4 Stone Buildings

Adam has a broad commercial chancery practice. He often works as junior to leading counsel in heavy, high value or international matters but also as part of larger counsel teams and on his own. Adam’s practice varies from advice on self-contained points to long running litigation. He has also been instructed by the Government on matters involving allegations of rendition and the improper treatment of detainees. Cases of interest: JSC BTA Bank Ablyazov [2015] 1 WLR 4754 (Supreme Court). Chemtrade Ltd v Fuchs Oil Middle East Ltd; Fuchs Petrolub AG [BVIHC(COM) 158 of 2010] and on appeal [BVIHCVAP2013/0004] – Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court: High Court (Commercial Division) and Court of Appeal. Gallaher International Ltd v Tlais Enterprises Ltd [2008] EWHC 804 (Comm) – Commercial Court. Cherney v Deripaska [2007] EWHC 965 (Comm) – Commercial Court. Re Transocean Equipment Manufacturing and Trading Ltd, Carman v The Cronos Group SA and Others [2006] EWHC 1324 (Ch) – Chancery Division.

Alastair Tomson

Alastair has an international advisory and litigation practice with experience of High Court and appellate proceedings, and international arbitration (ICSID, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, DIAC), across banking and financial services, natural resources, company, insolvency and high-value commercial disputes. Instructed in several leading cases involving interest rate swap mis-selling. Has represented the Government of Rwanda in a significant number of natural resources arbitration disputes since 2011. Experience of a range of international disputes involving cryptocurrencies, and Greek banking sector securitisations. Recognised as a leading barrister in the DIFC, first instance and appellate level, including high-value banking, civil fraud, and oil and gas disputes. Notable cases include: Mikadze v Del Rosso [2023] EWHC 2165 (KB); Massun v Mousi & Others [2022] DIFC CA 003 (DIFC Court of Appeal); Bay View Group LLC and The Spalena Company LLC v. Republic of Rwanda, ICSID Case No. ARB/18/21; Dansingani & Anor v Canara Bank [2021] EWCA Civ 714 (CA); Al Sadeq v Dechert LLP & Ors [2021] EWHC 1149 (QB); Kaamil v Kaawa [2020] CFI 032 (DIFC); Syndicate Bank v Dansingani [2019] EWHC 3439 (Ch); Michel v Michel [2019] EWHC 1378 (Ch); Marme Inversiones 2007 SL v Natwest Markets Plc [2019] EWHC 366 (Comm); Re Maud [2019] Ch. 15; Al Khorafi v Bank Sarasin Alpen [2018] DIFC CA 010; Aabar and Edgeworth v Maud [2018] EWHC 1414 (Ch); Marme Inversiones 2007 SL v RBS [2016] EWHC 1570 (Comm); Deutsche Bank AG v Unitech [2016] 1 W.L.R. 3598.

Albert Sampson

Albert’s practice as an advocate and advisor spans commercial litigation and arbitration, company law, insolvency, banking & financial services, financial regulation, civil fraud and asset recovery, and civil recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Alexander Cook KC

Alexander Cook KC has a litigation-focussed commercial Chancery practice, with a significant emphasis on high value disputes in England & Wales and offshore. His work encompasses all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, civil fraud, company law, insolvency, and actions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. A significant proportion of Alexander’s practice comprises offshore or international work. He appears regularly before the courts of the British Virgin Islands, both in the Commercial Court and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. In addition, Alexander is registered as a legal practitioner with the Court of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and is called to the Bar of Northern Ireland. Other offshore experience includes acting in cases involving jurisdictions such as Nevis, Bermuda, Anguilla, Cyprus, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jersey and Guernsey. In addition to his private work, Alexander also undertakes work on behalf of the UK government. He has been appointed as Standing Counsel to the Competition and Markets Authority, and was (before taking silk) a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel.

Andrew de Mestre KC

Commercial litigation and arbitration with particular emphasis on civil fraud and asset recovery; financial services and banking including CMBS and other securitisation disputes; insolvency and company law including proceedings under the Insolvency Act 1986, directors’ duties, and shareholder disputes. Recent cases include: Serco shareholder litigation (settled at trial in 2024) ; Banca Generali v Sovereign Credit Opportunities [2024] EWCA Civ 866; Madison Pacific Trust v SquareTwo Capital [2023] EWHC 2605; Croxen v GEMA [2022] EWHC 2826; Re Bulb Energy [2021] EWHC 3735; GEHC v Gray [2021] EWCA Civ 123 and [2020] EWCA Civ 1668; Travelport v WEX [2020] EWHC 2670 (Comm); Stanford International Bank Plc v HSBC Bank Plc [2020] EWHC 2232; Deutsche Trustee Co Ltd v Duchess VI CLO BV [2020] EWCA Civ 521; Singularis Holdings Ltd v Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Plc [2019] UKSC 50; Hosking v Apax Partners LLP [2019] 1 WLR 3347; Re Peak Hotels and Resorts Ltd [2019] 1 WLR 2145; Playboy Club London v BNL SA [2018] UKSC 43. Publications: Contributor to OUP's 'Annotated Companies Acts'; Butterworths Journal of International Banking & Finance Law.

Andrew Rose

Commercial and chancery disputes, particularly those involving civil fraud, company law, insolvency, banking and financial services. Extensive experience of cases involving jurisdictional and conflicts of laws issues, including anti-suit injunctions, cross-border insolvency cases, and disputes involving the interaction between courts and arbitral tribunals.

Anna Markham

Anna Markham is a specialist in company, commercial, financial services and insolvency law, with a busy caseload of litigation and advisory work. She has conducted a wide range of cases including commercial, banking and investor litigation, shareholder disputes and claims by and against officeholders. She also has particular expertise – as a former member of the Attorney General’s civil panel of Counsel (2002-2009) – in conducting litigation for and against Government departments (including directors’ disqualification proceedings). A sophisticated and hard-hitting advocate, Anna is known for her outstanding grasp of the technical detail, underpinned by her previous training as a chartered accountant at Arthur Andersen. Anna has contributed to Annotated Companies Legislation (3rd edition, Oxford University Press, 2013) and Butterworths Practical Insolvency. She is an author of “Litigation in the Time of Covid-19”, an e-book covering the latest legal developments in 4 Stone Buildings’ areas of practice, and a contributor to Practical Law Corporate.

Charles Marquand

Well-known specialist, advising on/drafting a wide range of complex financial services/regulatory related matters for UK & overseas clients and foreign governments. Also company/commercial drafting. Sits as an arbitrator in financial disputes and commercial matters. Notable cases: Needler Financial Services v Taber (pensions review test case); Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency v Dresdner Bank (equitable set-of against sovereign bank account); Eurosure Investment Services v FSA (whether exercise of FSA's own-initiative power 'proportionate'); FSA v Pace Microtechnology (breach of listing rules), FSA v Evolution Beeson Gregory (first market manipulation case); FSA v Anderson, Peacock & Pruthi (deposit-taking/colective investment scheme - £115m involved); R (Ya land & Wilding) Sec. State for Exiting EU (whether Parliamentary consent necessary for UK to leave EEA).

Christopher Harrison

Commercial and chancery litigation; civil fraud; tracing and asset recovery; banking and finance; shareholder disputes; company law; insolvency and restructuring; director disqualification. Commercial and Chancery disputes lie at the heart of Christopher’s practice and he has wide-ranging experience in both the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division. He deals with all aspects of claims, recognising the importance in particular of interim steps such as injunctive relief in leading to a successful outcome. He has considerable trial experience. He has assisted many clients in successfully resolving their disputes by negotiated ADR procedures. His work often has an international dimension and he has worked with lawyers in many jurisdictions.

Daniel Kessler

Daniel practises all areas of commercial chancery law, with a particular interest in company law, insolvency law and commercial litigation. He has appeared twice as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal, representing the successful appellants in Bone v Williamson [2024] 1 WLR 3235 and in Burton v Ministry of Justice [2024] R.V.R. 178. He appears both led and unled in the High Court, County Court and (via his civil Proceeds of Crime practice) in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court. Daniel has written a guide to insolvency law for litigants in person, ‘Insolvency Law Made Clear’. He was appointed to the Attorney General’s ‘C’ Panel of Counsel in September 2022 and regularly appears for HMRC in insolvency and company matters. Before coming to the Bar, Daniel worked as an economist for five years, including working as an Economic Advisor at the Competition and Markets Authority and a Senior Associate in the Financial Conduct Authority. He maintains his interest in cases with an economic or financial element. Daniel has written a guide to insolvency law for litigants in person, ‘Insolvency Law Made Clear’. He was appointed to the Attorney General’s ‘C’ Panel of Counsel in September 2022.

Donald Lilly

Barrister specialising in corporate insolvency, commercial, company and trust litigation, with a particular emphasis on international and offshore disputes. Recent reported cases include: Faulkner v Vollin Holdings Ltd [2021] EWHC 787 (Ch), Maso Capital Investments Ltd v Shanda Games Ltd [2020] BCC 466, Patel v Iqbal [2020] EWHC 1174 (Ch), Gany Holdings (PTC) SA v Khan [2018] UKPC 21, Re Baxendale-Walker [2018] EWHC 3423 (Ch), Nagi v Nagi [2018] EWHC 90 (Ch), Re Meem SL Ltd [2018] BCC 652, Crowden v QBE Insurance (Europe) Ltd [2018] PNLR 9. He was also instructed with Jonathan Crow, Q.C. and Richard Hill, Q.C. by Victor Pinchuk in respect of his claim against Igor Kolomoisky and Gennadiy Bogolyubov, one of the largest pieces of litigation in the Commercial Court in 2016, and from 2012 until 2015 (with John Brisby, Q.C.) in respect of a minority shareholder’s oppression petition presented in Bermuda in respect of a multi-billion dollar company incorporated there (it being one of the largest minority shareholder disputes ever litigated in that jurisdiction). He continues to be instructed by the trustees in bankruptcy for the estate of Boris Berezovsky in respect of the matters arising out of that insolvent estate, including a dispute in Gibraltar for which he was called to the Gibraltar Bar (on a case specific basis) in 2019.

Edward Crossley

Edward has a busy practice of commercial and company litigation, arbitration, insolvency, civil fraud, banking and financial services, often with an offshore or international element. Recent cases have involved litigation and arbitration in London, Bermuda, the DIFC, Singapore, Mauritius and New York. Edward is registered as a legal practitioner in the DIFC and is listed in the directories as a leading junior in that jurisdiction.

Eleanor Holland

A barrister and mediator with a broad commercial Chancery practice, Eleanor provides practical advice tailored to meeting the client’s objectives, and is particularly sought after for work involving complex legal questions. She regularly receives repeat instructions from solicitors’ firms, and works both alone and led by barristers (including silks) in and out of Chambers. Eleanor is a CEDR-accredited mediator, offering a practical and constructive approach to parties wishing to explore settlement of their dispute.

Emma Horner

Emma’s practice covers a broad range of commercial litigation in line with Chambers’ specialisms, including large commercial disputes, civil fraud, company law, insolvency, offshore litigation and arbitration. Notable recent cases include: Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm) (one of The Lawyers Top 20 Cases for 2023; high profile, multi-billion US$ fraud claim; 12 week trial); Playle v Verschuur (unfair prejudice dispute; 3.5 week trial); Joannou & Parakevaides (Overseas) (in liq) (claims brought by joint liquidators for wrongful trading, fraudulent trading, breach of fiduciary duties and unlawful means conspiracy; 14 week trial listed in 2025); MAD International v Manes [2021] EWHC 3335 (claims in deceit and breach of joint venture agreement; 4 week trial); Jones v Jones CFI 043/2022 (freezing injunction in the DIFC). She also acts in confidential arbitrations, including most recently an LCIA arbitration relating to the beneficial ownership of a group of companies and an LCIA arbitration acting for a global financial institution in a dispute with a sovereign state.

George Bompas KC

Head of Chambers. Company law (all aspects, advisory and litigation, including minority shareholder proceedings, insolvency and asset recovery), banking/insurance, financial services law & professional negligence. Amongst recent cases: representing the successful appellant in the ground-breaking Marex Financial Ltd v Sevilleja appeal to the Supreme Court ([2020] UKSC 31), Official Receiver v Batmanghelidjh & Ors: Re Keeping Kids Company, Bott & Co Solicitors v Ryanair [2019]1 WLR 3375 (solicitors’ lien, Supreme Court appeal pending), and Global Gaming Ventures [2018] EWCA Civ 68 (company law and receivership). Sits as an arbitrator.

Gregory Denton-cox

Gregory has a broad commercial and chancery litigation practice with particular expertise in company law matters (including shareholder disputes and proceedings brought by liquidators), civil fraud, tracing and asset recovery, international trusts and offshore disputes, banking and finance, and insolvency and restructuring. Notable recent cases include: Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse & others, FSHC Group Holdings Ltd v Barclays Bank plc (Court of Appeal, leading case on rectification), BNY Mellon Corporate Trustee Services v LBG Capital (Supreme Court), Napier Park v Harbourmaster (Court of Appeal), US Bank Trustees Ltd v Titan Europe (disputes concerning the construction of structured finance documents), Benedetti v Sawiris (Supreme Court) (leading case on restitution/quantum meruit), McKillen v Misland (shareholder dispute concerning ownership of London hotels).

Guy Olliff-Cooper

Guy has a broad commercial Chancery practice, with a particular emphasis on civil fraud. He appears regularly as both sole and junior counsel in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He enjoys a busy offshore practice and is called to the Bar of both the BVI and DIFC. Guy’s recent cases include: Unitel SA v Unitel International Holdings BV [2023] EWHC 3231 (Comm). A £580 million claim by the state telecoms company of Angola against its former chair (and daughter of the former President of Angola), Isabel dos Santos, for alleged breaches of her directors’ duties under Angolan law. Mex Group Worldwide Ltd v Ford [2023] EWHC 3394 (KB). An application for a freezing injunction under s.25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 in support of proceedings in Scotland valued at €68.5 million based on an alleged unlawful means conspiracy to induce breach of a consent order. Therium Litigation Funding A IC v Bugsby Property LLC [2023] Costs LR 1641. An application by a litigation funder for an asset preservation order over £27.5 million of settlement proceeds

Hermann Boeddinghaus KC

Hermann Boeddinghaus has over 20 years’ experience as a specialist in corporate and commercial disputes and insolvency law. He enjoys a busy litigation caseload, spread between the Chancery Division, the Commercial Court and international arbitration tribunals. Many of his cases have an international or offshore element, and he is a member of the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands). Alongside this he has developed a substantial advisory practice. Hermann has represented Nigeria and Pakistan in major asset recovery claims against the families and associates of former rulers. Other clients have ranged from the world’s largest banks to small family firms and individual entrepreneurs.

James Knott

Company / commercial litigation; chancery (commercial); insolvency & reconstruction; civil / commercial fraud & asset recovery (including committal proceedings) / banking & finance. James has a busy company and commercial practice, with a particular focus on shareholder / JV disputes and breach of fiduciary duty cases. With experience of court work at all first instance and appellate levels as well as arbitration, he is equally happy working on his own or in a team (whether leading or being led). His recent reported cases include: Barclays Bank Plc v. Dylan [2024] EWHC 1994 (contempt of court; committal); Barclays Bank Plc v. Citibank NA [2024] EWHC 53 (Ch) (non-party disclosure; confidentiality); Barclays Bank Plc v. Dylan [2023] EWHC 3523 (Ch) (adjournments; listing appeals); Byers v. Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51; [2024] 2 WLR 237 (knowing receipt; constructive trusts); Re LYHFL Ltd [2023] EWHC 2585 (Ch) (administration; directors’ powers; locus standi); Eli Lilly & Co v. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd [2023] EWHC 68 (Ch) (preliminary issues; disclosure guidance); Stanford International Bank Ltd v. HSBC Bank Plc [2022] UKSC 34; [2023] AC 761 (loss; Quincecare duty); Global Energy Horizons Corp v. Gray [2021] EWCA Civ 123 and [2020] EWCA Civ 1668 (breach of duty; account of profits; fresh evidence; valuation; costs).

John Brisby KC

John Brisby is a seasoned litigator, with substantial experience of heavy trials in the Chancery Division, the Commercial Court and foreign jurisdictions such as Bermuda, Bahamas, BVI and Nevis; and is known as a formidable cross-examiner in court. He enjoys working with other people and is a good team player. Over the years, John Brisby has been extensively involved in heavy litigation arising out of large-scale corporate collapses such as Barlow Clowes, British and Commonwealth, Maxwell, BCCI, Barings, Railtrack and Enron. More recently, he has been involved in major litigation and arbitrations relating to disputes originating from the former Soviet Union and China, and also in litigation resulting from the Madoff collapse and from the LIBOR fixing scandal. On the corporate side, he has been involved in some of the leading cases dealing with the rights of minority shareholders; whilst on the financial services side, he has acted on behalf of the regulators and also on behalf of their members (particularly insurance companies) dealing both with disciplinary and advisory matters. John Brisby has appeared in over 150 reported cases. John Brisby QC was awarded Chancery Silk of the Year at the 2015 Chambers UK Bar Awards.

Jonathan Crow KC

Jonathan’s practice straddles a broad range of litigation, largely in the appellate courts where he appears both for private clients and for public authorities. He is recommended in 10 practice areas by Chambers UK and is ranked as one of the Stars of the Bar. In a career spanning 40 years he has been involved at the highest level in civil fraud (from Polly Peck to Madoff), company law (from Guinness to Atlantic Computers), corporate insolvencies (from BCCI to Lehmans), public law (from Guantanamo Bay to assisted suicide), constitutional law (from the Channel Islands to the Chagos Islands), telecoms (from the 3G auction to interconnection charges), consumer credit (from bank charges to PPI) and many other areas, including over 200 reported cases. He has appeared more than 40 times in the Supreme Court or the House of Lords, and on numerous other occasions in the Privy Council, the Court of Appeal and the European Court of Human Rights. He was First Treasury Counsel from 1998 until 2006, since when he has been named both as Commercial Litigation silk of the year and also as Chancery silk of the year by Chambers UK, as Lawyer of the Week by The Times (twice), and as one of the Legal 500’s Hot 100. In addition to his work in London, he also has a busy overseas practice, including work in relation to jurisdictions such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the BVI, Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Apart from his work as an advocate, he acts as an LCIA arbitrator and sits part time as a Deputy High Court Judge in London (both in the Chancery Division and in the Administrative Court) and also as a judge of the Courts of Appeal in Jersey and Guernsey, and as a part-time Deemster in the Isle of Man. From 2006 to 2020 he served as Attorney General to HRH The Prince of Wales.

Joseph Wigley

Joseph has a litigation-focussed commercial chancery practice across 4 Stone Buildings’ practice areas, including commercial litigation and arbitration, company law, insolvency and reconstruction and civil fraud. Equally comfortable on his own or led by senior barristers, a large proportion of Joseph’s cases has an offshore element, particularly litigation involving offshore trust and corporate structures. •Albert Court v Fetaimia [2024] EWHC 1307 (Ch); •Giwa v JNFX [2024] EWHC 735 (Ch) •Petropavlovsk Plc (in administration), Re [2023] EWHC 264 (Ch) & [2022] EWHC 2097 (Ch) & [2022] EWHC 2074 (Ch); •Asher v Jaywing Plc [2022] EWHC 893 (Ch); •Maud, Re [2020] EWHC 1469 (Ch) & [2020] EWHC 974 (Ch) & [2019] EWHC 398 (Ch) & [2018] EWHC 1414 (Ch) & [2016] EWHC 2175 (Ch) & [2015] EWHC 3681 (Ch) •Reliance v AM2PM [2019] EWHC 1079 (Ch); •Deansgate v Workman [2019] EWHC 2 (Ch); •Saboowala v Nair (CFI 037/2017) (DIFC) •Passport v ARY (CFI 039/2016) (DIFC) • Re Haus of Vanity [2017] EWHC 2615 (Ch) •RPC v Khan [2016] BPIR 722 •Butler v Butler [2016] EWHC 1793 (Ch) •Global Energy v Gray [2015] EWHC 2232 (Ch) & [2012] EWHC 3703 (Ch); Corinth v Barclays [2010] (DIFC)

Karl Anderson

Barrister specialising in banking and finance; commercial litigation; company law; civil fraud; insolvency; and offshore disputes.

Lara Hassell-Hart

Lara has a busy commercial chancery practice, specialising in the full range of Chambers’ work, including commercial litigation, company law, insolvency, banking and financial services, regulatory work and civil fraud. She has particular experience and knowledge of energy-related matters, having been heavily involved in various pieces of litigation arising out of the energy crisis beginning in 2021, and was one of 19 barristers named in The Lawyer’s ‘Hot 100’ in 2022 as a result of this work. She has substantial experience of large trials and has been involved in some of the biggest cases in the High Court in recent years, including Hewlett Packard’s $5 billion fraud claim against Dr Mike Lynch, and the group litigation by Lloyds shareholders over Lloyds’ acquisition of HBOS during the 2008 financial crisis. She has also been appointed to the Attorney General’s ‘C’ panel of counsel. Lara’s focus is on providing practical advice tailored to suit the client’s individual needs and goals.

Nicholas Wright

Barrister specialising in commercial and commercial Chancery litigation, particularly company law and shareholder disputes, insolvency and civil fraud. He acts both led and unled in cases before the High Court and County Court and has acted in LCIA arbitrations and related applications to the High Court. Examples of recent instructions include: Department for Health & Social Care v PPE Medpro Limited: Acting for the Department of Health and Social Care in its ongoing claim against PPE Medpro Limited for in excess of £130 million. The claim arises from the supply of allegedly defective PPE to DHSC during the Covid-19 pandemic (led by Paul Stanley KC, Tiran Nersessian and Albert Sampson). X v Y: Acting on a claim brought by a merchant bank for fees in cash and kind said to be worth over £65 million allegedly due to it under a “tail-gunner” clause in an advisory services agreement relating to a reverse takeover (led by Jonathan Crow CVO KC). NDK Ltd v HUO Holding Ltd: Nicholas acted in LCIA arbitrations concerning a shareholder dispute over control of the Cypriot holding company of a large mine in the CIS region. This eventually included an antisuit injunction arbitration to restrain proceedings in Cyprus and three consolidated arbitrations on the merits. The case particularly addressed questions of the limits of arbitrability in the company law context which were eventually addressed by the High Court in NDK Ltd v HUO Holding Ltd [2022] EWHC 1682 (Comm) (led by Aidan Casey KC and Alexander Cook KC). Re Sova Capital Limited [2023] EWHC 452 (Ch): Nicholas acted for an interested party (the intended purchaser) on applications by the Joint Special Administrators of an insolvent investment brokerage firm focussed on the Russian market for directions pursuant to pursuant to paragraph 63 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986 in relation to the sale of a portfolio of shares with an estimated value of approximately £274 million (led by William Buck). Re XYZ Ltd: Nicholas acted for the Petitioner in an unfair prejudice petition concerning a 50/50 joint venture company incorporated to carry out a large property development. The case settled immediately following presentation of the petition on highly favourable terms to the Petitioner (led by David Lord KC).

Nicholas Cox

Nicholas Cox is an exceptionally versatile senior junior with a silk-level commercial chancery practice. He has been a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of Civil Counsel since 1999 and ‘A’ Panel Counsel since 2005. He is regularly instructed by the government frequently on large commercial disputes of national significance or sensitivity, often with media interest. He has acted on behalf of every major department of state including HM Treasury, MOD, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Transport, the Department of Health, DBIS, DWP, DECC, DEFRA, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and DfE, and by a wide range of other public bodies, including for example HMRC, OFGEM, HM Land Registry, NHS England, The Charity Commission, the Insolvency Service, Civil Aviation Authority, Office of the Rail Regulator, the Disclosure and Barring Service, Companies House, National Employment Savings Trust Corp, HM Prisons & Probation Service. Particularly recognised for his expertise in public sector commercial and contractual disputes, including PFI/PPP contracts, MOD Contracting and rail franchises, Nicholas has extensive experience of civil litigation in all divisions of the higher courts involving commercial and contractual disputes, insolvency and company law, constructive trusts and civil fraud and civil recovery actions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”). He holds the highest level of security clearance and is experienced in matters involving the handling of classified information.

Nicola Timmins

Nicola has a broad commercial and commercial chancery practice with particular experience in high value complex disputes, typically involving international components, issues relating to banking and security documents, the natural resources sector, company law and insolvency law. Nicola has acted in three of “The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases” of the year during her career, including in 2023 acting for the former CEO of Carillion in the high-profile Carillion director disqualification proceedings which arose from allegations concerning the accounting treatment of infrastructure projects and followed the largest liquidation in UK history. Alongside a busy practice in London, Nicola regularly accepts instructions in offshore matters, particularly from Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the BVI (where she is called to the Bar). As a former solicitor and judicial assistant in the Court of Appeal, Nicola is well placed to understand the needs of both her professional clients and the court, and to tailor her advice and advocacy accordingly. The directories describe her as “an exceptional junior who gives good, sensible advice”, “extremely erudite, always on top of the papers and eternally approachable”, as having “extraordinary attention to detail”, “strategic in her advice”, and as “a team player and a pleasure to work with”.

Orlando Fraser KC

Orlando’s career began at 4 Stone Buildings in the 1990s, learning his trade under noted Chancery advocates Peter Curry and Philip Heslop, with early exposure to the Maxwell, BCCI and Marc Rich litigation, and on the DTI’s Directors’ Disqualification Counsel list. Since then, Orlando has gone on himself to feature in heavy financial litigation in the UK and throughout Commonwealth jurisdictions, being noted in particular for his own punchy advocacy and cross-examination. Orlando’s practice is at the commercial end of the Chancery Bar, with an emphasis on civil fraud, company, insolvency, commercial and trusts, and he has featured in numerous reported cases. Orlando took silk in 2014, and is licenced to appear in the BVI, St Christopher and Nevis, and DIFC.

Richard Hill KC

Litigation specialist focusing on commercial, capital markets and banking, civil fraud, insolvency and company litigation. In addition to his High Court practice he appears in international arbitrations and Courts in offshore jurisdictions. His work regularly features cross-border issues and involves large teams, often including team members from the US and other jurisdictions. Leading recent cases: Autonomy Corporation v Lynch; of Travelport v WEX; Olding v WEX, Sharp v Blank (Lloyds shareholder action); Khorafi v Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME) Ltd (DIFC Court); Pinchuk v Bogolyubov; Constantin Meridien v Ecclestone; McKillen v Barclay & Ors; re Lehman Brothers International Europe (client money litigation); Re Titan Europe 2007-1 (NHP); Sinclair v Versailles Trade Finance Ltd.

Sharif Shivji KC

Formerly a derivatives trader in London and Hong-Kong, now King’s Counsel specialising in commercial law with a focus on banking, financial services, company, insolvency, and civil fraud litigation. Sharif is also a leading barrister offshore (in particular the DIFC and the Caribbean). He has in-depth knowledge of the financial markets, corporate finance and fintech (including complex derivatives and cryptoassets). Notable cases include: Mozambique v Credit Suisse International (2023), Autonomy v Lynch (2022), General Electric v Alpine (2021), Akhmedova v Akhmedov (2018) (DIFC CFI & CA), Akers v Stanford (BVI HC & CA), Wentworth v Lehman (2017), S&P v ApoBank and RBS (2016) and Chesterfield v Deutsche Bank (2016).

Tiran Nersessian

Highly regarded for his courtroom advocacy and particularly extensive experience (both led and unled) in substantial insolvency, company and commercial litigation, including several high profile matters for the government and private clients in recent years such as Carilion, Comet Group PPE Medpro, BHS, the Post Office Horizon litigation, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Boris Becker and the proposed acquisition of Sky by 21st Century Fox. Examples of reported cases: Carillion (2023) - directors’ disqualification; Comet Group (2023) – preferences; OR v Obaigbena (2022) - directors duties; Bell Pottinger (2021) – CDDA and LLPs; Balengani v Sharifpoor (2020) – setting-aside judgment; Viceroy Jones (2020) – third part costs orders; Georgalides v Sec of State (2020) – rescission of undertakings; Bajaj Healthcare (2019) – misrepresentation; Leitzbach (2018) – bankruptcy, insolvency regulations; Botleigh Grange v HMRC (2018) – Cross claims/consent orders; Genz Holdings (2018) – Foreign convictions, disqualification; A&M Access Ltd (2017) – Liquidators, personal costs; CFL Finance v Rubin (2017) – IVAs; Brooks v Armstrong (2017) – wrongful trading; Kombinat Aluminjuma (2016) - Cross-Border Insolvency; Walker v NatWest (2016) – financial misselling, administrators.

Tom Gentleman

Tom is a leading commercial chancery junior. His practice covers the full range of commercial law, but he has particular expertise in civil fraud, company law, shareholder disputes, insolvency, banking and financial services. He appears in large scale litigation in the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division and in arbitration. He acts as a sole advocate, or as a senior junior in a larger counsel team. Tom regularly works overseas, with recent cases in the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Guernsey. He has been called to the Cayman Islands bar. Recent cases include the Hewlett Packard / Autonomy litigation, a $5bn claim about an alleged accounting fraud; and the Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton litigation, arising out of the collapse of the Icelandic bank Kaupthing. Full details available on the chambers website at www.4stonebuildings.com/barrister/tom-gentleman

Zara McGlone

Zara has a busy commercial chancery practice, with a focus on company, insolvency, commercial litigation and arbitration, civil fraud, and banking and finance. She also practises in the DIFC Courts, where she recently acted as sole counsel for the successful Sixth-Eighth Defendants in a ten-day trial before Justice Lord Angus Glennie. Notable instructions include: acting as sole counsel for the administrators of the Oasis and Warehouse retail chain (2022-2023); Autonomy v Lynch (2022); Re Compound Photonics (2021-2022); acting as sole counsel for the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority in respect of energy company insolvencies (2021). Zara was appointed to the Attorney General’s ‘C’ Panel in September 2023.

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