Hal Branch

Hal has practised in the law since 1989 and specialises in commercial and contractual disputes. He also has considerable experience in professional negligence claims, partnership disputes, defamation and breach of trust claims.

Hal has experience in advising on complex commercial fraud litigation. He acts for a wide range of clients from entrepreneurs to substantial companies.

Hal regularly represents clients in the High Court but also recognises the increasing importance that mediation can play in dispute resolution.

Hal graduated in modern history at London University before studying law at the College of Law London.

Reported cases

Innovatis Investment Fund Limited v Edjer Group Limited
[2010] EWHC 1851
Acting for the Claimant who successfully obtained Judgment for just over $4,000,000 in an action concerning Lehmann Brothers Medium Term Basket Note with a face value of US$7,000,000. It is believed that this is the first reported decision in which the High Court has considered the legal nature of a securities purchase agreement. The case also concerned issues of an agent’s liability under a contract in the context of securities trading.

Northbrook v Abbey Estates Limited
(June 2009) Court of Appeal
Acting for a successful Claimant seeking return of a deposit for property purchase at auction on the basis of misrepresentation, implied covenants to title and vacant possession. The Defendant was refused permission to appeal at a fully argued permission hearing. Lloyd L. J. ruled that the common auction conditions did not exclude ability for positive misrepresentations. He also held that there was no reason why a Court could not award enhanced interest on costs under Part 36 where the receiving party was funded by a CFA.

Lichter & Schwartz (a partnership) v Rubin
[2008] EWHC 450 (Ch D); [2008] WLR (D) 93
A successful interim application for the disclosure of information about assets which are or may be the subject of an application for a freezing injunction.

Godfrey v Torpy and Others
[2007] EWHC 919 (Ch)
Insolvency Act 1986 section 423. Leave of the Court was not required to continue proceedings in which an order to set aside a transaction at an undervalue had been applied for before the debtor’s insolvency.

Manches LLP v Carl Freer
[2006] EWHC 991
A company director held not to be liable for solicitors’ fees where terms of business containing a guarantee was not signed in his personal capacity.

Ch.D Re: Landhurst Leasing
[1999] BCLC 286, Ch.D
The standard of conduct of directors of insolvent companies.

Charleston and Another -v- News Group Newspapers Ltd and Another
[1995] 2 All ER 313
A libel action for two Australian soap stars after the publication in a Sunday newspaper of a “defamatory” photograph which was held not to be defamatory when considered with the article as a whole.

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	hb@lsg.co.uk