Clerking team

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Senior Clerk – Civil, Commercial & Employment Clerk

Rob Lang

Assistant Senior Clerk

Gemma Eachus

Civil Clerk

“Recommended Expert”

Legal 500, 2022

Barrister And Mediator

  • Educated at Manchester Jewish Grammar School
  • Gateshead Talmudical College and Manchester University
  • Commercial Litigation Assistant at Halliwell Landau 1978-1979
  • Appointed Deputy District Judge 1999
  • Appointed Recorder (Civil) 2000
  • Experience includes major Commercial Litigation; and Civil and Criminal Fraud trials
  • Interested in Music Litigation; Commercial Contract Litigation; Commercial Fraud Trials
  • Famous clients have included Gary Barlow of Take That!; Granada Television; Stone Roses Management and several Manchester Bands

David was interviewed on Sky News on 18 July 2018 in relation to privacy laws in light of Cliff Richard’s recent award for damages from the BBC.

Commercial & chancery litigation

Particular Specialist Interests

General Commercial Litigation: “Noted for his commerciality” in the Legal 500 (2008 Edition), this is the primary area of practice with an emphasis on major trial work.

Music Litigation: David Berkley KC has developed a niche in this area. His famous clients have included Gary Barlow of Take That!; Granada Television; Stone Roses’ management; and several well-known Manchester bands.

Other Activties

Past Chairman of the Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association and a Member of the Northern Chancery Bar Association.

Frequent lecturer having conducted seminars in-house at Herbert Smith; Freshfields and other leading City firms. Has been closely associated with Nottingham Law School and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

Reported/Important Cases

In order to provide an indication of the range and depth of David Berkley KC’s practice, the following represents a summary of recent reported cases in which he has been instructed:

Jervis v Harris [1996] Ch 195

Barrett McKenzie & Co v Escada (UK) Ltd QBD 1st February 2001

Rakusens Ltd v Baser Ambalaj Pastik Sanayi Ticaretas [2001] EWCA Civ.1820 (Court of Appeal)

Burnett v Harper – Court of Appeal 4th May 2001

J Barry v J Barry (Plant Hire) Ltd [2001] EQCA (Civ.614)

Mark Blunden v Frogmore Investments Ltd [2002] EWCA (Civ.573) Court of Appeal, [2002] 29 Estates Gazette 153

Coutts & Co v Clarke [2002] EWCA (Civ.943), Court of Appeal

Hayes v Phonogram Ltd and Others [2002] EWHC 2062 (Ch) (Blackburne J)

R v Independent Television Commission ex parte Boyd-Hunt [2002] EWHC 2296 Admin (Newman J)

Russell v Finn [2003] EWCA Civ. 399 Court of Appeal

Goldmile Properties Limited v Speiro Lechouritis [2003] EWCA Civ 49

In re China Jazz Worldwide Plc v Secretary of State [2003] EWHC 2665, Patten J

Halpern v Halpern [2006] EWHC 1728 Comm [2006] 3 AER 113

Halpern v Halpern [2007] EWCA 603 (Comm) The Times 14th May 2006

Company

Considerable expertise and experience in contentious security and receivership issues; civil and criminal fraud trials; directors’ disqualification work.

Kumar v United Bank Ltd (QBD Commercial Court, Andrew Smith J) 22nd June 2001

Retail Parks SA v JJB Sports Ltd SL Mercantile Court, Manchester Judge Hegarty 19th December 2000

Partnership

Frequently advises in and acts on behalf of professional clients in partnership disputes including those relating to solicitors and accountancy professional practices.

Construction & property

Landlord and Tenant

Considerable expertise and experience in commercial Landlord and Tenant matters and frequently advises property clients in relation to renewals and reviews.

ADR

Qualified Mediator (College of Law credited) and willing to act as Arbitrator in commercial dispute. Member of the Commercial Law Panel of ADR Chambers.

Sport, media, & entertainment

David has developed a niche in the area of Music Litigation. His famous clients have included Gary Barlow of Take That!; Granada Television; Stone Roses’ management; and several well-known Manchester bands. He has dealt with cases involving intellectual property, copyright and cases of a contractual nature.