Partner
Chris is a highly experienced dispute resolution solicitor with particular expertise in commercial litigation. His specialisms include building disputes, contractual claims, contentious probate, and Cyprus-related matters, in which he is widely regarded as the UK’s foremost specialist.
He has acted on a wide range of high-value, complex disputes, drawing on his dual expertise in litigation and contract law. Chris is regularly instructed in matters involving the Republic of Cyprus, including Cyprus probate, mis-selling claims, developer and title deed disputes, tax issues, and cross-border investment matters.
Clients value Chris’s balanced, open, and personable approach, which combines robust legal analysis with practical, commercially-focused advice.
Work highlights – UK:
- Green and Green v Edward Marshall and Co and others (2024)- High Court moved to Central London CC Business and Property List- successfully acted to obtain recovery of sums paid for a property by Claimants in a case where the seller and sellers solicitors acted fraudulently and involving Dreamvar v Mischon De Reya type principles.
- Panteli v Panteli (2022) – Central London CC – contested probate – successfully acted to defeat a claim by executor that the Defendant had taken loans from the deceased
- Pilgrim Rock Ltd (Gibraltar) v Iwaniuk 2017 Case value in excess of £1.5 million- Consumer Credit Act transaction – meaning of “connected party
- 2016 – Chan v ( a Firm of Solicitors) High Court Queens Bench HQ14X02269 – for claimant -solicitors negligence – former solicitors insurers (Balva) in liquidation; FSCS refused to indemnify
- Capitalbond Ltd v Golban [2014] 435/SD/2013; High Court Bankruptcy – loan to individual; high rate of interest- interest rate declared to be penal; interest unenforceable; claimants attempt to enforce dismissed with costs
- Crompton v Woodford Scrap Metal [2014] EWHC (QB) High Court (noted on LAWTEL 17 March 2014) –Commercial Property Litigation; Christofi Law acting for Defendant tenant Woodford Scrap . Landlord Crompton sought a possession order in the High Court -Civil Procedure Rule 55.- only ‘exceptional circumstances’ justify starting claim in the High Court. The Claimants application was dismissed and Claimants ordered to pay Defendants costs.
- Innovator – Class action (UK) – failed movie tax investment scheme – solicitors and accountants responsibility
- Versani v Relfo Limited in Liquidation – [2008/09] HC09C00186 – High Court Chancery – international ; multi-jurisdiction issues (Singapore) ; freezing orders and injunctions.
- Shariff v Butt – 2008/0777/0774 – HM Land Registry Adjudicator – contested probate -Declaration of Applicant’s beneficial interest in properties held by daughter; Deed of Gift procured by undue influence and misrepresentation.
- R (A Firm ) v S [2007] High Court – Defamation – Damages secured for firm of solicitors against estate agents; allegation by agents that solicitors had “lied” – alleged not answering calls etc. Agents’ motives related to paid referral arrangements with other solicitors
- Clark Smith Partnership v Leyton Football Club [2006] All ER (d) TCC – Court of Technology and Construction – building contract – court held that notification of additional works was not a condition precedent to payment under the ACE Conditions of Contract
- Sophocleous v Enfield Town Football Club [2003] – High Court – Defamation – lone director of football club successfully sues group of club executives for defamation of character
- Leyton Football Club v The Football Association and others [2002] – High Court Chancery – sports law – history name and trophies of a football club were restored; membership to the Football Association restored
- Glanville v Glanville [2002] EWHC 1271 (Ch), [2002] All ER (D) 249 – Chancery –contentious probate – undue influence – second wife accused of influencing husband to transfer property into his name prior to his death
- Deen v Grant [2002] All ER (d) 527 – High Court Chancery – contract – property purchase – court held that a seller could not forfeit a deposit and restrict a purchaser’s right to raise a requisition
- Christofi v Barclays Bank [1998] 2 All ER 484 – High Court Chancery – Banking Law – breach of a bank’s duty of confidentiality
Work highlights – Cyprus:
- Marshall v Bank of Cyprus (Cyprus) 2013 – Cypriot Court rules it has jurisdiction on Cyprus mis-selling claims”
- R v Alpha Bank (Cyprus) 2011 – Republic of Cyprus Bank – missold mortgage
Other notable work
- Instructed to advise parties involved in a proposed £70 million Surrey property purchase by a Middle Eastern Royal Family (2014/ 15)
Interesting Fact
Chris used to regularly skydive and race motorcycles. After crashing at 141 mph at Brands Hatch, The Law Society Gazette dubbed him both “the fastest solicitor in the UK” and “the fastest solicitor to have crashed – and lived to tell the tale.”
