Jonathan French
PROFILE
Over the past 14 years I have developed an extensive practice at the commercial Bar in Leeds, regularly appearing in the Leeds Mercantile Court in heavyweight contractual and company/insolvency disputes as well as often being instructed in substantial TCC claims.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Chambers & Partners (2012): “Jonathan French of Exchange Chambers enters the rankings this year following widespread praise for his excellent accessibility and his pragmatism when handling cases. Sources say: "He offers full and frank advice and is very sharp on his feet."
Legal 500 (2010): “Jonathan French is an experienced junior in difficult cases and boasts a high success rate ‘in and out of court’.”
Legal 500 (2009): “Jonathan French has wide experience and is ‘an excellent negotiator who never drops a point’.”
Legal 500 (2008): “an effective negotiator and there’s always a strong likelihood he’ll win.”
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Commercial: Commercial litigation forms the core of my practice and includes both general commercial work as well as specific areas such as asset finance, sale of goods, bailment, consumer credit, agency, guarantees, carriage of goods, restitution, insurance, banking and securities, misrepresentation, undue influence, and wrongful interference with goods. I regularly appear in the Leeds Mercantile Court representing FTSE companies in substantial multi-track disputes.
Company and Partnership: My practice encompasses shareholder disputes, directors’ disqualification, corporate governance, protecting minority rights, derivative actions, directors’ actions, directors’ duties, just and equitable winding-up, dissolution actions, disputes arising from share and asset sales and the enforcement of guarantees. Also, formation of partnership, partnership disputes and construction of partnership deeds.
Insolvency: I deal with all aspects of insolvency law and practice whether corporate or personal. This regularly includes claims against directors, applications under and construction of the Insolvency Act 1986 and regulatory proceedings including directors’ disqualification and winding up petitions.
Banking/Financial Services: Mortgages, asset lending, debentures, guarantees, negligence claims, banking law and market abuse.
Professional Negligence: Acting both for and against professionals in all fields including, lawyers, accountants and surveyors.
Construction: Covering all major issues arising during construction, technology and engineering projects with experience of JCT, FIDIC, ICE and NEC standard forms of contract and associated sub-contract forms. I have recently successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal on the proper measure of damages for the residual diminution in value of the properties following remedial works.
Mediation: Accredited panel member with Association of Northern Mediators and with Talk Mediation. Regularly involved in substantial mediations, mainly in the commercial and construction sectors.
RECENT REPORTED CASES
Strange & others v. Westbury Homes (Holdings) Ltd & Persimmon Homes Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 1247, [2010] All ER (D) 148 (Jan). Proper measure of damages for the residual diminution in value of 3 residential properties following remedial works.
RECENT NOTABLE CASES
Led in a 10-day asset fraud trial concerning the wrongful disposal overseas of plant and equipment.
Appearing on behalf of a former leading Leeds property developer in bankruptcy proceedings.
Recovery of a stolen Aston Martin DB9 from Cyprus on behalf of a Premiership footballer.
Enforcement of personal guarantees in support of £1.1 million lending to highway construction company.
Delivery up of £9 million Roman silver antiquities against leading London auction house.
Appearing in £20 million property portfolio dispute.
Recovery of stolen Rolls Royce Phantom from Russian businessman in Switzerland.
Acting on behalf of NHS Trust in multi-day £1 million Consultant’s salary trial.
Advising on dissolution of large-scale property development partnership.
Appearing in TCC claim regarding stone supply for Bristol shopping centre redevelopment.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
SPC Accredited Mediator 2005
Associate Lecturer in Law, Open University 1999-2008.
Called to the Bar 1997 (Lincoln’s Inn).
The University of Manchester, 1993-96
Harrogate Grammar School, 1986-93
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Employment Law Bar Association, Employment Lawyers Association, Industrial Law Society, Lawyers for Liberty, Environmental Law Foundation, UK Environmental Law Association, Amnesty International, Association of Northern Mediators, North Eastern Circuit, R3.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Theatre, live music and art. Also cricket and sailing as well as walking in the Yorkshire Dales and Scottish Highlands.
