L J West-Knights QC

Year of silk: 2000

Specialist areas: commercial litigation and arbitration, professional negligence and competition law

Education: Emmanuel College, Cambridge: economics and law

Appointments: Recorder (civil and criminal); Master of the Bench, Gray's Inn

• CFH Total Document Management Limited -v- (1) Océ (UK) Limited (2) National Australia Group Europe Limited, contractual claims under IT services and printing contracts for Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks.
• Goldschmidt & Howland Ltd v Halliday, alleged secret profits and claim for accounts. QB

Publications and lectures

"How to Underwhelm the Court and Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory": a complete guide on how not to litigate

Writes www.LawOnLine.cc

 

"Laurie gets into the nitty gritty of cases very quickly and is great when it comes to dealing with clients." Instructing solicitor, 2011

"Sources note his persuasive courtroom style, and, in particular, his impressive cross-examination skills." Chambers UK 2011

"An advocate who has mastery of his case, and great cross-examination skills. A real asset in any litigation or arbitration, and ideal on complicated cases..." Instructing solicitor, 2010

''LJ West-Knights QC is adept at dealing with big fishes in the commercial world. He has carved out a niche in IT and technology-related disputes." Chambers UK 2010

"An excellent counsel who delivers realistic and sensible commercial advice. I'd rather have him on my side than against me!" Opposition's solicitor, 2010

"One of the most thorough and tenacious silks you could hope to have on any case…a fantastic cross-examiner…very clever…and he has real court-room presence" Partner, major firm