Jack is a rising star of the future. He's very knowledgeable, especially in corporate disputes, easy to deal with and responsive. Chambers and Partners
Litigation & Arbitration
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Commercial disputes
  • Pensions disputes
  • Partnership disputes
  • Public interest winding up petitions

Kodrič & anor v Bitstamp Holdings NV [2022] EWHC 210 (Ch)
Acted (with Andrew Thompson QC) on behalf of the claimants in an action to restrain the exercise of a call option over shares. The case raised issues concerning the ambit of the doctrines of promissory estoppel and estoppel by representation and convention.

ENRC v Dechert LLP & anor; ENRC v Director of the Serious Fraud Office (2021)
Acted as part of a large team (led by Clare Montgomery QC, Nathan Pillow QC and Anna Boase QC) on behalf of the claimant in the ten-week trial of its claims against Dechert LLP, Neil Gerrard and the SFO. The claims involve serious allegations of breach of duty on the part of Dechert and Mr Gerrard (including the leaking of privileged material to the press) and (on the part of the SFO) the torts of misfeasance in public office and inducing breach of duty.

Compagnie des Grands Hôtels D’Afrique SA v Purdy and anor [2021] EWHC 1031 (QB)
Acted (with Michael Todd QC) for two proposed witnesses requiring them to give evidence in proceedings in the USA pursuant to letters of request issued by the court in Delaware. The case concerned the powers of the Court under the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act 1975 and the privilege against self-incrimination.

Chalcot Training Limited v Ralph & ors [2020] EWHC 1054 (Ch) (1st instance); [2021] EWCA Civ 795
Acted on behalf of HMRC in a claim involving allegations of disguised distributions, the issue of shares at a discount and the payment of unlawful commissions. At first instance, Jack conducted all the cross-examination and made submissions on the company law issues on behalf of HMRC, and was commenced by the judge in his judgment as having made his submissions “impressively”.

Sharp v Blank & ors [2019] EWHC 3096 (Ch) (October 2017-March 2018)
Acted (with Richard Hill QC, Sebastian Isaac and Lara Hassell-Hart) on behalf of a group of Lloyds shareholders in their claims against the former directors of Lloyds arising out of the takeover of HBOSC plc at the start of the credit crunch in 2018. The claim involved allegations of non-disclosure and negligence.

Purser v Pendersons Group Limited [2018] EWHC 2741 (Ch)
Acted (unled) on behalf of the respondents to a petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006. The allegation of unfair prejudice related to the diversion of business to the respondents. Jack was commended by the judge in the judgment for the quality of his cross-examination.

In re Pablo Star Ltd [2018] 1 WLR 738 (CA)
Acted (with Michael Todd QC) on behalf of the Welsh ministers in a claim concerning the alleged misuse of copyright. The appeal arose out of a collateral dispute concerning the restoration of the company and raised issues as to the circumstances in which a party can be joined to restoration proceedings.

Patel v Ferdinand [2016] EWHC 1524 (Ch); [2016] EWHC 2362
Acted (unled) on behalf of the respondent to a petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006, involving allegations of diversion of business and misappropriation of company assets.

Mortgage Debenture Ltd (in administration) v Chapman & ors [2016] 1 WLR 3048 (CA)
Acted (with Raquel Agnello QC) for the appellant. The appeal concerned the ambit of the moratorium on legal process contained in paragraph 43(6) of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986.

The Pensions Regulator v Desmonds (2015)
Instructed (with Raquel Agnello QC and Tom Robinson) on behalf of the Pensions Regulator in a case concerning whether or not contribution notices should be issued to three individuals under Article 34 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (the equivalent of section 38 of the Pensions Act 2004).

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills v PAGMSL (2015)
Appeared (with David Chivers QC) on behalf of the respondent in a trial of a winding-up petition presented on public interest grounds.

Dilato Holdings Pty Ltd v Learning Possibilities Ltd and others [2015] EWHC 592 (Ch)
Acted (with James Potts QC) on behalf of a shareholder in its successful application for an injunction seeking, amongst other things, to ensure that its appointee to the board of directors had access to the company’s information and to prevent the company from entering into transactions above a certain financial value without a resolution of its board of directors.

Birdi v Specsavers Optical Group Limited and others (2014)
Appeared (with James Potts QC) on behalf of the respondents in a three week trial of a petition presented under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006.

Poulsen and others v Specsavers Optical Group Limited (2013/2014)
Appeared (with James Potts QC) on behalf of the respondents in a five week trial of a claim for rectification of the register of members under section 125 of the Companies Act 2006. The proceedings settled after trial.

 

Corporate
  • Advice on Companies Act 2006 provisions
  • Company meetings
  • Construction and drafting of constitutional documents
  • Shareholder rights
  • Directors’ duties
  • Joint ventures
  • Disclosure and Transparency Rules
  • Takeover Code
  • Schemes (including under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000)

Kodrič & anor v Bitstamp Holdings NV [2022] EWHC 210 (Ch)
Acted (with Andrew Thompson QC) on behalf of the claimants in an action to restrain the exercise of a call option over shares. The case raised issues concerning the ambit of the doctrines of promissory estoppel and estoppel by representation and convention.

Chalcot Training Limited v Ralph & ors [2020] EWHC 1054 (Ch) (1st instance); [2021] EWCA Civ 795
Acted on behalf of HMRC in a claim involving allegations of disguised distributions, the issue of shares at a discount and the payment of unlawful commissions. At first instance, Jack conducted all the cross-examination and made submissions on the company law issues on behalf of HMRC, and was commenced by the judge in his judgment as having made his submissions “impressively”.

In re Prudential Assurance Company Ltd & anor [2020] EWCA Civ 1626
Acted (with Richard Handyside QC and Martin Moore QC) on behalf of the appellants in an appeal against the refusal by the first instance judge to sanction an insurance business transfer scheme under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Court of Appeal gave guidance on the principles to be applied on an application under Part VII. The decision is now the leading case on Part VII transfers.

Sharp v Blank & ors [2019] EWHC 3096 (Ch) (October 2017-March 2018)
Acted (with Richard Hill QC, Sebastian Isaac and Lara Hassell-Hart) on behalf of a group of Lloyds shareholders in their claims against the former directors of Lloyds arising out of the takeover of HBOSC plc at the start of the credit crunch in 2018. The claim involved allegations of non-disclosure and negligence.

Purser v Pendersons Group Limited [2018] EWHC 2741 (Ch)
Acted (unled) on behalf of the respondents to a petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006. The allegation of unfair prejudice related to the diversion of business to the respondents. Jack was commended by the judge in the judgment for the quality of his cross-examination.

In re Pablo Star Ltd [2018] 1 WLR 738 (CA)
Acted (with Michael Todd QC) on behalf of the Welsh ministers in a claim concerning the alleged misuse of copyright. The appeal arose out of a collateral dispute concerning the restoration of the company and raised issues as to the circumstances in which a party can be joined to restoration proceedings.

Patel v Ferdinand [2016] EWHC 1524 (Ch); [2016] EWHC 2362
Acted (unled) on behalf of the respondent to a petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006, involving allegations of diversion of business and misappropriation of company assets.

Mortgage Debenture Ltd (in administration) v Chapman & ors [2016] 1 WLR 3048 (CA)
Acted (with Raquel Agnello QC) for the appellant. The appeal concerned the ambit of the moratorium on legal process contained in paragraph 43(6) of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986.

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills v PAGMSL (2015)
Appeared (with David Chivers QC) on behalf of the respondent in a trial of a winding-up petition presented on public interest grounds.

Dilato Holdings Pty Ltd v Learning Possibilities Ltd and others [2015] EWHC 592 (Ch)
Acted (with James Potts QC) on behalf of a shareholder in its successful application for an injunction seeking, amongst other things, to ensure that its appointee to the board of directors had access to the company’s information and to prevent the company from entering into transactions above a certain financial value without a resolution of its board of directors.

Birdi v Specsavers Optical Group Limited and others (2014)
Appeared (with James Potts QC) on behalf of the respondents in a three week trial of a petition presented under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006.

Poulsen and others v Specsavers Optical Group Limited (2013)
Appeared (with James Potts QC) on behalf of the respondents in a five week trial of a claim for rectification of the register of members under section 125 of the Companies Act 2006. The proceedings settled after trial.

Restructuring & Insolvency
  • Contentious insolvency
  • Winding up
  • Administration
  • Bankruptcy

In re Pablo Star Ltd [2018] 1 WLR 738 (CA)
Acted (with Michael Todd QC) on behalf of the Welsh ministers in a claim concerning the alleged misuse of copyright. The appeal arose out of a collateral dispute concerning the restoration of the company and raised issues as to the circumstances in which a party can be joined to restoration proceedings.

Mortgage Debenture Ltd (in administration) v Chapman & ors [2016] 1 WLR 3048 (CA)
Acted (with Raquel Agnello QC) for the appellant. The appeal concerned the ambit of the moratorium on legal process contained in paragraph 43(6) of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986.

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills v PAGMSL (2015)
Appeared (with David Chivers QC) on behalf of the respondent in a trial of a winding-up petition presented on public interest grounds.

Re IFT Limited (2014)
Acted for the former shareholder of a dissolved Guernsey company in his successful petition to wind the company up under section 221 and 225 of the Insolvency Act 1986 so as to recover property registered in the name of the dissolved company.

Data Power Systems Ltd v Safehosts (London) Ltd [2013] EWHC 2479 (Ch); [2013] BCC 721
Acted for the interested parties in an application for an administration order.

International & Offshore

Prior to commencing tenancy, Jack undertook a three-month secondment to the litigation department of Appleby in Guernsey. In 2013, he spent two months in Hong Kong as a Pegasus Scholar, where he spent time working at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and as a judicial assistant in the Hong Kong Court of Appeal.

Jack has advised in relation to proceedings in Hong Kong, Guernsey, the BVI and Bermuda.

PMCL v Enevoldsen and others
Instructed (with Philip Gillyon) to advise the claimant in an action for breach of fiduciary duties. Advised in relation to the hearing of a preliminary issue as to whether the directors were entitled to rely on an indemnity in the company’s articles of association (at first instance, before the Guernsey Court of Appeal and in relation to the defendants’ unsuccessful application for permission to appeal to the Privy Council).

Memberships & Publications

Chancery Bar Association

COMBAR

Contributor to FromCounsel

Education & Awards 

Education

2009 – 2010: BVC, The City Law School (Outstanding)
2008 – 2009: CPE, City University (Distinction)
2007 – 2008: MPhil in Theology and Religious Studies, Trinity College, Cambridge
2004 – 2007: BA(Hons) in Classics, Trinity College, Cambridge (Double First) (MA 2011)

Prizes and Scholarships

Pegasus Scholar (2013)
Megarry Award (Lincoln’s Inn, 2010)
Buchanan Prize for outstanding performance on the Bar Vocational Course (Lincoln’s Inn, 2010)
The Everard Ver Heyden Foundation Prize (The City Law School, 2010)
Lord Denning Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn, 2009)
Lord Bowen Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn, 2008)
Hardwicke Entrance Award (Lincoln’s Inn, 2008)
Research Preparation Master’s Scheme (Arts and Humanities Research Council, 2007)
Perring Travelling Studentship (Trinity College, 2007)
Henry Arthur Thomas Book Prize (Cambridge Classics Faculty, 2006)
Henry Arthur Thomas Travel Exhibition (Cambridge Classics Faculty, 2005)
Cooke Hurle Travelling Studentship (Trinity College, 2005)
Junior, Senior and Research Scholarships (Trinity College, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively)

Recognition

Jack has been ranked in Legal 500 2020 as a Leading Individual for Company Law and as an “Up and Coming” junior in Company Law and Chancery: Commercial by Chambers UK Bar 2018 & 2019.

“Extremely intelligent and knowledgeable but combines this with an easy-going manner and an astute grasp of tactics.”

“He’s very bright, user-friendly, and responsive. He clearly has the intelligence and, as time has gone on, he’s acquired a bit of gravitas in court. He’s very impressive all round.”

“Jack is a rising star of the future. He’s very knowledgeable, especially in corporate disputes, easy to deal with and responsive.”

“He is very approachable and has great analytical skills.”

“An excellent advocate and a very user-friendly junior.”

“Jack is capable and highly thought of by judges.”

“A really good advocate. He is unflappable in court.”

Ranked in

Chambers and Partners –
“Up and Coming” junior in Company and Chancery: Commercial

Chambers and Partners –
Company

Legal 500 –
Company and Partnership

News

Saxon Woods Investments Limited v Francesco Costa & ors [2024] EWHC 387 (Ch)
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ENRC against Dechert, Neil Gerrard and the SFO
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ClientEarth v Shell Plc [2023] EWHC 2182 (Ch.)
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ClientEarth v Shell plc [2023] EWHC 1897 (Ch)
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ClientEarth Refused permission to bring a derivative claim on behalf of Shell plc. against its directors.
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