Nicholas represents and advises Policyholders and Insurers in disputes arising from contracts of insurance.
He is an experienced trial advocate who appears regularly in multi-track proceedings in the High Court and County Court.
He advises on risk and dispute avoidance, and where proceedings are necessary, he deals with all stages, from devising strategy at the outset, to appearing in interim applications, trials and appeals.
As a leading junior in commercial litigation, he is recognised in the Legal 500 for his strong commercial grasp, pragmatism of the commercial realities of litigation, his approachability and focus on delivering his clients’ objectives.
His experience includes:
- acting for the Policyholder in its claim for loss of profits arising from the closure of its restaurant within a shopping centre due to trading restrictions arising from Covid-19
- representing a global insurer defending a multi-million GBP claim at mediation involving multiple defendants and competing causes of action arising from a fire at prestige commercial premises in a city centre
- defending an application for non-party disclosure brought by an insurer seeking documents to enable it to support its claim for repayment of cover paid as a result of an allegedly fraudulent insurance claim
- acting for the Insurer in a claim where its Insured was co-defendant in a multi-million GBP claim arising from a fire in an English stately home
- representing the Policyholder in a professional negligence claim against its Broker for failure to obtain suitable insurance cover
- advising residential building developer on warranty insurance cover and deposit protection policies to protect buyers of off plan apartments in a city centre
- advising landlord of commercial premises in a claim against a commercial tenant which caused a fire that destroyed the entire premises and triggered claims from the insurers of neighbouring commercial tenants
- representing a global Insurer defending a multi-million GBP claim at mediation involving multiple defendants and competing causes of action
- representing credit hire companies at trial in claims against insurers
Client care
Prior to joining No5 Chambers in March 2011, Nicholas was a senior associate in the commercial litigation team at Wragge and Co LLP (now Gowling WLG (UK) LLP). He also led the firm’s advocacy team. He dealt with a broad range of commercial disputes from high value and complex commercial matters to comparatively lower value and high volume disputes. He worked with partners across the firm, managed solicitors and supervised trainees. He has a strong grasp of the commercial realities of litigation and clear understanding of his clients’ needs and wishes.
Other
Represented Middle Temple at the World Universities Debating Championship Finals in Toronto 2001
BVC: Inns of Court School of Law – Very Competent
Nicholas has been involved with the governance of organisations in the third sector for over twenty years. He is a trustee and legal adviser to charities providing education, social mobility, health and counselling services in the UK and overseas.
Recommendations
“Nicholas is incredibly pragmatic, approachable and practical in his application of the law and his interaction with the clients.”
Legal 500 2023
“Incredibly approachable and accessible to both instructing solicitors and clients. Very strong commercial grasp and works hard with clients to help them achieve the best commercial outcome for them and their business.”
Legal 500, 2022
Notable Cases
Jonathan Digby-Rogers v Speechly Bircham LLP [2019] EWHC 1568 (Ch)
Henderson and Jones Ltd v Alex Tsimboykas and Claire Tsimboykas [2018] EWHC 1493
(1) John Micheal (2) Pauline Wendy Micheal (3) Havering Radio Cars UK Ltd v (1) Gary Anthony Phillips (2) A1 Group (UK) Ltd (3) Lynn Phillips [2017] EWHC 142 (QB)
(1) Cumbria Waste Management Ltd (2) Lakeland Waste Management Ltd v Baines Wilson (a firm) [2008] EWHC 768 (QB)
Memberships
Combar (Commercial Bar Association)
Chancery Bar Association
International Bar Association
Midlands Chancery and Commercial Bar Association
Middle Temple
