George Eyre

Areas of expertise

• Commercial litigation

  Commercial litigation

  George is building a broad commercial practice and has experience of acting, pleading and advising in commercial matters. His recent work has included:

  • Representing the Claimant in a two-day Multi-Track trial concerning a contractual dispute involving the provision of services by a specialist IT consultant. The matter settled on the eve of trial and George was successful in obtaining an order for indemnity costs consequent on the Defendant’s conduct.
  • Advising and appearing in commercial disputes involving jurisdictional issues, including applications under CPR part 11 and the enforcement of foreign judgments.
  • Advising a telecoms provider on its entitlement to payment from a major high-street retailer after the alleged wrongful termination of its supply agreement.
  • Acting successfully at trial for a Defendant company arguing that the sums claimed pursuant to contract were penal and unenforceable.
  • Regularly drafting pleadings in commercial matters including breach of contract, bailment, conversion, and agency.
  • Acting successfully for a real estate company in an application to strike out a claim against it for breach of contract.

  During pupillage, George gained experience in a wide range of commercial matters, including:

  • A jurisdictional challenge in a claim for breach of contract brought against the subsidiary of one of the world’s largest retailers;
  • A claim against a high street clothes retailer on its rights of set-off and the title to its debts in a claim made against it by a clothing manufacturer;
  • A claim for payment of commission for facilitating the transfer of two multi-billion dollar private equity portfolios;
  • Advising on the interpretation of contracts for the supply of marketing materials to a large marketing agency;
  • Franchising matters, including issues of breach of contract, derogation from grant, restrictive covenants, and misuse of confidential information.
• Construction & engineering

  Construction & engineering

  George accepts instructions across the scope of construction disputes and is regularly instructed to advise, assist with adjudication proceedings, prepare pleadings, and to appear in construction litigation. His recent work has included:

  • Assisting (led by Michael Wheater) the successful Responding Party to multi-million pound Adjudication proceedings concerning the development of student accommodation.
  • Advising (as sole counsel) the main contractor to a major infrastructure project on multi-million pound losses arising from the delay to that project.
  • Drafting various proceedings relating to defects in construction projects.
  • Advising an energy company on claims arising from damage to its infrastructure during works to implement a large government-funded project.
  • Advising on claims arising from the alleged wrongful termination of contracts governing connected residential housing developments across England.
  • Assisting in adjudications with issues concerning payment, professional negligence, and wrongful termination.

  During pupillage, George gained a broad experience in construction matters, and assisted his supervisors in substantial and complex construction disputes, including:

  • A contractual claim in a large PFI project in North West England;
  • Preparing for a four-week trial in the TCC concerning the negligence of architects and contractors in the construction of a multi-million-pound residential build in central London;
  • A multi-million-pound claim concerning a defective floor slab in the premises of a major supermarket;
  • A multi-million-pound claim concerning the collapse of a London church and community centre;
  • A claim against an architect for the defective design of the roof of a large new-build property;
  • A claim concerning damage caused by the allegedly defective construction of a new runway at an international airport.
• Professional negligence

  Professional negligence

  George’s work regularly concerns the liability of professionals in the provision of services in the legal, financial and construction industries, in isolation or as part of broader disputes.

  Since October 2018, alongside his regular practice, George has been instructed as junior counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the independent public inquiry established to investigate the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017. George’s work has included issues relating to the liability of professional consultants across several disciplines in the construction industry.

  George’s other recent work has included:

  • A dispute relating to the liability of a large trade association in the context of its recommendation of its member bodies for specialist construction work.
  • A dispute arising from the services provided by a design consultant in relation to the refurbishment of a large commercial premises in a City of London property.
  • Appeal proceedings in relation to a claim against conveyancing solicitors concerning their failure to obtain relief from Stamp Duty Land Tax in the purchase of a residential property.
  • Adjudication proceedings concerning the liability of design consultants in relation to the construction of several luxury properties in London.
• Insurance

  Insurance

  George’s commercial, construction and professional liability practice routinely involves insurance issues and George is regularly instructed in disputes in which one or both parties are insurers or funded by insurance.

  George’s recent insurance work has included:

  • A multi-million dollar coverage dispute relating to damage to a processing plant (with Paul Reed QC).
  • A dispute involving coverage and brokering issues in the provision of insurance-backed guarantees for works to refurbish the roofs of two Central London properties.
  • As sole counsel, advising in a multi-million pound dispute concerning insurance obligations arising under the Construction All Risks policy in respect a major infrastructure project that was the subject of significant delay.
  • Representing the insurers of the managing agent of a block of student accommodation in a contractual claim.