Duncan McNair

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I am committed to doing my very best for all clients, large or small and to ensuring through dint of careful planning and where necessary forceful litigation that their aims are realised. At the heart of this is taking the time to truly understand what the company, business or individual I represent is really aiming for.

Duncan is a widely known and respected solicitor with over 30 years’ specialism in litigation. He is amongst the few solicitors named both “Lawyer of the Week” in The Times and “Lawyer in the News” in The Law Society Gazette for major cases he has won.

Prior to joining Spencer West, Duncan trained and practised at various City and international law firms, including for many years at Lovells (now Hogan Lovells) and he was a Partner at Lawrence Graham.

Duncan was named “the client’s champion” and as “indefatigable” in Legal 500, the leading journal of peer and client reviews, for his successful efforts for clients both large and small. Amongst numerous cases, in 2015 Duncan led a large team of lawyers in a major abuse of market dominant position case against Rolls Royce.

Duncan is recognised as a leading solicitor in the main branches of commercial litigation in England with a strong network of excellent contacts in major jurisdictions overseas. Areas covered include banking disputes and claims against financial institutions; commercial litigation and dispute resolution; competition law; contractual and debt claims; shareholder and boardroom disputes and company directors’ liabilities. Other areas covered include trusts, wills and estates litigation, problems with lending by banks and other institutions, overseas properties and professional negligence.

Duncan undertakes extensive charitable work. He is the founder and CEO of Save The Asian Elephants, a highly influential not for profit campaigning organisation. He addresses numerous audiences at companies, universities and in the Westminster and European Parliaments, and has led a debate at the Cambridge Union. Duncan is regularly featured and quoted in the national print media and online.

In September 2024 Duncan was named a “Legal Hero of the Year” by the Law Society of England and Wales for his groundbreaking work in protecting all vertebrate species globally from commercial exploitation and for his leading role in devising and driving through Parliament the landmark Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

Client Feedback

“Duncan worked tirelessly on our case. A highly successful outcome.”

“Extremely hard and successful work, well thought through strategy, a far better outcome than we had expected in a very complex situation.”

“You’ve held my hand perfectly throughout. You are our best port of call for all advice.”

“We are very very grateful for what you have done for us.”

“Please may I thank you and the team for their very considerable diligence and skill in securing me a really excellent outcome from a very difficult situation concerning my property in Cyprus and the very serious problems with my bank and other parties there. Without your constant drive and attention I doubt I would ever have succeeded.”

“You’re very very helpful.”

“Extremely successful work in a very difficult case. You have been very reasonable about fees and the result is highly cost-effective.”

“We praise Duncan’s hard and highly effective work in our very difficult and challenging case. Constantly attentive and assiduous and willing to help at any time of the day or late evening. The result was far better than I ever expected.”

“Without Duncan’s help we would not have received the result that we did. We wouldn’t have stood a chance. A force for good to be reckoned with for which we are extremely grateful.”

“Very reasonable cost for the service being provided. I recommend Duncan without reservation to anybody dealing with financial institutions abroad.”

“Duncan worked tirelessly on our case. A highly successful outcome.”

“Extremely hard and successful work, well thought through strategy, a far better outcome than we had expected in a very complex situation.”

“My whole family are very keen to record our appreciation to Duncan. We realised the many problems and dangers in our case. Duncan devised a strategy and led us to a quite wonderful result – miles beyond what we ever thought possible. From start to finish he has been kind, supportive and brave against the most formidable opponents. A wonderful lawyer.””

“I have instructed Duncan McNair over recent years in several inter-related disputes of great importance to my future. I had heard that Duncan took on ‘difficult’ cases. Mine had complex property, commercial and corporate issues. Many individuals, some of high eminence, have been involved and many really tricky aspects have needed attention. Duncan was brilliant but very personable throughout, thoughtful and diligent, and his planning always covers every aspect. He has steered me through many problems to excellent results that have proved immensely valuable to me.”

“Duncan rebuilt and pro-actively drove the case and focused on the crucial points. I wish we had engaged him earlier. A hugely successful result for me, my company and its shareholders.”

“As head of a family tree of UK and overseas companies, I have instructed Duncan McNair as my solicitor on many complex matters of very considerable importance over the past decade. These have involved commercial, corporate, insolvency and property law and disputed estates across Europe. Duncan has proved himself a wholly reliable, committed and highly able lawyer who always has the wellbeing of his clients at the forefront. These challenging cases have needed rapid thought and action as well as a clear long term strategy and successful execution. Duncan has consistently delivered absolutely excellent results. He is also great to work with – amenable, responsive and technically proficient. He is extremely highly regarded by myself and my colleagues.”

“We faced an almost hopeless David v Goliath undertaking. Our immense gratitude for an extraordinarily favourable outcome. Even our adversaries were pleased finally to settle amicably. We have great respect for Duncan’s professional approach and positive and kind personality.”

Duncan McNair

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