4 Stone Buildings

Adam Holliman

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 litigation and advisory practice with experience of High Court and appellate proceedings, and international arbitration (ICSID, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL), across banking and financial services, natural resources, company, insolvency and general commercial disputes. Has represented the Government of Rwanda in a number of natural resources arbitration disputes since 2011. Experience of Greek banking sector securitisations and multi-jurisdictional disputes involving cryptocurrencies. Regularly instructed in the DIFC, both at first instance and appellate level, including high-value banking, civil fraud, and oil and gas litigation.   Reported cases of note 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 has a busy practice as an advisor and advocate embracing commercial litigation, international commercial arbitration, company law, insolvency law, civil fraud, and civil recovery.

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

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: Banca Generali v CFE (Suisse) [2022] EWHC 1450; 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, [2019] 3 WLR 997; 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; BNY Mellon Corporate Trustee Services Ltd v LBG Capital No.1 Plc [2016] UKSC 29. Publications: Contributor to OUP's 'Annotated Companies Acts'; Butterworths Journal of International Banking & Finance Law.  

Andrew Rose

Advocate and advisor specialising in commercial and chancery disputes, particularly those involving civil fraud, company law, insolvency, banking and financial services. Instructed (as sole counsel working with solicitors, or as part of a larger counsel team) in commercial disputes in the English courts and in arbitration, and also in offshore fora including the Dubai International Financial Centre (as a Part 2 Registered Practitioner) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market. 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. Notable instructions include: the litigation concerning Banco Santander’s global HQ in the Chancery Division (Maud) and Commercial Court (Marme); the Playboy bank reference litigation in the London Circuit Commercial Court; the Khorafi mis-selling litigation in the Dubai International Financial Centre; and disputes arising from the insolvency of the NMC Healthcare group litigated in fora including the Abu Dhabi Global Market (NMCH v Dubai Islamic Bank).

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 as specialist, advising on a wide range of complex financial services related/regulatory issues, UK & overseas, and foreign governments. Also undertakes contentious work. Notable cases: Needler Financial Services v Taber (pensions review test case); Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency v Dresdner Bank (equitable set-off against 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/collective investment scheme - £115m involved); R (Yalland & Wilding) v. 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 accepts instructions across the full spectrum of work undertaken by Chambers, including banking and finance, commercial litigation, company and insolvency litigation. Daniel’s work has varied from applications to rectify the register of company charges to multi-million pound High Court litigation. Recent public cases include: Davies v Ford[2021] EWHC 2550 (Ch) (quantum); [2022] Costs L.R. 727 (costs); [2023] EWCA Civ 167 (appeal): breach of directors’ duties and remedies available. Daniel was led by Alexander Cook KC European Real Estate Debt Fund v Treon & Ors [2021] EWHC 2866 (Ch) (liability); [2022] Costs L.R. 461 (costs): multi-million pound fraud claim, limitation defence successful. Daniel was led by Bridget Lucas KC Toma v Murray[2020] EWHC 2295 (Ch): proprietary injunction restraining the dealing of bitcoin. 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 specialises in commercial chancery litigation and arbitration with particular interests in civil fraud, company law and insolvency. She acts as sole counsel or as part of a team of counsel and regularly appears unled in the High Court and County Court. She has experience of high-value disputes involving complex, multi-jurisdictional issues. She has experience acting in off-shore matters and undertook a Pegasus scholarship at an international law firm in Bermuda.

George Bompas

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

Broad commercial and chancery litigation practice with particular experience 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: FSHC Group Holdings Ltd v Barclays Bank plc (Court of Appeal), 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) (claim to a shareholding in telecommunications holding company, payment on a 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 the DIFC. His reported cases include: Von Der Heydt Invest S.A. v Multibank FX International Corporation BVIHCMAP2022/0008 (21 February 2023) – a successful appeal against an order for fortification of a cross-undertaking in damages. Peregrine Aviation Bravo v Laudamotion GmbH [2023] EWHC 48 (Comm) - a US$40 million claim by the world’s largest aircraft leasing company against Ryanair and Laudamotion for sums due under an indemnity clause following Laudamotion’s failure to accept various aircraft tendered for lease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oscar Trustee Limited v MBS Software Solutions Limited BVIHCMAP 2021/0024 (17 August 2022) – the leading judgment from the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal on forum non conveniens. Les Ambassadeurs Club Ltd v Yu [2022] 4 WLR 1 – the leading authority on the meaning of the phrase “real risk of dissipation” in the context of freezing relief. Puharic v Silverbond Enterprises Ltd [2021] EWHC 351 (QB) - a claim for an alleged ‘bonus’ supposedly due from a high-profile Mayfair casino. Al Jaber v Bosheh [2019] EWHC 2142 (Ch) – a successful application for freezing relief in the context of a complex fraud claim. Publications of note Loose and Griffiths on Liquidators 9th Ed. (2019). Contributor. Transaction Avoidance in Insolvencies 3rd Ed. (2018). Contributor

Hermann Boeddinghaus

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 / 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 and arbitration he is equally happy working on his own or in a team, and has particular experience acting as a junior in heavy commercial cases. His recent reported cases include: Stanford International Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) v HSBC Bank Plc  [2021] 1 W.L.R. 3507 (loss; Quincecare duty; knowledge requirement for dishonest assistance); Global Energy Horizons Corp v Gray [2021] Costs L.R. 133  (appeal re costs order following an account of profits); Richards v Harvey [2021] EWHC 21 (Ch) (breach of contract claims re property JV); Global Energy Horizons Corp v Gray [2021] 1 W.L.R. 2264 (six day complex appeal re a long-running account of profits; Re Law Debenture Trust Corp Plc's Application for Directions); [2021] 1 B.C.L.C. 475 (bond trustee directions); Gertner v CFL Finance Ltd  ; [2020] B.P.I.R. 752 (bankruptcy vs IVA).

John Brisby

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

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, which includes advice, drafting and representation in matters across the full range of commercial law. A large proportion of Joseph’s cases has an offshore element, particularly litigation involving offshore trust and corporate structures. He is equally at home being instructed on his own or as a junior in a wider counsel-team. In addition to appearing regularly in the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court, Joseph appears before the courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre. Recent cases include: •Petropavlovsk Plc (in administration), Re [2023] EWHC 264 (Ch) & [2022] EWHC 3448 (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 CFI 024.

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 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.

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.

Nicola Timmins

Nicola specialises in commercial chancery and commercial litigation. Many of her cases involve working as part of a large team in complex high-value litigation, particularly in matters concerning elaborate financial products or natural resources. Nicola also has a busy commercial, insolvency, company and trust dispute practice of her own. In addition to regularly appearing in the High Court in London, Nicola is regularly instructed in disputes in offshore jurisdictions, with recent significant experience in the BVI, the Cayman Islands, and Bermuda. Nicola is particularly appreciated by clients for her high degree of numerical, economic and scientific literacy and consequently is often deployed to work closely with expert witnesses to assist with turning highly technical reports into easy to understand reports suitable for trial. Her prior experience as a litigation solicitor also places her in the unique position of fully appreciating the pressures on those instructing her, which makes her an excellent team player and a “go to” barrister for her professional clients. Major cases include: RZB v RBS (misrepresentation in relation to a loan to Enron); Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich AG v JP Morgan (breach of contract of a tri-partite repo agreement following the collapse of Lehman Brothers); McGraw-Hill International (UK) Limited v Deutsche Apotheker und ArzteBank and RBS and Portigon AG v RBS (misrepresentation in relation to the rating of CPDO notes by S&P and Moody’s); Desmond & Ors v Credit Suisse International & GLG Partners LP (misselling of complex derivative products); Excalibur Ventures LLC v Gulf Keystone Petroleum Limited (right to oil concessions in Iraqi Kurdistan); Tullow Uganda Limited v Heritage Oil & Gas Limited and Heritage Oil plc (tax liability for oil transaction); series of four connected arbitrations arising out of breach of a loan agreement for development of a copper mine. MF Global UK Limited v MF Global UK Services Limited (attributing liability between group companies for the deficit in a pension scheme arising upon insolvency); In the matter of Laep Investments Ltd (winding up proceedings in Bermuda); In the matter of George’s Bay Limited (provisional liquidation in Bermuda); St Johns Trust Company (PVT) Limited v Medlands (PTC) Limited (Bermuda trust dispute).

Orlando Fraser

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

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

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 as sole counsel in substantial insolvency, company and commercial litigation, including several high profile matters for the government and private clients in recent years such as Carillion, Comet Group, BHS, Boris Becker, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the proposed acquisition of Sky by 21st Century Fox, and James Stunt.  Examples of reported cases:  Comet Group (2023) -preferences; OR v Obaigbena (2022) - directors duties; Bell Pottinger (2021) - directors disqualification; Balengani v Sharifpoor (2020) – setting-aside judgment; Viceroy Jones (2020) – third part costs orders; Georgallides v Sec of State (2020) – rescission of undertakings;  Armstrong-Emery (2019) – director disqualification; 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) – IVA, material irregularity; 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.