about Me
I am a commercial barrister with a particular interest in property, commercial dispute resolution, insolvency, and private client work.
Before coming to Chambers, I was employed by the City of London Corporation as Assistant Parliamentary Affairs Counsel, where I drafted private legislation for the City Corporation and amendments to public Bills. Additionally, I frequently appeared in housing matters in the County Court and regulatory prosecutions in the Magistrates’ Court.
Outside of Chambers, I am a qualified pilot and enjoying flying around the UK and Europe.
Education
Upper second Class (2:1), LL.B (Hons.) – University of Exeter, 2016
Very Competent, BPTC – BPP Law School, 2017
Scholarships
Benefactor’s Scholarship (Major BPTC Award) – Middle Temple, 2016
Mooting Scholarship – University of Exeter, 2016
Professional Associations
Pupillage Officer, Middle Temple Young Barristers’ Association
My Experience
City of London Corporation
From January 2018 to July 2020, I worked in the Office of the City Remembrancer, a barrister and the City’s Parliamentary Agent, who has the right to promote private legislation in Parliament. My work was split into three areas – parliamentary & legislative, general advice, and a small court practice.
In the parliamentary and legislative aspect of my work, I scrutinised Parliamentary debates, inquiries, committee reports, and legislation to assess their impact on the Corporation and the wider services sector in the City. If necessary, this might involved a submission to the Parliamentary Committee, briefing MPs and Peers for a debate on the issue, or drafting an amendment to the Bill. I also drafted the Corporation’s private Bills and secondary legislation, which it promotes in Parliament.
I provided a wide range of advice to the Corporation, often on constitutional issues for the Corporation or issues ranging from markets law and royal charters, to trusts and the City’s bridges, to Brexit and statutory interpretation.
Additionally, I was instructed by the Corporation’s in-house solicitors and represent the Corporation in the County Court in social housing matters and in prosecutions in the Magistrates’ Court.
Mooting & Debating
I have competed in, and judged a number of mooting, advocacy and debating competitions, which are listed below:
Mooting
- 2nd Place – Middle Temple Young Barrister’s Association Advocacy Competition 2018
- 3rd Round – Rosamund Smith Moot 2016/17
- Finalist – Magna Carta Moot 2015
- Competitor – Trans-Atlantic Advocacy Competition 2015
- Competitor – OUP & BPP National Mooting Competition 2015/16
- Quarter-finalist – Devon Chambers Moot 2014/15 & 2015/16
- Final Round Judge – Devon Chambers Moot 2017/18 (Held in the UKSC)
Debating
- Best Speaker – Bracton Law Society v University of Bristol Law Club IV 2015
- 1st Place – Bracton Law Society v University of Bristol Law Club IV 2015
- 1st Place – Bracton Law Society Annual Debating Competition 2015
- 1st Place – Bracton Law Society v University of Bristol Law Club IV 2014
- 2nd Place – UBLC IV 2016
- 2nd Place – Devon and Exeter Medico Legal Association Debate 2014
- Chief Adjudicator – Bracton Law Society & Inner Temple Debating Competition 2016
- Wing Judge – Inner Temple IV 2016
- Chair Judge – University of Exeter Open 2015
Court Advocacy
I was instructed by the Comptroller & City Solicitor to prosecute in the Magistrates’ Court and represent the Corporation in social housing cases in the County Court. I am able to exercise these rights of audience pursuant to s.223 of the Local Government Act 1972, the City Corporation’s exemptions from the Legal Services Act 2007, and section 60 of the County Court Act 1984. Previously, I have worked as a solicitors’ agent in chambers hearings in the County Court, where I gained experience in the following areas: mortgage proceedings, landlord and tenant, interim applications, bankruptcy, and infant approvals.
Volunteering
Previously I was a volunteer advocate at the Communities Empowerment Network, where I represented pupils who were being permanently excluded from school at the Governors’ Disciplinary Committee and before the Independent Review Panel.
I have also volunteered through the University of Exeter’s Prison Project, where I advised prisoners on their disclosure obligations when seeking work on release.
Recent Work
Drafted Emissions Reduction (Local Authorities in London) Bill
The Emissions Reduction Bill seeks to give powers to the Common Council and London borough councils to control emissions from specified combustion plants. The Bill fell following the dissolution of Parliament in December 2019. It was subsequently reintroduced in the House of Lords on 13 January 2020 and can be viewed here: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/58-01/020/5801020.pdf
Press coverage of the Bill can be read in the Evening Standard.
Animal Welfare Prosecution Against an International Airline
Jaysen Sharpe was instructed by the City of London Corporation in a prosecution against an airline with a multi-billion euro turnover for offences contrary to the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 and the Animal Health Act 1981. Jaysen appeared against significantly more experienced counsel 14 years his senior. The Defendant was fined £136,000, which is believed to be the largest fine ever imposed for this type of offence. Press coverage of the case can be read in the Daily Mail.