Profile

• M. Chem. Oxford University (1995) - Won blues for rugby in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Blackwell Scholar
• C.P.E. - Westminster University (1996)
• Called to the Bar 1997, Middle Temple

Michael joined 17 Bedford Row in 1999 after successfully completing his third-six pupillage. His first 12 months as a pupil were spent at 1 Crown Office Row (now the chambers of James Guthrie QC at 3 Hare Court) where he saw a wide range of commercial work and “death-row” appeals to the Privy Council.

Michael’s practice encompasses general commercial law, landlord and tenant, insolvency, professional negligence and personal injury. He has a particular interest in developing his practice in sports-related law and has represented clients involved in horse racing, boxing and football and recently represented the French Tennis Federation in the High Court in a claim brought by Adidas.

COMMERCIAL

Contracts generally, sale of goods, carriage of goods, supply of services, agency, consumer credit, mortgages, banking, company.

LANDLORD AND TENANT / HOUSING

Possession actions for landlords and tenants in both the private and public sectors, business tenancies, forfeiture, disrepair, unlawful eviction, homelessness, nuisance (including neighbour nuisance).

INSOLVENCY

Personal and corporate insolvency, applications to set aside statutory demands and to annul/rescind bankruptcy and winding-up orders.

PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE

Claims involving the particular area of expertise.

PERSONAL INJURY

All aspects of personal injury, including tripping and slipping, road traffic accidents, occupier’s liability, accidents at work.

SPORTS

Sports related disputes and regulatory claims.

OTHER

TLATA claims, building disputes.

CASES OF INTEREST

Adidas-Salomon AG v Draper, Howarth and others [2006] EWHC 1318 (Sir Andrew Morritt C). Application by Adidas for injunctions restraining the governing bodies of tennis from enforcing rules on dress-code.

David Mist v Dolphin Head Holdings PLC (Lawtel 14/5/05) – A residential flat let on a secure tenancy was damaged by fire and the landlord pulled it down rather than effect extensive repairs. Action by tenant for unlawful eviction successfully resisted on grounds of frustration and/or a reasonableness defence under s.27 of the Housing Act 1988.

Fowler v Jones (Lawtel 27/6/02) – Protracted neighbour dispute, heavily reported in the national press following an (unproven) allegation that Ms Jones stole, cooked and ate her neighbour’s prize koi carp!