Jake Coleman

Jake regularly advises both claimants and defendants on professional negligence matters involving solicitors, surveyors, financial advisers and estate agents. He has a particular interest in solicitors’ negligence claims relating to property disputes, cyber fraud, personal injury litigation and wills. He is frequently instructed to advise on, and conduct strike out and summary judgment applications.

Jake recently represented the successful defendant in a three-day trial in the King’s Bench Division, concerning an allegedly under-settled sex abuse claim: Fassone v Hugh James (a firm) [2026] EWHC 364 (KB).

Jake’s other recent cases have involved:

• Accountants alleged negligent advice in the context of a company entering into a CVA;
• Estate agents alleged to have committed a breach of trust regarding a service charge trust fund (51 Brunswick Place Ltd v West Register (Realisations) Ltd [2024] 8 WLUK 323);
• Estate planners negligently advising their client regarding a discretionary trust (Clarke v Countrywide Tax & Trust Corp Ltd [2023] 8 WLUK 399);
• A solicitor’s failure to inform his client of rights of way over land, preventing redevelopment;
• Settlement of an employer’s liability claim at an alleged undervalue;
• Failure of a surveyor to spot potential subsidence;
• Failure of an LPA Receiver to pass on proceeds of sale;
• A barrister’s conduct of a hearing before the Parole Board;
• Failure of a fund manager to divest a client of stock before a crash.

Jake has also been instructed as a junior on several high value claims in which senior members of Chambers have acted.

Jake is quickly developing a substantial costs practice. He is a contributing editor to the 4th edition of Friston on Costs and the author of a number of articles published by LexisNexis in relation to Part 36. 

Jake has a particular interest in, as well as experience of, solicitor-client assessments. He was sole counsel for the successful respondent in the Court of Appeal in the recent important costs decision in Broadfield Law UK LLP v Barnes [2026] EWCA Civ 698, which is now the leading authority on ‘contentious business agreements’.

Jake has also been led by Alexander Hutton KC in long-running, multi-million-pound assessment proceedings. Jake also has considerable experience in inter partes costs matters, including non-party costs orders.

Jake has extensive experience representing defendants in claims under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Additionally, Jake frequently advises and represents clients in relation to commercial law matters including: The Companies Act 2006, contractual disputes and insolvency. Jake has appeared in both the County Court and the Chancery Division of the High Court in such cases.

“Jake demonstrates a reassuringly solid grasp of the legal aspects of a challenging brief and, while appropriately measured, a tenacious and purposeful cross examination technique which, taken together, achieve consistently positive results.” Client, 2022

“Jake did a fantastic job representing me and supporting me.” Client, 2021

“Jake has a great eye for detail and his knowledge of property law and ability to get to grips with the issues (in a professional negligence context) was excellent.” Client, 2021

“Jake was superb in getting to grips with the detail of the case. He developed a good rapport with our client. He was thorough in his preparations, and his overall command of the case was akin to that I would have expected from an advocate many years his senior. I had full confidence in him and would have no hesitation in instructing him again.” Client, 2020

Education

2007-2011: University of Bristol, Chemistry & Law BSc (First class)

2012-2013: BPP University, Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent)

ICO Data protection registration number: ZA239443. 

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