Case Note: Carvill-Biggs & Anor v Reading [2025] EWCA Civ 619
Harry Dixon has written a case note which considers the recently decided Court of Appeal judgment of Carvill-Biggs & Anor v Reading [2025] EWCA Civ 619....
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Harry is a specialist commercial and property law barrister with a broad practice encompassing contractual, tortious, insolvency and tax matters together with enforcement disputes. He regularly acts in property disputes, including commercial and residential landlord and tenant cases.
Harry is instructed to represent clients across a broad range of hearings, including multi-day trials. He also advises on commercial and property law, both on the papers and in conference. His advice has been commended for being comprehensive and clear.
Harry completed his specialist commercial and property law pupillage under the supervision of Daniel Metcalfe. During pupillage, he gained experience across a wide range of commercial and property matters, including contract and tort litigation, intellectual property, consumer law, construction, insolvency, professional negligence, property and land disputes, commercial leases and procedural matters.
Prior to joining St John’s Buildings, Harry served as a Litigator for HMRC, where he was responsible for litigating and presenting appeals on behalf of the organisation before the First-tier Tribunal. This experience provided him with substantial experience of tax litigation, Tribunal advocacy and procedure.
Commercial & chancery litigation
Harry is regularly instructed in commercial disputes, both at hearings and at trial. His experience includes claims concerning breach of contract, debt, negligence and claims for contribution pursuant to the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978.
Harry has also acted in a range of interlocutory applications, including applications to set aside default judgments, strike out proceedings, obtaining summary judgment, setting aside or varying orders, and adjourning hearings.
His insolvency practice includes instructions in winding-up proceedings along with applications for the substitution of a petitioning creditor. He has represented a respondent company seeking the dismissal of a winding-up petition and has been instructed in applications for interim injunctions restraining the presentation of winding-up petitions.
In bankruptcy matters, Harry has acted in proceedings concerning the setting aside of statutory demands and bankruptcy petitions.
Harry has experience of enforcement proceedings arising from unpaid judgments and other debts. This has included representing creditors at hearings, seeking information from judgment debtors, applications for attachment of earnings orders, and applications for interim and final charging orders.
Harry continues to accept paper-based instructions and has drafted a range of pleadings, including Particulars of Claim, Defences and Replies.
He provides advice on commercial, property and chancery matters, both on the papers and in conference. His advice has been commended for being comprehensive and clear.
Construction & property
Harry has experience of a range of residential property disputes, including landlord and tenant claims for possession pursuant to sections 8 and 21 of the Housing Act 1988, as well as mortgage possession claims.
His landlord and tenant experience also includes:
- an application for an injunction pursuant to sections 1 and 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 against a tenant;
- an appeal against a local authority’s housing decision pursuant to section 204 of the Housing Act 1996; and
- Part 8 proceedings concerning tenancy deposit claims.
Harry is also instructed in commercial property disputes, both at court and on the papers. His experience includes possession claims in circumstances where notice was required pursuant to section 146 of the Law of Property Act 1925, as well as claims for possession based on non-payment of rent where no such notice was required. He has also obtained an Interim Possession Order against a trespasser occupying commercial premises.
Harry has also been instructed in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to represent a client in an application to cancel a unilateral notice pursuant to section 26 of the Land Registration Act 2002.
Harry recently advised on a landlord’s opposition to the renewal of a lease pursuant to section 25 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
Tax
Harry accepts instructions in tax litigation. This work includes successfully representing a taxpayer in an appeal against a discovery assessment issued by HMRC.
Prior to joining St John’s Buildings, Harry served as a Litigator for HMRC, where he was responsible for litigating and presenting appeals on behalf of the organisation before the First-tier Tribunal. In that role, Harry developed substantial experience of tax law and Tribunal procedure and is well placed to assist clients in appeals against decisions made by HMRC.
Several of the hearings in which Harry appeared during his time at HMRC were subsequently published:
- GCH Corporation Ltd & Ors v Revenue and Customs (CAPITAL GAINS TAX – whether limited liability partnership carried on “a trade or business with a view to profit”) [2024] UKFTT 922 (TC)
- Turcan & Ors v Revenue and Customs (PROCEDURE – Information Notice issued after opening of enquiry) [2024] UKFTT 869 (TC)
- Draffan & Ors v Revenue & Customs (PROCEDURE – Sch 36 Notices) [2022] UKFTT 82 (TC)
- WT Banks & Co (Farming) Ltd v Revenue and Customs (Corporation Tax) [2021] UKFTT 155
- Gearslutz.com Ltd & Anor v Revenue and Customs (Application for Closure Notices) [2021] UKFTT 150 (TC)
Education
- BPTC, Very Competent, University of Law (2022)
- BPTC, Distinction, Professional Practice at the Bar LLM (2022)
- Professional Studies in Taxation BA, Manchester Metropolitan University (2021)
- Law LLB, University of Lancaster (2018)
Memberships
- The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
