Hamish Fraser

Hamish welcomes instructions across a broad range of commercial disputes. Examples of Hamish’s work include:

Civil Fraud

• Groen & Ors v Heath [2024] EWHC 1654 (Ch): representing the claimant group of angel investors in a complex, investment-related civil fraud claim. Following a 13-day trial, it was successfully proved that the claimants had been induced by a number of fraudulent misrepresentations to invest in a tech start-up promising innovative marketing software.
• Drafting the defence and advising in respect of an international fraud claim against a banker alleged to have misappropriated £170m from his client’s accounts (led by Ben Quiney KC).
• Sole counsel drafting particulars and advising on a claim for unjust enrichment and restitution in respect of c£0.5m transferred to a consultant under contracts which were alleged to have been procured under duress.
• Sole counsel instructed in relation to a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation arising out of the purchase of PPE from China during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Advising on potential causes of actions in company, contract and tort law, including for fraudulent misrepresentation and fraudulent trading, directly against the directors of a well-known construction firm which had unexpectedly entered into liquidation after its directors had made misleading market statements.

General contractual disputes

• Representing a well-known shoe manufacturing brand to successfully bring a debt claim against a retailer.
• Advising and drafting particulars of claim to enforce a without prejudice settlement agreement made in relation to a defamation claim.
• Representing a fertility clinic against a contractual claim brought by a staffing agency alleging they had employed a nurse directly in order to avoid contractual fees.
• Successfully representing a firm of estate agents against a contractual claim that they had failed to repay a commitment fee to a prospective tenant.
• Preparing an advice on the contractual interpretation of a major infrastructure contract awarded by the City of Westminster council in relation to a dispute over the value of work completed (as a pupil).
• Drafting the defence in a contractual claim relating to the installation of a security system which failed during a criminal heist, allowing circa £1m of stock to be stolen (as a pupil).

Share purchase agreements/warranty and indemnity claims

• Finsbury Food Group Plc v Axis Corporate Capital UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 1559 (Comm). Commercial Court trial representing the successful defendant W&I insurers who underwrote the £20m acquisition of a food manufacturing business. The buyer of the business claimed under the W&I policy on the basis of alleged breaches of a number of warranties under the share purchase agreement. The defendant insurers succeeded on every issue after a two-week trial (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Instructed to advise Insurers in respect of a breach of warranty claim brought by a private equity company after the acquisition of a leading professional training company.
• Advice in relation to an alleged breach of a share purchase agreement in relation to a private equity backed acquisition of a pharmaceutical company. Valued at supra £10 million.

Sale of goods

• Preparing defence and advice in a sale of goods dispute concerning allegedly defective steel rolls which were manufactured in Germany, including advising on difficult jurisdictional issues (as a pupil).
• Advice in relation to an £2m sale of goods claim by the purchasers of allegedly defective articulated trailer movers after an operator was killed by a crushing injury (as a pupil).

Company and Insolvency

• Representing a holiday park company in an insolvency dispute resisting an application by creditors to place the company into administration.
• Advising on potential causes of actions in company, contract and tort law directly against the directors of a well-known construction firm which had unexpectedly entered into liquidation after its directors had made misleading market statements.
• Advisory work pertaining to the presentation of a winding up petition by a creditor to a construction firm.

Professional services

• Representing a firm of solicitors retained in relation to the acquisition of £6.5m of commercial debt. It was alleged that the solicitors had negligently failed to advise about certain title issues which rendered some of the debt valueless (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Representing a firm of solicitors alleged to have caused the claimant to lose the opportunity of bringing successful litigation against a well-known delivery company by missing a contractual limitation period. The underlying matter concerned a breach of contract and negligent/fraudulent misrepresentation claim.
• Preparing a defence on behalf of a firm of solicitors who were alleged to have negligently prepared and advised on an option agreement in relation to commercial property.

Insurance

• David Wood Baking (UK) Limited v QBE & Ors (Comm): representing the policyholder in a c£100m insurance coverage dispute arising out of a substantial fire at a commercial premises. The matter proceeded on an expedited basis and settled shortly before trial (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Finsbury Food Group Plc v Axis Corporate Capital UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 1559 (Comm). Commercial Court trial representing the defendant W&I insurers who underwrote a £20m acquisition of a food manufacturing business. The buyer of the business claimed under the W&I policy on the basis of alleged breaches of a number of warranties under the share purchase agreement. The defendant insurers succeeded on every issue after a two-week trial (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Hamsard One Thousand and Forty-Three Ltd v AE Insurance Brokers Ltd [2024] EWHC 262 (Comm). Commercial Court trial successfully representing a firm of insurance brokers alleged to have negligently failed to arrange an appropriate scope of cover and to disclose material facts such that the insurer avoided the policy for non-disclosure and misrepresentation (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Norman Hay plc v Marsh Ltd [2024] EWHC 1039 (Comm). Strike out application concerning the correct test for causation in professional negligence claims brought against insurance brokers. Appeal outstanding (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Drafting particulars in relation to a coverage dispute after insurers declined to provide an indemnity for fire damage at a commercial premises due to an alleged breach of occupancy conditions.

Hamish regularly advises and represents insurers and policyholders in respect of insurance and reinsurance related disputes in a diverse set of circumstances. His recent work includes:

• David Wood Baking (UK) Limited v QBE & Ors (Comm): representing the policyholder in a c£100m insurance coverage dispute arising out of a substantial fire at a commercial premises. The matter proceeded on an expedited basis and settled shortly before trial (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Finsbury Food Group Plc v Axis Corporate Capital UK Ltd [2023] EWHC 1559 (Comm). Commercial Court trial representing the defendant W&I insurers who underwrote a £20m acquisition of a food manufacturing business. The buyer of the business claimed under the W&I policy on the basis of alleged breaches of a number of warranties under the share purchase agreement. The defendant insurers succeeded on every issue after a two-week trial (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Hamsard One Thousand and Forty-Three Ltd v AE Insurance Brokers Ltd [2024] EWHC 262 (Comm). Commercial Court trial successfully representing a firm of insurance brokers alleged to have negligently failed to arrange an appropriate scope of cover and to disclose material facts such that the insurer avoided the policy for non-disclosure and misrepresentation (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Representing a firm of insurance brokers in regard to a £5m professional negligence claim. It was alleged that the brokers had failed to arrange appropriate insurance which would have covered damage arising out of a fatal road traffic accident in the US which had involved one of the claimant’s employees whilst travelling on business (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Instructed to advise Insurers in respect of a breach of warranty claim brought by a private equity company after the acquisition of a leading professional training company.
• Drafting particulars in relation to a coverage dispute after insurers declined to provide an indemnity for fire damage at a commercial premises due to breach of occupancy conditions.
• Drafting a skeleton argument and assisting preparations for the Court of Appeal proceedings in Spire Healthcare Ltd v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 17. The matter concerned the interpretation of aggregation clauses in insurance contracts and arose from multiple claims brought against a private hospital by patients injured by the disgraced breast surgeon, Ian Paterson (as a pupil).

Hamish has experience in claims brought against an assortment of different professionals, including architects and engineers, solicitors, financial advisors, accountants, and insurance brokers. His recent work includes:

• Hamsard One Thousand and Forty-Three Ltd v AE Insurance Brokers Ltd [2024] EWHC 262 (Comm). Commercial Court trial successfully representing a firm of insurance brokers alleged to have negligently failed to arrange an appropriate scope of cover and to disclose material facts such that the insurer avoided the policy for non-disclosure and misrepresentation (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Norman Hay plc v Marsh Ltd [2024] EWHC 1039 (Comm). Strike out application concerning the correct test for causation in professional negligence claims brought against insurance brokers. Appeal outstanding (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Representing a firm of solicitors retained in relation to the acquisition of £6.5m of commercial debt. It was alleged that the solicitors had negligently failed to advise about certain title issues which rendered some of the debt valueless (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Representing a firm of insurance brokers in regard to a £5m professional negligence claim. It was alleged that the brokers had failed to arrange appropriate insurance which would have covered damage arising out of a fatal road traffic accident in the US which had involved one of the claimant’s employees whilst travelling on business (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Representing a firm of solicitors alleged to have caused the claimant to lose the opportunity of bringing successful litigation against a well-known delivery company by missing a contractual limitation period. The underlying matter concerned a breach of contract and negligent/fraudulent misrepresentation claim.
• Preparing a defence on behalf of a firm of solicitors who were alleged to have negligently prepared and advised on an option agreement.

Hamish’s experience in this area is complemented by his exposure to insurance disputes, professional negligence claims against engineers and surveyors, and employers’ liability claims in the context of construction contractors.

Examples of Hamish’s work in this area include:

• Advising the employer under a JCT design & build contract for the construction of a large residential care home. The pipes in the care home had failed, causing substantial damage.
• Acting for a contractor in relation to a dispute arising out of the construction of a residential extension.
• Preparing a defence and advice on behalf of a construction company who had allegedly sprayed concrete onto a neighbouring companies’ property causing damage.
• Preparing an advice in relation to a claim brought by Network Rail against structural engineers after improvements works allegedly caused a landslip which derailed a train causing substantial damage and serious personal injury. Valued at supra. £10 million (as a pupil).
• Preparing advice on the contractual interpretation of a major infrastructure contract awarded by the City of Westminster council in relation to a dispute over the value of the work completed (as a pupil).

Hamish is developing an environmental, criminal regulatory, and health & safety practice. He has appeared as sole counsel in both the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court, for both the prosecution and defence. Recent examples of Hamish’s instructions are as follows:

• Environment Agency v South West Water Limited [2023]: a long-running Environment Agency prosecution of a water company concerning a series of alleged illegal water discharge activities and contraventions of environmental permits (led by Dominic Kay KC and Malcolm Galloway).
• MAIB Investigation [2023]: advising the coastguard in respect of an MAIB investigation into a death at sea.
• Thames Water v Bellway Homes Ltd [2023]: private prosecution against a large homebuilder in respect of the illegal installation and use of a water fitting at a housing development (successful at trial).
• R v J [2023]: defence of drug driving charges at trial where the defence was a challenge to the prosecution expert toxicology report.
• Reeves v Reeves & Curnock [2023] EWHC 73 (Ch): representing the claimant in these quasi-criminal contempt of court proceedings in relation to allegedly false statements made in previous proceedings. Useful guidance provided by the court on the test for permission to bring committal proceedings.

Hamish regularly appears at both Pre-inquest Review and Inquest hearings, including Article 2 Inquests, for healthcare providers, public bodies, and companies. Recent examples of Hamish’s work include:

• The Cranston Inquiry: Hamish is currently instructed in relation to this inquiry, investigating the deaths of 27 people who lost their lives crossing the Channel in a small boat crossing.
• RT Inquest (Winchester Coroners’ Court, September 2023): week-long jury inquest arising out of the death of a lorry driver who was crushed due to the failure of a hydraulic-powered tail ramp to a trailer. Hamish represented the contractor who maintained and inspected the trailer. It was successfully shown that any defect in the trailer would not have been detectable on a reasonable inspection.
• PB Inquest (Woking Coroners’ Court, January 2023): Acting for council adult social services in relation to the death of a man with motor-neurone disease who was found to be malnourished. Despite a conclusion of neglect in the council’s own Section 42 safeguarding report, the Coroner accepted Hamish’s submissions distinguishing the test for neglect in a Section 42 report and for a finding in a Coroners’ Court. No finding of neglect was accordingly made.
• KB Inquest (Reading Coroners’ Court, January 2023): Acting for the care home in relation to the death of a resident who had developed aspiration pneumonia after PEG feeding.

Hamish has experience of product liability disputes in contract, tort, and under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, and in both industrial and consumer contexts. His proficiency is enhanced by a broad practice across contractual, clinical negligence, personal injury, and criminal regulatory disputes.

Examples of Hamish’s work include:

• Instructed in relation to a multi-million pound dispute in respect of a large fire alleged to have resulted from defective machinery in a manufacturing plant (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Preparing a defence in respect of a fire which broke out at a residential property as a result of an allegedly defective power bank.
• Advising in respect of a fire which had broken out at a residential property as a result of an allegedly defective washing machine.
• Advising and successfully representing at trial a business which was alleged to have hired out defective inflatable play equipment after a child was injured when a bouncy castle suddenly deflated at a school ‘fun day’.
• Successfully defending at trial a claim brought against a car repair garage after a defective turbo charger was installed leading to catastrophic engine failure.
• Advice in relation to an £2m breach of contract claim by the purchasers of allegedly defective articulated trailer movers after an operator was killed by a crushing injury (as a pupil).

Hamish welcomes instructions in property damage matters across a broad spectrum of areas, including fire and flood damage, negligent building work, defective products and machinery, and tree root encroachment.

Recent examples of Hamish’s work include:

• Instructed in relation to a multi-million pound dispute in respect of a large fire alleged to have resulted from defective machinery in a manufacturing plant (led by Daniel Shapiro KC).
• Advice and drafting of the particulars in respect of a fire which had broken out at a residential property as a result of a poorly designed and installed chimney flute.
• Drafting particulars of claim for the owners of a bridge which had been completely destroyed by a motorist who had been swept downstream whilst attempting to cross a river.
• Preparing a defence and advice on behalf of a construction company who had allegedly sprayed concrete onto a neighbouring companies’ property causing damage.
• Representing a local council against a claim in contract and tort alleging the council was liable for possessions which had been stolen from the claimant’s car left in the council-run car-park.
• Acting for a contractor in relation to a dispute arising out of the construction of a residential extension.
• Advice in relation to a professional negligence claim brought by Network Rail against structural engineers after improvements works allegedly caused a landslip which derailed a train causing substantial damage and serious personal injury. Valued at supra. £10 million (as a pupil).
• Written advice in relation to a claim brought by Network Rail against an adjacent property owner after sludge spilled onto the railway causing circa £1m of damage and disruption. Issues included non-delegable duties in the context of an independent contractor defence and potential liability under Rylands v Fletcher (as a pupil).