Hardwicke welcomes new talented barristers and continues to go from strength to strength
We are delighted to welcome barristers Jamal Demachkie, Carl Brewin and Frederico Singarajah who have recently joined us at Hardwicke. Their appointments, alongside the recent arrival of recognised property specialist John Clargo, brings yet more strength and expertise in the areas of property and commercial litigation, professional negligence, insolvency and enhances Hardwicke’s growing reputation in international commercial litigation and arbitration.
“Our new talented recruits are a real boost for Hardwicke “, enthused Amanda Illing, Chief Executive. “John, Jamal, Carl and Frederico enhance our strength in core practice areas and, more importantly, enable us to provide an even better service to our clients.”
It has been a good few months for Hardwicke. After 13 years at the helm as its inspirational Head of Chambers, Nigel Jones QC has handed the baton to PJ Kirby QC to lead the way alongside Paul Reed QC as Joint Heads of Chambers. At a chambers meeting in June Nigel Jones QC commented: “The legal market and the Bar have changed immeasurably over the last 10 years, but embracing continuing change is essential for future success”. He added: “PJ and Paul will make a great new team to steer the way for the challenges ahead and I wish them every success.” PJ set out his vision for the future by commenting: “Hardwicke is a place where we encourage people to move forward and develop their careers and practices, whilst also enjoying fulfilled lives. Providing an excellent and professional service to our clients is the key to our continued success”.
Hardwicke is no stranger to embracing change and pioneering innovation, and is recognised as one of the most modern sets at the Bar. As recent winners of Legal Week’s Chambers Innovation Award, being business-like and working to a strategic plan is second nature. The new arrivals at Hardwicke are part of the vision to encourage talent to join the team, to enhance reputations and to deliver an excellent service to clients.
John Clargo (call 1994) has a successful practice primarily based on advice and representation in relation to the law of property, dealing regularly with owners of freehold and leasehold interests in land. He also handles professional negligence litigation in relation to property professionals as well as commercial insolvency and general contractual disputes, particularly those with a property aspect. “An extremely capable and experienced advocate”, the legal directories recommend him not only as “the quality of his work is excellent” but also because he is “very easy to deal with” and “highly approachable”. In a previous life John was a civil servant working in matters concerning defence and foreign affairs.
Jamal Demachkie (call 2004) is an experienced property practitioner who also handles property related commercial, private client and professional negligence disputes. Recognised as a “rising star of the property bar who presents his case in a clear and concise manner and receives respect from the judiciary” by the legal directories, he has particular expertise in Landlord and Tenant disputes, both commercial and residential. As well as appearing regularly in the High Court and County Courts, he also appears before various statutory tribunals dealing with service charge, enfranchisement and lease renewal disputes.
Carl Brewin (call 2006) also has a well-regarded property practice, specialising in Landlord and Tenant, business lease renewals, dilapidation, leasehold enfranchisement and freehold restrictive covenant claims. He handles residential disrepair and antisocial behaviour injunctions for housing association landlords and tenants. Commercial and contractual disputes, including insolvency work, make up the remainder of his practice. He is an accredited mediation advocate. Before coming to the Bar, he worked in a solicitors’ office prior to joining a city based consultancy firm.
Frederico Singarajah (call 2009) is an experienced commercial barrister whose practice focuses on commercial litigation and international arbitration. His work covers a number of different sectors including construction, energy, finance and insurance. Within these sectors, he has experience of a wide variety of disputes ranging from shipping and international trade to shareholders’ and partnership disputes to economic torts and civil fraud. Frederico has niche expertise in Brazil & Latin America related disputes. Before coming to the Bar, he worked as a solicitor and solicitor-advocate, which gives him experience well beyond his year of call. Frederico is the founder and secretary of the Lex Anglo-Brasil group, and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster in commercial litigation.
Far from taking a back seat now that his Head of Chambers responsibilities have been passed to PJ Kirby QC, Nigel Jones QC continues to have a busy commercial litigation and arbitration advocacy practice. Nigel is also the current Chair of Harbour Litigation Funding’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for advising on investment of over £230m in commercial litigation and arbitration around the world.
If you would like any further information, please contact Amanda Illing on 020 7242 2523 or amanda.illing@gatehouselaw.co.uk
