John de Waal KC – Gatehouse Chambers
John de Waal KC at Gatehouse Chambers has ‘a particularly strong rapport with clients. He brings a calm, empathetic presence to situations that are often tense, and his ability to build trust quickly is a key factor in his success’. Also at The Property Mediators since 2023, de Waal is one of the few property silks to have an established mediation practice. He is particularly experienced in high-value commercial property conflicts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Profile
Work Department
Property litigation, professional indemnity, professional indemnity insurance, mediation
Position
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.
Career
Called 1992; joined Gatehouse Chambers 2009; KC 2013.
Memberships
- British Insurance Law Association
- Property Bar Association
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
Education
Cantab (1986 MA Hons); accredited mediator (2001 CEDR).
Content supplied by Gatehouse Chambers