Dr Peter Fields General Information Peter is a civil practitioner specialising in dealing with commercial disputes faced by small and medium-sized companies, their directors, shareholders and employees. He also has a growing family law practice. He is happy to accept instructions as counsel from solicitors or through public/direct access. Prior to joining the bar, Peter started his career with a PhD in chemical engineering and spent 15 years in the chemical industry in a variety of roles in research, production, sales and business management. He then led a management buyout and implemented a buy-and-build strategy to create a leading European speciality chemical producer. Peter continued investing and building a diverse range of successful companies working as a chairman, entrepreneur, investor and non-executive director in the chemicals, logistics, food, consumer and legal sectors. Whilst working in business, he gained practical experience of a range of legal activities in a variety of areas, including employment, dispute resolution, commercial litigation, company law, M&A, banking, and regulatory. His unusual combination of technical and legal training, coupled with business experience and psychology, enables Peter to develop a deeper understanding of clients’ needs and the legal and practical solutions that can be offered to resolve legal issues successfully. Areas of law Business & Commercial Law Family Law Employment Law Consumer Contracts Clinical Negligence Land & Property – Easements Trusts (resulting and constructive) Credit Hire (claimant or defendant) Road Traffic Accidents Credit Hire Business & Commercial Law With extensive commercial experience, Peter has a distinctive ability to understand and analyse company accounts and financial information, as well as complex business structures. He makes a valuable contribution to disputes involving consideration of financial information and cross-examination of experts, valuation of companies and any financial wrongdoing. Peter's skills and experience are particularly valuable in matters including: Shareholder and director disputes Mergers and acquisitions Breach of fiduciary duties Company law Breaches of contract Wrongful trading Insolvency Civil and criminal fraud Banking and finance matters Investment disputes Complex technical/engineering disputes Family Law Peter’s financial experience provides a distinct advantage when resolving family disputes where the valuation of business assets and investments is a key issue. He also has significant experience in business and family negotiations. Coupled with his experience of mediation, he is well placed to be involved in all forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Private family law Divorce settlements Financial dispute resolution Domestic violence/non-molestation Employment Law Utilising his practical experience of how companies work, Peter acts for both employers and employees in a range of employment disputes, including: Unfair dismissal Discrimination Equality TUPE Non-compete covenants Other Areas of Law Peter’s pupillage in a common law set provides him with the experience necessary to act in hearings including clinical negligence, credit hire (claimant or defendant) and road traffic accidents/personal injury. Current Business Positions Kinaxia Limited – logistics, haulage and warehousing – co-founder/director Panicium Limited – artisan/speciality foods – co-founder/director Azure Legal Limited – legal services – co-founder/director Previous Business Positions Aqdot Limited – chemical encapsulation technology – non-executive chairman IWI Watches Limited – handmade watches – investor Azelis SA – chemical distribution – Chief Operating Officer Sunpenny Limited – publishing – non-executive chairman Memberships Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACIArb) British Psychological Society (MBPsS) Institute of Directors Lincoln’s Inn (Called in 2014) Education Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) - Very Competent Legal Practice Course (LPC) - Commendation Master of Laws (LLM) – Distinction Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – First BSc (Hons) Psychology - First PhD (Chemical Engineering) BSc (Chemical Engineering) – 2.1 Personal Interests Peter enjoys scuba diving and taking photographs of sharks and wrecks, as well as skiing and bungee jumping. These hobbies share some of the characteristics of being at the bar in that they all require careful planning, attention to detail, and compliance with procedures and regulations… as well as providing bursts of adrenalin.