Oliver Durnall

Oliver is regularly instructed to appear in bankruptcy hearings and has appeared in the High Court on winding up petitions as sole counsel representing both creditors and debtors.

During pupillage, Oliver:

• Appeared (during his second six) in the County Court on an application to set aside a statutory demand.
• Drafted a skeleton argument for an application to the High Court for recognition and assistance in relation to the provisional liquidation of a Jersey company.
• Drafted particulars of claim in a matter involving breach of directors’ duties and a transaction at an undervalue.
• Drafted an opinion on the merits of proposed bankruptcy proceedings.
• Assisted Jessica Powers in a trial in the High Court in a matter involving an alleged partnership.

On secondment at a specialist insolvency firm, Oliver’s work included drafting pre-action correspondence and assisting with advice on antecedent transactions and directors’ duties.

During pupillage, Oliver has gained extensive experience in a wide range of Trusts and Estates matters, in particular, he:

• Assisted Aidan Briggs in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
• Drafted executor and trustee removal applications.
• Assisted Aidan Briggs with an application for pre-action disclosure in the context of a challenge to the exercise of trustees’ powers.
• Drafted particulars of claim challenging a will based on lack of testamentary capacity.
• Drafted an opinion on the construction of a will in the context of charitable gifts and the application of the cy-près doctrine.
• Drafted a position statement for a mediation regarding a claim challenging appropriations made by the executors of an estate.

During the course of his pupillage, Oliver has gained exposure to the full spectrum of property litigation, in particular, he:

• Appeared (during his second six) in the County Court on an application to set aside default judgment in relation to a housing disrepair claim.
• Assisted John Campbell in Part 8 proceedings regarding the construction of a will in the context of a beneficiary’s right to occupy property.
• Assisted John Campbell in proceedings regarding adverse possession of unregistered land.
• Drafted an opinion on a matter concerning an easement in relation to the supply of water.
• Drafted an opinion advising on a matter concerning development on Common Land.
• Assisted John Campbell in proceedings involving a claim in private nuisance.
• Assisted Aidan Briggs (acting pro bono) in resisting an application in the High Court to set aside an order to suspend a warrant of possession.
• Drafted a skeleton argument for the hearing of an urgent application for a freezing order in the Chancery Division interim applications list.
• Drafted a skeleton argument resisting an application for an injunction in relation to the use of a residential property.
• Is regularly instructed to appear in possession hearings.

During pupillage, Oliver gained experience across a broad range of commercial matters. In particular, he:

• Acted for the defendant in small claims proceedings brought by a commercial debt purchaser in respect of water charges.
• Drafted particulars of claim for a claim in unjust enrichment.
• Assisted James Saunders in proceedings involving a claim for breach of contract regarding a share sale agreement.

• LLB, University of London, Birkbeck – First Class, top of year
• Bar Professional Training Course, BPP University – Very Competent

• Exhibition Award (Inner Temple)
• Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award (Inner Temple)
• Outstanding Performance Overall on the LLB (University of London, Birkbeck)
• Mooting Prize (University of London, Birkbeck)
• Winner – Landmark Chambers Property Moot Competition
• Career Commitment Scholarship (BPP University)

• Inner Temple