John is outstanding on commercial property matters. He has vast knowledge, which he employs with great thoroughness.”

The Legal 500 2024, PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION

John is a very experienced adviser and advocate and has practised in the area of professional negligence for over 25 years.

He is ranked in Band 1 for both real estate litigation and chancery in Chambers UK and is one of Legal 500’s leading individuals. Chambers UK describe him as “… an exceptional barrister both in terms of his judgement and his people skills and as good as any senior junior in the country.”

John’s professional negligence specialism is closely linked to his main area of practice, specifically cases involving Real Estate and associated litigation. The sort of work John undertakes includes the following

  • Conveyancing claims arising out of the purchase/sale of land. These include mistakes relating to pre-contract enquiries, searches, filing at HM Land Registry, failing to advise and drafting defective overage terms, options and restrictive covenants and the defective implementation of options.
  • Claims against surveyors/valuers based on negligent investigations and valuations.
  • Conveyancing claims concerning leases. For example, failing to obtain consent to assign/sublet, failing to register leases, failing to advise as to rent reviews and break clauses and the defective implementation of break clauses.
  • Claims arising from the conduct of litigation claims generally involving land.

Directory Quotes

John is a first-rate barrister. His advice is always clear, concise, and thorough. He is exceptional on his feet and also in dealing with clients. His broad, yet in-depth knowledge allow him to deal with the most complex of matters with ease. ‘He is my go-to barrister on important cases, and with clients he’s got an excellent manner and they trust him.’ “

Chambers UK 2024, Real Estate Litigation

John has a superb ability to identify and crystallise the issues and apply the law to them. He is thorough and decisive in his work and utterly reliable in this field.”

The Legal 500 2023, Property and Construction

He is my go-to specialist in chancery. He is scarily intelligent and he will always find an angle that everyone has missed. He’s incredibly approachable, user-friendly and client-friendly. He is able to set out technical legal points clearly and concisely and in plain English. He is calm, collected and measured in his delivery.”

CHAMBERS UK 2022, CHANCERY

He’s incredibly approachable, user-friendly and client-friendly. He is able to set out technical legal points clearly, concisely and in plain English. He is also a very good trial advocate and never seems flustered; he is clam, collected and measured in his delivery. John is brilliant and a first choice in any complex and important property dispute.”

chambers uk 2022, REAL ESTATE LITIGATION

John has got a very commercial approach and a nice manner about him. He’s an excellent advocate and a good fighter who is well respected and in demand.”

chambers uk 2021, real estate litigation

John is a brilliant advocate and you can rely on him to pull something out of the bag. ‘Very responsive, very intelligent and very commercial.’ “

Chambers UK 2020, Real Estate Litigation

Pre-eminent junior with an outstanding reputation for his property disputes practice. ‘Brilliant at property problems.’ ‘Well respected in his field and a very effective advocate.’ ‘Very bright and good to deal with.’ “

Chambers UK 2018, Real Estate Litigation

John is an exceptional barrister both in terms of his judgement and his people skills and as good as any senior junior in the country. ‘Just a bright, clever and straight-dealing guy. He’s quite respected and highly regarded.’”

Chambers UK 2018, Chancery

John combines formidable intellect with being very down to earth, very user-friendly and very approachable. He provides a terrific service.’ ‘He has great people skills but is also an intelligent and tenacious advocate. That’s a rare combination, he’s a real pleasure to work with and good on his feet in court.’”

Chambers UK 2017, Real Estate Litigation

John is excellent in court, and his attention to detail and knowledge of papers is admirable.”

Legal 500 2016, Property

John is widely admired for his prowess in property disputes. He leads the set’s property group and has a vast knowledge of real property. He is often a first port of call for clients with disputes on land licences. ‘He’s technically brilliant, never rattled and he always goes to the heart of the issue.’ ‘He always gives his own view of what the likely outcome of a certain situation will be.’”

Chambers UK 2016, Real Estate Litigation

John is a leading chancery practitioner on the Western Circuit and a specialist in land licensing matters. Known as an expert in his field, he frequently represents large landowners and developers as well as public authorities. ‘John offers a wonderful blend of being both incredibly clever and down-to-earth. He is straight-talking, approachable and good with clients.’”

Chambers UK 2016, Chancery
  • Qualifications & awards:

    • BA (Oxon) 1st Class 1986
    • LLM (Cantab) 1987
    • LLM (University of Pennsylvania) 1988
    • Thouron Scholar (University of Pennsylvania) 1987-8
    • Attorney-at-Law New York State 1991
    • Queen Mother’s Scholar 1992
    • Sachs Prize & Campbell-Foster Prize 1993 (all Middle Temple)
  • Professional memberships:

    • Member of Chancery Bar Association
    • Member of the Agricultural Law Association
    • Secretary of the Western Chancery & Commercial Bar Association
  • Additional information:

    Before joining the Bar, John practised as an attorney-at-law in a Wall Street law firm from 1989 to 1991. His practice there included contentious take-overs and major litigation for international banks, insurance companies and brokerage houses.

  • John Sharples 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.