Areas of expertise

Cases of interest

Commercial and Chancery (including Property and Insolvency):

Arbitration

• Schreiber Farms v The Hayward Partnership [2008-2010] Acting for a farming partnership in a commercial arbitration dispute including an appeal to the High Court.

Banking and Financial Regulation/Litigation

• Mortgages – Secret Commission Case [2016]  Currently acting as sole advocate for a leading lender client in respect of the enforceability of several mortgage contracts in light of the claim that the lender paid a secret commission to the mortgage brokers and a claim that the relationship was unfair contrary to sections 140A-140D of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. 8-day trial due late 2016.
• Mortgage Claims [2014-2016]  Continuing to act as sole advocate for a leading lender client on a number of claims arising out of various mortgage contracts including mortgage shortfalls, sales at an undervalue and guarantee claims.
• Paratus AMC Limited v Lewis [2014] EWHC 933 (Ch) and [2014] EWHC 1577 (Ch)  Acting a sole advocate for a lender client in mortgage proceedings including numerous hearings in the County Court and the High Court culminating in successfully obtaining an extended civil restraint order in the High Court.
• Financial Services Appointed Representative Dispute [2013]  Acting as sole advocate on a claim breach of a financial services appointed representative agreement and guarantee for the recovery of losses due to the acts/omissions/negligence of the appointed representative.

Civil Fraud and Asset Tracing/Recovery

• Haven Insurance Company Ltd v Marketbalance Ltd & Ors [2009-2010]  Acting as sole advocate for an administrator of two companies in respect of a multi-million pound dispute with an international insurance company including allegations of fraud, breach of contract, unjust enrichment and injunctive relief.

Commercial Disputes

• LM Associates Limited v Howlett Estates Limited and Cadebrook Limited [2015]  Acting as sole advocate on a 3-day trial in respect of a claim for non-payment of invoices and a claim for breach of copyright.
• IE Taxguard Limited v VFM Services Limited [2015]  Acting as sole advocate on a 3-day trial in respect of a claim for non-payment of service charge under a commercial lease.
• Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Limited (T/A International Decorative Surfaces) v Hillmead Joinery (Swindon) Limited [2015] EWHC B7 (TCC)  Acting as sole advocate in the High Court on an 8-day product liability trial before HHJ David Grant QC concerning defective laminate supplied to a major national retailer.
• Healthier Business UK Limited v Compli With Us Limited [2013]  Acting as sole advocate in a claim for malicious falsehood in a commercial context including a successful injunction application.
• Breach of Warranty Claim [2008 – 2013]  Led by Nigel Jones QC for a national housing association in a £22mn breach of warranty claim against a local authority.
•   Financial Services Appointed Representative Dispute [2013]  Acting as sole advocate on a claim breach of a financial services appointed representative agreement and guarantee for the recovery of losses due to the acts/omissions/negligence of the appointed representative.
• Katie Ward v Allies & Morrison [2012] EWCA Civ 1287  Led by Theodore Huckell QC on an appeal to the Court of Appeal in respect of the trial decision of a Circuit Judge.
• Clearwater Swimming Pools Ltd v Pyments of Campden Ltd [2010]  Acting as sole advocate in an appeal to the High Court against a case management decision to strike out a claim.
• Haven Insurance Company Ltd v Marketbalance Ltd & Ors [2009-2010]  Acting as sole advocate for an administrator of two companies in respect of a multi-million pound dispute with an international insurance company including allegations of fraud, breach of contract, unjust enrichment and injunctive relief.

Insolvency and Restructuring

• Wright Hassall LLP v Duncan Morris [2012] EWCA Civ 1472; [2013] B.C.C 192  Acting for solicitors with Stephen Davies QC in a claim against an administrator of two companies seeking to extend the rule as to the personal liability of office-holders for the costs of unsuccessful legal actions for claims brought where the office-holder is the defendant (reversing Wright Hassall LLP v Duncan Morris & Ors [2012] EWHC 188 (Ch)). 

Partnership

• Schreiber Farms v The Hayward Partnership [2008-2010]  Acting for a farming partnership in a commercial arbitration dispute including an appeal to the High Court.

Professional Liability

• Professional Liability [2013-2016]  Continuing at act as sole advocate on a number a professional negligence actions against solicitors, architects, financial advisers and surveyors.

Property

• Mortgages – Secret Commission Case [2016]  Currently acting as sole advocate for a leading lender client in respect of the enforceability of several mortgage contracts in light of the claim that the lender paid a secret commission to the mortgage brokers and a claim that the relationship was unfair contrary to sections 140A-140D of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. 8-day trial due late 2016.
• Mortgage Claims [2014-2016]  Continuing to act as sole advocate for a leading lender client on a number of claims arising out of various mortgage contracts including mortgage shortfalls, sales at an undervalue and guarantee claims.
• R (on the application of EN) v City of Westminster [2015]  Acting as sole advocate on an application for permission to apply for judicial review against a decision refusing to grant temporary housing to a homelessness applicant.
• IE Taxguard Limited v VFM Services Limited [2015]  Acting as sole advocate on a 3-day trial in respect of a claim for non-payment of service charge under a commercial lease.
• Paratus AMC Limited v Lewis [2014] EWHC 933 (Ch) and [2014] EWHC 1577 (Ch)  Acting a sole advocate for a lender client in mortgage proceedings including numerous hearings in the County Court and the High Court culminating in successfully obtaining an extended civil restraint order in the High Court.
• Anthony Buckley v City of Westminster [2014]  Acting as sole advocate in an appeal by homelessness applicant against the refusal to grant the applicant priority need status.
• Challinor v Staffordshire County Council [2011] EWCA Civ 90  Led by Jim Tindall (appointed a Circuit Judge in 2016) on an appeal to the Court of Appeal in respect of a decision of a High Court judge to strike out a claim.
• Schreiber Farms v The Hayward Partnership [2008-2010] – Acting for a farming partnership in a commercial arbitration dispute including an appeal to the High Court.
• Siggery & Anor v Bell & Ors [2007] EWHC 2167 (Ch)  Acting as sole advocate for 3 property owners defending proceedings for injunctive relief and at trial for obstruction of a right of way. 

 Sports Law

• British Showjumping v Robert Whitaker [December 2012] – Acting as sole advocate for a sport national governing body in disciplinary proceedings against a leading showjumper.
• Alexander Peternell v South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee & South African Equestrian Federation & Paul Hart [July 2012]  Led by Ian Mill QC for a South African equestrian eventing rider in an appeal against his selection to the Court of Arbitration for Sport sitting in London.
• British Dressage v Richard Davison [2011]  Acting for a sport national governing body in respect of an appeal against a selection decision to British Equestrian Federation Appeal Panel.
• British Equestrian Federation v Federation Equestre Internationale [2010]  Acting for a sport national governing body in respect of an appeal to the FEI Tribunal and subsequent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
• Gemma Plumley v British Showjumping Association [2009]  Acting for a sport national governing body in respect of defending an appeal to Sport Resolutions (an arbitration panel).
• British Horseracing Authority v Ryan Mahon [2009]  Acting for the first amateur jockey of a leading national hunt trainer in anti-doping disciplinary proceedings before the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority. 

Wills, Probate and Family Succession

• Morris v Davies & Others [2011] EWHC 1272 (Ch)  Acting in obtaining an anti-suit injunction in contentious probate proceedings to prevent competing proceedings in Belgium continuing.

Professional memberships

• Chancery Bar Association
• Property Bar Association

Education

• LLB (Hons) Kings College London
• PG DIP LegalPractice

Personal interests

I am a keen sportsman participating in football, squash, long-distance running and cycling.