Restructuring/Insolvency
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7306 0102Chambers Review
Wilberforce Chambers is noted for its impressive work tackling both corporate and personal insolvency matters. Members are frequently called upon to undertake cases arising both in the UK and further afield, and offer significant expertise in the handling of complex multi-jurisdictional disputes. Market commentators note that "it is a leading set with some very bright minds who are very capable of taking on the most complicated and sophisticated cases," with particular areas of strength for the set spanning administrations, CVAs, restructurings and schemes of arrangement. The team is also regularly instructed in cases involving complex pensions and property elements, owing to the set's established strengths in these areas. An enviable client list includes creditors, debtors and insolvency office holders. Recent cases of note include the Lehman Brothers litigation, and Halabi v Equity Trust (Jersey).
Nicholas Luckman is practice director at Wilberforce Chambers.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Stewart Cameron, senior practice manager, is brilliant and deals with all service requirements."
"Andrew Barnes, deputy practice director, is a responsive and flexible clerk."
"The clerking team are very professional and are really integrated into the team. They are good at running trainings and events."
"The clerks are responsive and on top of their barristers' workloads. They're incredibly able in directing work to the appropriate barristers and being attuned to client requirements."
"The clerks are a delight to work with and add value in situations where time can often be of the essence."
"Stewart Cameron, senior practice manager, is brilliant and deals with all service requirements."
"Andrew Barnes, deputy practice director, is a responsive and flexible clerk."
"The clerking team are very professional and are really integrated into the team. They are good at running trainings and events."
"The clerks are responsive and on top of their barristers' workloads. They're incredibly able in directing work to the appropriate barristers and being attuned to client requirements."
"The clerks are a delight to work with and add value in situations where time can often be of the essence."
Notable Practitioners
Lexa Hilliard KC is an esteemed practitioner offering an impressive breadth of experience and expertise across all areas of insolvency law. She regularly takes instruction at both the domestic and international levels, and has been instructed in relation to several offshore disputes in the Caribbean, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Her respected practice focuses predominantly on advisory work.
"Lexa is strategically fantastic and extremely powerful in cross-examinations. She's very easy to work with, personable and unshakeable."
"She is very impressive, works hard and has clear advocacy."
"Lexa is a silk of the highest calibre. She is approachable but razor sharp. Clients really like her down-to-earth approach and ability to come up with solutions to the most complex of issues."
Marcia Shekerdemian KC is regularly approached by clients seeking advice on corporate and personal insolvency cases. She has carved out a niche in the area of fraud and asset recovery work, and regularly acts in cross-border cases. She represents a variety of clients including directors, debtors, office holders and lenders.
"She is experienced, highly intelligent and combines this with a sense of humour."
"Marcia is a force to be reckoned with. She has control of a case and really takes things forwards."
Thomas Robinson is well known for his adept representation of clients including the Pensions Regulator and continues to be a popular choice for international insolvency matters.He has experience appearing before the Supreme Court.
"Thomas is an incredibly user-friendly and highly regarded lawyer. He is detail-oriented, reliable and a very calm advocate. He's very eloquent in his style and is affable and well informed."
"He is specialised in contentious insolvency matters. He is calm and on top of the detail."
"Thomas is a fantastic lawyer. He managed to deliver advice on the complicated matters in a way which the lay clients understood."
Daniel Lewis is highly popular in the market for his advocacy style and personable manner. He undertakes wide-ranging insolvency work, with a particular emphasis on claims arising from participation in tax avoidance schemes. He is also well regarded for his handling of professional negligence claims both for and against insolvency office holders.
"Daniel is an excellent and persuasive advocate and has the art of making complicated matters straightforward."
"Daniel Lewis is charming, charismatic and calm, which are traits you want during advocacy and also in reassuring clients. His advice is clear and commercial."
"Daniel provides advice of the utmost quality. He has an excellent manner when delivering advice that instils confidence and puts the clients at ease."
Bobby Friedman has a broad commercial chancery practice which encompasses civil fraud, company and insolvency disputes. He is regularly instructed in both domestic and offshore matters, and is called in the British Virgin Islands.
"Bobby is responsive and quick to identify complex issues."
Clare Stanley KC is noted for her broad expertise covering trusts, company, fraud and insolvency. Stanley is often instructed on high-value, offshore insolvency matters across the Cayman Islands, Jersey and Guernsey, with a particular focus on proceedings involving complex offshore structures and asset tracing.
"She is very client-friendly and extremely good at getting into the detail. She is also a first-rate advocate."
"Clare is very impressive and engaging in court. She has a pleasant style and a lightness to her approach."
"Clare is tenacious, formidable and leaves no stone unturned."
James Bailey KC is a well-regarded silk who has a strong practice encompassing commercial chancery, company and insolvency law. He frequently plays a key role in major, high-profile cases. He is frequently involved in cases concerning misfeasance and wrongful trading claims, and has considerable expertise in handling contentious recovery work.
"James is strong at identifying strategies and rolling up his sleeves to get to the detail of the case."
"James is very good with the complexities of insolvency law. He leads the client to great success. He's a great communicator and a successful adviser."
"He is excellent - very smart, experienced, good with clients and a go-to for commercial disputes."
Jessica Brooke focuses her practice on insolvency disputes and is particularly active in cross-jurisdictional matters. Her practice includes high-profile liquidations and appeal matters. She often acts as sole counsel in cases and has experience of the Court of Appeal and High Court.
"She is responsive and able to provide a quick view on issues, followed by an in-depth analysis. She's capable, bright and gets among the issues."
"Jessica is a very good advocate. She is strong technically, has a strong knowledge of insolvency and is able to grasp complexity very well."
"Jessica Brooke is very conscientious, resilient and persistent. She covers every base and is very thorough."
Rachael Earle garners recognition for her individual and corporate insolvency practice, often bringing and defending claims against insolvency practitioners. She regularly defends office holders from claims of misfeasance or in relation to remuneration challenges.
"Rachael is a pleasure to work with. She's down to earth and makes herself available. She fiercely defends her client's position and is a future star of the Bar."
"She is user-friendly, cuts right to the issues in a case and has a pleasant court manner."
"Rachael is delightful to deal with. She is user-friendly, bright, commercial and puts herself out to accommodate clients' needs. She is also a great advocate."
Sri Carmichael is regularly instructed in both corporate and personal insolvency matters. She fields considerable expertise in contentious insolvencies and has experience handling complex cases involving claims brought against directors.
"Sri is very detail-oriented, careful with the facts and competent in applying the law. She is approachable, friendly and happy to go the extra mile."
"She is a great advocate. She's very good on her feet and understands client needs."
"She is very detailed in her analysis, has a clear view on how points will land and is very trusted by silks. She is thoughtful in her presentation."