Department profile
South Square

Banking & Finance

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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South Square

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About

Provided by South Square

South Square is a leading banking and finance set with a significant international reach, often instructed by magic circle law firms. Our barristers are adept in high-stakes banking and financial litigation, including cases of market-wide significance, such as the Adler restructuring plan and the Madoff fraud-related litigation. 

The set's members handled a comprehensive range of banking and finance issues, including advisory work and complex disputes involving mis-selling, derivatives, and structured finance. They have a track record of involvement in major litigation at various appellate levels.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - London (Bar)

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

South Square remains a popular choice for clients seeking assistance with a broad spectrum of financial matters. The set is noted for its prowess in insolvency-related disputes, with barristers regularly bringing their expertise to bear in major domestic and international litigation. Members of chambers are also highly proficient at advising on claims of fraud, bribery and debt recovery. Commentators report that the set has "expertise beyond what others can offer." Notable matters for the set include representing BNP Paribas against Uro Property and the joint administrators of Greensill Bank on issues relating to ownership of funds.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • South Square's clerking team is good and responsive.

    Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar

  • Senior clerk Dylan Playfoot is a great clerk who is very user-friendly.

    Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • David Allison
    David Allison

    David Allison

    David Allison KC is noted for handling the most complex of cases. He is highly adept at handling matters relating to mis-selling claims, asset and bond disputes and derivative issues. He frequently acts in cases with offshore aspects, sometimes involving the courts of the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and the Middle East.

    • David is very good with clients and is comfortable and persuasive before the court.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar
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  • Tom Smith
    Tom Smith

    Tom Smith

    Tom Smith KC is an accomplished silk with expertise in a wide array of financial and insolvency disputes at all levels of court, both domestic and offshore. He is experienced in handling issues for funds, liquidators, asset managers and other financial institutions.

    • Tom is brilliant on his feet, has the command of the room and has a laser sharp memory of the evidence.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar

    • He presents his case methodically and is a very good intellectual advocate.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar

    • Judges have huge trust in him - he is so smooth and persuasive whilst being technically knowledgeable.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar
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  • Georgina Peters
    Georgina Peters

    Georgina Peters

    Georgina Peters is a strong junior with expertise in acting for a wide range of domestic and international banks and financial institutions. She acts both led and unled in cases concerning swaps disputes, ISDA-related matters and securitisation issues.

    • She is very clever, a really nice person to work with and is very good at sticking to her guns in the presence of more tricky counsel.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar

    • Georgina is intellectually rigorous and excellent technically with an astonishing ability to get on top of the most complex issues quickly.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar
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  • Daniel Bayfield
    Daniel Bayfield

    Daniel Bayfield

    Daniel Bayfield KC is an impressive performer who is an expert in both banking and insolvency cases. He has strong knowledge of restructuring matters related to financial institutions, and has appeared in Court of Appeal matters in this sphere. He is also frequently instructed in matters involving international elements.

    • Daniel is very detail-oriented and has incredible technical strength.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar
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  • Richard Fisher
    Richard Fisher

    Richard Fisher

    Richard Fisher KC is an accomplished silk active on behalf of an impressive client base including major banks and hedge funds. He has widespread knowledge of the space with particular expertise in structured finance issues and derivatives contracts matters. His practice is bolstered by his proficiency in handling financial restructurings.

    • Richard is an effective advocate and a pleasure to work with.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar

    • Richard is a complete superstar - he is so easy to work with and so client-friendly.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar

    • Richard tries to help find a path through as opposed to explaining what is wrong with everybody else's ideas.

      Banking & Finance respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at South Square (5)

London (Bar)

Members

Provided by South Square

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