Jonathan French

Call 1997

french@exchangechambers.co.uk

Photo of Jonathan French

  • Recommendations

    “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’.”
    Chambers & Partners

    “Jonathan French is an experienced junior in difficult cases and boasts a high success rate ‘in and out of court’.”
    Legal 500

    “Jonathan French has wide experience and is ‘an excellent negotiator who never drops a point’.”
    Legal 500

    “An effective negotiator and there’s always a strong likelihood he’ll win.”
    Legal 500

  • Beyond the Bar

    Jonathan lives in North Yorkshire with his wife and their two daughters. He enjoys walking in the Yorkshire Dales and Scottish Highlands as well as sailing. He follows motor racing, cricket and rugby and enjoys live music.

  • Education

    • Harrogate Grammar School
    • LLB (Hons), The University of Manchester
    • Bar Vocational Course, The Inns of Court School of Law Accredited Mediator, SPC, Regent’s College (2005)

  • Appointments

  • Memberships

    • R3
    • Employment Law Bar Association Employment Lawyers Association
    • Industrial Law Society
    • Talk Mediation
    • North Eastern Circuit

  • News

Construction

Jonathan has practised at the commercial Bar in Leeds since 1997, where he has developed a substantial practice including appearing in building claims before the TCC and the Court of Appeal. He is recognised for being approachable and for giving clear advice.

Construction work undertaken includes:

  • Building disputes
  • Professional negligence actions concerning engineers, architects and surveyors
  • Design, supply and installation of computer systems
  • Neighbour nuisance and trespass claims
  • Work and materials contracts
  • Claims arising out of fires
  • Claims by and against local authorities

Construction Cases

Advising upon withdrawal of easement of support by property developer

£650K claim by sub-contractor against hotel development main contractor

Advising upon negligent installation of electricity sub-station

Direct Access claim against main contractor of domestic house building project

Advising upon and appearing in £800K flooding claim against landlord by bar owner

Successfully representing architect and consulting engineer on dispute over £2.3 million project for construction of a Gurdwara

Representing waste management company on £300K claim regarding defective air purifying system, successfully settled at mediation

Appearing in £20 million buy-to-let property portfolio dispute

Representing laser cutting company over £300K claim for supply of defective computer system

Appearing in nuisance/trespass claim against leading North-East property developer

Representing fish & chip shop concerning uninsured losses due to fire

Advising upon land development/construction claim against city council

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. Successfully appeared for 3 homeowners in Court of Appeal.