Michael Pooles KC

Lawyers
Michael is recognised as a leader in the field and has appeared in a number of the highest profile claims against lawyers in recent years.

Accountants & auditors
Michael has acted in a number of claims against accountants and auditors and represented accountants before a variety of disciplinary bodies up to the AADB.

Financial professionals
Michael has represented many financial professionals and has challenged determinations of the FOS before the administrative court.

Insurance brokers
Michael has appeared in many brokers claims and has considerable experience of both professional indemnity and general insurance disputes.

Michael has experience in costs matters appearing in the Court of Appeal in The Accident Group final costs hearings and in leading cases on costs capping.

In addition to his many appearances in arbitrations, Michael has frequently been appointed as an arbitrator in respect of insurance coverage and professional indemnity and conduct matters. He has also been retained in this capacity in costs disputes. He deals with matters involving both disputed on paper and full hearings. He is very happy to travel at the convenience of the parties and is highly conscious of the need for speed and economy in arbitration.

Michael is a trained mediator.

Percy v Merriman White [2022] EWCA Civ 493. Operation of s 1(4) Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 and proof required for contribution claims.

Brearley v Higgs [2021]. Practical application of Perry v Raleys test to a very large loss of a chance claim.

Alsopp v Banner Jones [2021] EWCA Civ 7. Consideration of  abuse of process strike out test considering res judicata and collateral attack.

Angelgate v Baltic House [2020] EWHC Civ 3643. Limits of s235 FSMA 2020 pleas.

Stoffel v Grondona [2020] UKSC 42. Consideration of application of dishonesty defence under Patel v Mirza.

Perry v Raleys [2019] UKSC 5. The correct approach to loss of a chance claims in professional negligence.

Cavanagh v Witley Parish Council [2018] EWCA Civ 2232. Owners’ obligations in respect of tree inspections.

Edwards v Hugh James [2019] UKSC 54. Admissibility of after-acquired evidence in professional negligence damages calculations.

Barton v Wright Hassell [2018] UKSC 12. Whether litigants in person are entitled to additional latitude under the Civil Procedure Rules.

Thomas v Hugh James [2017] EWCA Civ 1303. Explanation of limits upon what solicitors might be expected to advise in low value personal injury claims.

Joseph v Farrer [2017] EWHC. (Ch) Solicitors did not owe contractual tortious duties to the claimant beneficiary of an intended inter vivos gift.

Rahim v Arch Insurance [2016] EWHC 2967 (Comm). Solicitor not entitled to an indemnity owing to her fraudulent conduct.

LSREF v Gateley LLP [2016] EWCA Civ 359. Date to be adopted for transactional loss following professional negligence.

CRU v King & Wood Mallesons LLP [2016] EWHC 727 (QB). Solicitors’ duties when advising on termination of employment contracts.

Clydesdale Bank v Workman [2016] EWCA Civ 73. Requirements in findings of dishonesty against professional men and women.

Wellesley v Withers LLP [2015] EWCA Civ 1146. Test of remoteness of damage in cases of concurrent professional liability.

Rayner v Wolferstons [2015] EWHC 2957 QB. Date of knowledge under section 11 (4) a of the Limitation Act 1980 and impact upon consequential claim against solicitors.

Wellesley v Withers [2014] EWHC 556 – Test of remoteness of damage where parallel duties owed in contract and tort.

Santander v R A Legal [2014] EWCA Civ 183 – Nature of trusts in conveyancing and relief under s61 Trustee Act 1925.

Harrison v Cluttons [2013] EWCA Civ 1569 – Duty of care of landlords’ surveyor to tenant.

Drysdale v Hedges [2012] EWHC 4131 – Landlord’s duties under Defective Premises Act 1972.

Davisons v Nationwide [2012] EWCA Civ 1626 – Nature of solicitor’s obligations in trust and s61 Trustee Act defence).

Herrmann v Withers LLP [2012] EWHC 1492 Ch, Newey J – Solicitor’s conveyancing obligations and measure of damages.

Asiansky v Khazada [2011] EWHC 2831 QB, Andrew Smith J – Summary dismissal of claim against KC.

Kmeicic v Isaacs [2011] EWCA Civ 451 – Duties of householder towards construction workers on site.

Greene & Wood Mclean LLP (in administration) v Templeton Insurance Ltd [2010] EWHC 2678 – Defending counsel alleged to have negligently advised the pursuit of a Group Litigation Order, claim dismissed.

Cabvision v Feetham & ors [2009] EWHC 3400 (Ch) Norris J – Costs litigation and breach of duty.

Jones v Attrill (Law Society intervening) [2008] EWCA Civ 1375 – Accident line direct challenges to recoverability.

Taylor Walton v Laing [2008] PNLR 11 – Abuse of process by way of relitigation.

Zurich Professional v Karim [2006] EWHC 3355 – Exclusion of professional indemnity cover due to dishonesty committed or condoned.

Flora v Wakom [2007] 1 WLR 482 – Indexation of periodical payments in injury claims.

The AIDB v (1) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (2) David Donnelly FCCA [2007] – Disciplinary complaints brought about by the AIDB following the collapse of the Mayflower Group.

The Queen on the Application of Rosemary Fogg v The Secretary of State for Defence [2006] EWCA Civ 1270.

Aer Lingus v Gildercroft Ltd [2006] EWCA Civ 4 – Contribution between tort feasors and limitation.

Haward v Fawcetts [2006] UKHL 9 – Accountants / limitation / family business / multiple potential causes of loss / damage / attribution.

Law Society v Sephton [2006] UKHL 22 – Accountants / limitation / solicitor’s accounts rules certificates / date of damage.

3M United Kingdom & Anor v Linklaters & Paines (A Firm) [2006] EWCA Civ 530 – Solicitor’s negligence / date of knowledge.

Shalson v Russo [2005] Ch 281 – Tracing / offshore trust / test for sham trusts.

Sharratt v London Central Bus [2004] EWCA Civ 575 – Costs / TAG costs group action / referral fees / ATE premiums.

Atack v Lee [2004] EWCA Civ 1712 Costs – CFAs / success rates / cases at trial / judicial discretion.

Manolakaki v Constantinides [2004] EWHC 749 (Ch) – Solicitor / insurance / financial instrument fraud / coverage / non-disclosure.

J.J. Couglan Ltd v Ruparelia Thaker [2004] PNLR 4 – Financial instrument fraud / solicitor / outside ordinary course of business / liability of innocent partner.

Sweetman v Nathan [2004] PNLR 7 – Strike out / fraud on third party / subsequent negligence claim against partners of fraudulent solicitor.

Ezekial v Lehrer [2002] Lloyd’s Rep PN 260, C.A. – Limitation S14A knowledge.

Delaware Mansions v Westminster City Council [2002] 1 AC 321 – Nuisance and tree-root damage.

Ingmar GB Ltd v Eaton Leonard Technologies Inc [2001] CMLR 9 – Commercial agents regulations.

Lloyds Bank v Crosse & Crosse [2001] Lloyd’s Rep P.N. 452 – Negligent conveyancing / limitation / measure of damages.

Lec (Liverpool) Ltd v Glover [2001] Lloyd’s Rep I.R. 315 – Fire insurance policy construction / exclusion cause / blow torch.

Casey v Hugh James Jenkins [1999] Lloyd’s Rep P.N. 115 – Solicitor’s obligation on loss of legal aid / causation.

Abbey National v Sayer Moore [1999] EGCS 114 – Limitation lenders claim against solicitors.

"He is the leader of the pack and in a league of his own. A joy to work with." Chambers UK, 2025

"Michael is my preferred barrister for any matter of substance and difficulty." Chambers UK, 2025

"Quite simply one of the strongest KCs in this field." Chambers UK, 2025

"To see Michael conduct advocacy is to watch a masterclass. Surely one of the best of his generation, he inspires confidence in instructing solicitors and clients alike." Chambers UK, 2025

"I would trust him with points of the highest importance. He has gravitas and when he speaks, people listen." Chambers UK, 2025

"One of the leading professional negligence barristers. Great advocacy and very user-friendly." Legal 500, 2024

"Michael is incredibly smart and incisive with a calm and charming manner in court. He is also very much a team player as well as an impressive leader." Chambers UK, 2024

"He is probably the most well-known and most respected professional negligence barrister in the last 20 years. He deals with the most difficult cases with incredible charm and charisma." Chambers UK, 2024

"Michael has an exceptional degree of experience. He is very sensible and wise and tremendously personable." Chambers UK, 2024

"Michael Pooles KC is simply excellent, there is no other word for it. His advice is spot on and reliable." Chambers UK, 2023

"He has the ear of the court. He's a lovely man to deal with and his juniors love working with him. He has a fabulous capacity to lead the team." Chambers UK, 2023

"Michael is an exceptional advocate. To see him cross-examine a witness is to watch a master class. He is always one step ahead, knows when to change tack or tone, and has the end goal in sight. He is quickly able to get a judge onside and explain his point of view. He is also a master at strategy and can cut through a lot of noise to pick out the salient points and identify which battles to fight." Legal 500, 2023

“You can really see where he’s adding value: he knows just the right advice to give to take a claim forward. Very easy to work with and extremely bright.” “Absolutely brilliant, a leader of the professional negligence Bar. He has the ear of the court and is a delight to work with.” “He is just brilliant. He makes difficult things look easy, has a really responsive manner with clients, and doesn’t get hot under the collar.” Chambers UK, 2022

“Michael is a highly polished performer and a wonderful cross-examiner. He is full of charm but is a smiling assassin.” Legal 500, 2022

“He is phenomenally intelligent yet engages with clients in an approachable and down to earth manner. He is trustworthy and dependable, gets to grips with the detail quickly and has a beautiful drafting style. His expertise is second to none.” Legal 500, 2021

“He is phenomenally clever and gives you practical and concise advice. He is brilliant at cross-examination and has a calming effect on clients.” Chambers UK, 2021

“He is quite simply the go-to man for high-profile, high-value, complex professional negligence claims. His submissions were instrumental in winning the case and his gravitas was clear for all to see.” Chambers UK, 2020

“Very impressive: a true advocate who is quick on his feet and a very good cross-examiner.” Chambers UK, 2020

“He is very experienced and an extremely popular silk” Legal 500, 2020

“A super advocate who has tremendous knowledge of solicitors’ negligence and fraud” Chambers UK, 2019 

“He is a master and has been operating at the top level for a very long time” “Absolutely charming and quick off the mark. Everyone finds him a delight to work with” Chambers UK, 2019 

“Excellent advocacy and client service” Legal 500, 2019 

“Top end, especially for solicitors’ negligence.  He is absolutely excellent” “He provides clear and down-to-earth advice. He spots the key issues immediately and develops a strategy accordingly” Chambers UK, 2018

Education: The Perse School Cambridge; LLB (London); Scarman Scholar, Inner Temple Jardine Scholar and Treasurer’s prizewinner (1978). Qualified Mediator 2003.

Appointments: Recorder 2000-2012. Master of the Bench of The Inner Temple.

Committees: Former Board Member of the Bar Standards Board; Former member of the Professional Conduct Committee (and the Legal Services Committee) of the Bar Council of England and Wales.

Professional memberships: Professional Negligence Bar Association; COMBAR; South Eastern Circuit; London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association.

Publications & lectures: Former editor of the solicitors’ chapter of Professional Negligence and Liability (Informa looseleaf.), Michael Pooles has frequently provided lectures to members of the Professional Negligence Bar Association and others on professional indemnity, policy, conduct, limitation and civil fraud matters.

ICO Data protection registration number: Z687517X. 

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