Machins Solicitors Announces Promotion of Victoria Grant to Senior Associate
Machins announce the promotion of Victoria Grant to Senior Associate in the Family team.
Neil O’Callaghan
Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, Debt Collection
Managing Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution Team
Contact Information
Testimonials
In terms of what makes the firm unique, having Neil O’Callaghan means that clients can get the same quality of service as they might expect from a specialist City firm, without paying City prices.
Legal 500 2025
Neil O’Callaghan is an excellent solicitor with a great command of the relevant legal framework and the facts of this case. During a conference with the client, Neil was very helpful in bridging the complex legal advice given and the commercial objectives of the client.
Legal 500 2025
Neil O’Callaghan is an excellent and knowledgeable lawyer and a pleasure to work with. He is a specialist in this area and a real asset to the firm. I wish to take this opportunity to thank those involved in my case for their wisdom and professional guidance throughout my case period.
Legal 500 2025
Neil O’Callaghan has great tactical and legal instincts, and is thorough and focused on getting the outcomes his clients want and need
Legal 500 2024
You were straight with me about the possible costs and you stuck to the agreed budget.
Machins Solicitors LLP handles a range of contentious matters, including partnership and property disputes, insolvency litigation, and disputes arising from breach of fiduciary duty. Neil O'Callaghan heads the team, which recently acted for the defendant in a multi-party High Court bankruptcy claim. Other recent work includes acting in a High Court claim for damages in excess of £1.6m relating to faulty products connected to the oil industry, and successfully defending a client against claims for damages arising from allegations of harassment.
Legal 500
Neil O'Callaghan has 'excellent communication skills' and 'a great wealth of experience to draw upon'.
Legal 500
Neil O'Callaghan leads a very strong team of commercial litigators who punch above their weight. Always a pleasure to deal with and great with clients for whom they go above and beyond in securing good commercial resolutions to disputes.
Legal 500 2022
I take this opportunity to thank you and Janice for the sterling work your team has carried out on our behalf and achieved excellent results.
I'd like to thank you for your excellent services and the professional manner in which you handled this matter.
Assistant Manager, Haines Watts
Exemplary professionalism
We have just finished using Neil and team at Machins Solicitors for a business related legal matter - we found them to be extremely efficient, thorough and helpful. We would definitely recommend their services.
Google 5* Review
Neil O’Callaghan is an excellent lawyer and negotiator. A very good strategist and able to get great deals for his clients. On top of the detail, always well prepared, easy to work with and clients seem to love him. Also good at working with opponents despite getting the best deal possible for his own client.
About Neil
Neil heads up the Dispute Resolution team and is the Managing Partner of Machins Solicitors. He joined the firm as a solicitor in 1997, became a Partner in 2002, was appointed Head of Legal Practice (HOLP) in 2022, and stepped into the role of Managing Partner in January 2026.
With over 30 years’ experience, Neil has built a broad commercial practice. His expertise spans contractual disputes, director and shareholder disputes, joint venture and partnership disputes, professional negligence, corporate and personal insolvency, and aviation disputes.
Neil has been recognised in The Legal 500 as a leading partner and praised for “acting in complex, multi-party commercial litigation.” He is commended by clients for his “excellent communication skills”, for being “a very good strategist and able to get great deals for his clients and for having “a great wealth of experience to draw upon.” His stellar reputation as a seasoned litigator has led to frequent instructions from insolvency practitioners, accountancy firms, and other law firms.
Neil regularly deals with cases in the County Court, different divisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Over the years, Neil has gained extensive experience across many different areas of law which he uses to secure early and commercially sensible settlements where appropriate. His advice is pragmatic and focused on delivering added value for clients.
Accolades
- ‘Leading Partner’, Legal 500 (2026)
Specialist practice areas
- Commercial litigation and mediation
- Professional negligence
- Corporate and personal insolvency litigation
- Aviation litigation
- Shareholder disputes
Latest news by Neil O’Callaghan
Court of Appeal Overturns US$16m Mask Contract Award
Background to the Covid‑Era Supply Contract The Court of Appeal has overturned an award of more than US$16 million in a dispute arising from a Covid-era contract for the supply of millions of surgical face masks. The case concerned an April 2020 agreement under which Advanced Multi-Technology for Medical Industry, trading as Hitex, a Jordanian
UK Business Insolvency Trends 2025: More Companies Struggling Amid Rising Costs
In April 2025, UK corporate insolvencies rose by 2.9% month-on-month, highlighting the growing pressure on businesses amid rising costs, policy shifts, and global trade tensions. This article explores the latest data, expert commentary, and the broader economic context affecting business resilience.
Disclosure Letter Misrepresentation Claim to Proceed to Trial
A High Court ruling confirms that statements in a draft disclosure letter during a corporate sale may support a fraudulent misrepresentation claim, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
Directors Banned for Accepting Orders They Couldn’t Fulfill
George and Williamina Hay, directors of DWH Trading Ltd, were banned after continuing to accept orders they couldn’t fulfill, despite knowing the company was insolvent.
In Memoriam: Robert Bedford
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Bedford, a former partner of Machins Solicitors LLP, who passed away on Saturday, 15th February. Robert joined Machins in 1993 from Penman Johnson, a firm based in Watford. During his time with us, he specialised in employment and personal injury law, working on
Compulsory company liquidations soar by 66% in year to January
The number of compulsory company liquidations soared by 66% in the year to January, according to the latest figures from the Insolvency Service. The number of all company insolvencies was 5% higher than the number in January 2023. Of the 1,769 registered company insolvencies in January 2024: Nicky Fisher, President of R3, the UK’s insolvency