Professional Liability
Frederick has a busy professional liability practice in both the High Court and County Court. He is regularly instructed pre-action to advise on liability and strategy, then to draft correspondence and pleadings as necessary, and to represent his clients in court. Frederick acts for claimants and defendants across the full range of professions. He is recognised as a ‘leading junior’ by Legal 500.
Selected Cases
- The Ingenious Litigation. Represented one of the principal intermediary defendants, led by Ben Quiney QC and Carlo Taczalski, against allegations of having given negligent tax-planning advice. One of The Lawyer’s top 10 cases of 2018. Frederick and Carlo appeared in the Court of Appeal ([2021] EWCA Civ 29) successfully overturning an order requiring a cross-undertaking in damages in return for security for costs against a litigation funder.
- Tax advice. Representing (as junior counsel) the same intermediary defendant in a separate claim brought by the same former client, for allegedly negligent tax planning advice in a separate matter. Value over £200,000.
- Litigation funding. Sole counsel for a firm of solicitors in a claim brought by litigation funders who had provided funding to a former client of the solicitors and now allege that the solicitors failed to properly assess and/or inform them of the risks of the underlying litigation. Drafting the defence and representation in court. KC opponent.
- Agronomic advice. Sole counsel for a firm of agronomic (farming) advisors accused of giving negligent advice. Drafted the defence; claimant discontinued immediately before trial. Value £120,000. QC opponent.
- Contract administration. Junior counsel for a contract administrator accused of failing to issue timely payless notices. Value £370,000.
- Architect’s negligence. Sole counsel for an architect accused of negligently specifying deleterious building materials. Drafted the amended defence, represented at interlocutory hearings, advised.
- Solicitor’s negligence. Sole counsel for a firm of solicitors accused of failing to honour an undertaking. Drafted the defence and advised on strategy; settled. Value £160,000.
- Engineer’s negligence. Sole counsel for an engineer accused of giving negligent advice. Claimant discontinued prior to the hearing of a strike-out application.
- Sole counsel for a contract administrator accused of failing to properly oversee works. Drafted the defence.
- Advice and representation as sole counsel in various claims against constructions professionals (e.g. architects, surveyors, engineers, lighting designers), solicitors, professional trustees, investment advisors, lettings agents and others.
News
Blogs
Articles
- Supreme Court restates principles of private nuisance
- Carlo Taczalski and Frederick Simpson are successful in the Court of Appeal Cross-undertakings have little place in the security for costs regime
Events
Qualifications
- MA Philosophy (Cantab)
- GDL, BPTC (University of Law)
- Academic Scholar, Christ’s College Cambridge
- ‘Best Junior Officer’ Sword, Irish Guards
- Lord Brougham Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
- Debating Shield, Lincoln’s Inn
- Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
Memberships
- COMBAR
- PNBA
- TECBAR
- SCL
- LCLCBA
- ACIArb
- LCIA YIAG
Recommendations
“He is an outstanding junior. He is legally and strategically astute with an outstanding eye for detail. He is a real go-to for a junior on construction matters. His style of advocacy is confident and composed.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Freddy is very hard-working and has a great demeanour. Freddy’s drafting is exceptionally clear and easy to follow.”
Legal 500, 2024
