Bernard Livesey QC

Bernard Livesey QC has extensive experience of commercial, construction, insurance and professional liability litigation. His special expertise is as an advocate, particularly with regard to tactics and the cross-examination of witnesses, lay and expert. The core of his practice covers commercial, insurance (the construction of policies, coverage issues, non-disclosure and fraud) and the mainstream of professional indemnity work (including actions for and against accountants, barristers & solicitors, brokers, construction professionals, surveyors & valuers). It extends also to defamation, the liabilities of local authorities, police and emergency services, personal injury and employment.

Sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge in Chancery and QB since 1998, Bernard has handed down judgments on a wide variety of cases including pre-emptive remedies.

Full CV

Further info 

  

Recent cases 

  

What others say 

Year of call: 1969

Year of silk: 1990

Specialist areas: professional negligence, commercial litigation, insurance and arbitration

Education: Peterhouse, Cambridge (MA, LLB).

Memberships: COMBAR; PNBA; ChBA.

 

  
  • Minkin v Cawdrey, Kaye, Fireman & Taylor [2012]
  • Islamic Investment Company of the Gulf (Bahamas) Ltd v Cains Advocates Ltd [2012]
  • Eminence v Heaney [2010] EWCA Civ 1168
  • Fitzpatrick Contractors Ltd v Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions Ltd [2009] EWHC 274 (TCC) Pt 36 Costs
  • Parker & Kinch v SJ Berwin [2008] EWHC 3017; solicitors scope of duty.
  • Hibbert Pownall & Newton v Whitehead & McLeish [2008] EWCA Civ 285; solicitors scope of duty, causation, loss of chance.
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    "an 'excellent communicator and strategist.' Someone who 'lives and breathes' professional negligence, he is respected for the depth of his experience." Chambers UK 2013

     "... ‘takes a firm grip on the cases that are referred to him and applies his particular brand of clear thinking'." Legal 500 2012

    "The ‘excellent' Bernard Livesey QC recently defended a law firm against a multimillion-pound claim for alleged breach of duty and ‘has enjoyed an increase in instructions in high-value complex financial defence cases'." Chambers UK 2012

    "Bernard Livesey QC is 'sharp, precise and clear'...'he is everything you want in a silk - experienced, good on paper and nifty on his feet'." Chambers UK 2011

    "Bernard Livesey QC, who continues to handle an impressive volume of solicitor negligence claims." Chambers UK 2010

    "Bernard Livesey QC, 'a real team player who is an asset to any solicitor'." Chambers UK 2009

    "Bernard Livesey QC is praised for his accessibility and wins commendation for his 'unwavering performances and advocacy skills'." Chambers UK 2008