Ben Oliver

Year of call:

2023 (Solicitor 2014)

Education:

2009 - University of Bradford - LLB (Law) Hons

2010 - BPP Law School Legal Practice Course - Commendation

Career:

2010-2011 - Paralegal at Simpson Millar LLP specialising in Employment litigation.

2011-2012 - Paralegal at Addleshaw Goddard LLP in the Finance Litigation team.

2012-2014 - Trainee Solicitor at Walker Morris LLP

2014-2016 - Assistant Solicitor at Walker Morris LLP, working in the Banking Litigation team

2016-2021 - ssociate Solicitor & Solicitor Advocate (January 2021) at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, working in the Finance Litigation team

2021-2023 - Senior Associate Solicitor & Solicitor Advocate at Clarion Solicitors, working in the firm’s Commercial Dispute Resolution department

Ben joined Park Square Barristers as a tenant in July 2023 after cross qualifying and being Called to the Bar in July 2023 and is now ranked as a Leading Junior by The Legal 500 (2025) for Commercial Litigation work.

” Ben is an assured and methodical advocate. He is very client friendly and provides clear and focused advice.‘ – The Legal 500 (2025)

Ben was admitted as a solicitor in 2014 and in 2021 obtained his Higher Rights of Audience to become a Solicitor Advocate. Ben has appeared as advocate in-house on a range of Chancery & Commercial matters for various SMEs, individuals, partnerships and large financial lenders. Since cross qualifying, Ben has appeared in both the County Court and High Court / Business & Property Courts on a range of disputes, including business to business contractual disputes, insolvency matters, litigation relating to the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and disputes relating to regulated lending under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. As well as having advocacy experience at both trial and on interim applications, Ben has experience drafting pleadings (both particulars of claim and defences) and providing written advice.

“I would definitely recommend Ben in the future, he was very informative and offered a genuine insight into the case. We found he was very reassuring with his advice and transparent regarding the options and risk management. He was also very professional, approachable and efficient. We were delighted with how he dealt with the matter expeditiously and also accomodated our request for a conference at short notice.”  – Instructing Solicitor

Ben has extensive experience in banking and finance litigation, acting in consumer credit and consumer rights litigation, disputes relating to legal and equitable mortgages and personal guarantees and indemnities, asset finance / invoice finance litigation, satisfactory quality disputes, financial mis-selling and property litigation; including claims relating to competing interests in land.

Ben also specialises in commercial contract disputes and has recent experience acting in cases relating to architect disputes, damage to high value artwork, cross jurisdictional freight litigation, payment services disputes, insolvency proceedings (both personal and corporate) and shareholder disputes.

“Working with Ben on an application for strike out / summary judgment was a pleasure.  He promptly made himself available to discuss the matter and tailored the approach to our client’s requirements.  Ben’s written work is detailed, persuasive, and concise.  His impressive advocacy skills and ability to think on his feet under robust pressure exceed his level of Call.  Thanks to Ben, our client achieved a resounding victory, including 100% of costs and interest.  I highly recommend Ben for his exceptional skill and unwavering dedication.  It was a privilege to work alongside him.” – Instructing Solicitor at a Tier One firm

Notable cases:

  • Acted for LPA Receivers in relation to possession proceedings for a large commercial hotel, including appearing for the LPA Receivers at various Application Hearings relating to the mental capacity of a defendant and the appointment of a litigation friend
  • Successfully appeared for a large fashion retailer defending a money claim relating to allegations of product failure for  satisfactory quality / fitness for purpose, including opposing a relief from sanctions application.
  • Successfully appeared for a firm of architects in obtaining the strike out of a defence and obtaining judgment against a company for a failure to pay architect fees, including successfully opposing a relief from sanctions application.
  • Advising a bank in relation to the enforcement of a £12m asset finance facility, including advice relating to various multi-party security.
  • Acting as a solicitor for a bank defending a claim for £42m relating to alleged wrongful termination of asset finance facilities and consequential damages, and successfully obtaining summary judgment.
  • Acting as a solicitor for a bank in an asset finance dispute, including defending a multi-million pound counterclaim for an alleged breach of satisfactory quality / fitness for purpose claim. Obtaining a full judgment at trial including an order for indemnity costs against the defendants.
  • Providing and English law expert opinion on bailment under English law for the purposes of litigation in Germany relating to damage to a Picasso painting in transit.
  • Acting as a solicitor acting for a high street bank for a claim for c£450,000 against two guarantor defendants alleging a breach of banking mandate, obtaining summary judgment and an order for enhanced costs and interest after obtaining a more favourable judgment following a Part 36 offer.
  • Acting for various banks, lenders and SMEs relating to Authorised Push Payment frauds, including advising on applications for Norwich Pharmacal Orders, including the bringing / defending of such applications, and advising on the tracing of assets.
  • Acting for a high street bank in costs litigation following the discontinuance of proceedings, including obtaining an issue-based costs order and advising on matters relating to the detailed assessment of costs.
  • Acting for a lender in relation to a multi-party cross jurisdictional fraud, including advising the lender on various causes of action including claims under contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, conversion under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 and mercantile agents under the Factors Act 1889.
  • Acting for a director and minority shareholder, advising on their rights as a minority shareholder and potential unfair prejudice petition action under s.994 of the Companies Act 2006.
  • Acting for a high street bank at a mediation on possession proceedings relating to a breach of personal guarantee and legal charge and defending an allegation of fraud against the bank.
  • Acting for various banks, lenders and individuals at mediations and without prejudice meetings relating to the breach of financial facilities and security.
  • Acting for a bridging lender and advising on the breach of a bridging loan, including advising on regulated lending under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Contact Ben’s clerks

Senior Clerk – Andy Reeves on 0113 213 5252

Talia Webster on 0113 202 8609

Joshua Duree on 0113 213 5246

Mike Alexander on 0113 2135268

Ben Ellison-Tope on 0113 2135207