Seth Cumming
Seth was awarded Academic Honours and a Double First in his BSc in economics at Rhodes University, South Africa. He then completed an MSc in economics at the London School of Economics, where he was a Commonwealth Scholar. He received an LLB (First Class) from BPP Law School. He completed the BVC at City University as a Lord Diplock scholar of Middle Temple. He obtained an Outstanding and was awarded the Sweet & Maxwell Prize (for company law) and the Everard van Heyden Prize (for the top 5 students on the BVC). Seth has also tutored land law part-time at BPP Law School.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Seth worked as a speechwriter and economic adviser to the then Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Seth became a tenant at 3 Stone Buildings in September 2011, after completing his pupillage here. He regularly appears as a sole advocate in the High Court and in County Courts. He accepts instructions and has experience in all areas of Chambers’ work, in particular:
- Banking and finance
- Civil fraud and asset tracing (including interim relief)
- Insurance litigation
- Claims involving trustees and personal representatives
- Contentious probate disputes
- Constructive trusts, proprietary estoppel and co-ownership disputes
- Landlord and tenant
- Insolvency law (both personal and corporate)
- Company law and shareholder disputes
- Professional negligence (including claims against solicitors)
Recent Cases
- Telekom Slovenije, D.D. v. Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications S.A. – Seth was instructed by Clifford Chance (led by Andrew Twigger QC) for the Claimant in these Commercial Court proceedings concerning various warranty and indemnity claims under a Share Purchase Agreement.
- Bank of New York, Mellon v Sterling Biotech – Seth is instructed (led by Andrew Twigger QC) for the Defendant in this application in the Commercial Court for summary judgment in respect of monies due under a $250 million bond issue.
- The Seashell of Lisson Grove Ltd and Ors v Aviva Insurance and Ors – Seth was instructed by Devonshires (led by David Lord QC) for the Claimants in these Commercial Court proceedings concerning an insurance policy for a famous restaurant in London that had suffered losses from a catastrophic fire.
- McKellar v Kingston Smith Services Limited [2012] EWHC 2116 (QB) Seth was instructed by Blake Lapthorn (led by Andrew Twigger QC) for the Defendant in this action in the Mercantile Court concerning alleged breaches of warranties contained in a Share Purchase Agreement
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Brudenell-Bruce (Earl of Cardigan) v Moore [2012] EWHC 1024 (Ch) – Seth was instructed in this High Court trial in the Chancery Division, appearing (as a junior) for the Earl of Cardigan in his dispute with the trustees of the Savernake Estate. The trial was concerned with issues surrounding the construction of a lease, partnership law, the self-dealing rule, and acquiescence in breaches of trust.
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Wharton v Bancroft [2011] EWHC 3250 (Ch); [2012] W.T.L.R. 693 – Seth was involved in this two-week High Court probate trial as a pupil. The trial was concerned with issues of a testator’s knowledge and approval and undue influence.
Education
BSc (Double First) – Rhodes University
MSc – London School of Economics
LLB (First) – BPP Law School
BVC (Outstanding) – City University
Professional Memberships
Chancery Bar Association
Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)