words
“The best result in most disputes is the one nobody reads about. My job is to get you there quickly, and to fight properly when that is not on offer.”
Experience
Selected experience
Rafael joined Northgate in 2012 from a litigation boutique and has run the disputes team since.
Supplier dispute settled in six weeks
2016
Took over a year-old logistics dispute and settled it on better terms than the client had asked for.
Shareholder deadlock resolved
2019
Negotiated a buy-out between two founders without a claim being issued, keeping the business trading.
Head of Disputes
2021
Introduced the two-week written assessment that every disputes client now receives.
Franchise termination claim
2024
Defended a regional franchisee against termination and recovered the client’s costs.
Notes
Notes from the partners
Short, practical notes on contracts, people, disputes and funding, written for the people who run businesses.
June 11, 2026
July 16, 2026
Testimonials
Northgate quoted our shareholder agreement in writing before they started. The final bill matched it.
Maya Ellis
Founder, software company
A supplier dispute had dragged on for a year. Northgate settled it in six weeks, without a court date.
Tom Vidal
Owner, logistics company
The same partner handled our lease, our fundraise and our acquisition. Northgate never passed us down the line.
Helen Marsh
CEO, manufacturing group
Our Series A closed on time because Northgate turned every document round the same day.
Arjun Patel
Co-founder, fintech
