Exchange Chambers

Commercial; Insolvency; Professional Negligence

David is a highly experienced commercial litigator, his practice covering insolvency, company; shareholder and partnership disputes; banking, mortgage and asset recovery; commercial fraud; and professional negligence.

His insolvency work includes contested recovery actions, appearing on routine, controversial and urgent applications (including injunctions) and advising on complex, technical matters arising in the conduct of insolvencies. He acts on behalf of office-holders and those subject to and affected by insolvency proceedings. He frequently acts on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in public interest winding up

David’s practice in Silk covers general commercial litigation matters, corporate and personal insolvency, company law, fraud and asset recovery, banking and claims brought against professionals.

Described as “technically excellent” and “superb on the law and has a practical approach”. He is popular with clients as he is “client friendly” and the “go-to choice for large cases” as he is “easy to get on with and takes a very collaborative approach, which is refreshing for a silk”. David recognises the practical and commercial problems faced by his clients and the need to achieve the speedy and cost-effective resolution of their legal disputes, whether consensually, at trial or by way of interim application. An “excellent silk” who is “a pleasure to work with”, “really bright, a good team player and very approachable”, he is just as comfortable in multi-day trials in complex and high-value claims as he is making urgent applications (whether by way of freezing or other order, having significant experience of making applications without notice and the responsibilities that arise) and advising those already involved in or contemplating becoming involved in litigation.

Prior to taking Silk, David led in the Court of Appeal for one of the respondents in Denton v White [2014] EWCA Civ 906, dealing with the proper approach to be taken on an application for relief from sanction under CPR 3.9.

In 2017, David became the General Editor of Schaw Miller and Bailey on Personal Insolvency. He is a regular speaker at R3 seminars.

Called 1999; QC 2016; Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional Panel); Accredited Mediator

Chancery Bar Association Northern Chancery Bar Association (Secretary) Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association Association of Business Recovery Professionals (Fellow) Insolvency Lawyers’ Association COMBAR Professional Negligence Bar Association

Bolton School LLB University of Birmingham Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law