Chris has experience of drafting arbitration pleadings in construction, engineering and insurance disputes, and is developing his international arbitration practice. As of 2022, he is presently retained as junior counsel in respect of a forthcoming international arbitration of multi-million pound dispute concerning defective engineering.
Chris is ranked by Legal 500 as a leading junior in Construction (Band 4), commended both for his “high quality, very detailed work“, and for being “a real team player and a pleasure to work with, which is a view shared by others working with him“. He is also commended by solicitors and in the directories for Professional Negligence for his work ethic and abilities as a team player.
Chris is also able to draw on his international experience prior to the Bar, including a 10-week internship at a leading South African commercial law firm, and 5 months as a stagiaire at the European Commission in Brussels. He is therefore well suited to working in larger and smaller teams, both nationally and internationally.
Chris has considerable experience of banking disputes, and is instructed by major high street lenders in respect of business and commercial matters, including claims on guarantees, refinancing disputes, and alleged transactional errors. Chris has also been instructed in numerous claims concerning swaps, interest rate hedging products and stepped fixed rate loans.
In addition, Chris has a substantial practice acting on behalf of lenders in respect of commercial and high value residential mortgage litigation, and he is frequently instructed in professional liability claims by lenders against solicitors and valuers, and by consumers against in-house financial advisers. Details of this work may be found under the “Real Property” and “Professional Negligence” tabs respectively.
Chris has also been instructed in various applications for freezing injunctions and Norwich Pharmacal orders against banks, often at short notice.
Instructed as part of the legal team led by Tim Lord QC in Property Alliance Group v RBS, a banking dispute in the Chanc...
Instructed as part of the legal team led by Tim Lord QC in Property Alliance Group v RBS, a banking dispute in the Chancery Division, involving issues as to mis-selling of swaps, LIBOR-rigging, and the Global restructuring Group within RBS.
Acting on behalf of a major high street lender in a Commercial Court claim, brought by a borrower engaged in the propert...
Acting on behalf of a major high street lender in a Commercial Court claim, brought by a borrower engaged in the property development business, concerning contractual formation, stepped fixed rate loans alleged to be interest rate hedging products, arguments concerning contracts for differences and various alleged breaches of the FSA Rules. Further, acting on a lender claim involving in an allegation of contributory negligence in respect of the mis-selling of alleged interest rate hedging products.
Advising a major lender in relation to ‘loan-switching’ and the contractual incorporation of the lender’s standard...
Advising a major lender in relation to ‘loan-switching’ and the contractual incorporation of the lender’s standard rates, terms and conditions.
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Successfully representing a major high street bank in a 3-day trial against two guarantors of company borrowing, alleging inter alia undue influence, duress, estoppel, mistake, misrepresentation, fraud, non est factum and unfairness under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.
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Acting on behalf of a major high street bank enforcing guarantees against guarantors alleging non-delivery of an executed deed, and relying on an alleged defence under the Insolvency Act 1986, s.127.
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Successfully representing a major high street bank in a claim against a guarantor, concerning the interpretation and application of a ‘last known address’ clause in a deed of guarantee.
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Successfully representing a major high street bank in respect of an alleged contractual agreement to capitalise arrears.
Successfully representing a major high street bank in respect of the making of allegedly fraudulent payments from a cust...
Successfully representing a major high street bank in respect of the making of allegedly fraudulent payments from a customer’s bank account, and damages in respect of consequent losses alleged to have arisen thereafter.
Successfully representing a major high street bank in a claim against non-domiciled borrowers denying liability on the b...
Successfully representing a major high street bank in a claim against non-domiciled borrowers denying liability on the basis of alleged non-service outside the jurisdiction, and alleged identity fraud.
Chris has a growing practice acting in commercial contractual disputes, particularly in respect of share purchase agreements, and joint venture agreements concerning the development of properties. He also has experience of bailment, carriage, sale of goods, commercial agency agreements, and contracts for commercial advisory services.
In addition, a large portion of Chris’ broader practice is commercial in nature, ranging from banking litigation to professional liability actions by corporate entities. Details of this work may be found under the relevant tabs.
Acting on behalf of the purchasers in respect of a claim under various covenants and warranties, and for misrepresentati...
Acting on behalf of the purchasers in respect of a claim under various covenants and warranties, and for misrepresentation, under a share purchase agreement. The claim concerned the company’s pre-sale tax position, and the company’s income tax and NIC liability in respect of employee incentivisation schemes and gifts of shares prior to sale.
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Acting on behalf of the seller in respect of a claim for misrepresentation. The claim concerned the valuation of the company’s work in progress, outstanding and bad debts, and the accuracy of lists of ‘existing clients’ provided prior to the purchase
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Acting on behalf of a Lloyd’s broker defending a claim by an underwriter for payment under a broker agency agreement, concerning a policy which had incepted, but for which the insured had failed to pay premium instalments.
Acting on behalf of a recruitment and employment agency defending a claim by a former supply teacher for outstanding pay...
Acting on behalf of a recruitment and employment agency defending a claim by a former supply teacher for outstanding payment of teaching fees pursuant to the teacher’s contract with the agency.
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Advising a retail business in respect of a claim for rescission of a compromise agreement based on misrepresentation (failure of disclosure in litigation) and economic duress, and in respect of an underlying claim for breach of a factoring agreement.
Acting on behalf of the claimant in a claim for repudiatory breach of a compromise agreement, in respect of the defendan...
Acting on behalf of the claimant in a claim for repudiatory breach of a compromise agreement, in respect of the defendant’s in breaching confidentiality provisions and instigating proceedings against a related entity.
Chris is ranked as a leading construction junior by Legal 500 (Band 4), having built up a well-regarded practice acting both for and against employers, their insurers, building contractors and sub-contractors, increasingly in commercial contexts. He is typically instructed on cases where the allegations are of defective design or engineering, or in matters which include claims against construction professionals.
As of 2022, Chris is currently on two large claims concerning commercial property. In the first, he acts (led by Ben Patten QC) in claims brought against developers, main contractors and construction professionals concerning structural movement, sloping and cracking to the floor of a large commercial warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent. In the second, Chris acts (led by Garry Borland QC) on behalf of main contractors in a multi-million pound dispute concerning the defective design and engineering of a retractable seating system in Scotland.
Chris additionally acts on high value residential matters, principally those concerning defective design. He currently acts in a claim for rescission or damages in excess of £750,000, brought against the developers of a new build property constructed over public sewage pipes, water main and mains electric cables.
Chris has also previously been led or involved in several higher profile construction disputes: Trustees of the Marc Gilbard 2009 Settlement Trust v OD Developments and Projects Ltd [2015] EWHC 70 (TCC), concerning works to a high value residential property in Mayfair, and Co-operative Group Ltd v Birse Developments Ltd [2014] BLR 359, concerning the construction of internal flooring, external hardstanding and drainage systems at a large commercial distribution centre.
In undertaking this work, Chris benefits from having undertaken a secondment to the construction team of a leading firm of solicitors in the City, which is ranked in Chambers & Partners for both Construction and Professional Negligence: Technology & Construction work.
Chris also has a substantial practice acting in claims brought against construction professionals, further details of which may be found under the appropriate ‘Professional Negligence’ tab below.
Chris has developed a substantial practice in pure insurance matters, often in the context of claims against insurance brokers where a party’s entitlement to an indemnity is disputed, but increasingly also in standalone disputes between insurer and insured. Chris is most often instructed in respect of claims concerning damage to commercial or industrial buildings by fire, storm or water.
Chris’ knowledge and experience in advising insurers on coverage matters has been enhanced by the combined six months spent on secondment at three leading City firms, undertaking professional indemnity and construction work. However, Chris is frequently instructed on behalf of commercial policyholders, including acting as sole Counsel in a number of Commercial Court claims since 2017.
Chris also deals with a wide range of claims against insurance brokers, particularly in respect of allegations of material non-disclosure, misrepresentation or failure to comply with the terms of an insurance policy. Further details of this work may be found under the appropriate ‘Professional Negligence’ tab.
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Led by Roger Stewart QC, acting on behalf of a major international insurer in a dispute concerning the alleged block notification of circumstances or claims against financial advisers.
Acting on behalf of a commercial insured insured in respect of Business Interruption to a dentistry practice following a...
Acting on behalf of a commercial insured insured in respect of Business Interruption to a dentistry practice following a fire. The dispute concerned the extent to which a reduction in business profits was attributable to the consequences of a fire as opposed to other commercial influences.
Advising the insurer of a commercial contractor, involved in a construction and engineering dispute in respect of water ...
Advising the insurer of a commercial contractor, involved in a construction and engineering dispute in respect of water ingress to an industrial property in the North of East England, as to its ability to decline cover on ground of material non-disclosure of circumstance, misrepresentation, and subsequent failure to co-operate in respect of the provision of documents concerning the dispute.
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Acting for a commercial building contractor, alleged by a third party to be responsible for a large fire at a warehouse in Tottenham, in a Commercial Court claim against an insurance broker. The claim included issues of pure insurance law, including the interpretation of a public/product liability insuring clause, and whether certain correspondence from the third party gives rise to a notifiable circumstance.
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Acting for the former owners of two beachfront hotels in Blackpool, which suffered storm and water damage, in a Commercial Court claim against an insurance broker for over £1m. The claim includes issues of pure insurance law, in particular the meaning of a question in respect of the ‘occupation’ and ‘closure’ of a hotel.
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Acting in a Commercial Circuit Court claim against an insurance broker for over £500k, brought by the owners of a well-known Scottish fast food chain in respect of the declinature of cover following a fire. The claim includes issues of pure insurance law, including the materiality of certain previous claims, the interpretation of the duty to notify “immediately” and alleged non-cooperation following the fire.
Drafting Points of Claim in an arbitration between the operator of a waste processing plant and its insurer. The dispute...
Drafting Points of Claim in an arbitration between the operator of a waste processing plant and its insurer. The dispute concerned the proper interpretation of the insuring terms of the policy, and the interpretation and alleged non-compliance with the policy’s co-operation clause.
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Acting as sole counsel in a High Court claim for a declaration, brought by the tenant under a commercial lease, concerning the interpretation of a clause requiring the insured to procure insurance in the joint names of the landlord and tenant, and the destination of any insurance proceeds in the event of a claim.
Advising multiple insurers of one of the UK’s largest construction companies, recently entering into liquidation, ...
Advising multiple insurers of one of the UK’s largest construction companies, recently entering into liquidation, in respect of the applicability and application of an insurance policy’s arbitration clause in a claim under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010.
Chris specialises first and foremost in professional liability claims, and is ranked as a leading Professional Negligence junior by both Chambers & Partners (Band 4) and Legal 500 (Band 4). He is frequently instructed in claims against accountants, tax advisers, financial advisers, mortgage brokers, insurance brokers, lawyers, insolvency professionals, surveyors and valuers, property agents and construction professionals.
Chris often appears in the High Court as sole counsel, frequently in claims for seven-figure sums, and has been led on a number of high profile professional liability cases in recent years.
Since joining Chambers, Chris has also completed a combined six months on secondment at three leading specialist professional indemnity firms. He is a member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association, and provides training sessions to solicitors on various areas within the field.
Chris has a well-established practice acting on behalf of accountants and tax advisers in respect of claims concerning both tax advisory and tax compliance work. He is frequently instructed as sole counsel in High Court claims, usually against QCs or senior juniors specialising in the field, and also receives instructions as to act as junior counsel to tax-specialist silks outside of Chambers.
Having previously appeared in two of the leading claims concerning tax mitigation schemes, Chris is now most often instructed in claims concerning tax compliance work, including in respect of remittances to the UK by offshore entities and the treatment and reporting of VAT on international product sales, and in claims in respect of failed inheritance tax planning and gifts with reservation of benefits. He also deals with claims concerning the handling of HMRC enquiries.
As regards tax avoidance schemes, tax-efficient investments and other tax mitigation or deferral strategies, Chris was led by Graham Chapman QC acting on behalf of the successful defendants in the leading case of Halsall v Champion Consulting Ltd [2017] PNLR 32, and for the same defendants in several other related claims, having a combined pleaded value in excess of £25m. Since then, Chris has acted on behalf of of a variety of international and leading national advisory practices, in claims concerning film schemes, employee and shareholder benefit schemes, and remuneration trusts.
Chris is also frequently instructed in claims where both tax advisers and financial advisers have been named as defendants, including the Ingenious Litigation [2020] EWHC 234 (Ch). Further details may be found in the appropriate tab below.
Chris is also familiar with corporate valuation issues, including the valuation of unincorporated businesses and unlisted companies, as well as companies listed on various stock exchanges.
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Led by David Yates QC of Pump Court Tax Chambers, bringing a contribution claim (on behalf of solicitors) against a major accountancy firm in a claim for around £15m, in respect of alleged defective tax compliance work and advice provided to ultra high net worth individuals concerning remittances to the UK by non-domiciled entities.
Defending claims brought by two UK-based companies, for a combined value of over £1,000,000, in respect of allegedly ca...
Defending claims brought by two UK-based companies, for a combined value of over £1,000,000, in respect of allegedly careless misreporting of VAT in respect of sales of goods in European Union member states.
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Defending a claim against an accountant (represented by David Yates QC), for damages in excess of £1m, concerning an alleged failure to advise a former client to engage in ‘phoenixing’ in order to seek to extract profits from a company without paying income tax.
As sole counsel, defending a professional adviser in ‘group litigation’ of claims by taxpayers following Ing...
As sole counsel, defending a professional adviser in ‘group litigation’ of claims by taxpayers following Ingenious Games LLP v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2019] UKT 226 (TCC). The claims, mostly brought by celebrities and former professional sportsmen represented by Peters & Peters LLP, Stewarts Law LLP and Mishcon de Reya LLP, are brought against numerous parties including Ingenious themselves, along with banks and professional advisers.
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Led by Graham Chapman QC, successfully defending a claim against tax advisers, seeking damages in excess of £6m, in respect of participation in gift aid relief schemes and the Scion Sole Trader film scheme. Subsequently, defending several further claims against the tax advisers, together seeking damages and interest approaching £25m, concerning participation in gift aid relief schemes, numerous Eclipse film partnerships, and Timeless Releasing LLP.
Defending an accountant in respect of claims concerning participation in E Shares Scheme, following the High Court’...
Defending an accountant in respect of claims concerning participation in E Shares Scheme, following the High Court’s decision in Chalcot Training Ltd v Ralph [2020] STC 1537, and also the EBIPPS and Karat Schemes. The claims allege breach of contract and negligence, but also breach of fiduciary duty, deceit, bribery and dishonest assistance in respect of allegedly undisclosed commission payments.
Defending a leading national firm of tax advisers (and financial advisers) in respect of a substantial High Court claim,...
Defending a leading national firm of tax advisers (and financial advisers) in respect of a substantial High Court claim, concerning investments in various Big Screen Productions film schemes, operated by Ingenious.
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Defending a claim against leading national firm of tax advisers, brought by two participants (represented by Richard Vallat QC) in the Integrated Planning Opportunities property development scheme, operated by Paladin Capital Ltd.
Defending a claim against accountants in respect of a bespoke remuneration trust, brought by a company whose claim for c...
Defending a claim against accountants in respect of a bespoke remuneration trust, brought by a company whose claim for corporation tax relief has been disputed by HMRC.
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Successfully defending a claim in respect of alleged negligent advice concerning an HMRC enquiry, and alleged wrongful termination of retainer, brought by the taxpayer who ultimately succeeded before the FTT in Crown & Cushion Hotel v HMRC [2016] UKFTT 765 (TC). The claim was dismissed following a 3-day trial in August 2018.
Acting on behalf of the defendant, successfully securing the discontinuance of a claim, brought by the beneficiary of a ...
Acting on behalf of the defendant, successfully securing the discontinuance of a claim, brought by the beneficiary of a deceased client, in respect of inheritance tax planning alleged by HMRC to have fallen foul of the Gift with Reservation of Benefits provisions.
Advising in respect of a claim against accountants alleged to have under-reported a company’s profit and committed...
Advising in respect of a claim against accountants alleged to have under-reported a company’s profit and committed further breaches when producing a company’s statutory accounts, causing the company to suffer commercial losses.
Chris has a substantial practice acting both for and against construction professionals, principally architects and planning experts in respect of planning matters, or engineers in respect of defective foundations, but also contract administrators, project managers, and quantity surveyors. He has experience of claims brought against these professionals by third parties.
This area of professional liability dovetails with Chris’ construction and engineering practice, including acting for and against mechanical, electrical, heating and gas engineers. Chris is also often instructed in claims against construction contractors where the allegations are of negligent design or specification, or other claims with a professional negligence angle.
As of 2022, Chris is currently on two large claims concerning commercial property. In the first, he acts (led by Ben Patten QC) in claims brought against developers, main contractors and construction professionals concerning structural movement, sloping and cracking to the floor of a large commercial warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent. In the second, Chris acts as sole counsel for the insurers of main contractors in a multi-million pound dispute concerning the defective design and engineering of a retractable seating system in Scotland, carried out by a sub-contractor and its instructed engineer.
Further back, Chris was also involved (led by Fiona Sinclair QC and Rick Liddell) in the Part 20 claim against structural and geotechnical engineers in Co-operative Group Ltd v Birse Developments Ltd [2014] PNLR 21.
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Part of the team led by Fiona Sinclair QC and Richard Liddell, in respect of the Part 20 claim by Birse Developments Ltd against its structural engineer and geotechnical design specialist.
Led by Ben Patten QC, acting for building owners in a claim against the developers, main contractor and consulting engin...
Led by Ben Patten QC, acting for building owners in a claim against the developers, main contractor and consulting engineers by the owner of large commercial premises in Stoke-on-Trent, built for and occupied by a major superstore chain. The matter principally concerns the negligent design of the foundations and flooring, which are settling and suffering cracking and movement.
Acting as sole counsel on behalf of the insurers of main contractors in a multi-million pound dispute concerning the def...
Acting as sole counsel on behalf of the insurers of main contractors in a multi-million pound dispute concerning the defective design and engineering of a retractable seating system in Scotland, carried out by a sub-contractor and its instructed engineer.
Claim by the freeholder of a 47-storey skyscraper in Manchester, against insurers of a large British multinational const...
Claim by the freeholder of a 47-storey skyscraper in Manchester, against insurers of a large British multinational construction company which recently entered into liquidation. The claim concerns the allegedly negligent design and specification of glass panels, which the freeholder was ordered to repair in a claim by its tenants, a well-known hotel chain.
Substantial TCC claim brought on behalf of a sub-contractor in respect of an extension and partial refurbishment of a ho...
Substantial TCC claim brought on behalf of a sub-contractor in respect of an extension and partial refurbishment of a hospital in Blackburn. The claim concerns liability to the main contractor, a joint venture between two major national contractors, in respect of the faulty design by a sub-subcontractor of the external cladding and render system.
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Claim intimated by the owner of large rural auction mart against an architect, in respect of the negligent drafting of a specification of works, and the subsequent negligent supervision and certification of the works.
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A claim against an architect based on negligent design of an oil tank enclosure, failure to comply with planning requirements, selection of an unsuitable contractor, and failure to properly supervise construction works.
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Claim against an architect by a former member of a joint venture partnership, alleging negligence in design and planning strategy in respect of an application for planning permission for a mixed retail/residential development on Jubilee Parade, adjacent to Woodford Underground Station.
A claim by the owners of a listed building, brought against a planning consultant and structural engineer, in respect of...
A claim by the owners of a listed building, brought against a planning consultant and structural engineer, in respect of the failure to advise as to the necessity for listed building consent in respect of internal works, the negligent design and project management of those works, and the negligent design and project management of further temporary works.
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Advising an employer and his building insurer in a claim against an architect for damages in respect of the failure to specify an appropriate scope of works to remedy water ingress and damp issues, and acting on a claim against an architect in respect of alleged deficiencies in its approach to the restoration of a building damaged by water used to extinguish a fire.
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Advising an employer on a claim in respect of an architect’s failure to issue appropriate notices in respect of liquidated damages.
Claim by the owner of a large countryside residential property against an architect, in respect of the demolition of the...
Claim by the owner of a large countryside residential property against an architect, in respect of the demolition of the original building and construction of a new one, concerning the failure, when applying for planning permission, to apply for permission to demolish as well as alter the building, and to correctly apply for and obtain exemption for the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Chris has a developed a substantial practice acting on behalf of financial advisers. His practice covers a broad range of claims concerning a variety of investments, whether made directly or via personal pension schemes. He regularly deals with allegations concerning the suitability of unregulated collective investment schemes, forex investments, foreign property funds and investments, as well as more conventional products. Chris has also acted on a number of pensions switching claims.
Chris is frequently instructed on behalf of both advisors and principals alleged to be responsible under the FSMA 2000, s.39. In addition to issues concerning the investments themselves, Chris is therefore familiar with issues concerning the scope of authorised representatives’ authority, and is frequently instructed in claims where the defences on that basis are raised.
In 2020, Chris was instructed as sole Counsel on behalf of a financial adviser in the Ingenious Litigation [2020] EWHC 3234 (Ch), concerning investments by 300+ investors into film schemes. The tax-related elements of this work dovetail closely with Chris’ well-established practice acting on behalf of accountants and tax advisers, details of which may be found under the appropriate tab above.
Chris has also benefited from several months spend on secondment at a specialist professional indemnity firm in the City. During this time, Chris worked directly for the author of the chapter on financial advisers in Simpson: Professional Negligence and Liability, and gained substantial experience defending claims against financial services professionals and product providers, both in the civil courts and before the Financial Ombudsman Service.
As sole counsel, defending a professional adviser in ‘group litigation’ of claims by taxpayers following Ingenious ...
As sole counsel, defending a professional adviser in ‘group litigation’ of claims by taxpayers following Ingenious Games LLP v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2019] UKT 226 (TCC). The claims, mostly brought by celebrities and former professional sportsmen represented by Peters & Peters LLP, Stewarts Law LLP and Mishcon de Reya LLP, are brought against numerous parties including Ingenious themselves, along with banks and professional advisers.
Acting on behalf of a leading national firm of financial advisers (and tax advisers) in respect of a substantial High Co...
Acting on behalf of a leading national firm of financial advisers (and tax advisers) in respect of a substantial High Court claim, concerning investments in various Big Screen Productions film schemes, operated by Ingenious.
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Defending a claim brought against the principal of an authorised representative under the FSMA 2000, s.39, concerning alleged (unauthorised) pensions switching advice and advice to invest pension assets into various funds, including an unsuccessful Arch Cru Investment Portfolio.
Acting on behalf of a Gibraltar-based company alleged to have recommended a £2.5m investment in the ill-fated CWMFX for...
Acting on behalf of a Gibraltar-based company alleged to have recommended a £2.5m investment in the ill-fated CWMFX foreign exchange investment, an alleged to be a ‘Ponzi’ scheme which is currently the subject of litigation in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.
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Acting on behalf of an insurer in respect of aggregated claims, totalling £1m, brought under the Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930. The claims concern allegedly negligent advice to participate in the Eurocape Property Finance Funds.
Successfully representing the defendant in a dispute concerning the value of a pension investment in Australian farmlan...
Successfully representing the defendant in a dispute concerning the value of a pension investment in Australian farmland, including resisting the claimant’s late application to adduce expert valuation evidence.
Representing a financial adviser in a claim concerning alleged failure, when giving pensions switching advice, to also c...
Representing a financial adviser in a claim concerning alleged failure, when giving pensions switching advice, to also consider and advise upon the proposed product into which the funds would be invested.
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Claim involving allegations of unsuitability and failure to properly advise claimants in respect of an offshore investment plan structured as a life insurance product.
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Advising in respect of a claim concerning the negligent drafting and advice in respect of a corporate acquisition agreement.
In 2019, Chris successfully appeared as sole counsel in Rushmer v Atkinson, a High Court claim against an insolvency professional, brought by the bankrupt, seeking damages of c.£10m. The claimant (represented by specialist counsel) alleged that the insolvency professional failed to assign to him certain causes of action vested in the estate, and/or that those causes of action were under-settled.
The claim, pleaded in negligence, causing loss by unlawful means and for breach of the Insolvency Act 1986, s.304, was dismissed in late 2019 following a successful application for summary judgment and/or strike-out. Permission to appeal was dismissed in February 2020: Rushmer v Atkinson [2020] EWHC 524 (Ch).
Chris has a considerable practice in respect of claims brought business owners against insurance brokers, and since 2017 he has been instructed as sole Counsel in a number of Commercial Court and other High Court actions. Chris also acts in certain claims brought against brokers and financial advisers by private individuals, typically in respect of MPPI, life or critical illness cover.
Chris is regularly instructed in claims where the client has found itself either uninsured or under-insured, including where the insurer has successfully avoided cover on grounds of misrepresentation, material non-disclosure and breach of warranty, or where no cover or insufficient cover has been placed. He also has experience of claims where brokers are alleged to have failed in their duties once policies have incepted. In all of his commercial work, Chris has a particular interest and specialism in claims for consequential loss based on non-indemnification.
This area of work increasingly dovetails with Chris’ substantial practice in claims against financial advisers, particularly in respect of critical illness and life insurance cover. Further details may be found under the appropriate tab above.
Acting for the claimants in a multi-million pound Commercial Court claim brought by two businesses following a large fir...
Acting for the claimants in a multi-million pound Commercial Court claim brought by two businesses following a large fire at a warehouse in Tottenham, alleged to have been started by one of the claimants. The claims, concerned the failure to advise on and procure appropriate business interruption insurance, and the failure to place adequate public/product liability cover.
Acting for the claimant in a Commercial Court claim for over £2.5m, brought by the owner of a motor trade business dam...
Acting for the claimant in a Commercial Court claim for over £2.5m, brought by the owner of a motor trade business damaged by fire, following the declinature of the claim on the basis of alleged misrepresentation and non-disclosure.
Acting on behalf of the former owners of two well-known hotels on the Blackpool Promenade in a Commercial Court claim. T...
Acting on behalf of the former owners of two well-known hotels on the Blackpool Promenade in a Commercial Court claim. The matter concerned the declinature of claims and avoidance of policies in respect of the two hotels, following substantial property damage, on grounds of misrepresentation and material non-disclosure.
Defending claims in the Circuit Commercial Court for over £500k, brought by the owners of a well-known Scottish fast fo...
Defending claims in the Circuit Commercial Court for over £500k, brought by the owners of a well-known Scottish fast food chain in respect of the declinature of cover following a fire, on the basis of alleged non-disclosure, misrepresentation, failures to comply with terms of the policies, and subsequent failures to provide information to insurers.
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Defending a claim by a shop owner in respect of an alleged failure to explain critical provisions in building and contents policies, resulting in the client’s breach of warranty.
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Defending a Circuit Commercial Court claim brought by an insurance broker, against a sub-broker, seeking to recover damages in respect of a compensation payment made to its agricultural business client, whose claim in respect of business interruption was largely rejected on the basis of breach of the applicable ‘haystack condition’.
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Defending a High Court (Business List) claim brought by a former dentist, alleging failure by a broker to place, or advise on the non-placement of, critical illness and total permanent disability cover on an ‘own occupation’ rather than ‘any occupation’ basis.
Defending a claim brought by a broker’s former client, alleging that the broker owed and breached a duty to advise...
Defending a claim brought by a broker’s former client, alleging that the broker owed and breached a duty to advise or remind her of the impending expiry of a life assurance policy.
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Claim brought by the deceased’s estate and widow in respect of the alleged failure to place a life insurance policy.
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Defending a substantial claim against a broker, alleging fraudulent misrepresentation by forging a signature, and breach of alleged ‘ongoing’ duties and advisory failures in respect of life insurance and critical illness cover.
Claim involving the declinature of cover under a number of Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance policies, on the groun...
Claim involving the declinature of cover under a number of Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance policies, on the grounds that the insured property was not the claimant’s ‘main home’.
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Claim brought by a professional footballer in respect of alleged non-disclosure of previous injuries in the procurement of ‘career-ending injury’ insurance.
Chris has built up a thriving practice acting both for and against solicitors. He is frequently instructed in claims with an underlying subject matter of a litigious, commercial or conveyancing nature, and increasingly also in claims concerning inheritance tax planning and the taxation of international transactions.
Chris is most often instructed on behalf of solicitors, but also regularly acts on behalf of claimants, including banks, private lenders and businesses. Chris has substantial experience of claims involving breach of trust and breach of undertaking, as well as more common contractual and tortious claims for breach of the lender’s terms or CML handbook. Chris’ private clients are often purchasers and lessees of commercial and residential property, but also include businesses and private clients seeking compensation for defectively handled litigation.
In respect of claims against solicitors concerning tax matters, Chris’ work is complemented by his substantial practice in claims against tax advisers, accountants and financial advisers, details of which may be found under the appropriate tab above.
Chris is also being instructed with increasing regularity in claims against barristers, including contribution or Part 20 claims brought by solicitors in respect of allegedly mishandled litigation.
In all of his work, Chris has benefited from a cumulative 6 months’ first-hand experience of the day-to-day work of litigation solicitors and claims handlers, having undertaken a number of secondments at leading professional indemnity firms in the City.
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Led by David Yates QC of Pump Court Tax Chambers, defending a claim brought against a major City firm, for around £15m, in respect of alleged defective advice provided to ultra high net worth individuals concerning remittances to the UK by non-domiciled entities.
Led by Ben Hubble QC and Amanda Savage, acting on behalf of solicitors in lead cases in the Right to Buy litigation. ...
Led by Ben Hubble QC and Amanda Savage, acting on behalf of solicitors in lead cases in the Right to Buy litigation.
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Defending a claim brought by the legal representatives of a UAE-based money lender for damages exceeding £1m, in respect of a commercial loan purportedly for the purpose of conducting international gold transactions.
Advising a defendant to a ‘White v Jones’ claim, alleging negligence in the drafting and advice in respect o...
Advising a defendant to a ‘White v Jones’ claim, alleging negligence in the drafting and advice in respect of a lifetime settlement trust intended to reduce exposure to inheritance tax.
Defending a claim for alleged failed estate planning, including alleged failures to recommend the execution of discretio...
Defending a claim for alleged failed estate planning, including alleged failures to recommend the execution of discretionary trusts, and to identify the applicability of ‘Gift with reservation of benefit’ provisions.
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Defending a claim for damages exceeding £1m, brought by the now-convicted illegal money lender Mr Craig LaPenna, concerning the alleged failure to issue various lender claims against his former solicitors prior to the expiry of limitation.
Representing a BVI-based company involved in the online betting industry, in a claim concerning the wrongful paying away...
Representing a BVI-based company involved in the online betting industry, in a claim concerning the wrongful paying away to third parties of settlement monies received into the solicitor’s client account.
Successfully defending a claim for damages in excess of £2m, concerning allegedly undersettled and wrongfully discontin...
Successfully defending a claim for damages in excess of £2m, concerning allegedly undersettled and wrongfully discontinued personal injury claims, brought by a claimant who was subsequently imprisoned for murder. The claim concerned inter alia the applicability of the Whitehead v Searle to cases of incarceration.
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Claim by commercial tenant of industrial property in respect of negligent advice as to ‘material compliance’ condition contained within a break clause. Led by David Halpern QC.
Acting for a property investment company in respect of the failure by solicitors to advise, in respect of the conversion...
Acting for a property investment company in respect of the failure by solicitors to advise, in respect of the conversion of a Victorian manor house, of the absence of Building Regulations documentation and new build structural warranty .
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Claim by a commercial freeholder in respect of the alleged negligent drafting of leases of properties subject to shared ownership restrictions.
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Lender claim against solicitors in respect of the execution of Certificates of Title and Execution, in circumstances where the borrowers were not the sole owners and had not executed any charge, and subsequent failures to protect the lender’s position.
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Retained as sole counsel in a substantial High Court claim brought by a major high street bank in respect of the paying away of mortgage monies. Issues include the substance and interpretation of the ‘default terms’ of the trust which arises when a lender pays mortgage monies to a solicitor acting on its behalf, in the event that the CML Handbook and lender’s standard terms do not apply, and the extent of the doctrine of subrogation to a vendor’s lien.
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Claim concerning alleged incompetent conduct and consequent undersettlement of a complex IP dispute in the Chancery Division, said to be worth over £10m. Led by Jamie Smith QC.
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Representing solicitors in two claims brought by divorcees against solicitors and barrister, concerning alleged negligent advice and undersettlement of claims for pension sharing orders and spousal maintenance orders.
Chris is very frequently instructed to defend claims brought against mortgage brokers, particularly in respect of interest-only mortgages.
Chris was led by Neil Hext QC in Jago v Mortgage4You Ltd [2019] EWHC 533 (QB), a ‘test claim’ brought against a mortgage broker, in respect of an interest-only mortgage taken out in order to invest further funds into an ultimately unsuccessful property investment.
Since then, Chris has been instructed in many further claims in respect of interest-only mortgages, including claims concerning insufficient advice, and allegations that borrowers should instead have been recommended capital repayment mortgages.
In acting on behalf of defendants to these claims, Chris draws not only on his knowledge and experience acquired in the Jago case and his wider professional liability experience, but also his substantial practice acting on behalf of mortgage lenders themselves.
Chris is regularly instructed to defend property agents in claims brought by landlords, tenants, and purchasers of property. His work in this area focuses on claims brought by commercial landlords against surveyors and property agents in their capacity as property managers, and he is familiar with the RICS standards and guidance notes applicable to this field of work. In 2019, Chris was led by Jamie Smith QC in a claim by a landlord of agricultural property for over £4m, brought against a leading national firm of property managers, following a successful High Court claim brought against that landlord by the incumbent tenant.
Chris has also co-ordinated numerous training seminars provided by 4 New Square on this area of law, combining his approach to professional negligence work with his knowledge of substantive landlord and tenant law.
Led by Jamie Smith QC, defending a claim for over £4m, brought by the landlord of a large agricultural property against...
Led by Jamie Smith QC, defending a claim for over £4m, brought by the landlord of a large agricultural property against a leading national firm of surveyors and property managers, following a successful claim against that landlord by the incumbent tenant. The claim was for alleged misrepresentations and breaches of tenancy by the agent on behalf of the landlord.
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Defending a substantial multi-party claim, brought by the owner of two properties on a development in the North West, against a managing agent appointed by the management company. The claim concerned the alleged mismanagement of insurance monies, said to have been misappropriated by fraud.
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Claims by a landlord for indemnities in respect of property management services, where the agent was alleged to have committed breaches of a tenancy agreement on the landlord’s behalf.
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Claim by landlord in respect of the agent’s letting of residential property to a company, and alleged failure to properly vet incoming tenants.
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Claim by landlord in respect of the alleged negligent drafting of tenancy agreements and related notices, resulting in alleged delay in recovering possession.
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Claim in respect of the alleged failure to comply with the rules concerning tenancy deposits, and the landlord’s consequent inability to serve s.21 notices under the Housing Act 1988.
Chris has a substantial practice acting for and against surveyors and valuers in claims brought by lenders, purchasers and lessees of real property.
Chris was formerly instructed as junior counsel to Justin Fenwick QC and Graham Chapman QC, to act on behalf of CBRE in the case of Gemini (Eclipse 2006-3) Plc v CBRE Limited and Warwick Street (KS) LLP, a securitised lender claim seeking damages in excess of £230m.
As sole counsel, Chris has considerable experience of claims brought in respect of the overvaluation of properties. He has advised and acted on a wide range of valuation issues, including the applicability of the ‘bracket’ to portfolio cases and structural reports, recovery by lenders in respect of ‘replacement’ lending following the decision in Tiuta, and allegations of faulty lending practices. He also regularly deals with claims against building surveyors who are alleged either to have failed to identify structural defects in property. Chris is also frequently instructed on cases with limitation issues, including arguments under s.14A and the valuation of borrowers’ covenants.
Claims against surveyors and valuers frequently also involve contribution claims against solicitors, and vice versa, Chris is regularly involved in both bringing and defending such actions. Further details may be found under the appropriate tab above.
Away from real property, Chris has been instructed in several cases concerning corporate valuations. Details of the same may be found under the ‘Accountants’ tab above.
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Securitised lender claim seeking damages in excess of £230m. Chris was heavily involved in advising on an extensive range of issues, including statutory and equitable assignment, joinder of the original lender, duties of care, and various issues in respect of causation and loss following the Court’s decision in Titan Europe 2006-3 Plc v Colliers International UK Plc. The claim, which concerned a property portfolio valued by the defendants at more than £1bn, was named in The Lawyer’s top 20 cases of 2016.
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Claim for damages of over £6,000,000, brought by a major lending institution against surveyors alleged to have overvalued industrial property let to commercial tenants. Led by Jamie Smith QC. The claim, which settled in late 2016, concerned inter alia valuation methodology, the effect of periodic ‘refinancing’ or redemption of lending by the same lender, and the ‘shelf life’ of valuation reports.
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Claim by a commercial lender in respect of a 180-day valuation of a listed building in mixed commercial/residential use. The full market valuation of the building was stated to be in excess of £2,000,000.
Claim by a sub-prime lender, involving issues such as the treatment of ‘advance interest repayments’ and similar re...
Claim by a sub-prime lender, involving issues such as the treatment of ‘advance interest repayments’ and similar retentions, and the recoverability of abnormally high costs of funding, and hedging costs and break fees.
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Defending property valuers in respect claims bought by buy-to-let purchasers in respect of the alleged overvaluation of ‘holiday let’ homes. Issues include the extent of applicability of Scullion v Bank of Scotland [2011] 1 WLR 3212, and the relevance of gifted deposits and cash back incentives.
Acting on two claims against building surveyors in respect of the alleged negligent diagnosis or detection of damp in wa...
Acting on two claims against building surveyors in respect of the alleged negligent diagnosis or detection of damp in walls.
Chris is regularly instructed to act on behalf of major banks and other lenders in all aspects of mortgage law, and mortgage litigation, and he has written and delivered training seminars to both lending institutions and solicitors’ firms on the topic of subrogation. This work dovetails with Chris’ substantial practice acting on behalf of lenders in banking disputes, details of which may be found under the ‘Banking & Financial Services’ tab.
Chris also advises and acts on landlord and tenant and other real property matters, whether raised in response to mortgage possession claims or in respect of ‘standalone’ property disputes, such as the interpretation of commercial leases or transactional disputes concerning deposits or alleged misrepresentations.
In addition, Chris frequently advises and acts on real property issues within the context of professional liability claims brought by lenders or purchasers, mainly against solicitors, but also against barristers and estate agents. Further details of this work may be found under the appropriate ‘Professional Negligence’ tab above.
Chris is regularly instructed on behalf of mortgagees and receivers to deal with a variety of mortgage-related claims. He is frequently instructed on possession and money judgment claims, including in cases where arrears have been cleared or capitalised, previous proceedings have failed, or the lender relies on subrogation. As a result, he has substantial experience in dealing with most if not all defences commonly advanced by borrowers, including allegations of deceit, undue influence, economic duress, misrepresentation, and non est factum, and issues arising under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.
In addition to possession claims, Chris deals with a variety of claims brought by borrowers, including allegations that lenders have sold property at an undervalue, claims against lenders alleged to have charged or incurred improper or unnecessary fees and charges, including claims where lenders have made payments to freeholders.
Chris’ sound grounding real property law means he is also comfortable dealing with the priority issues that frequently arise in mortgage litigation, including in relation to ‘all monies’ charges, rights of consolidation and tacking, and competing charges. He has substantial experience of applications for alteration or rectification of the Land Register.
Chris has advised and acted in numerous commercial and high value residential landlord and tenant claims, representing landlords, LPA receivers, estate agents, property managers, leaseholders and tenants.
On the commercial side, in 2020 Chris was instructed as sole counsel in a High Court claim for a declaration, brought by the tenant under a commercial lease, concerning the interpretation of a clause requiring the insured to procure insurance in the joint names of the landlord and tenant, and the destination of any insurance proceeds in the event of a claim. He has also previously advised in relation to the renewal of business leases under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, on covenants against letting in long leases, and on the interpretation of repair covenants in a lease of an industrial warehouse, and a bespoke agricultural lease.
Chris also has a developing practice in commercial dilapidations claims. In 2021 he advised the owner of a commercial building in Hartlepool in respect of a substantial dilapidations claim against the Secretary of State, and as of 2022 Chris is involved, led by Ben Patten QC, in advising the landlord of a commercial property having claims against an incumbent tenant for disrepair, including items of disrepair caused by defective construction works.
On the residential side, Chris has previously dealt with assured shorthold tenancies, claims for possession, issues concerning deposits, and claims by landlords and tenants in respect of repair covenants or dilapidations. He has also appeared on behalf of a long leaseholder in a service charge dispute in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).
Chris has been instructed on a number of transactional disputes in respect of real property. He was also recently successful as sole counsel in respect of a claim concerning the return of a pre-contractual deposit paid by a proposed purchaser of a commercial property on Edgware Road, London, following an appeal and subsequent 2-day trial in March 2020. He has also previously advised and acted on several misrepresentation claims brought by purchasers and tenants.
Memberships
London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
Professional Negligence Bar Association
Education & Scholarships
LLB (Warwick) (First Class)
BVC Major Scholarship (Inner Temple)
VAT registration number: 121985215
