Dr Liam Wells

**Appointments:** Cambridge University Press Managing Editor (2020-2022). Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam: Promovendus (2017-2022) University of California, Berkeley: Visiting Research Scholar (2016) Middle Temple: Harmsworth Scholar (2011) Merton College, University of Oxford: Postmaster (2011) **Education:** University of Oxford - MA Jurisprudence, 2011 King’s College London, LLM International Business Law, 2015 Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, LLM Law and Economics, 2016 Universität Hamburg, PhD in Law, 2024 Università di Bologna, PhD in Economics, 2025 **Areas of Practice:** 1\.      Defamation 2\.      Public Law, Local Government, and Judicial Review 3\.      Property Law 4\.      Planning and Environmental Law  5\.      Commercial and Financial Law 6\.      Insolvency 7\.      Civil Litigation 8\.      Housing Law 9\.      Family Law **Defamation:** Liam’s defamation practice has grown significantly over the past year. He has appeared in several reported cases, including Smith and another v Copestake \[2026\] EWHC 924 (KB)\* before Susie Alegre DHCJ. The case concerned the operation of section 12 of the Human Rights Act 1998 where an interim injunction preventing publication is sought as an harassment injunction under the 1997 Act. Another significant case is Picker v TEW \[2026\] EWHC 1331 (KB)\*\*, in which Mrs Justice Steyn DBE dismissed the Claimant’s application to strike out the Defendant’s truth defence in a libel claim arising from emails alleging sexual assault. Liam acted for the Claimant in both cases. His advocacy has been described as “fastidious and persuasive”, with reviewers noting his firm command of the facts and voluminous papers, as well as his ability to develop procedural arguments others might overlook. Liam is available to advise, draft and represent clients in courts at all levels. He is frequently instructed by solicitors and local authorities, as well as on a direct access basis, in defamation matters. Instructions can be accepted at short notice. The 2027 Defamation and Privacy Rankings can be found here: Other defamation cases: Joseph v Micallef May v Thudawatta & Anor **Public Law, Local Government, and Judicial Review** Judicial review: housing, planning and adult social care. Equality Act and Human Rights claims/defences. Social housing possession proceedings and appeals. Benefits decisions. Business rates decisions. Recent cases: R (oao X) v LB Wandsworth\* (July 2025) \*[Permission for Judicial Review Refused in R (on the application of X, by his Litigation Friend Y) v London Borough of Wandsworth - Fraser Chambers](https://fraserchambers.com/permission-for-judicial-review-refused/) Judicial review: challenges to the decisions of both local and national government (High Court and Court of Appeal). Human Rights, Equality Act, Public Sector Equality Duty, Natural Justice. Pre-action letters. Settling statements of facts and grounds.\ Statutory appeals to High Court (King’s Bench Division): planning decisions, professional regulatory proceedings. Recent cases: R (oao Dugasse) v SoS Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office\* (December 2024) \*[High Court refuses Chagos Islander permission to seek Judicial Review of Foreign Secretary’s decision to open negotiations with Mauritius - Fraser Chambers](https://fraserchambers.com/high-court-refuses-chagos-islander-permission/) [Lewis v The Bar Standards Board \[2024\] EWHC 2883 (Admin)](https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2024/2883.html&query=\(.2024.\)+AND+\(EWHC\)+AND+\(2883\)+AND+\(\(Admin\)\))\* (5 November 2024) \*BAILII **Property Law** Freezing and proprietary injunctions (High Court/Chancery). Defending/seeking claims for tracing in equity. Property claims linked to planning disputes. Cryptocurrency fraud and blockchain evidence. Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. Charity proceedings.\ Matrimonial property and mortgage disputes.\ Partnership and company disputes related to property.\ Commercial landlord and tenant. Private residential landlord and tenant. Recent cases: Joy v (1) Central Young Men’s Christian Association and (2) Criterion Capital Ltd.\* (January 2025) **Planning and Environmental:** Planning inquiries - residential developments, wind turbines, protection of heritage assets. Representation for interested parties at full inquiries across the country.\ Statutory appeals (High Court) and Judicial Review proceedings (Planning Court, King’s Bench Division). **Insolvency:** Statutory demands and applications to set aside. Bankruptcy petitions. Corporate and individual insolvency. JOLs of Aubit International (in liquidation) v ATS Holdings **Commercial and Financial Law:** Commercial loan disputes. Contacts of sale/supply of goods and services. Fast-track and multi-track trials County Court/High Court. Interim proceedings, including costs management. Recent cases: Badrikohi v Ariefan (July 2025) Jamarani v 3 Dot Food Ltd and Anor. **Civil Litigation** General civil proceedings in the County Courts and High Court including costs litigation. Recent cases: Fitzmaurice House Ltd t/a the Lansdowne Club v Yi Shaun Mok (April 2025) 4 Martlett Court Ltd. v Rahima Ebrahim\* (August 2025) National Parking Enforcement td v Mirzakhanian\* (July 2025) **Housing:** Social housing: possession proceedings and appeals, Equality Act, Human Rights. Significant cases: Poplar Housing & Regeneration Community Association Ltd v Begum & Ors \[2017\] EWHC 2040 (QB) BAILII **Family:** Financial remedy applications - full service from advice on application to final hearing. Interim steps including applications for specific disclosure. Financial remedies following overseas divorce (Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984).\ Private Law children: child arrangements orders, prohibited steps orders. Applications for parental orders under s54A of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 following international surrogacy. \ Contempt proceedings related to breach of family court orders.