New Square Chambers

Jeff Hardman has a very busy modern chancery practice specialising in all areas of property, private client matters, insolvency (both corporate and personal), civil fraud, and commercial litigation. He is recommended as a leading junior in his field within Legal 500 where he is described as “a relentless litigator and generally unflappable in the courtroom, assertive in his submissions and a skilled cross-examiner” (Tier 3, Legal 500, 2023).

Jeff is a seasoned trial advocate and litigator, who has a strong reputation for being a very hard working and accessible barrister, with a loyal client base many of whom continue to instruct him since pupillage. He is frequently sought out for his advice on injunctive relief, security for costs, pre-action disclosure, litigation funding, investigation options for suspected fraudulent activity, third-party costs orders, beddoe applications, and for his views on litigation strategy generally, including negotiated settlements or other out-of-court resolutions. He routinely advises clients in planning how to respond, and in responding, to crises and other significant legal problems that attract the media spotlight.

Whilst he is happy to operate as a ‘traditional barrister’, receiving instructions and providing advice when required; he works best when operating as part of a committed legal team which includes the lay client, solicitor, and any retained expert. Jeff thrives in the cut and thrust of litigation and has previously been described as “A sharp and tenacious junior with real nous” (Tier 5, Legal 500 2020); “intelligent and persuasive” (Tier 4, Legal 500, 2021).

Prior to the Bar, Jeff worked for a law firm in the Caribbean before joining a start-up in London developing a music streaming ‘app’ funded by Gazprom Media.

For a detailed breakdown of Jeff’s recent experience across these domains, see the specialist ‘experience’ sections below.

Called to the Bar 2012.

Jeff is a property litigator, regularly instructed in real property claims involving boundaries, easements, and land registration matters as well as landlord & tenant disputes involving forfeiture claims, service charges, and dilapidations. He is instructed by national and regional firms, landed estates, local authorities, private individuals, action groups and developers.

In addition to this conventional property work, Jeff is frequently instructed in property disputes which involve some element of impropriety following the breakdown of a joint venture, partnership, or the insolvency of a corporate entity. Cloaking equitable principles over complicated facts to recover trust property has generated numerous trials for Jeff and remains a strong focus.

Jeff’s practice covers a wide range of both personal and corporate insolvency matters, acting on behalf of officeholders, debtors, creditors, companies, directors and insolvency practitioners (IPs). He provides robust and pragmatic advice and is known for providing focused advocacy on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious Insolvency Law and procedure.

Typically, Jeff acts in claims relating to the recovery of assets for the insolvent estate, such as TUV claims, preferences, misfeasance claims. He advises on all types of applications made within insolvency proceedings or other matters such as applications for administration order, to set aside statutory demands, to restrain winding up petitions or to restrain advertisement of petitions.

Jeff frequently represents parties in factually complex probate litigation. He specialises in 1975 Act claims; the removal of personal representatives and trustees; Beddoe applications; applications for accounts and disclosure of trust documents; the administration of estates and trusts; proprietary estoppel; constructive and resulting trusts; and issues of domicile. He provides robust and direct advice, with his probate expertise complimented by his extensive residential and commercial property work and broad chancery practice generally.

Jeff’ advisory work includes interpreting wills, rectification of wills, claims under the 1975 Act; the content and timing of estate accounts; and the effect of grants of probate for the use and benefit of a minor. Jeff also has experience drafting wills and deeds of variation.

Chancery Bar Association; Public Access Bar Association; Institute of Residential Property Managers.

2007 - BA (Hons) Durham; 2010 - GDL (College of Law); 2011 - BPTC (College of Law).