One Essex Court is known for its ‘consistently high performing barristers’ who have cemented their position as a preeminent set in banking and finance, with regular instructions received from all the major bank panel law firms. Some of the set’s recent highlights includes Philipp v Barclays, which dealt with the possible extension of Quincecare duties owed by banks to corporate clients to retail customers, which saw members such as Sonia Tolaney KC and James Ruddell acting for UK Finance in a Supreme Court appeal. Laurence Rabinowitz KC is regularly instructed in relation to commercial litigation and high profile disputes in overseas courts, while Lord David Wolfson KC has acted for a number of high profile banks like PrivatBank over the past year. Henry Forbes Smith KC and Marcos Dracos KC were both appointed as silk in 2023. Nathaniel Bird joined the team in October 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
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.
1‘Laurence is at the top of his profession. Very bright, very forensic, with huge expertise and first rate judgement. He's not afraid to give a view - and he can win over the room with ease. Exceptional with clients, including in difficult circumstances.'
‘Sonia is stupendously bright and works stunningly hard, but she manages to combine it with a sense of fun which brightens the team dynamic. Unlike some silks she is never aloof and if she thinks a junior’s draft needs reworking she will get it into a state which will convince the judge without ever undermining the junior. She has fabulous judgement.’
1‘Daniel is an excellent advocate combining the key attributes: he listens to colleagues and the other side, meaning he presents the best case for his client and is responsive to the case presented by the counter-party, he prepares and he argues calmly, clearly and persuasively. He is polite, persistent and principled in cross-examination.’
1'David is formidably clever and has enormous energy but is always user friendly and easy to work with. He can hold down a huge case load but be on top of every detail. He is sensible and thoughtful of his team and the commercial goals of his client.'
‘Alain is a superb advocate, both on his feet and on paper. He is articulate and highly intelligent but very accessible to clients. He works immensely hard and is always available. A real team player.'
‘His advice is clear, he gets to grips with the issues quickly and he builds a good rapport with the client.’
‘Tony enjoys a mental challenge and furthermore debating points - this is invaluable in a modern Silk. His preparation is thorough and his command of detail is impressive. His advocacy is clear and compelling.’
2‘Craig is superb. He is unbelievably intelligent and very commercially aware. Clients love working with Craig and feel that he is a safe and reassuring pair of hands.’
‘Very hard-working and focused on the detail - really rolls up her sleeves and spends time on the matter. Reads judges well and takes instructions as appropriate in court. Very client-friendly and an absolute delight to work with - she makes every case good fun, no matter the challenges.'
3
3‘A great thinker and technically brilliant. He has a brilliant manner within the court room and has thought of every argument.’
‘Super authoritative but also charming and pleasant to deal with as instructing solicitor. A compelling advocate.’
‘Ben stands out in his strategic insight and approach to litigation. He combines that approach with a deep knowledge of financial law and the financial industry. The way he manages to present the case in his submissions and is able to expose weaknesses in witness evidence and expert evidence in cross-examinations is impressive.’
5‘He’s the complete package. One of the stars at the Bar. Always on top of the detail and a first-rate advocate.’
2022 Silks
‘A stellar junior silk; fantastically clever and responsive; he is all over the detail but delivers big-picture strategic thinking. His advocacy is robust and engaging - he always grips the most difficult issues in a case. A go-to for anything really complicated!'
‘James is extremely easy to work with as well as having a shrewd legal brain. His calm personality inspires confidence with clients as does his advocacy. His advice is always clear even on the most complex points.'
2023 Silks
‘One of the most hardworking and academically intelligent lawyers solicitors know.’
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
‘Sandy is incredibly easy to work with, always approachable and responsive, and respectful of others’ boundaries and working patterns. His advocacy is calm, measured and persuasive.’
‘Hard-working, intelligent with a good balance of commercial and strategic awareness.'
‘Emma is an incredibly talented barrister, with a superb legal mind. She is exceptionally hard-working, writes beautifully, and thoroughly deserves her stellar reputation. She is definitely one of the future stars of the Bar.’
‘Nehali remains at the top of anyone's wish-list of junior counsel. She is a rare combination of being extremely clever but also intensely practical and responsive. Phenomenally hard-working.’
‘Oliver is an excellent junior - he has a clear and incisive sense of the law and how it applies practically, his drafting style is concise, clear and persuasive and he is extremely quick on the uptake and efficient.’
3‘Excellent intellect, great judgement, great at keeping solicitors informed and proactively updating on timing, great with clients, very adept at going through voluminous materials.’
3‘James is London’s best kept secret. He is just excellent – extremely bright, commercial and responsive – an absolute pleasure to work with.’
‘Adam is a real talent – he is very quick to pick things up, excellent on the law and also has really good common sense judgement - solicitors trust him on everything they delegate to him. He is going to have a stellar career.’
4
4‘Niranjan is an intellectual powerhouse and an extremely user-friendly barrister. His written advocacy is particularly persuasive and noteworthy.'
‘Academically excellent, focused and user friendly. No obvious weaknesses. He is reliable and absolute star.’
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
‘Sandy is incredibly easy to work with, always approachable and responsive, and respectful of others’ boundaries and working patterns. His advocacy is calm, measured and persuasive.’
‘Hard-working, intelligent with a good balance of commercial and strategic awareness.'
‘Emma is an incredibly talented barrister, with a superb legal mind. She is exceptionally hard-working, writes beautifully, and thoroughly deserves her stellar reputation. She is definitely one of the future stars of the Bar.’
‘Nehali remains at the top of anyone's wish-list of junior counsel. She is a rare combination of being extremely clever but also intensely practical and responsive. Phenomenally hard-working.’
‘Oliver is an excellent junior - he has a clear and incisive sense of the law and how it applies practically, his drafting style is concise, clear and persuasive and he is extremely quick on the uptake and efficient.’
3‘Excellent intellect, great judgement, great at keeping solicitors informed and proactively updating on timing, great with clients, very adept at going through voluminous materials.’
3‘James is London’s best kept secret. He is just excellent – extremely bright, commercial and responsive – an absolute pleasure to work with.’
‘Adam is a real talent – he is very quick to pick things up, excellent on the law and also has really good common sense judgement - solicitors trust him on everything they delegate to him. He is going to have a stellar career.’
44‘Niranjan is an intellectual powerhouse and an extremely user-friendly barrister. His written advocacy is particularly persuasive and noteworthy.'
‘Academically excellent, focused and user friendly. No obvious weaknesses. He is reliable and absolute star.’
