John Franklin

Barrister

Date of Call: 2016

BSB Number: 67822

johnfranklin@no18chambers.com

John joined chambers as a pupil in April 2017. He previously served as an engineer in the Royal Navy where demanding roles in specialist areas such a Mine Countermeasures and boarding operations, he used his peerless capacity and motivation to work gain impressive qualifications in his spare time through the Open University. John converted to law in 2014 and his aptitude for legal argument and persuasive advocacy quickly became apparent when he was selected for three hotly contested scholarships by his Inn of Court and his training providers.

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Throughout the journey to the Bar, John volunteered extensively e.g. for the National Centre for Domestic Violence and the Free Representation Unit, where his life experience was especially valuable in interacting and reassuring traumatised clients. He also taught debating skills to children and prisoners as part of the Vocalise program. He then acquired substantial pre-pupillage experience as a solicitor’s agent and significant exposure to the County Courts on the Western and South Eastern Circuits where he was instructed in many commercial, infant approval and housing matters. Since first running his own cases from October 2017 onwards, John has built up an extensive oral practice in family and employment law, as well as continuing to appear in possession matters and disposal hearings. He regularly appears in fast-track and multi-track cases involving personal injury.


Expertise

Family: Finance

John accepts instructions for Applicant’s and Respondents and has appeared in many final hearings involving substantial assets, as well as routinely attending first directions appointments and Financial Dispute Resolution hearings. He has also appeared in final hearings under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 for financial provision for children.

He also has good experience of cross-over work including insolvency, commercial or familial intervening within proceedings. John enjoys the cut and thrust of advising and representing former marital partners in financial order proceedings and cohabitants in disputes under TOLATA and also has experience of advising family members, dependents, former marital partners and cohabitants in actions concerning the administration of estates.


Employment & Discrimination

John accepts instructions and appears for both sides all over the country in contested matters, recently appeared in complicated trials lasting up to eight days. In this field, John’s academic prowess comes and particular interest in contract law comes into its own. He also accepts instructions in employment matters in the civil courts and has a particular interest in restrictive covenant disputes.


Chancery and Commercial

John appears regularly the Western and South Eastern Circuits in mortgage repossessions, mortgage applications, private, social housing and commercial landlord and tenant disputes, trespassing matters, LPA receiver’s applications, applications for orders of sale hearings and applications in contemplation of forfeiture of a lease.

John is developing a busy commercial and chancery practice with a strong emphasis on commercial litigation, contentious trusts and probate (onshore and offshore), company and insolvency.  John has acted for a range of clients, including trustees, insolvency practitioners, national and international companies.  Recent instructions include advising on equitable accounting in relation to revenue from an overseas asset. He regularly advises both in conference and in writing in diverse matters ranging from applications to set aside wills to rights of way to the enforceability of contracts.


Commercial Chancery

John has represented clients in a broad range of commercial disputes at both interim and contested stages and advised extensively. Recent instructions include advising on the enforceability of a joint venture agreement and whether the agreement fell foul of the FSMA 2000 and RAO.


Company Law

John is well placed to advise in all aspects of Company law and has advised and attended court in a wide range of disputes including disputes over the existence of shadow directors and wrongful trading.


Contractual disputes

John has appeared in complex contractual disputes and advised in diverse matters including disputes over option agreements, unpaid royalties and the enforceability of agreements challenged as having resulted from duress or undue influence.


Insolvency and liquidation

As well as appearing in a great many personal insolvency matters, John has advised on corporate insolvency matters and has a particularly keen interest in international insolvency law.


Professional Negligence

John advises regularly in this area and has attended multi-track hearings involving medical negligence as well as extensively dealing with more general matters of negligence.


Qualifications

  • 2016-18: The University of Law, Guildford – MSc in Law and Business (Distinction)
  • 2015-16: The University of Law, London - BPTC (Very Competent).
  • 2014-15: The University of Law, Guildford - GDL (Distinction).
  • 2013-14: Wessex Business School - BTEC Level 5 in Management

Membership

  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Employment Bar Association
  • Professional Negligence Bar Association
  • Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (Incorporated Engineer)

Languages

  • French
  • Russian
  • Spanish

Awards

  • Law First Scholarship, the University of Law (2013)
  • Exhibitioner, Inner Temple (2014)
  • Advocacy Scholarship, the University of Law (2015)

Publications / Seminars

  • Fundamental Dishonesty – Hampshire Law Society Civil Litigation Seminar 2018
  • Settlement and Part 36 Offers - Hampshire Law Society Civil Litigation Seminar 2019
  • Whistleblowing. Causation and Detriment - Employment Seminar January 2020
  • John is actively engaged with the editing of Tollers Employment law

No 18 Chambers Seminars

Personal Info

John is a keen musician playing the piano and guitar and drums. He enjoys reading and relaxing with family. Like many people he enjoys physical exercise and, in addition to his gym work, he regularly attends Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes and plays cricket. He enjoys travelling and learning languages.

What others say

I personally want to thank you once again for representing myself in the above court hearing and it was my pleasure to meet a good guy who really cares about your case. I cannot express enough words of appreciation and had to admire your professionalism of the Law as well as your articulate manner of getting the evidence across. I would not hesitate in recommending your services to anybody that needed a professional barrister and wish you continuing success in your career.

(lay client, September 2018)

I think your absolutely great at your job.

(lay client, March 2020)

John has proven time and time again that he knows exactly what the instructing solicitor requires. He manages both the Client and those instructing in a clear and concise way. I would have no hesitation in recommending John to you.

(Michael J Coyle | Solicitor Advocate and founder of Lawdit Solicitors)

John is consistently praised by instructing solicitors and lay clients alike for his professional, pragmatic and persuasive approach that instills confidence.

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