Thomas Bell

Call:2006

Introduction and Contact details

Tom became a tenant in October 2007 following his successful completion of pupillage in Chambers.  Details of specific areas of expertise and interest are set out below.

Tel:    020 7242 2523 (switchboard)
Fax:   020 7691 1234

Email: thomas.bell@hardwicke.co.uk

COMMERCIAL

Contracts lie at the heart of Tom's practice, and he is regularly instructed in a variety of contractual disputes.  Specialist areas include : construction and engineering; sales of goods, hire purchase and asset finance (including consumer credit); franchising; banking (especially mortgages); debt factoring and debt recovery; agency; and professional negligence.

Banking, Finance & Credit

Tom is regularly instructed on behalf of banks and finance houses.  Early on in his practice he was kept busy by the OFT ‘bank charges’ litigation.  Recent cases have included defending a claim for repayment of a mortgage early redemption charge.

Construction & Engineering

Tom has a growing construction and engineering practice.  His practice ranges from TCC claims, such as the well-publicised Bath Spa litigation and recently a multi-party dispute involving a defective HVAC installation, to county court claims involving domestic construction disputes.  He has also been involved in a $100 million insurance arbitration arising from hurricane damage to various aspects of a construction project.

Franchising

Tom has experience from pupillage in franchising disputes.  Recently, he has been instructed in relation to a High Court IP dispute involving aspects of franchising.

Professional Negligence

Tom has experience in a variety of professional negligence disputes.  Of particular interest are lenders' claims against solicitors and surveyors in relation to mortgage transactions, experience of which he gained during a secondment with DLA Piper UK LLP.

INSURANCE & REINSURANCE

Tom has a growing general insurance practice, acting both as junior and in his own right.  Recent work has included a $100 million arbitration involving a claim under a CAR policy; claims involving coverage issues under motor vehicle policies; acting for an insurer that rejected cover under a life assurance product, and against related allegations that the product had been missold; and successfully applying for summary judgment in favour of a major insurer in a claim for recoupment of commission paid to a broker.

Construction & Engineering

Tom's construction and engineering practice often involves acting for insurers in subrogated defences of negligence claims.  He has also gained experience in policy issues from his involvement in an arbitration in respect of a CAR policy arising from hurricane damage to a major construction project.

Professional Indemnity

Tom is familiar with coverage issues arising from professional negligence claims.