Gatehouse Chambers

gatehouselaw.co.uk

Shazia practises in public and administrative law - including education law, discrimination, community care and human rights. She has a particular interest in the impact of AI within the public sector and associated regulatory bodies and has given seminars in this area. She also acts for individuals and on behalf of the Official Solicitor within the Court of Protection both in relation to health and welfare and property and affairs. Her practice also includes commercial work such as contractual disputes, property disputes relating to academies, advising on pensions in the context of local government, judicially reviewing decisions of the Financial Conduct Authority and procurement matters, particularly in relation to public authorities. She has a diverse practice, acting for local authorities; public bodies; NGOs; commercial organisations and individuals. She has been consistently ranked as a leading junior by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Shazia is a part-time judge sitting in the Educational Tribunal for Wales (ETW), which makes decisions on appeals about special educational needs and disability discrimination. Shazia is also a qualified mediator (ADR Group). Where appropriate Shazia is happy to receive instructions on a direct access basis. Shazia has worked internationally in jurisdictions such as the United Nations in Geneva and Nigeria. Shazia is a committee member of the Education Law Association. Shazia is an active member of the Middle Temple Talent Retention Committee and is particularly focused upon supporting those who have had career breaks from the Bar. She was one of 36 barristers selected for the inaugural Bar Council Leadership Programme. Shazia took part in the Bar Standards Board Race Equality Taskforce pilot reverse mentoring scheme, in which she mentored Derek Sweeting KC, former Chair of the Bar. Race Equality Taskforce Reverse Mentoring Scheme (barstandardsboard.org.uk). Shazia is Consultant Editor of Halsbury’s Laws of England, Education (Vols 35-36A) 2020.

Ebony handles a wide variety of commercial disputes and has particular expertise in construction and engineering, construction insurance, professional negligence and property damage. She acts for a wide variety of clients both domestically and internationally. An experienced trial advocate, both as sole counsel and as a junior to leading counsel, she is regularly instructed in multi-week trials in the Commercial Court, the TCC and the Chancery Division as well as in major and complex international and domestic arbitrations, adjudications and mediations. Ebony is recommended for Construction by Chambers Global, Chambers UK and Legal 500 as well as for Professional Negligence by Legal 500. Described as “simply phenomenal” (Legal 500) and “a brilliant barrister”, she is commended for her effective court advocacy, the quality of her written work and her personable, commercial and straight-forward style. Ebony contributes to Construction All Risks Insurance and Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (both Sweet & Maxwell) as well as Emden’s Construction Law (LexisNexis). Ebony sits as an Arbitrator and is a Deputy King’s Bench Master of the High Court. Outside of her legal practice, Ebony is currently enjoying working towards her private pilot’s licence.

Lesley Anderson KC

Lesley Anderson KC is a senior silk who practises in all aspects of chancery and commercial disputes especially those involving companies, corporate and personal insolvency, professional negligence and commercial property. Lesley has been consistently ranked in Chambers & Partners as a Bank 1 silk (Northern) in six areas: chancery, commercial dispute resolution; restructuring/insolvency; professional negligence; partnership and real estate litigation and as a leading silk by the Legal 500 in the areas of chancery, probate and tax; commercial litigation; company and insolvency; professional negligence and property and construction. For 2020, 2021 and 2022 she has been named by Chambers & Partners as one of only a handful “Stars at the Bar”. She has appeared three times in the Supreme Court since 2013 - in Re Digital Satellite Warranty Cover Ltd [2013] UKSC 7; in Re North East Property Buyers Litigation: Rosemary Scott v Southern Paciﬁc Mortgages Ltd [2015] AC 385 and in Gavin Edmondson Solicitors Ltd v Haven Insurance Co Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 1230. Clients include banks, multi-nationals and major public companies as well as a number of smaller manufacturing and e-commerce companies and professional ﬁrms. She has acted for and against the Government including on public interest winding up and directors’ disqualiﬁcation – most recently for the Official Receiver in the attempt to disqualify the directors of the failed high-profile charity: Keeping Kids Company. Known for her expertise in complex and sensitive shareholder/unfair prejudice disputes, breaches of trust and ﬁduciary duties and share and asset sale claims. Many of her cases arise in the context of difficult family breakdowns. Lesley often works with those from other areas of the Bar (such as planning lawyers and personal injury lawyers) and with other professionals (such as planners, accountants and financial advisers). Lesley sits regularly as a Deputy High Court Judge of the Chancery Division and as an arbitrator. Her decision (sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court) in Re Idessa UK Ltd [2011] EWHC 804 on the correct burden of proof on directors’ withdrawal of monies from a company is regularly cited and followed. She acts often as a mediator (including multi-party and remote mediations) and offers Early Neutral Evaluation. She also acts as an expert (including as an expert on the English law applicable to derivative claims in a claim about Standard Chartered Bank in New York); as an appointed expert under dispute resolution clauses (including recently in relation to the construction of a bridge over the River Mersey) and as Counsel in relation to expert determinations. Lesley continued to work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and conducted several fully contested trials on a fully remotely and on a hybrid basis. She also sat remotely as a Deputy High Court Judge and as a mediator. Lesley is a former legal academic at the University of Manchester and former training manager for Norton Rose M5 Group and contributes regularly to legal and professional conferences and in- house training for solicitors and other professionals and to books and journals. She is the editor of five chapters in Tolley’s Insolvency Law and a member of the editorial board for Lexis Nexis Restructuring and Insolvency. Lesley also practises (since 1991) at Kings Chambers in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. In 2016 she was shortlisted as Regional Silk of the Year in the Legal 500 Awards.

Clare is a specialist in all areas of Property and Housing Law, with a particular emphasis on residential and commercial landlord and tenant work. Clare also handles the full spectrum of land and real property cases and has a keen interest in disputes over beneficial ownership of property and trusts of land. Clare is widely recognised for her realistic and commercial advice and regularly appears in the High Court, County Court and First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) both in her own right and as Junior Counsel. Clare is an advocate for ADR and is particularly interested in utilising both court-offered and private mediation in appropriate cases. A popular trial advocate, Clare has successfully represented clients in a myriad of multi-track and fast-track hearings, where her arguments have been described as “eloquent and tenacious” by judges and clients alike. She is fast becoming a go-to junior for pursuing appeals.

Charles Bagot KC

For more than a dozen years, Charles has been recommended in the legal directories as a leading practitioner. He won Personal Injury Silk of the Year at the 2023 Legal 500 Bar Awards (and was nominated for the same award at the 2023 Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards). He took silk in 2018 and is a specialist barrister in the fields of personal injury, clinical negligence, civil procedure and related insurance issues. He sits part-time as a Deputy High Court Judge, a Recorder (Crime & Civil) and as a Deputy King's Bench Master. He was successful in the election to be Chair of the Personal Injuries Bar Association, for a two year term from April 2022. He is a governing Bencher of the Inner Temple. He is on the Editorial Boards of Kemp & Kemp: the Quantum of Damages and also the Personal Injuries and Quantum Reports. Charles’ practice is in acting for Claimants and Defendants in complex and high value injury and clinical negligence claims as well as having a particular specialism in secondary victim litigation and fatal accident claims. He also has a niche practice in procedural law, having led on appeals in the Court of Appeal and Privy Council arising out of procedural points in his specialist fields and civil litigation generally, both domestic claims and appeals from overseas jurisdictions. He has advised major insurers in various high value cases being litigated in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Gibraltar respectively. He has acted as an expert witness on English law in foreign jurisdictions. He is sought after by insurers for cases where fraud and exaggeration are suspected in high value injury and clinical negligence claims. Charles also advises insurers on coverage and policy interpretation issues arising in his specialist fields.

Tom Bell is a highly experienced junior, specialising in commercial, professional negligence and insurance disputes. Tom is sought after for both his courtroom skills and advisory work. Clients value his commercially minded advice, attention to detail and tactical acumen. Tom is a contributor to Paul Reed KC’s Construction All Risks Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell) Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell) and the loose-leaf Insurance Broking Practice and Law (Informa).

Sara is a property and commercial specialist who is equally at home in a domestic or an international context. She brings particular expertise to matters involving insolvency, issues arising in relation to property development and disputes concerning ownership of and rights in land. Recognised as a leading mediator and maintaining an impressive rate of success, Sara’s mediation practice continues to go from strength to strength. She manages to combine a friendly and accessible approach with a keen practical and business sense, regularly dealing with complex factual and legal disputes whilst remaining focused on the practical realities of the situation and helping the parties to find sensible and inventive solutions. A long-standing member of Gatehouse Chambers' Property and Commercial Teams as well as being a founder-member of The Property Mediators, and a particularly highly-regarded advocate whether in court, arbitration, planning hearings, or before the various specialist property and commercial tribunals, Sara brings all of that experience and expertise to bear in her mediation work.

John Beresford specialises in property law. His practice encompasses lender claims, land registration matters, leasehold management disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, joint venture disputes and a wide variety of matters heard in the Tribunal. John has experience of complex and high value litigation. John also acts on commercial matters and is regularly instructed in commercial disputes arising in the property context. He was trial counsel in Holyoake v Candy [2017] EWHC 3397 (Ch) which was described by EGi as “the property trial of the century”. Notable current and past instructions include: Baylis v Haider [2024] EWHC 187 (Ch): Claim concerning ownership of a property that raised complicated issues of law relating to non est factum, mistake, invalid execution of deeds, rectification and the legality of sale and rent back agreements under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Following a trial in the Chancery Division, John was successful for the lender. The Fitzroy Place litigation: John continues to act in these proceedings concerning the Fitzroy Place development in Central London where the apportionment, payability and reasonableness of millions of pounds worth of service charges is in dispute. These proceedings have given rise to an appeal in the Upper Tribunal (Fitzroy Place Residential Limited v Lovitt [2024] UKUT 63 (LC)). Toner v Telford Homes Ltd [2022] EWHC 634 (QB) & [2021] EWHC 516 (QB): John acts for the Fourth Defendant in these ongoing proceedings which concern a property purchased ‘off plan’ by the Claimant who is making allegations of breach of contract, negligence, deceit, harassment and defamation against various parties. Tillman v Lloyds Bank Plc and Better Capital LLP: John acted for the Claimant (a former owner of the Jaegar and Aquascutum fashion brands) in his c£150m unlawful means conspiracy claim which was being litigated in the Commercial Court. John was led by Brie Stevens-Hoare KC. Ramjotton v Patel [2021] 2 WLUK 148: Upper Tribunal decision concerning the scope of the jurisdiction under paragraph 5A of Schedule 11 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. John acted successfully for the Appellant. Freear v Andrews [2020] EWHC 3497 (QB): John successfully represented the Defendant in this matter concerning a £1.6m property investment involving Quistclose trusts. A v B: John acted for the Respondents in a HM Land Registry rectification claim where serious allegations of fraud were made. John was led by David Lewis KC. This matter settled. Holyoake v Candy [2017] EWHC 3397 (Ch): John acted for the Claimants in their £132m claim against the Candy Brothers & others arising out of a property development gone wrong (led by Roger Stewart KC of 4 New Square Chambers). The 9 week trial of this matter (which featured in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2017) was heard in the Chancery Division and judgment was handed down in December 2017. These proceedings generated a number of interlocutory decisions (([2017] EWHC 387 (Ch), [2018] EWHC 377 (Ch), [2018] 2 WLUK 495, [2018] EWHC 502 (Ch)). R v J: John was instructed by a high-end fashion label to defend a £3m claim for statutory compensation under the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 (led by David Lewis KC). This matter settled. B v S: John acted (as sole counsel) in Queen’s Bench Division proceedings on behalf of a start-up drinks company defending allegations that it had wrongfully terminated an exclusive distribution agreement. This matter settled John acted successfully for an entrepreneur in seeking an order for pre-action disclosure against a publicly listed real estate services company. This matter received coverage in the Guardian, the Times and the Financial Times. John graduated from the University of Oxford with a Double First in Law where he received numerous university and college prizes including the Gibbs Prize (Proxime Accessit) for the best university performance in Contract, Tort, Trusts and Land Law.

Emily is an experienced commercial barrister specialising in all aspects of commercial and property law. She has particular expertise in areas such as commercial fraud, shareholder/company disputes and secured lending. Emily is an experienced trial advocate, both as sole counsel and as a junior to leading counsel, and has appeared in multi week trials in both the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division. The legal directories note she is “an exceptional lawyer with very strong advocacy skills”. Also renowned for being “hard-working, personable and really bright”, she is seen as “a go to junior: there is no client or issue that she cannot deal with.”

Carl Brewin is a specialist property barrister with a particular focus on cases involving land and real property, landlord and tenant matters and disputes concerning and arising from property transactions. Recognised by The Legal 500 as a leading property practitioner, his clients include: well-known retailers, national housebuilders, institutional investors, property managers, insurers, local authorities and housing associations, as well as high net worth individuals. Carl is sought out as a confident and firm advocate and he is known for giving clear and concise advice that enables clients to understand their legal position as well as what that means for them in practical terms. He has a wide range and experience of advisory work, drafting and advocacy in all levels of court and tribunal. Carl studied Russian and Politics. Before coming to the Bar, he worked in a busy solicitors’ office and for a city-based firm of corporate governance consultants advising pension funds and other large investors. Carl has been appointed as a Deputy District Judge on the South Eastern Circuit and is also an accredited mediation advocate.

John’s practice is primarily based on advice and representation in relation to the law of property, dealing regularly with owners of freehold and leasehold interests in land. He also handles professional negligence litigation in relation to property professionals as well as commercial insolvency and general contractual disputes, where his property expertise gives him the edge. “An extremely capable and experienced advocate”, the legal directories recommend him not only as “the quality of his work is excellent” but also because he is “very easy to deal with” and “highly approachable”.

Sarah is a commercially astute advocate with extensive experience of commercial chancery litigation in all courts. She is praised for her technical knowledge, her attention to detail and her ingenuity in identifying practical, solutions for those who seek her advice. Her clients particularly value her responsiveness and her ability to work in a team under intense pressure. Her particular specialisms are insolvency, commercial law, company law and shareholder disputes.

Graham Cunningham

Graham is an unregistered barrister. He is also part of the Gatehouse Chambers Alumni. Graham spent the first part of his career as a lawyer in industry. He specialised in intellectual property licensing and technology transfer for US multinational ITT Corporation. He then spent 10 years with the UK subsidiary of Wang Laboratories Inc, a well-known computer company in the 1980s. He was the first in-house lawyer, with responsibility primarily for establishing the legal department and for commercial transactions. He then became the legal director and company secretary and was a member of the management team for several years. Lengthy in-house experience allowed him to bring a broad commercial perspective to his work at the Bar and he was mentioned as an IT junior over many years in the Chambers UK directory. He returned to practice in 1994. Graham's career spanned a wide range of contentious and non-contentious work in: Information Technology: including hardware and software procurement, software licensing, outsourcing, turnkey projects, systems integration, support and maintenance issues, software development, website development, and cloud computing. Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) Telecommunications: including radio communications, broadcasting, regulatory and commercial work. He was seconded for several months to a new telecommunications company as it was building out its network, has drafted several telecommunications laws, advised on commercial and regulatory matters in the UK, and handled complex telecoms litigation. Data Protection and Freedom of Information Intellectual Property: including database rights, copyright, trade marks, service marks, passing off, design rights, domain names, cybersquatting, breach of confidence, counterfeit goods and merchandising. Research & Development and Technology Transfer UK/EU Trading and Commercial Agreements: including franchising, sales and purchase, licensing distribution, joint ventures, leasing and hiring, commercial agents, and consumer credit. He has particular interest in franchising issues and has been regularly involved in this area as adviser, principal counsel, mediation advocate, mediator and junior counsel to Nigel Jones QC. Utilities: especially sector reform and regulation in water and energy, transport and communications, including legislative drafting to support the creation of regulatory bodies. UK/EU Competition Laws related to the above issues. Graham is an accredited mediator (see his separate Mediator Profile). He also has experience of Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) work - eg a dispute between a high street bank and a major telecommunications provider concerning international data transfer by satellite.

Victoria Dacie-Lombardo

Victoria joined Gatehouse in 2023, following the successful completion of her pupillage. Before joining Chambers, Victoria qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and spent a decade in private practice as a property litigator at two major law firms. Victoria was a Managing Associate at Mishcon de Reya LLP, where she acted for a varied client base including: property funds & investors, developers, commercial landlords, serviced office providers & occupiers and HNW individuals. In addition to her technical expertise, Victoria brings with her to the Bar years of experience in providing strategic and pragmatic advice to clients across a wide spectrum of issues, both in the context of active litigation and more broadly. Victoria is adept at and comfortable with working with a diverse client base, from individuals to large commercial entities. She prides herself on being attuned to a client’s particular needs and tailoring her approach to suit that person or entity, in order to help them identify and achieve their particular objectives. Victoria is interested in all areas of Chambers’ practice with a particular focus on property and related specialisms including insolvency and commercial work.

Gemma de Cordova

Gemma de Cordova is an experienced property litigator. She has a busy practice encompassing the full breadth of landlord & tenant and real property disputes. Gemma’s practice encompasses property litigation in the County Court; First Tier Tribunal; High Court; and the Court of Appeal. She has extensive trial experience, winning praise from solicitors and judges for her skills in cross-examination and handling the unusual and often-unexpected issues that multi-day trials can throw up. She also undertakes advisory work and drafting and is an experienced mediation advocate. She is known for her ability to engage well with both professional and lay clients at all levels of seniority. Businesses, professionals and members of the public can instruct Gemma through the Public Access scheme.

John de Waal KC

John de Waal KC divides his time between practising as a barrister at Gatehouse Chambers and as a mediator with The Property Mediators. The directories say that he “is able to see through the confusion and noise created, guiding you to a strong commercial resolution. He is knowledgeable, measured and good with clients” (Legal 500, 2024”) and is “a go-to mediation Silk for property and professional negligence matters” (Legal 500, 2024). He is regularly instructed in complex property-related litigation in the Chancery Division and the Court of Appeal. In 2015 John appeared in the Supreme Court in Cavendish v Makdessi [2016] AC 1172, the decision that is now the leading case on the law of penalties. John is the editor of the title “Risk and Negligence in Property Transactions” published by the Law Society in October 2018. John was a recent winner of Real Estate, Environment and Planning Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards. Mediation John particularly enjoys working as mediator and conducts about 40-50 mediations every year. For more information about his mediation practice, please go to www.thepropertymediators.co.uk.

Jamal Demachkie

Jamal Demachkie is a very experienced commercial barrister who specialises in property related work. “A junior to behold; persuasive and devastating on his feet” (Legal 500; Who’s Who Legal), his practice focuses on land and real property as well as both residential and commercial landlord and tenant work, having been involved in some of the leading cases in these areas. He also handles a variety of other claims with a property related element, ranging from arguments between beneficiaries to multi-million pound development projects and joint ventures where the main assets are property or property related. Jamal’s expertise covers professional negligence claims in relation to property associated disputes, having acted for and against numerous legal and property professionals in matters concerning property transactions, advice and litigation. Jamal won the prestigious Real Estate Junior of the Year Award at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023, as well as Property and Housing Junior of the Year Award at the Legal 500 Awards in 2020 and 2022. In 2020 Jamal was appointed as both a Deputy District Judge and Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit. In 2021 he was appointed a specialist Chancery Recorder in the County Court at Central London. Jamal is the author of the definitive practitioners’ guide, Forfeiture of Leases published by The Law Society.

Jack Dillon is a well-regarded specialist commercial, property and professional negligence barrister. He is ranked as a leading junior and comes highly recommended by his instructing solicitors, who appreciate his pragmatic advice and persuasive advocacy. He is an experienced trial advocate, both as sole counsel and as a junior, with experience of multi-week trials in the High Court and Commercial Court. Jack has experience across all aspects of commercial disputes, including substantial international arbitrations and frequently appears as sole counsel in multi-million pound claims and arbitrations. His property work focusses on real property and ownership and use of land disputes, and commercial landlord and tenant work. Jack’s professional negligence practice has a focus on legal and financial professionals, and the property and financial sectors. Jack’s clients range from major multi-nationals to government departments and local authorities, banks and insurers, smaller companies and start-ups, and to high net worth and other individuals. Jack accepts direct access instructions and often advises in this way at the very outset of a case. Jack has contributed to various textbooks, including Electronic Disclosure Law and Practice (1st edition, 2017), Construction All Risks Insurance (2nd edition, 2017), and Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (1st edition, 2018), and frequently gives training seminars and talks.

Helena accepts instructions in all areas of our work and has a particular interest in personal injury and clinical negligence. Helena frequently appears in the County Court for Claimants and Defendants in trials, applications and case management hearings. She has also appeared in the High Court on multiple occasions in her own right. She is developing a reputation as a persuasive and effective advocate who is always thoroughly prepared. Her instructing solicitors are always impressed with her precise and organised approach. Recent Work: Junior counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Representing a Mayfair casino in a jurisdiction challenge in the High Court. Advising on a personal injury and clinical negligence claim arising out of an accident in Italy. Representing Network Rail in a slip and trip accident at London Bridge Station.

Robin Dunne is a specialist in costs and litigation funding. He has focused on this complex area of law since qualification and is recommended for costs litigation in both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. As well as his inter-partes practice, Robin is a specialist in solicitor and client disputes and has been instructed in many of the leading cases dealing with this specialist area of costs law. In 2018 Robin’s book A Practical Guide to Solicitor and Client Costs was published, with an updated second edition released in August 2020. Robin is a contributor to Friston on Costs (4th Edition), which is the leading practitioner textbook on costs. He also acts in professional negligence claims involving solicitors, particularly where the dispute involves issues relating to costs. Prior to independent practice, he was an employed barrister and partner in a City of London firm of solicitors. In addition to his practice at the Bar, he sits as a Tribunal Judge in the First Tier Tribunal (HESC) in the mental health jurisdiction. Robin prides himself on combining a friendly manner with a commercially astute approach.

Kort specialises in domestic and international commercial disputes with particular expertise in construction, energy and related insurance matters. Kort also has experience in general commercial disputes, aviation and shipbuilding. As well as being ranked in the Legal 500 2025 for Professional Negligence, Kort is one of only three barristers to be ranked for Construction as “Up and Coming” in Chambers and Partners 2025, and as a “Rising Star” in the Legal 500 2025. Kort is described as a “very strong advocate” and his drafting/written work as “excellent” and “superb”. Kort is trusted to handle high value and complex disputes as sole counsel. Recent work as sole counsel includes: Acting in a multi-million pound claim in which damages and a building liability order are sought in respect of alleged defects. Drafting the Defence to a £2.5 million claim in respect of a call on a bond. Successfully acting in an adjudication worth c£4.5 million concerning the assessment of compensation events under a form of NEC3 contract. Successfully enforcing various adjudicators’ decisions in the High Court TCC and obtaining an award of indemnity costs in each instance. Drafting the Defence in an international arbitration concerning a wind farm. Drafting the Defence to a professional negligence claim brought against an architect worth c£700k. Successfully representing the defendant in lengthy proceedings concerning works carried out by the defendant to a boat. Following multiple CMCs, a six-day trial and a consequential hearing in the County Court, Kort’s client was the net beneficiary of the judgment, was awarded costs on the indemnity basis and a substantial payment on account. Kort appeared at trial against counsel significantly beyond his call. Successfully defending employers in smash and grab adjudications worth over £2 million, c£2million and over £1.5 million. In the adjudication worth over £1.5 million, Kort appeared at a meeting against counsel significantly beyond his call year. Advising a sub-contractor in respect of a dispute worth over £15 million concerning a power plant.

Amanda Eilledge

Amanda is an experienced commercial chancery litigator with a thorough understanding of commercial realities having previously worked for law firms in both Hong Kong and Australia. She specialises in disputes involving property and has considerable expertise not only in property law issues but also in the related areas of secured lending, civil fraud and insolvency. In addition, she handles professional negligence work. Clients value her down to earth and no nonsense approach as well as her technical expertise in a number of areas.

George Eyre specialises in commercial disputes and is recognised by the Legal 500 as a leading barrister in four practice areas: as a “rising star” in Commercial Litigation and Construction, and as a leading junior in Insurance and Reinsurance and Professional Negligence. George has a busy commercial litigation and arbitration practice. He is frequently instructed in high value and complex commercial disputes including insurance, civil fraud, and professional negligence matters George is recommended in the Legal 500 for his “high-quality advice, written advocacy and pleadings”, his “first rate” legal and procedural knowledge and his “phenomenal engine for huge volumes of work”. George’s expertise in insurance disputes encompasses a broad range of issues across several sectors, including coverage disputes and professional indemnity and CAR policies. The Legal 500 recommends George as a “very bright, up and coming junior” in insurance work. George also has signiﬁcant experience in construction, energy and infrastructure claims and is therefore often sought after for cases involving a combination of general commercial and construction/infrastructure issues. His recent instructions include several cases where fraud is alleged in the context of commercial and residential developments, insurance disputes concerning international energy production programmes, and professional negligence claims arising from construction and infrastructure projects. The Legal 500 commends George’s “ability to retain, understand and analyse a huge amount of information” and his “exemplary knowledge of both the law and of the client’s commercial needs”. Alongside his regular practice, George acted as Junior Counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry between 2018 and its close in 2024. He has a deep understanding of the developing law concerning fire safety issues and the application of the Building Safety Act 2022. He has since been instructed as sole and junior counsel in a range of cladding-related matters, including claims against (and between) the project team, representing insurers and insureds in connection with policies of professional indemnity insurance, and disputes concerning the relationship between developers and the UK Government under the Building Safety Pledge and the Developer Remediation Contract. George was appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel of London counsel in 2022 and represents the UK Government in commercial disputes. Before joining Gatehouse Chambers, George graduated from the University of Oxford with a First-Class degree in History and then completed the GDL and BPTC at the City Law School, during which time he was awarded a number of scholarships and academic prizes. George regularly contributes to Gatehouse Chambers' programme of seminars and articles on key and emerging issues in his practice areas. He is the author of Practical Law’s guidance note on Insurance and Reinsurance Arbitration, and a contributor to Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance and Insurance Broking Practice and the Law.

John Gallagher has an extensive practice with experience in professional indemnity and malpractice, clinical negligence, personal injury, general contract and insurance claims and disciplinary tribunal inquiries, and contested probate claims.

Daniel specialises in disputes about property, with an emphasis on real property and commercial landlord and tenant. Daniel is also well known for his expertise in mortgages and secured lending. Daniel is known for his extensive knowledge of land registration law which is one of his strengths as a property litigator. Daniel’s other work tends to involve property but less directly. For example he is often instructed in professional negligence claims relating to conveyancing and surveyors/valuers and in partnership actions where the assets of the partnership include land/properties. In 2008 Daniel was appointed as a Deputy Adjudicator to HM Land Registry and since 2013 he has been a judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber, Land Registration). Daniel is an experienced, ADR Group accredited mediator.

Lauren is a commercial chancery practitioner. The focus of his practice is cases involving allegations of fraud and dishonesty. Many of his cases have required careful witness handling or raise specific specialist procedural issues such as the clean hands doctrine, res judicata and the consequences of perjury and contempt of court. The core of Lauren's practice engages issues of professional negligence, restraint of trade, company, partnership, LLP, trusts, employment, breach of fiduciary duties, directors’ duties, unfair prejudice, insolvency, derivative claims, confidential information, intellectual property rights, defamation, data protection and discrimination. Lauren has acted for a full range of clients including banks, insurers, finance companies, directors, shareholders, partners, senior employees, local authorities, central government, trade unions, and not-for-profit entities. Prior to the Bar, Lauren had a successful career as a senior trade union advocate representing executives and senior staff in the Telecoms sector, the Civil Service and the NHS. Lauren has 18 years’ experience as a Senior Lecturer in Law (Sessional) at Birkbeck College, where he studied as an undergraduate, most recently teaching Company Law.

William Golightly

William joined Gatehouse Chambers in October 2020. He is interested in all aspects of Chambers’ practice, particularly in commercial, property and private client related work. William regularly appears in the High Court and County Court as a sole advocate and junior. Prior to joining Chambers, William worked as a teacher, a parliamentary researcher and in the litigation team at a Chambers UK and Legal 500 ranked commercial litigation firm.

Priya’s practice encompasses all aspects of Property Law, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Professional Liability and Costs. She is uniquely placed to deal with disputes where her specialisms overlap. She is an experienced court advocate, appearing in trials, interim applications, appeals and hearings on ancillary matters, often against counsel who are more senior to her in call. Priya worked as Judicial Assistant to Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Hamblen (now Lord Hamblen) prior to joining Chambers. During her time at the Court of Appeal, Priya worked on numerous high-profile cases, including: Global Asset Capital Inc v Aabar Block Sarl [2017] EWCA Civ 37, PJSC Tatneft v Bogolyubov [2017] EWCA Civ 1581, Burgess v Lejonvarn [2017] EWCA Civ 254 and UBS AG (London Branch) v Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH [2017] EWCA Civ 1567. She has brought this invaluable experience to her career at the Bar. Priya is the author of 'A Practical Guide to Easements, Restrictive Covenants and Rights of Way' (2023, Law Brief Publishing).

Josh specialises in commercial dispute resolution, insurance, property and professional negligence work. He has a busy practice, appearing at all levels from the County Court and First-tier Tribunal to the High Court, and has recently appeared as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal in [Ceredigion Recycling and Furniture Team v Pope [2022] EWCA Civ 22.] His reported cases as sole counsel also include Thandi v Saggu [2023] EWHC 1379 (Ch) and Patel v Awan [2024] EWHC 464 (Ch). He is also experienced acting as junior counsel, having been led by Brie-Stevens-Hoare KC and Nigel Jones KC, among others. Josh is recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ by the Legal 500 where he is commended “excellent on his feet” and praised because “He always prepares thoroughly and takes time to understand the underlying strategy”. In addition to his case work, Josh has extensive additional experience across his areas of practice. Building on his pupillage at a leading commercial set specialising in international trade, banking and insurance, Josh worked as a judicial assistant in the Commercial Court, sitting with Mr Justice Henshaw and Mr Justice Andrew Baker. As an adjutant to his insurance practice, he is a contributor to the leading practitioner text Insurance Broking Practice and the Law, edited by CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang. As well as his experience acting in all manner of commercial and residential property disputes, Josh worked at the Law Commission for a year on the ‘Updating the Land Registration Act 2002’ project. Josh adopts a pragmatic approach to litigation and is well versed in with all manner of procedural issues and applications. As a result, he was invited to join the Witness Evidence Working Group and worked on the implementation of Practice Direction 57AC. He is well-placed to advise on issues of compliance under the new witness statement regime. Alongside his regular practice, Josh was appointed to Attorney General’s C Panel of London Counsel in 2024 and accepts instructions from from Government. Josh is deeply committed to pro bono work. He was nominated for Young Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year in 2020 and won the John Collins Pro Bono Excellence Award in 2022. Josh studied law with French law and speaks conversational and legal French. He is comfortable working on cases with substantial French documentation. He was recently instructed to assist the BVI office of a leading global law firm in identifying relevant French-language documents in a case involving claims of unfair prejudice and claims against directors.

Martyn Griffiths

Martyn specialises in costs, professional liability and commercial disputes. He is recognised as a leading junior in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK where he is complimented for his forensic approach and outstanding advocacy. Martyn is sought out by clients because of his robust advocacy and his adept technical submissions in complicated areas of the law. He is an experienced trial advocate who advances his client’s case eloquently and determinedly. Martyn prides himself on providing practical and commercially astute advice. He goes the extra mile to understand not only his client’s case but the broader implications and concerns involved.

James specialises in professional negligence, commercial litigation and property disputes. His professional negligence work relates primarily to the financial services and property sectors though he also deals with a wide variety of claims arising from transactions, projects and misconduct of litigation. He deals with a variety of commercial claims with a focus on disputes connected with his professional negligence practice, such as insurance disputes, conspiracy claims and FS sector work including claims against the FSCS. His property work generally relates to title issues, land registration issues, mortgages and trusts issues and often overlaps with his professional negligence practice. James is instructed in many high-value and complex matters; details of many of his cases are set out in the CVs available in the practice area links on the left. He understands the need not only for technical excellence but also the commercial imperatives of his clients, which range from large lending institutions and professional indemnity insurers to self-insured businesses, other businesses and high net worth individuals. He focuses on strategy and cost-benefit analysis as well as legal finesse. Earlier in his career he spent several years as an employed barrister in an international law firm, developing and leading a team of specialist lawyers, giving him invaluable insight and understanding of the workings of solicitors’ firms and their clients. He has regularly contributed to leading texts and had many articles published in industry periodicals and peer-review journals. He has also spoken at the CML Fraud Conference; The Legal Week Banking Litigation and Regulation Forum; the Legal Business Financial Regulation and Disputes Summit; and the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association 2022 Online Conference; as well as having been quoted in the Times and insurance sector magazine Post. He frequently provides seminars and training on a diverse range of topics. James won the Legal 500 Professional Negligence Junior of the Year Award in 2024.

Rob’s practice centres on commercial disputes and civil fraud, alongside insolvency and construction work. Regularly instructed as part of a counsel team, he also frequently appears unled in the High Court. Rob is a contributor to both Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell) and Insurance Broking Practice and the Law (Informa) and is a member of the Government Legal Department’s Junior Junior panel. Rob previously worked at the Serious Fraud Office on the cross-border investigation of a former FTSE 100 company, and on the SFO v ENRC [2018] EWCA Civ. 2006 privilege litigation. He then worked in the London disputes practice of a directory-ranked US law firm. He therefore understands his clients’ needs, and has experience beyond his call, in civil fraud, general commercial disputes and investigations.

Miguel Henderson

Miguel specialises in construction, insurance and commercial work. His work focusses chiefly on commercial dispute resolution, insurance, civil fraud, and franchising. He has experience of litigation both in the High Court and County Court and has appeared in a range of small claims and fast track hearings and trials remotely and in person. Miguel has experience in adjudications, arbitrations and construction disputes arising out of standard form and bespoke construction contracts. Please refer to the tabs along the side of this page to see specific examples of his work. Miguel’s recent work includes: Skatteforvaltningen (Danish Customs and Tax Authority) v Solo Capital Partners LLP & Ors: Acting as junior counsel over the course of a year-long trial in the Commercial Court. The trial is thought to be the longest trial in the Commercial Court. Miguel was by Nigel Jones KC, Sarah McCann, Lisa Freeman (of Furnival Chambers) and Emily Betts. The case involves claims for £1.4bn in deceit, conspiracy, unjust enrichment, breach of constructive trust, dishonest assistance, and knowing receipt arising out of complex share trading. Acting as junior counsel in a complex multi-million pound international franchising dispute before the LCIA. Miguel was led by Laurence Page (4 Pump Court Chambers). Acting in a High Court in a claim concerning wrongful termination, allegedly defective works and delay. Miguel was led by Simon Kerry. Miguel appeared as sole counsel at the CCMC in the TCC. Advising on the construction and application of London Engineering Group (LEG) clauses in a Construction All Risks Insurance Policy; Miguel is a contributor to Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance 3rd edition (Sweet & Maxwell); and Insurance Broking Practice and the Law, edited by CMS Cameron McKenna, Informa loose-leaf. Prior to joining Gatehouse Chambers, Miguel spent three months as a Judicial Assistant in the Commercial Court.

Rupert Higgins is a specialist commercial and property practitioner who deals with all aspects of property and commercial litigation, with a particular focus on professional negligence work. Rupert has particular expertise in commercial dispute resolution, professional and fiduciary liability including directors’ and officers’ duties in a company context, and civil fraud. He acts both against and on behalf of solicitors, surveyors, accountants, costs draftsmen and property professionals, and has developed a strong specialist practice in costs, including alternative funding arrangements, wasted costs and third party costs applications. He advises clients, insurers and litigation funders, and appears in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Senior Courts Costs Office and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. He has also been instructed in the Isle of Man. He welcomes instructions not only through the traditional channels but also from professionals and lay clients through the Bar’s Licensed Access and Direct Public Access schemes. Rupert has been commended for his “practical and commercial approach to litigation”, which he combines with a “real attention to detail and a fearless tenacity” when appearing in Court, and was called a ‘skilled cross-examiner’ by Fraser J in Beattie Passive Norse Ltd v Canham Consulting Ltd [2021] EWHC 1116 (TCC). Rupert was amongst the first wave of barristers to recognise the importance of mediation as a form of dispute resolution and became an accredited mediator in 2004. Since then he has been involved in all aspects of mediation and was counsel in Frost v Wake Smith & Tofields Solicitors [2013] EWCA Civ 772, the leading Court of Appeal authority on the role of solicitors and the enforceability of settlement agreements reached at mediation. He has also provided early neutral evaluations in the context of protracted mediations. Rupert lives in rural Northamptonshire where he sits as a both a Deputy District Judge and a Recorder on the Midland Circuit.

Ryan has a busy, broad-based commercial and civil fraud practice which sits alongside, and is complemented by, his specialist practice in insolvency and company law. He is a sought-after trial and appellate advocate, and is often trusted with high-stakes litigation involving wider commercial or reputational significance for the client. Ryan’s tactical acumen, robust advocacy, and user-friendly approach make him an invaluable member of any legal team. Ryan’s expertise in relation to cross-border work and his experience of work in offshore jurisdictions is of particular assistance in fraud and asset tracing cases – he is called to the Bar in the British Virgin Islands, and additionally has experience of litigation in the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, the Bahamas, and Antigua (amongst other places). Ryan’s insolvency and restructuring practice includes both personal and corporate insolvency, acting for office-holders as well as creditors, individuals and directors. He advises and acts in respect of (amongst other things) antecedent transactions, misfeasance, disputed proofs of debt, litigation brought by office-holders, restructuring plans, and voluntary arrangements. Ryan’s commercial practice encompasses complex contractual disputes, civil fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, partnerships and LLPs, unjust enrichment, emergency injunctive relief, and cases with an international dimension (including jurisdictional disputes and cross-border insolvencies). Ryan’s company law experience bridges the divide with his specialist insolvency practice, and includes a variety of shareholder disputes: unfair prejudice petitions, just and equitable winding up petitions, and misfeasance proceedings.

Matthew is recognised for his expertise in private client, commercial and employment law. He has a formidable courtroom presence and is noted for his incisive cross-examination and persuasive advocacy. His practice includes particular specialism in contentious probate, company and shareholder disputes and employee competition. He is valued by solicitors and clients for having a breadth of experience and the ability to provide lateral solutions to just about any legal conundrum. Matthew’s growing reputation has resulted in his being called upon in recent years by many high profile clients including several politicians, a famous author, high profile racing industry figures and the nation state of Kuwait. He is recommended in the Legal 500, and sits as both a Recorder and a Deputy District Judge. Following on from his interest in programming, Matthew is putting himself at the forefront of the legal issues arising from the deployment of AI decision making. This is particularly relevant to employment law where examples of discriminatory AI decisions are becoming more and more common in the areas of recruitment and performance management particularly. It also has ramifications in the commercial and insurance industries where sometimes significant losses can arise from arguably negligent AI decision making or deployment. With his technical understanding Matthew is perfectly positioned to assist on any issues arising in these areas, and is staying abreast of the interesting developments at national and international levels.

Emily Husain has experience in a wide range of commercial litigation, with particular expertise in construction disputes, alongside insolvency and company work including shareholder disputes. She has considerable experience of both domestic and international litigation and in multi-jurisdictional cases involving fraud and insolvency. Emily has significant experience in the construction sector, including construction insurance and insolvency matters, and she is regularly instructed in adjudications and Country Court/ High Court matters. Emily also frequently handles professional negligence claims in the financial, legal and construction contexts, in particular claims involving architects, designers and legal professionals. Emily’s practice also includes representing clients at mediation and other forms of ADR. Emily is regularly instructed as sole counsel across her areas of specialism for advisory work and frequently appears in both the High Court and County Courts, including the TCC. Emily’s recent work as sole counsel includes: Advising in relation to a £3m shareholder dispute. Acting unled in multi-million unfair prejudice actions under s.994 Companies Act 2006 and related interlocutory and injunctive matters. Enforcing a £1.1m adjudication award in the High Court while also successfully resisting an application by the defendant to stay judgment. Defending injunctive proceedings concerning restrictive covenants in the High Court. Advising in relation to a property transaction involving restrictive covenants with a value of c. £25m. Advising a large UK developer in relation to potential Building Safety Act 2022 claims in respect of a large mixed residential and commercial development. A three-day trial of a commercial dispute involving fraud and conspiracy claims. Acting in the two-day trial of a consumer construction dispute. Applications relating to personal and corporate insolvency in the Insolvency Court. Advising on a fraud claim against the former financial controller of a limited company. Advising a local authority in a commercial claim with a value of £1.5m. Applications for interim relief, including those engaging cross-jurisdictional principles. Advising a CIC in the energy sector seeking injunctive relief. Emily was instructed in 2020 as junior counsel in the five-week trial of a substantial and highly technical commercial dispute in the renewables sector with an approximate value of c.£50m (Toucan Energy Holdings Limited v Wirsol Energy Limited & Ors [2021] EWHC 895 (Comm)). Emily was also instructed in 2021 as junior counsel in Pipia v BGEO Group Limited, involving claims for $300m in Commercial Court proceedings brought by a Georgian businessman against the English branch of a Georgian financial institution. Led by Nigel Jones KC. Emily’s international experience extends to Georgia, the Channel Islands, BVI, Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Emma specialises in construction and commercial matters, including professional negligence claims. She is appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel and instructed as counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and for the Cabinet Office and Number 10 on the Covid-19 Inquiry. In legal circles she is known for her tenacity, meticulous preparation, and poise under pressure. She is a clear and articulate speaker and a skilled advocate. Emma combined her sporting accomplishments with a successful career in business communications, working for organisations as diverse as Serco, The Carbon Trust, and Microsoft. This experience has given her a particular understanding of multinational commercial clients and a pragmatic and business-minded approach. She currently sits on the board of Lifesafe Holdings plc, an AIM-listed fire safety products company, as a non-executive director.

Sara Ibrahim is recognised as a leading junior for professional negligence and employment and is noted to have ‘exemplary’ legal knowledge as well as being ‘switched on to the needs of the end client’ (Legal 500). She has a wide ranging practice and is able to advise on complex discrimination claims as well as employee competition issues and director disputes. Sara is on the panel of counsel for the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. She has a wide-ranging practice and is able to advise on complex discrimination claims as well as employee competition issues and director disputes. Sara was shortlisted as the Professional Negligence Junior of the Year by The Legal 500 (2022). She is sought after to provide assistance in matters with an international element, including other common law jurisdictions such as the Caribbean and Gibraltar. Sara appeared recently in the Privy Council on the matter of Gordon v Havener (Antigua and Barbuda) [2021] UKPC 26 which clarified the law of proprietary estoppel. Sara has a keen interest in emerging areas of law that intersect with her practice areas such as Artificial Intelligence, which she has written about here. She is a founder member of Bar Standards Board Race Equality Task Force and is a trainer for the Bar Council’s introduction to race course.

Charlotte’s practice focuses on Chancery and property litigation and encompasses both traditional Chancery and commercial work. She has particular expertise in matters concerning the administration of estates and trusts, contentious probate, real property as well as Court of Protection property and affairs matters. She is recommended in both the Legal 500, where she is ranked for Private Client and Property and Construction, and Chambers UK, where she is ranked for Real Estate Litigation. The editorial praises her for her encyclopaedic knowledge, commitment to her cases and her client care skills. Charlotte regularly produces articles relating to her specialist areas of practice and blogs at Equity’s Darling on private client and property law. Together with James Kessler KC, she has co-authored the latest edition of Drafting Trusts & Will Trusts (Sweet & Maxwell). Charlotte is an accredited Trust & Estates Practitioner with the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (“STEP”). She was recently co-opted to serve on the STEP working group which liaised with the Ministry of Justice during lockdown in the lead up to the introduction of the Remote witnessing of Wills: The Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 and which produced guidance for STEP members on the remote execution of wills. She is also presently involved in the STEP working group set up to review the STEP Standard Provisions. She is a qualified arbitrator offering IFLA scheme arbitrations on TOLATA and 1975 Act claims. Charlotte sits as a Deputy District Judge in the County Court and Financial Remedies Court.

Nigel Jones KC is a highly experienced courtroom and advisory leader who specialises in complex and high value, international and domestic commercial litigation & arbitration, insurance, construction and professional negligence. He is acknowledged as a leading silk in these areas and is well-known for bringing a business-like and commercial approach to his work. "Nigel is highly unusual in being as pragmatic a lawyer as he is a fabulous intellect. Nigel answers the questions we have not even thought of and is incredibly reassuring to work with. His accessibility and willingness to help is fantastic – he really is one of the best silks around." - The Legal 500, 2023 Within his specialist areas he has significant experience of banking & finance and joint venture disputes, commercial fraud, private international & conflict, insurance coverage and insolvency, large infrastructure design and construction disputes and property damage. Alongside these he has considerable experience in niche areas such as franchising and commercial agency and sports law as well as the utilities sector (principally electricity). He is also a specialist class/group action lawyer and understands the complex area of costs and the third party funding of costs in domestic and international dispute resolution. These skills led to his appointment in 2014 as chair of the investment committee of the Harbour Funds (the UK’s largest litigation funder). Harbour is involved in investing over £400m in litigation and arbitration worldwide. Nigel is an experienced mediation advocate and a regular lecturer who has presented lectures for the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association, the Franco-British Lawyers Society, the British German Jurists Association, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UAE and the Annual Arbitration Summit. In recognition of his market leading skills and expertise, Nigel received the prestigious Commercial Litigation Silk of the Year Award 2021 (Chambers Bar Awards). Nigel provides his services as a director of NJ (Gatehouse) Legal Limited. Registered in England & Wales, company number 10742202. Registered office: Quadrant House Floor 6, 4 Thomas More Square, London E1W 1YW. Both Nigel and the company are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

Sheikh Mohammed Samiul Karim KC (Sam Karim KC) is dynamic silk who has been consistently regarded as a leading practitioner by the legal directories. His specialist areas are four-fold: International arbitration in which he acts as counsel and sits as panel or sole arbitrator; Procurement; Judicial review/human rights; and Court of Protection. Sam is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is admitted as a practitioner in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) Court and the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM). Sam is also a panel arbitrator for the ADGM and the International Islamic Centre for Reconciliation.

Andrew is an experienced and highly regarded construction and engineering barrister. He is also a Chartered Arbitrator, has judicial experience, and is an experienced construction Adjudicator accredited by both TeCSA and TECBAR. He is an accredited and active Civil Mediator with experience of mediating multi party construction disputes. He acts nationally and internationally in a wide range of energy, construction and engineering disputes and has over 30 years' experience advising developers, end users, national and international contractors, subcontractors and consultants and their insurers. He has acted for many household name main contractors. He also acts in commercial and property cases. Andrew originally qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and became a partner at Pinsent Masons, specialising in construction.

Simon is a specialist construction, insurance and insolvency barrister. He regularly acts for clients in complex and high value disputes, both in his own right and as part of a counsel team. He has extensive experience of High Court and County Court litigation, adjudication and all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution, and has appeared in the Court of Appeal dealing with complex construction-related insurance issues. Simon routinely represents clients against opponents represented by highly experienced counsel (including KCs), and is ranked in both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 as a leading construction junior. Simon is qualified as a chartered accountant (ACA) and has a thorough grasp of statutory and management accounts. He has a strong understanding of numerical analysis, which he has successfully brought to bear in many construction and insolvency disputes. Before coming to Gatehouse Chambers, Simon worked for 4 years at PwC, where he assisted FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and private companies on a range of tax and accounting issues. In particular, he advised on employee remuneration and share incentive arrangements, and spent his final year in a team advising banks and other financial services companies on regulatory issues.

Karl is a property practitioner with extensive experience dealing with both commercial and residential matters at all court and tribunal levels. Karl’s practice, whether advising or litigating, has had an emphasis on landlord and tenant and real property as well as cases involving trusts and wills and insolvency either in connection with property disputes or as independent areas. An important part of Karl’s practice involves claims about restrictive covenants, easements, trespass, party wall and boundary disputes but Karl is also very comfortable dealing with issues arising out mortgage transactions. Karl has seen a complementary professional liability practice develop alongside his property work and this is mainly focused on lawyer and surveyor liability. In addition to that Karl has substantial experience of acting for local authorities in cases involving contractual and property disputes with third parties. He is very often instructed by local authorities and housing providers in the most serious claims for possession and disrepair. His work with local authorities has also resulted in Karl being retained to undertake various enquiries. Karl is a former member of the Civil Justice Council and has also served on the Bar Council where, having been appointed as a Tribunal member, he has adjudicated in numerous controversial professional misconduct cases. In addition Karl served for 9 years as a Board Member of a top 15 housing Trust where he gained unique first-hand experience of the management, regulatory and governance environment operating in this sector. Away from practice, Karl is a genuine sports fan who has a very special passion for the beautiful game for which he became a qualified coach. Karl’s other passion is astronomy and he is comfortable discussing a whole range of topics whether it be about the intricacies of quantum mechanics, relativity, the cosmological constant, the meaning of time or the big crunch versus the big freeze.

PJ has enjoyed a long and successful career at the Bar having previously been a partner in a Holborn firm of solicitors. He took silk in 2013 – the only costs specialist to do so that year. PJ’s practice covers costs litigation, commercial dispute resolution and professional negligence. Recommended by the legal directories for his "great knowledge in relation to complex,cross-border, multi-party-funded litigation", he is instructed by a wide range of solicitors from City firms to High Street practitioners. As well as cases in England & Wales PJ has appeared in the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal in relation to the legality of CFAs and in the DIFC in Dubai and much of his work has an international dimension. PJ is recognised as an expert in the field of costs and is often instructed on appeals in relation to problems over retainers, CFAs etc. He is also often instructed to draft bespoke DBAs, CFAs or CCFAs for firms of solicitors. PJ sits as a Deputy District Judge and is a Bar Council appointed High Court costs assessor. PJ is also an ADR group accredited mediator and is on the Costs ADR (CADR) panel of mediators.

Byroni Kleopa specialises in all areas of Property and Planning Law. Byroni frequently acts in areas where her specialisms overlap. She has developed a strong advisory practice and frequently appears as sole counsel in the County Court and First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in complex service charge cases. She acts for both commercial and residential landlords and tenants and large property investors.

Greg Laughton (SC) KC

With chambers in Sydney and London, Greg is a leading Australian Silk with a broad practice in domestic and international commercial dispute resolution. He has considerable experience acting for, and advising, clients globally. The matters in which he appears typically consist of high value, complex, disputes involving multiple parties. Greg’s primary areas of practice include complex cross-border maritime and transportation law, commercial law, building & construction and infrastructure law, commodities, IT, professional negligence and insurance-related disputes. He has appeared in a broad range of jurisdictions at trial and appellate level, including in leading cases in the High Court of Australia and New South Wales Court of Appeal. His international practice has seen him appear as counsel in international commercial arbitrations in Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai, Germany, Frankfurt, Brazil, Fiji, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Complementing his practice as a leading advocate and advisor, Greg accepts arbitral appointments as sole arbitrator or as part of a three-member tribunal. He has experience with a wide range of arbitral institutions and accepts both institutional and ad hoc appointments. Greg is the Chair of the International Committee of the NSW Bar Association. He is a Fellow of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (FACICA) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). Greg is a graded arbitrator with the Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators and a BarADR approved arbitrator by the NSW Bar Association. His ADR practice also extends to acting as a mediator in a wide range of disputes. Greg was previously awarded Australian Arbitration Barrister of the Year in the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, and in 2021 was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Australia for his work in international arbitration. He contributes to the professional development of legal professionals world-wide through his advocacy training in an international arbitration and cross-cultural context. In addition to his legal qualifications, Greg holds a Master of Laws in International Trade and Corporations Law and a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from the University of New South Wales.

“Excellent communication skills and an eye for detail. Katie also has a very good grasp of construction jargon” - The Legal 500, 2023 Katie is a commercial barrister with particular expertise in construction, engineering, energy and technology-related law. Recommended in Construction by The Legal 500, she is well-known as a hard-working and reliable junior, and is highly regarded for her attention to technical detail and commercial awareness, as well as for her cross-examination and trial work. She acts and has acted for employers, developers, contractors, construction professionals and local authorities. For example, Katie recently acted as part of a multi-counsel team on a $2 billion international construction arbitration involving allegations of defective design, and has recently advised (as leading counsel) in relation to a claim under the DPA 1972 as leading counsel in a multi-million pound dispute concerning blocks of high rise luxury flats. Katie is regularly instructed as sole counsel to act and advise in relation to both High Court and County Court disputes. Katie was recently successful in a four-day trial in the TCC (High Court) as sole counsel in a case involving the construction of a multi-million pound develop for student accommodation (reported), and a five-day TCC trial concerning defective works to a high-end residential premises. Katie has particular expertise in construction adjudication and enforcement; acting for both referring and responding parties in both smash and grab and true value adjudications. Katie has also accumulated a breadth of experience encompassing several niche areas of construction, and has advised in relation to various construction insurance and coverage issues (including PI insurance, CAR insurance, and NHBC/new home warranties), insolvency, the effects of Covid-19 on construction projects, asbestos-related defects, sanitary issues under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, energy from waste plants, and bio-mass energy output under the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme. Katie is currently a co-editor of the Construction, Engineering and Energy Law Journal of Ireland and regularly writes articles and case updates. She has been published a number of times in the Construction Law Journal and the Construction, Engineering and Energy Law Journal of Ireland. Katie has also a contributed to the following leading practitioners texts: Delay and Disruption in Construction Contracts (Burr 2016); Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Reed 2018 and 2022); and Construction Insolvency (McCann, 2022).

Stephen Lennard

Stephen’s practice is firmly focused on business, his clients more often – though by no means exclusively – being corporate rather than individual. Within that broad commercial context, he concentrates on employment, property and professional liability work, in both the contentious and non-contentious fields. Described in the Legal 500 as a “very reliable all rounder” , he is always accessible to clients who appreciate his friendliness and his clear, commercial approach. He is very happy to conduct work on a public access basis when it is appropriate. Stephen is also a part time judge, sitting as a Recorder in the civil and criminal jurisdictions of County and Crown Courts.

Michael Levenstein

Michael specialises in construction and engineering disputes and general commercial litigation. Michael’s cases typically involve high-value and technically-complex disputes, both in the TCC and international litigation and arbitration. More recently, the Building Safety Act 2022 has featured heavily in his practice, on which he has spoken widely and participated in some of the leading litigation. Michael serves as a member of the Executive Committee of TECBAR and is a TECBAR-accredited Adjudicator and Mediator. He was elected to the Council of the Society of Construction Law in 2023, on which he chairs the annual Hudson Prize competition. In 2024, Michael was appointed to the Attorney General’s Counsel to the Crown (London B Panel) and one of that panel’s only specialist construction practitioners. He also sits on the Consulting Editorial Board for LexisNexis Construction Law. In addition to his practice, Michael is a Visiting Lecturer, Examiner and an LLM supervisor at The City Law School, University of London, and lectures at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London.

David Lewis KC has very substantial experience in commercial disputes. His broad-based commercial practice spans domestic and international litigation and arbitration as well as other forms of ADR, securities and financial services litigation, contractual disputes, directors and shareholders disputes, joint ventures and partnerships disputes, civil fraud, sales of goods and services, franchising, professional negligence, and agency (in particular commercial agency). He is recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 for commercial dispute resolution. They refer to him as "a bright and strategically creative silk" who is “incredibly impressive”. They note the fact that not only is he “an excellent advocate” but also that he is “highly user-friendly”, “down to earth, very commercial”. “When you have a difficult court case, he’s the guy you want. He really fights your corner, he’s extremely thorough and he knows his stuff”. David Lewis KC is an accredited mediator.

David’s practice revolves around residential and commercial property disputes, professional negligence, commercial disputes and employment law. David frequently appears in the County Court for fast track trials, application hearings, directions hearings and pre-trial reviews. David recently represented the Mary Ward Legal Centre in a six-day High Court trial, led by Peter Petts with Mark Erridge, in Christie v Mary Ward Legal Centre and Andrew Dymond [2025] EWHC 330 (KB). Before joining chambers, David worked as an assistant to a barrister who specialised in media and defamation claims and achieved successful outcomes for clients including prominent politicians, both foreign and domestic, and public figures on social media. He has experience drafting pleadings and advising in complex defamation disputes. David recently drafted pleadings and appeared in the High Court in a defamation claim concerning messages posted in a WhatsApp group chat. David has also previously worked as data protection paralegal in the healthcare sector, and as an assistant to an employment barrister with a particular focus on discrimination claims. David completed an LLB at University College London and an LLM at Queens’ College, Cambridge. He received both the Roger Cox Scholarship and an Advocacy Scholarship for his Bar Practice Course at the University of Law, for which he obtained a distinction.

Philip Marriott

Philip specialises in Property, Construction, Commercial, and related Professional Negligence. Philip is in court regularly, for both applications and trials, appearing in the High Court, County Court, and FTT (Property Chamber). He also has a busy paperwork practice, both advising and settling pleadings. Recent instructions as sole counsel have included: A two-day TOLATA trial involving issues of resulting and constructive trusts. Advising on the enforceability of restrictive covenants on a high value private estate. Advising a landlord in a commercial service charge dispute following significant capital expenditure. Representing clients in several consumer construction disputes. Advising on a complex possession claim following the death of a resident landlord. Representing a local authority in a residential service charge dispute before the FTT. Advising on a final account dispute involving questions of delay, adequacy of notices, and defective work. Recent instructions as junior counsel have included: Assisting Brie Stevens-Hoare KC on a boundary dispute with background allegations of harassment and professional misconduct. Acting as junior (led by Michael Wheater KC) in a construction dispute concerning the defective renovation of a school hall roof. Advising on a claim based on adverse possession following expiry of a grazing licence. During pupillage, Philip’s work included: Assisting on FM Conway Ltd v The Rugby Football Union & Ors [2023] EWCA Civ 418, the leading authority on the operation of the co-insurance defence. Assisting on an application regarding service by alternative means of a claim form out of the jurisdiction. Assisting on a high profile, 3-day trial in the FTT (General Regulatory Chamber) concerning disqualification of a charity trustee. Philip has experience in Non-Domestic Rates litigation, having assisted with Ludgate House Limited v Andrew Ricketts (VO) and London Borough of Southwark [2023] UKUT 36 during pupillage and appearing in the Magistrate’s Court in an application to set aside a Liability Order. Philip is also committed to pro bono work, appearing in the winding up court via the COIN scheme and representing a tenant in a possession trial where he was able to achieve a favourable settlement shortly before court. Philip also completed Advocate’s ‘Pupil Pledge’ during pupillage. Philip accepts instructions through the Fixed Fee Adjudication Scheme. Philip studied Law at Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he received the Thomson Reuters and David Gottlieb Prizes for academic performance after coming first overall in his year, as well as the Land Law Prize, and passed the BCL with Distinction at Magdalen College, Oxford.

Expertise & Recognition Katrina has a thriving advisory and court practice specialising in insolvency and commercial law. Ranked as a Leading Junior for insolvency in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, she is particularly sought after for complex cases that intersect her specialist areas. She has developed a niche practice in property insolvency and is also recognised as a Leading Junior in The Legal 500 for property litigation. Approach & Client Relationship Known for providing clear, practical, and commercially astute advice, Katrina's tactical judgment and unwavering commitment to client interests have established her reputation. She is regularly instructed on complex matters of significant commercial importance and substantial value. Clients value her holistic approach to cases where reputational considerations can be as crucial as the legal outcome. Advocacy & Judicial Recognition An accomplished advocate, Katrina frequently appears as sole counsel in higher courts. Her submissions have been described by judges as "exceptionally intelligent and well measured", and her cross-examination skills as "remarkable, particularly for one so junior". Her approachable and personable demeanour makes her a popular choice with both lay and professional clients. Client Base & International Practice Katrina serves as standing counsel for numerous institutional clients, including investment firms, hedge funds, pension funds, and major financial institutions. Her expanding offshore practice includes regular instructions in the Channel Islands and UAE. She recently completed a consultancy with a leading offshore firm. Background & Additional Experience Before her legal career, Katrina achieved significant success in politics, serving on a government select committee for two years where she played a key role in legislative reform. Her natural oratory skills established her as a respected media spokesperson and led to speaking engagements at EU summits and in the House of Lords.

Lina is a specialist property practitioner who is widely recognised as an excellent trial advocate and for her common sense commercial advice. She is recommended for property work in both Chambers UK and Legal 500. Lina practises in the full range of property disputes, including commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes, easements, restrictive covenants, adverse possession, and land registration. She has particular expertise in commercial property disputes, including development and joint venture agreements. She also acts in professional negligence claims involving property transactions. She is regularly instructed in High Court, Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), FTT Property Chamber, and County Court hearings as well as a junior to leading counsel in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. She also frequently represents clients at mediations and other forms of ADR. Lina regularly writes “Did you miss”, the monthly update on recent case law in Gatehouse Chambers' property team newsletter.

Sarah is a specialist Commercial and Insurance practitioner with a particular expertise in Civil Fraud, Construction and Engineering, Property Damage and Professional Negligence and Indemnity work both in the construction and non-construction field. Sarah also carries out a significant amount of insolvency work in those areas and has specific expertise in the insolvency of insurers and the cross-border effects of such insolvency. Sarah has a wealth of experience in high value, technically and legally complex cases in all forums: litigation, arbitration (both domestic and international), adjudication and mediation. Sarah is also an active TECBAR accredited adjudicator and a CEDR accredited mediator. Sarah is recommended as a leading junior in the Directories for her work in the fields of commercial litigation, construction, insurance and reinsurance, professional negligence and property damage work. She is described as a “clear orator, who is extremely knowledgeable and approachable”, noted for her “tenacious” advocacy and negotiating skills (Chambers UK) and her “analytical”, “pragmatic and commercial” approach (The Legal 500). Sarah is the author of the leading textbook, Construction Insolvency, published by Sweet & Maxwell in 2022 as well as contributing to a number of other legal texts.

Aileen McErlean

Aileen is a busy and highly regarded commercial, companies and insolvency barrister. She acts for clients in complex and high-value domestic and international disputes. She regularly appears, both as sole counsel and as part of a team, in the Business and Property Courts (including Commercial Court, Insolvency and Companies Court and in the specialist Chancery lists) and arbitration, in trials and the full range of interlocutory applications including urgent applications for injunctive relief. Aileen is recommended as a leading junior for her insolvency work and her practice covers all aspects of onshore and cross-border insolvency litigation, acting for office-holders (as well as creditors, litigation funders and directors). Aileen has particular experience of insolvencies involving major insurance companies as well as insolvencies in the construction industry. She has a keen understanding of the challenges such cases pose. Aileen is a contributor to the leading textbook Construction Insolvency, edited by Sarah McCann, published by Sweet & Maxwell in 2022. In her commercial and companies practice, Aileen has extensive experience of claims against directors, shareholder disputes, joint venture disputes and related company law and governance issues. Her experience includes derivative actions, unfair prejudice petitions, claims for breach of share purchase agreements and challenges to the enforceability of guarantees. Aileen routinely deals with cases involving civil fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of warranty, breach of confidence and allegations of bad faith. She is a go-to barrister in these areas and is regularly instructed to act on such cases for clients including multi-nationals, utilities companies, banks and insurers. Aileen’s practice also extends to professional negligence claims against directors, insolvency and finance professionals and office-holders (particularly in claims involving the viability of companies and other businesses). She is also a contributor to Insurance Broking Practice and Law, edited by CMS Cameron McKenna, Informa, Looseleaf. An approachable and user-friendly team-player, Aileen is also a tenacious advocate, who combines first rate legal analysis with pragmatic tactical advice. She is an excellent ally to have in the most difficult cases.

Vanessa McKinlay

Vanessa is a very experienced clinical negligence barrister whose expertise covers areas such as surgical negligence, delayed diagnosis of cancer, obstetric and midwifery care, delayed treatment of sepsis, pharmaceutical negligence, cardiac treatment and the treatment of renal conditions. She also specialises in representing parties at inquests. Having worked as a Senior Physiotherapist in the NHS before being called to the Bar in 2000, Vanessa brings a strong medical knowledge to her practice enabling her to handle authoritatively the most complex medical issues. She is known for her ability to distil the essential elements of a particular case and give practical advice in understandable terms. A robust and clever negotiator, clients value her kind and thoughtful approach to difficult and sensitive issues. Vanessa is also a trained mediator.

Alison’s practice is focussed on vulnerable and elderly clients and she has tailored her practice to meet the wide-ranging needs of her clients and those who provide them with services. She is an accredited Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Her practice includes validity of wills, intestacy, inheritance act claims, removal/appointment of executors, deputies or attorneys, trusts of land claims (TLATA), administration of trusts and estates, prevention and recovery after financial abuse, Statutory Wills, care home charges, NHS CHC funding, adult community care, mental capacity law, mental health law, forced marriages, cross-border disputes, social housing, healthcare law, human rights, safeguarding, social welfare entitlement, discrimination, consumer rights and general public law. Alison is frequently instructed in complex and or hybrid cases in the Court of Protection, the Business and Property Court and Family Division. She is also happy to represent clients in all forms of ADR setting, formal and informal. She has a passion for and detailed understanding of the law, guidance and policy that affects her clients and is able to provide specialist advice and representation. She is a robust advocate when in the courtroom and negotiating outside court, yet possesses the patience and compassion needed to discuss difficult subject areas with family members and litigants in persons with sensitivity. Alison’s expertise in her fields of practice is reflected by her recommendations as a leading junior in the latest editions of both the Legal 500 (Court of Protection & Community Care, Civil Liberties & Human Rights and Social Housing) and Chambers UK (Court of Protection: Health and Welfare, Court of Protection; Property and Affairs as well as social housing). She is Chair of the Court of Protection Practitioner’s Association (CoPPA) London Region, and sits as a Recorder (Family) and Deputy District Judge. Alison is an ADR-ODR International accredited mediator.

Tom is a commercial barrister who specialises in three areas: civil fraud; company and insolvency disputes; and construction disputes (including associated professional negligence and insurance). Tom was junior counsel for the main defendant group in the main trial of Skatteforvaltningen (Danish Customs and Tax Authority) v Solo Capital Partners LLP & Ors, led by Nigel Jones KC, Sarah McCann, Lisa Freeman (of Furnival Chambers), Emily Betts, Miguel Henderson, and Alice Whyte. Tom’s team’s clients were a hedge fund manager, his wife, and his corporate entities, who were all alleged to have perpetrated a £1.4bn fraud against the Danish state through complex share trading. The trial ran from 9 April 2024 to 11 April 2025, which is believed to be the longest trial in the history of the commercial court. The case was listed as one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases for 2024. Tom is equally happy acting as sole counsel. He acts unled in multi-day trials, and regularly appears in all manner of interim applications in both the High Court and County Court. Prior to pupillage, Tom worked for a Legal Tech company where he taught a machine learning programme to recognise different types of contractual terms. The programme is used by M&A lawyers at leading firms to undertake due diligence more quickly and more accurately. Tom studied Law at St Anne’s College, Oxford, where he was elected JCR President and won a college prize for his performance in finals. He was awarded an advocacy scholarship and graded Outstanding on the Bar course.

Aneurin Moloney

Aneurin specialises in clinical negligence and personal injury claims. His clinical negligence practice covers a wide range of medical disciplines. He is regularly instructed in claims arising out of delays in diagnosing cancer, the management of neurological conditions, surgical errors, and birth injuries. He also has related expertise in inquests and medical product liability. Outside of the law, he has a keen interest in watching and playing cricket and has followed the England team on a number of overseas tours. Aneurin can also regularly be found at Anfield supporting his local football team, and continues to support his childhood local team Bristol Rovers. He also finds the time to sit on the Lexis PSL Consulting Editorial Board for Personal Injury, and to produce the clinical negligence barrister blog.

Jasmine specialises in personal injury and professional negligence cases involving solicitors. Representing both Claimants and Defendants, Jasmine is known for her particular expertise in cases involving the Animals Act 1971 or the Montreal Convention. Jasmine is ranked in both Chambers UK and the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior with her attention to detail and client handling skills being noted as particularly strong skills by those who instruct her. In addition Jasmine is an accredited ADRg Mediator. Jasmine regularly delivers seminars in house and for external training organisations. She is an editor of the Personal Injury and Quantum Reports and is a sub-editor of Kemp & Kemp: The Quantum of Damages.

Colm is a specialist barrister in the fields of personal injury and related insurance issues. He is also instructed in a variety of disputes outside these core fields including difficult interlocutory applications, having lectured extensively on the CPR and related costs issues. Colm acts for both Claimants and Defendants in all aspects of injury and related disputes with a particular focus on lower limb injuries, subtle brain injury (especially those leading to an increased risk of dementia), complex loss of earnings claims, hand injuries and long-term loss claims as well as fatalities. He is an acknowledged specialist in claims concerning the application of the Defective Premises Act, which has taken him to the Court of Appeal this year. He is sought after by insurers for cases where fraud and exaggeration are suspected and has had success at striking out a number of such claims. Colm lectures regularly on the CPR, litigation tactics, defending fraud claims, bringing complex loss claims and issues arising from disability and interpretation of the Ogden reduction factors. Colm is also an accredited ADR Group Mediator. Colm regularly speaks at training events and seminars, and also gives webinars for Practical Law, LexisNexis and others.

$Mark O\'Grady$

Mark is instructed to act on a wide range of contentious and advisory matters including in the following areas: commercial litigation, construction, insolvency and professional negligence. There is often a property related dimension to much of Mark’s work. Clients value Mark’s approachability, as well as his impressive advocacy and cross examination skills.

Monty is a very experienced barrister who has an established successful "Court based" property law practice. Recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 as a leading property junior, his expertise covers the full ambit of commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters, service charges, social housing, enfranchisement, mortgages (regulated and un-regulated), easements, boundaries, adverse possession, party wall disputes, proprietary estoppel, co-ownership, title disputes, trusts for sale, and professional negligence claims and insolvency relating to these areas. Monty has significant experience in dealing with “pub” cases (over 400), representing various PubCos and tenants in all manner of disputes surrounding such leases covering: forfeiture and relief, “buying out”, unlawful use, consents to assign or alter, dilapidations and 54 Act renewals. In addition to being in Court, Monty is regularly involved in advising and appearing in cases before all of the various division of the FTT and the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber. He has extensive experience as an advocate in mediations. Monty’s practice is supported by a large and varied lay client base comprising companies, financial institutions, housing associations, trust funds, surveyors, and private individuals. More and more work is now coming by way of direct access. He has a solid track record of establishing long term client relationships and his high level of accessibility and responsiveness have made him many of his clients’ barrister of choice. The extent of Monty’s repeat instructions show how much he is appreciated by his clients who value his strong, persuasive advocacy skills allied to his ability to apply commercial reality as well as resolve fraught and difficult situations and achieve a successful outcome either at trial, mediation or earlier settlement. Clients also appreciate his attention to the individual and his ability to develop a good working relationship, retain a commercial perspective over the dispute and often achieve a successful outcome at an early stage in the litigation.

Wendy is a member of Gatehouse Chambers' Commercial, Property and Insurance Groups and undertakes most areas of work within those fields. She has developed a strong practice both as an adviser and advocate and has experience of appearing in the specialist commercial and property forums as well as Tribunals and the Court of Appeal. Wendy has been involved in many technically complex cases. Wendy has a strong academic background which she combines with a practical and common sense approach in order to assist clients in achieving their objectives.

Phillip Patterson

Phillip Patterson has a wide-ranging commercial dispute resolution and insolvency practice with experience of high value and complex disputes in a variety of courts and tribunals, including the Business and Property Courts and the Privy Council. As part of the commercial dispute resolution work he has undertaken, Phillip has represented clients in key industries such as aviation, construction/engineering and financial services. He has an astute business understanding which helps him give focused and practical advice to commercial clients. He has particular expertise in technical company law issues, which makes him an obvious choice for claims involving allegations of misfeasance, mismanagement and breach of duty as well as shareholder disputes. Phillip has extensive experience of partnership and joint venture disputes, often in relation to large construction projects. A significant proportion of Phillip’s current and recent work concerns corporate and personal insolvency, a field in which Phillip is fast becoming a go-to junior for a range of applications, acting both for and against office-holders. Phillip has acted for many of the largest firms of insolvency practitioners in the UK in recent years. Phillip has a significant and growing civil fraud practice, with recent experience of major and high-profile fraud claims, including many with a cross-border element. Phillip has acted for clients and in relation to claims concerning a number of foreign jurisdictions including the British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Kuwait and Trinidad and Tobago. He speaks and understands French to a high level.

David Peachey specialises in property work. His cases include commercial landlord and tenant, real estate disputes such as enforcement and modification of covenants, disputes over rights of way and other easements, and leasehold management disputes. David is recommended as a Leading Junior in The Legal 500 for Property Litigation. David is also experienced in property matters involving insolvency or company law issues, and issues arising under the School Sites Acts.

Peter is ranked as a leading junior in Property Litigation. He regularly accepts all levels of court and tribunal instructions, predominantly in the fields of landlord and tenant, and real property. He has wide-ranging trial and appellate experience in the Court of Appeal, High Court, County Court, Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), and the Land Registration and Residential divisions of the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. As well as trial advocacy, Peter has wide experience of more complex interim application, including security for costs, interim injunctions and committal proceedings. His drafting and advisory work is held in high regard. Peter’s clients particularly appreciate the clarity and commercial reality of his advice. Having operated on a completely paperless basis for more than 4 years, Peter is a doyen of electronic working, providing a speedy and efficient service to clients and the court. As Secretary of the Property Bar Association, Peter was regularly involved in court and tribunal consultations; working closely with the PLA. Peter is the co-author of the definitive practitioner guide, "Forfeiture of Leases" published by The Law Society.

Catherine Piercy KC

Catherine Piercy KC is a successful commercial and insurance specialist with a particular focus on construction and engineering disputes, property damage and professional liability. She has a busy court and adjudication practice, acting for insurers, contractors, employers, construction professionals and insolvency practitioners. Catherine has an incredible rate of retention of clients, which shows that not only is she committed to fighting her client’s case to ensure a positive outcome, but that she is personable and works well as part of the team. Catherine appears in all levels of tribunal in procedural applications, substantive hearings and trials. Catherine has appeared in the all of the TCCs and acted in adjudications and mediations. Catherine is not only instructed when a dispute has arisen, but, as a result of the rapport she builds with her clients, she is often asked to advise client’s when they believe a dispute may be about to arise. Catherine is “innovative and commercially minded” and has a client focused and commercial approach to resolving disputes, giving “good, practical advice”. She effectively manages the legal, expert and client teams to achieve the most favourable outcome for her clients. She is described by her clients as “exceptional” and “phenomenally hardworking”. Chambers UK describes her as having a “great strategic mind” and “proactive, brilliant with clients and gives no-nonsense advice." Catherine won Construction Junior Barrister of the Year by Chambers UK Bar Awards 2019. She has previously also been shortlisted for “Best Woman in Construction Law” by the Women in Construction and Engineering Awards. substantive hearings and trials. Catherine has appeared in the all of the TCCs and acted in adjudications and mediations. Catherine is not only instructed when a dispute has arisen, but, as a result of the rapport she builds with her clients, she is often asked to advise client’s when they believe a dispute may be about to arise. Catherine is “innovative and commercially minded” and has a client focused and commercial approach to resolving disputes, giving “good, practical advice”. She effectively manages the legal, expert and client teams to achieve the most favourable outcome for her clients. She is described by her clients as “exceptional” and “phenomenally hardworking”. Chambers UK describes her as having a “great strategic mind” and “proactive, brilliant with clients and gives no-nonsense advice." Catherine won Construction Junior Barrister of the Year by Chambers UK Bar Awards 2019. She has previously also been shortlisted for “Best Woman in Construction Law” by the Women in Construction and Engineering Awards.

David Pliener KC

David Pliener KC is an expert in construction and engineering, insurance and commercial work. He also specialises in property damage and professional negligence work. Well versed in complex and high value disputes representing clients in litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation, his expertise covers the international as well as the domestic and he has worked across a number of jurisdictions including the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. Recent work has included disputes concerning claims in Peru, Zambia and Georgia. "David is unquestionably one of the leading [barristers] at the Bar for construction matters. He combines depth of legal knowledge with accessibility, clarity of expression, and an unparalleled ability to make the complex seem simple. He is a very strong and convincing advocate and is on the top of his game." (The Legal 500, 2023) "Solicitors are running out of superlatives to describe David. One of the most talented barristers of his generation and a breath of fresh air for the profession. Perhaps his key skill is turning the complex and convoluted into something that is clear, accessible and practical. A golden thread runs through his advice, guiding the reader through the maze, step by step." (The Legal 500, 2023) David was shortlisted for Insurance Junior of the Year at the Chambers Bar Awards 2018 and 2021, was awarded the prestigious Construction Junior of the Year Award at The Legal 500 Awards 2020 and he took Silk in 2023. David is a regular and popular speaker both for seminars offered by Gatehouse and for external conference providers such as the Society of Construction Law and the White Paper Conference. He also writes for Practical Law, LexisNexis and other publications.

Charles Raffin is a highly regarded commercial barrister specialising in the resolution of international and domestic commercial disputes through courts, arbitration, mediation and other forms of ADR. Charles’ broad commercial and commercial/chancery practice encompasses civil fraud (with related contempt of court work), company/joint venture/partnership, CDR (including construction, franchising, sports and costs disputes), insolvency and trusts litigation. Charles advises and appears regularly in arbitration disputes under all the major international arbitral rules. Recommended by Chambers & Partners UK and Global and Legal 500 for his onshore and offshore work, Charles is known as: "incredibly bright, responsive, detail-orientated and thorough", "very commercial, very sharp and a delight to work with", "a very effective advocate" and "excellent on every level". Much of Charles’ work has a strong international edge. He is called to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands and acts regularly for clients based in, or involved in disputes in, jurisdictions including Europe, Russia, the Americas, the Caribbean (the BVI, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos), and the Far East, and he enjoys working with foreign counsel and experts of foreign law. Much of Charles’ work involves conflicts of laws, and he also acts as an expert on English law in foreign proceedings. Charles’ experience at the Bar is enhanced by his three years as an Associate in the International Arbitration & Litigation Group of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP and then his later secondment with a major litigation funder. Charles is co-author of Electronic Disclosure: Law & Practice (OUP) and a regular speaker at online and in person national and international conferences and seminars (including at the Chancery Bar Winter Conference, various English-Cypriot Law Days, the Legal Business International Arbitration Summit and CDR Autumn Arbitration Symposium). A member of the Middle Temple International Sub-Committee, Charles has assisted and advised civil rules committees in various jurisdictions over pending amendments to rules concerning discovery/disclosure.

Paul Reed KC is a leading international commercial practitioner specialising in construction, engineering disputes, professional liability, property damage and insurance. He is regularly instructed in substantial, technical and complex civil, commercial, construction, insurance and professional negligence disputes. As well as being a popular and experienced advocate in court and in arbitration, he is also highly regarded for adjudication and advisory work. Paul has an extensive domestic and international practice, working regularly in the Middle East, the Caribbean and the Asia Pacific region as well as other areas. He is known as an approachable and client-focused silk and a team player who gives clear and consistent advice. Paul has particular expertise in large infrastructure projects (including nuclear), ports, shipbuilding, power plants, airports, commercial buildings, roads, rail, process and other plants, energy and natural resources. He is also an occasional postgraduate tutor and lecturer in construction law, arbitration and insurance and a highly experienced mediator, adjudicator and arbitrator and the author of the leading text on Construction All Risks Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell) and Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell), with contributions from the Construction Team. He has been shortlisted as Construction Silk of the Year in the Legal 500 Awards. Paul has experience of other legal systems including in the Pacific regions (including South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand), South America and Canada and the Middle East, including Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Callum Reid-Hutchings

Callum is in his first year of tenancy at Gatehouse Chambers, having completed pupillage in October 2024. Since commencing independent practice, he has appeared unled over 15 times in the High Court's Business and Property Courts, establishing a sophisticated practice across commercial litigation, insolvency and company law, construction disputes, employment law, and defamation matters. Current Practice Areas Callum's practice encompasses emergency corporate control disputes, complex insolvency proceedings including indefinite bankruptcy suspensions and international statutory demand set-asides, high-value trust administration disputes, sophisticated share ownership battles involving pre-emption rights and beneficial interests, construction trials for final payment and variations, professional negligence claims, luxury property development disputes, international arbitration matters including yacht and aircraft disputes, franchise and competition law, and strategic commercial advisory work on asset recovery and guarantor subrogation rights. Recent High Court Experience Since commencing independent practice, Callum has handled urgent injunctive relief applications to prevent unlawful corporate seizure, secured rare indefinite bankruptcy suspensions for calculated non-compliance, obtained non-party costs orders against controlling minds in international statutory demand challenges, pursued six-figure creditor petitions with sophisticated contractual defences, defended Part 8 claims concerning invalid board resolutions with section 633 class rights variations, and successfully represented contractors in contested construction trials achieving judgment with indemnity costs, as well as being involved in high value international arbitrations. Academic and Teaching Background Callum serves as a supervisor in Company Law at Cambridge University, teaching the complete range of corporate law topics, and brings practical industry experience from his previous role as an assistant quantity surveyor and current position as a board member of a construction company. He has designed and delivered bespoke master's courses for qualified lawyers at Westminster University focusing on investment banking law and international project finance, and delivers seminars in tort, contract, and property law at the London School of Economics and King's College. Pupillage and Professional Development Throughout his pupillage, Callum gained valuable experience in complex legal issues including setting aside default judgments in high-value debt recovery cases, handling partnership disputes involving allegations of fraud, advising on employment law disputes with focus on self-employed contractor rights and discrimination claims, tackling intricate defamation matters assessing the meaning of defamatory words in common law, and working on high-value breach of contract cases involving fraudulent misrepresentation. In insolvency matters, Callum has dealt with cases involving trading at an undervalue, unfair prejudice, and director duties under the Companies Act 2006, making him well-versed in corporate governance and the strategic management of insolvency disputes. Commercial Understanding Callum's involvement in a fitness app startup provides him with a practical understanding of the commercial realities his clients face, allowing him to offer commercially-minded advice that seeks the most efficient and appropriate solutions. His experience as a designated advocate for the Cambridge team in the Vis Moot finals, combined with his role as a tribunal assistant in a high-value SIAC arbitration involving both commercial and construction disputes, makes him well-equipped to handle arbitration matters. Pre-Pupillage Experience Before starting pupillage, Callum worked as a commercial litigation paralegal at leading London boutique CANDEY, gaining experience in a wide range of commercial litigation matters, particularly unlawful conspiracy claims and advising on steps related to freezing orders. Additionally, he gained further legal experience as a Judicial Assistant in the High Court (Commercial Division) for Cockerill J, Butcher J, and HHJ Pelling KC, working on several high-profile trials, including: CRF I Limited v Banco Nacional de Cuba & Republic of Cuba [2023] EWHC 774 (Comm): issues involving the enforcement of two sovereign debts arising from loan agreements made in the 1980s. The court ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear the creditor's claim, as there had been a valid assignment of the loan agreements, even though the creditor was not the original lender. However, the court found it lacked jurisdiction to hear the claim against Cuba, which had guaranteed one of the debts. Goyal & Anor v BGF Investment Management Limited & Ors [2023] EWHC 1180 (Comm): former chief finance officer and company shareholder, dismissed after a minority shareholding was transferred to an investment group, failed to establish claims of deceit and unlawful means conspiracy. The court ruled that the alleged misrepresentations regarding his position post-transaction were not proven. Virgin Enterprises Limited v Brightline Holdings Ltd [2023] EWHC 2240: US company wrongly terminated an agreement to license the VIRGIN brand and trademarks for its rail services business. The court found that this amounted to a repudiatory breach of contract, as the claim that the VIRGIN brand had lost its high reputation following Virgin Trains' loss of the West Coast franchise, and would cause damage to the company's reputation or business, was not established. Loreley Financing Jersey No.30 Limited v Credit Suisse [2023] EWHC 2759 (Comm): assisted in a seven-week trial where a bank was found not liable for damages in relation to a synthetic collateralised debt obligation transaction. The claims for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation were time-barred, and the claimant failed to prove that the representations had been made or relied upon. In obiter, the High Court referenced the test from Geest Plc v Fyffes Plc as a helpful factor in determining whether representations were made, and confirmed that awareness of the representations by the representee is essential for reliance. Callum has also served as a Tribunal Assistant in a high-value construction arbitration under SIAC rules.

Jake Rowley is a specialist personal injury, costs litigation, commercial, and insurance law barrister. He also has a particular interest in, and aptitude for, technical and novel procedural points. He is ranked as a leading junior for personal injury law in the latest edition of the Legal 500 where he is described as providing “eloquent and concise advice in a very personable manner”. Jake is an experienced court room and trial advocate and is known for his forensic ability, robust cross-examination, and persuasive style. Jake understands the broader context of his clients’ disputes and complements his oral advocacy skills with a commercially sensitive approach to litigation with the aim of achieving the most favourable outcome possible in the circumstances. Jake is instructed as sole counsel in high value and complex personal injury and fatal accident litigation on behalf of both claimants and defendants. He is known for his expertise in dealing with cases involving allegations of fraud or fundamental dishonesty and is the author of Fundamental Dishonesty and QOCS in Personal Injury Proceedings: Law and Practice (Second Edition) (2025). Jake has a successful and expanding costs and litigation funding practice. The technical nature of costs litigation is well suited to Jake’s forensic attention to detail and ability to persuasively argue complex legal principles succinctly. Jake is instructed in solicitor-client assessment proceedings and has appeared in both the County Court and the SCCO. Jake has a varied commercial litigation and insurance practice, having been instructed in a broad array of cases including breach of director’s duties; and insurance coverage and recovery claims. Jake’s clients have included private individuals; local authorities; major UK insurers; and large national commercial entities. Before joining Gatehouse Chambers, Jake was engaged as a Consultant Barrister at CANDEY, one of the UK’s top ranked and leading disputes only firms, specialising in high value international commercial litigation, arbitration and complex regulatory disputes. During his time at CANDEY, Jake dealt with a diverse number of matters including: acting for a private individual defending a multi-million pound international fraud claim (which was reported in the legal press); a claim for declaratory relief arising from a property investment scheme; advising an internationally acclaimed artist on possible remedies to recover a number of valuable art works; and Solicitors Act 1974 assessment proceedings in the SCCO. Jake regularly delivers seminars and in house training across his areas of specialism.

Edward Rowntree

Edward combines academic excellence with an acute sensitivity to the commercial needs of his clients. His practice encompasses a wide range of commercial and property work before all levels of tribunal. He also has a significant niche practice in contentious probate. He enjoys working as part of a team, whether with solicitors or other counsel (both leading and led) and is known for his pragmatic and well-informed advice. He aims to ensure that his clients are always aware of the options available to them enabling them to appreciate the merits and risks of contemplated courses of action. Edward was called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands in 2002 and has wide experience of substantial commercial and insolvency work, often with an international aspect.

Faisel Sadiq is a property specialist whose practice has a particular emphasis on five areas: landlord and tenant, trusts and the co-ownership of land, property acquisition and development, regulation of land use (e.g. licensing of houses in multiple occupation), and non-domestic rates. In addition, Faisel has complimentary expertise in commercial, chancery, and planning and local government work, usually where those matters involve interests in property and he is particularly sought out for more unusual cases where property or trusts intersect with other areas of law - e.g. judicial review and charities. Faisel’s recent notable cases include: Daff v Gyalui [2023] UKUT 134 (LC) – impact of landlord’s conduct on the level of a rent repayment order. Ludgate House v (1) Ricketts & (2) Southwark LBC [2023] UKUT 36 (LC) – impact of property guardians on the valuation of a Central London office block. Wehage v Dennis [2023] – successful 5 Day trial in the high court of a will validity dispute over the ownership of a £1m watermill. Reported in the press here and here. Wilson v Charity Commission for England and Wales [2023] UKFTT 562 (GRC) – disqualification of a trustee of the Professional Footballers Union arising from, inter alia, administration of the charity’s property portfolio. Tann v Bhundia [2022] UKUT 268 (LC) – landlord’s liability to carry out repairs to a roof. R. (on the application of Batmanghelidjh) v Charity Commission for England and Wales [2022] EWHC 3261 (Admin) – judicial review arising out of the collapse of the charity Keeping Kids Company. Batson v Charity Commission for England and Wales [2022] EWHC 2609 (Ch) – application for permission to bring company proceedings in respect of a charity. The Knightland Foundation v Charity Commission of England and Wales [2021] UKFTT 365 (GRC) – charity proceedings arising from mismanagement of a charity’s property portfolio. Southwark LBC v Ludgate House Ltd [2020] EWCA Civ 1637 – impact of property guardians on a landowner’s liability for non-domestic rates. Kahrmann v Harrison-Morgan [2019] EWCA Civ 2094 – constructive trust over land to be acquired in the future. Golding v Martin [2019] EWCA Civ 446 – relief from forfeiture for non-payment of service charge. Southwark LBC v Royce [2019] UKUT 331 (LC) – liability of lessees to pay for major works to a district heating system. Between 2008 and 2012, he was assistant editor of the Housing Law Reports and contributed to Current Law Statutes commentary on the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 and the Localism Act 2011. He regularly writes articles and gives seminars on property law. Faisel believes strongly in contributing towards the profession. He was involved with the Bar Council’s ED&I work between 2012 and 2023, being Vice Chair of the Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee and Chair of the Disability Panel between 2019 and 2023. His work on ED&I led to his winning the Chambers and Partners Award 2019 for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion. Since 2008 he has been an accredited advocacy trainer. He has taught at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and for the Cypriot Bar Association, and he is a member of the Inns of Court College of Advocacy International Committee.

Rahim is a qualified barrister who now practices as a mediator (please see his Mediator Profile). He is a truly passionate supporter of ADR around the world and thus, to enlighten the new world of mediation for the world to reap the benefits he founded ADR ODR International (AOI), a leading international dispute resolution organisation in 2016. The company has since expanded into 36 countries and become the thought leader in progressive dispute resolution and training from international conflict management to negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. As AOI’s Head of the International Training Faculty, Rahim not only teaches mediation all over the world with particular emphasis on the importance of trainee mediators’ listening skills to ensure they understand the parties’ needs (which he feels is a vital skill in reaching a meaningful settlement) but also constantly refines new techniques to ensure that parties feel the process has served their interests.

Jaysen is a commercial barrister with expertise in property, commercial dispute resolution, and insolvency. He is regularly instructed in possession hearings, interim applications, trials, and committals. Jaysen also has a busy advisory and drafting practice.

James specialises in commercial disputes with a particular focus on commercial litigation, civil fraud, company/shareholder, construction, and insurance coverage disputes. He is frequently instructed in high-value and hard-fought commercial disputes both as sole counsel and with a leader. James is recognised in the directories as a ‘Rising Star’ in both Commercial Litigation and Company, where he is recommended as a “fantastic junior” who is “exceptionally bright and quick to grasp the heart of a problem, with an understanding of the practical and legal realities that a company may face in the course of litigation” (L500, 2025). He is also praised for his advocacy, which “finds the perfect way to strongly assert his clients' rights while retaining a balanced manner that is convincing to the court” (L500, 2025). James’ recent work includes: Sky UK Ltd and Mace Ltd v Riverstone Managing Agency Limited & Ors [2024] EWCA Civ 1567. James acted for one of the successful appellants in this ‘all risks’ insurance coverage dispute, succeeding on all issues across all parties’ appeals and cross-appeals. The decision is of particular significance in relation to (inter alia) the meaning of damage, cover for deterioration and development damage, and aggregation. It followed a five-week trial in the Commercial Court concerning coverage claims worth c.£196 million: Sky UK Ltd and Mace Ltd v Riverstone Managing Agency Limited & Ors [2023] EWHC 1207 (Comm); [2024] Lloyd's Rep IR 225. James was led by Paul Reed KC and Ebony Alleyne on appeal and at trial. Nova Leipzig Sarl v Gravity Fitness Ltd [2025] EWHC 1262 (Comm): James acted for the successful Respondent/Claimant in defeating a challenge to the jurisdiction of the English Court in favour of the German Court on forum non conveniens grounds. James was led by Stephen Robins KC of South Square. Acting as sole counsel in various unfair prejudice and other shareholder disputes, including the successful defence of a two-day summary judgment application on O’Neill v Phillips grounds. Advising on complex issues of privilege in the context of a commercial/civil fraud dispute concerning assets of over $3 billion. Instructed with a silk from Fountain Court. Successfully defending various counts of alleged contempt (with an award of indemnity costs) as sole counsel at a three-day contempt trial. Acting in Commercial Court litigation concerning the enforceability of a litigation funding agreement. Instructed with a silk from Littleton Chambers. Appearing as sole counsel at an interlocutory phase in unfair prejudice proceedings relating to alleged exclusion from management, loss of substratum (etc.), alongside senior-junior counsel and a silk for the other parties: see Kurvits & Taal v Zaum UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 3441 (Ch) and Kurvits & Taal v Zaum UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 3460 (Ch). Acting for the successful Claimant in a Commercial Court action to enforce a US judgment at common law. Obtained judgment for c.$82 million (USD) and stayed Defendant’s counterclaim on jurisdictional grounds. See related adjournment application here: Wilmington Trust National Association v Su [2022] EWHC 1051 (Comm). James is a contributor to Construction All Risks Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell), Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell) and Insurance Broking Practice and the Law (Informa).

Ian began his career as a barrister specialising in IP litigation in the legal department of The Body Shop Intl Plc. Before commencing independent practice at the bar in 2002, he worked as in-house counsel to a global domain name consultancy, and later as technical assistant to a leading firm of patent & trade mark attorneys, as well as undertaking a post-graduate degree in computer science, which he obtained with a distinction, having been awarded a scholarship by the European Physics & Science Research Council. Ian’s practice covers all aspects of intellectual property, information technology, telecoms and media law, including the law of trade marks and passing off, copyright, designs, and patents, as well as related fields, such as franchising (including post-termination restrictive covenants), media and entertainment law (including defamation, privacy, breach of confidence, and data protection law). Ian has experience of acting for clients in mediation, as well as in arbitrations, and has also been instructed as an expert witness in the field of copyright law. In November 2014, Ian was identified by the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys Review as being one of the top 10 most frequently instructed counsel in hearings before the UK Intellectual Property Office. In addition, to his dispute resolution practice, Ian is also frequently instructed to draft and provide advice in relation to commercial agreements, assignments and licences falling within his areas of specialisation, including copyright and trade mark licences and assignments, trade mark co-existence agreements, NDAs, TV format licensing agreements, software development agreements and licences, publishing agreements, and franchising agreements, among others. He has represented a diverse range of clients, from individuals, including high profile performers and entertainers, as well as start-up businesses and SMEs, through to substantial global corporations. He also has experience acting both against, and defending, various police forces, local authorities, universities, and other public sector organisations, as well as trusts and charities. Ian lectures regularly in the field of intellectual property law. He has lectured to the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO), the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi) in Munich, and to the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA), as well as having been for many years a Visiting Lecturer both to the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute, London (2001-2020), and to the Centre d’Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle (CEIPI), Strasbourg (2003-2017).

Philipp Simon is a commercial barrister with an international mindset. He draws on experience as a legal professional in not only England & Wales, but also Luxembourg and Germany. He is qualified to practice law in all of these jurisdictions and has rights of audience in the courts of these countries. Philipp acts in Litigation, ADR (particularly arbitration) and as advisory counsel. His focus is on cross-border work in a corporate and commercial context where he can assist clients not only with the legal challenges of different foreign jurisdictions but also on differences in process, procedure, language and culture. His expertise ranges from cross-border mergers/company/joint venture work through jurisdiction issues and enforcement of judgments to advising government figures on European Competition Law matters and the so called "passporting" of rights and licences. Banking and finance as well as corporate insolvency are particular areas of strength. Philipp is one of very few people able to advise on both English and German law issues and this expertise gives him an undoubted edge given that Germany is Europe’s biggest economy. With Luxembourg being one of Europe's principal financial centres and the biggest centre of the Investment Fund outside the USA his knowledge is a valuable addition to any transaction or litigation involving aspects of Luxembourg law. His clients include major corporates, inhouse counsel, high net worth individuals and litigation funders. With a view to Germany, Philipp has recently acted in the Hamburg Registry of the German High Court (Landgericht Hamburg) where he successfully defended a € 145 million negligence claim against two board members of an insolvent listed company.

Frederico Singarajah

Frederico is a leading barrister specialising in international commercial dispute resolution, with deep expertise in both litigation and arbitration. He is particularly known for his work in international trade and investment disputes, and his diverse background—as a solicitor, in-house counsel, and now at the Bar—equips him to handle high-value, complex, and high-profile cases with strategic insight. He is frequently instructed by UK and international law firms, global corporates, government entities, and third-party funders, often in matters involving emerging markets across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. His practice focusses on energy and natural resources, but spans a broad range of sectors, including banking and finance, energy, infrastructure, commodities, aviation, mining, maritime, corporate and M&A, and (re)insurance. Frederico is an accomplished trial advocate and has represented states, state-owned entities, and private sector clients in English court proceedings. In international arbitration, he acts regularly as both counsel and arbitrator under the rules of major institutions, including the LCIA, ICC, LMAA, AAA-ICDR, DIAC, HKIAC, SIAC, CAM-CCBC, AIAC, ACICA, and UNCITRAL. Recognised in the Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist, Legal 500 UK Bar, Chambers and Partners, and Who’s Who Legal, Frederico is regarded as one of the standout arbitration practitioners at the English Bar, ranked both as counsel and arbitrator. He is listed on the panels of leading arbitral institutions worldwide, including the AAA-ICDR, VIAC, HKIAC, AIAC, KCAB, ACICA, B3 and CAM-CCBC. In 2017, he was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Court Examiner, overseeing depositions—primarily for U.S. District Courts—and is now one of the most experienced Examiners in this role. Alongside his practice, Frederico is committed to legal education. He teaches international arbitration with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Gray’s Inn. He is a course leader at UCL and continues to lecture there and at the University of Westminster.

Andrew’s practice encompasses all areas of real property law, with a particular focus on the areas of rights of way and other easements, public rights of way, and boundary disputes. Andrew has developed a special interest in the area of conduits: drains, sewers, pipes and cables. He has substantial experience dealing with disputes relating to the growing problem of Japanese Knotweed, and regularly advises a large national landowner on this issue. Andrew also practises in all areas of commercial and residential landlord and tenant law, dealing with both contentious and non-contentious matters. His clients include local authorities and estates, private and corporate land owners, developers and management companies, and private individuals (both private and publicly funded), and is happy to receive instructions from individuals and businesses through Direct Access. Andrew is regularly instructed by a number of Local Authorities and Councils, dealing predominantly with their commercial property issues, and is frequently commended for his practical, versatile and commercial approach. Andrew has considerable experience of litigation in the Court of Appeal, High Court, County Courts across the country, the Upper Tribunal (Land Chamber) and the First-tier Tribunal. He also regularly represents parties in mediation, and at public inquiries regarding public rights of way. Andrew was a Deputy District Judge (Civil, Chancery and Family) between 2013 and 2023, sitting in the County Court in London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. He was appointed a Recorder in 2020, and sits in the County Court at Central London (Chancery) and the Crown Court on the South East Circuit (Crime).

Henry is a specialist practitioner in the fields of personal injury, clinical negligence, health and safety law, coronial law and related insurance issues. He has experience of acting for both Defendants and Claimants and has a varied practice encompassing employer, public liability, motor claims and occupiers’ liability with a strong interest in health and safety law and environmental law. Henry is on the approved panel for many insurers for motor fraud work, in which he is frequently instructed due to his trial advocacy skills, thorough drafting and tactical acumen.

Adam Smith-Roberts

Adam is a specialist in traditional and commercial chancery work including wills and probate, contentious trusts, insolvency, and company and shareholder disputes, as well as commercial dispute resolution and international arbitration. He is ranked as a Rising Star by Legal 500 in ‘Private client: trusts and probate.’ Adam has a background in real property work and is comfortable dealing with matters with a strong property element. Adam appears regularly in courts and tribunals, representing a broad range of clients from individuals to large multi-national corporations. His practice is increasingly international with parties based in jurisdictions including the United States, Brazil, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, The Bahamas, and Hong Kong, amongst others.

Mark specialises in employment and executive disputes, discrimination, restraint of trade and commercial litigation. He is recommended by the Legal 500 for Employment. Known for his excellent inter-personal skills and depth of legal knowledge, Mark is experienced at acting at all levels of the judicial system and at mediation for claimants and defendants, and for corporate and individual clients.

Brie Stevens-Hoare KC

Brie is recommended as a leading silk in the latest editions of The Legal 500 and Chambers UK . In recent years she won Barrister of the Year at the Modern Law Awards and Chambers UK’s Real Estate Silk of the Year Award. She is a client focused property barrister experienced at dealing with all aspects of property litigation, property related probate and professional negligence as well as franchising. Brie’s successful property practice, focusing in particular on real property, property development and, the more commercial aspects of property work continues to flourish. In addition she has developed a strong reputation for her contentious probate work, which frequently involves property issues. Property related professional negligence (particularly involving solicitors and surveyors), probate (often involving property issues) and franchising form the balance of Brie’s practice. Mediation is the other string to Brie’s bow and Chambers UK notes she is “a great mediator“. She has a great deal of experience of mediation from both angles: as a mediator and representing clients in mediations. She is increasingly in demand in both capacities and works as a mediator privately and in the FTT. Brie is also able to accept direct access instructions and is often instructed to provide an initial assessment of prospects and strategic advice.

Cameron’s practice centres on property and private client disputes with a particular focus on contentious trusts and estates and real property disputes. Ranked by both Chambers High Net Worth and Legal 500, Cameron is noted for his excellence in both capability and client relationships. He is widely recognised for his down to earth attitude and his ability to advise clients in an accessible manner. Cameron is an experienced trial advocate in his own right at all levels of Court and Tribunal and recently acted for the successful appellant in the Supreme Court decision of Hirachand v Hirachand [2024] UKSC 43 led by Brie Stevens-Hoare KC. Cameron is also one of the co-authors of the newest edition to Class Legal’s popular dictionary series Dictionary of TLATA and Inheritance Act Claims (2025) and authored the chapter concerning the ‘Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975’. Away from chambers, Cameron is an active conservationist and he currently serves as an executive board member of Save the Asian Elephants. Cameron is also very involved in FreeBar, an LGBT+ organisation established by Gatehouse Chambers along with other leading chambers, which aims to promote diversity and inclusivity of LGBT+ members and staff at the Bar.

Tim is ideally qualified for the role of arbitrator being a highly experienced advocate who followed an extremely successful civil law practice as a KC (2 years of which was as head of chambers at 12 King’s Bench Walk) with 12 years’ experience as a Circuit Judge. His legal experience relates to insurance, construction, professional negligence (in particular architects, engineers, surveyors, valuers and accountants), highways, sale of goods and personal injury. As a barrister, he appeared in substantial arbitrations including a large international arbitration involving the docks in Dubai. He also dealt with other dispute resolution procedures akin to arbitration such as a Lands Tribunal reference where he successfully argued that a major landslide at Bolsover was caused by coal mining subsidence.

Paul is widely considered a leading junior at the top of his game and is the first port of call for most solicitors in his areas of expertise. Solicitors describe him as ‘the one to have on your side’. He works tirelessly to ensure that the professional and lay client’s interests are best served. He is a noted litigator and tactician whose strong and wide-ranging commercial practice has a particular focus on shareholder and partnership disputes, franchise disputes, claims relating to directors and employment-related litigation. His keen intellect combined with his robust tactics has served to earn Paul a highly impressive list of clients as well as appearing in many leading Court of Appeal cases as sole counsel and the Supreme Court (led) within the last 12 months. Equally at home leading, being led or appearing on his own, often against much more senior opposition, Paul regularly deals with multi-million pound litigation for multi-nationals and public organisations as well as individuals. Paul is often praised by the judges who he appears in front of, and his opponents whom he is against, for his advocacy. “A noted advocate, fierce when he needs to be and clients like him as well”, he “impresses with his forthright advice and clarity of expression” and is recommended in the legal directories “for his preparation, client care and advocacy”. He is incredibly user-friendly and is particularly known for his expertise with figures which makes him ideally suited for complex financial claims. He is recommended as a leading junior for his commercial dispute resolution and employment work in both Chambers UK and The Legal 500. He also sits as a Deputy District Judge in London and the South East.

Michael Tetstall

Michael works across Gatehouse Chambers' core practice areas with a particular focus on professional liability, commercial and property law. He is an experienced and confident advocate, who is frequently instructed in high value and complex disputes. He is comfortable being instructed as sole counsel or as part of a legal team. Clients value Michael’s practical and focussed advice. In particular, they appreciate the value of his clear, strategic approach to litigation, which underpins the advice he gives. Michael’s recent work includes being led in a boundary dispute in the High Court regarding unclear lease plans in Van Zyl & Anor v Walker-Smith [2025] EWHC 136. Michael is an experienced mediator and welcomes instructions in his areas of expertise. He also has previous experience as a mediator in Australia. Prior to working at the bar, Michael worked at an international law firm, where he was involved in a number of international arbitrations including disputes over major infrastructure projects and power plants.

Jonathan Titmuss

Jonathan Titmuss is a highly regarded senior junior who specialises in insolvency and restructuring. Ranked for his insolvency expertise in both Chambers UK and Legal 500, he is noted as having “wide knowledge of technical insolvency and exceptional attention to detail” and having “sound commercialism”. He also accepts instructions in insolvency related commercial and property disputes. Jonathan is known as a tenacious advocate and skilled strategist and tactician. He is popular and well respected by both his lay and professional clients for whom he is often seen as “go to” counsel. Jonathan has an established practice dealing with the negligence of professionals involved in his core areas such as insolvency practitioners, solicitors and surveyors. He is recommended by Legal 500 in this area as well where he is recognised as being “responsive and knows his stuff”. Jonathan is happy to consider different ways of funding cases including conditional fee agreements and he works with practitioners and funders to enable litigation to be funded to a successful conclusion whether following purchase and assignment or otherwise. As an ADR Group accredited mediator, Jonathan is frequently involved in mediations and all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Training Jonathan takes a keen interest in training. He regularly delivers talks to professionals in all areas of his work including solicitors, insolvency practitioners, accountants and surveyors as well as speaking for external organisations such as R3. He is also an accredited advocacy tutor for Lincoln’s Inn, a mentor on the pupillage foundation scheme and a registered pupil supervisor.

Laura is a very experienced and sought-after barrister who specialises in residential and commercial landlord and tenant and property litigation, as well as in social housing. She is recommended for real estate litigation and social housing in Chambers & Prs and Legal 500. She is described as always looking for “solutions rather than problems” and “taking a pragmatic, commercially minded approach to matters”. It is also noted that she is “compelling and persuasive” in court and has a “steely determination to fight her client’s corner”. She is also known for being “incredibly impressive on the client care front”. Laura’s landlord and tenant litigation practice is extensive including issues relating to possession, notices, long leasehold, AST, service charge and management disputes, dilapidations, 1954 Act claims, forfeiture, rent reviews and pub work. Her practice encompasses all aspects of real estate litigation including TOLATA claims, rights to light, rights of way, easements and covenants, trespass and nuisance and adverse possession. Laura has particularly strong experience dealing with harassment cases, injunctions and guardian occupation. Laura has cross-over experience dealing with property related offences in the Magistrates Court and FTT, including HMO licensing, rent repayment orders, civil penalty notices, breaches of the environmental legislation, Housing Act 2004 and s21 and s25 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 service charge claims. Laura is experienced in private prosecutions and appeals in these matters, as well as with rates mitigation. She is regarded as a leading junior for social housing work. She frequently acts for housing associations and local authorities in relation to all aspects of housing law from ASBIs, closure orders, tenancy fraud, possessions, trials and applications, to bigger policy decisions and strategic advice. Her related property expertise sees her instructed in important cases where property law and social housing law overlap. Laura is a first-rate accredited mediator and really enjoys her role in settling disputes. Additionally, her experience and insight as a mediator means she is an excellent choice as counsel in mediation. She is regularly instructed in the High Court, Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), FTT Property Chamber and County Court and also appears in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Laura is at the forefront in training on the changes afoot due to Renters Reform and the Building Safety Act. Laura is the editor of the Gatehouse property team newsletter.

Alaric is an experienced commercial barrister specialising primarily in business disputes and insolvency. His practice covers a wide range of commercial litigation, costs, civil fraud, employment related litigation, company and partnership disputes and all aspects of insolvency, both individual and corporate.

Michael Wheater KC

Michael Wheater KC is a respected and sought-after commercial silk with a particular focus on domestic and international construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes, insurance coverage, professional negligence claims and property damage. He has a busy practice dealing with high-value disputes which raise complex technical and financial issues. He has been recommended as a leader in his fields in the Legal 500, Chambers UK, Chambers Global, Doyle’s Guide and Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) for many years, with recommendations including: “…an excellent ally to have in the most difficult cases” (Chambers UK). "…an exceptional advocate with the ability to digest huge volumes of information, distil the key points and strategic implications, and produce laser-focussed submissions. A real team player for whom no task is too big or too small.” (Legal 500) Michael’s work is predominantly based in the English Courts (TCC, Commercial Court and Appellate Courts) and in the GCC region. He appears in the DIFC, ADGM, and QIDRC courts, as well as in International Arbitrations in the GCC region and broader Middle East. His work regularly brings him to the region and he is a member of the COMBAR Gulf subcommittee. Whether in the English Courts, the offshore Courts or in Arbitration, Michael builds and leads effective teams and works proactively with clients, firms and experts to deliver successful outcomes. Michael is also well placed to advise as to effective and efficient methods of handling e-disclosure and information management. He is the author of the leading textbook on e-disclosure together with Charles Raffin (second edition in progress) and he regularly lectures on commercial, construction and insurance disputes, legal tech and the future of dispute resolution. Michael is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, is a TECBAR accredited adjudicator and an ADR Group Accredited Mediator.

Helena is a commercial practitioner, with a particular focus on domestic and international construction and engineering disputes, insurance coverage, professional negligence and property damage. Her experience includes public procurement, infrastructure and utilities work. Recommended across various practice areas in Chambers and Partners, Chambers Global, the Legal 500 and the Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal), Helena is known for being a robust trial advocate and providing clear and accessible advice either in writing or in conference. She is regularly instructed by a range of clients, including employers, contractors, construction professionals, insurers and insolvency practitioners to act in litigation, arbitration, adjudication and mediation, across a variety of jurisdictions, with a particular focus on the Middle East. Helena accepts instructions on a direct access basis in appropriate cases.

Robert Whittock

Robert has a broad civil litigation practice focused on Intellectual Property, Professional Negligence and Personal Injury. He handles a wide range of claims including multi-claimant £multi-million professional negligence cases concerning off-plan property developments and complicated cases concerning patents. He has appeared as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal & High Court and regularly appears in interlocutory matters, trials and appeals in the County Court. Robert also considers accepting instructions on a direct access basis. Prior to commencing practice at the Bar, Robert was employed as a scientist at AstraZeneca, worked at Molecular Profiles on patent infringement testing of pharmaceutical drug substances & drug products and on a multi-national patent litigation case concerning extended wear contact lenses in the IP/IT department at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. Robert has a keen interest in pharmaceutical patents and has been invited to give presentations and chair sessions at international conferences in this field, including Assa International IWPCPS-13. He is known for his attention to detail and achieving the best result for the client even in the most challenging case.

Alice’s practice encompasses Chambers’ key areas of commercial litigation, centring on civil fraud, banking, insurance, and dispute resolution. She has specialist insight into technical financial matters, having had a previous career as a Chartered Accountant for Ernst & Young, and recently concluded work on a highly complex year-long civil fraud trial in the Commercial Court (Skatteforvaltningen (Danish Customs and Tax Authority) v Solo Capital Partners LLP & Ors led by Nigel Jones KC). On top of led work in high profile cases, Alice has a thriving solo practice, regularly appearing as sole counsel in High Court and County Court proceedings. Key cases: Junior counsel for the main Defendants in Skatteforvaltningen (Danish Customs and Tax Authority) v Solo Capital Partners LLP & Ors, led by Nigel Jones KC, Sarah McCann, Lisa Freeman (of Furnival Chambers) and Emily Betts. The case involves claims for £1.4bn in deceit, conspiracy, unjust enrichment, breach of constructive trust, dishonest assistance, and knowing receipt arising out of complex share trading. The case was listed as one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases for 2024. It was the most complex case which has been case managed in the Commercial Court. Mr Justice Baker previously remarked that this case was “litigation on a massive scale”.

Charlotte has a broad civil practice, with a particular emphasis on Costs and Litigation Funding, Personal Injury, Commercial Litigation, Insurance, and Housing. Charlotte routinely appears unled in the High Court, tackling complex procedural issues, and is ranked in the Legal 500 as a “Rising Star” in Costs and Litigation Funding. In her first few years of practice, Charlotte has already been instructed in four reported cases, one of which was an unled case in the High Court concerning CPR Part 36. She has recently been instructed in the Supreme Court as second junior counsel to the RHA, led by PJ Kirby KC, in the case of R (on the application of PACCAR Inc and others) (Appellants) v Competition Appeal Tribunal and others (Respondents) [2023] UKSC 28 – a case concerning third party litigation funding (with billion-pound implications), which featured in The Lawyer as one of the Top 10 Appeal cases of 2023. She has extensive experience of witness handling and trial advocacy, having acted as sole counsel in trials pleaded up to half a million pounds. Prior to joining Chambers, Charlotte had a successful career in sales for many years, specialising in documentary sales. She was a tenacious negotiator in senior account management roles across the Media, Technology, Science, and Healthcare sectors in international markets. Following her MPhil at the University of Cambridge, she was invited to deliver her MPhil research in a lecture at the Royal Academy of Arts, which spurred an interest in public speaking. She also spent half a year travelling solo around the world to photograph unusual libraries and bookshops, including the Liyuan Library in the mountains of China, and the oldest library in Uruguay.

Emma specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence, and is also developing her experience in Inquests work. She is regularly instructed to appear in the County Court, dealing with a range of hearings, including Small Claims, Fast Track Trials, CCMCs, and interlocutory applications arising out of personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Emma has also recently represented Defendants in Clinical Negligence cases at CCMCs in the High Court. Emma has a commitment to pro bono, accepting instructions through Advocate.

Steven is primarily a specialist property barrister with over 30 years' experience. Steven has many reported cases in the House of Lords, Court of Appeal, High Court and Upper Tribunal with the seminal case of London Borough of Barking & Dagenham v Persons Unknown relating to the application of injunctive relief in cases involving trespass and nuisance being one of the most recent. Steven also has a thriving successful commercial practice which has developed significantly in recent years and is reported in leading cases in the areas of Professional Negligence and Partnership Law. Cases in which he has been involved have frequently been reported in the Legal Action Group (LAG) journal, Family Law Reporter, Times Law Reports, New Law Journal, and Family Law Cases. Steven was formerly Chair of Governors of the secondary Jewish Free School. Recent work University of Brighton v Persons Unknown [2023] EWHC 1485 Djurberg v Thames Properties (Hampton) [2023] EWHC 1444 Barking and Dagenham v Persons Unknown [2022] EWCA Civ 13 London Borough of Bromley v Persons Unknown & London Gypsies and Travellers [2020] EWCA 12 Hillingdon London Borough Council v Persons Unknown & Others [2020] EWHC 2153 London Borough of Sutton v (1) Persons Unknown Occupying Land and (2) Persons Unknown Depositing Waste [2018] 11 WLUK 819 Naresh Bhatija v Lloyds TSB Bank PLC [2014] EWHC 4092 (Ch) A claim in negligence against a Bank for failing to honour a direct debit. Charlie Properties Ltd v (1) Risetall Ltd (2) Warmhaze Ltd [2014] EWHC 4057 A claim relating to trespass over a right of way and land. Eastleigh Borough Council v (1) Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government (2) Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd [2014] EWHC 4225 (Admin) An appeal against the decision of a Planning Inspector. Re Davie’s Application [2016] UKUT 462 Cheema v Jones [2017] EWCA Civ 1706

Emma is a highly experienced and well-respected barrister with a practice focussing exclusively on inquests, inquiries, investigations and injuries. Her expertise in the systems and operations of public and private bodies delivering care to vulnerable people whether in prison, police custody, hospitals or care homes is first class and she is a sought after inquest and inquiry advocate regularly instructed by government departments, police authorities, the NHS and local authorities, particularly in cases concerning institutional failings and of the upmost sensitivity. She is a go-to barrister in cases with multiple party involvement, extensive documentation, related legal processes (including Human Rights Act claims) and where there may be significant reputational risk or publicity. She is instructed as Counsel to the Inquest by Coroners. Specialising in injury and clinical negligence work since 1998 Emma has always occupied a unique position of successfully balancing a practice for both Claimant’s and Defendants and respected by leading firms on both sides. Her experience lends her to work at the most complex and high value end of the spectrum including claims following a fatality, injuries to babies, young children and some of the most vulnerable in society. In addition to her domestic practice Emma acts for clients out of the jurisdiction with an international client base in the Caribbean and the United States. Emma sits as a Recorder (part-time Circuit Judge) in both the criminal and civil courts and is ticketed for specialist serious sex cases. She has been Counsel to the Crown since 2018 and is now on their appointed Silk’s list. She has been a qualified Mediator since 2018. Consistently ranked by both Chambers UK and The Legal 500 since 2008 in all her practice areas and recognised in both London and on her circuit, Emma is known for her user friendly yet no-nonsense approach and is a fierce and fearless advocate who is always meticulously prepared. A seasoned seminar presenter and article writer, Emma is regularly invited to speak at large scale events. In 2024 she contributed to work for the Law Commission in Malta on their investigatory processes following an unnatural death.

Louis Zvesper specialises in construction, professional liability, and insurance disputes. He is ranked as a leading junior by Chambers and Partners in construction: professional negligence and insurance; and by The Legal 500 in professional negligence and insurance & reinsurance. Louis was listed as one of 20 new leading names in the legal profession at the UK bar for 2024. In construction, Louis acts for a wide range of clients such as developers, contractors, construction professionals, site owners etc. On the insurance side, he acts for both insurers and policy holders. Louis is regularly instructed on all aspects of litigation and dispute resolution, and to represent parties from pre-action through to trial and appeal, including in various forms of ADR. His experience ranges from domestic disputes through to billion-pound claims. Louis’ recent instructions include: Instructions from Fenchurch Law to act for Stonegate Pub Company Ltd in Stonegate v MS Amlin & Ors. Louis was being led by Ben Lynch KC, Adam Kramer KC, and David Pleiner KC. The case was listed as one of The Lawyer magazine’s top 20 cases of 2022. It concerned a £1 billion claim for business interruption losses due to COVID-19, and is a market leading case addressing issues arising from COVID-19 in relation to aggregation, post-policy period causation, treatment of furlough and government support, and AICW. Instructions from Keoghs to act for architects in the £50m leading cladding and fire safety defects claim of Shepherd Construction, one of The Lawyer magazine’s top 20 cases of 2024, led by Michael Wheater KC. Instructions from Stewarts to act for developers on a £100m cladding and fire safety defects claim relating to a number of high rise residential developments, involving both professional indemnity insurance and third party claims, led by David Pleiner KC. Instructions from Keoghs to act for architects in a £50m multi party dispute relating to cladding and fire safety defects at a high rise residential development in Cardiff, led by Michael Wheater KC. Instructions as sole counsel Lester Aldridge to act for a care home provider pursuing insurers under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 for cover under professional indemnity insurance in a series of claims relating to employer’s agent and architectural negligence at three care homes, resulting in render and fire safety defects, with a combined value of £8.5m. Instructions as sole counsel from CMS to act for an energy distributor in a £2.5m claim for defective connection works for a substation and PV generating station. Instructions as sole counsel from Richard Nelson to act for a contractor in a £1.5m claim relating to negligent over-specification of concrete reinforcement by a structural engineer in two residential developments. Instructions as sole counsel from Fenchurch Law to act for a contractor in relation to a £800,000 coverage dispute regarding progressive water damage to wooden roof cassettes. Instructions as sole counsel from Kennedys on a multiparty £650,000 claim for defective groundworks at the Saracens rugby ground carpark. Instructions as sole counsel from Kennedys to act for insurers in relation to a £600,000 coverage dispute arising from a burglary at a computer hardware shop. Louis has contributed chapters to Construction Professional Indemnity Insurance (Sweet & Maxwell); Construction All Risks Insurance 3rd edition (Sweet & Maxwell); Construction Insolvency 7th edition (Sweet & Maxwell); and Risk and Negligence in Property Transactions (The Law Society).