Giles Maynard-Connor KC

Giles career at the Bar has been rooted in Chancery work, including equity and trust claims, and partnership actions.

Reported cases include:

• Magee & Ors v Crocker & Anor  [2024] EWHC 1723 (Ch) and  [2024] EWHC 2353 (Ch)

In this claim, Giles acted for the claimants who sought to establish their 50% interests in a high value company. Following a 3 week trial, issues of novation, waiver and estoppel were confirmed in favour of the claimants. The defendant’s crossclaims, which involved allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, were all defeated.

• Clements v Frisby  [2022] EWHC 3124 (Ch) &  [2023] EWHC 320 (Ch)

This was a claim against the Manchester internet and fashion entrepreneur, Adam Frisby of In the Style plc, in which Giles successfully defended a claim brought against him valued at c.£125M for allegedly stealing and exploiting the claimant’s confidential business plan for ‘In the Style’ at the time of its establishment in 2013. At trial, the Court found the claimant to be dishonest and that his claim was based on a false narrative. The claim was dismissed with an order for indemnity costs against the claimant.

• Morton v Morton  [2022] EWHC 2689 (Ch),  [2023] EWCA Civ 700 &  [2023] EWHC 3223 (Ch)

This was a partnership dispute involving siblings following the death of their mother. At trial the claimant daughter, represented by Giles, successfully established the extent of her late mother’s interest as a partner despite defences raised that such interest was minimal. Following the liability trial, the defendants successfully appealed against an award of interest under s.42 of the Partnership Act 1890. Costs issues were then re-considered by the trial judge who found in favour of the claimant given offers to settle made by her during the course of the proceedings.

Giles has a clear grasp of commercial issues and how best to overcome them. He works with his clients, favouring a team approach, particularly when faced with complex issues. With an in-depth understanding of the commercial world, he is adept at keeping his clients informed and aware of any issues that may arise at the earliest opportunity. Giles is a truly commercial litigator in terms of approach to his cases and his clients’ interests and needs.

Recent cases include:

• Mornington 2000 LLP & Anor v The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

These proceedings have involved three procurement claims valued at c.£450M, and a separate claim seeking c.£100M for an alleged wrongful rejection of goods, in respect of the supply of lateral flow testing devices during the Covid Pandemic. Giles has recently acted as the claimants’ leading counsel in successfully resisting the SoS’ strike out application on limitation grounds.

• Magee & Ors v Crocker & Anor  [2024] EWHC 1723 (Ch) and  [2024] EWHC 2353 (Ch)

In this claim, Giles acted for the claimants who sought to establish their 50% interests in a high value company. Following a 3 week trial, issues of novation, waiver and estoppel were confirmed in favour of the claimants. The defendant’s crossclaims, which involved allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, were all defeated.

• Clements v Frisby  [2022] EWHC 3124 (Ch) &  [2023] EWHC 320 (Ch)

This was a claim against the Manchester internet and fashion entrepreneur, Adam Frisby of In the Style plc, in which Giles successfully defended a claim brought against him valued at c.£125M for allegedly stealing and exploiting the claimant’s confidential business plan for ‘In the Style’ at the time of its establishment in 2013. At trial, the Court found the claimant to be dishonest and that his claim was based on a false narrative. The claim was dismissed with an order for indemnity costs against the claimant.

• Price & Ors v Flitcraft Ltd & Ors  [2020] EWCA Civ 850,  [2023] EWHC 1746 (Pat) &  [2024] EWCA Civ 242

This was a claim for copyright and patent infringement in the Patents Court. Giles was first instructed with respect to the defendants’ appeal to the Court of Appeal against the summary judgment ordered against them. That appeal was successful. Following a subsequent 2 week trial, the claims were largely defeated with substantial costs ordered in favour of the defendants.

Giles’ company work has a particular emphasis on claims against directors and shareholder disputes.

Reported cases include:

• Magee & Ors v Crocker & Anor  [2024] EWHC 1723 (Ch) and  [2024] EWHC 2353 (Ch)

In this claim, Giles acted for the claimants who sought to establish their 50% interests in a high value company. Following a 3 week trial, issues of novation, waiver and estoppel were confirmed in favour of the claimants. The defendant’s crossclaims, which involved allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, were all defeated.

• Clements v Frisby  [2022] EWHC 3124 (Ch) &  [2023] EWHC 320 (Ch)

This was a claim against the Manchester internet and fashion entrepreneur, Adam Frisby of In the Style plc, in which Giles successfully defended a claim brought against him valued at c.£125M for allegedly stealing and exploiting the claimant’s confidential business plan for ‘In the Style’ at the time of its establishment in 2013. At trial, the Court found the claimant to be dishonest and that his claim was based on a false narrative. The claim was dismissed with an order for indemnity costs against the claimant.

Giles is an expert in contentious and non-contentious insolvency work, in particular TUV and preference claims, misfeasance and other work for liquidators and other office holders including company administrations, corporate and individual voluntary arrangements and receivership problems, and individual bankruptcy work.

Before taking Silk, Giles was Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional Panel A) and his work for the Secretary of State focused on contentious public interest winding up petitions, including the appointment of provisional liquidators and appropriate injunctive relief, and disqualification applications under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986

Since taking Silk Giles has been on the Attorney General Silk’s panel.

Giles is also the General Editor of the Sixth Edition of ‘Personal Insolvency – Schaw Miller and Bailey’.

Reported cases include:

• Re Ahmed  [2018] EWCA Civ 519
• SSI UK Ltd v Hewden Stuart Ltd  [2015] EWHC 2726 (Ch)
• SOS v Pawson  [2015] EWHC 2626 (Ch)
• Overfinch Bespoke Vehicles Ltd (in Liquidation) v Freddie White as Liquidator of Lemma Europe Insurance Company Ltd [13/5/15] Gibraltar
• Beloit Walmsley Ltd  [2008] EWHC 1888 (Ch)
• In the matter of Lune Metal Products (in Administration)  [2006] EWCA Civ 1720

In recent years Giles has successfully completed a number of complex cases involving claims against accountants, IFAs and solicitors. He has also appeared in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, where he successfully appealed against a decision of a liquidator of a foreign insurance company in order to confirm a substantial proof of debt based on a UK judgment obtained against a firm of solicitors for breaches of undertakings given by them.

He has recently acted for clients in Hong Kong against solicitors based in that jurisdiction.

Giles also acted as lead counsel and secured an important victory in the Court of Appeal in Allsop v Banner Jones and Cohen, which has had significant and wide ranging implications for subsequent cases.

Reported cases include:

• Allsop v Banner Jones Ltd and another  [2021] EWCA Civ 7

This was a professional negligence action brought by the claimant, represented by Giles, against his former solicitors and counsel with respect to their conduct of his divorce proceedings. Following a successful application by the defendants to strike out most of the claim on abuse grounds (collateral attack on the judgment of the Family Court judge), the strike outs were set aside on appeal to the Court of Appeal; the appeal clarified the law in this area, including the application of the ‘Phosphate Sewage Test’.

• LSC Finance Ltd v Abensons Law Ltd  [2015] EWHC 1163 (Ch)
• Freddie White as Liquidator of Lemma Europe Insurance Company Ltd [13/5/15] Gibraltar

Since taking silk Giles has acted as the lead Counsel in a number of high value international arbitrations under both the ICC and SCC rules.

Giles has been an accredited Mediator for 20 years and has vast experience of mediations in a wide range of disputes.

• Mornington 2000 LLP & Anor v The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

These proceedings have involved three procurement claims valued at c.£450M, and a separate claim seeking c.£100M for an alleged wrongful rejection of goods, in respect of the supply of lateral flow testing devices during the Covid Pandemic. Giles has recently acted as the claimants’ leading counsel in successfully resisting the SoS’ strike out application on limitation grounds.

• Magee & Ors v Crocker & Anor  [2024] EWHC 1723 (Ch) and  [2024] EWHC 2353 (Ch)

In this claim, Giles acted for the claimants who sought to establish their 50% interests in a high value company. Following a 3 week trial, issues of novation, waiver and estoppel were confirmed in favour of the claimants. The defendant’s crossclaims, which involved allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, were all defeated.

• Clements v Frisby  [2022] EWHC 3124 (Ch) &  [2023] EWHC 320 (Ch)

This was a claim against the Manchester internet and fashion entrepreneur, Adam Frisby of In the Style plc, in which Giles successfully defended a claim brought against him valued at c.£125M for allegedly stealing and exploiting the claimant’s confidential business plan for ‘In the Style’ at the time of its establishment in 2013. At trial, the Court found the claimant to be dishonest and that his claim was based on a false narrative. The claim was dismissed with an order for indemnity costs against the claimant.

• Morton v Morton  [2022] EWHC 2689 (Ch),  [2023] EWCA Civ 700 &  [2023] EWHC 3223 (Ch)

This was a partnership dispute involving siblings following the death of their mother. At trial the claimant daughter, represented by Giles, successfully established the extent of her late mother’s interest as a partner despite defences raised that such interest was minimal. Following the liability trial, the defendants successfully appealed against an award of interest under s.42 of the Partnership Act 1890. Costs issues were then re-considered by the trial judge who found in favour of the claimant given offers to settle made by her during the course of the proceedings.

• Price & Ors v Flitcraft Ltd & Ors  [2020] EWCA Civ 850,  [2023] EWHC 1746 (Pat) &  [2024] EWCA Civ 242

This was a claim for copyright and patent infringement in the Patents Court. Giles was first instructed with respect to the defendants’ appeal to the Court of Appeal against the summary judgment ordered against them. That appeal was successful. Following a subsequent 2 week trial, the claims were largely defeated with substantial costs ordered in favour of the defendants.

• Allsop v Banner Jones Ltd and another  [2021] EWCA Civ 7

This was a professional negligence action brought by the claimant, represented by Giles, against his former solicitors and counsel with respect to their conduct of his divorce proceedings. Following a successful application by the defendants to strike out most of the claim on abuse grounds (collateral attack on the judgment of the Family Court judge), the strike outs were set aside on appeal to the Court of Appeal; the appeal clarified the law in this area, including the application of the ‘Phosphate Sewage Test’.

Chambers and Partners

Band 2 Silk for Chancery, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Company and Restructuring/Insolvency

• ‘Giles is awesome. He gives fabulous advice and is user-friendly. He’s no-nonsense, bullish and really good. He’s a thoroughly nice bloke as well’ – 2026
• ‘Giles delivers great expertise and an exceptional commercial approach’ – 2025

Legal 500

Leading Silk Band 1 – Commercial Litigation; Leading Silk Band 2 – Company & Insolvency

• ‘Giles is one of the best KC’s in the North of England’ – 2026
• ‘Giles is at the top of his game. He is rightly viewed in the market as the KC of the moment, as he is a formidable advocate and passionate about every case he advocates.’ – 2025
• ‘Giles is a heavyweight in the market. He is clever, astute and user-friendly commercial counsel, a team player, and he is a ferocious advocate with a winning mentality’ – 2024