My approach
With nearly four decades of practice under my belt, I offer my clients a wealth of experience. I will always offer practical advice and help my clients to find the right solution to their legal problem. I am dynamic and forward-thinking.
I respond promptly to instructions. I am very approachable and establish a good rapport with my clients which then forms a foundation to our professional relationship. I am told by many clients that I take the stress out of legal problems, since I always focus on finding a pragmatic solution that will be in my client’s best interests.
Costs: After the initial consultation, I will be able to let you know what my charges will be for taking on your case. I am efficient and do not waste time unnecessarily and so I am confident that you will receive good value from me as your counsel.
My work
I have much experience of advising clients on complex conveyancing and property law disputes and have undertaken many cases (usually in the Chancery Division or County Court), including:
* cases involving hotly contested disputes over property ownership and boundaries.
* cases involving difficult questions over easements (such as rights of way and rights of light) between neighbouring properties (both residential and commercial).
* cases involving “adverse possession” claims and their effect on property ownership.
* cases concerning allegations of forged and fabricated documents such as Wills and Codicils, property transfers, assignments of rights and Powers of Attorney (sometimes in the context of contested ownership claims after the death of a individual).
* nuisance claims, in which I have acted both for claimants and defendants.
Case study
I successfully helped protect the interests of my client, Ms Sheikh, in a property to which she claimed ownership. This was part of some highly complex property and conveyancing litigation, in which a company, Red River (UK), attempted to force Ms Sheikh to remove or withdraw restrictions against a sale taking place that had been previously registered at HM Land Registry and which she wished to keep in full force and effect to protect her legitimate interests. She did not stand to gain from lifting the restrictions and the Court found that she was within her rights to maintain her position as I had argued.
About me
I have practised both as a barrister and as a solicitor. I am also an arbitrator and mediator. I have all-round practical experience of dispute resolution, and, in my time, have advised on many thousands of disputes.
What my clients say
"I instructed Philip Newman approximately one year ago under direct access. I run an energy brokerage and became involved in High Court Litigation with a former employer. Philip’s depth of commercial litigation experience has helped us to deal with this case as litigants in person saving on costs and he has now put us on a winning track. I would highly recommend Philip.” – Mark, company director
“Philip is experienced, well prepared and thorough. His attention to detail is superb and he works well as a team, and enjoys spending the necessary time with clients in order to gain an understanding of the case. Philip acted for us in a number of hearings and has drafted various strong skeleton arguments to support our case. Philip is well known in the industry and has vast knowledge of the law and gets things done.” – Mr G, a company director from Essex who gained a judgment in a commercial property dispute for over £100 million."
“Philip immediately proved to be very approachable and understanding of our mental health and financial challenges as well as the pressing legal action we were defending as litigants in person.
Philip possesses the skills mix to quickly comprehend the pertinent issues in a complex property case involving a number of factors and parties.
Philip was appointed by ourselves following a warning and significant costs order from the Judge to get proper legal advice! He immediately supported us without criticism of our previously ill conceived prior actions without judgement.
He introduced us to experts such as a forensic accountant and a insolvency practitioner so we could fully understand all aspects and potential outcomes and options regarding our case.
Philip works at a fast pace in a clear and concise manner but he is not averse to being personally challenged or challenging his clients to achieve a workable and pragmatic outcome. He possesses a very dry sense of humour and engaging demeanour that helped to support and motivate us whenever we encountered setbacks and unexpected challenges.
In a Court hearing and at mediation sessions ( the latter conducted twice via zoom due to Covid ) Philip demonstrated his deference and diplomacy whilst skilfully dismantling the arguments of the other side to win us Indemnity costs. This is very unusual and a testament to Philip’s professional skills.
In conclusion we would not hesitate to recommend Philip Newman for a similar property related case.
Mr & Mrs E."
Professional & academic
Professional Negligence Bar Association
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Accredited Mediator with The Academy of Experts and the ADR Group
LLB (Lond) Hons 1976
LLM (Lond) (1978)
University of London Convocation Prize winner for best performance in the LLM for 1978
Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in addition to that of England & Wales