John Jarvis KC

John Jarvis KC

Call: 1970 | Silk: 1989

"A fixture of the English Bar who is as dynamic and energetic as ever"

- Chambers & Partners UK Bar (2024)

"Impresses tribunals and does a masterful job."

- Chambers & Partners UK Bar (2022)

"John has strong advocacy skills, master technician, very hard worker, a real pleasure to work with."

- Legal 500 UK Bar (2022)

"Commercial, clever and ferociously hard-working."

- Legal 500 UK Bar (2022)

Practice Overview

John Jarvis acts for banks, insurance companies, business and professionals in most areas of commercial law. He has particular expertise in the areas of banking, commercial fraud, arbitration, insurance and reinsurance, professional negligence and private international law. John is listed as a "Leading Silk" in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories for 2009-2010 in Commercial Litigation, Banking & Finance and Civil Fraud.

John is both an experienced arbitrator and counsel in arbitrations. He is member of LCIA, AIA, ACI and CEDR qualified mediator. He deals with all kinds of dispute which are referred to arbitration, and sits alone or on a panel. His experience is both international and domestic. He has recently completed the hearing as counsel of a major arbitration in Hong Kong under HKIAC rules. As a mediator John has helped a number of high-profile cases reach a successful conclusion for the parties. He is able to pull parties close together and achieve a settlement. Over the last year he has acted for numerous parties at mediations in a series of financial disputes which have resulted in beneficial settlements.

Examples of cases are:

  • dispute arising over an investment by a major hedge fund in a Chinese medical company
  • dispute over tennis tournament franchising arrangements
  • dispute over a consultancy agreement in relation to a joint venture in relation to properties in India
  • dispute over ownership of oil fields
  • dispute over the terms of purchase arrangements for securitised loans
  • dispute over a partnership arrangement

One of the most experienced banking lawyers at the Bar, with an in depth knowledge of nearly every kind of financial transaction, John has appeared in some of the major banking cases, and has advised nearly every major bank. He is described as a “banking litigation star”, but is equally at home advising on the intricacies of banking documentation. He has huge experience in guarantees, letters of credit, derivatives, CDOs, ISDAs, and claims against banks. Sought to trace the funds from the notorious Brink’s Mat bullion robbery.

MNB v. KPMG Acted as an expert in English law giving evidence in both the Stockholm District Court and the Court of Appeal in a case involving metal trading in Russia, cif/fob contracts and passing of title. My evidence was wholly accepted on both occasions.

Angostura Instructed on a variety of issues arising out of complex claims arising from funding arrangements , underpinned by ISDA agreements

Hewlett Packhard v Mainsail Advised investors on the unwinding of this major SIV lite fund

John has always been involved with cases where there is a fraud element. He is known for his ability to analyse difficult facts and present them with simplicity and clarity. He is very experienced in pursuing the remedies, both at common law and equity, available as a result of fraud.

MNB v. KPMG Acted as an expert in English law giving evidence in both the Stockholm District Court and the Court of Appeal in a case involving metal trading in Russia, cif/fob contracts and passing of title. My evidence was wholly accepted on both occasions.

Angostura Instructed on a variety of issues arising out of complex claims arising from funding arrangements, underpinned by ISDA agreements

Michael Wilson v Norgulf Appeared in the BVI Court of Appeal to discharge a freezing order over the assets of the defendant arising out of claims for breach of fiduciary duty

John has wide ranging experience of all commercial disputes, appearing in courts and arbitrations domestically and internationally. Highly respected for his great experience and ability to understand the commercial and practical implications of transactions.

Ford v Polymer Vision Ltd [2009] 2 BCLC 160 instructed for the defendants in case where court had to determine whether a debenture and an option agreement were binding on a company under s 40 of the Companies Act 2006.

MNB v. KPMG Acted as an expert in English law giving evidence in both the Stockholm District Court and the Court of Appeal in a case involving metal trading in Russia, cif/fob contracts and passing of title. My evidence was wholly accepted on both occasions.

Marine Group/Media Services Acted for Bermudian clients arising out of reinsurance arrangements where captive insurers were set up

John has a large insolvency practice and has wide experience in this field acting for liquidators, and other office holders, and other parties affected by insolvency. He has been involved in all the major insolvencies such as BCCI, Maxwell, Polly Peck, Barings, Arrows, and most recently Lehmans. Because of his extensive commercial experience he can bring a much fuller perspective to insolvency issues.

Ford v Polymer Vision Ltd [2009] 2 BCLC 160 instructed for the defendants in case where court had to determine whether a debenture and an option agreement were binding on a company under s 40 of the Companies Act 2006.

Lehman Brothers Appearing for Lehman Brother Inc in the applications to determine whether funds should have been segregated for clients

John regularly advises on insurance issues both in respect of liability and coverage disputes. He acts for insurers and insureds, and has great experience in this area.

Marine Group/Media Services Acted for Bermudian clients arising out of reinsurance arrangements where captive insurers were set up

Cotesworth v Lloyds of London Advising Lloyds of London on issues arising out of members’ compensation hearing

Colley v Panpha Advised in a series of cases involving reinsurance contracts in the captive market

John has appeared in and taken up to trial some of the major professional negligence cases. He has wide experience of auditors and accountancy negligence cases, acting both for and against the auditors/accountants. He has acted in many solicitors’ professional negligence case. He also has considerable experience of negligent valuation cases.

Moulin v Lee Appeared in Hong Kong in case in which a non-executive director was sued for breach of fiduciary duty and successfully struck out the claim

Polly Peck v Stoy Hayward Acted for the auditors in this huge claim brought by the liquidators of Polly Peck. Appeared in a series of interlocutory hearings, and the case eventually settled

Guardian Royal Exchange v Cooper & Lybrand Acted for Guardian in a huge claim arising out of the audit of the Guardian’s property portfolio

  • Working knowledge of French
Winner: UK Bar Awards 2023
The Lawyer Awards 2022: Chambers of the Year