Manchester, United Kingdom
Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with over 500 lawyers and support staff (including over 85 partners) working from offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton. The firm was established in the South West in 1888 and we are proud of our strong heritage.
We are client-led; a strategic resolve which has resulted in our earning of a strong reputation in sectors such as real estate and construction, retail, sport, social housing, agriculture, renewable energy and private client. Working closely with our clients to provide tailored solutions for their particular situation is paramount at Clarke Willmott. We invest time and energy into developing strong client relationships in order to add real value and achieve positive results.
I am a partner and fixed share member of the practice within the team based in Manchester city centre. My background is in commercial litigation managing the service delivery to several major commercial clients. I care passionately about my client’s interests, and work tirelessly to promote them and obtain the best possible result for them. I have been lucky enough to have been involved in some high profile and complex disputes during my career. My experience allows me to be objective in my assessment of the strength of any case and the likely outcomes, and I will promote settlement or negotiation whenever I think that is the best course. I am never afraid to challenge my clients when I think they are pursuing the wrong course. I am personable, humorous and easy to work with, and ensure that I am always available at short notice by phone or email to respond to my clients needs. I am also acutely aware of the costs of litigation and will always keep my clients fully informed of any likely costs before they are incurred.
Partner Dispute Resolution
Partner Dispute Resolution
Trainee Solicitor
I have considerable experience dealing with complex high profile commercial litigation disputes, particularly Director, Shareholder and Partnership disputes, claims against professional advisors, defamation, complex contractual disputes, insolvency litigation, disclosure of confidential information, High Court injunctions and asset recovery.
My cases include representing the successful defendant in the Court of Appeal test case of Ketley v Gilbert (2001) which turned in the interpretation of consumer credit legislation, the high profile defamation case of Levi v Bates (2008) and the complex high value shareholder dispute of Penny v Montagu Private Equity (2012).
University
1993 - 1994
LLB
University
1990 - 1993
LLB
University
1993 - 1994
Legal Practice Course
John is hard working Solicitor whose dedication to his clients' cases is all too evident. He is firm but always fair and his personable attitude to clients and other members of his legal team, including Counsel, is a most welcome bonus.
John is high very experienced and highly efficent commercial solicitor. He has been able to master a complex case with ease, and has built up an excellent relationship with the members of the team including expert accountants, IT, supply chain and other professionals.
I find John a pleasure to work with. He's professional and listens to what people require of him.
"Without his advice we would probably be no nearer to a resolution of the dispute. His approach has been pragmatic , thoroughly professional and highly responsive"
"John Flint of Clarke Willmott is extremely approachable and understanding of his clients’ needs.His analysis of complex issues and exposition of potential outcomes is very impressive.Highly recommended”
“I have worked with John for a number of years. He is very approachable, highly responsive and has a clear commercial understanding of our business needs and priorities. He is able to distil complex material, presenting it in a clear and understandable way from which it is easy for to make key strategic decisions. Highly recommended”
I acted for a former founder and CEO of a global brand in an unfair prejudice petition brought following his ousting from the company after a board room coup. The litigation was fiercely fought in the Chancery Division of the High Court. DLA Piper acted for the Respondents. The claim proceeded to a 15 week trial in Manchester and the matter settled favourably.
A high profile defamation case where I acted for a former Director of a premiership football club, who had been publicly defamed by the new owner. I had Carter Ruck acting against us. The case proceeded to a 2 week trial in the Royal Courts of Justice during which I acted as, effectively, the junior barrister for Leading Counsel. The case was won
I acted for a Turkish and German mega-yacht builder in both an Admiralty Arbitration and High Court defamation case. The arbitration case involved a complex series of interlocking contracts for the building of 4 luxury mega-yachts, and damages for breach of contract were claimed at in excess of £10m. I also acted in an associated defamation action in the High Court which included a claim for special damages in excess of €135m. The case proceeded to a 3 day mediation in London in 2014.
Other noteworthy cases include acting for a national trade union in a contractual dispute with a former high profile general secretary; acting for a national food manufacturer in a claim brought by a competitor alleging theft of trade secrets and confidential information; acting for a Leeds businessman in a multi-million pound fraud claim against a high street bank; and acting for an international haulage company in a dispute with a South African oil tanker manufacturer and the Department of Transport over a defective fleet of oil tankers.
Recently instructed on a £400,000 adjudication under NEC3 contract, following termination of contract for performance issues in February 2014. Dispute involves complex contractual issues, procedural challenges under NEC3 and detailed analysis of forensic accountancy evidence
Presently acting for IFA in a £1m claim against a major pension provider and group pension scheme provider following the alleged unlawful termination of the IFA's retainer in 2014 and various allegations of breach of fiduciary duty.
Professional Body for Solicitors
representing Directors and business leaders in UK
representing the financial and professional services and wider business community in and around Greater Manchester
The PNLA acts as a focus for clients who are in need of lawyers who specialise in professional negligence and directs those clients to the appropriate specialists