Elizabeth Black

Elizabeth is an experienced senior dispute resolution solicitor who qualified in 2002. Elizabeth advises businesses, company directors and shareholders on commercial disputes, and has particular expertise in director and shareholder disputes. Elizabeth works closely with clients to understand the commercial and personal issues involved, develop a clear strategy and seek a practical resolution wherever possible.

Elizabeth’s practice covers a broad range of disputes, including breach of contract claims, warranty claims arising under share purchase agreements, directors’ duties claims and shareholder disputes. Elizabeth helps clients assess their position at an early stage and identify the most effective route to resolution, whether through negotiation, mediation, other forms of alternative dispute resolution or litigation.

Before joining Harper James in September 2022, Elizabeth trained and qualified at DLA Piper and later worked at specialist commercial practices Taylors and Baines Wilson LLP. She was a partner at and headed up Baines Wilson’s dispute resolution practice for six years.

Elizabeth’s work highlights include:

• Negotiating complex terms for the demerger of a group of commercial interiors businesses which were under joint ownership in circumstances where there was a dispute between the directors and shareholders and court proceedings had been threatened.

• Representing a private health and social care provider together with its directors and majority shareholders in defending proceedings brought by a minority shareholder. Elizabeth was successful in securing an order for the strike-out of the minority shareholder’s claim at the first court hearing together with an order for payment of the clients’ costs by the minority shareholder.
• Acting for a UK designer and supplier of partyware products in proceedings against a number of former employees and their business in proceedings for breach of contract, breach of equitable duties of confidence, knowing receipt, procuring and/or inducing breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy. The proceedings were settled at a relatively early stage on favourable terms to the client before significant further legal costs were incurred.
• Elizabeth is known for her pragmatic and common-sense approach and seeks to resolve her clients' disputes in a timely, commercial and cost-effective manner. She has a practical and approachable style and a keen eye for detail.

Outside work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, including supporting her sons’ football activities, and walking the family dog.

“Every dispute needs a strategy that reflects the client’s commercial objectives. I focus on understanding what matters most, finding a practical route to resolution and litigating robustly when that is the right course.”