John Small

Biography

John has a wealth of trial experience and is often instructed in matters where there is an overlap with directors' duties and other fields of law such as insolvency and company law matters.

In addition, John has developed a growing procurement practice and regularly advises public bodies on all aspects of the procurement process.

Examples of recent cases John has been instructed on include:

• Acting for a director in a significant derivative action claim in the oil and gas sector
• Acting for a partner in a complex partnership dispute concerning numerous allegations of fraud and failing to account
• Successfully acting for the former directors in striking out a winding up petition against a wound-up company
• Acting for directors in applying to set aside various resolutions made by a company
• Acting for a Claimant in a significant whistleblowing case (listed for 15-day trial)
• Advising large firm of solicitors over online negative comments
• Advising a national Union over various sensitive subject access requests
• Advising a local authority on the legality of a large procurement exercise

Notable cases

• Solanki v Intercity Technology Ltd and Guidinglight Finance Ltd [2018] EWCA Civ 101
• 
  Successfully acted for the Defendant in setting aside Judgment of nearly £300,000 in respect of a restraint of trade claim.
   
• Jadebay v Clarke-Coles [2017] EWHC 1400 IPEC
• 
  Acted for the Defendant in this first-of-a-kind misrepresentation/passing off case concerning sales on Amazon.  Matter currently being appealed to the Court of Appeal. 
   
• Barone v DHR International [2017] EWHC 2419 (Ch)
• 
  Instructed by the Claimant in piercing the corporate veil claim and serving out of jurisdiction.

• W v S– Birmingham DR – August 2016
• 
  Instructed by the Claimant, an internet service provider, in its unlawful interference and breach of confidence claim against another internet provider. Value of the claim £500,000.  Settled on terms at trial.
   
• Sharma & Kuruppu v Simposh [2011] EWCA Civ 1383
• 
  Leading case on return of non-refundable property deposits.