Thomas More Chambers

Areas of Practice:

• Commercial
• Employment
• Family
• Insolvency
• Personal Injury
• Property
• Public & Human Rights

Experience:

Commercial/Chancery:

Stephanie is regularly instructed in trials and applications in the County Courts, High Court and Companies Court. She has advised and represented parties to a number of long running, high-value cases, involving complex issues of contract, standards of reasonable care and skill, agency, professional negligence, commercial tenancies, property, company law, insolvency, gifts, trusts and TOLATA, restitution, consumer credit (including PPI claims) and contested probate. Stephanie has also frequently been instructed by the performing artists’ union, Equity, in respect of breach of statutory duties and breach of contract claims, against agencies and/or hirers.

Stephanie welcomes instructions in the areas of International Commercial Litigation, Restitution and Intellectual Property - which were the focus of her Masters in Commercial Law. She also has a particular interest in commercial fraud.

Selected cases:

• McHale v Dunlop [2024] P.N.L.R 26: Successfully represented the Defendant against the central claim for £320,000 plus interest, for alleged negligent financial advice to invest pensions into an alleged unregulated collective investment scheme. The Claimant’s recoverable costs were reduced by 20% to reflect this. The Claimant’s claims for breach of statutory duty under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”), breach of contract and negligent misstatement were discontinued prior to trial, after the Claimant’s application to amend its claim was unsuccessful. The breach of fiduciary duty claim succeeded in respect of the undisclosed element of the commissions received by the Defendant and the account of profit proceedings are ongoing.

• RC v CR (2022-2023): Instructed by a contemporary choir group, in claims against former consultant choir leaders, to enforce the restrictive covenants of their consultancy agreements; by way of injunctive relief and damages.

• A v O (2022): Instructed by the Claimant, in respect of a claim for repayment of a loan, which raised novel fiduciary duties points. Successfully set aside an order and struck out the Defendant's Amended Defence, on the basis of a fabricated medical note, which the Defendant relied on to secure an adjournment of the trial.

• S v C (2022): Represented the Defendant to a TOLATA claim, concerning a property purchased jointly by the parties as a couple, before they separated; and rents collected from rooms let out post-separation. The matter settled at counsel-led mediation.

• J v M (2021): Instructed by the Defendant in a TOLATA and equitable accounting claim, regarding properties owned by a previously cohabiting couple. The Claimant was ultimately required to make a balancing payment to the Defendant at the conclusion of the matter.

• K v B (2021): Represented the Defendant to protracted proceedings to remove him as executor and trustee of a will.

• O v (1) C (2) B Ltd (2020): Led by Robert Deacon, represented the Defendants/Respondents to a claim, in which the Claimant asserts that she is entitled to 50% of a large number of properties acquired during the Claimant’s 20-year relationship with the First Defendant; and an unfair prejudice petition.The case concerned questions of constructive trusts, partnership and proprietary estoppel between unmarried couples

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/couple-argue-over-4m-share-of-property-portfolio-promised-from-a-prison-cell-m7fvjqvml

• C (2020): Advised an ex-director on his potential liabilities for false company accounts, upon which his signature was forged.

• K v N (2020): Instructed in a number of contractual disputes arising from two property development projects.

• S Ltd v B Ltd (2019): Represented the Defendant in a dispute between companies as to the construction of a number of Joint Venture agreements entered into between them and the validity and enforceability of a default interest provision.

• Collins v Simonsen v (1) KNFH Ltd (2) Hill [2019] EWHC 2214 (QB): Represented Mr Collins (the donee), at trial and on appeal, in respect of an application for a ‘gift’ of £42,000 to be returned to Ms Simonsen (the donor). The matter in issue was whether the gift had been ‘perfected’, when it was paid to the letting agents handling Mr Collin’s lease, before Ms Simonsen changed her mind. The case demanded an in-depth analysis of the law on gifts and trusts; and required the court to balance competing equitable maxims.

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2019/2214.html

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-took-my-lover-to-court-to-get-back-42-000-rjgwkvdjg

• T v C (2019):Advised the Claimant company in potential claims against a previous director for lost profits, including breach of fiduciary duties, breach of contract, breach of confidence and causing loss by unlawful means. The claim settled pre-issue.

• Hepworth v D v Lockington (2019): Represented the Defendant/Part 20 Claimant to a claim for breach of contract, in respect of allegedly unpaid commissions totalling c.£92,000. The parties reached agreement, at the door of the court, in which the Claimant’s claim against the Defendant/Part 20 Claimant was dismissed, with costs paid to the Defendant/Part 20 Claimant in full.

• E Ltd v RC (2019): Represented the Respondent at the First and Upper Tier Tribunals (Property Chamber) in relation to breaches of covenants as a result of substantial works carried out to a ground floor flat.

• Ward & Others v Savill & Others (2018): Instructed by one of over 20 potential defendants in respect of a complex civil fraud claim, brought by over 100 investors, worth over £35,000,000, regarding allegedly fraudulent tax avoidance film schemes, where the total fraud alleged exceeded £100,000,000. The joinder application was opposed on limitation issues and the merits; and has been stayed pending the claimants’ tracing exercise.

• E & Others v W Ltd (2018): Represented a group of actors against a production company, for terminating their contracts without notice or payment in lieu.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production-news/producer-of-collapsed-wonderland-tour-faces-claim-it-owes-thousands-in-unpaid-fees

• Z v M (2018): Advised the Respondent to an application for an order for sale of a property made by the Respondent’s previous partner, who asserted that she had a beneficial interest in an investment property the Respondent had purchased with a third party.

• Dr Efe (2018): Represented the Respondent company to applications for restrictions on its main asset, a property from which the company’s business was operated. The applications were made by the brother of the company’s previous sole director, on his death. The Applicant alleged that he had contributed to the purchase price of the company’s main asset and was, therefore, entitled to a beneficial interest in the same (by way of an implied trust). Successfully made submissions for the applications to be summarily dismissed, with costs to be paid by the Applicant to the Respondent, on the morning of the first day of the trial.

The Wealth Training Company Claims (2017 – 2018): Successfully defended a number of contractual claims brought by the forex and stock market trading company and brought counterclaims, alleging misrepresentation, against the same.

• CETAS Shipping (2017): Advised the Claimant company on a complicated case of alleged breaches of restrictive covenants, which cost the company over £100,000 in profits.

• BH Ltd v M (2016): Successfully represented the Appellant/Defendant on appeal, whose defence had been struck out at trial, in which the company had represented itself. HHJ Vevrecka found that there had been serious procedural irregularities and that very basic safeguards for any party, particularly a litigant in person, had not been observed.

• NN v (1) BH (2) Rajesh Singh Pathania (3) Rajeswary Ramasamy (2016): Counsel for the First Defendant in a long-running case, where the Claimant alleged fraud against the Second and Third Defendants, in that they issued or continued proceedings in her name against the First Defendant, without her authority, leading to the First defendant having ‘her’ judgment against him set aside, ‘her’ claim struck out, costs awarded against her and a charging order on her property. The case involved complex issues of fraud, invoking the court’s summary jurisdiction for breach of warranty of authority and third party funding. The Claimant was successful and, without issuing separate proceedings against the Second and Third defendants, the First Defendant was awarded the entirety of his costs incurred since 2011, on an indemnity basis, against the Second and Third Defendants.

• BZR Partnership (A Firm) & MC v Gcrypt Ltd (A Firm) & MA, High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) (2014): Drafting junior in a high-value commercial claim for outstanding invoices, dating back to 2002, in which the many intricacies were amplified as a result of all the parties and witnesses being related to each other.

• Frailing v A Firm, (2013): Represented the Claimant in a complex professional negligence claim, involving issues of agency, fiduciary duties, trusts, gifts and due diligence.

Civil:

Stephanie’s civil practice also encompasses a wide range of other areas from personal injury, road traffic cases and credit hire matters to contempt of court proceedings.

Selected cases:

• N (2020): Advised a professional golfer in relation to potential a personal injury claim against the PGA European Tour.

• K (2017): Advised a man facing contempt of court proceedings for exaggerating injuries he sustained in a car accident and dishonestly attempting to recover £1,000,000 in damages from the other driver.

• C v TFL (2015): Represented the claimant, who slipped on water on steps at Kings Cross underground and suffered scarring to her face.

Employment:

Stephanie undertakes claimant and respondent employment work. Stephanie has advised and represented recruitment agencies, employers and employees in matters involving wrongful dismissal and unfair dismissal (including constructive dismissal); sex, age and race and disability discrimination; redundancy disputes; whistle-blowing and protected disclosures; and contractual and discretionary bonus schemes.

As a ‘Direct Access’ barrister, Stephanie welcomes instructions in compromise agreements.

Stephanie has held seminars on wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal, the changing definition of ‘worker’ over time, redundancy and victimisation.

Selected cases:

• M v NHS Trust (2024): Represented the Claimant midwife in constructive dismissal proceedings, after she was ‘cursed’ at work by a fellow employee.

• DN (2021): Advised on a complicated case of disability discrimination, reasonable adjustments and unlawful deductions of wages, in the context of the COVID19 pandemic.

• N v JHH (2020): Represented the Respondent against claims for race discrimination, harassment and victimisation. The claims were struck out at a preliminary hearing.

• T v JP Morgan (2019): Represented the Claimant in her claims for unfair dismissal, age discrimination and victimisation.

• B v (1) FF Ltd (2) MM (2019): Successfully represented the Respondents at a Full Merits Hearing, in relation to claims of unfair dismissal, age discrimination and unlawful deduction of wages.

• MC v MI & Others (2018): Instructed by a Respondent to a multi-partied case, who is a foreign bank (“the bank”). Allegations included unfair dismissal, detrimental treatment due to ‘whistle blowing’, age discrimination and breaches of the Equality Act 2010. The case was discontinued when the Claimant reached agreement with the other Respondents, prior to a preliminary hearing, in which the bank sought to dismiss the case against it on the basis that it was not the Claimant’s employer, the Equality Act 2010 claims were insufficiently particularised and on forum conveniens arguments.

• W v MOW (2017): Successfully represented the Respondent in a document heavy unfair dismissal claim by a director, involving serious allegations of mismanaging company finances.

• W v CG Ltd (2016): Successfully represented the Claimant in an unfair (constructive) dismissal claim, in which he resigned due to a unilateral change made to his contract, affecting his bonus payments. The EJ was satisfied that, for the period of time he remained in work after the new scheme was implemented, he was working under protest and had not accepted the variation to his contract.

• FF v TB Ltd (2015): Successfully represented the Claimant in a long unfair (constructive) dismissal claim, in which he walked out after a breakdown in relations with his superiors and they reneged on their promise of a raise.

• Rahman v Lion Re:Sources Ltd & Kaizen Search Ltd (2012): Persuaded an Employment Judge that the Second Respondent did not make an offer of employment and that no employment contract was agreed with the Claimant, after cross-examining the Claimant and making legal representations at a pre-hearing review. The claim was struck out.

Family:

Stephanie is regularly instructed in private Children Act proceedings and financial dispute resolution. She is interested in cases with international law elements and cross-border issues.

Selected cases:

• G v G (2019): Represented the wife in financial dispute resolution proceedings for a long marriage, in which there was an inordinately long period of separation (c.20 years) prior to either party obtaining a divorce and applying for financial remedies - the result being that the wife had paid almost 100% of the former matrimonial home (the parties’ principal asset).

• S v C (2016): Successfully opposed the wife’s application for permission to bring proceedings for financial relief in England, due to there being parallel proceeding in the US and in Pakistan.

• H v G (2016): Represented the mother, who was granted residence of the child. The social worker had recommended the child live with the father due to the mother’s mental health issues.

• W v W (2016): Successfully opposed a dismissal argument in relation to the wife’s application for interest on a lump sum, which was paid almost a year later than envisaged in the order. The husband had also failed to maintain interim monthly payments. Argued that the husband’s failure to continue monthly payments, his intention to retain the properties and his delay in putting them on the market deprived the wife of benefits to his advantage, effectively undermining the whole order for a lump sum, which met the wife’s needs in 2014 but no longer met her needs in 2016. The DDJ was persuaded that these were strong arguments and made directions for a full and final hearing, which put the wife in a strong position with regards to settlement.

• Re K (2015): Successfully secured supervised contact for a father who had a lengthy criminal record and had been in prison for serious offences for a number of years.

Inquests, Inquiries, Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities and Human Rights:

Stephanie was awarded a First Class Honours in the Human Rights module of her Masters in Law. From 2018 to 2023, Stephanie assisted with disclosure in relation to a number of high-profile inquiries in London, including Grenfell and the Post Office. She has advised on potential actions against the police and public authorities and has experience of independent prison adjudications and judicial reviews.

Stephanie will consider pro-bono instructions in inquests on a case-by-case basis.

• P (2022): Represented the family at an inquest into the unexpected death of a man, with mental health issues, shortly after being arrested and attending hospital.

• C (2020): Led by Mathew Sherratt QC, instructed pro bono by an ex-serviceman, in respect of complaints and potential civil proceedings against the police and a prison.

• AK (2018): Advised a woman on her potential causes of action against the police, as a result of injuries sustained during an arrest and strip-search, which she did not consent to, by using force to restrain and undress her and part her buttocks (arguably amounting to an unlawful intimate search). AK received compensation from the police.

• S (2017): Advised a man who wished to sue the police for trespass, conversion, assault and battery, when they turned up at his property with S’s ex-partner and accompanied her while she collected her belongings, allegedly to prevent a breach of the peace. S believed that his ex-partner stole some of his possessions in the process of removing her own from the property, with the assistance of the police.

• C (2017): Instructed to represent the family in an inquest regarding the cause of death of a woman suffering with undiagnosed Nocardia and Aspergillosis.

Other historic reported or noteworthy cases:

• R v Lababidi (2016): Represented a Defendant club promoter who crashed a hired £130,000 Lamborghini.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/west-end-club-promoter-who-wrecked-hire-lamborghini-in-60-seconds-couldnt-handle-it-a3171786.html

• R v Martin Lally [2014] EWCA Crim 1090: Successfully appealed the length of a custodial sentenced imposed for an offence of possession of a bladed article in a public place and breach of a suspended sentence for ABH, without leave of the single judge.

Articles/Publicatons:

• “Family and Civil Remote Hearings During COVID-19" - (July 2020)

• “COVID-19 and Redundancy” (May 2020)

• “Covid19 and Default Judgments - To Request Default Judgment or Not, That is the Question. . .” (April 2020)

• “Gifts: When to perfect the imperfect”, Trusts & Estates Law & Tax Journal, December (2019)

• "Applying Equality and Non-Discrimination Law to Advance Socio-Economic Rights", Cambridge Pro Bono Project’s Submission to the Equal Rights Trust (13 January 2013)

• "Making Contact Work: Is the Children and Adoption Act 2006 Enough for Resident Parents and Children?" (2008) 38 Fam. Law 1237

• "What is adultery?" [2008] CUSLJ 41

• University of Cambridge, LLM in Commercial Law (International Commercial Litigation; Law of Restitution; Intellectual Property; and Human Rights) (Upper Second Class overall with a First Class Honours in Human Rights) • BPP Law School, Bar Vocational Course (Outstanding) • Cardiff University, LLB (First Class Honours)