Having previously worked for a leading international law firm overseas, Dirk was well placed to gain authorisation to conduct litigation when this became available to self-employed barristers in 2014. He has done so, running cases from their inception to trial, ever since, whilst continuing to undertake Direct Access work for litigants-in-person and accept instructions from solicitors in the traditional way.

Dirk’s practice covers the whole range of commercial, business and property law. He also has particular experience of cross-border disputes and cases with an offshore aspect.

As a trained mediation advocate, Dirk is as comfortable with alternative dispute resolution as he is fighting cases through the courts.

Reported Cases

Business and Commercial

Al Nasser & Al Masri Trading Company WLL Limited Liability Company v Munir [2022] EWHC 1174 (QB) [2022] 5 WLUK 413

(Civil procedure; default judgments; delay; fraud; natural justice; registration of foreign judgments; setting aside)

Van Heck v Giambrone & Partners Studio Legale Associato [2022] EWHC 1098 (QB) [2022] 5 WLUK 157

(Civil procedure; administration of justice; conflict of laws; foreign proceedings; parallel proceedings; pending actions; pending appeals; stay of proceedings)

Vitrition UK Ltd v Caine & Ors [2022] EWHC 51 (Comm)

(Civil procedure; breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty; debarring orders; disclosure; relief from sanctions; striking out; unless orders)

Triload Capital Ltd, Re [2020] EWHC 3264 (Ch); [2020] 11 WLUK 509

(Civil procedure; insolvency; foreign companies; full and frank disclosure; good faith; impecuniosity; liquidation; non-compliance; security for costs)

Cowley v L.W. Carlisle & Company Limited [2020] EWHC Civ 227 (CA) [2020] 2 WLUK 305 [2020] BCC 495

(Civil procedure; company law; dissolved companies; jurisdiction; register of companies; restoration; service; striking out)

World First (UK) Limited v Chemistree Homecare Limited [2014] EWCA 2840 (QB) 6 WLUK 878

(Contracts; banking and finance; civil procedure; anticipatory breach; foreign exchange; repudiation; summary judgments; transactions)

Relfo Ltd (in Liquidation) v Varsani, [2012] EWHC 2168 (Ch); WLUK 918

(Restitution; insolvency; account; breach of fiduciary duty; knowing receipt; liquidators; tracing; unjust enrichment)

Cukurova Finance International Limited & anr v Alfa Telecom Turkey Limited, HCVAP 2010/18 & 2010/24

(Application for relief pending appeal to Privy Council: inherent jurisdiction of Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court to stay execution and make declaratory orders and/or grant or continue an injunction.)

Commercial Bank-Cameroun v Nixon Financial Group Limited, BVI Civil Appeal No. 5 of 2011

(Application to set aside leave to serve claim out of the jurisdiction.)

Tarquin Ltd v Telltop Ltd, BVIHCV No. 279 of 2009

(Construction of loan facility agreement.)

Pioneer Freight Futures Co Ltd v Map Marine Ltd, BVIHCV No. 308 of 2009

(Effect of premature service of statutory demand vis-a-vis futures contract.)

Pioneer Freight Futures Co Ltd v Worldlink Shipping, Samoa, BVIHCV Nos. 135 & 152 of 2009

(Proper jurisdiction for resolution of dispute over debt.)

Professional Offshore Opportunity Fund Ltd v Daiwa Securities and Banking (Europe) plc as Custodian for KBCZAF, BVIHCV No. 6 of 2009

(Distressed hedge fund; whether dispute over debt substantial.)

Property

Hyslop v 38/41 GHC Residents Company Limited [2018] EWHC 3893 (QB) [2018] 11 WLUK 45

(Civil procedure; landlord and tenant; case management; court fees; forfeiture; parallel proceedings; relief from sanctions; service charges; stay of proceedings)

Fowler v Barron [2008] EWCA Civ 377 (CA) [2008] 4 WLUK 591 [2008] 2 FCR 1 [2008] 2 FLR 831 [2008] WTLR 819 (1008-09) 11 ITELR 198 [2008] Fam Law 636 (1008) 152(17) SJLB 31 [2008] NPC 51

(Real property; family law; beneficial interests; beneficial ownership; entitlement; intention; unmarried couples)

Interests

Theatre, opera, reading, writing poetry, travelling, skiing, sailing, hill walking.