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Barney Laurence

Commercial Litigation and Disputes Lawyer

07301134644
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Barney Laurence is a senior commercial litigator with 22 years of experience. Whilst a general commercial disputes lawyer, Barney has a particular niche in the recruitment and franchising sectors, and his specialisms include business protection injunction work involving restrictive covenants, confidential information cases, freezing injunctions and associated litigation, franchising disputes, civil fraud and debt-related matters. The majority of his work involves High Court and Commercial Court litigation and mediation, as well as arbitration. He has handled a number of high-profile cases in the Court of Appeal, The House of Lords (as it was) and The Supreme Court.

Barney is consistently rated in the Legal 500 2025 and Chambers and Partners, including as “Next Generation Partner” for the past five years. Noted most recently as “excellent, extremely professional and able to easily explain complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner.”; “standout Partner with a winning track record”; he “takes the stress off me, allowing me to focus on the rest of my business”.

Barney's Experience

  •  Coltech Recruitment Limited & 1st PS Limited v Cera Care Limited [2024] EWHC 466 (KB)

https://www.baili.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2024/466.html

 A High Court case about the identity of the recruitment agency in a contract for the provision of recruitment services.

  •  North of England Coachworks Ltd v Khan [2020] EWHC 1972 (QB) (3 July 2020)

 Pursuing a former in-house accountant accused of defrauding his employer out of circa £1.2m.

 https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/accountant-accused-of-giving-160000-of-companys-money-to-escorts-zzsbbgdh5 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/28834091/accountant-sued-company-cash-escorts/

  •  Winkworth Franchising Limited v Nicholas Goble [2023] EWHC 2883 (Comm)

 High-stakes franchise dispute with Winkworth’s longest-running and biggest franchise over renewal rights and associated termination pertaining to multi-unit franchise in prestigious London areas.

https://www.lexology.com/commentary/franchising/united-kingdom/fieldfisher/english-high-court-confirms-that-franchisor-validly-denied-franchisee-its-renewal-for-failing-to-provide-accounts

https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/legal/news/english-high-court-confirms-that-a-franchisor-validly-denied-a-franchisee-a-renewal-because-it-had-failed

  •  Winkworth Franchising Limited v Calum Mason & Stilum Properties [2020] EWHC 2634 (QB)

 Complex and high-stakes litigation involving an urgent application to enforce restrictive covenants in an estate agency franchise agreement.

 Judgment: https://www.idiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PRATT.2020.12.UK_.pdf

  • A v B (anonymised) (LCIA Arbitration)

 Successfully acting – in conjunction with junior and Leading Counsel – for a well-known, high-end cosmetics company in a multi-million pound LCIA Arbitration Claim arising under an English Law agreement for the distribution of luxury skincare products in Hong Kong, Macau, and cross-border into China.

  •  A v B (anonymised) (Commercial Court)

 High-value, extremely complex commercial fraud case against Managing Director of a high-end, well-known cosmetics company.

  • PSG Franchising Limited v Lydia Darby Limited, Lydia Victoria Darby & David George Darby [2012] EWHC 3707 QB

 https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5a8ff7c460d03e7f57eb1f1b

Acting for PSG Franchising in a major franchising case against former franchisees who set up in competition.

  •  TRM Copy Centres (UK) Ltd  et al –v- Lanwall Services Limited [2009] UKHL 35 on appeal from:[2008] EWCA Civ 382

 Acted for TRM Copy Centres (and others) in an action against a competitor, where the competitor was alleged to have unlawfully interfered with TRM’s customers’ contracts by entering onto their premises and removing TRM’s photocopiers without warning or notice. Following a successful injunction application to stop the competitor in December of 2006, the matter proceeded to a High Court trial on a number of issues relating to the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Justice Flaux delivered his Judgment on 18th July 2007, deciding in favour of TRM on all issues. Case reported at http://www.lawreports.co.uk/WLRD/2007/QBD/jul1.0.htm.

 Successfully defended Lanwall’s subsequent appeal in the Court of Appeal.

 Then successfully defended further Appeal to The House of Lords, which was heard on 30th March 2009. Matter attracted extensive media interest within the Leasing sector. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldjudgmt/jd090617/trm.htm

  • Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and another (Respondents) v Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (Appellant) [2011] UKSC 15

 On appeal from: [2010] EWCA Civ 26

Acting for Alan Beesley in the famous Supreme Court “Barn case” about a house constructed by Mr Beesley in 2002 as a dwelling house but disguised as a barn.

https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/docs/uksc-2010-0036-judgment.pdf

 

Barney’s two main passions are tennis and house/electronic music. He was a professional DJ for over a decade. He also loves keeping fit but, most importantly, being a dad to his two amazing children.

Testimonials

“Barney has been amazing for us … and I couldn’t recommend him enough.

He managed to help us recover a significant amount of unpaid funds from a client which fundamentally saved the business.

He is a brilliant solicitor and some one I would trust implicitly with any issue my firm has in the future.

Thank you for all your help Barney”

“I had the misfortune of having to undertake a High Court action against Business Partners and Shareholders of a Sales Acceleration company I was involved with. At the time I was daunted by the magnitude of the case and what my business partners were trying to do. Barney of Sherrards went out of his way to make me at ease with what was going on and assured me that we were doing the right thing and had nothing to fear (he even brought a sense of humour into the proceedings to break the intensity). His knowledge of Commercial law and Litigation was outstanding and the Barrister he introduced me too who handled our case emulated his professionalism and ethical stance. I would have no qualms in recommending him for his specialities of Law.”

“We have used Barney on numerous occasions and I’m pleased to say have had a successful outcome in all cases. Barney offers practical advice and offers clarity in what can be emotionally charged circumstances. Barney’s considered judgement and expertise has been invaluable over the years and I recommend his services without reservation.”

“I found Barney to be very supportive and knowledgeable in his area of expertise. Barney certainly puts you at ease when you feel your world is tumbling in on you and I would have no reservations in recommending Barney to anyone looking for a litigation lawyer.”

“We rarely have legal disputes but on the few occasions when we have, Barney has delivered successful outcomes in all instances. He’s professional, ethical and effective. His advice is realistic and based on expert knowledge. I have no hesitation recommending him.”

“I found Barney to be professional, insightful and at all times personable in what was a complicated and very difficult matter. He grasped the content and understood the needs of the case and ourselves very quickly.”

“One of my clients introduced me to Barney to help in one of the most complex photocopier lease cons I have come across. At times even I struggled to understand what had happened with over 20 lease contracts. My client searched for a Solicitor that had experience in this field. Barney was identified and very quickly understood the problems. He set about resolving them. His attention to detail is superb but his greatest quality I believe to be his customer skills and communication. He has empathy but he also has purpose. Fabulous results were achieved and I would highly recommend him.”

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