Jack is an absolutely standout barrister who conducts himself in a way that far exceeds his year of call. He is pro-active, thorough, and incredibly detail-oriented. Clients appreciate his detailed, yet pragmatic, advice and his robust drafting. The quality of Jack’s work is exceptional.”

The Legal 500 2026, Commercial litigation

Jack has a broad experience in a range of commercial matters such as claims arising out of contracts of agency; the sale of goods and services; misrepresentation; construction, including in the context of professional negligence; insurance, including coverage and double-insurance issues; shipping law, including demurrage; finance agreements; rectification; oral agreements; the enforceability of contractual terms; partnerships, including solicitor and GP partnerships; joint ventures; company law and insolvency; ‘agri-business’; unjust enrichment and restitution.

Jack also has experience of employee competition work, including alleged breaches of covenant, fiduciary duty, duties of confidence, unlawful team moves, and (un)lawful means conspiracy.

Jack is ranked in Legal 500 as a Rising Star in Commercial Litigation (2026 guide).

Jack’s recent cases includes:

  • Acting for the successful claimants in a 4-day High Court trial concerning a complex building/construction dispute, involving the cross-examination of expert witnesses.
  • Drafting Points of Defence in a unfair prejudice petition involving allegations of quasi-partnership.
  • Advising on a claim against an agent for the alleged misappropriation of monies, the putative cause of which is a payment diversion fraud.
  • Acting for the successful Defendant in a trial concerning unpaid shipping charges/demurrage.
  • Advising on a shareholder claim for the non-payment of dividends.
  • Advising on a construction issue in a settlement agreement relating to the retirement/exit of a GP partner. Drafting a Defence and strike out application, which was compromised to my client’s satisfaction.
  • Advising an EU company on a high-value case concerning alleged breaches of a framework agreement.
  • Advising on a potential unfair prejudice petition, standing issues, and an alternative derivative action claim.
  • Advising on repudiatory breach, and related tactical matters, in an offshore contractual dispute.
  • Successfully defending a contractual claim and achieving a summary disposal at the start of trial without the need to hear evidence.
  • Acting in an offshore matter, on a without notice injunction, relating to allegations against a former employee working in the financial sector. The matter included alleged breaches of covenant and fiduciary duty.
  • Advising on the proper construction of a guarantee and indemnity.
  • Advising on the rectification of a settlement deed in a multi-party property development case.
  • Advised and drafted pleadings relating to the negligence of a construction professional.
  • Representation and advice in winding up petitions and bankruptcy hearings, including an application to restrain advertisement of a winding up petition against a firm of solicitors.
  • Successfully seeking a third-party costs order in multi-party, High Court litigation relating to the ownership of a yacht.

In line with his experience of offshore matters, Jack has a strong interest in issues of private international law, including conflict of laws. During his pupillage, Jack gained experience in advisory work in this area under the supervision of Nick Pointon. He is keen to grow this area of practice.

Resources

See all

Directory Quotes

Jack is an absolutely standout barrister who conducts himself in a way that far exceeds his year of call. He is pro-active, thorough, and incredibly detail-oriented. Clients appreciate his detailed, yet pragmatic, advice and his robust drafting. The quality of Jack’s work is exceptional.”

The Legal 500 2026, Commercial litigation

Jack is an absolutely standout barrister who conducts himself in a way that far exceeds his year of call.”

The Legal 500 2026, Commercial Litigation

Jack is pro-active, thorough, and incredibly detail oriented. Clients appreciate his detailed, yet pragmatic, advice and his robust drafting. The quality of Jack’s work is exceptional.”

The Legal 500 2026, Commercial Litigation

Seminars & Events

See all

  • Qualifications:

    • LLB (Hons) Law and German – First Class Honours – Cardiff University
    • Austrian Law (Erasmus) – Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck
    • LLM in Comparative and European Private Law – University of Edinburgh
    • BPTC – VC – BPP University (Bristol)
    • Lord Denning Scholar – Lincoln’s Inn (2019)
    • Excellence Scholar – BPP (2019)
    • Ewan Cameron Scholar – Edinburgh Law School (LLM Academic Scholarship) (2018)
    • The Geldards Prize for Highest Overall Performing Student across the ‘Law and Language’ Cohort (2017)
    • Mollie Williams Prize for Highest Result in Written German (2017)
    • Martha Gillespie Prize for Outstanding Achievement in First Year Examinations (2014)

  • Professional memberships:

    • Chancery Bar Association

  • Additional information:

    Jack grew up in the South West and enjoys cooking, hiking, and travelling. During his year abroad in the Tirolean Alps, he also took the opportunity to improve his skiing and (more successfully) his German language skills.

  • Jack Pankhurst is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.