Erskine Chambers handles both contentious insolvency and corporate restructurings, with members acting on litigation arising from large insolvencies in the wake of the financial crisis, with Peter Arden KC having been instructed by a creditor in Re Project Lietzenburger Strasse Holdco S.A.R.L to oppose a restructuring plan proposed by a Luxembourg company, covering aspects of German law. Raquel Agnello KC has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, and covers restructuring based matters, including CVAs and acting for various businesses. Matthew Parfitt sits as a deputy insolvency judge and has a focus on public interest winding up, and the appointment of provisional liquidators, and Anna Scharnetzky is frequently instructed in contentious restructurings and claims brought by or against office-holders.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Michael Shillingford is consistently excellent, Alex Calder is extremely helpful and diligent, Seamus Nixon is responsive and effective, and Jake Taylor is always quick to assist.'
  • 'Alex Calder always responds quickly and efficiently.'
  • 'The clerks provide an excellent service.'
  • 'All of the clerks have been particularly helpful and accommodating in all aspects.'
  • 'Erskine is a top chambers for insolvency work.'
  • 'High quality junior counsel.'
  • 'A class act.'
  • 'An excellent set at all levels.'

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.
Peter Arden KC
1
Erskine Chambers
‘Peter is extremely approachable, very user-friendly and popular with clients. He is highly intelligent and has the confidence of the judges he appears before.’
Raquel Agnello KC
3
Erskine Chambers
‘Quite apart from Raquel’s charm and humour (which helps in stressful situations!) she is a perfect combination of the technical, strategic and practical. She hones in on the critical issues and gets straight to the point but while at the same time leading you there so as to leave no stone unturned.’
David Chivers KC
3
Erskine Chambers
‘Absolutely top-tier expertise in insolvency law, he commands the immediate attention of the court. His written advocacy is exceptional and his oral advocacy and skill as a cross-examiner are also at the same high level. The amazing thing about him though is that these attributes are matched by an equally extraordinary work ethic.’
Andrew Thompson KC
3
Erskine Chambers
‘Very intelligent with ability to cut through very complicated legal issues. Real team player and also makes himself available to assist. Proactively deals with his cases thinking outside the box.’
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.

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.
Matthew Parfitt
2
Erskine Chambers
‘Matthew has a calm, thoughtful presence which reduces the client’s stress in any situation. He is also very capable in working through complex information and summarising the position for the court in a simplified and clear way.’
Philip Morrison
3
Erskine Chambers
‘Exceptionally clever. A superb, technical lawyer but also very pragmatic, with excellent judgement, way beyond his years.’    
Samuel Parsons
4
Erskine Chambers
‘Sam is excellent – very good judgement and his drafting is excellent. He is a creative thinker and his advocacy is excellent – concise and to the point.’