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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.