Construction & Engineering
Michael has experience in a range of construction matters.
Examples of Michael’s work are given below.
- The Grenfell Tower Litigation: civil claims arising out of the Grenfell Tower Fire, including defending negligence claims against the main contractor and bringing negligence claims against a variety of other construction professionals. Led, as part of a team, by Andrew Rigney KC.
- Fatboys Catering Equipment v Burnside Hotel: claim for unpaid fees and counterclaim for alleged breaches in relation to the design and installation of a commercial hotel kitchen; protracted litigation (2019-2024), due to a number of procedural skirmishes.
- The Gym v Brighton Seafront Regeneration & ors: multi-party dispute arising from construction works.
- Advising on and drafting letters of claim against the architect and parties contracted to design and supply and to fix planters at an eight-storey commercial office building.
- Applying to stay proceedings pursuant to an adjudication clause.
- Yord & ors v Design Realised: dispute as to the quality of works and materials regarding works to two properties.
- RG Carter Holdings v Horton Construction Services: claim by the main contractor against the carpentry subcontractor for allegedly defective construction of a loft hatch (leading to personal injury and settlement by the main contractor).
- Challoner v PDR Construction: nuisance claim relating to building works.
- Robinson v Aldi Stores et ors: acting for the quantity surveyor in a multi-party construction dispute, relating to a roofing project.
- Defending a multi-party claim arising from defective design and construction, involving issues of apportionment as between the project manager, builders, the steelwork fabricator, successive designers and the architect.
- Pursuing a subrogated claim relating to the design and supply of defective pipework.
Selected Cases
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- Daniel Shapiro KC, Michael Harper and Alethea Redfern acted for World Challenge Expeditions Ltd in its successful claim against Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
- DIPT v Sanglier v Apollo: the importance of assessing the evidence, settling reasonably, and understanding the terms on which you contract
Articles
- DIPT v Sanglier v Apollo: the importance of assessing the evidence, settling reasonably, and understanding the terms on which you contract
- Hindsight is 20/20: Assessment of damages in light of Covid-19
Qualifications
- BPTC
- BCL, University of Oxford
- BA Hons, University of Oxford
- Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
- Graduate Fund Scholarship, Oxford Law Faculty
Memberships
- COMBAR
- PNBA
Rankings
Recommendations
“Michael is technically excellent. He’s a superstar who performs far beyond his call.”…” very easy to work with. A go-to for particularly complex issues.”…” Michael is super bright but also knows how to apply it. He’s very user-friendly and available. He manages to carry a lot in his head and produces excellent written work.”
Chambers & Partners, 2026
“Michael is truly a master of his trade. He is extremely thorough in his work and will go the extra mile to secure the result for the client. His advice is meticulous, and his advocacy is superb.”…”Michael is an extremely bright, careful and effective barrister. He leaves no stone unturned, and steadily builds an overwhelming case on behalf of his client.”
Legal 500, 2026
“Michael is a future star with exceptional ability, dedication and commitment to the cause.” “Michael is a go-to counsel for a range of professional negligence claims. He brings a reassuring calm and insight to all matters.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Michael has a real eye for detail and immerses himself in the case. A seriously talented junior, excellent in both his drafting and ability to engage with clients.” “Michael is a tenacious barrister. He is incredibly diligent and leaves no stone unturned. He makes even the most difficult issues digestible for clients.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Technically brilliant and very able in complex matters.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Michael is enormously talented and enthusiastic in equal measure. He consumes the facts voraciously and applies the law surgically.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Michael is enormously talented and enthusiastic in equal measure. He consumes the facts voraciously and applies the law surgically.”
Legal 500, 2022
