Tell us a little about yourself and your practice.
“My practice now covers a range of property and land law. It includes residential and commercial leasehold, mortgages, and the construction of documents. I have a particular interest in land registration matters, which include first registration, alteration and rectification of the register, rights of way and other easements, boundary disputes, beneficial interests, charging orders, and forgeries.
I am a fee-paid Judge of the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, and I am the author of the Land Registration and Trespass to Land Titles in Atkin’s Court Forms, and co-author of A Practical Guide to Land Registration Proceedings published by Lexis Nexis.”
What is your first memory of wanting to be a barrister?
“I think it was in the Sixth Form at School. I enjoyed writing and debating. Studying the Stuarts for A Level History introduced me to the great issues of Constitutional Law which still impact on our governance 400 years later.”
Is there a certain case that stands out to you in your career? If yes, why?
“Acting for a former Queen of Malaysia (the various Sultans take turn as the Monarch). She was the fourth wife of the King. They purchased a high worth double flat in Regent’s Park. The conveyancing solicitors negligently did not tick the box on the TR1 setting out whether they held a joint tenants or tenants in common. The King died. We said a joint tenancy, so we took all. But the children by an earlier wife said a tenancy in common so they took half. That dispute settled and we sued the solicitors for the difference between 50% and the lower sum that we accepted at mediation.”
What’s your favourite thing about being a barrister?
“The academic law, and the written and oral advocacy. Also the camaraderie.”
What do you do to relax?
“Reading, theatre, art, philately, travel.”
If you weren’t a barrister, what would you be?
“Academic lawyer or diplomat.”
