Conor Maher

My Approach

I approach all matters diligently, and strive to provide clear, sensible, and practical advice to achieve the best possible outcome for my clients. I appreciate that the litigation process can be sensitive and stressful for individuals and businesses alike. As such, I adopt a straightforward, pragmatic, and pro-active approach in representing my clients. I am conscious that disputes can be daunting and business-critical, and so I endeavour to resolve disputes as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I take pride in delivering a high quality service to my clients in an efficient, professional, and timely manner. I work passionately to ensure client satisfaction not only with the quality of my work, but also with the standard of my service.

I enjoy working closely with businesses and individuals to provide clear, strategic, and commercially sensitive advice. I am a strong advocate for the use of alternative dispute resolution, including the use of mediation to avoid disproportionate litigation where possible.

Client feedback:

“I have worked with more solicitors than I care to admit over the years and I must confess that it is rare to have been as satisfied with the service as I have been on this occasion.” (Anonymous, 2022)

Area of Expertise

My practice deals with a range of civil and commercial matters representing both businesses and individuals, including dealing with high-value and complex litigation before the High Court alongside claims before the County Court.

As a Solicitor Advocate, I regularly represent clients at court (at all levels) in both civil/commercial and regulatory proceedings where appropriate and proportionate to do so, and am also an experienced and successful mediation advocate.

Dispute Resolution

I am an experienced civil and commercial dispute resolution specialist, with particular expertise in:

• Contract Disputes;
• Commercial Litigation (both in the County Court and High Court);
• Judicial Review;
• Share Purchase Disputes;
• Director/Boardroom and Shareholder Disputes;
• Professional Negligence Claims;
• Commercial Debt Recovery; and
• Alternative Dispute Resolution including Negotiation and Mediation (SCMA Advanced Mediation Advocate).

Regulatory Law

I am a widely recognised contentious regulatory practitioner with experience dealing with a range of regulatory investigations and disputes, including:

• DVLA medical revocation and licencing disputes;
• Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle licence appeals;
• Firearms and Shotgun licencing disputes;
• Health & Safety investigations and prosecutions;
• Local Authority and Trading Standards investigations and prosecutions; and
• Professional discipline matters and internal investigations.

Recent Work

Dispute Resolution Work Highlights

• Judicial Review – Represented a community interest group in a successful planning decision challenge before the High Court.
• Shareholder Disputes – Successfully negotiated a £3Million share buy-back for shareholder clients in respect of a high-value family-owned business.
• Commercial Disputes – Successfully defended a complex breach of contract and professional negligence claim through to trial, recovering almost £30,000 in legal costs for the client.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution – Negotiated a successful mediated agreement against a large Magic Circle law firm in respect of a complex intellectual property and contractual dispute.

Regulatory Work Highlights

• Firearms Licensing – Successfully negotiated with Dorset Police to facilitate the return of a Firearms Licence following an unsuccessful criminal prosecution.
• Taxi/PHV Licensing – Successfully advocated at Court for a PHV Driver during an appeal against TfL before HHJ Durran sitting at the Old Bailey; resulting in the appeal being granted, the client’s licence saved, and almost 100% of costs being recovered from TfL.
• Regulatory Discipline – Advising private clubs (in particular a Local Football Club, and an Armed Forces Club), in respect of internal investigations and regulatory discipline proceedings.
• Food Safety Investigations – Represented a takeaway restaurant owner in a voluntary interview under caution and made representations to avoid criminal prosecution.

Professional Associations & Qualifications

• Ranked as a Key Lawyer and Leading Associate in The Legal 500 UK 2025 for Commercial Litigation - described as having "exceptional reputation for advocacy in the county courts". Conor is also the only non-partner at the firm to be individually ranked, and one of only 4 lawyers to be named a ‘Leading Associate’ for Commercial Litigation across the whole of Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall.
• Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 UK 2024 guide for both Commercial Litigation, and Property Litigation - "Conor Maher is extremely good with clients and has a tireless work ethic."
• LLB (Hons) Law with European Legal Study (University of Exeter)
• Law and International Relations (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid)
• PgDip Legal Practice (University of Law)
• Higher Courts Advocate / Solicitor Advocate (Civil)
• SCMA/ADR Group Advanced Mediation Advocate
• Accredited Police Station Representative (University of Cardiff)
• Treasurer of the Bournemouth & District Law Society
• Civil Litigation Representative to the Bournemouth & District Law Society’s Dispute Resolution Sub-Committee
• Treasurer of the Bournemouth & District Junior Lawyers Division (2020 to 2023)
• Member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)