Erskine Chambers is ‘renowned, deservedly, as the go-to set for complicated corporate law questions’ and ‘a top set for company law disputes with a good selection of barristers at various levels’. Among the set’s many prominent silks is David Chivers KC, who recently handled an appeal to the Privy Council from Antigua to consider the power of directors to enter into poison pill arrangements at common law in IGlobe v Sinovac. Opposing counsel in that case were the set’s own James Potts KC and Andrew Blake. Martin Moore KC, who is widely recognised as a leading voice on transactional matters, advised GSK on contentious issues arising from the demerger of its consumer healthcare division to Haleon plc, and handled a high-value appraisal action in Bermuda on behalf of Jardine Matheson Group. Turning to the set’s juniors, Nigel Dougherty recently acted for directors of the owner of London’s Wolseley restaurant in successfully resisting an injunction sought by MI Squared that would have prevented a proposed £38m rescue package. Mary Stokes has retired from practice.
Company in
London Bar
Erskine Chambers
Les références
‘All of the clerks I have dealt with are helpful and friendly, especially Seamus Nixon.’
‘They are all excellent, they know their barristers and the court and are easy to deal with.’
‘The clerks are a delight to work with – the set is smaller than some of the other bigger sets and well served by the clerks who know their team well.’
Principaux dossiers
4 Stone Buildings
4 Stone Buildings ‘has incredible ability at all years of call’, and one client remarks that it is ‘a leading set for company law and provides top-class service’. Jonathan Crow KC frequently appears in Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council cases, a recent example being his work for Jardine Matheson group of companies in a multimillion-dollar appraisal claim brought by investors concerning a substantial corporate reorganisation of the holding company. Among the juniors, Christopher Harrison is a recognised expert in shareholder disputes – in Laxmi BNS Holdings Limited he handled a seven-week trial arising from four connected proceedings concerning the ownership and control of one of the UK’s biggest pharmaceutical suppliers, the B&S Group.
Les références
‘Clerks are excellent and always find a way to make it happen, whatever the constraints, time pressures or diary difficulties.’
‘The clerks are uniformly excellent, approachable and available. Ryan Tunkel in particular is a real asset to the set.’
‘Ryan Tunkel is highly responsive and easy to work with.’
Maitland Chambers
At Maitland Chambers, company work is a mainstay of the practice, whether domestic or cross-border, and members are frequently active in complex shareholder disputes, unfair prejudice petitions, and claims for breach of fiduciary duty. The set has some standout silks, among them Matthew Collings KC, who successfully defended directors in a multimillion-pound claim for breach of fiduciary duty, TMO Renewables v Yeo - after a lengthy trial it was concluded that defendant had acted in bad faith but had caused the insolvent claimants no loss, so dismissed the claim, and an appeal over costs for one of five defendants was dismissed. Another prominent silk is Christopher Parker KC, who led the defence of a director in Traded Life Policies Ltd v Leach, which concerned alleged dishonest breach of fiduciary duty. Catherine Addy KC recently acted for the respondents to a long-running shareholders’ unfair prejudice petition concerning a large-scale national security company and serious allegations of breach of duty and fraud.
Principaux dossiers
Serle Court
Serle Court is highly-respected for its work on company law litigation, particularly offshore matters, and it has a deep bench of talent at both junior and silk levels. It is ‘one of the most comprehensive commercial Chancery sets in the UK’, and clients remark that it is ‘exceptionally strong, flexible and collaborative, and consistently brilliant’. Philip Marshall KC recently worked with Guernsey advocates for the claimant liquidators of an international construction company in a claim exceeding $1bn for fraudulent trading and conspiracy to defraud. Daniel Lightman KC, who is frequently instructed on many leading and cutting-edge company law and minority shareholder cases, is another standout silk. Tom Braithwaite, who is acting for the defendant in a shareholder dispute concerning the ownership of a hospital, and David Drake are among the vastly experienced senior juniors.
Les références
‘In my view the Serle Court clerks room is outstanding, with a culture developed over the last few decades by Steve Whitaker, who retired as Head Clerk in April 2023 after 48 years at the set. Nick Hockney is an experienced clerk who develops an excellent rapport with solicitors, Daniel Wheeler is bright and responsive and Charlie Payne is a risking star as a clerk.’
‘Serle Court has excellent strength in depth, and the clerks consistently go above and beyond to ensure they can identify available counsel.’
‘The clerks are excellent and provide very good service. Make themselves available and ensure they deliver wherever possible. Also very commercial in approach. Nick Hockney, Dan Wheeler and Emma Quin are particularly good.’
South Square
South Square is perhaps best known for insolvency and restructuring work in the corporate field, but members are frequently involved in high-value directors duties cases and other matters concerning the intricacies of company law, including having status of ‘the go-to set for offshore insolvency work’ with ‘a strong company practice, including incredible strength in depth’. David Alexander KC is currently acting for Incredible Power in a high-value shareholder litigation concerning claims of unfair prejudice, just and equitable winding-up, breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy. David Allison KC’s strong company law practice saw him lead the counsel team for Nostrum Oil and Gas plc in a matter that raises novel issues concerning the impact of sanctions arising from the war in Ukraine. William Willson is a highly regarded senior-junior commercial Chancery practitioner.
Les références
‘The clerks at South Square provide an excellent service.’
‘Good sensible clerking with reasonable fees. Chris Filby is very helpful and responsive and no nonsense or exaggerated brief fees that need to be heavily negotiated.’
‘The clerks at South Square are excellent. They are highly professional, yet accommodating to commercial needs and practicalities. They are a pleasure to work with. Of particular note are Dylan Playfoot and Marco Malatesta.’
Principaux dossiers
Wilberforce Chambers
Wilberforce Chambers has ‘strength-in-depth in all areas to the highest standard’ for insolvency and company law matters. The set has ‘a wide range of amazing juniors all the way up to the KCs, but particularly a phenomenal stable of mid-level juniors – you can’t go wrong’. Members are sought after for both domestic and cross-border company law work, including financial assistance, shareholder disputes and directors’ duties matters. Lexa Hilliard KC recently acted for the defendant in Titanium Capital Investments Limited, Philip Falzon Sant Manduca & Others v. Jonathan Hughes, Hughes Group Limited & Others, a high-value dispute between former partners of a business selling Covid tests. In Re Zaha Hadid, the vastly experienced Terence Mowschenson KC conducted an inquiry into corporate governance at the architectural practice of the late Dame Zaha Hadid. In 2022, the set recruited Thomas Grant KC from Maitland Chambers, who handled Wells v Hornshaw, Re Transwaste Aggregates for the claimants, which resulted in a fifteen-day High Court trial in respect of an unfair prejudice petition. Outstanding junior Sri Carmichael is frequently instructed on s.994 unfair prejudice petitions and breach of directors’ duty claims.
Les références
‘Andrew Barnes, Fraser Geddes and Danny Smillie all deserve special mention for their excellence and are genuinely a pleasure to deal with. The clerking team as a whole is fantastic and very easy to use. They are open and honest in their dealings, are approachable and genuinely nice people.’
‘Antonia Matthew is very helpful and good. She knows her job very well.’
‘The clerks provide all the support you could reasonably expect. Danny Smillie has been a great help over the years in recommending particular counsel and assisting whenever required.’
Principaux dossiers
XXIV Old Buildings
XXIV Old Buildings is ‘the supreme set for trust and commercial work and anything offshore, with an excellent roster of counsel at all levels’. The set has built a solid reputation for company law work, which typically arises from its highly regarded practices in Chancery and offshore matters. Head of chambers Elspeth Talbot Rice KC remains a standout silk for domestic and cross-border company matters. Stephen Moverley Smith KC’s highlights include long-running case Re Genmar Resources Ltd, concerning winding up and unfair prejudice claims in relation to an oil trading business, with allegations of asset misappropriation. Stuart Adair remains a standout junior in this field, his recent work including unfair prejudice proceedings for the claimant in Excess Reserves Limited v Patel and others.
Les références
‘The chambers and their clerks always have a good range and availability of Counsel.’
‘Paul Horsfield is doing a great job since taking over. He is very responsive and commercial.’
‘The XXIV clerks are practical and commercial, with a keen eye on the market.’
Principaux dossiers
Enterprise Chambers
Enterprise Chambers is ‘strong for company disputes and insolvency’ and clients regard it as ‘a very friendly set with a real team spirit’. Members cover all aspects of litigation and advisory work involving companies, directors and shareholders, including unfair prejudice claims, derivative actions, claims against directors and directors’ disqualification matters. Top-rated junior Niall McCulloch was recently instructed in Bouchier, Williams and Bell (Liquidators of Tiuta International) v Booth and Nicholas, on behalf of the liquidators of an insolvent company, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, regarding a £70m fraud perpetrated on an unregulated investment fund and its investors. The ‘fiercely intelligent’ Simon Johnson is also sought after for cross-border disputes.
Les références
‘The clerks are excellent, and particular mention goes to Michael Ireland, Raj Lamba and Kenya Mendoza. They are quick to respond and very helpful, although Simon Johnson was quite happy to correspond directly.’
‘The clerks are very on the ball and efficient and Michael Ireland is really excellent.’
‘Accommodating and responsive clerks. They’re always there to help.’
Principaux dossiers
New Square Chambers
At New Square Chambers, ‘counsel is always available at short notice’ and clients describe a ‘very friendly and reliable set with strong legal knowledge and a hands-on approach’. The set has ‘very strong corporate capability and excellent strength and depth’ for both contentious and advisory matters. Robin Hollington KC led Simon Adamyk in Process Holdings Ltd v Lismore Capital Ltd, a high-value unfair prejudice, breach of warranty and fraudulent misrepresentation claim, in which a BVI joint venture company sought to enforce a multibillion-dollar arbitration award against a sovereign state.
Les références
‘The clerks are very proactive and capable. They run chambers very well and from an administrative perspective they manage case loads very well. I predominantly deal with Michelle Green, who even as a junior clerk was extremely capable and efficient.’
‘Cameron Grant was very responsive and I find him very easy to work with.’
‘Exceptional – Charlie Sherwood in particular gives first-class service.’
Principaux dossiers
Erskine Chambers
Les références
‘All of the clerks I have dealt with are helpful and friendly, especially Seamus Nixon.’
‘They are all excellent, they know their barristers and the court and are easy to deal with.’
‘The clerks are a delight to work with – the set is smaller than some of the other bigger sets and well served by the clerks who know their team well.’
Principaux dossiers
4 Stone Buildings
4 Stone Buildings ‘has incredible ability at all years of call’, and one client remarks that it is ‘a leading set for company law and provides top-class service’. Jonathan Crow KC frequently appears in Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council cases, a recent example being his work for Jardine Matheson group of companies in a multimillion-dollar appraisal claim brought by investors concerning a substantial corporate reorganisation of the holding company. Among the juniors, Christopher Harrison is a recognised expert in shareholder disputes – in Laxmi BNS Holdings Limited he handled a seven-week trial arising from four connected proceedings concerning the ownership and control of one of the UK’s biggest pharmaceutical suppliers, the B&S Group.
Les références
‘Clerks are excellent and always find a way to make it happen, whatever the constraints, time pressures or diary difficulties.’
‘The clerks are uniformly excellent, approachable and available. Ryan Tunkel in particular is a real asset to the set.’
‘Ryan Tunkel is highly responsive and easy to work with.’
Maitland Chambers
At Maitland Chambers, company work is a mainstay of the practice, whether domestic or cross-border, and members are frequently active in complex shareholder disputes, unfair prejudice petitions, and claims for breach of fiduciary duty. The set has some standout silks, among them Matthew Collings KC, who successfully defended directors in a multimillion-pound claim for breach of fiduciary duty, TMO Renewables v Yeo - after a lengthy trial it was concluded that defendant had acted in bad faith but had caused the insolvent claimants no loss, so dismissed the claim, and an appeal over costs for one of five defendants was dismissed. Another prominent silk is Christopher Parker KC, who led the defence of a director in Traded Life Policies Ltd v Leach, which concerned alleged dishonest breach of fiduciary duty. Catherine Addy KC recently acted for the respondents to a long-running shareholders’ unfair prejudice petition concerning a large-scale national security company and serious allegations of breach of duty and fraud.
Principaux dossiers
Serle Court
Serle Court is highly-respected for its work on company law litigation, particularly offshore matters, and it has a deep bench of talent at both junior and silk levels. It is ‘one of the most comprehensive commercial Chancery sets in the UK’, and clients remark that it is ‘exceptionally strong, flexible and collaborative, and consistently brilliant’. Philip Marshall KC recently worked with Guernsey advocates for the claimant liquidators of an international construction company in a claim exceeding $1bn for fraudulent trading and conspiracy to defraud. Daniel Lightman KC, who is frequently instructed on many leading and cutting-edge company law and minority shareholder cases, is another standout silk. Tom Braithwaite, who is acting for the defendant in a shareholder dispute concerning the ownership of a hospital, and David Drake are among the vastly experienced senior juniors.
Les références
‘In my view the Serle Court clerks room is outstanding, with a culture developed over the last few decades by Steve Whitaker, who retired as Head Clerk in April 2023 after 48 years at the set. Nick Hockney is an experienced clerk who develops an excellent rapport with solicitors, Daniel Wheeler is bright and responsive and Charlie Payne is a risking star as a clerk.’
‘Serle Court has excellent strength in depth, and the clerks consistently go above and beyond to ensure they can identify available counsel.’
‘The clerks are excellent and provide very good service. Make themselves available and ensure they deliver wherever possible. Also very commercial in approach. Nick Hockney, Dan Wheeler and Emma Quin are particularly good.’
South Square
South Square is perhaps best known for insolvency and restructuring work in the corporate field, but members are frequently involved in high-value directors duties cases and other matters concerning the intricacies of company law, including having status of ‘the go-to set for offshore insolvency work’ with ‘a strong company practice, including incredible strength in depth’. David Alexander KC is currently acting for Incredible Power in a high-value shareholder litigation concerning claims of unfair prejudice, just and equitable winding-up, breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy. David Allison KC’s strong company law practice saw him lead the counsel team for Nostrum Oil and Gas plc in a matter that raises novel issues concerning the impact of sanctions arising from the war in Ukraine. William Willson is a highly regarded senior-junior commercial Chancery practitioner.
Les références
‘The clerks at South Square provide an excellent service.’
‘Good sensible clerking with reasonable fees. Chris Filby is very helpful and responsive and no nonsense or exaggerated brief fees that need to be heavily negotiated.’
‘The clerks at South Square are excellent. They are highly professional, yet accommodating to commercial needs and practicalities. They are a pleasure to work with. Of particular note are Dylan Playfoot and Marco Malatesta.’
Principaux dossiers
Wilberforce Chambers
Wilberforce Chambers has ‘strength-in-depth in all areas to the highest standard’ for insolvency and company law matters. The set has ‘a wide range of amazing juniors all the way up to the KCs, but particularly a phenomenal stable of mid-level juniors – you can’t go wrong’. Members are sought after for both domestic and cross-border company law work, including financial assistance, shareholder disputes and directors’ duties matters. Lexa Hilliard KC recently acted for the defendant in Titanium Capital Investments Limited, Philip Falzon Sant Manduca & Others v. Jonathan Hughes, Hughes Group Limited & Others, a high-value dispute between former partners of a business selling Covid tests. In Re Zaha Hadid, the vastly experienced Terence Mowschenson KC conducted an inquiry into corporate governance at the architectural practice of the late Dame Zaha Hadid. In 2022, the set recruited Thomas Grant KC from Maitland Chambers, who handled Wells v Hornshaw, Re Transwaste Aggregates for the claimants, which resulted in a fifteen-day High Court trial in respect of an unfair prejudice petition. Outstanding junior Sri Carmichael is frequently instructed on s.994 unfair prejudice petitions and breach of directors’ duty claims.
Les références
‘Andrew Barnes, Fraser Geddes and Danny Smillie all deserve special mention for their excellence and are genuinely a pleasure to deal with. The clerking team as a whole is fantastic and very easy to use. They are open and honest in their dealings, are approachable and genuinely nice people.’
‘Antonia Matthew is very helpful and good. She knows her job very well.’
‘The clerks provide all the support you could reasonably expect. Danny Smillie has been a great help over the years in recommending particular counsel and assisting whenever required.’
Principaux dossiers
XXIV Old Buildings
XXIV Old Buildings is ‘the supreme set for trust and commercial work and anything offshore, with an excellent roster of counsel at all levels’. The set has built a solid reputation for company law work, which typically arises from its highly regarded practices in Chancery and offshore matters. Head of chambers Elspeth Talbot Rice KC remains a standout silk for domestic and cross-border company matters. Stephen Moverley Smith KC’s highlights include long-running case Re Genmar Resources Ltd, concerning winding up and unfair prejudice claims in relation to an oil trading business, with allegations of asset misappropriation. Stuart Adair remains a standout junior in this field, his recent work including unfair prejudice proceedings for the claimant in Excess Reserves Limited v Patel and others.
Les références
‘The chambers and their clerks always have a good range and availability of Counsel.’
‘Paul Horsfield is doing a great job since taking over. He is very responsive and commercial.’
‘The XXIV clerks are practical and commercial, with a keen eye on the market.’
Principaux dossiers
Enterprise Chambers
Enterprise Chambers is ‘strong for company disputes and insolvency’ and clients regard it as ‘a very friendly set with a real team spirit’. Members cover all aspects of litigation and advisory work involving companies, directors and shareholders, including unfair prejudice claims, derivative actions, claims against directors and directors’ disqualification matters. Top-rated junior Niall McCulloch was recently instructed in Bouchier, Williams and Bell (Liquidators of Tiuta International) v Booth and Nicholas, on behalf of the liquidators of an insolvent company, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, regarding a £70m fraud perpetrated on an unregulated investment fund and its investors. The ‘fiercely intelligent’ Simon Johnson is also sought after for cross-border disputes.
Les références
‘The clerks are excellent, and particular mention goes to Michael Ireland, Raj Lamba and Kenya Mendoza. They are quick to respond and very helpful, although Simon Johnson was quite happy to correspond directly.’
‘The clerks are very on the ball and efficient and Michael Ireland is really excellent.’
‘Accommodating and responsive clerks. They’re always there to help.’
Principaux dossiers
New Square Chambers
At New Square Chambers, ‘counsel is always available at short notice’ and clients describe a ‘very friendly and reliable set with strong legal knowledge and a hands-on approach’. The set has ‘very strong corporate capability and excellent strength and depth’ for both contentious and advisory matters. Robin Hollington KC led Simon Adamyk in Process Holdings Ltd v Lismore Capital Ltd, a high-value unfair prejudice, breach of warranty and fraudulent misrepresentation claim, in which a BVI joint venture company sought to enforce a multibillion-dollar arbitration award against a sovereign state.
Les références
‘The clerks are very proactive and capable. They run chambers very well and from an administrative perspective they manage case loads very well. I predominantly deal with Michelle Green, who even as a junior clerk was extremely capable and efficient.’
‘Cameron Grant was very responsive and I find him very easy to work with.’
‘Exceptional – Charlie Sherwood in particular gives first-class service.’