4 New Square Chambers remains at the forefront of the professional negligence market. The set continues to be involved with Grenfell Tower litigation, with David Turner KC, Clare Dixon KC, Isabel Barter and Conor Ewing acting for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in claims against contractors, architects and others. Ben Hubble KC, Justin Fenwick KC and Ben Smiley are involved in Abraaj v KPMG, a claim against the auditors of the high-profile Dubai-based emerging markets private equity house which collapsed in 2018. Hubble KC is also acting for the defendants in Afan Valley Ltd & Ors v Lupton Fawcett & Metis, alongside Michael Bowmer, Daniel Saoul KC and Pippa Manby; the case concerns a number of property investment schemes which entered into liquidation. Patrick Lawrence KC and Helen Evans KC are instructed on behalf of the defendant in Discovery Land v Axis, a case which raised questions on the extent of the coverage of solicitors’ insurers on the grounds of dishonesty on the parts of the insured solicitor. Scott Allen was instructed in Bratt v Jones, another case which went to the Court of Appeal concerning the test for valuers’ negligence.
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Profile
Position
Patrick Lawrence specialises in commercial litigation. He has great experience in the field of claims against professionals (in particular, auditors, lawyers, other professionals operating in the financial sector, and valuers). He has appeared in many leading cases at appellate level. He practises in various offshore jurisdictions. Reported cases in 2020-21 involve high value claims against lawyers; ability of insurer to avoid for non-disclosure of criminal proceedings; the doctrine of merger in the context of declaratory proceedings; payment on incorporation for subscriber shares; and a number of professional misconduct hearings.
Career
Called to the Bar 1985; Inner Temple; QC 2002.
Memberships
PNBA.
Education
Eton College; Christ Church College, Oxford (BA).
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- 'Dennis Peck and Andy Call are model clerks in the old style, which is greatly appreciated by solicitors.'
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- 'Consistently excellent, and some strong juniors emerging through the ranks.'
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- '4 New Square is an excellent set and a true leader in its field.'
- '4 New Square is easily the premier Professional Indemnity set. Great reputation and strength across the field of barristers.'