Insolvency

Leading Silks
2024 Silks
2025 Silks

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

David Allison KC

South Square

‘David is a master tactician, brilliantly organised and an amazing advocate. He is the leading insolvency silk at the bar.'

Peter Arden KC

Erskine Chambers

‘Peter has an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of bankruptcy and corporate insolvency cases. He uses this knowledge to provide quick and accurate advice.'

Jonathan Crow KC

4 Stone Buildings

‘The best advocate that solicitors have ever worked with. An uncanny ability to glide over difficult points with incredible grace and effectiveness.’

Lexa Hilliard KC

Wilberforce Chambers

'Lexa is a strong and persuasive advocate and is very impressive in formulating legal argument.'

Philip Marshall KC

Serle Court

‘Mark is a wonderful mixture of charming and combative. He is a fighter that all clients feel comforted by having in their corner, rather than against them.'

Tom Smith KC

South Square

‘Tom is in a league of his own in the London restructuring market. He is a go-to barrister for any complex matter.’

Sonia Tolaney KC

One Essex Court

'A fantastic advocate.'

Felicity Toube KC

South Square

'Felicity has a huge level of knowledge and experience in this area and is very strong at providing strategic advice.'

Catherine Addy KC

Maitland Chambers

'Catherine is a well-regarded and highly experience silk in this field.'

David Alexander KC

South Square

‘David is bright, engaged and personable so a real client favourite. He is a well-prepared advocate and enjoys being on his feet.'

‘Daniel is a strategic thinker and a first class advocate who is well liked by the judiciary.'

Simon Davenport KC

4 Pump Court

'Simon is fantastic at cutting straight to the point. Judges respect his knowledge and know a case is in safe hands when he is before them.'

Richard Fisher KC

South Square

‘Richard is a go-to silk. He is thorough and thoughtful, while also being commercial and clear.’

Barry Isaacs KC

South Square

'Barry is impressively meticulous. No point goes unconsidered. This is also reflected in his advocacy, which is polished and incisive.'

Stephen Moverley Smith KC

XXIV Old Buildings

'Stephen is a highly experienced advocate whose affable manner helps him develop an excellent rapport with the judge.'

James Pickering KC

Enterprise Chambers

A persuasive advocate who thinks well on his feet to deal with unexpected issues.'

'Her clarity of thought, commercial acumen, and persuasive advocacy are highly valued.'

Mark Arnold KC

South Square

'Mark is an exceptional KC for company and restructuring and insolvency work.'

Lance Ashworth KC

Serle Court

‘Lance is the complete package: clear, concise advice; commercial awareness; responsive and user friendly; and great in court. Watching him dismantle the opposing client in the stand is a joyous experience.’

Andrew Ayres KC

Twenty Essex

‘Andrew is a first-class advocate—persuasive, incisive, and always meticulously prepared. His eloquence in the courtroom is matched by an exceptional eye for detail.’

James Bailey KC

Wilberforce Chambers

James is super bright and clear with advice. Where other KCs struggle, James can get to the nub of the issue and resolve it.’

‘David is an artful and persuasive advocate and can persuade the court on the most difficult of cases. He is an outstanding strategist, and he always delivers for the client.'

‘Joe is always excellent whether advising, drafting or on his feet. His legal skills are outstanding and he combines these with keen commercial awareness.'

Stephen Davies KC

Enterprise Chambers

‘Matthew is an excellent silk who can easily dissect complex legal issues and provide comprehensive yet practical and commercial advice to client.’

'Excellent ability to digest voluminous information and distil the critical issues.'

Blair Leahy KC

Twenty Essex

‘Blair is a class act. She is phenomenally intelligent and is able to get to the root of complex legal issues very quickly.'

Daniel Lightman KC

Serle Court

‘Daniel knows everything there is to know about insolvency and company law, and judges really trust his authority on difficult legal points.'

‘Ben is an excellent senior counsel – knowledgeable, responsive and really fights the client’s corner.’

Marcia Shekerdemian KC

Wilberforce Chambers

Sharif Shivji KC

4 Stone Buildings

‘Sharif is charm personified. He has a very unassuming manner which belies a staunch intellect. Sharif is an extremely talented individual with an unwavering commitment.'

Andrew Thompson KC

Erskine Chambers

‘Andrew is a top advocate. He has exceptional poise and gravitas when on his feet, which plays well with clients who appreciate his commitment to fighting their corner.'

Ben Valentin KC

Fountain Court Chambers

'Ben is phenomenal. His combination of fierce intelligence and commercial common sense make him unstoppable.'

‘Tony is at the top of the list for contentious insolvency and asset recovery work. Despite being incredibly clever he is down to earth and user friendly.’

Christopher Boardman KC

Radcliffe Chambers

'He one of the sharpest minds and tenacious advocates.'

Matthew Collings KC

Maitland Chambers

'He has the ability to digest vast amounts of information and hone in on the relevant points quickly.'

Timothy Collingwood KC

Serle Court

Andrew de Mestre KC

4 Stone Buildings

xcellent strategic judgement and a mastery of the detail. It is clear that Andrew has the court’s ear when he is on his feet.’

Andreas Gledhill KC

Blackstone Chambers

‘A superb advocate who is refreshingly easy to work with and builds easy rapport with clients.'

Hugh Jory KC

4 New Square

‘Hugh's advocacy is second to none. He articulates well and forcefully.'

Adam Kramer KC

3 Verulam Buildings

'Adam is extremely intelligent. He has a deep understanding of legal principle and has a mastery of the case law, particularly on issues of damages. He is able to effectively deploy these skills in novel or unusual circumstances.'

Robert Levy KC

No5 Barristers’ Chambers

David Mohyuddin KC

Radcliffe Chambers

‘David is incredibly smart and knowledgeable in all matters of insolvency law and is very user friendly.'

James Morgan KC

Radcliffe Chambers

James is highly intelligent, unflappable under pressure and a measured and compelling advocate. He is also very quick and a real pleasure to work with.'

James Potts KC

Erskine Chambers

Elspeth Talbot Rice KC

XXIV Old Buildings

'Elspeth is an incredibly impressive silk at the top of her game. She has superb judgement, an ability to cut through knotty issues and is a pleasure to work with.'

Jamie Riley KC

3 Verulam Buildings

'An analytical mastermind, able to break down complex matters into straightforward propositions, with a capacity to absorb great amounts of detail that enables him during advocacy to respond swiftly and keenly.'

Stephen Robins KC

South Square

'Provides clear advice, client friendly and very enthusiastic.'

Matthew Weaver KC

Radcliffe Chambers

Matt is right at the top of the list for complex insolvency litigation involving fraud. He is calm, sensible, thoughtful and user-friendly but knows how to go for the jugular just when it’s needed.’