Department profile
Fountain Court Chambers

Group Litigation

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


Fountain Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Group Litigation - All Circuits

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Fountain Court Chambers is a pre-eminent commercial and chancery set, whose members' expertise in handling complex and high-profile disputes with cross-border aspects makes the set a natural fit for group actions. As chambers' profile in group litigation has developed, members have acted for both claimant groups and defendants in a number of large-scale banking disputes. Known for its "talented commercial practitioners", it is also a "very versatile set" whose members have turned their hand to consumer and product liability group claims. Examples of recent work that members have been instructed on this area include the Dieselgate emissions litigation, defending UK banks against mortgage prisoner and mortgage mis-selling claims, the civil claims arising from the Grenfell Tower Fire.

Alex Taylor is senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They pride themselves on knowing their clients and delivering great service.

    Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
  • They have the best clerks we have come across. We often have tricky CFA arrangements with funders and the Fountain Court clerks can always handle this.

    Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team are personable and responsive.

    Group Litigation respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Leigh-Ann Mulcahy
    Band 1Leigh-Ann Mulcahy

    Leigh-Ann Mulcahy

    Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC is a highly experienced silk in the collective and group actions space. She has appeared in numerous high-profile pieces of group litigation concerning product liability or financial services.

    • Leigh-Ann is an expert in causation.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • She is a fantastic barrister with a huge amount of experience on group litigation. She is definitely up there among the best at this work.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • She is in a class of one. She has the key skills for group litigation. She understands the need to think twelve moves ahead, years ahead; she can play that 3D game of chess. That's her sweet spot.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Richard Handyside
    Band 2Richard Handyside

    Richard Handyside

    Richard Handyside KC has developed a strong practice defending banks in representative actions and other large-scale litigation concerning exchange rate manipulation or financial product mis-selling.

    • Richard is good with judges. He doesn't over-push his points, and knows how far to go.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • Richard is my go-to person. He is very clever and a fantastic advocate.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • We used him most in difficult applications because he is a very smooth advocate to whom judges listen. He was easily the best silk in the room.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4James Duffy
    Band 4James Duffy

    James Duffy

    James Duffy KC has a strong group litigation practice. He is regularly sought out to defend in large-scale group actions, often involving high-profile clients. He has a particular strength in matters involving banking and finance elements.

    • James is brilliant on his feet and in written advocacy. He's very creative with the way he puts arguments. He has a knack for constructing an interesting argument, when underlying points are dry.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • James is technically very good and on top of the law. He is good at managing cases and keeping in mind the client's underlying commercial objective.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • He is excellent. One of his best attributes is his ability to balance the detail and strategy. He takes a step back and makes incisive decisions, which can very much help with group litigation.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • He is my go-to silk and is fabulous. He is really clever, a real fighter and not afraid to argue points. His advocacy is very good.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Niamh Cleary
    Band 4Niamh Cleary

    Niamh Cleary

    Niamh Cleary has a growing reputation in the group litigation sphere. She has appeared in collective proceedings before the competition appeal tribunal including the Trucks claim.

    • Niamh is phenomenally intelligent, organised and the all-round package - extremely impressive.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
    • She's very good, a hands-on team player, and has good clear drafting.

      Group Litigation respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksAlex Barden
    New SilksAlex Barden

    Alex Barden

    Alex Barden KC brings his commercial litigation expertise to bear in group litigation across a variety of sectors. He acts for both claimants and defendants.

Ranked Barristers at Fountain Court Chambers (5)

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