Chris Christofi

Partner

Chris has a broad range of experience as a dispute resolution solicitor, with expertise in commercial litigation. Chris’s particular specialisations are building disputes, contracts, contentious probate, and Cyprus matters. He is considered the UK’s foremost specialist in Cyprus legal matters.

Chris has also been responsible for dealing with high value business acquisitions and sales, where his expertise of both litigation and contract has been invaluable. He also advises in connection with foreign actions and legal matters and in particular those within the Republic of Cyprus, including Cyprus misselling and developer and title deed disputes and Cyprus tax and investment.

Chris has a balanced, open, honest and personable approach to all problems and discussions, his clients and his colleagues.

Work highlights (UK):

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

2014/ 15 – instructed to advise parties involved in a proposed £70 million Surrey property purchase by a Middle Eastern Royal Family

Professional experience

2012 – Christofi Law Founder, Partner Christofi Wells and Co.
2010 – 2012 Partner, Healys (City)
2006 – 2010 Partner and founder Richard West Freeman Christofi (City)
1997 – 2006 Partner and founder Richard West Freeman Christofi
1995 – 1997 Partner Amhurst Brown Colombotti (City)
1992 – 1995 Associate Amhurst Brown Colombotti
1992 Trainee Healys

BA Hons ; Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

Awards – Bancrofts Classic Scholar

Interesting Fact

Chris used to regularly skydive and race motorcycles. After crashing at 141 mph at Brands Hatch the Law Society in their Gazette gave him the distinction of being the fastest Solicitor in the UK and the slightly more dubious distinction of also being the fastest Solicitor to have crashed – and lived to tell the tale.