Martin Paxton

Practice Areas

Martin Paxton qualified in 2002 and previously worked at Clyde & Co between 2011 and 2016, having joined the firm through its merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. Martin joined DAC Beachcroft as a Partner in 2016 before re-joining the firm’s Manchester office as a Partner in early 2023.

Martin specialises in defending claims brought against professionals including lawyers, insurance brokers, architects, engineers and quantity surveyors. He also regularly acts for design and build contractors. Martin regularly provides training on all aspects of professional negligence litigation and coverage. He has significant experience of handling adjudications and is a regular user of mediation.

Martin is noted as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 UK 2023 edition and is described as – “absolutely stellar – clever, with great client management skills.” He is also a Band 2 lawyer in the 2023 edition of Chambers and Partners and is described as –“ pragmatic, reliable and a dream to work with.”

Experience

• Assisting Insurers and their Insured following the failure to serve a Claim Form in a clinical negligence claim valued at up to £15 million. This involved consideration of alternative methods of service and the Supreme Court’s approach when both parties are initially unaware of the defect.

• Handling a significant claim for solicitors arising in connection with ancillary relief proceedings. Following the strike out of part of the claim, the Claimant’s appeal is to be heard by the Court of Appeal. The claim involves the consideration of multiple allegations of negligence and the principles of abuse of process following a finding by the first instance Judge and an appellate Court.

• Handling the defence of a claim for in excess of £12 million brought against a large quantity surveying practice following the failed development of a large training facility in Northern Ireland. The claim followed an increased costs estimate of c.30 million and followed on from litigation in NI and a settlement of the main claim brought against the project architect.

• Advising a large Contractor and its insurers following the allegedly defective erection of steel support at a commercial building in the South East. Claims are brought against multiple parties and the defence of the claim has involved consideration of technical, cost and delay evidence in the context of 2 separate adjudications.

• Handling the defence of a claim against a design and build contractor relating to the construction of a significant flat complex with green credentials following the failure of the complxe’s electrical and heating supply.

• Handling the defence of a significant claim against a multi-national firm of insurance brokers following the collapse of their client’s PI insurers.