Chris Hook

I am a Partner in Tees’ Insolvency and Dispute Resolution team, specialising in high-value commercial litigation, insolvency and corporate disputes. I qualified in 2012 at a firm ranked Band 1 by Chambers & Partners for insolvency and restructuring, and I offer clients strategic, results-driven legal advice.

I am regularly instructed by insolvency practitioners, companies, directors, creditors, shareholders and high-net-worth individuals to resolve complex matters across the UK.

My insolvency practice covers both contentious and non-contentious work, from fraud investigations, asset tracing and officeholder claims to pre-pack administrations and restructuring advice. I also act in shareholder and partnership disputes, contractual and property claims, construction litigation and urgent injunction applications.

Recent work includes:

• Obtaining a judgment for £689,364.27 plus costs for a liquidator in a multi-claim action involving undervalue, preference and unlawful dividend allegations.
• Making officeholder remuneration approval applications.
• Applications to extend the term of administrations.
• Advising on contested administration appointments and the validity of appointments.
• Advising on the validity of charges.
• Advising supervisors on breaches of a CVA, enabling the issuance of a certificate of substantial compliance and preventing failure of the arrangement.
• Successfully petitioning for bankruptcy where debtors defaulted on an IVA.
• Securing the dismissal of an application to set aside a statutory demand together with indemnity costs, based on purported breaches of warranty in a business sale agreement.
• Acting in connection with pre-pack administration sales.
• Settling a construction dispute over defective works at a state-of-the-art racehorse training facility.
• Drafting a co-ownership agreement between an owner and an Olympic rider for a FEI World Cup horse shortlisted for the 2020 Olympics.
• Successfully settling numerous mis-sold horse disputes.

Specialist equine law expertise
I am also recognised nationally as a leading equine law solicitor, combining legal expertise with practical industry knowledge, having run a professional show jumping yard and stud farm. I advise clients, including Olympians, competition riders, trainers and leisure owners, on disputes, contracts and syndicated ownership arrangements.

I am frequently instructed on horse purchase disputes, co-ownership agreements, syndicate contracts, loan or livery agreements, jockey retainers and sponsorship deals.

What clients say
Peers and clients describe me as knowledgeable, approachable and highly attentive. I am praised as an excellent communicator who delivers advice tailored to each client’s needs and desired outcomes.

I bring to Tees a rare combination of legal excellence, commercial acumen and genuine equine industry insight. Whether you are facing a commercial dispute, an insolvency issue, or require specialist advice on an equestrian matter, I provide clear, goal-oriented solutions tailored to your circumstances.