Philip Smith > Albion Chambers > Bristol, England > Barrister Profile

Philip Smith

0117 927 2144 philip.smith@albionchambers.co.uk

Position

Philip joined Chambers in September 2018 after the successful completion of his pupillage. Prior to pupillage, Philip spent time working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a large firm of solicitors dealing with an array of legal issues, but with a strong focus on corporate law, including advising on cross-border disputes and corporate-management issues. Upon his return to the UK, Philip worked as a self-employed County Court Advocate for a number of years and appeared in approximately 1,000 hearings dealing with a wide range of civil matters in courts across the South West and beyond. Philip undertakes a broad and busy civil practice and is regularly instructed in fast-track trials in addition to the full spectrum of civil applications, including in the High Court. Building on his experience prior to coming to the Bar, Philip also maintains a broad property practice. He is regularly instructed to advise in residential landlord and tenant matters, and attends possession hearings (including mortgage possession) in the County Court. Philip has particular experience in advising small-scale landlords in the context of increasing regulation and legal complexity when dealing with such matters as rental deposits and the changes introduced under the Deregulation Act 2015, particularly their impact when seeking possession. Philip also accepts instructions to appear in the First-Tier Tribunal Property Chamber. He has appeared at Tribunal in relation to various matters, including disputes concerning reasonableness of service charges and objections to first registration of land referred to the Tribunal by HM Land Registry. Philip has a growing PI practice and accepts instructions on behalf of claimants and defendants. Philip is regularly instructed in fast-track and multi-track cases and interlocutory hearings. He is also experienced in advising on liability, quantum, Part 36 offers and in respect of procedural matters.  Philip is regularly instructed in matrimonial finance, representing clients at all stages of proceedings from first hearing appointments through to final hearing.

Career

Called 2012; Middle Temple

Memberships

Western Circuit

Education

University of West England: Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding); University of Birmingham: Bachelor of Laws with Honours (Upper-Second); Certificate of Honour (Middle Temple)