My experience
Commercial Disputes Partner
In my role within the Commercial Disputes team I advise a range of companies and businesses in relation to:
- strategic issues for directors;
- contract disputes;
- negligence actions;
- professional negligence claims; and
- insurance related litigation including coverage, material non- disclosure and fraud.
CEDR Accredited Mediator
I am also a CEDR accredited commercial mediator, assisting individuals and businesses to find solutions to disputes without the costs or limitations of a courtroom battle. I have experience in both representing parties at mediations and conducting the role of mediator.
My expertise encompasses a wide variety of cases including:
- complex shareholder director issues;
- negligence claims against solicitors, insurance brokers, builders, architects, insurance issues of coverage, indemnity and fraud;
- business disputes including commercial contracts, employment contracts and breach of restrictive covenants;
- construction and building projects related disputes; and
- landlord and tenant litigation.
External Roles
Outside of Paris Smith I hold the following roles:
- Chairman of the leadership team of the Southampton Chamber of Commerce
- Vice chairman of the Board of Governors of a Prep School
- Accredited commercial mediator
I am regularly asked to speak at business conferences on topical business and leadership issues.

We are delighted to announce that Peter won Business Leader of the Year in the 2020 South Coast Business Awards.



