Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - London (Bar)

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Essex Court Chambers is an excellent choice for banking law matters and enjoys a strong reputation for its deft handling of high-profile international litigation. The barristers at the set are "extremely high calibre at all levels" and are routinely instructed to act on behalf of a variety of clients, ranging from global banks and funds to investment managers and sovereign governments. They are also praised for being "extremely strong practitioners who are approachable and easy to deal with." Frequent complex matters tackled by the set include claims of LIBOR manipulation and swaps mis-selling, as well as fraud and bribery trials. Notable recent work includes acting for the Republic of Mozambique in the dispute with Credit Suisse and appearing in FDIC v Barclays Bank.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Joe Smouha
1
Joe Smouha
1
Band 1

Joe Smouha KC is a highly accomplished banking silk with additional expertise in the civil fraud arena. He handles a wide range of financial disputes for major banks and is an accomplished advocate in international arbitrations. Active both domestically and internationally, he has appeared in courts in the BVI and the Cayman Islands.

Joe is one of the very best trial advocates. That is his absolute skill. He masters the detail and is an extraordinarily good tactician when it comes to trial.

Joe is fabulously excellent at heavy, complex and difficult trials.

He has a huge amount of experience, is very strategic and is someone you want in your corner when you've got a really complicated dispute.

James Willan
2
James Willan
2
Band 2

James Willan KC is an extremely capable and intelligent barrister with the ability to handle the most complex and intricate of issues. Besides banking disputes, he is accomplished in representing clients in civil fraud, offshore and arbitration proceedings. He acts primarily for banks and financial institutions, and consistently garners praise for the power of his analysis and his work ethic.

James is a real star, an exceptional lawyer and exceptionally hard-working.

He is the cleverest person I know and is a lovely man. He is absolutely fantastic.

I can't speak highly enough of James; he is a brain on a stick.

Louise Hutton
3
Louise Hutton
3
Band 3

Louise Hutton KC has worked in substantial and high-profile matters for a range of clients, including banks and administrators. Her experience includes issues of fraud and breaches of fiduciary duty, and she is skilled at acting in arbitration proceedings.

She has the courage of her convictions and she is always available and approachable.

Louise is highly articulate, exceptionally bright, has a deep understanding of the law and is willing to think laterally around the arguments.

She has been impressively nimble in navigating complex issues and has taken clear, robust views on difficult technical points.

Emily Wood
4
Emily Wood
4
Band 4

Emily Wood KC is an accomplished barrister adept in handling matters involving LIBOR manipulation, swaps issues and sale disputes. She regularly acts for a range of major financial organisations, along with business networks and private equity firms.

Emily is extraordinarily talented and performs at a level beyond her years.

She is extremely accomplished, very clever and polished.

James Sheehan
4
James Sheehan
4
Band 4

James Sheehan KC regularly acts in high-stakes financial litigation matters involving well-known banking and investment fund players.

His drafting is fantastic and he is super quick and very thoughtful.

His drafting, advocacy and general user friendliness set him apart.

John Robb
4
John Robb
4
Band 4

John Robb has vast experience in handling cross-border matters involving negligence, contract disputes and insolvency aspects. Clients include large banks, sovereign wealth funds and brokers.

John is extraordinarily industrious and a star of the future.

Richard Millett
4
Richard Millett
4
Band 4

Richard Millett KC is a capable practitioner with a range of banking and finance, general commercial and arbitration matters under his belt. He has experience of acting for major banking groups in complex disputes.

Richard is a pleasure to work with and a very smooth advocate.

Both his written and oral advocacy are extremely good.

Ciaran Keller
Ciaran Keller
New Silks

Ciaran Keller KC is a noted new silk with experience in representing private businesses, private equity funds and banks in matters involving Quincecare duty claims, sovereign debt and insolvency.

His written work is first rate and he leaves no stone unturned.

Ciaran has good judgement about the right strategy and is great on paper and in cross-examination.

Ranked Barristers at
Essex Court Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Banking & Finance

Joe Smouha KC
1
Joe Smouha KC
1
Band 1
James Willan KC
2
James Willan KC
2
Band 2
Louise Hutton KC
3
Louise Hutton KC
3
Band 3
Emily Wood KC
4
Emily Wood KC
4
Band 4
James Sheehan KC
4
James Sheehan KC
4
Band 4
Richard Millett KC
4
Richard Millett KC
4
Band 4
Ciaran Keller KC
Ciaran Keller KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Banking & Finance

John Robb
4
John Robb
4
Band 4