Chancery: Commercial | UK Bar

4 Stone Buildings is an impressive chancery set, housing a strong bench of barristers at both senior and junior level who are well versed in high-profile and complex disputes. Instructing solicitors comment on the set's "excellent understanding of the technical and legal arguments". The team's expertise spans a wide range of areas, and its members routinely undertake cases involving financial services and banking, commercial contracts and insolvency law. Shareholder disputes are also a key area of strength for the team, drawing on the set's established expertise in company law. The set's barristers are regularly instructed in litigation arising in the oil and gas sector, and have experience of acting in both domestic and international matters. As testament to their skills, they have recently been involved in some major matters, including: Re X Trusts, A v D, a case setting the scope for a protector's power to consent to a proposed exercise of a trustee's power; Mitchell v Sheikh Mohamed bin Issa al Jaber, a high-value international matters concerning a collection of international hotels; and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care v PPE Medpro Ltd, a widely reported contractual claim arising from the procurement of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are the joint senior clerks.

Maitland Chambers offers significant expertise in banking and finance, insolvency and civil fraud claims, and has barristers with experience of handling both domestic and international litigation and arbitration. A source states that its "barristers have excellent commercial experience, are very user-friendly and are willing to get stuck into the work". Recent cases of note include Frenkel v LA Micro Group, a Supreme Court appeal concerning the enforceability of an oral agreement to transfer beneficial interests in certain shares, and Ieremeieva (and another) v Estera (and others), a long-running international fraud case concerning a Ukrainian business empire. Other matters handled include Future Sound Asia v The 1975, a damages claim arising from the cancellation of a music festival in Malaysia following a pro-LGBT demonstration by band members. John Wiggs is the director of clerking.

The barristers at Serle Court are said to be "exceptionally bright, strategic and adept at handling the most complex and sophisticated matters". The set has an enviable bench of senior and junior barristers, and is regularly called upon to undertake the most complex cases in the market, such as Wong v Grand View, an USD18 billion case and the largest piece of litigation in Bermuda's history. Other examples of recent work handled include Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan and others, a high-value case arising from the alleged bribery of the claimants' former director general; and Kea v Watson, a series of multijurisdictional fraud cases involving the State of Kentucky and New Zealand. Nicholas Hockney and Daniel Wheeler are the practice directors.

Wilberforce Chambers is an impressive set noted for its expertise in complex commercial chancery litigation arising in the UK and across several international and offshore jurisdictions. The barristers here are recognised by interviewees for their "first-rate intellect and advocacy" and "ability to spot points that others don't." It is also regularly instructed in company, insolvency and civil fraud disputes, and offers considerable strength when undertaking complex commercial litigation involving elements of pensions, trusts and property law. Members are instructed in high-profile matters of the greatest complexity, including Public Institution for Social Security v Al-Rajaan, a high-value fraud case arising from alleged bribery of the claimant's former director general; and Steenbok and another v Formal Holdings and others, widely reported as South Africa’s largest ever private sector accounting fraud scandal, which led to the near-collapse of Steinhoff International Holdings NV. The set was also involved in Mitchell v Al Jaber, a USD3 billion breach of fiduciary duties claim arising out of the liquidation of a company sitting within the MBI group. Nicholas Luckman is the practice director.

3 Verulam Buildings is particularly well regarded for its handling of commercial chancery litigation involving complex elements of banking and financial services law. Members are also well versed in civil fraud and insolvency disputes, and are regularly called upon to appear in major litigation arising in several international and offshore jurisdictions. Cases of note include: Various Investors v Standard Chartered plc, a £1.5 billion banking and financial services dispute; FDIC-R v Barclays Bank, a high-value breach of competition law and breach of fraudulent misrepresentation matter; and Liverpool Football Club v Manchester City Football Club, a widely reported claim arising from alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial fair play rules.

Stuart Pullum is the director of clerking.

Erskine Chambers is well regarded for its expertise spanning a wide range of commercial chancery matters, and has a strong bench of barristers routinely instructed in high-profile cases. One instructing solicitor says "its counsel are extremely knowledgeable and well respected by clients, solicitors, opponents and judges alike." Members are experienced in the handling of complex commercial litigation, including difficult insolvency, banking and financial services, company and civil fraud disputes. Over the years, the set has been involved in many of the leading cases before the Chancery and Commercial courts, including ENRC v Dechert LLP & The Director of the SFO, a claim arising out of Dechert's and the SFO’s conduct in relation to an investigation into ENRC. Members of the set have also appeared in ClientEarth v Shell plc, a derivative claim brought by an activist shareholder, alleging breaches of duty by Shell’s directors relating to their management of the risks associated with climate change. Michael Shillingford and Alex Calder are the joint senior clerks.

This set's barristers are noted for their expert handling of complex and high-profile commercial chancery disputes, with the team offering significant strength in civil fraud and banking litigation. Members receive regular instructions to handle cases in offshore jurisdictions, and frequently undertake complex shareholder disputes involving the Far East and the CIS. Regularly instructed on both sides of major commercial chancery disputes, barristers here have been involved in some of the most celebrated cases of recent years, including the USD5 billion NMC Healthcare PLC & Ors v Dr Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty & Ors proceedings, the Supreme Court case of Invest Bank v El-Husseini and others, and the USD2 billion oil and gas contracts case of Crescent Petroleum v National Iranian Oil Company. Joe Ferrigno is the senior clerk.

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 barristers here are noted for their "supreme ability to handle complex, sophisticated matters" and are well versed in the handling of both contentious and non-contentious cases. Members are regularly called upon to act in claims brought against accountants and professional service firms, and in 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 Credit Suisse v SoftBank Vision II Fund, a high-profile claim by a Credit Suisse sub-fund. Members also appeared in Mitchell v Al Jaber, a Supreme Court case deciding whether a company's director continues to owe fiduciary duties after its liquidation, and Public Institution for Social Security v Al-Rajaan, a USD1 billion fraud case arising from alleged bribery of the claimant's former director general. Dylan Playfoot is the senior clerk.

XXIV Old Buildings is highly regarded for its expertise in complex cases arising in offshore jurisdictions. The set's members undertake a wide range of commercial chancery matters and are frequently instructed in high-value commercial litigation, especially civil fraud and insolvency disputes. The team is also well versed in commercial matters involving elements of professional negligence, trusts and partnership law, drawing on the set's established strengths in these areas. A source reports: "their word is trusted by the judges and courts they address". Members have appeared in Mitchell v Al Jaber, a major breach of fiduciary duties claim raising novel points for quantifying equitable compensation. They also acted in Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda), a matter concerning a USD1 billion claim linked to an alleged rogue trader investment fraud, and Public Institution for Social Security v Al-Rajaan and others, a particularly high-value fraud case arising from alleged bribery of the claimant's former director general. Paul Horsfield leads the clerking team.

Enterprise Chambers is an impressive set noted for its expertise in high-value commercial litigation as well as complex insolvency, company and property matters. A source reports the chambers "really got to grips with the facts and the law, and formed a clear view on the legal position and appropriate way to proceed". The team is particularly well regarded for its handling of shareholder disputes, and its members are regularly instructed in both domestic and international matters. Recent cases handled by the set include Hotel Portfolio II UK Ltd v SMA, a matter arising out of a commercial fraud valued at £220 million deriving from the sale of 37 Thistle Group hotels. Members also appeared in Royal London v Cineworld Cinemas Ltd, a rent arrears claim relating to the withholding of rent for a cinema during the COVID-19 pandemic, and GLAS (London Branch) v European TopSoho S.À.R.L. and others, a case concerning the non-performance of bonds worth £250 million. Michael Ireland is the senior clerk.

New Square Chambers handles commercial chancery disputes arising both in the UK and in several offshore jurisdictions. Its members are well regarded by instructing solicitors for their "fantastic knowledge, excellent drafting skills and great advocacy." Areas of strength for the team include complex contractual disputes, insolvencies, shareholder disputes and high-value commercial fraud claims. The barristers here are well versed in shareholder and partnership disputes, and have experience of appearing before the highest courts in the UK and other jurisdictions. They have recently been involved in cases such as Salem v Salem and others involving allegations of conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty under BVI law. Individuals here also acted in Quantum Actuarial LLP v Quantum Advisory Ltd, a long-running dispute concerning a 99-year contract for the outsourcing of actuarial services, and BHS Group Limited (in liquidation) v Parladorio, a claim raising novel issues relating to the alleged fiduciary duties of a solicitor advising directors of a company facing insolvency.

Michelle Greene is the senior clerk.

Radcliffe Chambers is an impressive set with noted expertise in commercial chancery matters. Instructing solicitors are quick to praise its insolvency offering, while its strong bench of barristers also offers considerable strength in high-stakes banking, civil fraud and securities matters. International disputes concerning commercial trusts are a further key area for the team. Recent matters handled include Lonham Group Ltd v Scotbeef Ltd and D&S Storage Ltd, the first occasion the Insurance Act 2015 has been considered by the Court of Appeal, and Musst Holdings Ltd v Astra Asset Management UK Ltd and Astra Asset Management LLP, a multimillion dollar dispute concerning introductory fees claimed against an asset manager. John Clark is the head of clerking.

Selborne Chambers is a well-regarded set offering significant expertise in commercial chancery litigation. A source regards the barristers here as being "down to earth. pomposity-free and producers of work of the highest possible standard". Members are regularly instructed in civil fraud, company, partnership and general commercial disputes, as well as complex trusts and property cases. Recent cases include Ethanol Project Services Ltd (in liquidation) v Rafael Benitez, a dispute relating to the non-repayment of a loan to fund an ethanol plant in Grimsby. Members also tackled Ultramarine v Sunsail, a long-running dispute in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court concerning a diving concession at a beach resort that was said to have been unlawfully terminated. Paul Bunting and Darren Madle are the senior clerks.