Gatehouse Chambers

Commercial Dispute Resolution, Property, Construction & Engineering, Insurance & Reinsurance

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 three-day trial about ownership of money and chattels following the separation of an unmarried couple.

• 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 on various disputes arising out of a share of freehold ownership structure.

• Advising on a High Court fraud claim valued at over £1 million.

• Advising on a complex possession claim following the death of a resident landlord.

• Drafting pleadings in a claim arising out of an international investment scheme.

• Appearing in a long running multi-party property damage dispute.

• Advising on a final account dispute involving questions of delay, adequacy of notices, and defective work.

Recent instructions as junior counsel have included:

• Representing the Claimant, led by John de Waal KC, in a multi-million-pound claim arising out of a property development. The case also raised issues of jurisdiction and service abroad.

• 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.

Philip is a contributor to the 4th edition of Paul Reed KC’s Construction All Risks Insurance  and the NHBC Warranty Chapter in the forthcoming 2nd edition of John de Waal KC’s Risk and Negligence in Property Transactions.

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 appears on the 2025 Pro Bono Recognition List.

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.

Call: 2022

• Property Bar Association

• The London Bar Association

MA – University of Cambridge, Law, Double First

BCL – Oxford, Distinction

BPC – University of Law, Outstanding

Outside of the law, Philip enjoys playing hockey and watching cricket.