Blackstone Chambers
‘A technically skilled and talented advocate. Andrew is straightforward, down-to-earth and approachable and presents difficult concepts in a way that is easily digestible for the lay client.’
Blackstone Chambers is a ‘number one set for regulatory disputes work’, offering a broad range of expertise that spans market authorisations and approval, listing rules, market abuse and insider trading, financial promotions, and collective investment schemes. Monica Carss-Frisk KC acted for the claimant in R (Elliott Associates LP) v London Metal Exchange, a judicial review to a decision by the defendant to cancel hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of trades; with an appeal to the Court of Appeal now pending. In FCA v Whitestone and Seiler, Andrew George KC acted for the regulator before the Upper Tribunal in a significant costs application. Daniel Burgess acted as sole counsel for the defendant in FCA v Wealthtek LLP & John Dance, proceedings concerning an £81m shortfall in client funds and an application by the regulator for an interim stay of civil proceedings so it could prioritise its criminal investigation for overlapping conduct.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Danny Compton is a pleasure to deal with. Practical, reasonable and charming.'
- 'Billy Brian is a smooth operator.'
- 'Blackstone is the preeminent set in this area.'
- 'A great set for financial services work, particularly with a public law angle.'
- 'Blackstone are the go to set for all contentious FCA work. There really is no competition.'
- 'Blackstone has clear strength in depth. The knowledge and experience of some of their juniors is particularly impressive.'
- 'Always well catered for - clerks give time and attention to making sure all aspects of instructing their barristers is managed effectively.'
- 'The clerks are absolutely first rate.'
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.
Blackstone Chambers
‘Andrew has good judgement, but really comes into his own in the courtroom. He is a forensic cross-examiner.'
Blackstone Chambers
‘Javan is definitely one of – if not the – titans of the FS Bar. His experience is unrivalled and he is an excellent advocate, as well as being technically brilliant. He is superb.’
Blackstone Chambers
‘Ben is incredibly clever. He is able to assimilate detail very quickly and reach a reasoned answer in short order. His advice is always clear, and where appropriate he is very comfortable taking a robust position.’
3
Brian Kennelly KC
Blackstone Chambers
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.
Blackstone Chambers
‘Paul is excellent. Calm and measured, very clear thinking, and increasingly authoritative in his views. He is careful in his written work, thorough in his research, and very responsive.’
Blackstone Chambers
‘Simon is very responsive and turns high quality drafted representations around very quickly. He knows the law extremely well and also knows the regulators and those who work within them very well. Go to junior this area.’
Blackstone Chambers
‘Daniel is a hugely impressive advocate and tactician. He has a great talent for cutting through very complex facts to get to the issues and give clear but high level advice.’
Blackstone Chambers
‘Ajay provides an incisive analytical approach with a client friendly manner, and adapts his advocacy to the occasion, creating a good impression with panel members.’
Blackstone Chambers
‘Harry is a pleasure to work with in all respects – efficient, responsive, detailed and practical advice.’
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.
