Wilberforce Chambers

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

• 'Wilberforce benefit from an extensive and experienced clerks room. Danny Smillie knows everything there is to know about the role, while Stewart Cameron and Fraser Geddes are dynamic, responsive and always commercial. Tara Shah is fantastic and a welcoming, engaging member of the team.'
• 'Wilberforce are a stellar commercial set, with a particularly strong reputation in issues such as fraud, pensions, trusts and other complex financial matters. The building out of their insolvency offering has been a relatively recent development, but a welcome one and something that they have done quickly and comprehensively. They have experience at all levels and a sophisticated, responsive clerks room.'
• 'All the clerks are brilliant.'
• 'Clerks are easy to deal with and provide a good service. I particularly like Tara Shah and Antonia Matthes.'
• 'Wilberforce are a very strong set - they have a strong commercial chancery practice.'

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.

1

Lexa Hilliard KC

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Lexa really is one of the team. She is approachable and happy to get stuck in. Her advice is invaluable both from a legal perspective, but she is also extremely commercial. Lexa is just as comfortable in court – she delivers submissions with such ease and creates a rapport with judges.’

2

Marcia Shekerdemian KC

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Marcia’s knowledge is limitless and she can absorb facts instantaneously and deliver an effective strategy that no else considered. A firm favourite with the courts, clients and her peers alike. Commercial, client-friendly and a genuine team player.’

3

Clare Stanley KC

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Clare is a first-class barrister who consistently demonstrates exceptional advocacy, unwavering dedication and a deep understanding of the law. Her thorough approach to her advice and analysis, combined with her ability to articulate complex legal arguments, has consistently impressed our clients.’

3

James Bailey KC

Wilberforce Chambers

‘James is a brilliant and highly persuasive advocate and strategic thinker. He is one of the most creative silks at the Bar and is not afraid to try new things to achieve his goals. He is able to combine a wealth of experience in company, insolvency and civil fraud matters to provide big-picture strategic thinking.’  

5

Terence Mowschenson KC

Wilberforce 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.

3

Sri Carmichael

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Sri is fantastically talented at identifying the critical issue to be addressed in any situation. She can absorb a huge amount of technical information quickly, sifting the wheat from the chaff and getting to the heart of a dispute. She is decisive and focused, but incredibly approachable and responsive with it. She is formidable as counsel, but a pleasure to have as a professional acquaintance.’

4

Jessica Brooke

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Sound legal knowledge. Commercially minded and has excellent attention to detail. Able to process evidence and hone in on the detail.’

4

Rachael Earle

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Very user-friendly and good on calls with clients.’

4

Graeme Halkerston

Wilberforce Chambers

4

Jack Watson

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Jack is very knowledgeable, has lots of experience and, importantly, is commercially sensible. He easily understands and meets the client’s expectations. His advocacy is very effective, sharp and committed to advocating the client’s best interest. Highly recommended.’

4

Daniel Lewis

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Daniel is friendly, capable, and always understands the issues.’

5

Bobby Friedman

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Excellent communicator. Gives clear and incisive advice.’  

5

Tim Matthewson

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Very clever, thorough and a no-nonsense advocate.’

5

Thomas Robinson

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Tom is incredibly bright, well-prepared, eloquent, calm, but tenacious and fearless when the need arises. He works incredibly well within a team.’

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.

Daniel Petrides

Wilberforce Chambers

‘Daniel is very bright diligent and hardworking he is good on his feet for someone who is relatively junior.’