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Dirk Van Heck

Deputy Head of Chambers

Call Date: 2001

His expertise is particularly strong in:
  • Commercial Law
  • Company Law
  • Construction Law
  • Cross-jurisdictional and offshore disputes
  • Employment law
  • Insolvency
  • Litigation and mediation
  • Privacy law and data protection
  • Professional negligence
  • Property law
  • Wills and probate
To contact or instruct Dirk Van Heck please call 020 3034 0077 and ask for his clerk or e-mail enquiries@mercantilebarristers.com
dirk van heck

Background

Having previously worked for a leading international law firm overseas, Dirk was well placed to gain authorisation to conduct litigation when this became available to self-employed barristers in 2014. He has done so, running cases from their inception to trial, ever since, whilst continuing to undertake Direct Access work for litigants-in-person and accept instructions from solicitors in the traditional way.

Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

A trained mediation advocate, Dirk is as comfortable with alternative dispute resolution as he is fighting cases through the courts.

Wide Ranging Expertise

Dirk’s practice covers the full range of commercial, business and property law. He also has particular experience of cross-border disputes/cases with an offshore aspect, as well as privacy law and data protection.

Professional Affiliations

At The Bar

  • Commercial Bar Association
  • Chancery Bar Association

Qualifications

  • MA (Cantab.) – First Class
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Law
  • Jules Thorn Scholar & Astbury Scholar of the Middle Temple
  • Completed the Keble College International Advanced Advocacy Course
  • Completed Mediation Advocacy training
  • Called to the Bar of England & Wales
  • Called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands)
  • Public Direct Access qualified
  • Authorised to conduct litigation

Case Examples

Al Nasser & Al Masri Trading Company WLL Limited Liability Company v Munir [2022] EWHC 1174 (QB) [2022] 5 WLUK 413

(Civil procedure; default judgments; delay; fraud; natural justice; registration of foreign judgments; setting aside)

 

Van Heck v Giambrone & Partners Studio Legale Associato [2022] EWHC 1098 (QB) [2022] 5 WLUK 157

(Civil procedure; administration of justice; conflict of laws; foreign proceedings; parallel proceedings; pending actions; pending appeals; stay of proceedings)

 

Vitrition UK Ltd v Caine & Ors [2022] EWHC 51 (Comm)

(Civil procedure; breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty; debarring orders; disclosure; relief from sanctions; striking out; unless orders)

 

Triload Capital Ltd, Re [2020] EWHC 3264 (Ch); [2020] 11 WLUK 509

(Civil procedure; insolvency; foreign companies; full and frank disclosure; good faith; impecuniosity; liquidation; non-compliance; security for costs)

 

Cowley v L.W. Carlisle & Company Limited [2020] EWHC Civ 227 (CA) [2020] 2 WLUK 305 [2020] BCC 495

(Civil procedure; company law; dissolved companies; jurisdiction; register of companies; restoration; service; striking out)

 

World First (UK) Limited v Chemistree Homecare Limited [2014] EWCA 2840 (QB) 6 WLUK 878

(Contracts; banking and finance; civil procedure; anticipatory breach; foreign exchange; repudiation;summary judgments; transactions)

 

Relfo Ltd (in Liquidation) v Varsani, [2012] EWHC 2168 (Ch); WLUK 918

(Restitution; insolvency; account; breach of fiduciary duty; knowing receipt; liquidators; tracing; unjust enrichment) 

 

Cukurova Finance International Limited & anr v Alfa Telecom Turkey Limited, HCVAP 2010/18 & 2010/24

(Application for relief pending appeal to Privy Council: inherent jurisdiction of Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court to stay execution and make declaratory orders and/or grant or continue an injunction.)

 

Commercial Bank-Cameroun v Nixon Financial Group Limited, BVI Civil Appeal No. 5 of 2011

(Application to set aside leave to serve claim out of the jurisdiction.)

 

Tarquin Ltd v Telltop Ltd, BVIHCV No. 279 of 2009

(Construction of loan facility agreement.)

 

Pioneer Freight Futures Co Ltd v Map Marine Ltd, BVIHCV No. 308 of 2009

(Effect of premature service of statutory demand vis-a-vis futures contract.)

 

Pioneer Freight Futures Co Ltd v Worldlink Shipping, Samoa, BVIHCV Nos. 135 & 152 of 2009

(Proper jurisdiction for resolution of dispute over debt.)

 

Professional Offshore Opportunity Fund Ltd v Daiwa Securities and Banking (Europe) plc as Custodian for KBCZAF, BVIHCV No. 6 of 2009

(Distressed hedge fund; whether dispute over debt substantial.)

Hyslop v 38/41 GHC Residents Company Limited [2018] EWHC 3893 (QB) [2018] 11 WLUK 45

(Civil procedure; landlord and tenant; case management; court fees; forfeiture; parallel proceedings; relief from sanctions; service charges; stay of proceedings) 

 

Fowler v Barron [2008] EWCA Civ 377 (CA) [2008] 4 WLUK 591 [2008] 2 FCR 1 [2008] 2 FLR 831 [2008] WTLR 819 (1008-09) 11 ITELR 198 [2008] Fam Law 636 (1008) 152(17) SJLB 31 [2008] NPC 51 

(Real property; family law; beneficial interests; beneficial ownership; entitlement; intention; unmarried couples)

LCG & Ors v OVD & Ors [2023] EWHC 2058 (KB)

(Misuse of private information; breach of confidence; harassment; duress; social media; the proper approach to civil procedure; the proper approach to evidence)

https://inforrm.org/2023/09/11/case-comment-lcg-v-ovd-privacy-and-harassment-trial-lessons-to-be-learned-persephone-bridgman-baker-and-catriona-grew/