James Counsell KC
Outer Temple Chambers ‘James is a silk who has the ability to win the confidence of judges in court through his abilities and charm and applies the same skills to work with clients in conference.’
With a ‘longstanding reputation for financial services work’, Outer Temple Chambers’ members ’routinely act for and against the FCA, PRU and Lloyds of London’. Michael Uberoi and Henry Reid acted for the defendant in FCA v Reynolds, proceedings brought against a financial adviser seeking the disgorgement of over £2m of commission payments obtained in consequence of advice given to members of the British Steel pensions scheme; with the Upper Tribunal appeal being heard in June 2024. Oliver Powell, who always ‘goes the extra mile for his client’, is particularly well regarded for regulatory enforcement action taken by the FCA and Lloyds, internal investigations conducted by financial institutions, and criminal prosecutions brought by the FCA and SFO.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are brilliant - open, honest and clear. You always know where you stand with them.'
- 'Sam Carter is very helpful and always keen to ensure that the right barrister is put forward for a particular instruction.'
- 'Sam Carter is a dream to deal with - leads the chambers incredibly well.'
- 'Very quick service and amiable clerks. Sam Carter is very impressive.'
- 'Outer Temple Chambers has a longstanding reputation for financial services work, but unlike other sets this sector, it has the unique ability to service civil, regulatory and criminal financial services work.'
- 'Members routinely act for and against the FCA, PRU and Lloyds of London. They are also strong on both oral and written advocacy.'
- 'A good set for financial services that has very strong expertise in financial sanctions in particular.'
- 'Outer Temple has some of the broadest range of expertise of all commercial chambers.'
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.
Juniors
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.
Oliver Powell
Outer Temple Chambers 'Oliver is very responsive, utterly charming and will go the extra mile for a client.'
Justina Stewart
Outer Temple Chambers 'A go to on technical points of regulation on banking disputes. Will methodically work through reams of difficult legislation to arrive at clearly presented practical advice. She has a good tactical nous.'
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Henry Reid
Outer Temple Chambers 'Henry is friendly, responsive and hardworking. His real strength is his oral advocacy, where he performs well beyond his years and holds his own up against silks with a wonderful, natural style.'