Hall of fameExchange Chambers
‘Giles is a heavyweight in the market. He is a clever, astute, and user-friendly commercial counsel, a team player, and he is a ferocious advocate with a winning mentality.’
The Bar - Regional Bar • Northern Circuit
Exchange Chambers
At Exchange Chambers, ‘the depth of quality in its commercial team is one of the strongest in the region, if not the strongest’. The members handle a wide range of commercial litigation cases, including competition and banking matters. Giles Maynard-Connor KC handles corporate fraud cases, and experienced commercial litigator Lawrence McDonald acts in cases regarding contractual disputes for individual, companies, office holders, and public bodies. Stephen Connolly is also skilled in contentious contractual matters, and Carly Sandbach has represented parties in all levels of court up to the Court of Appeal, and her clients are broad-ranging, encompassing banks, multinationals, small businesses, professional services firms, and private individuals. Guy Vickers represented the claimant in Stonegate LLP v Pritchard, a case regarding misuse of confidential information by a former employee.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Joe Mawson and Tom Gornall are very responsive, very efficient, and very personable.'
- 'Joe Mawson is an exceptional clerk and central to Chambers' success. He goes above and beyond on every occasion and makes booking, instructing counsel, and billing, along with everything else in between, a pleasure.'
- 'First-class service. The clerks are quick to respond and solution focussed. They also don't overclerk their barristers so that they become too busy. Nick Buckley stands out; he is well-connected and always available.'
- 'Joe Mawson is excellent. Always available and regularly goes above and beyond.'
- 'Joe Mawson is highly efficient and manages a team of impressive clerks. He is particularly excellent at selecting the right barrister for the right matter.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is a strong regional set. The depth of quality in its commercial team is one of the strongest in the region, if not the strongest, and it has a good bench of extremely capable counsel.'
- 'The best set in the North-West with strong depth of experience.'
- 'Exchange Chambers are certainly a go-to set for commercial work. They are commercially minded, client focussed, and work hand in hand with solicitors to achieve a good result.'
- 'Exchange Chambers are good with a large array of suitable barristers on offer. They rarely struggle to offer someone to assist. They have a good training programme and their events are always well run and informative.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is always a first port of call. It has strength-in-depth.'
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.
1Exchange Chambers
‘Carly is a real star; she combines really sharp analytical skills with a clear focus on achieving the client's commercial goals, and she is as strong on paper as she is when appearing before the court with an ability in both forms to persuasively present her client's case at its strongest. There are few barristers outside of London who stand comparison to Carly.'
1Exchange Chambers
'A versatile and highly skilled advocate. He has really grown in stature over the last 24+ months, and his written work is of the highest calibre.'
2Exchange Chambers
‘Stephen is sure on his legal arguments and prepares to develop them carefully but with force in his skeleton arguments and before a judge. He is an advocate to have in your corner for a case heading for trial, and he is not distracted by new matters as they unfold and remains calm under pressure.’
2Exchange Chambers
'James is excellent at spotting the important details and utilising these to the benefit of the client, and on a number of occasions he has spotted issues which have been vitally important. He takes a very considered approach to advocacy, he explains clearly and concisely his points and their relevance, and in contrast to many of his opponents, he does not need to be questioned by judges to elaborate on or explain his arguments.'
2Exchange Chambers
‘Andrew is extremely knowledgeable and always prepared to help or assist with an ad hoc query or more meaningful instructions. He is passionate for his clients and while he remains calm, he is also forceful in his points.'
3Exchange Chambers
‘Lawrence is very friendly and provides an excellent service. He is also well respected and pragmatic.'
3Exchange Chambers
‘Richard is technically excellent whilst also commercially minded. He impresses clients with a confident but courteous courtroom approach, and he is both meticulous and efficient in drafting pleadings.'
Exchange Chambers
‘Guy's strengths are his attention to detail, advocating the issues in a simple, straightforward manner.’
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.
1Exchange Chambers
‘Carly is a real star; she combines really sharp analytical skills with a clear focus on achieving the client's commercial goals, and she is as strong on paper as she is when appearing before the court with an ability in both forms to persuasively present her client's case at its strongest. There are few barristers outside of London who stand comparison to Carly.'
1Exchange Chambers
'A versatile and highly skilled advocate. He has really grown in stature over the last 24+ months, and his written work is of the highest calibre.'
2Exchange Chambers
‘Stephen is sure on his legal arguments and prepares to develop them carefully but with force in his skeleton arguments and before a judge. He is an advocate to have in your corner for a case heading for trial, and he is not distracted by new matters as they unfold and remains calm under pressure.’
2Exchange Chambers
'James is excellent at spotting the important details and utilising these to the benefit of the client, and on a number of occasions he has spotted issues which have been vitally important. He takes a very considered approach to advocacy, he explains clearly and concisely his points and their relevance, and in contrast to many of his opponents, he does not need to be questioned by judges to elaborate on or explain his arguments.'
2Exchange Chambers
‘Andrew is extremely knowledgeable and always prepared to help or assist with an ad hoc query or more meaningful instructions. He is passionate for his clients and while he remains calm, he is also forceful in his points.'
3Exchange Chambers
‘Lawrence is very friendly and provides an excellent service. He is also well respected and pragmatic.'
3Exchange Chambers
‘Richard is technically excellent whilst also commercially minded. He impresses clients with a confident but courteous courtroom approach, and he is both meticulous and efficient in drafting pleadings.'
Exchange Chambers
‘Guy's strengths are his attention to detail, advocating the issues in a simple, straightforward manner.’