Ed was called to the Bar in 1995 and combines an intellectual rigour and sharp analytical mind with a commercial and practical approach to problems. His practice covers most areas of commercial chancery work with particular focus on property related matters including property issues arising in the context of insolvency and professional negligence. Approachable and diligent in his work, Ed is also a contributor to legal journals and seminars in his areas of practice.

The Directories

He is "one of the best technical lawyers on paper and an advocate of exceptional quality"

(Chambers UK 2013)

"phenomenally clever" Edward Francis who"has the ear of the court"

(Chambers UK 2013)

The "very, very bright" Edward Francis is a seasoned chancery lawyer whose practice has a particular emphasis on real property and insolvency matters.  Last year he acted for the winning side in Mourant Property Trustees Ltd v Sixty UK Ltd, a landmark property-related insolvency case.

(Chambers & Partners 2012)

Edward Francis who "melds rare academic excellence with a clear-thinking, unflashy approach" 

(Chambers & Partners 2011)

Edward Francis possesses "first-rate judgment"

(Legal 500, 2010)

Notable Cases

Cheery Tree Investments Ltd v Landmain [2013] 2 WLR 481

Mourant & Co Trustees Ltd v Sixty UK Ltd (in administration) [2010] 2 EGLR 125; [2010] BCC 882
Michael Gerson (Leasing) Ltd v Greatsunny Ltd [2010] Ch 558
Dean & Dean (a firm) v Angel Airlines SA [2009] Lloyds Rep PN 119
Alchemy Estates v Astor [2009] 1 WLR 940
PR Records v Vinyl 2000 Ltd [2008] 1 Costs LR 19
Faucet Inn Pub Co Ltd v Ottley Corp [2006] 14 EG 174
Wilderbrook v Olowu [2006] 2 P&CR 4
Re Kudos Glass Ltd (in liquidation) [2002] BCC 416

Publications

Regular contributor to Estates Gazette Q&A series
Contributing author to Sweet & Maxwell’s The Landlord & Tenant Factbook

Areas of Emphasis

Ed has expertise in all areas of real property, including restrictive covenants, easements, mortgages, conveyancing, land registration and priorities, adverse possession, boundary disputes, trusts of land, constructive trusts and proprietary estoppel, and in commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes including lease renewals, rent reviews, forfeiture claims and leasehold enfranchisement.  He acts for property companies, local authorities, estates and individuals in courts and tribunals up and down the country.

With the benefit of a solid grounding in personal and corporate insolvency work, Ed has a particular interest in and regularly acts in property-related insolvency matters including landlord’s claims in tenant administrations and voluntary arrangements, disclaimer and guarantees.  And as a further adjunct of his property practice, Ed is regularly instructed in professional negligence claims against solicitors, surveyors and other property professionals. 

Ed has a wealth of experience across the commercial chancery field, in claims for the enforcement of guarantees, challenges to transactions on grounds of misrepresentation, undue influence and fraud, claims for breach of fiduciary obligations, asset recovery and tracing, equipment leasing and finance, partnership and shareholder disputes, amongst other areas.

Career & Associations

First Class Honours Degree, Pembroke College, Oxford

Called to the Bar 1995

Member of the Property Bar Association

Member of the Chancery Bar Association

Active contributor to work of the Bar Pro Bono Unit