Practice Overview
David uses his highly pragmatic approach to resolve difficult and seemingly intractable disputes. He has a relaxed approach whilst listening to parties' needs and concerns and then steering them towards a resolution of their differences.
David draws upon over 30 years of experience as a commercial litigation solicitor. His knowledge and understanding of the technical and procedural issues (and the costs) that can bog down parties in litigation help him to grasp very quickly the best route forward for the parties and where appropriate to press the parties to reality test their current position.
David has a calm and relaxed style but he is not afraid of taking a "hands on" approach and being blunt with the parties where it is necessary. He also has experience of handling mediations where there are language barriers and the parties have brought translators along to assist them.
Professional Experience
David is a partner in the niche commercial solicitors practice, Chandler Harris LLP and has practised as a solicitor for over 30 years. He is a fully accredited commercial mediator.
The cases and mediations that David has worked on include:
- Construction and property litigation and disputes.
- Disputes regarding possession of land/contested possession claims and boundary-possessory title issues
- Insolvency cases (including disputes with Liquidators and Trustees in Bankruptcy)
- Clinical negligence cases
- Breach of Contract
- Solicitors’ negligence cases
- Shareholder and director disputes
- Deceit and paternity fraud cases
- Probate and wills disputes
- Trusts disputes
- Healthcare service contract disputes
- Inheritance and family disputes
- Racial discrimination in education and in the workplace
- Sex and gender discrimination
- Accounting and auditing disputes
- FCA conduct and compiance disputes
- IT Consultancy and services disputes
- Disputes with public bodies regarding costs of health, social care and housing
- Construction cases
- Engineering and machinery disputes
- Debt recovery
- Housing Disrepair
- Wills and Probate disputes
- Workplace disputes
- Charity Disputes
- Energy Contracts and Brokerage Disputes
- Libel and malicious falsehood disputes
- Property disputes within families and claims made pursuant to the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996
- Disputed fire damage and insurance claims
- Claims for professional negligence against solicitors, accountants, surveyors, architects, financial advisers, insurance brokers and stockbrokers.
- Disputes regarding breach of contract, interpretation of contracts and losses arising from breach of contract.
- Intellectual property disputes (including trademark passing off and copyright claims)
- Employment disputes
- Complex property and shareholder disputes
- Disputes between liquidators and company directors.
- Disputes between employers and employees, former employees, former directors
- Disputes regarding computer software
- URL and Website litigation.
- Media disputes
- Partnership disputes and dissolutions.
- Litigation regarding commercial agents and termination claims against principals.
- Credit Hire cases
- Sports law
- Energy disputes (including energy supply disputes)
- Right to Light disputes
- Bankruptcy disputes
- Loan Recoveries
- Disputed debts
- Disputes between directors of companies and receivers/administrators and banks regarding the powers of banks and the powers of receivers appointed by banks
- Resolving boundary, land ownership and neighbour issues.
- Right of Light disputes
- Disputes regarding care home fees, private recovery and local authority funding
- Mental capacity, powers of attorney and court of protection disputes.
- Complicated disputes regarding the prejudice of minority shareholders' interests.
- Civil Fraud
- Tolata (Trustees of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996) claims
- Personal injuries
- Equipment leasing disputes
- Environment disputes
- Regulatory matters
- Religious and racial discrimination disputes
- Family disputes
- Disputes between companies regarding faulty goods and services and problems with the supply chain.
- Harassment and false imprisonment proceedings
- Disputes regarding asbestos pollution of properties
- Matters relating to the accommodation and welfare of asylum seekers
- Social Housing matters
- Health and Safety matters
- Licensing disputes
Endorsements
"An astute tactition, a patient and skilled negotiator and an excellent communicator..”
“…David is patient, thoughtful and very practical in his approach to problem solving…”
"Started at 10AM, done and dusted by just gone 2 on a matter that had been dragging on for years. Both client and I very impressed. Would definitely use David again."
“…David provides pragmatic advice and is very persuasive to parties in settlement negotiations. His skills lie in getting parties to understand their strengths and weaknesses, the costs of litigation, and attention to detail, whilst having a friendly manner…”
"...Having had a recent mediation with David, I left very impressed. He managed the process with the upmost professionalism and was willing to go the extra mile to try and achieve a settlement. I have already recommended him to other clients!.."
"David was fully up to speed on the case and dealt with a very difficult situation brilliantly. He was patient but forceful and managed to get a satisfactory solution for both sides. Much appreciated."