William J. Richardson

William regularly drafts and appears successfully in applications to set aside statutory demands and applications for injunctions to prevent the presentation of winding up petitions in the High Court Companies Court. This complements his regular appearances in the winding up list.

William is instructed on a matter concerning the sale of a Chinese grocery shop business which involves disputes around the terms of the sale, the commercial tenancies, the stock and the relevant trading styles. William drafted the pleadings and is instructed in the trial, which will take place in 2025.

SEHBAC v Speller (2023) – William was successful in recovering damages on behalf of his client, a window-fitting company, in a case that raised probate issues because the original customer had died and her estate was refusing to pay the debt.

William has experience in a range of property work. From the beginning of his career, he has acted in a variety of property cases including those involving HMO regulations and homelessness appeals. He accepts instructions in all aspects of property litigation and TOLATA work.

He has experience of TOLATA cases, and in April 2025 was successful on behalf of a Claimant who was seeking a share of the beneficial interest in a property which was jointly legally owned with his mother. 

Edmunds v Newell and Capital Homes Ltd (2021): William represented the Claimant in this claim in trespass at a 3-day multi-track trial in the first year of his tenancy and was successful in obtaining a swingeing injunction for his client, compelling the Defendant to reverse works he had carried out without consent on his client’s land, along with damages and costs.

Hastings Borough Council v Linda Turner [2021] UKUT 258 (LC): William was led for the Respondent before the UT in this case which provides important guidance on the proper approach by the FTT to a rehearing of a licence application made by a relevant person, including clarification on the burden of proof and the weight to be given to the local housing authority’s decision.

Langi v Langi (2024): Possession claim in which the Defendant defended on the basis of a right of occupation pursuant to a licence or pursuant to a trust, and raised a counterclaim asserting a beneficial interest in various properties. William successfully got the Defence and Counterclaim struck out. The Defendant is now appealing.

Kailey v Bangar (2025) – William successfully represented his client in the 4-day multi-track trial of this TOLATA claim before HHJ Monty KC against his mother for a beneficial interest in an investment property. The case raised issues relating to Laskar v Laskar and the contribution of a named party under a mortgage where that party had made no contribution and had no involvement with the property aside from being named on the mortgage.

Johnson v Taylor (2025): William successfully represented his client in this contentious probate claim at a 4-day multi-track trial before HHJ Evans-Gordon where her brother was seeking to have their mother’s will pronounced against on the basis of undue influence, fraudulent calumny, a lack of capacity and lack of knowledge and approval.

To instruct William, please contact Rob Johnstone.