Tanfield Chambers

Every type of commercial and common law case in the High Court and before arbitrators. Many commercial disputes concerning design and implementation of business computer systems and professional negligence heard in Technology and Construction Court. Extensively concerned in technical computer issues and the computation of losses, licensing, distribution agreements, commercial agents and all issues affecting the internet, telecoms and outsourcing including competition and consumer aspects. Financial services both compensatory and regulatory; case in European Court of Human Rights concerning Article 5 of Convention on Human Rights. Earlier practice was wide ranging including crime, both defence and prosecution, two cases in House of Lords; employment – many employment tribunals and EAT; acted for HM Coroners in several high-profile inquests; property – all aspects including residential, commercial, leasehold reform, construction and building and professional misconduct tribunals. Cases include: Rooks Rider v JR Steel (solicitors undertaking); [1993] 4 AER 716; Barret v Ducket (company derivative action and minority shareholder) [1995] BCC 362; Gretton v British Millerain (computer supply, professional negligence) BLR 2001; Winter Brown v Anglo Group [2000] 72 Con LR 118, [2000] ITCLR 559, [2000] Masons CLR 13, [2000] 144 SJLB 197 (concerning supplier and customers liability under a computer supply contract); Puolitaival and Pirttiaho v Finland, case number 54857/00 23/11/2004 (Art 6 of HR Convention); Collymore v Francis, 20 October 2008 (footballer awarded damages for poor financial advice); Hall v Cable & Wireless [2009] EWHC 1793 (Comm) (company’s liability to shareholders for listing particulars); Gaetano v Obertor [2009] 2653 (Ch) (transfer of shares under ‘exit’ clause).

Called 1972; Gray’s Inn; bencher Gray’s Inn 2004; director Central London charitable sports company for 30 years; conducted numerous FIMBRA arbitrations for the CIArb as well as ad hoc references; appointed as arbitrator by SFA in many arbitrations concerning financial services; appeared as counsel in many references concerning financial and technical issues; former member Bar Council Disciplinary Tribunals.

Fellow Chartered Institute of Arbitrators since 1992; chartered arbitrator; member of several Institute committees 1992-94; member London Court of International Arbitration 1993-2004; Securities and Futures Authority Arbitration Panel 1994-2002; member Commercial, Arbitration and European Group in Tanfield Chambers; member US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, London panel for US securities arbitrations against US registered brokers; South-Eastern Circuit; London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association; Technology and Construction Bar Association; former member of local authority, sat on and chaired a wide variety of committees including planning committees and housing associations; founder member of Bar’s Free Representation Unit; secretary Gray’s Inn barristers’ committee 1995-2004; former member Gray’s Inn management committee; former head of Tanfield Chambers.

St Philips Grammar School, Birmingham; University of Birmingham; Inns of Court School of Law.

Family, cycling, motor racing, croquet.