Michael Pooles QC

Year of call: 1978 (Year of silk: 1999)

Specialist areas: professional indemnity, disciplinary, commercial, personal injury

Education: The Perse School Cambridge; LLB (London); Scarman Scholar, Inner Temple Jardine Scholar and Treasurer’s prizewinner (1978).

Appointments: Recorder of the Crown Court

ADR: Qualified Mediator 2003

Committees: Board Member of the Bar Standards Board; Former member of the Professional Conduct Committee (and the Legal Services Committee) of the Bar Council of England and Wales.

Publications & lectures: Editor of the solicitors' chapter of Professional negligence and Liability (Informa looseleaf)

• Greene Wood Mclean Llp (In Administration) v Templeton Insurance Ltd  Successfully defending counsel alleged to have negligently advised the pursuit of a Group Litigation Order in respect of miners' compensation claim deductions.
• Cabvision v Feetham and others [2009] EWHC 3400 (Ch) Norris J  Defending solicitors alleged to have negligently permitted a client to be joined as a party in costs litigation between its former business partners and their solicitors despite its indication that it did not wish to become involved, and to have acted in breach of any duty under a separate retainer in connection with the claimant's involvement in an investment scheme. Modest Part 36 Offer fully effective.
  

"It is unsurprising that clients have total confidence in the 'assured and authoritative' Michael Pooles QC, who is one of professional negligence's leading lights. He is 'excellent at what he does' since he is a 'lethal cross-examiner' who can also 'get involved in the detail'. Solicitors admire the fact that 'he maintains a total mastery over his papers'." Chambers UK 2012

"...'A barrister with a very judge-friendly style," he is 'a persuasive voice in the courtroom who is particularly good for the bigger cases as he has a quick turnaround time and always gets to the essence of a case quickly'." Chambers UK 2012

"Interviewees say he is 'very smooth with clients and in court,' and praise both the concision and quality of his advice and the soundness of his judgement." Chambers UK 2011

"Clear in his advice and excellent when it comes to strategy'." Chambers UK 2010

"The best of them is undoubtedly Michael Pooles QC. 'Always sure in his approach, he gives nothing away - he seems to be calm and measured both when he's doing well and when the empire is beginning to crumble. And that's an art,' explained sources." Chambers UK 2010

“Michael Pooles QC, 'one of the most approachable of silks, who really understands the solicitors profession'." Chambers UK 2009

“One of (Hailsham’s) brightest stars is Michael Pooles QC, who 'just about everyone in the market is a fan of'."  Chambers UK 2008