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. Family Law

Michael’s family work includes all areas of child care law, both public and private, together with matrimonial law and finance

7. Direct Access

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

8. 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