Head of Chambers since May 2026
John McLinden is a versatile trial and appellate barrister who started his career in New Zealand (1975-1991) and has practised in the UK since. He has appeared in and has been reported in a wide range of cases in both jurisdictions.
His practice is very varied, covering general commercial, common law and chancery work, including:
- contractual and commercial disputes
- partnership and LLP disputes
- telecommunications
- media, defamation and privacy
- antiquities
- tort (actions against police, interference with goods)
- admiralty
- inquests
- human rights (commercial and personal)
- landlord and tenant
- land/property law
- professional negligence
- employment
- inheritance and probate and administration
- trusts litigation
- insolvency
- insurance
- banking and financial services, and
- judicial review.
John’s clients include companies, partnerships and LLPs, individuals, local authorities and governments.
John accepts appointments as an arbitrator. He is also a qualified Public Access barrister. He is familiar with working with in-house solicitors and legal departments who appreciate his willingness to work on-site.
If you would like more information about John’s practice, please contact his clerks or call +44 (0)20 7405 6114.
Direct public access
John has acted successfully in a wide range of direct public access cases for individual and corporate clients. Examples of this work include:
- Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
- Disputes concerning solicitors’ limited liability partnerships
- Contractual and general partnership disputes
- Enforcement proceedings
- Employment litigation
John is sensitive to the problems and stress DPA clients have in navigating the often unfamiliar territory they find themselves in as litigants. He provides practical guidance and support and reassurance in order to help his clients carry out the role they have to assume.
Notable cases
- Santers Solicitors Limited & Anr v Law Society & The SRA [2024] EWHC 3003 (Ch)
- Gregory & Anor v Moore & Ors [2019] EWHC 566 (Ch) (20 February 2019)
- Christodoulides v Marcou [2017] EWHC 2632 (Ch) (26 October 2017)
- Mybarrister Ltd v Hewetson & Ors (Rev 1) [2017] EWHC 2624 (Ch) (19 October 2017)
- Brothers Enterprises Ltd v New World Hospitality UK Ltd [2017] EWHC 2455 (Ch) (11 August 2017)
- Spencer v S Franses Ltd [2011] EWHC 1269
- Vectone Entertainment Holding Ltd v South Entertainment Ltd [2004] 2 BCLC 224
- FSL Services Limited v MacDonald Court of Appeal [2001] EWCA Civ 1008 21 June 2001
- The Contradictors v Attorney-General, Privy Council [2001] 3 NZLR 301
- Macdonald v Taree Holdings Ltd (Transcript: Beverley F Nunnery) 7 December 2000
- Grammer v Lane (CA) [2000] 2 All ER 245
- Stafford v The State (PC) [1999] 1 WLR 2026
- Rooney v Cardona (CA) [1999] 1 FLR 1236, [1999] 1 WLR 1388
- Rooney v Das [1999] BPIR 404
- Turkiye Is Bankasi As v Bank of China (CA) [1998] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 250
- Rama v Millar [1996] 1 NZLR 257
- Zandfarid v Bank of Credit and Commerce International Sa (in liquidation) and another [1996] 1 WLR 1420
- Adams v The Queen (PC) [1995] 1 WLR 52
- Simpson v Attorney-General [Baigent’s Case] [1994] 3 NZLR 667
Education
- LLB (Hons) Victoria University of Wellington 1974
- LLM Victoria University of Wellington 1986
- Fulbright Scholar 1991
Publications
- Intervention (a paper presented by John at the Hart Judicial Review conference in December 2012)
- The Role of the Amicus in the American Supreme Court (Fulbright Paper)
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