Serle Court

John has a busy commercial and chancery practice with a particular focus on commercial litigation, company and insolvency, civil fraud and intellectual property. He is regularly instructed as sole counsel but is equally comfortable working as part of a larger team. John's recent instructions include:

Floreat Investment Management Ltd v Churchill [2023] EWCA Civ 440, in which the Court of Appeal reversed a finding of dishonesty made at first instance and entered judgment in favour of the appellants. John appeared for the successful appellants (led by Thomas Elias).

Entertainment One UK Limited v Công Ty TNHH Đầu Tư Công Nghệ Và Dịch Vụ Sconnect Việtnam [2022] EWHC 3295 (Ch), in which the High Court dismissed service and jurisdiction challenges in a multi-jurisdictional copyright, trade mark and passing off claim concerning the Peppa Pig children’s animated series. John appeared for the successful claimants (led by Michael Edenborough KC and Gwilym Harbottle).

Re Trade Mark Application No 3508962 (O/954/22), in which the Appointed Person upheld the dismissal of an opposition. The decision includes a discussion of the principles relevant to the comparison of word marks and figurative marks. John appeared unled for the successful respondent.

In addition to his practice at the Bar, John is a distinguished academic lawyer. He has edited three books and has authored over twenty publications in leading academic law reviews. His publications have been cited by the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Singapore Court of Appeal, as well as in numerous textbooks, articles and reference works, including in Sir Kim Lewison's The Interpretation of Contracts and in the 10th edition of Goff & Jones on Unjust Enrichment.

Year of Call: 2019.

London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association

Commercial Bar Association

Chancery Bar Association

Doctor of Philosophy in Law (University of Adelaide)

Master of Law with First Class Honours (University of Cambridge)

Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours (University of Adelaide)

Bachelor of Arts (University of Adelaide)