Christopher Semken was called to the Bar in 1977. He has a wide general chancery practice, both in contentious and non-contentious matters. He also specialises in professional negligence work, acting for and against solicitors, barristers, accountants and surveyors.

A core area of his practice is land and property, including in particular mortgages, easements, restrictive covenants, contracts for sale and purchase of land, and conveyancing disputes, as well as private and commercial Landlord and Tenant law, including Leasehold enfranchisement.

His general chancery practice covers work in relation to wills and probate, the administration of estates, Inheritance Act claims, trusts, and occasionally charity matters. He also advises and acts in relation to partnership matters.

He acted for the defendant solicitors in the long-running Perotti v Watson litigation, a professional negligence claim arising out of the administration and distribution of a large estate comprising overseas assets not declared for tax, and raising issues as to the duties of an attorney administrator, particularly in relation to collecting foreign debts and negotiating tax settlements with the Revenue.

He has acted in many Inheritance Act claims and is currently advising in a case where domicile is disputed.  He also frequently advises in relation to the construction of wills and settlements, and last year represented the successful party in a dispute as to the devolution of the freehold property of a defunct club.

In the professional negligence field, Christopher Semken's practice is wide, encompassing disputes arising out of property transactions, accountancy and litigation. In recent years he has increasingly been instructed to advise in relation to pre-litigation negotiations and to represent parties to mediations, as well as in court. He is well accustomed to dealing with the problems caused by litigants in person, having appeared against the well known litigant in person Angelo Perotti in numerous hearingsat first instance and in the Court of Appeal.

A keen yachtsman, he served for many years as a member of a committee of the Royal Yachting Association dealing with legal and parliamentary matters relating to the sport, and has advised professionally in relation to rights of navigation, and acted in several disputes between clubs and their members.