Phillip Morris

Phillip is a chancery and commercial practitioner who is particularly adept at property litigation, including boundary disputes, as well as contentious trusts and Inheritance Act matters. His commercial practice includes property claims and commercial tenancy disputes.

His practice encompasses all aspects of chancery law, including property, boundary and rights of way disputes in civil courts and in HM Land Registry Adjudications.. Phillip also handles commercial and common law work including contract claims, building disputes, business tenancy renewals, and insolvency matters.

Phillip is also able to converse in Welsh.

“He provides sound advice which is definitive and very reasoned for its fee. He is very knowledgeable but clear in his advice and cuts through the legal jargon.”

Phillip is adept at providing strategic, pragmatic, and robust advice in contractual and commercial disputes.  He has represented clients across a wide range of industries, including finance, technology, construction, and professional services.

Phillip is accustomed to handling complex matters such as breach of contract, shareholder disputes, misrepresentation claims, and partnership disagreements. He is frequently instructed in high-value litigation, and he strives to employ his commercial acumen to bring clarity to intricate legal and factual issues.

He is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and is often instructed to act for clients in mediations or other forms of ADR in a commercial context.

Phillip has extensive expertise in land and property disputes, offering strategic advice and representation to a diverse range of clients, including individuals, businesses, developers, and local authorities. Known for his client-friendly approach and clear advocacy, Phillip handles cases across all aspects of real property law.

His practice encompasses disputes involving boundary issues, easements, restrictive covenants, adverse possession, landlord and tenant matters, and nuisance claims. He is particularly skilled at navigating the complexities of property rights and interests, often in cases involving high-value or contentious assets.

Clients appreciate Phillip’s pragmatic and solution-oriented approach, ensuring that both legal and commercial considerations are carefully balanced. Whether appearing in court, before a tribunal, or engaging in alternative dispute resolution, he remains committed to securing effective and lasting outcomes for clients.

With a reputation for clarity, precision, and responsiveness, Phillip is a trusted advocate for resolving even the most challenging land and property disputes.

Phillip has significant expertise in contentious trusts and probate matters, offering expert advice and representation in such complex disputes. He is known for his thoughtful approach, strategic insight, and ability to navigate the sensitive and personal nature of inheritance and trust-related conflicts.

His practice encompasses a wide range of disputes, including challenges to the validity of wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, trust administration issues, breaches of fiduciary duty, and disputes involving trustees and beneficiaries.

Clients commend Phillip for his empathetic yet firm approach, combining legal precision with an acute awareness of family dynamics and the emotional stakes involved. He is equally adept in court advocacy and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, to achieve cost-effective and timely resolutions.

With a reputation for providing clear, pragmatic advice and delivering robust advocacy, Phillip is the trusted choice for clients seeking to resolve contentious trusts and probate matters efficiently and effectively.

Phillip is ‘an effective advocate who deals with a range of issues, including redundancy, unpaid wages and TUPE’ in employment cases. (Legal 500). He regularly appears for both claimants and respondents in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal.

“He is excellent. He is a very good operator and a very safe pair of hands” and is a “good all-rounder and a reliable advocate.”

Phillip is experienced in housing and landlord and tenant disputes, offering strategic advice and robust representation to landlords, tenants, housing associations, and local authorities.  His practice covers residential and commercial landlord and tenant disputes, including possession proceedings, lease renewals, rent arrears, disrepair claims, service charge disputes, forfeiture, and breaches of lease covenants.

Clients value Phillip for his thorough preparation, tactical acumen, and focus on achieving cost-effective resolutions. He is equally comfortable advocating in court, tribunals, or engaging in alternative dispute resolution methods, always tailoring his approach to the specific needs of the case.

Phillip frequently handles Court of Protection matters, providing expert advice and representation in cases concerning mental capacity, health and welfare, and property and financial affairs. Known for his empathetic and approachable manner, Phillip brings his expertise to protecting the rights and interests of vulnerable individuals while delivering practical and effective solutions.

His experience includes disputes over deputyship and attorneyship appointments, contested statutory wills, deprivation of liberty challenges, and best-interest determinations. Phillip is adept at handling sensitive matters involving family dynamics, ensuring a balanced and respectful approach while robustly advocating for his client’s position.

Phillip is experienced in judicial review matters acting for both claimants and defendants, particularly in the field of education law, and also in planning disputes and village green inquiries, where he has acted for applicants and objectors alike.

“He’s good on his feet and a good cross-examiner. He’s thorough and he knows the papers well, so he doesn’t let people off the hook.”

Phillip is able to act for bereaved families, public bodies, private organisations, and other interested parties in inquests under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, including Article 2 and jury inquests. He has experience in this field, and can deal with complex and multi-faceted cases involving medical negligence, workplace accidents, deaths in custody, and systemic failures.

Chambers UK Guide

“He provides sound advice which is definitive and very reasoned for its fee. He is very knowledgeable but clear in his advice and cuts through the legal jargon.”

“He is commercially focused and user-friendly.”

“He is very knowledgeable, personable and has a good way about him in court…He is very client-friendly and deals with things in a timely manner.”

“He is excellent. He is a very good operator and a very safe pair of hands” and is a “good all-rounder and a reliable advocate.”

“He’s good on his feet and a good cross-examiner. He’s thorough and he knows the papers well, so he doesn’t let people off the hook.”

Phillip has been described as “bright” and “able” in the Legal 500 Guide.

Some of Phillip’s notable cases include:

• successfully resisting an appeal in the Court of Appeal on conduct subsequent to a conveyance being of relevance to a boundary dispute – reported here;
• a four-day Court of Protection hearing (High Court) in successful opposition to a husband’s attempt to become welfare deputy for his wife – reported here;
• a three-day village green inquiry concerning land owned by a private objector;
• appearing on behalf of a local authority in defending a challenge to its taxi drivers’ licensing policy;
• successfully appealing to the Employment Appeal Tribunal on an error of law made by the tribunal below – reported here;
• acting as junior Counsel in judicial review proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal concerning the closure of a primary school – reported here;
• appearing for four defendants in a five-day hearing over boundary and right-of-way issues;
• acting for Ofsted in successfully opposing the grant of an urgent High Court injunction to prevent the publication of a report into a childcare provider;
• appearing for a Respondent in the Bankruptcy and Companies Court on the valuation of a commercial lease, involving cross-examination of expert valuation witnesses at trial.

• Amman Valley School
• Jesus College, Oxford (BA Law);
• Cardiff University (Bar Vocational Course – Grade: Outstanding)

Phillip is a member of the Wales Commercial Law Association.

Please click here to view and download a copy of Phillip Morris’ Privacy Policy.