Professional Liability
Wide experience of professional negligence claims, but in particular claims involving professionals in the construction and engineering industries.
Selected Cases
- Acting for the lead consultant in a dispute arising out of a refurbishment to a listed development.
- Acting for a social housing landlord in an adjudication arising out of the redevelopment of a social housing estate.
- Acting for a social landlord in a claim against the professional team arising out of a sinkhole that appeared after construction of a residential estate.
- Acting for project managers in a dispute arising out of delay and disruption to a landmark development following a major fire.
- Acting for sub contractors in a multi million pound TCC claim arising out of a fire at a mansion on a private island allegedly caused by a defectively designed flue.
- Acting for a consulting engineer in a TCC claim alleging professional negligence in respect of the engineer’s expert evidence in an earlier TCC claim.
- Advising in connection with a claim arising out of the design of a waterproofing system at a commercial and residential development.
- Acting for the claimants in a £3m claim against insurers and brokers in relation to financial services insurance.
- Acting for the claimants in a multi million claim arising out of the design of piling for a car park at a regional distribution centre.
- Acting for the claimants in a £7m claim against professional risk assessors arising out of a fire at a chemical factory.
- Acting for the claimants in a multi million claim against solicitors arising out of the unsuccessful takeover of Premiership football club.
- Acting for the Project Manager in a 2 month £30m multi-party arbitration concerning a commercial development in London. The arbitration settled in the first month of the hearing.
- Acting for the developers in a claim against their structural engineers for an indemnity in respect of compensation the developers had to pay to settle actions brought against them by purchasers of property on a residential estate in Essex as a result of failed foundations. The claim was the subject of an unsuccessful early neutral evaluation in the TCC but eventually settled shortly before trial.
- Advising a firm of architects in a dispute with an NHS Trust arising out of the design of a new hospital.
- Advising a set of chambers in relation to a claim against its former solicitors relating to their failure to renew a lease.
- Acting for the owner of a stables in a claim against her former solicitors for the negligent conduct of an earlier claim by her against the MOD for losses caused by low flying aircraft.
News
- Supreme Court grants permission to appeal in Abbey Healthcare case
- Andrew Rigney QC and Patrick Maxwell successful in TCC claim for declaration
Qualifications
- Ranner Arbitration Prize
- MSc (Construction & Arbitration Law), Kings College London
- MA in Law (Oxon)
Memberships
- ACIArb
- TECBAR
- COMBAR
- LCLBA
- PNBA
- LCIA
- SCL
Recommendations
“Michael is highly intelligent, and has an encyclopedic legal knowledge.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Very good with clients, and his explanations are clear and in plain language. He pays great attention to detail and knows his strategy, but is flexible in approach when necessary.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is an extremely capable technical lawyer, exceptional judgement and strong advocate.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is undoubtedly a go-to barrister for complex work and is fantastic with clients.”
Legal 500, 2021
“His written advice is a tour de force of the relevant law, covers all the angles and comes up with a practical solution.”
Legal 500, 2020
“Great at getting straight to the detail.”
Legal 500, 2020
“A highly regarded silk.”
Legal 500, 2020
“A very able advocate, who is brilliant in court.”
Legal 500, 2017
“Extremely capable and user-friendly, with a fantastic attention to detail.”
Legal 500, 2017
“Excellent.”
Legal 500, 2017
“He is extremely clear, calm and persuasive when on his feet in court.”
Chambers & Partners, 2016
“He is very measured and very sensible so you feel you are in safe hands”.
Chambers & Partners, 2016
