Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery

In addition to offering significant strength in insolvency law, South Square is also highly regarded for its expertise in a wide range of commercial chancery disputes. The team is well versed in the handling of both contentious and non-contentious matters. Members are regularly called upon to act in claims brought against accountants and professional service firms and complex cases involving derivatives and securitisation transactions, among other commercial matters. The team is known for its expert handling of both domestic and international disputes. Recent examples include Primeo Fund v HSBC, a high profile piece of litigation against HSBC contingent upon the Madoff fraud. Members also handled substantial multi-jurisdictional claims arising out of a global fraud uncovered in the NMC Healthcare Group which led to its subsequent collapse in 2020. They further acted in Citibank v Speciality Steel UK Ltd., a case resulting from the failure of Greensill.

"The clerking team is top notch. All concerned are very attentive."

"The clerks are efficient - you ask for something and they get back to you pretty quickly. They never overpromise in relation to their barristers."

The clerking team is led by Dylan Playfoot.

Felicity Toube KC "If we could have her on every case we could. She's very bright and commercial, and she delivers time after time." "An absolutely fantastic practitioner, who is a great strategist." "Loved by clients, she's able to manoeuvre a case quickly and expertly, even when things are very complicated. Judges trust and respect her."

Tom Smith KC "A supremo in major litigation, he's hugely respected by the judiciary. Very cool, calm and collected, he's incredibly good on his feet and always able to get to grips with the detail however immense the case." "Everyone thinks that he is top drawer and that he will end up in the Supreme Court at some stage. Very good at both written and oral submissions, he works like a trojan and can be relied upon to secure the right outcome for the client." "He is just an absolute master and definitely one of the leading KCs operating in offshore jurisdictions."

Adam Al-Attar "Exceptionally good, he has a very calm, considered and persuasive advocacy style, and displays real gravitas in court. He's excellent on his feet, has first rate skills of analysis and is easy to work with."

David Allison KC "A brilliant strategist, who's great to work with." "Lovely and charming to work with, he goes out of his way to check in with all members of team at all levels of seniority. Everyone loves having him on the team. Very smooth, agile in court and quick-witted, he's just a real gentleman and a consummate professional. "

Aidan Casey KC "Extremely bright and a great team player, he'll go out of his way to accommodate you and your clients as far as he can. Also, he's a very good person to bounce things off and doesn't look to set the clock running from the off, choosing instead to discuss how to put a case together." "An excellent leader, the quality of whose quiet and authoritative drafting is reflected in the results he achieves before courts and tribunals." "Very confident in his written work, he produces excellent skeletons. On his feet he adopts a nice, gentle approach that plays well - he is a really calm presence in court."

Daniel Bayfield KC "Daniel presented very well on the advice he was given and was really good with the client. He explained issues clearly and provided cogent advice on what things might look like going forward. The strategic advice and guidance were very helpful." "Daniel has superb technical knowledge, having worked on many highly complex and novel cases. He's an extremely effective communicator, who is both practical and commercial; he understands the needs of the client and puts legal arguments and solutions into a commercial context.  Overall, he is extremely smart, great to work with and a go-to silk for any restructuring and insolvency situation."

Mark Phillips KC "A very strong advocate, who is adept at his craft." "Someone with a massive capacity for work, he leaves no stone unturned. "

Richard Fisher KC "Just brilliant, he's incredibly knowledgeable and charming in court." "Technically excellent and creative in his approach to arguing points, he is a  focused and very effective advocate. He's never flustered and puts his points very clearly and effectively."