Year of Call: 2019
John has a busy commercial and chancery practice with a particular focus on commercial litigation, company and insolvency, civil fraud and intellectual property. He is regularly instructed as sole counsel but is equally comfortable working as part of a larger team. John's recent instructions include:
Floreat Investment Management Ltd v Churchill [2023] EWCA Civ 440, in which the Court of Appeal reversed a finding of dishonesty made at first instance and entered judgment in favour of the appellants. John appeared for the successful appellants (led by Thomas Elias).
Entertainment One UK Limited v Công Ty TNHH Đầu Tư Công Nghệ Và Dịch Vụ Sconnect Việtnam [2022] EWHC 3295 (Ch), in which the High Court dismissed service and jurisdiction challenges in a multi-jurisdictional copyright, trade mark and passing off claim concerning the Peppa Pig children’s animated series. John appeared for the successful claimants (led by Michael Edenborough KC and Gwilym Harbottle).
Re Trade Mark Application No 3508962 (O/954/22), in which the Appointed Person upheld the dismissal of an opposition. The decision includes a discussion of the principles relevant to the comparison of word marks and figurative marks. John appeared unled for the successful respondent.
In addition to his practice at the Bar, John is a distinguished academic lawyer. He has edited three books and has authored over twenty publications in leading academic law reviews. His publications have been cited by the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Singapore Court of Appeal, as well as in numerous textbooks, articles and reference works, including in Sir Kim Lewison's The Interpretation of Contracts and in the 10th edition of Goff & Jones on Unjust Enrichment.
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (University of Adelaide)
Master of Law with First Class Honours (University of Cambridge)
Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours (University of Adelaide)
Bachelor of Arts (University of Adelaide)
London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
Commercial Bar Association
Chancery Bar Association
University Medal in Law (University of Adelaide)
Baker Scholarship (University of Adelaide)
David Murray Scholarship (University of Adelaide)
Angas Parsons Prize (University of Adelaide)
Howard Zelling Prize for Administrative Law (University of Adelaide)
Gallagher Prize for Law of Torts II (University of Adelaide)
Piper Alderman Prize for Equity and Corporate Law (University of Adelaide)
Thomson Lawbook Company Prize (University of Adelaide)
Frederick Penoyre Adams Prize for Contracts and Foundations of Law (University of Adelaide)
Byard Tormore Prize for Shakespeare (University of Adelaide)
Mills and Reeve Prize (University of Cambridge)