William Knapman LLB (Hons) First Class
Membership Status: Barrister - Full Member
General Information
William was called to the bar in 2017 and is experienced in representing clients in the High Court. He is also a qualified and accredited civil and commercial mediator.
Before pupillage, William enjoyed a career as a Lloyds underwriter, specialising in employee dishonesty, forgery and fraud coverages, commercial crime, professional liability, professional negligence, directors and officers’ insurances, employers, public and general liability, and general property and fire insurance. He was involved in several merger and acquisition transactions as well as a management buy-out and subsequent sale of a Lloyd’s syndicate as part of a management team. Subsequently, his experience has been called on for a variety of peer review, expert witness and arbitration engagements.
William believes preparation is vital, and his clients value his attention to detail when drafting and giving advice. He is approachable and quickly able to assimilate the facts of a case. Benefitting from a commercial background, William understands the realities of business and seeks to find pragmatic settlements that are beneficial to his clients whilst having stamina, tenacity and persistence for the fight where required.
Areas of law
- Insurance & Reinsurance
- Road Traffic Act
- Technology
- Judicial Review & Public Law (Planning), Environmental Law
- Construction Disputes
- Mediation & Evaluation
- Business & Commercial Law
- Consumer Contracts
- Flight Delay (Claimant & Defendant)
- Professional Negligence & Professional Regulation
- Agriculture
- Property - Landlord & Tenant
- Costs
Insurance & Reinsurance
- Fraud
- Crime
- Regulatory
- Professional Negligence
- Banking
Road Traffic Act
- Credit Hire (claimant)
- RTA (with personal injury)
- RTA (without personal injury)
Technology
- Renewable energy, e.g. solar panel parks and wind turbines
Languages
Personal Interests
William has a real passion for agriculture and environmental issues both inside and outside of work. He offers pro bono work to the Woodland Trust.
Feedback
“I just wanted to drop you (William Knapman) a line and thank you for your time and expertise in relation to the case today, it was invaluable and I am most grateful as are the landlords.”
AB Rental Manager
Helmores
“William I would like to thank you so much for winning the case today.
I really don’t know how you did it, I thought the defence barrister had torn me to pieces.
Thanking you again.
”
Anonymous
Lay Client
“William represented me in a case that had lasted over four years and was quite complicated due to the circumstances surrounding it. William was extremely helpful prior to the court hearing and helped to alleviate any nerves that I had and explained the court process in detail. Thanks to his hard work and diligence, William won what was a difficult case and I couldn't recommend him highly enough. I'm very grateful for all the hard work that he put in and the great result that was achieved not just on the day, but as a whole”
Gavin B
Lay client
“My colleague was most grateful for your help in dealing with the above case and, though we were not successful, thought all the points that needed to be made were made.
I wanted to write just to thank you for your help and support with the case. That is appreciated.
I am sure Maria will pass on her thoughts to colleagues within the team here.
”
John McQuater
Atherton Godfrey LLP
“William was great today, managed to get a lot of my points across without me saying a word! I found him really approachable in the run up and incredibly professional during the court appearance.
I am very grateful to William for how he demystified the court process and talked me through every step. He was very professional but still approachable and his representation on the day was outstanding. ”
Karen
Client
“William I would like to thank you so much for winning the case today.
I really don’t know how you did it, I thought the defence barrister had torn me to pieces.
Thanking you again.
”
Solicitor Client
Solicitor Client
“William’s advice was extremely helpful and his manner with my client was exceptional, with delicate delivery of unfavourable prospects of success. This case has been ongoing for some time and William’s input has be invaluable.
I will certainly use William again.
”
Fiona McClelland
Swift Resolution
“This is an amazing result thank you for your attendance.”
Faye Davies
Connells Group
“I have just had a long chat with Mrs Gillard following last week’s trial and she asked that I passed on her thanks to you.
She commented on how patient you were with her, professional and well prepared given the late notice you would have received the papers. She was also pleased you took the time to call her the evening before as she did not expect this.
Given, we don’t always get much thanks in the world of fraud PI, I thought you would like to know.
”
Laura Cook
Minster Law
Publications
Kang and another v Pattar [2021] EWHC 1101 (TCC)
