Introduction
John has a first-class degree from the University of Cambridge. He achieved an Outstanding at Bar School and a Distinction for the GDL. He has won numerous scholarships and awards, including the Louis Gluckstein Advocacy Prize.
John is Business & Property barrister who specialises in property, wills, trusts & probate. He is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
John is married with a young daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys learning languages and playing golf and the piano badly. Before coming to the Bar, John was a Church of England minster.
Contentious Wills, Trust and Probate
John frequently acts in claims where a will is challenged on the grounds of incapacity, undue influence or fraudulent calumny. He has resolved numerous probate, TOLATA, Inheritance Act and proprietary estoppel claims at trial and mediation. He enjoys advising on obscure points of law relating to mutual wills, secret trusts, purpose trusts and the construction of wills and trusts.
Recently John has:
- Acted on behalf of the administrators of an estate in 2-day hearing where he: (i) obtained an order for security for costs against the Claimant (a beneficiary of the estate) who lives out of the jurisdiction; and (ii) defeated 2 applications by the Claimant for summary judgment and for payment into court of the estate funds.
- Obtained orders under s.50 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 for the appointment of substitute personal representatives (both lay and professional).
- Obtained an order under s.116 of the Senior Court’s Act 1981 to pass over an executrix (who lacked capacity) and appoint a trust corporation as the administrator ad litem for the deceased’s estate in an Inheritance Act claim.
- Settled various Inheritance Act applications at mediation
- Advised on whether s.142(1) of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 would apply to a proposed second deed of variation of a will and drafted the deed in an appropriate form.
Real Estate
John often acts in TOLATA, proprietary estoppel and possession claims. He particularly enjoys dealing with disputes over boundaries, adverse possession, rights of way and prescription. He is experienced in drafting First-Tier Tribunal statements of case.
Recently John has:
- Secured reverse summary judgment against the lessor of a public library who was claiming specific performance of a right of pre-emption which would have required the Defendant lessee Council to offer to sell the lease to the Claimant.
- (Acting on a direct access basis), obtained a declaration under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 that a rental property purchased by two registered proprietors was held on common intention constructive or resulting trust for a 3rd party, the Claimant.
- Acted in a trial over land adjoining a farm in which he: (i) obtained a declaration of the boundary of the Claimants’ driveway; (ii) obtained injunctions to prevent interference with the Claimants’ right of way; and (iii) partially defeated a counterclaim for a prescriptive right of way.
Commercial and Chancery Litigation
John expertise ranges from claims involving misrepresentation, limitation and unjust enrichment to professional negligence in the context of conveyancing, wills & trusts. He also has experience of partnership claims for accounts & enquiries, dissolution and winding up.
Recently John has:
- Advised on issues arising in partnership disputes, such as whether the premises at which a GP practice is carried on is partnership property and the merits of applying for an order for sale of a working farm.
- Drafted a claim under s.3 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 for specific delivery of certain farm equipment.
Insolvency and Restructuring
John is experienced in claims at the intersection between property and insolvency. This includes advising on forfeiture, disclaimers, bona vacantia/escheat and vesting orders.
Recently John has:
- Drafted claims on behalf of sub-tenants for vesting orders in respect of headleases which have been disclaimed either by liquidators or the Crown.
- Advised on a claim to re-register a charge under para. 2(1)(a) or (b) of Schedule 4 of the Land Registration Act 2002 on the grounds that the DS1 which discharged it was void or voidable because it was either a transaction at an undervalue or a transaction intended to prejudice the interest of creditors.
Reported Cases
- Baker v Hewston [2023] EWHC 1145 (Ch) (contains a detailed re-examination of the relationship between Banks v Goodfellow and the Mental Capacity Act 2005).
- Euro Securities and Finance Ltd v Barrett [2023] EWHC 51 (Ch) (contains significant obiter guidance on the meaning of “in the presence of a witness” and “attests” in s.1(3)(a) LP(MP)A 1989).
- Khan v Mahmood [2021] EWHC 597 (Ch) (a notable decision on the perfection of imperfect gifts)
- (1) Kirkbright; (2) Kirkbright v Toseva [2021] EWHC 2320 (TCC) (proprietary estoppel and contracts for the sale of land)
- Quadro Services Limited v Creagh Concrete Products Limited [2021] EWHC 2637 (TCC)
First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) cases:
- Kenyon v Emery REF/2002/0233 (adverse possession)
- Liddle v The Incumbent of the Ashfords BeneficeREF/2022/0368 (the 30-year limitation period enjoyed by spiritual corporations sole under s.15(7) Limitation Act 1980 was applied to defeat an adverse possession claim to part of a churchyard)
- City & Country Properties Ltd v Birmingham City Council REF/2020/0209 (the defence of “highway maintainable at public expense” was raised to defeat an adverse possession claim)
- (1) Tucker; (2) Hill v (1) Campbell; (2) Campbell REF/2020/0309 (boundary dispute & adverse possession)
- ANG Properties Limited v Boston REF/2019/0780 (cancellation of restriction)
- Greenbelt Group Limited v (1) Lane; (2) Bourne BIR/OOCS/LIS/2018/0028 (service charge)
Qualifications
- Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding) BPP
- Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction) BPP
- MPhil Philosophy of Religion & Ethics University of Cambridge
- BA Theology (1st) University of Cambridge
- BA Law (2:1) University of Oxford
Professional Courses
- STEP Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation (2024)
- STEP Advanced Certificate in the Administration of Trusts (2023)
- STEP Advanced Certificate in the Administration of Estates (2023)
- Certificate in Insolvency Law (2017)
Scholarships
- Louis Gluckstein Advocacy Prize Lincoln’s Inn
- Tancred Studentship Lincoln’s Inn
- Excellence Award BPP University
- Lord Brougham Scholarship Lincoln’s Inn
- Hardwicke Entrance Award Lincoln’s Inn
- Wordsworth MPhil Grant Cambridge Divinity Faculty
- 1912 Senior Scholarship Cambridge University
- Nick Clarke Prize Cambridge University
Professional Associations
- Lincoln’s Inn
- Full member of STEP
- Member of MCCBA
- Worcester Law Society member
What the directories say
“John is an excellent litigator. He tailor-makes his arguments and expresses them in a clear and concise manner. He has a very detailed approach to work.” Legal 500 2025
“John has a fantastic eye for detail, is very methodical and clearly explains matters when in conference with clients. He is a fantastic advocate who makes clear and salient points.” Legal 500 2025
“John is very thorough and well-reasoned. He is a careful and effective advocate with in-depth knowledge of the relevant evidence and applicable law.” Legal 500 2024
“John has an excellent, analytical mind, with a calm and measured demeanour. He patiently and skilfully deals with witnesses who ramble in evidence and adroitly reveals the flaws in that evidence.” Legal 500 2023
