Direct Access Barrister
Jacob Gifford Head
Direct Access Barrister
Jacob Gifford Head
I am an experienced barrister who has represented clients without solicitors for many years, both on my own and as part of a team with other barristers.
I particularly welcomes cases that are factually or legally complex and which require the creative use of law to resolve.
Most of my direct access work involves representing clients in court but I also provide advice in respect of non-contentious matters and representation in alternative dispute resolution processes such as arbitration or mediation.
My strengths are providing clear, practical advice to individuals and companies together with fearless advocacy in court.
For further details beyond this brief summary, please see my website: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk.
Please note: it is difficult for me to respond to enquires directly through the Direct Access Portal, so I would be grateful if you contact me via. my clerks. Their contact details are: [email protected] / +44(0)2074047000.
Area of Law
Chancery
I carry out a full range of Chancery work with a particular emphasis on “Traditional Chancery” and property.
My most frequent instructions are in respect of disputes about ownership of Property, particularly under TOLATA, but also boundary disputes and related issues.
Will and probate disputes can touch on many areas, from simple questions of interpretation of wills to allegations of dishonesty and theft.
I have experience of corporate insolvency and personal bankruptcy from straight-forward applications to more unusual matters such as examinations under the Insolvency Act.
Finally, I welcome instructions, particularly advisory, as to questions of company law, including the incorporation and dissolution of limited companies and other bodies corporate.
Family
I have represented clients in almost every area of Family Law, although most of direct access clients seek help with their financial remedy proceedings or “private law” disputes about children (i.e. disputes between parents).
Financial Remedies
I have represented numerous clients in their applications for financial remedy from high- to low-value and from simple to complex. Clients appreciate my willingness to give clear and practical advice. My cases have included almost every conceivable area of dispute including third-party ownership, fraud, international assets and substantial familial trust funds.
I also have experience of the rarer financial remedy applications, such as those under Schedule 1, Children Act 1989 and s.17 Married Women’s Property Act 1882 as well as those cases with overlap with civil disputes.
Children
I have significant experience in private law children cases, ranging from ‘straight-forward’ contact / child arrangement disputes to international cases; allegations of ‘parental alienation’ and other serious harm; Hague Convention proceedings; and wardship cases.
My particular expertise is in making or opposing applications for removal from the jurisdiction or relocation, either permanently or temporarily.
What sort of work do I do?
I have always had a broad practice. The reason for this is that I think it brings a number of advantages to clients. Legal problems are rarely confined to a single area and barristers who overly-specialise can sometimes miss the bigger picture.
In recent years much of my work has been in the following areas:
• Family: this includes financial remedies (formerly ancillary relief) in cases involving both substantial and modest sums of money; and children, particularly disputes about relocation or removal from the jurisdiction.
• Property: this mostly involves disputes about ownership whether between family members or business partners.
• Other “traditional chancery”: disputes about wills & probate; the administration of estates; claims under the Inheritance Act; and other issues concerning trusts.
• Commercial disputes between companies as to the interpretation & performance of contracts.
• Advising in respect of insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings and resolving disputes about these processes.
I am happy to work alone but also have experience leading (or being led by) other barristers in suitable cases.
Who do I work for?
I have no typical client and have represented a huge variety of people and companies.