This website uses cookies

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. By using our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy

International In-house Counsel Journal logoInternational In-house Counsel Journal logo

The independence of the in house lawyer - a warning from history

Abstract

I recall that my strict adherence to Solicitors Code of Conduct by describing my employers as “my client” , in the conduct of written correspondence on behalf of my employers, addressed to solicitors representing the opposing party in a construction dispute, became the subject of much merriment, amusement, hilarity and down right ridicule at the Christmas office party. The “sing-along” across the dinner table echoed the words “my client said to your client, and your client said to my client…” in the same way that “a partridge and a peer tree” would be sung at that time of year. I joined in the spirit of mocking the apparent absurdity and pretentiousness of referring to my employers as “my client”, even though I knew I was strictly complying with my professional rules. The question that this raises is however a serious one.

Read Paper

Author

Portrait image of Anthony Philpott
Anthony Philpott
Barrister, Barrister (Direct Public Access and Authorised Litigator) UK - AP Legal Direct , UK

Anthony Philpott is a Construction Lawyer and is practising Barrister, sole practitioner and litigator under the name of AP Legal Direct. He conducts Adjudications, Arbitrations and litigation with success for Building Employers, Developers, Contractors and Sub-Contractors.. He has the MSc in Construction Law and Arbitration from King’s College London and he is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He spent more than ten years as Legal Counsel with Bovis Lend Lease a construction and project management multi-national where he advised on and negotiated every type of construction contract and represented the company on major projects and disputes including multi-million pound construction litigation. He is dual qualified as a Solicitor (non-practising) and Barrister (practising and authorised to conduct litigation). He has the following experience in Construction contracts and disputes: • In depth knowledge of every form of standard building contract • Advised on tender documents and terms and conditions and drafted amendments over many years • Advised on all associated contract documents of bonds, guarantees, collateral warranties, novation agreements and consultants’ appointments • Negotiated with leading city law firms on every type of building contract • Particular knowledge and experience of negotiation and drafting of Private Finance Initiative Hospital projects and Building Schools for the Future Facilities (BSF) Management contracts • Comprehensive knowledge of all Private Finance Initiative contractual documents • Drafted, negotiated and advised upon Facilities Management BSF contracts and Medical Equipment contracts and sub-contracts with suppliers on three major hospital projects at Havering and Roehampton in London and Leeds Oncology and Building Schools for the Future. • Comprehensive knowledge and experience of ADR in construction Adjudications, Arbitrations and Mediations • Conducted adjudications against leading London city construction law firms in submitting Notice of Intention to Adjudicate and Referral Notices, conducting arguments over jurisdiction of the adjudicator and natural justice legal and contractual arguments in general • Drafting of pleadings, court and Alternative Disputes Resolution documents • Conducted litigation in the Court of Appeal, High Court (including in the enforcement of Adjudicator’s decision in the Technology and Construction Contracts Court) • Comprehensive knowledge and experience of Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 as amended and case law on enforcement of Adjudicators’ decisions in the Technology and Construction Contracts. .* He has conducted and succeeded in Arbitrations for building contractors

Company

Barrister (Direct Public Access and Authorised Litigator) UK - AP Legal Direct   logo

Barrister (Direct Public Access and Authorised Litigator) UK - AP Legal Direct

AP Legal Direct. I am a Construction Lawyer. I can be contacted at info@anthonyphilpott.com and on 07540857709. I conduct litigation, arbitrations and adjudications for building contractors and property developers with a high degree of success fand particularly for Contractors or Sub-Contractors who are having problems in getting paid by their clients, I can: • Endeavour to recover the amounts owed as quickly as possible to improve the cash flow of your business, • Maximise their chances of recovering the sums owed to them by representing you in construction Adjudication, Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation, • Enforce in court an Adjudicator’s decision made in their favour in a cost effective manner I am a highly experienced Direct Access Barrister with the right to conduct litigation and former in-house Legal Counsel providing businesses and individuals with a cost effective “one stop shop" solutions. I can operate without the need for you to go through a solicitor in dealing with your court proceedings. Clients choose me for my transparent costs, in depth legal knowledge and tenacious proactive approach. I can combine the legal services of an experienced Solicitor and a skilled court advocate with my experience as a former in house construction lawyer . I can go on the court record as your lawyer and provide assiduous representation in the Courts and Tribunals. I have an in depth knowledge of all types of construction contracts. I can swiftly deal with their legal problem and apply my varied experience to find the quickest, easiest and most cost effective outcome. This will give them the best chance of a rapid and cost effective solution. My professional experience spans 40 years of advice and representation in a diverse range of legal areas and I set out to achieve the best results clients are looking for, while delivering them on time and within projected budgets of legal costs. AP LEGAL DIRECT Anthony Philpott Barrister Authorised Litigator Regulated by the Bar Standards Board Tel: 075 4085 7709 E mail: info@anthonyphilpott.com 19 Brooksby Road Tilehurst Reading Berkshire RG31 6NA Web site: publicdirectaccessbarrister.co.uk

Related Papers

The Future of the In-House Lawyer
Over the past two years, it has been a privilege to work with many senior General Counsel, those who work with them – including a Chairman, a Chief Executive and...Read more
Portrait image of Richard Tapp
Richard Tapp
Former: Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services, Carillion, UK
On Giving Advice: Maximizing Value for Your Client
The practice of law is a service. Yet few in-house lawyers are assessed on the quality of their service and fewer still actually inquire about it. After nearly a decade...Read more
Portrait image of Bryan Yeazel
Bryan Yeazel
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (Former GC), Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc., USA
Legal Recoveries Programs: Converting The Legal Department into a Profit Center
In-house lawyers are playing defense more than ever before. Large enterprises are often viewed as little more than well-heeled targets for the plaintiff’s bar. As a result, reasonable in-house counsel...Read more
Portrait image of Bryan Yeazel
Bryan Yeazel
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (Former GC), Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc., USA
Challenges in Heading the Legal Function of a Diversified Conglomerate
Looking back, I can see myself standing at the threshold of what turned out to be a path breaking career. I was happily ensconced as GC of Larsen & Toubro...Read more
Portrait image of Prasanna Mysore
Prasanna Mysore
Lawyer, Arbitrator, Mediator., India