Mike Blitz

Mike takes pride in his legal precision and knowledge, which allows him to quickly get to the bottom of complex problems and make the fine distinctions required to provide accurate advice and develop a strong case strategy. His clients appreciate that he can do so without resorting to legal jargon.

Mike is often instructed to provide early advice on an issue, to draft pre-action correspondence, and to settle pleadings. He is equally at home in Court – his daily court and tribunal appearances in his junior years of practice honed his skills as a persuasive advocate with the ability to react to developments while ‘on his feet’.

Instructions in contractual disputes are particularly welcomed, and Mike has an excellent and up-to-date knowledge across the field, including   on matters such as misrepresentation, variation, mistake and frustration.

Notable instructions include:

• representing a former director in a case concerning rectification for mistake, misrepresentation, and misuse of confidential information;
• advising a landlord on potential professional negligence claims against his former advisors over alleged defective service of an eviction notice;
• advising a commercial licensee on potential claims for misrepresentation;
• advising on the doctrine of estoppel in the context of a commercial lease;
• advising a charity on recourse against financial institutions following misappropriation of funds by a trustee;
• successfully representing an individual seeking return of a prestige vehicle from a garage claiming a repairers lien;
• appearing, advising and drafting pleadings for a Local Authority in a claim for termination of contract where there had a been a change in service levels;
• advising an individual on potential claims arising from the sale of an animal with behavioural issues;
• advising a national outdoor activity association as to the successful use of indemnity waivers, including by minors
• advising an individual as to the agency relationship between himself and his advisors for tax purposes;

Mike represents both Claimants and Respondents in all areas, including unfair dismissal, TUPE, and all forms of discrimination. He regularly appears in Employment Tribunals throughout the country (both in person and remotely).

Mike is regularly instructed to advise at a pre-issue stage, and is sought after for his robust, precise advice on the claims that should be brought, the basis on which they should be pursued, and tactical decisions thereafter.

Lay clients much appreciate Mike’s personable nature and ability to understand their immediate needs, whether guiding them through what can often be an alien process or, providing frank advice in percentages or pounds and pence.

Notable instructions include:

• acting in an 11-day redundancy / discrimination claim against an educational establishment;
• representing a former director of an international charity dismissed for whistleblowing;
• representing a former director in a case concerning rectification for mistake, misrepresentation, and misuse of confidential information;
• settling Grounds of Appeal in a case concerning the dismissal of a registered nurse following a safeguarding incident;
• acting for an executive agency in a dispute over the employment status of volunteers;
• advising on the durability and prospects of claims for discrimination following the unfortunate death of the claimant mid-litigation;
• obtaining judgment following trial on a s.15 discrimination claim, successfully defended in the Employment Appeal Tribunal;
• advising and settling grounds of appeal where the Tribunal rejected the claim for non-compliance with the early conciliation process.

While much of Mike’s commercial work has touched on Land / Property, this is now developing into an established practice area in its own right, where his legal precision and detailed approach come into their own.

Mike has experience teaching this technical and complex area at the University of Bristol. Prior to coming to the Bar he frequently acted (on behalf of a solicitors’ firm) for commercial lenders in possession proceedings.

Notable instructions include:

• advising a personal chargeholder on the impact of parallel professional negligence allegations on a possession claim;
• representing individuals involved in a dispute over a rural residential right of way;
• advising a small business owner as to claims against his landlord for inadequate insurance coverage following significant damage to the demised premises;
• drafting pleadings where a business tenant had been excluded by his co-occupier;

advising a professional lay client on the application of the ‘tacking’ provisions in s.49 Land Registration Act 2002.

Mike represents Claimants and Defendants across all areas of Personal Injury litigation, including road traffic accidents (with or without fraud allegations), highways claims, industrial disease and public liability

A strong working knowledge of the somewhat labyrinthine rules of the RTA portal and the fixed costs regimes, along with a keen eye for detail allows Mike to comprehensively represent clients at trials, disposal or stage 3 hearings, or interim applications. Mike is however equally at home advising on prospects and quantum.