What Paul Says…
“If you need advice in relation to solvency/insolvency issues, my 23 years as a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner taking appointments, running businesses and selling them as going concerns, places me in a strong position to advise and assist you both from a company/business perspective and also in relation to your personal rights, responsibilities, obligations and possible liabilities.”
Admitted to practice in 1983, Paul has built a distinguished career offering a blend of contentious and non-contentious legal services, both at a specialist level. His diverse expertise spans several key areas:
Dispute Resolution
As a litigator, Paul specialises in resolving corporate and commercial disputes. His expertise includes:
- Director/Shareholder disputes
- Partnership disputes
- Property and construction disputes
- Professional negligence claims
- General contractual disputes
Paul is known for his strategic approach to achieving resolutions, often prioritising early settlements to avoid the costs and uncertainties of lengthy litigation.
Company Commercial
Paul is an experienced draftsman and advises clients on business structuring and governance. His services include drafting:
- Articles of Association
- Shareholders’ Agreements
- Directors’ Service Contracts
- Consultancy Agreements
- Terms of Business
Paul can also advise on and draft documentation for:
- Joint Venture Agreements
- Franchise Agreements
- Partnership Agreements
Paul also advises on mergers and acquisitions, equity funding, and share subscriptions, delivering tailored solutions to meet client needs.
Insolvency
Paul’s extensive insolvency experience is bolstered by his tenure as a licensed Insolvency Practitioner (1990–2013). During this period, he managed over 100 businesses as going concerns for a major global bank, including nursing homes, residential homes, pubs, hotels, and industrial estates.
Paul provides advice and representation to companies, directors, liquidators, trustees in bankruptcy, and individuals on matters arising under the Insolvency Act 1986 and the Companies Act 2006. His services include:
- Advising directors in claims by liquidators
- Representing liquidators in claims against directors
- Assisting trustees in bankruptcy with asset recovery and realisation
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
As a mediation specialist, Paul is adept at settling disputes efficiently, often resolving cases at an early stage to minimise costs compared to litigating to trial.
Paul regularly conducts cases as an advocate in County Courts and the Companies Court. His clients include companies and high-net-worth individuals, both in the UK and internationally.
Before joining Spencer West, Paul held several senior roles in London law firms, including senior partner at a firm in EC1 and head of litigation and commercial at a firm in WC1, where he expanded and developed the firm’s litigation department.
Relevant Experience:
Paul’s ethos centres on achieving settlements wherever possible, sparing clients the stress and cost of trial. His notable decided cases reflect his expertise and include:
- Marsh v Sofaer and Grifinhoofe [2003] EWHC 3334 (Ch):
Successfully defended solicitors accused of failing to provide details of a claimant’s mental capacity to her criminal defence team, with the court upholding that doing so would breach confidentiality and that no such duty existed. - Marsh v Sofaer and Grifinhoofe [2006] EWHC 1217 (Ch):
Successfully defended a professional negligence claim against solicitors. - Haghighat v Haghighat (14 November 2012, Chancery List, CLCC, HHJ Marshall QC):
Represented a mother who successfully claimed that a property registered in her son’s name was held on a resulting trust or was a gift procured by undue influence.
Paul’s career is defined by his pragmatic approach, dedication to his clients, and exceptional legal acumen across a broad range of practice areas.