INTRODUCTION

Michael’s practice covers the following areas:

1. Commercial / Chancery :

Breach of contract / warranty claims, TOLATA / Trust of land disputes and proprietary estoppel, Trust / Contentious probate actions, Inheritance Act claims
Shareholder / directorship disputes
Partnership law
Injunctions
Construction (including adjudications and arbitrations)
Insolvency / commercial debt recovery proceedings
Professional negligence
Asset Finance / consumer credit
Court of protection proceedings / mental health
Appeals

2. Property:

Landlord & Tenant (commercial & private / residential)
Property Chamber and Land Tribunal proceedings
Dilapidations / Service Charge disputes
Breach of covenant claims
Boundary / right of way / easement disputes
Forfeiture proceedings
Business tenancy proceedings, including lease renewals, rent reviews
Adverse possession / Trespass and nuisance
Mortgage repossession actions (for both lenders & borrowers)
Leasehold Valuation Tribunal proceedings

3. Employment

Unfair / Constructive dismissal
Discrimination
Wrongful dismissal / breach of contract actions
PIDA proceedings
Injunctions for passing off / breach of restrictive covenants / confidential information / springboard injunctions
Wages and equal pay claims
Drafting contacts of employment
Preparation of Service Agreements
TUPE
Redundancy / structural re-organisations

4. Housing:

Social Housing (for Landlords & Tenants)
Injunctions
Repossession proceedings
Human Rights / Equality Act issues
Disrepair

5. Personal Injury

Road Traffic
Slipping & Tripping
Employers’ liability
Occupiers’ liability

6. Direct Access

Michael also takes instructions from clients on a direct access basis.

7. Mediations

Michael became an Accredited Mediator in 2002. He is a panel member of ADR Group and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. More information can be found on our Mediation Link.

Career history:

Michael, a former Police Officer, graduated in law at Manchester University in 1995 and qualified as a Solicitor in 1998, becoming in 2008 a partner in a city centre commercial practice.

Michael was called to the Bar in July 2010 and after a successful Pupillage became a Tenant with Linenhall Chambers in January 2011.

Being a former solicitor, Michael is very aware of the pressures upon both Solicitors and clients alike. In addition to his court work, Michael has a busy paper practice including the preparation of statements of case and applications and advices, his aim being to return paperwork as soon as possible.

Michael also takes instructions on a Direct Access basis.

Education:

• LLB (Hons)
• LLM
• MCIArb

Reported cases:

HSBC Bank PLC V Brown (2015) EWHC 359 (Ch) – Michael successfully defeated Bank’s claim for repossession of land based upon its Charge.

Memberships and Associations:

• Chancery Bar Association
• Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association
• ADR Group (Panel Member)
• Association of Contentious Trusts & Probate Specialists
• Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators