when necessary to protect clients' rights.
People
Eugene Esterkin
CEO/Director
Qualified as a solicitor in 1983, Eugene specialises in mortgage and finance law. He founded the Association of Short Term Lenders and leads Bootes' strategic direction with decades of experience in contentious and non-contentious finance work.
Gary Lederberg
Director
Qualified in 1996, Gary heads litigation with expertise in finance and property disputes. He handles complex cases including Court of Appeal matters, maintaining commercial awareness while representing financial institutions and corporations in high-stakes legal conflicts.
James Green
Director
James, qualified in 2004, leads the property department with 15+ years in commercial property and mortgage finance. He advises major banks and corporations on property transactions, combining residential conveyancing experience with large-scale commercial expertise.
Susan Kemball
Director
Susan, qualified in 2000, specialises in property litigation and finance regulation. She represents financial institutions in court matters and has a strong track record in the Financial Ombudsman Service and HM Land Registry disputes.
Simon Barnett
Director
Simon transitioned from criminal law to commercial dispute resolution in 1998. He advises property companies on lease disputes, dilapidations, and Section 25 proceedings, focusing on early intervention to prevent escalation of conflicts.
Questions
What areas of law does Bootes specialise in?
Bootes specialises in four core areas: Dispute Resolution, Finance Litigation, Property Finance, and Commercial Property Law, serving businesses and individuals with tailored legal solutions.
How long has Bootes been operating?
Established in 1854, Bootes has over 160 years of experience providing commercial legal services, making us one of Manchester's longest-standing law firms.
Do you offer fixed-fee services?
Yes, we provide fixed fees for commercial property matters and residential conveyancing, ensuring cost certainty while maintaining our high service standards.
Can Bootes handle complex financial disputes?
Our finance litigation team has extensive experience in mortgage enforcement, unfair relationship claims, and regulatory compliance, representing major financial institutions in complex cases.
Are your solicitors accredited?
We are Lexcel-accredited by the Law Society, demonstrating our commitment to quality management and client service excellence in all legal operations.
