Company | UK Bar

Erskine Chambers continues to justify its place as the foremost company set in London. Sources from across the market reach consensus when lauding it as the go-to set for the most sophisticated and prominent matters in this area of the law. Members of Erskine, both senior and junior, demonstrate market-leading capabilities in heavyweight contentious and non-contentious company matters, and receive routine instructions from the country's top solicitors. Barristers at Erskine possess a strong command of schemes of arrangement, M&A, partnership and shareholder disputes and general corporate advisory work, as part of an all-encompassing offering. Erskine's barristers have been active on highly significant matters across the past year, such as acting on the Nam Tai Property v West Ridge Investment case, and advising Jardine Matheson Group on an appraisal action before the Bermuda Court of Appeal. Another work highlight is representing Zedra in a case against THG that involved the Supreme Court, concerning the limitation in unfair prejudice claims under Section 994 of the Companies Act 2006. Interviewees report that the members here "are outstanding strategists and advocates, extremely client-friendly and not afraid to get into the trenches."

Michael Shillingford and Alex Calder are the joint senior clerks.

4 Stone Buildings is a standout set whose company law abilities are the subject of widespread praise. At both the senior and junior levels, its barristers provide high-quality advice on substantial matters. Within its broad company offering, the set enjoys an especially good reputation for its work concerning shareholder disputes and breaches of fiduciary duty. In recent times, 4 Stone members have handled the major offshore appraisal action relating to Jardine Matheson, along with other leading cases in the company field. Examples include representing Changyou.com in an international company law dispute against Fourworld Global Fund, which involves the Privy Council, and defending Glencore in claims brought by Aabar and various investors regarding a privilege issue. Sources highlight its "strong commercial offering" and "combination of highly intelligent and diligent leaders and juniors."

Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are the joint senior clerks.

Maitland Chambers houses a number of highly regarded company law barristers and is well known as a set with significant capabilities in the area. It is engaged by prominent solicitor firms to assist with matters both contentious and non-contentious, and is particularly noted for its abilities in litigation involving offshore jurisdictions. Barristers at Maitland have been representing the Competition and Markets Authority in various cases, most notably defending against Advanz Pharma's appeal of an infringement decision. They have also continued to work on King & Ors v Primekings Holding Limited & Ors, a long-running unfair prejudice petition regarding a national security company. Clients report that members at the set "consistently exhibit strong analytical skills, sound judgment and a deep understanding of the legal and commercial issues at play."

John Wiggs is the director of clerking.

Serle Court has a solid reputation for company law work, particularly as it pertains to contentious matters such as breach of duty claims, derivative claims and shareholder disputes. Members here are frequently engaged to advise on matters with significant cross-border dimensions, including those in the BVI, Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands. Members are noted for having recently represented a minority shareholder who successfully presented a petition seeking the just and equitable winding up of Klimvest. Other matters include advising Peter Waddell in an unfair prejudice petition concerning Bluebell Cars, as well as acting in the case of Boston Trust and Boston Fiduciary Management v Szerelmey and Others. Sources comment that the set is "both commercial and pragmatic" and "combines technical expertise with impeccable client-handling skills."

Nicholas Hockney and Daniel Wheeler are the practice directors.

South Square continues to garner praise for its fine company practice. Barristers at the set receive instructions from the foremost corporate law firms and advise on a range of company matters, including schemes of arrangement, shareholder disputes and directors' duties. Many of the cases they handle have a cross-border element. The set enjoys a strong reputation for its company work as it arises within the context of restructurings and insolvencies. Notable matters recently handled by members include acting for the appellant in the Supreme Court case of Mitchell v Al Jaber, as well as advising Cineworld on breach of contracts with creditors arising from a corporate restructuring. A commentator notes: "South Square barristers have superb technical understanding, which they are able to marry expertly with strategy and commercial nous."

Dylan Playfoot is the senior clerk.

In tandem with its wider expertise in commercial litigation, Fountain Court Chambers maintains a strong practice within the field of company law. The set has long-standing experience in both non-contentious mandates and court cases, acting for both claimants and defendants. Its wide-ranging activity spans breaches of fiduciary duties, company director disqualification proceedings and shareholder agreement issues and disputes, including unfair prejudice petitions. Recent matters include Athene Holdings v Imran Siddiqui and others, where the set acted for the claimant in a dispute proceeding in Bermuda. members also appeared in Scandia Hus v Dawson, representing the petitioner in an unfair prejudice petition and just and equitable winding up petition. Interviewees state that "nothing phases the barristers here, however complex the issues in question are," and "Its members are brilliant and very commerical."

Alex Taylor is the senior clerk.

Radcliffe Chambers is well regarded for its expertise in company matters. The set houses numerous prominent barristers in this sector and is well equipped to handle complex litigation and advisory work. Members are experienced at handling a range of company law matters, including shareholder disputes, claims regarding directors' duties, derivative claims and unfair prejudice petitions. Recent instructions for the set have included working on notable director disqualification proceedings. Examples include acting for two directors of companies within the IMI group in Sherling & Hudson v Competition and Markets Authority, alongside representing the CEO of Advanz Pharma, Peter Butterfield, in Advanz Pharma Corp Ltd & Others v Competition and Markets Authority. A source praises the barristers at Radcliffe for being "completely at ease in handling the most complex of disputes."

John Clark is head of clerking.

Wilberforce Chambers represents an excellent choice of set for company matters. Its barristers frequently represent clients faced with domestic and cross-border shareholder disputes, issues of directors' duties and breaches of fiduciary duty, among other matters. Its reputation for handling offshore work is particularly strong. Notable recent mandates include BHS Group & Ors v Chappell, Henningson and Chandle, which involves a liquidators' claim for breach of fiduciary duty. Members were also instructed in Richard Shield (and Ors) v Christopher Shield (and others) & Shakespeare Martineau, a matter concerning a shareholders’ agreement and claim of negligence. Both of these cases are in the High Court, Business and Property Courts. The set is regarded by commentators as having "excellent jurists and creative thinkers" who are "efficient and strategically astute."

Nicholas Luckman is the practice director.

Market sources are quick to highlight the strength of the company offering at XXIV Old Buildings, and reserve particular praise for the strength of its expertise in connection with offshore matters. A number of the market's leading barristers practise at the chambers and receive instructions in a variety of company matters. Recent highlights for the set include representing Irish businessman John McCarthy in the McCarthy v Marshall case involving allegations of a breach of fiduciary duties, and acting in the derivative action Kenworth Industrial vs Zhang Baoan, Tang Chi Chiu and Hainan Yingxingfake Technology. Commentators note that XXIV Old Buildings contains "dependable, thorough and highly responsive" individuals.

Paul Horsfield is the senior clerk.