Department profile
XXIV Old Buildings

Commercial Dispute Resolution

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


XXIV Old Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Commercial Dispute Resolution - London (Bar)

Band 4

Band 4


What the Team is Known For

XXIV Old Buildings possesses significant talent in the commercial litigation sphere at both silk and junior level, and has barristers who are praised by interviewees for their “exceptionally high quality of advice and advocacy”. It is regularly involved in key cases across the sector. By way of example, recent matters handled by the tenants include Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan and others, a £1.2 billion fraud claim. The set has also continued its involvement in Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse, a claim by a Georgian billionaire against a subsidiary of a Swiss bank arising out of allegedly fraudulent acts. Barristers here are not only experienced in handling disputes in the UK, but also frequently act in cases overseas, and have noteworthy experience in jurisdictions in the Middle East and the Caribbean, among many others.

Paul Horsfield is the head of clerking.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks at XXIV Old Buildings are exceptional. We particularly value the honest assessment of availability that we always receive.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team is first rate. Head of clerking Paul Horsfield and deputy heads of clerking Perry Brown and Lyndon Tiller are helpful, responsive and diligent.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • I have always been impressed with the clerks. They are flexible on fees and responsive.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Head of clerking Paul Horsfield and deputy head of clerking Perry Brown are as good as they can be and have been great supporters of our firm.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are always excellent, proactive and helpful, especially deputy head of clerking Lyndon Tiller, practice manager George Salvage and assistant practice manager Ellie Sedgwick.

    Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Edward Cumming
    Band 2Edward Cumming

    Edward Cumming

    • He is very well regarded, very good and highly responsive.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Tireless and relentless in his approach, he is a real force of nature.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Edward covers lots of complex fraud and trust work, and always gives the advice the client needs. He works phenomenally hard, and his advocacy and cross-examination skills are first rate.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Elspeth Talbot Rice
    Band 3Elspeth Talbot Rice

    Elspeth Talbot Rice

    • Elspeth is formidable and fiercely bright. She is the standout KC for any commercial, estate or trust issue.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Elspeth is a very good advocate and a very strong lawyer. She has a great following.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Elspeth is incredibly impressive. She is astute and has gravitas.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Stephen Moverley Smith
    Band 4Stephen Moverley Smith

    Stephen Moverley Smith

    • He is cool under pressure, with an elegant and effective style.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Steven Thompson
    Band 4Steven Thompson

    Steven Thompson

    • Steven Thompson is impressively focused and a brilliant cross-examiner.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • A wonderful advocate; he is just a Rolls-Royce performer. On his feet, he is unflappable and just brilliant.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Steven Reed
    Band 5Steven Reed

    Steven Reed

    • Steven Reed is technically astute and manages difficult clients effectively.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Very good and highly creative in his thinking, he's great on overall strategy and maintains a strong view throughout. He's also good at working with clients directly and as part of a team.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Stuart Adair
    Band 5Stuart Adair

    Stuart Adair

    • An honest, credible barrister who is more than capable of running a claim independently without the need for a silk.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Hardworking and good on his feet, he's a robust barrister who is argumentative at the right times.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Adam Cloherty
    Band 6Adam Cloherty

    Adam Cloherty

    • Adam Cloherty is impressive when on his feet. He is very good at reading where the judge's mind is and adjusting his submissions accordingly.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • An extremely tenacious barrister, who is tough and determined to win for his client.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Adam is excellent and clear in his advice. He is also responsive and very easy to work with.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Clients really value Adam's powerful advocacy and strong commercial outlook.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Bajul Shah
    Band 6Bajul Shah

    Bajul Shah

    • Bajul Shah is a calm, persuasive and effective advocate.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Bajul Shah has been involved in drafting a number of complex defences for us and has been really good. He shows great attention to detail and is really good on his feet. We value his collaboration.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksHugh Miall
    New SilksHugh Miall

    Hugh Miall

    • Hugh Miall is a go-to senior junior who does a large amount of cases and gets a lot of advocacy experience from them. He is user-friendly, commercial and someone who thinks about strategy.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • Hugh Miall's written work is absolutely brilliant, and he puts a huge amount of effort into everything he does. I am really impressed by him.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar
    • I was incredibly impressed by Hugh's legal analysis. In the Court of Appeal, his presentation on an especially difficult point of law was frankly exceptional. I rate him very highly.

      Commercial Dispute Resolution respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at XXIV Old Buildings (9)

London (Bar)

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