Simon is an experienced commercial chancery barrister specialising in large-scale, technically demanding litigation.
He has particular knowledge of and expertise in group actions arising from failed property investment schemes and the interlocking specialisms involved: civil fraud, freezing orders, banking, professional negligence and private international law.
Simon also acts in a wide range of business disputes, including contractual claims of all kinds, claims for breach of warranty and fiduciary duty, together with company, insolvency and restructuring matters.
Simon’s current caseload:
- Representing defendants to a £50 million fraud and conspiracy claim brought by 430 claimants. Among many other things, Simon conducted a 3 day application to discharge a worldwide freezing order. A 10 week trial will take place in the spring of 2024.
- Representing the claimants in a group action against negligent solicitors and their insurers. Simon overturned an arbitration award obtained by the insurers by which they purported to avoid liability and outflank the claim.
- Representing the claimants in a group action against negligent solicitors, who applied to strike out the case as an abuse of process. Simon was brought in to lead the case and resist that application, which turns on Abbott v. MoD [2023] EWHC 1475, on which Simon has published an article here.
- Representing the claimants in a multi-million pound claim for breach of contract and fiduciary duty, to be tried in December 2023. Simon recently defeated an application for security for costs of approximately £500,000, on the basis of stifling.
The directories describe Simon as “an outstanding barrister who is a KC and High Court judge in the making” and “a fearless and compelling advocate”, who is “always up for a very challenging case”. He is a seasoned trial and appellate advocate and has acted in the Court of Appeal (led and unled) and Supreme Court.
