Andrew Petchey Consultant Litigation Lawyer Advocate

Andrew is a highly experienced Consultant CILEX Lawyer specialising in litigation and advocacy with over 35 years’ experience in dispute resolution and business law. He began his training in 1990 and qualified as a lawyer in 1995.

Throughout his training and career, he has represented clients before the courts, in negotiated settlements and steered them through numerous legal problems. He has acted in complex, delicate and often hostile situations in the UK and overseas. 

Andrew became a Consultant Litigation Lawyer with a specialism in commercial disputes after leading a buy-out of a six-office-strong law firm. Here, he continued his strong dispute resolution practice combined with being a Supervising Partner. This role included training and mentoring many young, talented lawyers alongside running the firm, being the partner responsible for facility management of the six offices, IT infrastructure and (with the other owners) financial management. He also continued his evening and weekend interest as a lecturer in law.

Having grown a successful and profitable practice, he decided it was time for a change, realise his investment, have a break from being both owner and a busy lawyer, and focus on his thirst for the law, advocacy, and helping people and businesses. He therefore decided to leave the partnership and establish his own consultancy with Setfords. 

Areas of expertise

• Dispute resolution, including contract, property (commercial and residential), tort, company & partnership, fraud, debt, trusts, professional negligence, contentious probate, insolvency and regulatory disputes
• High Court and County Court litigation, including advising, drafting and advocacy
• First Tier (Property) Tribunal, public inquiries, arbitration and adjudication
• Preparation of detailed legal analysis/advice, court papers and written arguments
• Cross-border (international) disputes relating to English law
• Urgent applications for interim injunctions and other relief, including establishing multi-disciplinary teams to act for and protect clients and their businesses
• Tied in with his company and partnership dispute work, Andrew has vast experience in business and commercial law, including share purchases/sales, buy-outs, restructures, and exits, together with leases and contracts. These often form part of, or are ancillary to, settlements that he is undertaking. 
• Appeals in High Court and Court of Appeal
• Acting against and settling matters involving Government departments
• Strategic business advice, litigation avoidance and hostile and/or complex settlement negotiations, including attending board meetings and advising directors/officers

Approach to work and clients

Andrew provides solid, early and clear advice, combining robust representation with empathy for his clients’ circumstances. He is known for keeping clients fully informed, carefully analysing risk, maintaining transparency on fees and approaching every case with meticulous attention to detail. His client-focused approach ensures practical solutions while protecting commercial and personal interests. Andrew prides himself on the strength and integrity of his advocacy, the respect he has earned from courts and judges, and his consistent ability to achieve positive results for clients. 

Andrew is happy conducting case work alone or leading a team. He works in collaboration with lawyers of other disciplines where necessary (such as transactional property or corporate lawyers) to achieve the best results for clients and ensure that their legal needs are fully met. He will be direct and robust when needed, yet balances this with his dedication to his work, providing solid representation and helping his clients resolve difficulties. 

He is a member of the Association of Project Managers and is working towards a formal project management qualification, enabling him to combine legal expertise with structured project and case management for complex disputes. Andrew also holds a Regulated Activities Certificate to conduct litigation and advocacy and has extensive experience mentoring lawyers and trainees. He is a Consultant Lecturer in Law, specialising in litigation and regulatory matters, and has taught at Kingston University, Guildford College and privately, helping numerous students and junior lawyers achieve excellent results.

Notable recent career highlights

• C v K – Successfully acted for the Claimant in multiple construction disputes, achieving full recovery through settlements.

• C v F – Appeared as advocate and secured a worldwide freezing injunction on breach of trust/contract litigation.

• Yuill & Others v Boultbee Brooks LLP (in Liquidation) [unreported] – Lead advocate in a successful High Court (Insolvency and Companies Court) claim, obtaining a vesting order protecting a £6 million asset.

• D v A - Succeeded in High Court contentious probate claim to recover the deceased's severable interest in property into the estate to provide for a vulnerable dependent.

• Provided advice and undertook drafting of evidence relating to the Grenfell Tower inquiry.

• Madiston Plc v Emoneyhub Ltd [2024] [unreported] – Trial win in Central London County Court on contract interpretation relating to IT and licensing with recovery of damages and costs.

• Negotiated a Framework Agreement with the Competition and Markets Authority concerning multiple leases and ground rent provisions.

• Welland v Hossack - Successful trial win in a construction dispute in the Central London County Court, Technology and Construction List, proving repudiatory breach of contract and recovering damages and costs.

• C v B – Successful claim addressing partnership dispute with substantial recovery plus costs and defeated cross-claim for alleged secret profits.

• A v C – Successful unfair prejudice petition in the High Court, achieving an excellent settlement including leased premises and IP.

• MTL v Willmett Solicitors and Kerry Smith [2018] EWHC 488 (Ch) – High Court (first instance and appeal), successful strike-out.

• M v M – Successfully defended unlawful means conspiracy claims, including subsequent liquidator proceedings.

• Acted as lead advocate and negotiator in cross-border claim (UK/US), where he led US attorney in New York defending alleged breaches of director's duties and breaches of contract.