John Greenbourne

Professional Liability

Ranked as ‘Leading Junior’ in Legal 500 (since before 2009)

For and against valuers / surveyors in claims by mortgage lenders and purchasers of property. Lenders’ claims relating to most types of property (residential houses and flats ranging from under £100,000 to over £1 million, business premises and office blocks, hotels and pubs, leisure properties (e.g. golf course, artificial ski slopes), including loans to owners of portfolios of properties, loans on security of property comprising multiple units of accommodation, loans of over £25 million, claims alleging participation in fraud.

For claimants in claims for educational negligence at trial and on successful appeals to the Court of Appeal and House of Lords in the leading cases in this area.

For managing agents and estate agents in actions against property owners for alleged negligence in negotiations for purchase of very high value property and in commercial property management

For project monitors and consultants defending claims by property developers and their lenders in claims alleging negligent advice in relation to project feasibility, appointment of professionals, obtaining of planning permission, progress and cost of works

For loss adjusters sued by insurers for failing to scrutinise £1 million claim after property flooded.

Against insurance brokers and agents, including defending brokers against claims for failure to obtain adequate insurance or to advise clients as to extent of disclosure required or extent and terms of cover.

For and against barristers in claims by former clients, including claim that infant’s claim settled (and approved by Court) at vastly inadequate figure.

Against solicitors, acting for: former clients; solicitors’ insurers; surveyors in actions against them and solicitors in relation to property transactions.

Cases of alleged negligence by accountants, agricultural advisers, architects, contractors, engineers, estate agents, quantity surveyors, medical practitioners and other professionals.

Selected Cases

• Perry v Raleys [2017] EWCA Civ 314 – Claim against solicitors by client for negligent conduct of his claim against the DTI under a scheme for the compensating miners who had developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome as result of using vibratory tools.
• Procter v Raleys [2015] EWCA Civ 400 – Claim against solicitors by client for negligent conduct of his claim against the DTI under a scheme for the compensating miners who had developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome as result of using vibratory tools.
• Skipper v Calderdale MBC [2006] EWCA Civ 238; [2006] ELR 322 – Educational negligence – whether damages recoverable for humiliation, lost confidence and self-esteem caused by unremediated dyslexia.
• Phelps v London Borough of Hillingdon [2001] 2 AC 619 (HL) – Liability of Local Education Authority and educational psychologist to dyslexic pupil.
• Ezekiel v McDade [1995] 2 EGLR 107 (CA) – Measure of general damages against surveyors of residential property.
• Suttle v Simmons [1989] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 227 (PC) extent of insurer’s liability under compulsory motor insurance legislation.

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

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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

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Qualifications

• Holt Scholar, Gray’s Inn
• MA (Cantab)

Memberships

• London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
• Personal Injury Bar Association
• Professional Negligence Bar Association