John Denis-Smith is a commercial barrister who dedicates his energy, knowledge and ingenuity to getting clients the quickest and most favourable results, often without the need for costly and lengthy court proceedings. Previous experience as a construction litigator in top tier solicitors’ firms has given him a closer understanding of a client’s needs and a grasp for the best strategic approach to managing high-value disputes.
In his approach to disputes, he explores all angles, persistently building on the evidence to identify the best options for a successful resolution. He has been praised for his “coolness and tenacity” in arguing his client’s case. John’s experience is wide and ranges across all dispute resolution areas, including mediation and arbitration, as well as various sectors, from construction, energy to professional negligence and insurance. He receives instructions in disputes as Counsel, either on his own or led by some of these Chambers’ highly-regarded silks, or instructions for advisory work. He also receives instructions from clients under the Direct Access scheme.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Mediation
John has extensive experience in mediation, including acting in relation to:
- Delay Damages Claims under NEC forms
- Multi-party property damage disputes
- Post-sale title and alleged conversion dispute
- Defects and remedial works claims
- Professional negligence claims
Adjudication
Extensive experience of adjudication, including
- Claims for extensions of time and payment and related enforcement proceedings
- Claims by local authority for delayed completion of works and defects
- Defending Employer’s claim for alleged repudiation and damages
- Disputes in relation to interim applications and pay less notices
- Final account disputes
Construction & Commercial
Construction disputes include:
- Delay Damages Claims under NEC forms
- Disputes under JCT contracts, including claims for additional work/disputes concerning responsibility for design or construction defects
- Disputes under ICE Conditions of Contract, including issues of responsibility for work not capable of being performed legally
- Disputes concerning termination provisions and remedies
- Disputes concerning the effect of absence of planning permission
- Interim and Final Account Claims
- Defects and remedial works claims, including claims for resulting financial loss and limitation bar disputes
- Enforcement of adjudication decisions
- Professional negligence claims
- Claims in relation to listed buildings
General Commercial disputes include:
- Supply chain contractual disputes
- Property damage disputes, including fire damage and insurance coverage issues
- Enforcement of overseas court orders
- Share purchase agreement disputes
- Utilities contractual disputes
- Securing injunctions and other equitable remedies
Related Cases
Arbitration
Cases involve acting for arbitrator in Court challenge under Arbitration Act 1998 section 24(1)(a) and advising arbitrator on challenge by party, including allegations of breach of Data Protection legislation.
Acting in LCIA arbitration proceedings
John acted for a client defending a US $90m claim for damages arising out of an alleged breach under an exclusive manufacture and distribution agreement for pharmaceuticals. The dispute included claims by the other party for damages and also an account of profits, hence raising questions of emerging law of restitutionary remedies for breaches of contract.
Advising a Middle Eastern client
John advised on a multi-million dollar dispute under foreign law arising from delays in the construction of a hotel in the UAE
Advising a local authority
John advised a local authority on disputes concerning jurisdiction and alleged time bars in engineering disputes.
Other work involved:
- Claim under foreign law arising from delays in construction of hotel in UAE
- Multi-party dispute under foreign law concerning dispute resolution clauses and acceleration agreements in relation to construction of mass transit system
- Disputes including effect of time bar provisions in contract between local authority and contractor
Litigation
Cases include:
- Property damage claims arising out of fire damage to buildings and contents
- Acting for Defendant in claim of fraud arising out of investment in mining resources in developing state
- Defending claim for damages in relation to termination provision of services to multinational retailer
- Employer’s claim under bespoke warranty relating to NHBC Warranty Scheme
King & Anor v Thipthorp & Others (2016, unreported 11 February 2016)
Successfully objecting to elements of other parties’ proposed costs budgets and obtaining the client’s costs of the challenge, in the first case on objections where the proposed costs budgets were held not to be unreasonable overall.
Berry Piling Systems v Sheer Projects [2012] EWHC 241 (TCC) 141 CON LR 225
Successfully enforcing an adjudication decision in the face of allegations of a breach of natural justice. John also successfully defeated an application via the defendant for a stay of execution on the grounds of the claimant’s financial position.
Bertram v Dawes [2011] EWHC 3070 (TCC))
John was led in the above case, in a claim for fees and defence to a multi-million pound counterclaim for professional negligence by an architect against a high net worth individual client. The case was the culmination of disputes arising out of work at the Dinmore Manor Estate in Herefordshire.
Persimmon Homes (South Coast) LTD v (1) Hall Aggregates (South Coast) LTD (2) Cemex UK Properties LTD [2009] EWCA Civ 1108, [2012] EWHC 15 (TCC)
A claim for damages and declarations concerning a contract for the sale and development of land. John was successful in obtaining for the client an order for payment of sums for the performance which the client had not requested the Defendant to perform.
Shepherd & Neame & Ors v EDF Energy Networks (SPN) Plc & Ors (QBD (TCC)) 29 January 2008 [2008] EWHC 123 (TCC)
This case entailed the successful defence of claims in nuisance and negligence arising out of fire damage to properties previously owned by the client.
Other recent litigation experience includes the successful defence of an application for an injunction against a construction professional. The case was brought by the client’s former employers on the grounds that his new business’s operations entailed breaches of copyright and the use of confidential information.
