Simon Pritchard

Simon is a qualified volunteer representative for the Free Representation Unit and has advised and has successfully represented clients in a range of appeals, including claims for Criminal Injury Compensation, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.

As a pupil, Simon gained a broad range of experience in public law and human rights. This included:

Risk Management Partners v London Borough of Brent [2008] EWHC 1094 (Admin) and [2008] EWHC 692 (Admin)
A high-profile case concerning the legality of a local authority’s decision to insure with a Mutual insurer. The issues of the case included the scope of a local authority’s powers and the breadth of exemptions to public procurement rules. (Assisting Pupil Supervisor Javan Herberg)

The Office of Communications v The Information Commissioner and T-Mobile (UK)
An appeal under the Environment Information Regulations 2004 against the decision of the Information Commissioner requiring OFCOM to make available detailed information about mobile phone bases given to it by mobile network operators. (Assisting Pupil Supervisor Jane Collier)

R (on the application of Cafer Dogan) v SSHD CO/2422/07
Resisting an application for permission to judicially review the Secretary of State’s decision that the applicant’s submissions did not amount to a fresh claim. (Assisting Pupil Supervisor Jane Collier)

MA (Palestinian Territories) v SSHD [2008] EWCA Civ 304
Appeal to the Court of Appeal concerning the rights of a stateless person whom the Secretary of State wishes to return to his habitual place of residence although he is likely to be denied entrance to his place of residence.

During pupillage Simon gained a wide experience of employment cases involving a range of issues, including restrictive covenants, TUPE transfers, unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal.

Cases in which Simon assisted his Pupil Supervisor Tom Croxford include:

Force One Utilities Ltd v Hatfield [2008] UKEAT 0048_08_2204
A case concerning the employment tribunal’s power to strike out a party’s defence as a result of conduct by or on behalf of the party which is scandalous, vexatious or unreasonable.

Ministry of Sound v Ben Cook HQ08X00407
A case concerning a former employee who left his employment to join a competitor.

As a pupil, Simon was involved in a wide range of commercial cases and hearings including reinsurance arbitrations and applications for a variety of injunctions including search orders and freezing injunctions. His experience also includes a wide range of advisory work.

Regulation

Simon assisted his pupil supervisors (particularly Jane Collier, Javan Herberg and Andrew Hunter) in advising various public bodies in relation to their general powers and duties and particularly in relation to a variety of disputes (including the FSA, Ofcom, Ofgem and the BBC). Simon’s work with Javan Herberg included assisting on appeals against enforcement decisions by the FSA in market abuse cases.

During Simon’s pupillage he assisted Andrew Hunter on several cases involving media law including disputes over music performers’ royalty rights.

During Simon’s pupillage he assisted Andrew Hunter on several cases involving sports law - such cases ranging from highly commercial claims involving large sports clubs to appeals against disciplinary penalties.

Simon received a scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn to spend time visiting the European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg and the International Court of Justice, The Hague.

Prizes and Scholarships:

• Tancred Studentship (Lincoln’s Inn 2006/7)
• Hardwicke Scholar (Lincoln’s Inn 2006)
• Lord Bowen Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn 2005/6)
• Gibbs Prize (Oxford University 2004) for finishing 1st in his year following finals 
• Turbutt Prize (Oxford University 2002)
• Megarry Scholarship (Pupillage award, Lincoln’s Inn)
• Buchanan Prize (Lincoln’s Inn)

Other work experience:

Dorset Police 2001-2005 (various roles)