Department profile
4 Stone Buildings

Company

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


4 Stone Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Company - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

4 Stone Buildings is a standout set whose company law abilities are the subject of widespread praise. At both the senior and junior levels, its barristers provide high-quality advice on substantial matters. Within its broad company offering, the set enjoys an especially good reputation for its work concerning shareholder disputes and breaches of fiduciary duty. In recent times, 4 Stone members have handled the major offshore appraisal action relating to Jardine Matheson, along with other leading cases in the company field. Examples include representing Changyou.com in an international company law dispute against Fourworld Global Fund, which involves the Privy Council, and defending Glencore in claims brought by Aabar and various investors regarding a privilege issue. Sources highlight its "strong commercial offering" and "combination of highly intelligent and diligent leaders and juniors."

Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are the joint senior clerks.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are really good, pragmatic and reliable. They're willing to listen to what you need, and they can be flexible.

    Company respondentUK Bar
  • 4 Stone Buildings has a friendly and responsive clerking team. Both counsel and clerks understand the commercial context of each case and always work constructively with instructing solicitors.

    Company respondentUK Bar
  • All of the clerks are great. They're really commercially focused and good at recommending particular counsel.

    Company respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks at the set are excellent. They are responsive, they have good relationships with solicitors, and they work well towards maintaining long-term and effective relationships with the set.

    Company respondentUK Bar
  • A set which offers excellent, responsive clerking. The clerks are very good; they're proactive, helpful and responsive.

    Company respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsJonathan Crow
    Star IndividualsJonathan Crow

    Jonathan Crow

    Jonathan Crow KC enjoys a leading position at the forefront of the Chancery Bar, and earns widespread acclaim for his litigation skills. He is regularly instructed in the full range of company, commercial and public law cases, and is a regular in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He is often involved in proceedings in a number of foreign jurisdictions, including the BVI, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong. Notable activity includes a leading role in heavyweight shareholder disputes and directors' disqualification matters.

    • If I needed someone to argue for my life, it would be Jonathan Crow KC.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan comes up with intelligent and novel solutions to some of the most difficult problems. He gets the complex maters and turns them into cases you can win.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan is as good as it gets at the Bar. He is really outstanding and a very talented barrister.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan Crow KC is the best in town and one of the most experienced people around. He has the respect of the judiciary at all levels.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very clever and very able person.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Richard Hill
    Band 1Richard Hill

    Richard Hill

    Richard Hill KC is an established practitioner with an excellent reputation for large and complex disputes, particularly with regard to City-based litigation. He regularly takes instructions in banking, commercial, company and insolvency disputes. Hill possesses additional expertise in the representation of bond trustees and bondholders in securities and other capital markets litigation.

    • He is a deep thinker about the issues and a highly strategic advocate. He hones arguments down to the ones that will actually persuade the tribunal.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Richard Hill KC is a standout barrister with terrific cross-examination skills.. He is very succinct and clear in his writing and when appearing before judges.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Richard is a powerful advocate who gives clients a huge amount of confidence.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • I think that Richard is exceptional. His commitment and preparation are outstanding, and his advocacy skills and style are hugely impressive. I always know he is going to do a good job.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Alastair Tomson
    Band 2Alastair Tomson

    Alastair Tomson

    Alastair Tomson maintains a busy commercial chancery practice, as part of which he regularly handles contentious and non-contentious company work. His areas of expertise include acting in unfair prejudice petitions, for both respondents and petitioners, and advising on transactional work. He regularly acts unled.

    • Alastair is calm, persuasive and someone who inspires confidence. He gives clear and assured advice.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • A highly responsive barrister who has a clear eye for strategy and deep technical expertise.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Alastair is really good to deal with and has a can-do attitude. He sees things from the client's point of view and is good with people.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Andrew de Mestre
    Band 2Andrew de Mestre

    Andrew de Mestre

    Andrew de Mestre KC enjoys a strong reputation across a broad range of company-related litigation matters, and has particular skill in disputes concerning securitisation transactions and bond issues. He is also notably experienced in unfair prejudice petitions and shareholder disputes. De Mestre frequently represents investment banks, corporate trustees, issuers and bondholders.

    • He gives sensible, commercial and practical advice that people will understand.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew is very collegiate in his advice and has real gravitas. He has the ear of the court and is good with the client, putting them at ease. .

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew has an extraordinarily good eye for detail. He can look at a document and pick out what matters.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew de Mestre KC combines being very smart with being highly focused.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew de Mestre KC brings a very creative and intellectual mind to issues, and sees things in ways that others do not.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Christopher Harrison
    Band 2Christopher Harrison

    Christopher Harrison

    Christopher Harrison is an experienced senior junior who advises on company, civil fraud, finance and insolvency matters. He is well regarded for his handling of big-ticket claims, particularly shareholder disputes, and regularly tackles large cross-border matters, particularly those involving the Caribbean and CIS regions.

    • Christopher Harrison is reliable, accessible and down to earth. Calm, understated and well-measured, he gains the trust of the client and the court.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Christopher has been thoroughly excellent – very detailed, knowledgeable and good on his feet. He is a very good team player who is exceedingly logical, sensible and commercial.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Christopher is a superb all-rounder who is very responsive and detailed. He offers very measured and effective advocacy.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Gregory Denton-Cox
    Band 2Gregory Denton-Cox

    Gregory Denton-Cox

    Gregory Denton-Cox is a highly respected barrister with a broad commercial chancery practice. He is particularly active in shareholder, director and investor disputes, and also has recognised skills in civil fraud, banking disputes and wider commercial litigation.

    • Gregory sees every single angle and runs difficult arguments.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • He is an excellent, technical lawyer with good trial skills.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Gregory has been absolutely brilliant. He is good at engaging with solicitors and clients, and his work is excellent.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • I think that Gregory Denton-Cox is exceptional. He is brilliant on the details but can also pull back and look at the big picture.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2James Knott
    Band 2James Knott

    James Knott

    James Knott handles a range of company, insolvency and commercial litigation cases. He takes instructions in non-contentious matters as well as disputes, and is experienced in Companies Court and High Court claims. Areas of notable strength include unfair prejudice cases, derivative actions and matters concerning breaches of fiduciary duty.

    • James Knott provides excellent all-round counsel.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • A calm-headed counsel who leads the team well and is not afraid to get stuck in. He's a good strategist and a man with no ego who gets results for clients.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Sharif A. Shivji
    Band 2Sharif A. Shivji

    Sharif A. Shivji

    Sharif Shivji KC is often instructed in high-value shareholder disputes and financial services-related claims. His technical expertise is bolstered by prior experience as a derivatives trader, which he applies to a range of banking and insolvency law matters.

    • Sharif Shivji KC is a very good advocate who is highly persuasive.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Gentleman
    Band 2Tom Gentleman

    Tom Gentleman

    Tom Gentleman specialises in shareholder disputes and directors' disqualification matters, and regularly appears in High Court disputes as well as arbitrations, often acting unled. He is also experienced in cross-border and international disputes, particularly those with proceedings in the Cayman Islands, the BVI and Bermuda.

    • Tom is very creative. He has a brilliant written style, and he is a very good oral advocate as well.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Gentleman is super clever and hard-working. You can get hold of him at any time of the day. His technical skills are excellent, and he is very commercial in his approach.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Gentleman combines a forensic approach with being a team player. He is an incisive and effective advocate.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Alexander Cook
    Band 3Alexander Cook

    Alexander Cook

    Alexander Cook KC commands a strong company practice, with a particular focus on director liability and disqualification disputes. These matters include offshore claims in the BVI as well as other jurisdictions. He is also a talented advocate, having appeared in proceedings in the High Court of Justice.

    • The quality of his work is very, very good.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Alexander is a very good advocate and an incredibly hard worker. He is able to command respect amongst a legal team and in the courtroom.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Alexander is very confident, technically excellent and someone who prepares extremely well. His advocacy is always very measured.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • He is very thorough and has an excellent eye for strategy.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Alexander Cook KC is meticulous, creative and really straightforward in his advice. He is also really easy to work with.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Edward Crossley
    Band 3Edward Crossley

    Edward Crossley

    Edward Crossley handles complex, high-value litigation and arbitration in London and abroad. He has undertaken a range of company law work including matters relating to unfair prejudice petitions, derivative claims and breaches of directors’ duties.

    • He runs the case like someone who has had many more years of experience.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • A man of high intelligence who's extremely funny and great to have around, really smart, courteous and patient, he has everything you need to be a strong barrister.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Responsive and very enthusiastic, he was a pleasure to work with. His knowledge of the details of the case and his formulation of arguments were both impeccable.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Emma Horner
    Band 3Emma Horner

    Emma Horner

    Frequently called upon by leading silks, Emma Horner is an established junior known for her work in commercial disputes with significant company law considerations. Cases she has worked on include high-value breach of director duties matters and unfair prejudice proceedings. Emma is experienced in acting in domestic and offshore jurisdictions.

    • Emma Horner is a fine barrister who is very calm and measured. She provides beautiful written submissions.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Emma is very good on the strategy, and she is good at knowing how the court will handle complexities.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Emma is a diligent and highly capable all-rounder.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Hermann Boeddinghaus
    Band 3Hermann Boeddinghaus

    Hermann Boeddinghaus

    Hermann Boeddinghaus KC has a focus on corporate and commercial disputes, and has appeared in the Chancery Division, the Commercial Court and a range of international arbitration tribunals. He is experienced in the representation of leading banks, FTSE 100 companies and entrepreneurs, and is frequently instructed in shareholder claims.

    • Hermann is very calm under pressure and brilliant with clients. He really gets into the detail and the nitty gritty.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Hermann is able to present the case in the best light, while achieving clients' commercial objectives. He is a brilliant barrister.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Hermann is good at giving a new perspective and a new strategy. He is also easy to work with and very accessible.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3John Brisby
    Band 3John Brisby

    John Brisby

    John Brisby KC is a highly respected silk who handles a range of company work, including cases heard before offshore courts. He is experienced in issues such as shareholder disputes, reductions of capital and schemes of arrangement, and regularly acts in proceedings in the Chancery Division and Commercial Court. He is experienced in proceedings before courts in the BVI, the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar.

    • What I like about John is his ability to take a high-level view; he really zeroes in on the key issues in a case.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • He is a force to be reckoned with in cross-examination.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • John Brisby KC is a heavy hitter who's extremely commercial. He knows the law inside and out. He sees through everything. Engaging with him was a no brainer; he's fantastic.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Zara McGlone
    Band 3Zara McGlone

    Zara McGlone

    Zara McGlone impresses due to her company law practice focusing on unfair prejudice proceedings. Whilst a popular choice for many leading silks, Zara also regularly acts as sole counsel in significant matters. Her clients include well-known UK plcs.

    • Zara McGlone is very hard-working and reliable.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Zara is very meticulous and has a good eye for detail. She is also very imaginative in how she thinks.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • She is is a really good barrister who is creative, approachable and very responsive.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingDaniel Kessler
    Up and ComingDaniel Kessler

    Daniel Kessler

    Daniel Kessler is an up-and-coming junior with a respected commercial chancery practice. He possesses particular expertise on company law, insolvency and commercial litigation. Daniel is frequently called upon by silks to assist on complex matters in this space.

    • Daniel has a keen eye for detail and a personable manner. We very much enjoy working with him.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Daniel is very efficient, and clients really like him. He is superb as he thinks outside the box.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Daniel was such a find for us. He is very clever.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Daniel Kessler is very attentive to detail, very responsive and creative. He will put forward different strategies that we hadn't previously thought of.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingKarl Anderson
    Up and ComingKarl Anderson

    Karl Anderson

    Karl Anderson handles high-value company disputes as part of a wide-ranging commercial chancery practice. He frequently appears in the Insolvency and Companies Court and as sole counsel in the High Court, particularly in relation to s.994 petitions.

    • A good all-rounder who is clever and punches above his weight. He's robust, he navigates complicated cases well, he holds his own as an advocate and he makes the right points.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Responsive and really good to work with, he has a fine delivery style and builds up a nice rapport with judges.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksDonald Lilly
    New SilksDonald Lilly

    Donald Lilly

    Donald Lilly KC is an experienced advocate with a deep knowledge of litigious company cases, most notably shareholder disputes. He regularly appears unled in court proceedings and demonstrates strong expertise in matters concerning derivative claims.

    • He is extremely bright and hard-working.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Donald is an all-round genius. He tackles complex legal issues head on.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • He is very smart, responsive and just a pleasure to work with. His advocacy style is measured and effective.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Donald Lilly KC is very easy to work with and very responsive; he always makes himself available. He really listens and adapts his advice to what clients want.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Donald Lilly KC has been really excellent at giving us guidance and support. Nothing is too much trouble for him.

      Company respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksTiran Nersessian
    New SilksTiran Nersessian

    Tiran Nersessian

    Tiran Nersessian is a well-regarded barrister with a strong reputation in company law, as part of his broader commercial and insolvency practice. Noted for his strong advocacy, he is regularly instructed by both private and government clients to assist in matters involving directors' disqualification, directors' duties and public interest petitions against companies.

    • He's very reliable and hard-working. It's a real delight to work with him.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Tiran is technically excellent. He absorbs vast detail and gets to grips with the case at speed. He is responsive and measured, and always listens to the views of the people in the room.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Tiran Nersessian is really great for maintaining morale even in the most turbulent of cases.

      Company respondentUK Bar
    • Tiran Nersessian is always available, sensible and pragmatic. His cross examination is fantastic as well.

      Company respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 4 Stone Buildings (19)

London (Bar)

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