Commercial Dispute Resolution | UK Bar

3 Verulam Buildings' market-leading reputation arises out of its involvement in headline-grabbing commercial cases. Recent highlights include the major cases: Phones 4u Limited v EE Limited and others, a case concerned with the collapse into insolvency of Phones 4u; NMC Healthcare Limited v Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC and Noor Bank PJSC, a large scale insolvency related matter; and Suppipat v Narongdej & Others, a matter involving an alleged fraudulent conspiracy. One source comments: "This is an extremely capable team with good quality from KC to baby junior."

Brick Court lays claim to some of the leading practitioners in the market. Its barristers are regularly involved in the highest-value and most high-profile matters. Recent highlights for members have included: Nokia v Oppo, a case concerned with the terms on which Oppo should be required to take a licence over Nokia's portfolio of standard-essential telecoms patents; Grenfell related litigation advising Whirlpool in relation to potential claims arising out of the Grenfell Tower fire; and Qatar Airways v Airbus, a €1 billion dispute alleging defective design and manufacturing problems. One source comments: "Brick Court has a strong team at all levels."

Essex Court Chambers is regularly involved in some of the highest-value domestic and international commercial disputes. Recent highlights include: Suppipat & Ors v Nop Narongdeg & Ors; the Dieselgate Emissions Litigation and The Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & Others, amongst numerous other high profile cases. The set has a deep pool of experts capable of handling commercial cases arising from many different legal areas, such as banking, civil fraud, energy and shipping, to name but a few. An interviewee praises the set for having barristers who have "an extremely strong grasp of new and complex issues."

Fountain Court houses talented commercial litigators at all levels of seniority. Its barristers are regulars in the highest-value and most eye-catching cases of the day, routinely appearing in the Commercial Court, Financial List and Chancery Division. Although best known for their skill in banking and finance cases, they undertake a truly broad sweep of work and have involvement in major matters across the commercial spectrum. Recent examples of significant cases handled include: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise v Various Insurers; Various Merchants v Visa and Mastercard, and Soteria Insurance v IBM United Kingdom. Commentators state: "Fountain Court Chambers is a good set with a deep bench that can be relied upon for the most complex of matters."

A set with profound commercial expertise that counts within its ranks a number of the most well-known litigation barristers in the market. Solicitors select One Essex Court for the choicest disputes. Members have been involved in some of the most highly publicised cases of recent times, including The Fundão Dam litigation, The Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International and Ors, Minister of Finance v International Petroleum Investment Company and Claimant Group v Glencore & Ors. One commentator reports: "Undoubtedly, it's a go to set for the biggest and most complex disputes." Another adds that "for commercial litigation the set has someone to cover every aspect of the case."

A strong set with pronounced litigation experience across the commercial market that boasts widely recognised barristers capable of handling complex pieces of litigation. Recent examples include: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise & Others v Lloyd's Insurance Company, and AerCap Ireland v AIG Europe SA and Lloyds Insurance Company, claims in the aviation sector, as well as Carillion v KPMG, an ongoing professional negligence matter. The lawyers here display a particular acumen for cases involving shipping and insurance. One source comments: "The set has very intelligent barristers who are willing to research technical subject matter in order to become experts on a case." Another interviewee praises the set saying: "The depth and breadth of expertise at 7KBW is impressive and there is always someone available to suit the client's requirements."

Blackstone Chambers' barristers are au fait with all manner of commercial cases and are also particularly noted for their acumen in the fraud, financial services, sports law and competition worlds. They regularly get their teeth into the major cases of the day such as: Virgin Aviation v Alaska Airlines, a contractual dispute; Skatteforvaltningen v Solo Capital Partners, a claim by the Danish Tax Authority arising from alleged fraud; Ridley v Dubai Islamic Bank, a matter related to an injunction; and Recovery Partners GP & anor v Rukhadze &ors, a case concerned with the scope of the solicitor's equitable lien. One source praises the set as having "a range of leaders in their particular fields who are always technically excellent." Another interviewee notes that the set has "great depth of expertise both within and beyond the commercial litigation sphere."

A regular presence in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division, Serle Court is a set noted for its work on extremely high-value commercial disputes, particularly those involving civil fraud. Individuals at the set regularly guide clients through the most stressful and complex cases in the market, many of which are international in scope. Recent cases include: The Public Institution for Social Security v Al-Rajaan, a high value fraud claim; the Diesel Emissions litigation; Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse AG & Other; and Various Investors v RSA plc, claims brought by over 50 institutional claimants under s.90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. A source commented that Serle Court is "an excellent set involved in some heavy commercial work."

Twenty Essex has excellent commercial litigation capability and barristers who are experienced in arguing matters in all of the highest courts. Barristers here have skill in a number of areas including intellectual property, insurance, shipping, international arbitration, and energy, and are particularly noted for their expertise in private international law. Recent examples of the sets work include the Abraaj Litigation, taking place in the Cayman Islands, and Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse & Others, a very high value Commercial Court case. Other matters handled include ClientEarth v Shell PLC and the Board of Shell, a high value claim relating to alleged breaches of duty.

4 New Square is praised by solicitors for having "excellent barristers" who have "the ability to quickly understand the nature of a business." The set's barristers are recognised for being well acquainted with domestic commercial cases, and also gain recognition for their involvement in high-profile cross-border litigation. Recent examples of the set's impressive work include Suppipat & Ors v Narongdej & Ors, a high value fraud claim, Various Investors v Standard Chartered Bank, a s90/s90A FSMA related claim, and Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & Others, a claim across various jurisdictions. A source extols: "There is depth of experience and quality throughout the set at all levels and it is rare that you cannot find a suitable candidate from 4 New Square for a piece of litigation." Another interviewee comments: "The set's barristers are brilliant for complex business matters and give sophisitcated advice produced with attention to detail."

4 Stone Buildings marshals considerable litigation experience and has long experience of appearing in landmark disputes. Recent examples include Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse, a high value, multiparty piece of litigation relating to allegations of fraud. Members of the set also appeared in Autonomy Corporation v Michael Lynch, a very large scale fraud case, and Banca Generali v CFE (Suisse) SA and SCO, a finance related matter. A commentator notes: "Barristers at all levels in this set are very impressive." Another praises the set for having an "excellent breadth and depth of knowledge to suit all matters."

Maitland Chambers is a set whose members are well versed in a wide range of areas of commercial litigation, and who are especially well known for handling company and insolvency-related disputes and cases involving allegations of civil fraud. Members are regularly involved in international cases, and are routinely selected to appear in the most complex of trials. Recent work includes: Upham v HSBC UK Bank, a class action involving 300 claimants related to a failed tax scheme; National Investment Bank v Eland Ghana, a multi million dollar dispute over claims of fraud; and Watchstone Group v PriceWaterhouseCoopers, a breach of confidence and conspiracy matter. An interviewee comments: "The barristers here have a level of legal analysis and thought that is second to none. Maitland is very much a set of really strong technical lawyers."

Members of Quadrant Chambers maintain busy commercial dispute practices and regularly receive an abundance of both domestic and international instructions. Recently, members have acted in a slew of high-profile cases such as Soteria Insurance Limited v IBM UK Limited, an appeal to the Supreme Court, and Amir Soleymani v Nift Gateway, a case involving an NFT auction. The set's barristers are highlighted for their insight on complex matters. A commentator praises members of the set as having "the ability to handle all matters, from lower value litigation all the way through to complex multi-jurisdictional claims."

Wilberforce Chambers has at its disposal a strong bench of commercial barristers with particularly impressive capability at silk level. Its members are capable of handling a wide spectrum of commercial matters, including, among others, cases arising out of company law, insolvency and civil fraud. The set's barristers are well known for their ability to represent clients in international disputes, and regularly appear in a range of jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Recently, members have acted in Tulip LLP v Bitcoin Association, a very high profile case from the crypto sector, as well as Suppipat & Others v Narongdej & others, a claim alleging fraud and asset-stripping. Other matters handled include the Greensill litigation, a case which followed the collapse of Greensill Capital. One interviewee commented "Wilberforce Chambers is a set crammed with very skilled and sophisticated barristers, who deal with complex multi-jurisdictional litigation matters."

4 Pump Court exhibits marked capability in the commercial litigation market and has expertise spanning a wide range of disciplines, such as construction, energy, insurance and shipping. Its barristers adroitly tackle international mandates, steering clients through cases across the globe, including in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Members have been involved in a number of high profile mandates this year including PIFFS v Al Rajaan and others, a high value sovereign wealth fund fraud case that involved numerous defendants, as well as Skatteforvaltningen v Solo Capital Partners, a claim brought by the Danish tax authority against a large number of defendants relating to alleged fraud. Other matters handled include EE Ltd v Virgin Media Ltd, a breach of exclusivity dispute. A commentator praises 4 Pump Court for being "a strong set of experienced counsel."

South Square operates a thriving commercial dispute practice, and houses a strong bench of leading silks and juniors. Its practitioners are active in sophisticated litigation, with recent cases handled by the team including NMC Healthcare v Noor Capital, an antisuit injunction matter, and Credit Suisse v Softbank, a matter arising out of the collapse of Greensill. The set is the clear market leader for commercial cases arising out of insolvency, and is praised by solicitors for having "knowledge on insolvency that is second to none."

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 being "very good at handling complex legal issues." It is regularly involved in key cases across the sector. By way of example, recent matters handled by the tenants include Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse, a claim by a Georgian billionaire against a subsidiary of a Swiss bank arising out of allegedly fraudulent acts, as well as Federal Republic of Nigeria v Tibit and another, an asset recovery action in the BVI. 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.

The barristers at 2 Temple Gardens are routinely retained by clients seeking representation in commercial disputes involving companies in the UK and overseas, and have a particular flair for litigation involving contract disputes. Recent work includes includes Last Bus (Dublin) Limited v (1) Dawsongroup Bus And Coach Limited; (2) Evobus Limited, amulti-million-pound dispute relating to the supply of coaches by Mercedes Benz to a major operator of bus services in the Republic of Ireland. Another matter handled was Elite Insurance Company v BCR Legal, CRL Management and BCR Group, where the set acted for the claimant, a Gibraltan insurer, in a case concerning breach of a binder agreement entered into with the coverholder defendant.

Erskine Chambers stands out for its considerable strength in litigation, and has an experienced silk bench capable of handling multi-jurisdictional disputes. Its barristers have a strong track record in the market, as evidenced by recent work including BAT Industries v PwC, a very high value professional negligence case. Members also continued to act in the Carillion matter. A source reports: "Erskine is a real powerhouse of a corporate law set."

Gatehouse Chambers is home to talented silks and juniors, who are regularly sought out for both domestic and cross-border matters, and have appeared in cases stretching as far afield as the Middle East and the Caribbean. Well known for their capabilities in dispute resolution, members at the set make regular appearances before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The barristers continue to handle complex cases such as PACCAR Inc v Road Haulage Association, a damages related matter. A commentator reports: "Gatehouse Chambers' members are very thorough in their analysis of complex issues. They provide timely advice and wise counsel."

Littleton Chambers has a highly creditable domestic and international commercial dispute resolution practice. Its barristers are recognised for their involvement in widely publicised cases, including those from different jurisdictions. Examples of the complex work handled by the barristers at Littleton Chambers include The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care v PPE Medpro Limited, a high profile PPE supply case. Other matters undertaken include Arani et al v Cordic Group, a dispute arising from alleged fraudulent warranties, and Privatbank v Kolomoisky, Bogolyubov, Teamtrend & others, a case concerned with alleged losses. With an impressive record across the market, its barristers are often called upon to represent clients before the highest courts.