Maintaining its reputation as a ‘leading set in civil fraud’, Essex Court Chambers handles significant fraud cases in England and Wales and internationally, appearing before the Commercial and Chancery Courts, at the appellate level, and in arbitration. In PrivatBank v Kolomoisky, James Willan KC, leading Christopher Lloyd, represents the commercial bank against its former shareholders, alleging fraudulent lending to companies controlled by the defendants. Meanwhile, Nathan Pillow KC, David Davies KC, and Anton Dudnikov are acting for the claimants in National Bank Trusts v Mints, a case against a Russian family accused of banking fraud. Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan and others, an international fraud litigation involving alleged large-scale bribery of the former Director General of the Kuwaiti social security fund, sees Anna Dilnot KC acting for the claimant; Joe Smouha KC, James Collins KC, and Felix Wardle representing the Man Group; and James Willan KC and Tim Akkouh KC acting for Muna Al Wazzan. David Peters KC and James Sheehan KC took silk in March 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks' room, led by the outstanding Joe Ferrigno, has a refreshingly modern and commercial approach. Joe himself always goes the extra mile; nothing is ever too much trouble for him or his colleagues. Ollie Butcher is a star in the making.'
- 'Very good. Kevin Grubb is particularly impressive with commercial nous and good relationships.'
- 'Jack Wood, Demi Woolger and Samantha Wright are all excellent, very responsive, and quick to understand client requests.'
- 'The clerking team is very ably led by Joe Ferrigno, who has a clear vision of the level of service that Chambers should provide and where the future of dispute resolution lies.'
- 'One of the leading sets in the country.'
- 'Essex Court deserves its reputation as a leading set in civil fraud.'
- 'One of the pre-eminent chambers in dispute resolution with stars at all levels. Highly impressive.'
- 'Essex Court are strong in civil fraud across the silk and junior offering.'
Lawyers
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.
2023 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.
2024 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.
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.
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.
