EXPERTISE

Business & Property

Abigail's practice encompasses the full spectrum of business and property disputes. Abigail is routinely instructed to provide advice, prepare statements of case and to represent her clients at trial. Abigail has a keen interest in cases which concern duress, undue influence and unconscionable bargains.

Abigail has gained particular experience in property disputes and regularly represents parties in the High Court, First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and County Court. Her expertise has developed in matters concerning real property including ownership, boundary, possession, easement and trespass disputes. Abigail has gained further experience in contentious probate and commercial landlord and tenant matters.

Abigail’s recent cases include:

  • Papiss Demba Cisse v Sandra Diene & Madou Diene [2024] EWHC 1717 (Ch) led by Simon Goldberg K.C. to represent a former footballer in a claim concerning undue influence against his former agent.
  • Representing clients in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and County Court in disputes relating to property boundaries and interferences with easements.
  • Representing her company client at a breach of contract trial successfully to recover damages of £36,000 and costs.
  • Drafting a statement of case and advising a company client in a claim concerning undue influence and unjust enrichment.
  • Defending an appeal against an Improvement Notice at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
  • Representing a beneficiary of an estate at trial to prove misappropriation of funds by the estate administrator.
  • Representing a company client in a contested stakeholder application in the High Court.
  • Representing her client in several hearings at the High Court to obtain interim and final freezing injunctions.

Housing

Abigail accepts instructions in all housing matters. Abigail has developed her practice by providing specialist representation for landlords in housing disputes. Abigail is regularly instructed to provide tactical advice, prepare statements of case and to represent her clients at trial. Abigail has delivered training to practitioners across the North Eastern Circuit, predominantly focused on the public sector equality duty in the Equality Act 2010.

Abigail’s recent cases include:

  • Representing her client to obtain summary judgment of a claim relying on the Equality Act 2010, Human Rights Act 1998 and the Data Protection Act 2018, which disclosed no real prospect of success.
  • Assisting local authority and housing association clients from the pre-action stage until representation at trial to obtain dismissals of cases with costs in disrepair and possession Fast Track trials.
  • Representing a local authority to obtain an Unless Order requiring a tenant to amend its statement of case following a failure to comply with CPR 16.4(1)(a). 

APPOINTMENTS

  • Equality & Human Rights Commission Panel of Counsel for England & Wales (2024 - 2028)

EDUCATION

  • BPP University, BPTC (Very Competent)
  • The University of Manchester, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (First Class Honours)

AWARDS

  • The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, Sir Robert Micklethwait Major Scholarship (2018)
  • BPP University, Advocacy Scholarship (2018)
  • The University of Manchester, Year Prize in Family Law (2018)

Clerking team

Steve Walker

Lead Civil Clerk

|
0191 245 9589

Civil & Criminal Silks' Clerk

|
0113 3235 955

Civil Clerk

|
0191 245 9556

Direct Access Clerk

|
01642 247 569

Clerk

|
01642 247 569
  • "Abigail is a fearless advocate in the courtroom, with the ability to think of effective counter arguments whilst on her feet. She maintains an excellent rapport with vulnerable clients"

    Legal 500 2024

  • Papiss Demba Cisse v Sandra Diene & Madou Diene [2024] EWHC 1717 (Ch)
    Led by Simon Goldberg K.C., Abigail represented the former Newcastle United football player in proceedings where the Manchester High Court set aside a Declaration of Trust which had provided sole beneficial ownership of two properties to Mr Cissé’s former agent on the basis of undue influence. The Second Defendant was ordered to provide an account of all transactions made from Mr Cissé’s bank accounts whilst acting as his agent due to his wilful default. The Defendants were further ordered to provide an account of rent and profits obtained from renting out a property, which the Court found to be owned by Mr Cissé.

Loading...