Property & Real Estate Barristers
Andrew Butler QC
Year of call 1993
Silk 2018
Instructing Andrew
For further information or to instruct Andrew please contact one of our following clerks:
Billy Forecast
Practice Managers
Arin Kalayci
Practice Managers
Zoe Bluck
Practice Managers
“A property specialist who is known for his expertise in cases driven by professional negligence claims. Sources see him as an approachable and accessible practitioner.”
Chambers UK 2016
“He has excellent drafting skills and is a good advocate.”
Legal 500 2015
“Highly experienced in leasehold enfranchisment and related professional negligence matters.”
Legal 500 2014
“A personable man, who has a keen intellect and a very commercial attitude…a tough, able and sensible practitioner.”
Chambers UK 2015
“Someone who offers technical knowledge matched by the ability to give practical advice. One source observed that ‘he impressed greatly with his ability to get to the heart of the issue and grasp the key facts. He has been responsive and has inspired confidence from the start’.”
Chambers UK 2014
- Lawyer Monthly, Business Barrister of the Year (2015)
- FCI Arb
- MA (Oxon)
- BA
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Commercial Bar Association
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- Property Bar Association
Andrew Butler QC practises in the areas of Property and Business & Commercial, and is Head of Chambers’ Business & Commercial Group. His cases often involve damage to property and encompass professional negligence claims as well as insurance and construction disputes.
Andrew has been recommended for Real Estate Litigation in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for many years, one recent citation referring to him as having “good technical knowledge matched by an ability to give practical advice”.
Andrew is a qualified mediator and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is regularly retained by the Royal Institute of British Architects to deliver seminar programmes to its members, currently presenting with Rob Bowker on the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.
Areas of expertise
Andrew’s background is in Real Property and the majority of his practice is in professional negligence and commercial claims with a property element.
In the former context he has undertaken claims against architects, surveyors, insurance brokers and solicitors, among other professionals.
He also undertakes work outside the scope of property, including in particular company disputes and s.994 petitions.
Andrew is a trained mediator and has ample experience of the mediation process, both as advocate and mediator. He also presents regularly, including to schools as part of the Speakers4Schools organisation.
Notable Cases
- Wells v Devani [2017] 2 WLR 1391 Successful appeal against ruling of Judge that discussions between an estate agent and client gave rise to a contract - important issues of contract law and the effect of s.18 Estate Agents Act 1979.
- Jones & Another v Oven & Another [2017] EWHC 1647 (Ch) Successful conduct of neighbour dispute involving construction and interpretation of restrictive covenants.
- Dawnus Sierra Leone Ltd v Timis Mining Corporation Ltd & Another [2016] EWCA Civ 1066 Successful appeal against Judge's refusal to award security for costs against counterclaiming Defendant - whether Defendant's preference for litigating in alternative forum a relevant factor.
- Dawnus Sierra Leone Ltd v Timis Mining Corporation Ltd & Another [2016] EWHC 236 (TCC) Jurisdictional challenge in construction dispute and cross-application for anti-suit injunction seeking to restrain proceedings in Sierra Leone.
- Fresca-Judd v Golovina [2016] 4 WLR 107 Successful defence of claim by landlord's insurers seeking to recover damages from tenant following flood at demised premises - whether insurers entitled to bring subrogated claim - whether tenant liable on the facts.
- Carbon Smart Ltd v Prevista Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 668 Successful appeal against dismissal of claim in commercial dispute giving rise to complex issues of contractual construction.
- Blue Monkey Gaming Ltd v Hudson & Others [2014] All ER (D) 222 Conversion claim brought against administrators following retention of gaming machines in administration of large high street gaming chain.
- GenesisUKNet Plc v Allianz Insurance [2014] EWHC 3676, QB Insurance claim arising out of fire damage to warehouse - whether managing director responsible for arson.
- Graham v Every & Others [2014] EWCA Civ 191 - s.994 petition Whether adequately particularised - whether susceptible to strike out.
- M&C Energy Group Ltd v St Cuthbert's Mill Ltd [2013] EWHC 571 Claim by energy consultant for unpaid fees under contract for services - questions of contractual construction, misrepresentation and estoppel - Claimant seeking and obtaining summary judgment for damages to be assessed at first instance - judgment upheld on appeal.
- Griffin v UHY Hacker Young [2010] PNLR 10 Claim by sole director against insolvency practitioner - allegedly negligent advice during winding up of company causing commission of strict liability offence by director - whether claim precluded by doctrine of ex turpi causa - strike-out - abuse of process.
- Redcard Ltd & Others v Williamson & Others [2010] EWHC 1078 Contract for conveyance of property by company - contract signed by lessees as lessees, but not as directors - whether compliance with s.2 Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989 - whether compliance with s.44 Companies Act 2006.
- Kyle Bay Ltd v Various Underwriters [2007] 1 CLC 464 Court of Appeal, 7 February 2007 - fire in nightclub - insurance claim compromised on basis of mutual misunderstanding as to terms of the policy - whether compromise binding.
- Hart Investments v Fidler [2007] BLR 30 Application (1) to enforce adjudication award and (2) to set aside judgment in default - effect of non-compliance with statutory time limits in adjudication proceedings - validity of service by fax - date of service.