Dermot Woolgar has an extensive and diverse civil and commercial practice, with particular expertise in the fields of international commercial arbitration, commercial law, construction and engineering, professional liability, insurance, and property damage.
As a result of his early years undertaking commercial chancery work, he continues to be instructed in cases which have real property and insolvency aspects.
In addition, he has acted for nearly 20 years for many of the Governments of the Overseas Territories, typically in a variety of public law-related disputes, and has a detailed knowledge of their constitutions, courts and substantive laws.
He is recommended as a leading practitioner by the Legal 500. He is described as “very personable, breeds confidence in all who instruct him and clients alike”. He is praised for having “an excellent calming manner which is very reassuring to clients”, for being “one of the most methodical barristers I have ever come across”, and he is recognised for his advocacy: “when sat in court you nearly always think you have instructed the superior counsel”.
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- MBL Construction Law Conference 2019 – London
- “Practical completion” considered by Court of Appeal for first time in 50 years
Qualifications
- LLB (Hons) (Manchester University)
- Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators)
Memberships
- London Court of International Arbitration
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association (Committee Member)
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- Technology and Construction Bar Association
- Commercial Bar Association
- Administrative Law Bar Association
Publications
Co-author of chapter on Construction Insolvency in Emden’s Construction Law
“Regulation or Red Tape: the UK equity release market”: co-author (with Rob Sheldon and Liam Corrigan of DWF LLP) of chapter in Making the Most of Equity Release: Perspectives from Key Players, published by The Smith Institute, March 2012
“Still an Empty Concept?”: co-author (with Keith Shaw of Pinsent Masons LLP) discussing the implications of NYK Logistics Ltd v Ibrend Estates BV [2011] EWCA Civ 683 on the meaning of “vacant possession”, published in the Estates Gazette, 23 July 2011
“The Seduction of Iconoclasm”: discussion of the exemptions for religious organisations in the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, published in Law and Justice 2007, 158, 64
“Citibank NA v MBIA Assurance SA & Ors [2007] EWCA Civ 11”: co-author (with Justin Davis of Crown Office Chambers): Case Commentary published in International Corporate Rescue: Vol 4 (2007) Issue 5
Recommendations
“Dermot is very personable, breeds confidence in all who instruct him and clients alike. When sat behind him in court you nearly always think you have instructed the superior counsel.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Dermot is one of the most methodical barristers I have ever come across. He is positive in his advice and has an excellent calming manner which is very reassuring to clients.”
Legal 500, 2021
