Michael Walsh > Tanfield Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile

Michael Walsh

Work Department

Property litigation

Position

Clients told Legal 500 2022: “Michael is operating well above his level. He provides brilliant advice that commits to what approach should be taken… Michael is very professional, works brilliantly with all members of the team, and rigorous in his analysis of the law, but also very tactically astute as to how to take the advantage in cases.”, The Chambers Bar Guide 2022 says “He had an ability to think on his feet and creatively problem-solve.” and “He is user-friendly, responsive and a strong advocate.”

Previous editions of the directories have described Michael as “Knowledgeable, commercially focused and pragmatic.” and “Responsive, bright, user-friendly and a tenacious advocate.”

Michael frequently appears in the Court of Appeal, High Court, County Court and Tribunals in connection with his expertise in all aspects of the law of property and commercial chancery work.  He also advises on a wide range of professional liability matters. Recent work includes acting for the claimant against a firm of solicitors for negligent advice in connection with a development project, where the loss suffered was in excess of £48million.

Previous editions of the Chambers Bar Guide say Michael is “easy to work with and commercially minded” and that “great in his dealings with clients”, “clear-thinking, responsive, personable and efficient.”

He receives regular instructions in cases and projects where development finance, securities, planning and compulsory purchase intersect with the law of real property.  Michael draws on his broad expert knowledge to advise clients on how to best achieve their strategic goals in complex cases and transactions.

He frequently advises in difficult mortgage and security related disputes where the lender is enforcing either by itself or through receivers. He appeared for the successful appellant in the leading decision on the powers of receivers in mortgagor occupied properties: Menon & Menon v Pask & Goode [2020] 2 W.L.R. 43.

Michael has significant experience of commercial and contractual disputes across a variety of sectors, including financial services, leisure, hospitality and industry.

He has extensive experience advising both landlords and tenants in disputes under the Pubs Code 2016.

Chambers UK Bar Guide 2020 highlighted Michael’s track record of success in seeking urgent injunctions and possession orders in cases of unlawful interference with land, saying “He has developed particular skills in complex possession claims and protesters and he is user-friendly.”

On 1 September 2021, Michael was appointed by the Attorney General to his A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown.  Members of the A panel deal with the most complex government cases in all courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court. They will often appear against Queen’s Counsel.  Recent work includes advising on the construction of an overage agreement in respect of land formerly owned by a Government department and a large and complex arbitration in connection with Government property.  Michael’s appointment to the A Panel follows his five-year appointment to the B Panel between 2016 and 2021.

Developers and other non-lawyers may instruct Michael under the Bar’s direct public access scheme.

He is also a visiting lecturer in the law of property at King’s College London.

Publications

Co-editor of Megarry’s Manual of the Law of Real Property (9^th Ed.), Sweet & Maxwell.

Author of the forthcoming first edition of The Law of Mortgages of Real Property (Wildy, Simmonds & Hill).

Career

Junior Counsel to the Crown (London A Panel)

Visiting Lecturer in the Law of Property, King’s College London.

Memberships

Property Bar Association (Committee Member); Chancery Bar Association.

Education

King’s College London (LLB Hons).