- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Civil Fraud
- Clinical Negligence & Healthcare
- Commercial, Chancery & Property
- Court of Protection
- Credit Hire
- Crime
- Family Law
- Financial Crime
- Inquests & Inquiries
- Personal Injury
- Police Law
- Professional Negligence
- Public Sector & Human Rights
- Regulatory & Disciplinary
- Travel & Cross Border Claims
Daniel Searle
Call: 2015
Daniel Searle has a broad civil practice, with a particular emphasis on commercial, chancery, property and employment matters.
Clients praise him for his pragmatic and sound advice with detailed cost-benefit analysis and robust case preparation. Clients and opponents have referred to his cross-examination as “excellent”. He has an increasingly international practice and has been instructed by clients with disputes concerning the jurisdictions of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Poland, St Helena, Monaco, Ghana, Cyprus, India, Canada and the United States. His clients have ranged from multi-national corporations to gold medal Olympians. He is counsel of choice for numerous solicitors.
Daniel is Direct Public Access qualified and is able to accept instructions directly from members of the public.
Daniel deals with a range of commercial matters across numerous sectors, including claims for breach of contract, economic torts and unjust enrichment.
He has experience of construction matters, having been instructed for over three years on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry where he analysed the cladding and Building Control inspections (including assisting in the drafting of cross-examination plans for some of the key witnesses in these areas). Daniel has particular experience of claims arising from the provision of utility services, being counsel of choice for a national supplier of gas. Given Daniel’s background in employment law, he is also able to act in matters involving restrictive covenants, confidentiality and intellectual property. He is building a practice in claims involving financial mis-selling and consumer credit arising from the non-disclosure of commission taken by major banks and insurers when selling policies to consumers
Notable Commercial cases
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A v A
Acting for the Defendant in a company dispute concerning loss of office, equitable constraints and unpaid dividends valued at £3m.
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S v N
Successfully represented the Claimant in a multi-track trial concerning a breach of contract arising from an investment made by way of a forex platform.
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Apex Global Management Ltd & Or v Global Torch Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 315 (Court of Appeal)
Junior counsel in the Court of Appeal in an important case for international litigation concerning the scope and effect of jurisdiction agreements in English and Welsh law. The matter involved a long-standing dispute between the parties over payment of $9.1 million, which included two Saudi Arabian Princes and allegations of terrorist funding.
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Johnson v Basha & Ors (High Court)
Acted as sole representation in an application which was determinative of a claim for £2.5 million. The matter involved allegations of complex fraud against the recipient of an investment from a benevolent organisation.
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U v I
Advising in an urgent matter concerning whether a settlement sum of £300,000 should be paid or whether the agreement could be set aside; instructions received and advice provided a matter of hours before the deadline for payment.
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Re: Q
Advising a tech start-up providing AI products on a contemplated claim in respect of dissemination of trade secrets, breach of confidence and copyright infringement of coding.
Daniel keeps a broad traditional chancery practice which includes claims for conversion, contested probate and disputes over trusts. Daniel is also experienced in professional negligence matters, particularly in claims against solicitors, conveyancers and surveyors (including niche arguments relating to causation in respect of Japanese Knotweed matters).
Daniel also deals with both individual and corporate insolvency. He regularly attends the County Court and High Court in winding-up petitions, bankruptcy petitions, applications for set aside and annulment and advises in matters concerning reviewable transactions.
Notable Chancery cases
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S v B (High Court)
Representing the purported debtor in a matter considering the scope of diplomatic immunity in respect of bankruptcy petitions.
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B v SS (High Court)
Acting for a well-known chain of cafés in applications under sections 112 and 155 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
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Gombera & Anor v Brookes-Nandara (High Court)
Sole counsel in successful and repeated applications for emergency interim injunctions to prevent a funeral and to give effect to the wishes of the deceased’s family on the grounds of human rights and inherent jurisdiction of the High Court.
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M v B
Successfully acting for the Claimant in a claim concerning civil fraud and tortious deceit. The Defendant had fraudulently held himself out to be a solicitor and had attempted to transfer the Claimant’s title to property to himself.
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R v L
Advising the Defendant in a claim seeking to vitiate a will due to a purported lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence.
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H v H
Represented the Defendant in a two-day multi-track hearing concerning a claim made in restitution and undue influence. The matter arose out of a dispute between two brothers, one alleging that the other had made a series of withdrawals from their now-deceased mother’s bank account. The evidence at Court centred around a forensic examination of the parties’ bank account statements and a complex family history.
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P v D
Acting for the Claimant in a long-standing multi-track dispute regarding a breach of a Tomlin Order and conversion.
Daniel is well-versed in representing clients in lengthy Employment Tribunal claims and has appeared in cases of unfair and wrongful dismissal, various forms of discrimination under the Equality Act (including disability discrimination) and holiday pay disputes. He has appeared in the Employment Appeal Tribunal and has assisted in matters in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has recently provided advice on a matter in the Supreme Court of St Helena and secured a settlement at judicial mediation, obtaining in excess of £300,000 for his client.
Daniel also has a busy paper-based practice advising clients on prospects of success and negotiation (including with regard to restrictive covenants). He is also able to advise on other matters relating to employment, such as professional discipline, tax (including international tax advice for overseas workers) and pensions.
Notable Employment cases
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Idrees v Home Office
Successfully represented the Claimant in a 5-day Employment Tribunal trial, establishing race discrimination and unfair dismissal.
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G v W
Advising on remedies in a matter in the Supreme Court of St Helena.
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(1) A; (2) B v C
Advising in a proposed claim concerning unilateral changes made by an employer to an employee’s substantial benefits and bonuses which sought to reduce payments to the Claimant in excess of £400,000.
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R v S
Acting for the Claimant in a matter in the Labour Regulating Authority in St Helena.
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(1) A; (2) B v C Solicitors
Representation in a claim for unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of race listed for eight days; obtaining a substantial award for the Claimants.
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S v The London Borough of Camden (Employment Appeal Tribunal)
Representation in an appeal concerning whether, by refusing to engage in correspondence with an employee’s solicitors, the employer failed to make reasonable adjustments for the Claimant’s disability.
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G v Boots Opticians Professional Services Limited
Successfully acted for the Claimant in establishing continuity of employment during the course of a three-day unfair dismissal trial.
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NRPSI v N R-L
Assisting in the successful resistance of disciplinary proceedings brought against an interpreter by her regulator.
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HK v Royal Mail Plc
Assisted in the successful claim of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and indirect (disability) discrimination; obtaining damages in excess of £40,000.
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Flynn v Warrior Square Recoveries Ltd
Sole representation in a four-day trial; cross-examining partners of an international law firm and witnesses abroad via video-link.
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Gosalakkal v General Medical Council [2015] EWHC 2445 (Admin)
Assisted in a clinician’s appeal against suspension from the register.
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Flynn v Warrior Square Recoveries Ltd [2014] EWCA Civ 68
Assisted in the above Court of Appeal matter concerning the correct legal test to be applied to time bar in whistleblower claims.
Daniel’s established property practice covers commercial and residential possession proceedings (together with claims for rent arrears and mesne profits), boundary disputes, TOLATA matters and claims in respect of service charge (both in respect of claims for arrears and for determinations of the reasonableness of such charges). Daniel has extensive experience of applying for extensions of time in which to register charges and rectification under the Companies Act 2006.
Notable Property cases
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Fidelity Bank v A (High Court)
Enforcement action for the sale of a property following a Ghanaian judgment registered in the UK in excess of £1.7m.
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M v M (High Court)
Acting in a claim for rectification of the register in relation to a property worth over £2m.
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Port of Tilbury v S
Advising the occupier of a port in respect of possession, lease extension and an injunction.
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Gilal London Ltd v Wolverhampton Lifting Ltd
Successfully appeared against a Deputy District Judge and obtained possession for the Claimant, arguing that the Defendant was a tenant-at-will such that the notice requirements of the LTA 1954 did not apply.
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S v V
Acting for a group of leaseholders in a boundary dispute.
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B v H
Successfully represented the Claimant in his claim for unlawful eviction, harassment and restitutionary damages, obtaining an award in excess of £40,000.
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The Mortgage Business Plc v A
Acting for the Defendant against a claim for possession. The matter concerned the validity of a “sale and rent back” scheme and proprietary estoppel.
Daniel accepts instructions in claims for defamation and malicious falsehood. His cases often involve a cross-border element. He is able to provide holistic advice and utilises his experience in cross-over topics such as harassment and negligent misstatement. He acts for both individuals and companies in order to secure effective reputation management.
Notable Defamation cases
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C v B (High Court)
Advising and drafting (led by a leading Silk) in a multi-million-pound claim for malicious prosecution and defamation. The matter involved allegations that the Claimant banker had syphoned millions of pounds from an investment bank. The Claimant was subjected to a decade-long prosecution which ultimately led to an acquittal.
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C v D (High Court)
Representation in a claim for defamation arising from an allegation of sexual assault made in the US. The allegations attracted significant press attention, being widely reported on VICE and Forbes. Issues included jurisdiction (and the enforceability of foreign judgments), single publication rule and loss of congenial employment.
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N v N (High Court)
Acted for the Claimant in a successful claim for defamation arising from allegations made of sexual assault.
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P v (1) A; (2) Google LLC
Advising in respect of allegations of sexual abuse made in the US against a Pastor residing in Angola. Matters concerned jurisdiction and procedure for serving claims out of the UK.
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M v S
Successfully represented the Claimant in a claim for harassment concerning repeated allegations of fraud.
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S v R
Represented the Claimant in a claim concerning allegations of mismanagement of a business and wrongful interference with a contract.
Daniel regularly attends Court in fast- and multi-track matters, appearing in both the County Court and High Court. He has extensive trial experience (including on matters where fundamental dishonesty is alleged) and is well-versed in advising in respect of liability, quantum and costs. He also accepts instructions in CCMCs and interlocutory applications.
Notable Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence cases
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Athanasios Sophocleous & Ors v (1) Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; (2) Secretary of State for Defence [2018] EWHC 19 (QB)
Junior counsel in a claim by 34 claimants who complained of assaults, beatings, rape and other acts of violence and torture allegedly inflicted from 1956 to 1958 in Cyprus during the ‘Cyprus Emergency’ by agents of the United Kingdom government and of the then Colonial Administration of Cyprus.
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Z v Barts Health NHS Trust
Successful claim regarding a late diagnosis of appendicitis.
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A v University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Claim in respect of a negligently performed mastectomy.
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H v Home Office
Advising a client who suffered personal injury as a result of his detention at the Penally asylum camp.
Daniel has extensive experience in Public Law which has ranged from challenges under general Judicial Review principles, to more specific challenges such as breaches of private life and unlawful delegation. Daniel is a specialist in discrimination law, drawing on his experience of employment matters, and has represented clients in a number of successful claims.
Daniel has experience of representing clients both at the First-tier and Upper Tribunals in matters brought under the Immigration Rules, on Human Rights grounds and in accordance with the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations. He also has experience of appearing in the High Court in emergency injunctions to prevent removals.
Notable Public Sector & Human Rights cases
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The Grenfell Tower Inquiry
For over three years, Daniel was instructed on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, assisting in the analysis of construction-related matters, specifically investigating the cladding and Building Control inspections. Daniel assisted in the drafting of the cross-examination plans for some of the key witnesses called to give evidence.
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Z v H
Advised and drafted pleadings in a proposed group claim by prisoners detained in a British Overseas Territory prison (described by the Equality & Human Rights Commission as having “the poorest physical environment of any prison within the UK’s responsibilities”) for a breach of their human rights, including their right to life, freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment and protection of private life.
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R (on the application of P, G, W and Krol) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department & Ors [2017] EWCA Civ 321 (Court of Appeal, before Sir Brian Leveson)
Junior counsel in the above Court of Appeal matter which challenged the police regime of disclosure of previous convictions and other relevant information. It was found in the linked appeal that there had been non-compliance with the Human Rights Act, specifically the right to privacy. Sir James Eadie KC appeared on behalf of the Government.
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Apollo Engineering Ltd v The United Kingdom Application No.: 22061/15 (ECHR)
Assisted in representing the Applicant’s challenge against the United Kingdom in the European Court of Human Rights. The matter considered whether, by preventing a director from representing a company, the United Kingdom was in breach of its duty to afford access to fair trials.
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R (Phuong & Ors) v Glyndŵr University [2014] EWHC 908 (Admin)
Assisted in a claim made by over 90 Claimants against the decision to withdraw their immigration sponsorship.
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R (Syed and Kamran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] EWCA Civ 196
Assisted in a test case on the status of ACCA professional qualifications as equivalent to degrees and unlawful delegation to UK NARIC.
Daniel has experience in the field of solicitor-client costs. He advises on the formal requirements of the Solicitors Act 1974 and the delivery of interim, final and Chamberlain bills, along with various defences and common law assessments.
Notable Costs cases
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I v N
Advising, drafting and obtaining a very favourable settlement in a proposed claim for unpaid legal bills in excess of £1m (instructed by Kobre & Kim).
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Y v R
Acting for the Defendant against a claim for unpaid legal bills exceeding £150,000; requesting common law assessment.
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B v D (Deceased)
Acting for the Claimant in a claim in respect of £125,000 of unpaid bills. Issues involved Chamberlain bills and further advice provided on the procedure to adopt where a Defendant is deceased.
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B v Father4Justice
Successfully defended a claim in respect of fees incurred by a caseworker.
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LC v A
Acting for the Defendant in a claim for £35,000 of unpaid legal bills.
Endorsements
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate.
View my privacy policy.
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate.
View my privacy policy.
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