Solicitor
Chartered Arbitrator
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Computers/IT
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Agricultural disputes
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Partnership/company
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Intellectual property
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Contract disputes
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Professional negligence
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Mediation Experience ...
Acted as Mediator in variety of Mediations
Represented clients in several Mediations, and
Been a party in a Mediation
Also ...
I come from a farming background, and have acted for farmers and agricultural businesses for many years, and I live in the country.
I am a trustee of a number of trusts and of a charity.
I have been a member of the national committees of legal software User Groups
Professional negligence
Solicitors / SIF
Negligence relating to agricultural advice
Negligence relating to commercial advice
Negligence relating to £3.5 m development deal
Accountants
Three Party dispute between plc and international accountancy practice re negligent tax advice
Partnership disputes &/or dissolution
Solicitors
(Enforced) retirement of a senior partner
Dissolution of a practice
Accountants
Three party (+PII insurers) dispute family partnership, Ltd company and allegedly negligent accountants
Commercial
Dispute between partners in nursing home business
Dispute between partners in a health club, with commercial and property issues
Dispute over valuation and financial issues two years after dissolution of engineering partnership
Farming
Post dissolution disputes in family farming partnership after a divorce, including personal and children issues
Company / Commercial
Dispute between directors / shareholders in private limited company
Alleged breach of contract for services in entertainment industry
Contractual dispute between two trade associations (2 days)
Building dispute over alleged improper disposal of toxic waste
Three party engineering dispute in food industry – national company, contractor and sub- contractor |
IT, Intellectual Property and Computer industry
Dispute between consultant and purchaser of system, advised by 'claims experts'
Dispute over IP rights to educational software and breach of contract
Alleged wrongful termination of software sales and marketing agreement
Software licensing dispute
Copyright claim against trade association (half day)
Farmers and farming industry
Supply dispute in pig industry
Cattle feed and growth dispute
Alleged supply of diseased pigs
Four party dispute relating to supply of agricultural equipment
Live poultry supply agreement
Dispute over land rights, AIACS, quotas, contract farming etc.
Property rights / Landlord and Tenant
Student letting dispute (half day – Court referral scheme)
All the above Mediations, except one, have resulted in a signed binding settlement agreement. However I do not consider that settlement of a dispute on the day of a mediation must be achieved at any cost, I am conscious that in a minority of cases a failure to settle will inevitably be the right outcome. |
Professional Background...
Hands on business experience
Managing Partner of a firm of solicitors in Harrogate, which involves a practical and robust understanding of fundamental business processes and management issues.
I have had substantial experience of purchasing, installing and operation of IT since the early 1970s; this has involved being trained in a wide range of systems and applications software, over the years. I have a good understanding of IT fundamentals, contracting and current issues, including the operation of networked PCs.
I have been a Director of a variety of Limited Companies.
Responsible for administration and systems since 1980s
Substantial practical experience of accounting, financial issues, selection and installation of IT systems etc.
Former Head of Litigation Department and currently Member of Commercial Team
Extremely wide range of civil litigation experience including personal injury work for insurers and claimants, commercial disputes, negligence claims, farming disputes, heavy debt collection and enforcement, emergency procedures etc. Also employment work. Over more recent years dealing with commercial contractual work and business disputes, often with an IT or partnership bias.
Managing Partner since 1994
I have gained a very broad experience of a wide range of civil contentious and commercial matters over 30 years of professional practice; including Commercial Contracts, Partnership, Building Disputes, Personal Injury Litigation, Agricultural and IT law etc. I have acquired very robust and practical experience of commercial and civil disputes, and their resolution
