Department profile
4 Stone Buildings

Commercial Dispute Resolution

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


4 Stone Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Commercial Dispute Resolution - London (Bar)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

4 Stone Buildings marshals considerable litigation expertise and has long experience of appearing in landmark disputes. Recent examples include Hulley Enterprises Ltd v The Russian Federation, in which the former owners of Yukos are seeking to enforce an over USD50 billion arbitration award against the Russian state, as well as Karam Al Sadeq v Dechert LLP and three others, a high-profile case involving allegations of human rights abuses by the global law firm Dechert. Its members also continued to appear in Autonomy Corporation v Michael Lynch, a very large-scale fraud case. A commentator notes: “This set offers specialised knowledge in niche areas and has a proven track record in complex cases, excelling in advocacy and client relations."

Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are the joint senior clerks.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks will always respond to emails or calls within the same day and are very helpful in the lead up to hearings.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks were very easy to deal with.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are flexible and willing to work around the clients in terms of financing.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • 4SB is a standout set on the clerking.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Joint Senior Clerks Ryan Tunkel and Ben Lashmar are a joy to deal with. They are sensible, commercial and pragmatic. They really do work with you.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsJonathan Crow
    Star IndividualsJonathan Crow

    Jonathan Crow

    • He has a real gravitas and is one of the top three at the Bar. I would instruct him on anything.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • He has the respect of the judiciary at all levels. I think that he is the best silk around. The price tag meets what you get; he's worth every penny.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • His reputation is just outstanding. He is a real class act.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • I bow down to him as the king of the court. He is the archetypal iron fist in a velvet glove; he manages to be both charming and lethal at the same time.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Richard Hill
    Band 1Richard Hill

    Richard Hill

    • He's very responsive, matter of fact and easy to work with.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Mr Hill's advocacy is remarkable. He is clear, concise, persuasive and always in control when in the courtroom. He understands the bigger picture and always remains committed to the end goal.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • He has a really intimidating court presence and is very clever. He did an excellent job at demolishing the other side on a particular point.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Richard Hill KC has a persuasive presence that instils confidence in clients.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Richard is very commercial; he just understands what you need. I don't have enough superlatives to fully describe how good he is. He is also incredibly reasonable on costs.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Sharif A. Shivji
    Band 1Sharif A. Shivji

    Sharif A. Shivji

    • Sharif is the busiest person at the Bar, but is somehow always available and always on top of the detail. He is highly commercial and extraordinarily astute.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • He is a first-rate silk with a lot of business acumen.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • His advocacy skills are superb, and he is incredibly hard-working.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2John Brisby
    Band 2John Brisby

    John Brisby

    • John is undaunted by very challenging cases, and has a good sense of what a court will find persuasive. He plots his cases extremely well.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • He is confident, assertive and fearless in court. His commercial awareness, vision and ability to develop and see through a strategy all impress.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • John Brisby KC is an experienced, charismatic advocate who works well with junior counsel to achieve the results desired by the clients.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Alastair Tomson
    Band 3Alastair Tomson

    Alastair Tomson

    • Mr Tomson provides excellent client service, and is a brilliant advocate. He is clear, persuasive and concise, and knows exactly how far to go in the courtroom and when to pull back.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • His advocacy is very persuasive, compelling, confident and assertive. He can think quickly on his feet, and adapts well to new evidence or unexpected developments arising during proceedings.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Andrew de Mestre
    Band 3Andrew de Mestre

    Andrew de Mestre

    • Andrew is a man with real gravitas who has the ear of the court and is good with the clients, putting them at ease. From a solicitor's perspective, he is also very collegiate.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew is a very good and very clever commercial company silk, with an extraordinarily good eye for detail.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • A forceful and robust advocate who is both persuasive and effective. He knows his stuff and is easy to work with.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Gregory Denton-Cox
    Band 3Gregory Denton-Cox

    Gregory Denton-Cox

    • Greg is very thorough and responsive. He is a team player who has a very good cooperative and collaborative manner.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Greg is really bright and so efficient.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • I have been super impressed by Greg. He is very efficient, and he doesn't get stressed.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Tom Gentleman
    Band 3Tom Gentleman

    Tom Gentleman

    • Tom considered every dimension of our matter carefully and was able to put our case at its highest in his written and oral submissions.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Gentleman is just an incredibly smart lawyer who is really good at the detailed analysis but also at simplifying the case so that it's digestible for all.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Christopher Harrison
    Band 4Christopher Harrison

    Christopher Harrison

    • Chris Harrison is just fantastic. He's a silk-level advocate despite being a junior.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Chris has a brilliant legal mind. His experience and his expertise at weighing up different arguments and working through complex knotty legal problems make him a dream to work with.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Alexander Cook
    Band 6Alexander Cook

    Alexander Cook

    • Technically and strategically, he is very good, and he also makes himself available.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Hardworking, personable and someone who always goes the extra mile. He has a lot of authority in court and is an independent thinker.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Alex is incredibly user-friendly and very intelligent. He is happy to find commercial solutions and is on top of the law.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • He is wise, careful and cost-effective.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Alex will be all over the details and facts of the case. He gets to the nub of the issue and provides advice to the client quickly. There won't be a stone left unturned.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Nicola Timmins
    Band 6Nicola Timmins

    Nicola Timmins

    • Nicola is all over the detail, as you would expect, but also has a great instinct for what is the right commercial answer. She is a delight to work with.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Nicola is a total team player who is technically impeccable and extremely robust.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 4 Stone Buildings (11)

London (Bar)

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