Brett came to Bar after several years in industry. After studying biology at the University of York, he spent time in the railway industry. His experience includes working for the network provider, infrastructure maintenance and vehicle manufacture and services. He spent time in the UK and overseas resolving commercial and contractual disputes with customers and suppliers. After Brett returned to the UK in 2005 he moved into the IT sector and worked with private sector and public sector clients on procurement, supply chain and contractual matters.
He was called to the Bar in 2008 and qualified as solicitor in 2010. He worked as in-house for a well known IT company where he dealt with government frameworks, software licences, distribution agreements, service agreements and non-contentious IP. He acted as the solicitor for the HR team and assisted with company secretarial matters. In addition, he has advised on consumer sales and he has represented consumers and suppliers with commercial claims.
Outside Interests:
Brett is a keen horse rider. He competes in eventing, show jumping and dressage. He also enjoys walking his Labradors. Brett has represented clients with equine related matters and those facing proceedings relating to dogs. He has also advised dog breeders, horse owners and livery yards on non-contentious issues such as livery contracts, loan agreements and sale contracts.
Family and Finance
Brett has a strong family practice where he concentrates on domestic abuse, private law and financial matters. He is often instructed on a direct access basis.
Children
Brett has experience in a broad range of private law children matters representing mother's a fathers. Examples of cases include;
- representing a father in an intractable contact dispute. Successfully rebutted allegations of domestic abuse (including those of a serious sexual nature) and persuaded the court to investigate parental alienation
- representing a father where the advice to the court was no direct contact due to uncertainties with the father's immigration status. Successfully argued that the father's application was not bolstering an immigration application and the uncertain immigration status was not a bar to direct contact
- successfully obtaining a wasted costs order for a client where delays had been caused by the other party in complying with court directions
- representing a mother in her application to vary a child arrangements order and the setting aside of a prohibited steps order. The case resulted in a successful appeal and rehearing.
Finance
Brett has experience in finance and property matters that affect families. This includes co-habiting couples and contentious probate. Examples of cases include;
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representation of a wife in which she received a property adjustment order for the FMH and costs
- representation of a wife in enforcement of a final order in the USA. Brett obtained an attachment of earnings order, third party disclosure order and warrant for the arrest of the husband
- representation of a husband in a case involving substantial overseas assets in the middle east
- representation of a husband in which Brett successfully established that his client was not in fact the owner of property in Pakistan and that the documents relied upon in attempt to demonstrate the ownership of overseas assets could have been forged
- representation of a husband with a number of UK properties and a complicated trust arrangement. The case involved an application to unravel a number of dispositions of property
- representation of parties involving applications of maintenance pending suit. Brett has successfully defended applications or had the amount ordered to be paid substantially less than that claimed. Where he is representing applicants, he ensures that the evidence robust and procedure is adhered to in order to avoid the application being successfully challenged
- representation of a partner in a trusts of land matter in which his client was awarded declaratory relief and order for sale and costs
- representation of two defendants to a contentious probate claim against four claimants. The claim was dismissed and the claimant's ordered to pay the defendant's costs.
Domestic Abuse and other matters
Brett represents both complainants and those accused of domestic abuse. Brett has been successful in obtaining and defending applications for protective orders. This includes finding of fact hearings where Brett uses his experience as a criminal barrister in the examination of witnesses.
Other matters include the advice to a NHS Trust facing an application for an order to permit the posthumous removal of gametes.
Criminal Law
His criminal practice has developed over recent years and he is a level 2 prosecutor. His defence practice has included rape, attempted murder, offences against the person and theft as well as white collar crime. His commercial and civil background well equips him for dealing with confiscation matters.
Direct Access
Brett accepts Family, Civil, Commercial/Chancery and Criminal Law instructions on a Direct Access basis for appropriate cases. Please refer to the below pricing range for their services; this is subject to case type, complexity and seniority or experience of the barrister. Accurate quotes will be provided prior to commencement of the work involved.
Family
Conferences: £250 - £650 + VAT
Directions/Review Hearings, FHDRA's & DRA's: £500 - £1000 + VAT
FDA Hearings: £500 - £1000 + VAT
FDR Hearings: £1000 - £2000 + VAT
Full day hearings: £1000 - £3000 + VAT
Refreshers: £750 - £1500 + VAT
Half day hearings: £750 - £1500 + VAT
Advice & Preparation (Hourly): £150 - £250 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Senior Family Clerk, Courtney ([email protected]), for more information.
Civil Legal Services
Small Claims: £500 - £750 + VAT
Fast Track Trial: £650 - £2250 + VAT
Multi Track (Day One): £2,000 - £5,000 + VAT (Additional Days): £1,000 - £2,000 + VAT
Advice & Preparation (Hourly): £150 - £300 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Senior Civil Clerk, Mike ([email protected]) for further information.
Commercial & Chancery Legal Services
Conference (Hourly): £200 - £400 + VAT
Small Claims: £500 - £1,200 + VAT
Fast Track Trial: £750 - £3,000 + VAT
Multi Track (Day One): £2,500 - £7,500 + VAT (Additional Days): £1,000 - £3,000 + VAT
Advice & Preparation (Hourly): £150 - £300 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Senior Civil Clerk, Mike ([email protected]) for further information.
Crime
Magistrates
Advice & Preparation (Hourly Rate): £75 to £200 + VAT
Court Attendance (Day Rate): £300 to £1000 + VAT
Conferences (Hourly Rate): £100 to £125 + VAT
Crown Court
Advice & Preparation (Hourly Rate): £100 to £250 + VAT
Trial Attendance (Day 1): £1000 to £4000 (Additional days) £500 to £1500 + VAT
Conferences (Hourly Rate): £125 to £250 + VAT
Pre-Trial & Post-Trial hearings: £300 to £1000 + VAT
Court of Appeal & High Court
Advice & Preparation (Hourly Rate): £150 to 300 + VAT
Court Attendances (Day Rate): £1000 to £4000 + VAT
Conferences (Hourly Rate): £125 to 250 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Senior Criminal Clerk, Paul ([email protected]) for further information.
Business and Property Group
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