Biography

Michael, a former police officer, graduated in law at Manchester University in 1995 and qualified as a solicitor in 1998, becoming in 2008 a partner in a city centre commercial practice.

Michael was called to the Bar in July 2010 and after a successful Pupillage became a Tenant with Linenhall Chambers in January 2011.

Being a former solicitor, Michael is very aware of the pressures upon both solicitors and clients alike. In addition to his court work, Michael has a busy paper practice including the preparation of statements of case and applications and advices, his aim being to return paperwork as soon as possible.

Michael also takes instructions on a Direct Access basis.

Property:

• Landlord & Tenant (commercial & private / residential)
• Property Chamber and Land Tribunal proceedings
• Dilapidations / Service Charge disputes
• Breach of covenant claims
• Boundary / right of way / easement disputes
• Party Wall Act matters
• Forfeiture proceedings
• Business tenancy proceedings, including lease renewals, rent reviews
• Adverse possession / Trespass and nuisance
• Mortgage repossession actions (for both lenders & borrowers)
• Leasehold Valuation Tribunal proceedings​​​

Commercial / Chancery:

• Breach of contract / warranty claims
• TOLATA / Trust of land disputes
• Proprietary estoppel
• Trust / Contentious probate and wills
• Inheritance Act claims
• Company law including shareholder / directorship disputes and partnership disputes
• Injunctions
• Construction (including adjudications and arbitrations)
• Insolvency / commercial debt recovery proceedings
• Professional negligence
• Asset Finance / consumer credit
• Court of protection proceedings / mental health
• Appeals

Housing:

• Social Housing (for Landlords & Tenants)
• Injunctions
• Repossession proceedings
• Human Rights / Equality Act issues
• Disrepair

Reported cases:

HSBC Bank PLC V Brown (2015) EWHC 359 (Ch) – Michael successfully defeated Bank’s claim for repossession of land based upon its Charge.