I am a Cheshire-based direct access barrister specialising in civil and commercial litigation. I have over 13 years experience in these areas. My services include drafting documents, providing advice (whether in writing or in conference) and advocacy (from 3.9.18).
Below is a non-exhaustive list of the types of work that I can carry out.
- Landlord & Tenant Claims (for Residential & Commercial, acting for Landlords or Tenants)
- Breach of Contract Claims
- Employment Claims
- Personal Injury Claims
- Tortious Claims (e.g. Defamation, Negligence & Nuisance)
- Property Disputes (e.g. boundary disputes, rights of way disputes, restrictive covenants and co-ownership disputes)
- Debt Recovery Work
- Insolvency
Below are some concrete examples of the types of service that I can provide (the list is not exhaustive):
1. Drafting terms and conditions
2. Attending trials or hearings as your advocate
3. Advising you on the strengths of a potential claim that you wish to bring or need to defend
4. Advising you on settling an existing or potential claim
5. Drafting the documents required to issue a claim
6. Drafting a defence
7. Having conduct of all or part of your proceedings (whichever is more suitable to you)
8. Drafting witness statements, applications or other complicated litigious documents
9. Providing you with an advice, face to face, in writing or both
10. Providing you with advice and assistance, for active proceedings
Numbers 2-9 above are in relation to civil and commercial litigation. If your matter does not involve family law, criminal law, conveyancing, drafting of wills or estate administration, then I can probably deal with it. In rare cases, where your instructions are within my practice area but beyond my competence, I have the right to brief other barristers. This might be of assistance to you, where the other barrister is not authorised to accept direct access work.
Small Claims Hearings
Many barristers and solicitors, will not deal with small claims proceedings because this is not cost-effective for them. However, this does not apply to me as my overheads are very low. To ensure cost effectiveness, you can conduct part of the proceedings yourself and provide me with discrete instructions, for instance you can instruct me just to attend the small claims hearing.
My approach
To enable me to put forward an appropriate fee proposal to you, I will need understand your case. To understand your case, I will need to review your paperwork and often have a discussion with you; I will not charge you for this process, although as I am sure you will appreciate, a review is not supposed to be a substitute for proper advice or a free service.
My work
Reported cases
Enterprise Insurance Plc v U Drive (Gibraltar) Solutions Ltd
BMW Financial Services (GB) Ltd v Hart
About me
I am a barrister, with the right to conduct litigation and to accept public access work. I specialise in civil and commercial litigation. Previously, I was a solicitor advocate (a solicitor with the same rights of audience as a barrister).
With over 13 years of civil and commercial litigation experience, working as an advocate and as a solicitor in private practice, I know the profession very well from the perspective of clients, solicitors and the judiciary.
My professional moto, which comes from the Barristers Code of Conduct, is to ‘promote and protect my client’s interests fearlessly, without regard to my own or to other peoples’. All too often I have heard a solicitor say ‘I will need to twist my client’s arm to accept that settlement’, or a barrister stand up in Court and state ‘Your honour, I am instructed to argue that ….
In both cases the lawyer is signalling that they are embarrassed of their client and attempting to protect their professional reputation ahead of their client’s interests. This is something that I have never done because I value my clients and the integrity of the legal system too highly.
What my clients say
“Joseph Chiffers is dealing with a high value civil case that I am involved in. He replies quickly to my queries, including out of office hours and is able to explain the complex issues involved in a clear and concise manner. I could not recommend Joseph highly enough." - David Kelly
"Very approachable and accommodating, Joseph brings a clever thinking process to complex issues, offers excellent support and is unshakable under pressure. Despite facing a most formidable opponent (Mr Ben Hubble QC, "Head of 4 New Square Chambers”) in the High Court, Joseph was successfully able to argue for an adjournment." - UDRIVE SOLUTIONS (GIBRALTAR) LTD
"Joe is an excellent lawyer and a person of considerable integrity." - Adam Heatherington
"I made the mistake of trying to deal with a civil litigation matter on my own which resulted in an adverse outcome. Joseph Chiffers get me out of this very difficult situation, demonstrating not only exceptional legal knowledge but courtesy and professionalism.” - Gary Leigh
Professional & academic
University of Leicester – 2000-2003. Law LLB: 2:1
Nottingham Trent University – 2003-2004
Bar Vocational Course – Grade Very Competent
Called to the Bar – 2004
- All Locations
- Greater Manchester
- Merseyside
