Practice Areas
Chancery: Traditional; Environment
Recommended for traditional chancery work and environmental (water) law, Clifford has appeared in some of the more important cases in these two respective fields.
He acted for the successful appellant in the “exceptional” (Lord Sumption) appeal that was MWB v Rock Advertising Ltd [2019] AC 119 and has since had notable wins in the Court of Appeal, including Ralph v Ralph [2021] EWCA Civ 1106 (rectification of a TR1 for common mistake) and South East Water Limited v Elster Water Metering Limited [2025] EWCA Civ 287 (the interpretation of exclusion clauses). His practice often involves disputes arising out of the sale of land (Burgess v Kempson [2023] EWHC 2166) and trusts of land.
Clifford’s probate work includes Reeves v Drew [2022] EWHC 159, where the Court set aside a £100 million will for want of knowledge and approval following his cross-examination of the principal witnesses. A performance that led to him being called “an absolute genius with witnesses at cross examination” (Chambers & Partners 2024).
Clifford has acted for water companies and in flooding claims for many years and is well known for his expertise in relation to the water industry and environmental law, including its criminal provisions. He has been described as “the pre-eminent KC for any water industry – related matter, with decades of experience; his advice is the best available” (Chambers & Partners 2024).
