Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Company - London (Bar)

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

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Notable Practitioners

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Jonathan Crow
Jonathan Crow
Star Individuals

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.

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.

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

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.

He is a very clever and very able person.

Richard Hill
1
Richard Hill
1
Band 1

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.

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.

Richard is a powerful advocate who gives clients a huge amount of confidence.

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.

Tiran Nersessian
1
Tiran Nersessian
1
Band 1

Tiran Nersessian is a well-regarded junior 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.

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.

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

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

Alastair Tomson
2
Alastair Tomson
2
Band 2

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.

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

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.

Andrew de Mestre
2
Andrew de Mestre
2
Band 2

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.

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. .

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

Andrew de Mestre KC combines being very smart with being highly focused.

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

Christopher Harrison
2
Christopher Harrison
2
Band 2

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.

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.

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

George Bompas
2
George Bompas
2
Band 2

George Bompas KC is regularly instructed in high-profile company disputes, and is particularly active in international jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Singapore and the Caribbean. Solicitors call on him for his skills in both advisory and contentious work. He displays particular strength in cases concerning contractual interpretations, shareholder disputes and corporate reorganisations.

He has that gravitas and ability to cut straight through the issues and see them for what they are. His approach lets clients know that they are always in great hands.

George Bompas KC is a very skilled advocate.

George is a great team player who's very approachable and someone with a razor-sharp mind.

Gregory Denton-Cox
2
Gregory Denton-Cox
2
Band 2

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.

He is an excellent, technical lawyer with good trial skills.

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

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.

James Knott
2
James Knott
2
Band 2

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.

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.

Sharif A. Shivji
2
Sharif A. Shivji
2
Band 2

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.

Tom Gentleman
2
Tom Gentleman
2
Band 2

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.

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.

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

Alexander Cook
3
Alexander Cook
3
Band 3

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.

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.

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

He is very thorough and has an excellent eye for strategy.

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

Edward Crossley
3
Edward Crossley
3
Band 3

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.

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.

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.

Emma Horner
3
Emma Horner
3
Band 3

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.

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

Emma is a diligent and highly capable all-rounder.

Hermann Boeddinghaus
3
Hermann Boeddinghaus
3
Band 3

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.

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

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

John Brisby
3
John Brisby
3
Band 3

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.

He is a force to be reckoned with in cross-examination.

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.

Zara McGlone
3
Zara McGlone
3
Band 3

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.

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

She is is a really good barrister who is creative, approachable and very responsive.

Daniel Kessler
U
Daniel Kessler
U
Up and Coming

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.

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

Daniel was such a find for us. He is very clever.

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

Karl Anderson
U
Karl Anderson
U
Up and Coming

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.

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

Donald Lilly
Donald Lilly
New Silks

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.

Donald is an all-round genius. He tackles complex legal issues head on.

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

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.

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

Ranked Barristers at
4 Stone Buildings

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Company

Jonathan Crow KC
Jonathan Crow KC
Star Individuals
Richard Hill KC
1
Richard Hill KC
1
Band 1
Andrew de Mestre KC
2
Andrew de Mestre KC
2
Band 2
George Bompas KC
2
George Bompas KC
2
Band 2
Sharif A. Shivji KC
2
Sharif A. Shivji KC
2
Band 2
Alexander Cook KC
3
Alexander Cook KC
3
Band 3
Hermann Boeddinghaus KC
3
Hermann Boeddinghaus KC
3
Band 3
John Brisby KC
3
John Brisby KC
3
Band 3
Donald Lilly KC
Donald Lilly KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Company

Tiran Nersessian
1
Tiran Nersessian
1
Band 1
Alastair Tomson
2
Alastair Tomson
2
Band 2
Christopher Harrison
2
Christopher Harrison
2
Band 2
Gregory Denton-Cox
2
Gregory Denton-Cox
2
Band 2
James Knott
2
James Knott
2
Band 2
Tom Gentleman
2
Tom Gentleman
2
Band 2
Edward Crossley
3
Edward Crossley
3
Band 3
Emma Horner
3
Emma Horner
3
Band 3
Zara McGlone
3
Zara McGlone
3
Band 3
Daniel Kessler
U
Daniel Kessler
U
Up and Coming
Karl Anderson
U
Karl Anderson
U
Up and Coming