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 co-ownership claims 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 2018 described 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” and “just a bright, clever and straight-dealing guy. He’s quite respected and highly regarded.”

John understands the particular needs of clients involved in co-ownership and ToLATA claims. He aims to achieve a practical, cost-effective result that protects and promotes their interests.

The sort of work John has done includes the following:

  • Co-ownership claims between co-habiting partners
  • Co-ownership claims involving third parties (typically parents) who contribute to the property’s acquisition or improvement
  • John has particular expertise in third party interventions in divorce proceedings
  • Proprietary estoppel claims to a beneficial interest or other form of equity arising from promises made by owners
  • Claims for an account based on unequal contributions / expenditure following termination of the relationship
  • Orders for sale

Directory Quotes

John is a pre-eminent junior with an outstanding reputation for his property disputes practice. ‘John is a strong advocate, who is very user-friendly and down to earth. He delivers clear advice and is more than capable of dealing with very niche and technical matters.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, 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.”

Legal 500 2023, Property & Construction

Richard is 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.”

Legal 500 2022, Real Estate Litigation

He’s 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

  • 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.