Serle Court garners praise from clients for being ‘one of the strongest sets for property litigation, with real depth in complex claims’. The team has a solid track record in representing clients before all levels of the UK courts. Rupert Reed KC is ‘a tremendous advocate who commands the courtroom when he is in action’. Newly appointed silk Michael Walsh KC acted for the Secretary of State, as an intervener, before the Supreme Court in URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd, a complex claim brought under the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) which involved issues concerning the interplay between the BSA and the Defective Premises Act 1972. Among the juniors, Lara Kuehl is appearing for the claimant in a High Court case concerning a claim for alleged fraudulent misrepresentation arising from the sale of a plot of land for development.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
“Very smart, commercial and pragmatic. His advocacy is incredibly impressive, often outshining KCs. A real pleasure to work with.” Legal 500 2024.
Michael is a highly sought after senior junior specialising in property, commercial chancery, civil fraud and professional liability. Known for his extensive trial experience, strategic focus and excellent cross-examination, clients have told Legal 500: 'Michael is a phenomenal property lawyer who understands not only the academic intricacy of property law, but how it works and can be made to work in practice for his clients.'
Michael frequently appears in the Court of Appeal, High Court, County Court, and Tribunals in connection with all areas of his practice. Michael draws on his broad expert knowledge to advise clients on how to best achieve their strategic goals in complex cases and transactions. He receives regular instructions in commercial matters and projects involving property, company and partnership law, development finance, securities and planning.
In 2021 Michael was appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. Members of the A panel deal with the most complex government cases in all courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court. They will often appear against King’s Counsel. He has also advised many government departments on a range of real estate matters, such as overage agreements, lease break notices, and a large and complex arbitration in connection with government property. Michael’s appointment to the A Panel follows his five-year appointment to the B Panel between 2016 and 2021.
Career
Year of Call: 2006
Memberships
Property Bar Association (Committee Member)
Chancery Bar Association
Professional Negligence Bar Association
Education
LLB (Hons), King's College London.
Content supplied by Serle Court
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Dan Wheeler is excellent.'
- 'Dan Wheeler stands out for his responsiveness, approachability and willingness to always go the extra mile.'
- 'Charlie Payne is a pleasure to deal with, flexible and pragmatic on fees.'
- 'Super responsive clerks.'
- 'Serle Court is very strong.'
- 'Good team of barristers undertaking landlord and tenant and other property work.'
- 'A solid set in the field.'
- 'Very well run set.'