Further info

Year of call: 1982

Specialist areas:  professional negligence, clinical negligence, insurance

Education:  MA (Cantab) – First class;  Squire Law Scholarship (Gonville & Caius College); Bacon Scholar, Holker Senior Scholarship, Reid Scholarship, Band Scholarship (Grays Inn).

Recent cases

  • Law Society v Sephton [2006] 2 AC 543 House of Lords - limitation and the date of accrual of a cause of action in negligence.
  • Watkins v Jones Maidment Wilson, (CA) [2008] EWCA Civ 134 - limitation - application of Nykredit and of Sephton.   

What others say

"Derek Holwill is 'phenomenally clever' and has a real talent for understanding the forensic detail of a case." Chambers UK 2012

"...impresses with his 'excellent acumen" and "well-reasoned and robust advice'." Chambers UK 2012

"He is noted for his sharp intellect, and for being 'extremely incisive in his written advice.' He is also 'willing to trust his judgement and stick to his guns'." Chambers UK 2011

"Derek Holwill is another of the set's high-flyers who excels in solicitor negligence claims. He continues to act for Reynolds Porter Chamberlain in Standard Life v Oak Dedicated and others, a £75 million insurance claim arising out of endowment mis-selling."  Chambers UK 2010

"Derek Holwill is 'commercial, incisive and highly talented.' He was highlighted for his solicitors' negligence work, an area in which he is 'hard to beat.'" Chambers UK 2009