Patrick Taylor

The law of Agent and Principal frequently arises in commercial disputes that Patrick handles as a lawyer. He has considerable experience in the pervasive law of agent and principal (for example, in the context of partnership) and also representing agents and principals in disputes during or at the conclusion of an agency relationship.

•  Agent entitlements under the Commercial Agent's Regulations.

•  Disputes between Agents and Principal involving arbitration clauses, applicable law and jurisdiction difficulties.

•  Claims for relief under the Commercial Agents regulations involving an agent and his principal based overseas.

•  Claim by Agent for commission based upon chartering specialist sea going working vessel.

•  Claims for “finders fees” by land agents.

•  Claim by Agent for damages and compensation following premature determination of oral agency agreement.

•  Significant claim for damages for defamation against a professional organisation.

Patrick is a qualified pilot (UK CAA) and has an interest in aviation cases, particularly general aviation. He has acted for airlines in connection with aircraft purchase agreements. He has also acted in claims defending the seller of an aircraft in allegations of engine defects and issues concerning repairers’ lien in the insolvency context. He has acted in a number of disputes relating to work undertaken by licensed engineers upon privately owned aircraft.

•  Patrick has acted in many cases involving consumer credit claims and commercial lending.

•  Monies due under commercial finance agreement.

•  Three party dispute involving advice by an IFA as to an unregulated scheme and liability of the network for acts of the IFA.

•  Claim by finance company against motor dealership for release of commercial vehicle to wrong customer and subsequent recovery of losses (settled in half a day).

•  High value dispute between parties based in MENA and India relating to investment and loans over a prolonged period and litigated in various jurisdictions.

•  Breakdown of joint venture for manufacturing.

•  Monies due for artistic work.

•  Commercial Finance.

•  Joint Venture Breakdown.

•  Commercial Vehicle finance and liability of supplier for losses of creditor for mistake in delivery of vehicle.

•  Dispute over the sale of a houseboat including allegations of misrepresentation.

•  Agreement over unpaid fees by academic for research project.

•  Dispute over unpaid charges for telecoms contract partly arising from fraudulent use by unknown third party.

•  Dispute between national parcel carrier and courier under a services agreement.

•  Dispute between pig farmer and international pig supplier under a growing agreement.

•  Dispute arising from a contract to fabricate steel for application in railway sector.

Patrick has over 30 years’ experience of litigating building and construction disputes for contractors and employers including claims for monies arising under contracts, loss and expense, prolongation and damages.

•  Disputes as to monies due under both commercial building contracts between

Employer and Main Contractor – Main Contractor and Sub-Contractor involving valuation of works done and also defective work.

•  Disputes between residential property owner and contractors.

•  Dispute as to Renovation and project management of a former Chapel.

•  Claim by plasterer for unpaid retention monies on various contracts.

•  Unpaid builder claims / mixed with cross claims for defective work.

•  Multi-party dispute between architects, lessee and two separate construction companies following flood to industrial units involving insurance issues and allegations of defective design.

•  Enforcement of restrictive covenants in employment contract.

•  Claim by former employer against former employee in niche market for damages following alleged use of confidential information post termination and breach of post termination covenants.

Insurance: Patrick represents claimants facing rejection of claims under policies of insurance and has experience of claims arising from total loss and business interruption across all sectors.

Patrick has acted on a number of claims against Insurance Brokers for breach of duty – often associated with claims under the Policy.

•  Company Shareholder Disputes.

•  Partnerships (esp. Professional partnerships) Patrick is a former Panel Member of the Solicitors Assistance Scheme.

•  Dispute between former partners of a GP practice following departure of one of the partners.

 •  Claims against Solicitors, Accountants, Tax Advisors, agronomists, Insurance brokers, IFA’s.

•  Acting for numerous private individuals and businesses in bringing claims against their professional advisors to recover losses as a result of negligence. Patrick has worked on claims against solicitors, barristers, insurance brokers, agronomists, accountants, and architects.

•  Three party dispute involving advice by an IFA as to an unregulated scheme and liability of the network for the IFA.

•  Architects’ Fees dispute.

•  Claim for unpaid fees by agronomist and counterclaim by farmer for damages for failure to adequately control black grass in wheat crop.

•  Claim for damages following negligent agronomy services causing inadequate crop growth and serious black grass infestation.

• Commission due to selling agents under Commercial Agents Regulations and by “finders”.

• Compensation following compulsory purchase.

• Multiple TLATA claims, particularly following the breakdown of cohabiting couples.

• Property disputes including Party Wall Act provisions and Access to Neighbouring Land Act.

• Adverse possession and interpretation of title.

Patrick has mediated many cases involving the financial issues following death including claims under the Inheritance Act, validity of wills, trusts and associated estoppel type claims.

•  Substantive and long-standing Will Trust case concerning agricultural property.

The dispute had been running for many years. Settled following a lengthy mediation including attendance by Land Agents.

Patrick frequently mediates disputes where the beneficial interests in property are in dispute, either as a result of the original transfer alleged to fail to correctly record the parties intentions and/or because of a party acquiring an interest through conduct.