Ben Johnson

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Image of Ben Johnson a Partner specialising in Commercial Litigation
ben.johnson@jmw.co.uk

Ben joined JMW’s Commercial Litigation department as a Partner in May 2024, following 12 years in DWF’s dispute resolution team.

Ben’s practise is focused on his clients' goals and objectives in complex, high value litigation, specialising in:

  • Corporate/Commercial dispute resolution (including High Court, arbitration and mediation)
  • Director, Shareholder and Partnership disputes
  • Contractual claims / Debt recovery
  • Professional Negligence
  • Fraud and insolvency
  • Injunctive/urgent relief
  • Insurance

In his spare time, Ben is a CrossFit enthusiast and enjoys competing in the sport.

Examples of Ben's work

Corporate/Commercial dispute resolution

  • Advising and acting in High Court disputes (£000Ks to £ms) arising from M&A deals and SPA transactions in respect of deferred consideration, and breach of contractual warranties and indemnities.
  • Representing Claimants in a High Court action relating to breaches of a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) and aborted Initial Public Offering (IPO) of a business that had been estimated to be worth $150m, including satellite issues in respect of security for costs and ATE insurance.

Director, Shareholder and Partnership disputes

  • Regularly instructed in shareholder disputes ranging in value (£100k to >£50m), including highly complex unfair prejudice petitions and valuation exercises.
  • Advising directors and C-suite clients in respect of potential claims including relating to director’s duties, executive remuneration packages, non-executive roles, unlawful actions of other directors (including misappropriation of funds, unauthorised share transfer) and obtaining successful interim applications for relief.

Contractual / Debt recovery

  • Acted for a multinational manufacturer in the construction, agriculture, waste handling and demolition sectors. Pursuing Technology and Construction Court (“TCC”) claim for losses (>£10m) against a parts supplier relating to warranty claims arising from parts alleged to be defective. Settled before trial.
  • Acted for Claimant (international energy supplier) relating to supplier negligence/breach of contract which had caused £ms in lost profits and business interruption claims in the TCC. Settled prior to trial.
  • Acted for national telecommunications company in multiple claims relating to business interruption claims in the TCC (arising from defective repairs to hardware), international call traffic services and large-scale data bundle sales.
  • Defending supermarket in respect of High Court claim by former haulier relating to breach of contract and loss of profits (>£2m).

Professional Negligence

  • Advising clients in respect of claims against professional service providers including solicitors and accountants for negligence.
  • Successfully represented Claimant against former solicitors on negligent drafting of a Share Purchase Agreement securing damages at trial (>£3.5m).
  • High Court action for client against former barrister relating to failure to give full and frank disclosure in respect of interim freezing injunction (>£4m). Settled prior to trial.

Fraud and Insolvency

  • Unlawful means conspiracy - acting both in successfully defending Director in c£17m claim arising from breach of contract in the telecommunications industry and pursuing a £multimillion claim on behalf of Claimants in the Commercial Courts.
  • Acting regularly on behalf of banks and lending institutions in respect of alleged mortgage and lender frauds and other disputes adversely affecting security over property (including HM Land Registry indemnification fund compensation claims).
  • Represented the Insolvency Service in actions for the disqualification of directors (including an MTIC fraud High Court trial), public interest winding up (2-week trial relating to multi-million pound miss-selling claim) and Bankruptcy Restriction orders.

Injunctive/urgent relief

  • Obtaining undertakings on an urgent basis from a shareholder seeking to divest shares contrary to the client's investment agreement.
  • Acting for numerous clients in respect of existing or former employees re breach of restrictive covenants and the theft of confidential information.
  • Obtaining urgent relief on behalf of a PLC in respect of injunctive orders obtained personally against the company's executive director board members.

Insurance

  • Acting for and advising insurers in respect of policy coverage issues (including compliance with underwriting criteria) and managing claims portfolios.
  • Pursuing claims against insurers pursuant to the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010.

Articles

What his clients say

Finding oneself in a situation where one needs to engage lawyers can be daunting. In my case and after considerable research and consequent advice I was highly recommended to seek the help needed from JMW Solicitors. From the very first email to the successful conclusion of my case I was given clear, sound advice and guidance. In particular, Lily Paterson and Ben Johnson lead me through this somewhat difficult journey with care and consideration, highly professional at all times, giving me a sense of security and reassurance in what can often be a very stressful experience.

Trustpilot

I was recommended this firm and in particular Rachelle Green by a friend, who had an extremely positive experience with her. I was dealing with Rachelle, Ben Johnson and Jack McKee. They were very professional, but very compassionate at the same time. They had a world of knowledge and I felt safe and confident with them. They were very responsive, and also sympathetic and empathetic about our situation. If I didn’t understand anything, they were always available, either for a chat to explain or by email. They acted to deadlines on short notice amazingly. They made everything clear to me, they made me feel at ease, nothing was any trouble to them, and they responded very efficiently when I had a question. Their attention to detail fron the start was brilliant. They were in charge always, and were very vigilant of everything, and to put it simply, they were “on it”, always chasing etc. I can’t recommend them enough, and I will definitely be coming back to them, and will be recommending them to family and friends. Highly recommended.

Trustpilot

My experience with JMW was nothing short of exemplary. I worked with Ben Johnson whom is a Partner of JMW with regards to an employment and intellectual property dispute. Ben was prompt in his replies and used his expertise to assist with my dispute which ended in success. I would recommend JMW for any employment or intellectual property disputes.

Trustpilot