George Eyre

Areas of expertise

• Commercial dispute resolution

  Commercial dispute resolution

  George has a strong general commercial practice, and regularly represents clients in disputes concerning the supply of goods and services, civil fraud, misrepresentation, commercial agency, professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, joint ventures, sports and policies of insurance.

  His recent work has included:

  • A multi-million pound claim concerning an alleged unlawful means conspiracy relating to the sale of a large property in London (with Max Mallin QC of Wilberforce Chambers).
  • A c. £5 million dispute concerning director’s misfeasance, breaches of fiduciary duty and professional negligence arising from a large construction project (with Joshua Crow, One Essex Court).
  • Contractual disputes arising from the commercial sports industry (as sole counsel), including representing a football club in a dispute arising from a sponsorship agreement, a dispute arising from a football apprenticeship programme and a dispute arising from the provision of training facilities to a football academy.
  • Representing the Defendant in High Court proceedings alleging the misuse of confidential information (as sole counsel).
  • Acting (with David Lewis QC) for a major healthcare company in a dispute worth approximately £300 million arising from breaches of a joint venture agreement.
  • Appearing successfully (as sole counsel) in Mansion Place Limited v Fox Industrial Services Limited [2021] EWHC 2747 (TCC), the leading authority on the proper application of Practice Direction 57AC for trial witness statements in the Business and Property Courts.
  • A c. £2 million dispute concerning contractual indemnities, double insurance, co-insurance and conflict of laws (with Nigel Jones QC).
  • Successfully representing a national energy provider in a two-day Multi Track trial concerning the allegations of repudiatory breach of contract and economic duress. George’s client succeeded on every aspect of its case and obtained an indemnity costs order.
  • A dispute arising from the alleged professional negligence of an accountancy firm concerning Research and Development tax relief.
  • A c. $40 million international arbitration concerning the operation of a policy of Construction All Risks Insurance (with Paul Reed QC).
  • As sole counsel, advising in a multi-million pound contractual dispute in relation to insurance obligations arising from the prolongation of a major infrastructure project.
  • A dispute concerning allegations of misrepresentation in relation to a fraud perpetrated on an investment bank acting as financer for the hire-purchase of several items of commercial machinery, heard at a five-day trial (with David Lewis QC).
  • A shipping dispute concerning the validity of port service charges against an international shipping company, involving UK and EU shipping and competition legislation (with David Lewis QC).
• Construction & engineering

  Construction & engineering

  George has a busy domestic and international construction practice and is regularly instructed by individuals, commercial clients and their insurers to advise, assist with adjudication proceedings, prepare pleadings, and to appear in construction disputes.

  George’s work in this area involves a wide range of specialist construction issues, including those arising from standard form and bespoke construction contracts, the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended), and the liability of construction professionals. He has particular expertise in cases involving property damage and where complex insurance issues are involved.

  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 concentrated on specialist construction issues in the context of a high-value Design and Build construction project and has involved analysis of a wide range of standard form and bespoke construction contracts, the Building Regulations and other statutory duties, and the liability of professional consultants.

  George’s other recent work has included:

  • As sole counsel, a c. £3 million dispute concerning a residential development with substantial fire safety defects, involving complex issues of limitation, duties of care, and professional negligence.
  • Appearing successfully (as sole counsel) in Mansion Place Limited v Fox Industrial Services Limited [2021] EWHC 2747 (TCC), the leading authority on the proper application of Practice Direction 57AC for trial witness statements in the Business and Property Courts.
  • A c. $40 million international arbitration concerning the operation of a policy of Construction All Risks Insurance (with Paul Reed QC).
  • A c. £5 million dispute concerning director’s misfeasance, breaches of fiduciary duty and professional negligence arising from a large construction project (with Joshua Crow, One Essex Court).
  • As sole counsel, advising in a multi-million pound contractual dispute in relation to insurance obligations arising from the prolongation of a major infrastructure project.
  • As junior counsel, a multi-billion dollar international arbitration arising from a large infrastructure project in the Middle East.
  • As sole counsel, acting in six-figure adjudication proceedings relating to the defective construction of a specialist care facility for severely disabled young adults.
  • Representing the successful Responding Party to multi-million pound Adjudication proceedings concerning the development of student accommodation (with Michael Wheater).
  • A c. £3 million dispute arising from the development of a luxury hotel and tourist attraction in Cornwall (with David Pliener)
  • A c. £1 million dispute arising from a large oil spill at an NHS hospital (with David Pliener).
• 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 is has extensive experience of claims concerning the obligations owed in connection with the design of external facades, including the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations. He is frequently instructed by insurers, property owners, construction professionals and residents to provide advice and representation in cladding claims.

  George’s other recent work has included:

  • A c. £5 million dispute concerning the professional negligence of the project manager of a large construction project (with Joshua Crow, One Essex Court).
  • As sole counsel, a dispute arising from the alleged professional negligence of an accountancy firm concerning Research and Development tax relief.
  • 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 routinely handles complex domestic and international insurance disputes, and is regularly instructed by insurers and clients in disputes relating to coverage, professional indemnity and ATE insurance.

  His recent work has included:

  • A c. $40 million international arbitration concerning the operation of a policy of Construction All Risks Insurance (with Paul Reed QC).
  • A c. £2 million international insurance dispute concerning the overlapping issues of contractual indemnities, double insurance, co-insurance and conflict of laws (with Nigel Jones QC).
  • As sole counsel, advising insurers in a c.£1 million construction dispute arising from the development of a property in Hampstead, involving the alleged professional negligence of several specialist designers.
  • As sole counsel, advising in a coverage dispute concerning widespread construction defects in a large residential development in West London.
  • Advising ATE insurers in a c. £20 million professional negligence dispute arising from the defective design and/or installation of an alarm system at a commercial premises that was destroyed by fire (with Catherine Piercy).
  • 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 significantly delayed.
  • Representing the insurers of the managing agent of a block of student accommodation in a contractual claim.