John Greenbourne’s main areas of practice are professional negligence (chiefly concerned with insurance services, legal advice, property valuation and construction, education and clinical treatment); insurance and commercial work; serious personal injuries.
Large cases have included: multi-million pound claims by lenders against valuers; a trial lasting several months relating to the contractual arrangements for tendering for designing and building machines to dig the Channel Tunnel; an arbitration between a local authority and contractors in relation to the construction of a waste disposal facility; insurance and related professional negligence claims for several million pounds (in one case potentially over £100 million); high value claims for personal injury, in one of which the client’s claim was settled for a value exceeding £14 million before conversion of part into periodical payments.
John has great experience in a wide range of claims, including severe head and orthopaedic injuries and for defendants to claims for shipping related accidents. Known for his common sense approach and understanding of the overall picture in a case but also for his attention to detail. While always enthusiastic to fight cases if the other side will not settle on sensible terms, he has a keen appreciation of the personal and commercial considerations, which are important to parties.
View full profile »Articles
- John Greenbourne considers the Supreme Court’s Judgment in X v Kuoni Travel Ltd [2019] UKSC 37
- The Supreme Court provides clarity on causation in professional negligence claims
News
- Perry v Raleys Solicitors: the Supreme Court reviews Allied Maples
- John Greenbourne represents successful Claimant in the Court of Appeal in VWF Professional Negligence case
Qualifications
- Holt Scholar, Gray’s Inn
- MA (Cantab)
Memberships
- London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
- Personal Injury Bar Association
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
Recommendations
“John is meticulous in both the preparation and delivery of his advice. He has a forensic approach to the evidence that instils confidence.”
Legal 500, 2024
“A very user-friendly and approachable junior.”
Legal 500, 2024
“John has meticulous attention to detail, a sensible and pragmatic approach to cases and puts clients at ease with his approachable manner.”
Personal Injury – (Legal 500, 2022)
“Very approachable, responsive and gives digestible advice. He is always willing to listen to views and takes time to discuss them.”
Insurance and reinsurance – Leading juniors (Legal 500, 2021)
“Inspires total confidence with very thorough preparation and drafting skills.”
Personal Injury – (Legal 500, 2021)
“He is easy to work with, responsive and gives digestible advice.’”
Professional Negligence – (Legal 500, 2021)
‘Thorough, analytical and good on his feet.’
Insurance and reinsurance – Leading juniors (Legal 500 2017)
‘He has an incredible attention to detail, leaving no stone unturned.’
Personal injury – Leading juniors (Legal 500 2017)
‘Incredibly talented.’
Professional negligence – Leading juniors (Legal 500 2017)
‘he provides thoroughness and a rigorous test of the evidence’ and ‘superb attention to detail and preparation’ and ‘a master of detail and also very good on his feet’
'Leading Junior' (Legal 500 2016)
‘very experienced in policy disputes and issues regarding non-disclosure in policies’ and ‘he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and is very approachable’ and ‘a thorough and enthusiastic barrister, who is a formidible drafter and good on his feet’
'Leading Junior' (Legal 500 2015)
‘thorough analysis and fierce advocacy’
'Leading Junior' (Legal 500 2014)
