Year of call: 2019
Nick Taylor practises across all areas of work in the Business and Property team, with a particular interest in commercial, insolvency, and corporate disputes. Nick is regularly lead by KCs in substantial disputes (including arbitrations and High Court litigation) alongside a busy sole practice.
Prior to coming to the bar Nick qualified as a chartered accountant in the corporate tax team at one of the ‘Big 4’ firms, which provides a useful background when dealing with matters with an accounting, financial, or tax aspect.
Nick’s recent and substantial ongoing work includes:
Arbitrations
M v L acted (lead by Paul Chaisty KC) in a substantial international commercial arbitration concerning a dispute over a hotel in Poland (ICC Rules, Zurich seat)
M v F acted (lead by Paul Chaisty at Phase I, and Richard Boulton KC (One Essex Court) at Phase II) in arbitration of section 994 Companies Act 2006 petition. Nick acted for the successful petitioning minority shareholder (LCIA Rules). Nick acted at both the liability and valuation phases.
S v F acting (lead by Andrew Grantham KC) in arbitration regarding high-value machine press. Nick is acting for the claimant party with the two-week final hearing scheduled for October 2024.
High Court litigation
Hughes v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2024] EWHC 1765 (KB)
Acting (lead by Paul Chaisty KC and alongside Rupert Bowers KC and Sam Jacobs of Doughty Street Chambers) for the Claimant in a substantial claim brought against HMRC and CPS for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office. Nick and Paul Chaisty addressed specific issues of assignment, the law of champerty and maintenance, and reflective loss on three-day strike-out and summary judgment applications.
Peter Waddell Holdco Ltd v Bluebell Cars Holding Ltd [2024] EWHC 1627 (Ch)
Acting (lead by Paul Chaisty KC) for Claimant seeking interim injunctive relief following corporate/boardroom dispute where founder-director and majority owner of a substantial car dealership was excluded from management.
Manolete v Lark & Ors – acted (lead by Andrew Grantham KC) for lead Defendants to substantial Insolvency Act claims brought against companies and directors. The claim alleged multiple Insolvency Act claims, breaches of directors’ duties, proprietary claims, restitution and unlawful means conspiracy. The case settled before trial.
Yodel Delivery Network Ltd v Magnit Global GRI Limited [2023] EWHC 3473 (Ch)
Acting (lead by Mark Harper KC) for Claimant at reverse summary judgment/strike-out application in commercial dispute. The case is ongoing and awaiting trial.
O’Brien v Phipps [2023] EWHC 1153 (Ch)
Acted for the defendant (lead by Mark Harper KC) at one-week trial to a claim alleging an entitlement to a beneficial interest in company shares.
Prince Marwaha v Entertainment One Ltd [2023] EWHC 480 (Ch)
Acted (as sole counsel) for the appellant in an appeal against a refusal to set-aside a statutory demand under Rule 10.5(5) of the Insolvency Rules 2016. The appeal raised issues as the grounds for statutory demands, as well as Henderson v Henderson-style abuse of process and compromises.
Re A Company [2021] EWHC 2289 (Ch)
Acted (as sole counsel) at the preliminary hearing of a disputed winding-up petition which considered the now-defunct but temporarily significant ‘coronavirus test’.
I v LO
Acted (as sole counsel) at three-day trial for claimant recruitment agency against a former employee for breach of pre-and post-termination clauses of an employment contract.
HB v TW
Acted (as sole counsel) at four-day trial concerning professional negligence alleged against a firm of solicitors in relation to the conduct of childcare work. Nick acted for the firm of solicitors.
Nick’s prior experience as a chartered accountant has provided him with a strong grounding and knowledge relevant to all aspects of banking and finance.
Successfully defending a major bank in a legally complex claim raising issues as to unjust enrichment for an alleged mistake of law, the CRA 2015 and UTCCR 1999 and the common law penalty doctrine
Defending financial institutions in PPI claims brought under the Consumer Credit Act 1974
Acting (led by Mark Harper KC) for the defendant in a claim for the recovery of monies leant pursuant to a loan and facility agreement. The claim was legally complex and raised issues under the CCA 1974. The claim settled shortly before trial.
Acting for consumers in claims brought against lenders for mis-sold solar panels under the CCA 1974 under the ‘linked lender’ liability provisions
Drafting proceedings in a claim valued in excess of £2m against a major bank (led by Mark Harper KC)
Advising on potential FCA authorisation issues and the provisions of the CCA 1974 in respect of informal loans between private individuals
Regularly acting directly for a major bank in retail litigation
Nick has a particular interest in company law work. Nick has recently acted for the petitioning minority shareholder in a four week arbitration of an unfair prejudice petition (led by Paul Chaisty KC). During pupillage, Nick gained significant experience (with Andrew Latimer and Mark Harper KC) of shareholder disputes, including unfair prejudice petitions, derivative actions and winding up on the just and equitable ground.
Nick has delivered a seminar (with Mark Harper KC) titled “The Limitations on the Unfair Prejudice Remedy”, which discussed the impact of the decisions in Re Hut Group Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 904 and Taylor Goodchild Ltd v Taylor & another [2021] EWCA Civ 1135
Acting for the petitioner in a four-week arbitration of s994 petition (LCIA Rules) led by Paul Chaisty KC. The petition was factually complex and raised legal issues including fiduciary duties, quasi-partnerships, minority discounts and the date of valuation for buy-out orders. Phase 1 of the trial (liability) concluded in February 2022 with Phase 2 (valuation) expected in late 2022/early 2023.
Drafting proceedings for an unfair prejudice claim involving issues of quasi-partnership, breaches of directors’ duties and unlawful reductions in shareholdings
Advising a company director in connection with potential disqualification proceedings. Following correspondence (drafted by Nick) the Insolvency Service declined to take any further action against the director
Successfully representing a company in an application under section 1096 CA 2006 to remove confidential material from the Register of Companies and providing further advice on associated companies and confidential material on the Register
Advising on a potential breach of directors’ duty/breach of confidence claim
Regular appearances in Companies Act applications including applications for rectification of the register, replacement of charges and extensions of time to deliver charges to the Registrar.
Successfully appearing for a director in proceedings under the CDDA 1996 seeking permission to act as a director for a number of companies. Nick appeared for the director at an interim and final hearing.
Advising on various aspects of Isle of Man company law in relation to the registration of charges
Commercial disputes form the core of Nick’s practice. He is experienced in all aspects of contractual disputes, including debt recovery, sale and supply of goods and services, consumer credit finance, factoring and insurance claims. As a pupil with Andrew Latimer, Nick gained particular experience of high-value breach of warranty and post-completion SPA claims.
Nick regularly advises on and represents clients in all court proceedings, including multi and fast-track trials, small claims and interlocutory hearings. Nick has advised on all aspects of civil procedure, including evidence, costs and issues relating to service out of the jurisdiction.
Acting as sole counsel for a recruitment agency in a 3-day trial against a former employee for breach of pre-and post-termination clauses of an employment contract
Acting for the petitioner in a four-week arbitration of s994 petition (LCIA Rules) led by Paul Chaisty KC. The petition was factually complex and raised legal issues including those related to fiduciary duties, quasi-partnerships, minority discounts, valuation dates and others. Phase 1 of the trial (liability) concluded in February 2022 with Phase II (valuation) expected in late 2022/early 2023
Instructed as sole counsel for the claimant in a High Court claim for breach of contract/unjust enrichment in connection with IT services provided over a number of years to an insurance company. Nick drafted the proceedings and advised on the case up to trial. The case settled favourably shortly before trial
Successfully defending a company in proceedings alleging claims under a licence agreement, various oral agreements and a damages claim in respect of commercial property. The case settled at trial after the first day after Nick’s cross-examination of the principal witness
Successfully resisting an application for pre-action disclosure in a prospective claim worth in excess of £1m
Defending equine breeders in respect of an allegedly mis-sold show pony
Nick has a broad experience of corporate and personal insolvency, including voluntary arrangements, liquidations, administrations and bankruptcy proceedings. Nick is also developing experience in directors disqualification proceedings having now successfully appeared for directors at a number of applications seeking permission to act.
Nick delivered a seminar to the Leeds Business and Property Courts Forum with Her Honour Judge Jackson and Eleanor Temple on the ‘new’ Schedule 10 of CIGA 2020 in relation to winding up petitions.
Nick is a regular contributor to the Kings Chambers Insolvency Newsletter, and has written articles on a diverse range of topics including annulment and rescission of bankruptcy orders, Re Rhino Enterprises Properties Ltd [2020] EWHC 2370 (Ch) and football finance.
Re A Company [2021] EWHC 2289 (Ch)
a preliminary hearing of a winding-up petition which considered the ‘coronavirus test’. Nick acted for the successful respondent company.
Advising a liquidator as to whether certain payments constituted a “transaction” for the purposes of s283 IA 1986
Regular appearances in the applications lists including for administration orders, applications to extend or discharge administrations and applications to make distributions to unsecured creditors
Advising a company on various matters in connection with CVA proposals
Advising a trustee-in bankruptcy on a potential transaction at an undervalue claim
Advising on and successfully appearing at a hearing to have a ‘homes rights’ notice removed from a bankrupt’s residential home
Appearing on behalf of the directors on an application for the directors to act for companies known by prohibited names under s216 IA 1986
Advising a company director in connection with potential disqualification proceedings. Following correspondence (drafted by Nick) the Insolvency Service declined to take any further action against the director
Advising a trustee-in-bankruptcy whether settlement amounts received from group litigation orders vested in the trustee-in-bankrupt
Advising a trustee-in-bankruptcy on points arising from the sale of various properties in relation to capital gains tax
Regular appearances in the winding-up lists and instructions in connection with contested winding-up petitions where debts are said to be disputed
Successfully appearing for a director in proceedings under CDDA 1996 seeking permission to act as a director for a number of companies. Nick appeared for the director at an interim and final hearing.
Assisting Eleanor Temple in a four day remote trial in relation to a misfeasance action brought by a liquidator against two directors involving a complex international corporate structure (as a pupil)
Nick’s background as an accountant and tax advisor has given him a particular interest in, and insight into, professional negligence claims particularly those against accountants/auditors.
Advising on and drafting proceedings in connection with a failed tax avoidance scheme for SDLT. The claim
Drafting proceedings against a firm of solicitors in respect of negligent residential conveyancing
Nick has experience of acting in and advising on proceedings regarding easements, forfeiture, boundary disputes, freehold valuation disputes, leasehold disputes and possession proceedings for residential tenancies and by mortgagees.
Nick has a particular experience in difficult possession claims, including cases involving common law tenancies/licences and where there are allegations of trusts in favour of the occupiers.
Successfully obtaining a possession order on behalf of an overseas national for a property let to family members. The tenants alleged ownership of the property pursuant to a historic trust arrangement. Nick advised and appeared throughout the proceedings including cross-examining multiple members of the family
Acting for a liquidator to successfully obtain possession of a residential property held in the name of a company from former directors of the company and family members. The occupiers alleged ownership of the property on various bases and sought rectification of the register.
Advising on forfeiture issues for recovering commercial property during the pandemic
Drafting proceedings (led by Mark Harper KC) in a claim seeking rectification of the register following the fraudulent transfer of high-value property to offshore companies
Appearing in FTT (Lands Chamber) proceedings challenging the reasonableness of service charge demands
Nick represented a former football player in proceedings brought against a firm of solicitors for unpaid commission on transfer fees involving the FA Regulations 2009. The case settled shortly before trial.
During pupillage, Nick observed a remitted arbitration under FA Rule K. Nick has an ongoing interest in sports disputes.
Legal 500 2025
‘Nick is technically strong, liked by judges and extremely eloquent in court.’
