Jeff Hardman

Jeff Hardman is a seasoned trial advocate and litigator. He has been a barrister for more than 10 years and is recommended by the legal directories as “a relentless litigator and generally unflappable in the courtroom, assertive in his submissions and a skilled cross-examiner” (Legal 500, 2023).

Jeff’s practice covers a wide range of both personal and corporate insolvency matters, acting on behalf of officeholders, debtors, creditors, companies, directors and insolvency practitioners (IPs). He provides robust and pragmatic advice and is known for providing focused advocacy on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious Insolvency Law and procedure.

Typically, Jeff acts in claims relating to the recovery of assets for the insolvent estate, such as TUV claims, preferences, misfeasance claims. He advises on all types of applications made within insolvency proceedings or other matters such as applications for administration order, to set aside statutory demands, to restrain winding up petitions or to restrain advertisement of petitions.

A selection of recent cases, reported decisions, and interesting articles are set out below:

Media

Decisions

Articles

Podcast

My approach

Whilst Jeff is happy to operate as a ‘traditional barrister’ by receiving instructions and providing advice when required, he works best when operating as part of a committed legal team. Jeff thrives in the cut and thrust of litigation and has previously been described as “A sharp and tenacious junior with real nous” (Legal 500 2020) and “intelligent and persuasive” (Legal 500, 2021).

Jeff has a strong reputation for being a very hard working and accessible barrister. He has a loyal client base, many of whom continue to instruct him since pupillage. He is frequently sought out for his advice on injunctive relief, security for costs, pre-action disclosure, litigation funding, investigation options for suspected fraudulent activity, third-party costs orders, beddoe applications, and for his views on litigation strategy generally, including negotiated settlements or other out-of-court resolutions. He routinely advises clients in planning how to respond, and in responding, to crises and other significant legal problems that attract the media spotlight.

Jeff is a ‘modern barrister’ who recognises that clients often instruct counsel at times when they feel most vulnerable. As such, a good litigator can help court users through the legal process and advocate on their behalf. Often it is best for all parties to settle the dispute quickly and privately, to reduce cost and stress. Prior to the Bar, Jeff worked for a law firm in the Caribbean before joining a start-up in London developing a music streaming ‘app’ funded by Gazprom Media.

My work

A selection of Jeff’s current and recent case history is set out below.

Soni v Uplands Care Centre Limited & MGV Capital Ltd (2023)
High Court, Business & Property

Jeff represents the Petitioner who has presented an unfair prejudice petition, which includes an alternative remedy to wind-up the company. Factually complex case where it is alleged that the Petitioner has been excluded from the participation in the management on the Company, being a breach of parties’ fundamental understanding (i.e. a quasi-partnership). Moving towards trial in 2023/24.

Dressel v Ferreira (2023)
High Court, Business & Property

Jeff represented the majority shareholder and Respondent to an unfair prejudice petition which involved a company and subsidiaries worth several millions of pounds. Another factually complex case where the Petitioner claimed to have been excluded from the participation in the management of the Company, being a breach of the quasi-partnership and/or shareholders’ agreement. A 12 day trial was listed for 2024, but settled on favourable terms to Jeff's client in 2024.

Short v Chadda (2023)
High Court, Business & Property

The Trustees in Bankruptcy  brought a claim seeking replenishment of the bankrupt’s estate in respect of seven (7) impugned property transactions purchased in the name of the bankrupt’s family members. Jeff represented the family, who resisted any declaration that the properties are held on trust for the bankrupt.Settled outside of court.

Green v Byrne (2023)
High Court, Business & Property
Chief ICC Judge Briggs (6-day trial)

This dispute concerned substantial teak plantations in Brazil owned by a UK based company. The Company was wound up by a timber purchaser for a modest debt. A substantial claim was brought by the liquidator against the former directors seeking to recover preference payments, transactions made at an undervalue and damages owing to alleged misfeasance. On day 1 of trial, the entire claim was dismissed by consent, with no order as to costs. An excellent result for the former directors and all parties previously connected with the Company.

A v S (2022)
Mrs Justice Smith
High Court, Business & Property

The Defendant was a director of a property development company which went into liquidation. The Claimant sued for recovery of £1.8m owing to breach of his fiduciary duties as a director. The Claimant then issued an application for a world-wide freezing injunction for £1.8m. Jeff was instructed by the defendant, who prepared the defence and attended the hearing of the freezing injunction. Successfully resisted a world-wide freezing injunction, and limited the assets frozen to £700,000. Thereafter, the case settled on favourable terms. This was considered to be a successful outcome for the Defendant.

Boulton v Queen Margaret’s School [2018] EWHC 3729 (Ch)
High Court, Business & Property Courts
Mr Justice Arnold

Although the Respondent was ultimately unsuccessful, Mr Justice Arnold described Jeff Hardman’s argument as ‘ingenious’ (para. 26). The case has since been cited in the definitive practitioner’s text, Sealy & Milman: Annotated Guide to the Insolvency Legislation 21st Ed. – 2018, (271 Proceedings on creditor’s petition) and New Law Journal N.L.J. 2019, 169(7823), 18

About me

Jeff Hardman is a seasoned trial advocate and litigator. He has been a barrister for more than 10 years and is recommended by the legal directories as “a relentless litigator and generally unflappable in the courtroom, assertive in his submissions and a skilled cross-examiner” (Legal 500, 2023).

Jeff is a member of New Square Chambers which is a leading set of commercial chancery barristers based in Lincoln’s Inn, London. New Square Chambers has 43 members, including five King’s Counsel, and offers expertise and experience in a broad range of commercial and chancery work. Jeff has a very busy modern chancery practice, which includes extensive experience specialising in Personal Insolvency.

What my clients say

“Jeff is gifted at getting to grips with an issue quickly and finding appropriate, pragmatic and, where relevant, commercial solutions. He is a relentless litigator and generally unflappable in the courtroom, assertive in his submissions and a skilled cross-examiner.”

Legal 500 2023

“Approachable and down to earth, responsive and accommodating, knowledgeable and analytical. No nonsense approach.”

Legal 500 2022

“Intelligent and persuasive, he knows how to win a case and goes the extra mile.”

Legal 500 2021

“This was a great team effort and my thanks go to barrister Jeff Hardman from New Square Chambers and to the Dispute Resolution Team, who made possible this success in the Central London County Court.”

Nicole Hirst, Buckles Law https://www.buckles-law.co.uk/case_studies/buckles-client-wins-bloody-cow-row-case/

Professional & academic

  • 2007 – BA (Hons) Durham
  • 2010 – GDL (College of Law)
  • 2011 – BPTC (College of Law)

 

Specialisations
Locations
  • All Locations
  • London
  • Surrey