Mark Hapgood QC
Brick Court Chambers
Called to the Bar: 197Appointed QC: 19
Professional achievements/associations:
Appointed to Queen's Counsel in April 1994 – the most junior bar member to be appointed a silk in the 1994 list.
Areas of practice:
Professional negligence, litigation, advisory and drafting work in the whole field of commercial law, including agency; banking; commodities and futures; company and insolvency; insurance; international trade; jurisdictional disputes; reservation of title; sale of goods; security.
Recent reported cases:
Banque Financiere de la Cite v Skandia (UK) Insurance (1990); Banque Bruxelles Lambert v Eagle Star Insurance (1995); Nederlandse Reassurantie Groep Holding v Bacon & Woodrow and others (1997).
What they say about him:
“Exceptionally bright”, “very tenacious”, “adept at analysing complex issues”, “outstanding cross-examiner” and “a rising star as a silk”.
Nicholas Davidson QC
4 Paper Buildings
Called to the Bar: 197Appointed QC: 19
Professional achievements/associations:
Chairman of the Professional Negligence Bar Association; member of Combar and Society for Computers & Law.
Areas of practice:
Professional negligence, especially legal, financial, computer contracts and commodities.
Recent reported cases:
Bristol & West Building Society v Fancy & Jackson (1997); National Home Loans Corp v Giffen Couch & Archer (1998); Wraith v Wraith (1997).
What they say about him:
“Very thorough”, “exceptional intellect”, “approachable”, “gives total commitment”.
Nigel Tozzi
4 Pump Court
Called to the Bar: 1980
Professional achievements/associations:
Member of the London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association, and a member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association.
Areas of practice:
Contractual disputes, professional negligence, insurance, reinsurance, media and entertainment, employment, agency, advertising, construction.
Recent reported cases:
PLT v Smith Metzack (judgment awaited); IM Properties v Cape & Dalgleish (1998).
What they say about him:
“Exceptional intellect, probably top of his generation”, “can dominate a court room”, “very assertive; leadership qualities”, “positive attitude”, “first rate”.
Mark Simpson
4 Paper Buildings
Called to the Bar: 19
Professional achievements/associations:
General editor of Professional Negligence – a two volume looseleaf paper to be published this year; has done several lectures and articles on professional negligence.
Areas of practice:
Professional negligence, including solicitors, barristers, surveyors, valuers, estate agents, IT advisers, architects, insurance brokers, financial advisers and accountants; general commercial law.
Recent reported cases:
Brophy v Dunphys (1998); S v M (1998).
What they say about him:
“Very assured manner”, “very bright and able”, “got his foot on the accelerator”, “would expect him to take silk soon”.
Christopher Gibson QC
2 Crown Office Row
Called to the Bar: 197Appointed QC: 19
Professional achievements:
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Areas of practice:
All types of professional negligence work, including building professionals, valuers, solicitors and barristers, accountants and doctors, as well as general commercial litigation and insurance.
Recent reported cases:
Banque Bruxelles Lambert v Eagle Star (settled before going to House of Lords); Abbey National v Key Surveyors; Mortgage Express v Bowerman (1996); Thorman v New Hampshire Insurance (1988).
What they say about him:
“Extremely user-friendly”, “ability to communicate at all levels”, “pleasure to work with”.
Bupa to spurn City firms for regions
PRIVATE health company Bupa is to sideline City firms in favour of cheaper services provided by regional practices and barristers.Head of legal Paul Newton says the hourly charge-out rates of top City firms are getting “ridiculous”.“Something is going to have to happen. There is enormous pressure on us from management to reduce the amount we […]