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John is regularly instructed on coverage, indemnity & related disputes by both the insured and insurers. John's experience encompasses a range of policy and coverage issues including those relating to commercial, professional, D&O (directors & officers), household, medical, ATE (after the event insurance), BTE (before the event insurance) and travel insurance.
RTA (road traffic accident) insurance coverage, including MIB (Motor Insurer's Bureau), Article 75 and uninsured & untraced drivers, are also common themes in John’s practice.
Resolution of disputes has been achieved by negotiation, mediation and joint settlement meetings, as well as by the Financial Ombudsman and litigation in the courts.
My approach
John provides a personal approach to resolving disputes on behalf of clients. This includes a preliminary review of the papers to form a view as to whether public access is the appropriate channel for the provision of advice & advocacy and a conference in person or by telephone to discuss the issues in the round. Unless agreed otherwise, no charge will be made for the preliminary review.
During the course of a case, conferences can be undertaken by telephone or in-person. In-person conferences can be at John's chambers at Farrar's Building, Temple, London or closer to where the client lives or works. John will travel throughout the country for this purpose. E-mail remains the means of communication of choice and John will provide a note of conferences and hearings so that there is a readily accessible record of where matters stand and 'next steps' to be undertaken.
John's key strength is in problem solving, identifying the appropriate tactical approach for the resolution of disputes and then executing the planned approach. John's approach is at all times client centered with the purpose of putting the client fully at ease with how matters are to be resolved.
Subject to diary & work commitments, John can act on short notice for hearings and turn around advices, case statements, grounds of appeal, skeleton arguments, as well as meeting in conference by telephone or in person, to meet your deadlines.
My work
Whether it is representation at a hearing, a trial or an appeal, public access can be a cost effective approach to obtaining assistance with your case. John can advise in writing or in conference on the merits of your case. Advice from John at the outset of a case may prove invaluable to determine the tactical approach - to compromise quickly and to save costs, or to collect evidence and then negotiate. Often, it is a second opinion that is sought to help the client determine what offers should be made or accepted.
Evidence forms the centre point of all litigation and expert legal advice from John on these issues can make the difference between success and failure. All of the foregoing can be achieved in a more cost effective and timely fashion than by accessing legal advice via a firm of solicitors. If the involvement of a solicitor is required to assist with evidential or other issues, then a recommendation can be made at the appropriate time.
Examples of cases undertaken:-
Wasley v MIB & UK Insurance – coverage dispute concerning RTA insurance where the accident occurred not on the road or public place; declaratory relief
P v Hospital & Medical Care Association – coverage dispute regarding medical expenses insurance
Corder v Boyd, D & MIB – RTA coverage and liability of car owners to those not permitted to drive
Downing v Chartis Insurance Co – coverage of personal accident policy following clinical negligence
Carmichael & Sons (Worcester) Ltd v NIG – property insurance & indemnity claim successfully defended following a land slip
Thorpe v Cruze & Gallantree – destruction of neighbouring thatched premises by fire, causation and insurance indemnity
Walding & Savage v Singh & others – High Court trial – tenants successfully claimed insurance monies wrongfully taken by the landlord after premises destroyed by fire; freezing injunction before & after judgment
Lloyd & others v The Charles Group & others The Stax Litigation - independent financial advisers & professional indemnity coverage
About me
John's practice includes civil work within the High Court, County Court throughout England & Wales, and the Financial Ombudsman.
The breadth of John’s experience across a range of subject areas is of particular assistance to professional and lay clients due to the nature of civil litigation that frequently includes both, for example, insurance coverage and liability issues, personal injury and costs, director’s duties and director’s remuneration etc.
John acts for both claimants and defendants and receives instructions via public access and from solicitors and insurers. John is an accredited mediator and is ‘Top ranked’ in Chambers UK Bar Directory and is a ‘Leading Individual’ in the Legal 500 in personal injury matters.
John practices from Farrar's Building, Temple, London & more information can be obtained from www.farrarsbuilding.co.uk
What my clients say
Chambers & Partners “He is very thorough, hard-working and possesses an incisive intellect”
Legal 500 “He shows meticulous attention to detail”
Professional & academic
Chambers- Farrar's Building, Temple London EC4Y 7BD www.farrarsbuilding.co.uk
Appointments & Memberships-
London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
Professional Negligence Bar Association
Personal Injury Bar Association
Western Circuit
Education & Qualifications-
MA Hons, History & International Relations, St Andrews (1987)
Diploma in Law, London (1988)
Personal Interests-
Motor cycling
Sailing
Mountaineering & ski touring
Paragliding and other adventure sports