Michael Berkley

Joint Head of Chambers - Call 1989 - Appointed Civil Recorder 2012

The Legal 500 - The Clients Guide to Law Firms Recognised in the Legal 500
His chancery practice includes probate and wills work, property disputes and contentious trusts.
Strengths: “If someone said: ‘I have a chancery problem and need an Exeter barrister,’ I would give Michael’s name.” Chambers and Partners (2016)

Michael’s pupillage and early practice was in London before moving down to Exeter in 1993. He founded Rougemont Chambers in 1997 which flourished and of which he remained Head of Chambers until it merged with Southernhay to form Magdalen Chambers in 2013, of which he is joint Head of Chambers.

The Legal 500 2016 - ‘A well-prepared, talented advocate.’ - ‘Experienced in cases involving easements, boundary disputes, and commercial landlord and tenant matters.’

Commercial

Michael has always undertaken commercial work, which has involved contractual and landlord and tenant disputes, ranging from an international property development dispute down to SME and professional partnership disputes and workshop dilapidation claims. Michael is also widely experienced in Consumer Credit and other consumer protection issues.

Property & Chancery

Michael has a long standing practice in property law, having been involved in many cases involving all manner of easements, boundary disputes, adverse possession, beneficial ownership and Landlord & Tenant (largely commercial).

Standing alongside and complementing Michael’s property practice is his practice in this area: contentious probate and ToLATA are his principal interests in this field, and he has undertaken cases involving estates worth several million pounds to those of a few tens of thousands. Michael is prepared to consider alternative funding arrangements in this field.

Qualifications