Year of Call: 2005

Profile

Alec practices in all areas of commercial chancery work, with a particular emphasis on litigious matters.  Alec has extensive experience of contractual and business disputes (including fraud claims and cases with international elements), insolvency, company and partnership work, professional negligence, trusts and property matters.  Alec is currently working on a contribution for Lenders’ Claims (forthcoming, Sweet & Maxwell).  He has recently written (with John McGhee QC) an article published in the Solicitors Journal on the impact of the credit crunch on trends in current litigation.

Alec read Greats at Merton College, Oxford, gaining a Double First, before converting to law at City University.  He was a Chapman Scholar of the Inner Temple, and at Bar School was placed top in his year, winning the Scarman Scholarship and the Stephen Seabrooke Memorial Prize. He joined Maitland Chambers in October 2006 on completing 12 months of pupillage there.

Notable cases include:

• JD Wetherspoon Plc v Van de Berg & Co Ltd [2009] EWHC 639 (Ch).  Appeared (with Catherine Newman QC) on behalf of JD Wetherspoon plc in their successful action raising allegations of fraud against their former property finders.  The trial of the action lasted for over six weeks.

• Shilton Holdings v Knowles.  Appeared (with Tom Grant) on behalf of Shilton Holdings in the successful two week trial of their action arising out of the sale of a footwear business.

• Angela Scotcher v Kirklees Borough Metropolitan Council LTL 22/7/2008.  Represented Kirklees Council on their successful application to strike out proceedings raising issues of public policy and the imposition of duties of care, and the proper scope of claims based on economic torts.

• Stewart Dunn v Glass Systems (UK) Ltd [2007] Adj LR 07/11.  Appeared (with Tom Grant) on behalf of successful defendant to claim by barrister suing for fees under a public access agreement, believed to be the first case of its kind.

Publications
Lender Claims, Contributor

Notable Cases
In The Matter Of Capitol Films Ltd v Capitol Films Ltd (2010)
JD Wetherspoon PLC v Van de Berg & Co Ltd [2009]
Angela Scotcher v Kirklees Borough Metropolitan Council [2008]
J D Wetherspoon PLC v Van De Berg & Co Ltd [2007]
Stewart Dunn v Glass Systems (UK) Ltd [2007]

Memberships
Chancery Bar Association, COMBAR

Languages
French

Qualifications
MA (Oxon)