People

David Willink

David maintains a broad practice across chambers’ practice areas.  He is noted for a strongly collaborative approach to those who instruct him and a no-nonsense, practical approach to both strategic and tactical issues arising from litigation.

David has considerable experience in costs matters at all levels, including appeals, and has regularly appeared for both paying and receiving parties.

David also specialises in Consumer Law.

David accepts Direct Access instructions in appropriate cases.  Recent cases have included a High Court property dispute and a breach of contract action arising from the sale of a business.

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2023 Chambers & Partners Ranking Tier 2

”David Willink of Lamb Chambers is a noted junior with an expanding ecclesiastical practice that sits alongside his commercial work. He is Deputy Chancellor of the Dioceses of Salisbury and St Albans”

2019 Chambers & Partners Ranking Tier 2

“Manages an expansive commercial practice encompassing Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence and Property as well as Ecclesiastical law. He is Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Salisbury.”

Recent client testimonial:

“Able, thorough and well informed”

“Just excellent. A model of concision. Very impressive.”

“I am extremely grateful to you, your advice was impeccable and brought about a better result than I could have imagined at the outset. I will have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone I meet and requires your advice. Can’t thank you enough.”

Publications

  • “Contract Law without a Code”: published as “Das englische Vertragsrecht funktioniert auch ohne Kodex” in Europäisches Vertragsrecht (2003) and speech to the 15. Europäische Notarentage, Salzburg 2003.
  • “Three Rivers: privilege revisited”: Amicus Curiae (May 2005), and speech to Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
  • Civil Court Practice (the Green Book): contributor (2005).
  • Bloomsbury’s Law of Limitation: Administrative Law chapter (2006-present).
  • LexisNexis Legal Terms Navigator: dispute resolution (2010).

Further information

Qualifications

  • MA (mathematics & law), Magdalene College, Cambridge; President, Cambridge Union
  • LLM (canon law), University of Wales College of Cardiff
  • City University & Inns of Court School of Law

Memberships

  • Personal Injury Bar Association
  • Ecclesiastical Law Society

Background

David gained extensive experience in government, including responsibility for civil law reform in the areas of contract, trusts and privacy & freedom of expression.  He appeared before Select Committees in both Houses of Parliament, and represented the UK in Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg and Salzburg.  He was responsible for the defence of domestic libel law in Steel & Morris v United Kingdom [2005] ECHR 103 (‘McLibel’).  He also held responsibility for advice on appointments to Queen’s Counsel and senior judicial office, and was a trained judicial appointments selection interviewer.

Interests

  • Music, singing, food, alternative education.

Acts both for claimants and defendants in all types of personal injury actions at fast-track and multi-track level.

Related cases of interest

Tracy v Hussain (2012) — Permanent psychological harm to secondary victim.

Shenton v Metroline (2011) — Negotiation of £125k settlement of PI claim.

Acts for both landlords and tenants in residential and commercial tenancy matters.  Practice also encompasses real property matters including mortgages, boundary and neighbour disputes, easements and Party Wall Act actions.

Related cases of interest

Tsangarides v London Borough of Lambeth (2009) — Serious and prolonged disrepair; the £30,000 award of general damages exceeded 90% of rent paid for over 8 years.

R (Regentford Ltd) v Shepway District Council [2006] EWHC 3200 (Admin); [2006] All ER (D) 295 (Oct) — A successful statutory appeal against the decision of a Valuation Tribunal upholding a local authority’s assessment of council tax liability of the landlord of flats let on long leases.

Appears in consumer and non-consumer contractual disputes; mis-selling and consumer credit actions; partnership disputes; and insolvency matters.

Related cases of interest

Booth v Dial4aLoan (2012) — Successfully argued the application of s.14A Limitation Act at trial of a claim for PPI mis-selling.

HB Design v Ozturk (2012) — Construction dispute in the High Court, successfully recovering over £600k.

News & Resources

*This barrister is authorised to practice in England & Wales. Click here to search on the Bar Standards Board Barristers’ Register.

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