Paul has been in practice as a commercial barrister for over 15 years. Prior to his call Paul qualified as a solicitor (Eversheds - 1996) and a Solicitor-Advocate (2001). His first degree gives him helpful technical and practical knowledge of disputes involving engineering.
Paul has been involved in the following cases with:-
Denmark: arbitration (rights of audience granted before settlement reached), Dubai (DIFC) – UK based associate of court advocate, India – defending a client with novel internet software, Egypt – property rights dispute.
Specialist Areas
Paul Dean is a member of the following specialist practice groups where detailed CV’s can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
Insolvency, Banking and Financial, Company and Partnership, Commercial and Chancery Litigation
Interests
Pre 2006: playing rugby, travelling, scuba diving, certain wines and DIY, Post 2006: parenting and thinking about the above.
Recommendations
“Paul pays great attention to detail and has an impressive memory of the facts and is able to make points in simple ways with many examples. He has always been approachable and gives clear instructions. He is highly reliable and offers great support in times of difficulty.”
Legal 500 2023
“He is an out-and-out specialist in partnership law and is very up to speed on partnerships.” “Paul has great attention to detail and is very approachable and always readily available to discuss cases when needed.”
Chambers UK 2022
“Very approachable and always readily available to discuss case when needed.”
Legal 500 2022 (Commercial Litigation)
“He is hugely focused and is able to drill down into a raft of evidence with surgical precision. He has a near prophetic view of the next important moves.”
Chambers UK 2021
“Focused on the details but avoids being drawn into the irrelevant aspects of cases.”
Legal 500 2021 (Company and Insolvency)
“Personable, thorough and knowledgeable, he ticks all the boxes”
Legal 500 2021 (Commercial Litigation)
Notable Cases
Hamed v Stevens [2013] EWCA Civ 911: (judgment 26 July)
conflict of laws (foreign land - Egypt). The case concerned the transfer of US$300,000 by Mr Stevens to Mr Hamed’s bank account in Egypt for the purpose of purchasing a holiday apartment. There was a dispute over whether Mr Stevens (and/or his partner) ever received title. Mr Stevens issued proceedings for restitution (in personam) in the Birmingham District Registry. Mr Hamed challenged jurisdiction on the basis that the true character of the proceedings would be to resolve title to foreign land (in rem), in which case the jurisdiction of the English courts should be excluded under the Mozambique rule (British South Africa Co v Companhia de Mozambique [1893] AC 602). HHJ Purle QC dismissed Mr Hamed’s application. The unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal (Arden, Lloyd-Jones and Fulford LJJ) was that the case did not fall within what was left of the Mozambique rule. Furthermore, it would have fallen within the recognised exception to the Mozambique rule anyway, being a claim in personam: per Lord Mance in Pattni v Ali [2007] 2 AC 85 [26]. Mr Hamed’s appeal was therefore dismissed. Lloyd Jones LJ added that a “most interesting point” raised in respect of the operation of Articles 2 and 22 of the Brussels I (Judgments) Regulation “must await decision on another occasion”.
Hussain v Al-Awlaqi, Clout and Baya’a: (Dubai CFI 023/2009, 20th May 2010)
insolvent limited liability partnership. Trust and confidence had broken down. Deadlock. Just and equitable winding up. Resisted on the basis of having made a reasonable offer to buy out the others. Raft of factual disputes which affected the valuation of the business dramatically. Justice Sir John Chadwick decided that it was “misconceived” to have a trial in order to evaluate whether the offer was reasonable and so the petition would be struck out. Instead he favoured an investigation by a liquidator and ordered a winding up. Paul acted as a UK based Associate of the Advocate in Court.
Memberships
Midland Chancery and Commercial Bar Association (MCCBA)
Birmingham Law Society – Dispute Resolution Committee (former member)
Qualifications
Whitgift School, Croydon.
1991: BSc (Hons) Manufacturing and Material Science - 1st class
1993: PGDL (Nottingham Law School)
1994: LPC (Nottingham Law School) - commendation
1996: Solicitor
2001: Solicitor Advocate (Civil)
2001: Called to the Bar (Inner Temple)
Publications
Recovery magazine (R3)
Case summaries (2015)
Insolvency Intelligence
Case note - “Re: Safehosts (London) Ltd [2013] BCC 721 (provisional liquidation instead of administration)” (March 2011)
Corporate Rescue and Insolvency
In Practice - “Proving solvency: consolidated accounts and the wisdom of hindsight?” Vol 7(6) [245] (Dec 2014)
St. Philips Commercial Brief
“The hazards of insurance law” (Winter 2007 - Issue 3) “E-disclosure - adverse costs” (Spring 2010- Issue 7) “E-Disclosure - update (the new practice direction)” (Spring 2011 - Issue 8) Partnership law: “Accounts and inquiries - how to achieve an equal footing” (2013)
Birmingham Law Society Bulletin
“E-disclosure update” (March 2011)
