Nigel Gowling

Overview

Nigel initially studied Agriculture and Land Management and then went on to take a law degree and subsequently received a Very Competent rating on the Bar Vocational Course. Since that time he has built a unique practice in rural/agricultural litigation, specialising in claims under the Agricultural Holdings Act (1986) and Agricultural Arbitrations and Land Registry Adjudications.

Prior to being at the Bar Nigel worked in the middle East and Africa and was heavily involved in many large agricultural projects at a commercial and practical level, in Libya, East Africa and Saudi Arabia. Nigel has a wealth of experience in rural and agricultural matters and a real ability to uncover the real issues between disputing parties and find acceptable settlement options. 

Nigel has also had great experience in equine matters both practically and from a legal standpoint, having bred and raced point-to-point horses and driven carriage horses, he has been instructed in many matters involving horses and the equine industry, including veterinary negligence and bloodstock ownership disputes.

Nigel qualified as a mediator in 2007 and conducts many mediations each year. These generally involve matters such as contentious probate, partnership disputes (including matrimonial issues) and boundary disputes, however he also regularly conducts mediations in relation to commercial and business disputes

Apart from Nigel’s main specialism he is also regularly instructed in more complex inquests surrounding deaths and unexplained deaths in nursing homes, hospitals and care homes on behalf of insurers and sometimes the family. Nigel has also dealt with numerous inquests involving sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Nigel is regularly instructed in:

• Agricultural commercial contract disputes
• Crop/land damage claims
• Trespass and adverse possession claims
• Equine contractual issues
• Easement and boundary disputes
• Landlord and tenant issues involving the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the Arbitration Act 1986
• Contentious probate and trust matters
• TOLATA claims
• Proprietary Estoppel

Cases

• A longstanding farming family partnership/trustee dispute worth over £3.5m, settled at mediation
• Numerous crop/produce damage claims against major agrochemical manufacturers and storage companies
• Breach of Trust claims by three beneficiaries against their Trustee sisters
• Professional negligence claim against veterinary surgeons for malpractice when implanting embryos
• Reference to the Lands Tribunal on lease valuation for a major national care home company
• A high value breach of contract claim between Equine Bloodstock agents and purchaser
• Highly complicated dispute over forged power of attorney and sale of another's property
• Numerous multi-issue disputes involving, provision of rights of way and boundary matters

Nigel has dealt with Coroners Inquests involving:

• Sudden death in those suffering from Epilepsy (SUDEP)
• Deaths whilst in care of the mentally ill and severely disabled
• Deaths as a result of negligent care in nursing homes and hospitals
• Sudden Deaths of Infants (SIDS)
• Deaths resulting in Serious case Reviews

Lectures and Seminars:

• Expert witness to RICS
• Mediation
• Agricultural Law
• Property Law to Local Authorities

Equine Law 

Nigel has an excellent working knowledge of all equine matter from a practical and legal point of view having bred, raced and reared horses for many years.

He has represented the Brittish Dressage Society and the Veterinary Defence Union. previous case include:

• Veterinary negligence claims;
• Public liability and Animal Act matters;
• Contract claims involving high value bloodstock sales in the UK and abroad;
• Contract claims for misrepresentation and breach;
• Personal injury matters involving claims by trainers and jockeys;
• Equestrian business sales;
• Equestrian  training and livery agreements;
• Banned substances defences;
• RSPCA matters