Expert advice relating to disputes and business dealings with high-value assets.

The department is headed by Matthew Ball, who is rated by Spear’s 500 as one of the 6 ‘Top Recommended’ Classic car lawyers in the UK.

Whilst his work also extends to super cars (and other non-automotive high-value assets), he acts for collectors, dealers, auctioneers, restorers, sellers and buyers, as well as general enthusiasts at all levels from around the world.

Matthew is frequently instructed in relation to disputes regarding title, history/provenance, breach of contract/warranty, sales/purchases or restoration work. However, he is often also involved in the wider business-related matters surrounding classic cars and super cars, such as business set-ups, business sales/acquisitions, disputes between investors or in relation to commission, or regarding specialist storage, shipping or insurance.

Being an owner himself, Matthew understands the intricacies of dealing with disputes that frequently involve high-value assets and where there can often also be a significant element of emotion involved.

Matthew’s clients are based both in the UK and worldwide.

Whilst at his previous firm, Matthew recently contributed to an article in City Wealth Magazine (https://tinyurl.com/3kd9ybsj) and which touched upon the growing trend of investing in rare vehicles as an exciting alternative investment, alongside art, fine wine and whiskey – along with the potential risks and challenges that can entail.

Meet the Team

  • Michael Segen

    About Me

    Chairman

    Michael Segan

    Michael has been in practice for over forty years and having resisted the pressure to deal with only one aspect of the law, he has been determined to remain a multi-disciplinary practitioner and as a result is very experienced in matters relating to property, litigation, insolvency and company commercial work.

    Working with developers on sites with a GDV of up to £100m and dealing in litigious and insolvency matters often involving tens of millions of pounds, he brings his sense of humour to all situations and ensures that he does not take an hour to do ten minutes worth of work.

    He is the ideal lawyer for clients who want a sharp commercial view delivered in a very straight talking fashion to let them know their position and their options going forward.

    Michael and his family live on their 34 acre equestrian centre in north London with two dogs, two cats (plus four cats on the farm), fifty horses and three donkeys

    Contact Details

    Phone Number: 020 7332 2222

    Email Address: michael@sbplaw.co.uk

    Michael Segen

    Areas of Practice

    Corporate & Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Enforcement, Equestrian Law, Insolvency, Luxury Automotive, Private Client, Property

  • Matthew Ball

    Consultant, Head of Luxury Automotive and MENA

    Dispute Prevention & Litigation, Commercial and Construction Disputes, Luxury Automotive, Middle East & North Africa

    Qualified: 1999

    Matthew Ball

    About Me

    Consultant, Head of Luxury Automotive and MENA

    Matthew Ball is a consultant solicitor in our Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department with over 25 years of experience advising clients in relation to a wide manner of matters in Appeal, High Court and County Court proceedings.

    Matthew’s specialisms include:

    • Commercial disputes: Including claims for breach of contract, franchise disputes and debt recovery.
    • High Net Worth and UHNW client disputes: Representing UHNW/HNW clients (often from overseas) in relation to business matters and family disputes, being instructed directly by family members or through Family Offices and service providers.
    • Property, construction and development disputes: Handling issues relating to property, construction and development, as well as professional negligence claims arising from them.  Matthew is recognised in the ‘Top Tier’ of the Legal 500 for his specialism in construction and infrastructure disputes.
    • Disputes between Trustees and Beneficiaries: Including on behalf of professional trustee service providers and Family Offices.
    • Partnership, Director and Shareholder disputes: Representing individuals and commercial entities in disputes concerning partnership, directorship and shareholding matters.
    • Classic Car, Supercar and high value asset disputes:  Matthew is rated by Spear’s 500 as one of the 6 ‘Top Recommended’ Classic car lawyers in the UK.  Further information can be found on the dedicated webpage.

    Matthew is frequently instructed by clients from overseas, particularly the Middle East and North Africa, China and Hong Kong.

    Matthew is a longstanding member of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and has been a member of the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC) for over 20 years.

    Outside of his dispute related work, Matthew is often the first point of contact for clients within the Middle East, North Africa and China seeking to establish businesses interests within the UK, or who are looking for advice on immigration and residency related matters.

    A client recently said that Matthew:

    demonstrates outstanding active listening skills and exceptional patience in fully understanding clients’ needs. He is particularly adept at translating complex legal concepts into straightforward, understandable language, making legal matters approachable and clear to clients.”.

    Whilst Matthew places particular emphasis on dispute prevention, where disputes do arise he seeks to achieve a cost-effective, commercially-minded resolution by various means, including through tactical offers and strategies, Mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

    Matthew is very approachable and would be happy to discuss your particular needs with you.

    Contact Details

    Phone Number: 020 7332 2222

    Email Address: matthew@sbplaw.co.uk

    Matthew Ball

    Areas of Practice

    Dispute Prevention & Litigation, Commercial and Construction Disputes, Luxury Automotive, Middle East & North Africa