Noted as being one of the ‘leading restructuring and insolvency sets,’ South Square barristers specialise in high-profile matters, with experience both in domestic and cross-border cases across a range of services including litigation, special administration and restructuring plans. Mark Phillips KC has appeared on numerous cross-border cases including Nuoxi Capital Lt v Peking University Founder Group, which saw him act for the liquidator of Nuoxi Capital and argued that the liabilities under the Keepwell deeds are contractual liabilities, giving rise to a right to prove in PUFG’s reorganisation. Felicity Toube KC appears regularly in restructuring and litigation cases in the Cayman Islands, BVI, Bermuda and ADGM, and Georgina Peters acts on high value schemes of arrangement and restructuring plans. Charlotte Cooke is noted for her cross-border practice, with expertise of financial services issues arising in insolvencies. Adam Al Attar KC was appointed silk earlier in 2024, while Joseph Curl KC and Rory Brown joined the set from 9 Stone Buildings, prior to that set’s collapse.
Insolvency in
London Bar
South Square
Referenzen
‘South Square are the leading restructuring and insolvency set. They have terrific quality across the board in that area.’
‘The clerks are extremely helpful, and always willing to listen to clients’ views.’
‘Marco Malatesta is dependable, supportive to the set\’s clients and a great leader of the clerks’ room.’
Highlight-Mandate
3 Verulam Buildings
With a ‘strong bench in insolvency’ 3 Verulam Buildings' members cover a broad range of cross-border and domestic insolvency cases for a variety of clients, including insolvency practitioners, liquidators and administrators. Many of the set’s practitioners have cross-over experience, with insolvency cases having elements from banking and finance, financial services, dispute resolution and fraud. Ewan McQuater, alongside James McWilliams, Philip Hinks and William Day, acted for the liquidators of Grant Thornton in Harrington & Charles Trading Co and Others v Jatin Mehta and others, who alleged that the family and their associates had carried out a fraud by obtaining gold bullion from Indian banks. Angharad Start has acted on a variety of domestic and cross-border cases, while Jamie Riley KC is a key silk from the set.
Referenzen
‘Extremely strong bench in insolvency work with numerous available counsel with expert knowledge and practical experience of a variety of high profile cases.’
‘Stuart Pullum and Stephen Pension are extremely user friendly and responsive. Happy to discuss client needs and conscious of client-driven cost pressures.’
‘3VB’s clerking team is amongst the best. Particular kudos must go to Steve Penson, James Kelly and Richard Ansell – who are approachable, responsive and great in a crisis.’
Highlight-Mandate
4 Stone Buildings
4 Stone Buildings houses barristers specialising in a number of insolvency and restructuring services, with members experienced in cases ranging from directors’ disqualification, to CODA cases and insolvency litigation. Jonathan Crow KC has been involved in a number of high-value and high-profile cases, including Byers v Saudi National Bank, where liquidators brought a multi-million dollar claim of two insolvent companies against a bank for knowing receipt of funds paid in breach of trust. Tiran Nersessian is experienced in litigation, and has acted for the government and for private litigants, while Christopher Harrison has niche expertise in insolvency cases in the financial sector. Nicholas Wright and Zara McGlone are also key names at the set.
Referenzen
‘4 Stone is an excellent chambers. My go-to chambers. Top Silks and really good, hungry juniors.’
‘Excellent. Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are particularly good.’
‘This is an excellent set with some similarity to my own in terms of size and focus. It is neatly balanced and has an excellent and well-deserved reputation.’
Highlight-Mandate
Erskine Chambers
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.
Referenzen
‘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.’
Maitland Chambers
Insolvency and restructuring remains a key area of focus for Maitland Chambers, with members of the set involved in high-profile and high-value domestic and cross-border instructions involving civil fraud, asset recovery and enforcement. Catherine Addy KC has been involved in a number of notable insolvencies and related litigation, including The Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, in which she was instructed to provide specialist insolvency advice on a range of issues concerning bankruptcy and its impact upon existing and potential compensation arrangements for affect sub-postmasters who had been made bankrupt. Darragh Connell represented the trustees in bankruptcy of media personality Katie Price, gaining an incoming payments order against her OnlyFans account; Price was also arrested under a warrant at Heathrow Airport after fleeing the jurisdiction in August 2024. Matthew Smith KC took silk and Anna Lintner joined the team in 2024.
Highlight-Mandate
Serle Court
Serle Court‘s members handle a broad range of cross-border and domestic insolvency cases, having been involved in bringing innovation to the practice area, with cases ranging from dealing with the first ever winding up of a listed PLC on the just and equitable ground, to challenging excessive administrator remuneration in an energy insolvency. Daniel Lightman KC, alongside Tim Benham-Mirando, has been involved in Re BHS Group Limited, defending a claim for wrongful trading and misfeasance. Philip Marshall KC is active in insolvencies in offshore jurisdictions, particularly those involving asset tracing and fraud, while Jennifer Meech has appeared as sole counsel in a number of insolvency cases.
Referenzen
‘Serle Court is an excellent set in Commercial Chancery, and also in offshore work. They have great strength in depth.’
‘Nicholas Hockney runs a very good clerks room, and is a pleasure to deal with.’
‘Responsive and commercial service provided by the clerking team.’
Highlight-Mandate
Wilberforce Chambers
The insolvency group at Wilberforce Chambers specialises in a wide range of corporate and personal insolvency litigation cases, both domestically and internationally. Barristers at the set are often involved in high-profile insolvency matters, as well as work connected to restructurings, in particular where issues cross-over with other practice areas including property and pensions. Lexa Hilliard KC, alongside Tom Roscoe, were involved In the matter of Lehman Brothers Holdings PLC where they successfully advised the client, LBGP No 1, on a second issue concerning interest in the wake of the Lehman Brothers’ collapse. Marcia Shekerdemian KC specialises in personal and corporate insolvency, including restructuring, while Daniel Petrides is a name to watch.
Referenzen
‘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.’
Highlight-Mandate
Enterprise Chambers
Enterprise Chambers has been involved in high-profile insolvencies, both in the UK and internationally, with a key focus placed on insurance insolvencies, as well as volume HMRC winding-up proceedings. Head of chambers James Pickering KC is active in commercial insolvencies, and, alongside Samuel Hodge, has been instructed on behalf of the liquidator of Hotel Portfolio II in the case of Hotel Portfolio II UK Ltd v SMA, which combines issues of commercial fraud and commercial litigation Pickering was successful in obtaining a judgement against a fraudulent director and his dishonest assistant. Hugo Groves is experienced in insolvency cases involving a US or cross-border element, having previously qualified as a New York attorney, while Madeline Dixon is noted for her work on cases as a sole advocate.
Referenzen
‘Extremely helpful clerking team. Flexible.’
‘Enterprise chambers is the go to set for insolvency related matters. They have considerable strength in depth and possess some of the finest insolvency specialists in the city.’
‘The Clerks are commercially minded and incredibly helpful, always willing to go the extra mile.’
Highlight-Mandate
Gatehouse Chambers
Gatehouse Chambers houses a number of barristers with experience in insolvency cases, ranging from issues with director misfeasance, cross-border shareholder disputes, as well as disputed winding up petitions and unfair prejudice petitions. Within insurance insolvency, Sarah McCann is involved in a variety of cases, including a cross-border dispute that emerged as a result of Enterprise Insurance Company's insolvency in Gibraltar. Sarah Clarke represents high-profile clients in a variety of claims, while Jonathan Titmuss is involved in multiple insolvency disputes. Charles Raffin and Ryan Hocking are also key names at the set.
Referenzen
‘Gatehouse have a wide range of exceedingly good quality Counsel.’
‘Gatehouse Chambers are brilliant at providing skilled barristers who can provide a first class service.’
‘Good, efficient service from the clerks.’
Highlight-Mandate
Radcliffe Chambers
With ‘great strength in depth at the junior end‘ who ‘carry their weight against the other banded sets,’ Radcliffe Chambers' members are experienced in all aspects of insolvency litigation, as well as legal advisory work and corporate insolvency cases. David Mohyuddin KC specialises in commercial litigation, as well as asset recovery, while Tina Kyriakides focuses on cases that are linked to insolvency, commercial fraud and company law. Zachary Kell represents a mix of IPs, individuals and companies in distress, and both James Fagan and Lauren Kreamer are further key juniors at the set.
Referenzen
‘The service provided is unparalleled.’
‘Good clerking service – particularly Lee Wright.’
‘Radcliffe have an impressive array of talent at all levels. I really enjoy their annual insolvency conference and always get a huge amount of it.’
Highlight-Mandate
XXIV Old Buildings
Noted for having broad expertise in insolvency and restructuring cases, members at XXIV Old Buildings handle a range of matters, from corporate and personal insolvency work to contentious and non-contentious matters. Barristers are often instructed in cases involving offshore issues in the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. Edward Cumming KC specialises in corporate insolvency and bankruptcy, and Elspeth Talbot Rice KC acted for Barclays Bank in the case GTC v Zedra/Barclays which dealt with a claim in Jersey. Stuart Adair is noted for his ‘in-depth knowledge of insolvency law,’ while Jessica Lavelle and Alex Peplow are names to watch.
Referenzen
‘They are a great chambers.’
‘Brilliant clerking led by Paul Horsfield.’
‘Excellent set, many good barristers.’
Highlight-Mandate
South Square
Referenzen
‘South Square are the leading restructuring and insolvency set. They have terrific quality across the board in that area.’
‘The clerks are extremely helpful, and always willing to listen to clients’ views.’
‘Marco Malatesta is dependable, supportive to the set\’s clients and a great leader of the clerks’ room.’
Highlight-Mandate
3 Verulam Buildings
With a ‘strong bench in insolvency’ 3 Verulam Buildings' members cover a broad range of cross-border and domestic insolvency cases for a variety of clients, including insolvency practitioners, liquidators and administrators. Many of the set’s practitioners have cross-over experience, with insolvency cases having elements from banking and finance, financial services, dispute resolution and fraud. Ewan McQuater, alongside James McWilliams, Philip Hinks and William Day, acted for the liquidators of Grant Thornton in Harrington & Charles Trading Co and Others v Jatin Mehta and others, who alleged that the family and their associates had carried out a fraud by obtaining gold bullion from Indian banks. Angharad Start has acted on a variety of domestic and cross-border cases, while Jamie Riley KC is a key silk from the set.
Referenzen
‘Extremely strong bench in insolvency work with numerous available counsel with expert knowledge and practical experience of a variety of high profile cases.’
‘Stuart Pullum and Stephen Pension are extremely user friendly and responsive. Happy to discuss client needs and conscious of client-driven cost pressures.’
‘3VB’s clerking team is amongst the best. Particular kudos must go to Steve Penson, James Kelly and Richard Ansell – who are approachable, responsive and great in a crisis.’
Highlight-Mandate
4 Stone Buildings
4 Stone Buildings houses barristers specialising in a number of insolvency and restructuring services, with members experienced in cases ranging from directors’ disqualification, to CODA cases and insolvency litigation. Jonathan Crow KC has been involved in a number of high-value and high-profile cases, including Byers v Saudi National Bank, where liquidators brought a multi-million dollar claim of two insolvent companies against a bank for knowing receipt of funds paid in breach of trust. Tiran Nersessian is experienced in litigation, and has acted for the government and for private litigants, while Christopher Harrison has niche expertise in insolvency cases in the financial sector. Nicholas Wright and Zara McGlone are also key names at the set.
Referenzen
‘4 Stone is an excellent chambers. My go-to chambers. Top Silks and really good, hungry juniors.’
‘Excellent. Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are particularly good.’
‘This is an excellent set with some similarity to my own in terms of size and focus. It is neatly balanced and has an excellent and well-deserved reputation.’
Highlight-Mandate
Erskine Chambers
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.
Referenzen
‘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.’
Maitland Chambers
Insolvency and restructuring remains a key area of focus for Maitland Chambers, with members of the set involved in high-profile and high-value domestic and cross-border instructions involving civil fraud, asset recovery and enforcement. Catherine Addy KC has been involved in a number of notable insolvencies and related litigation, including The Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, in which she was instructed to provide specialist insolvency advice on a range of issues concerning bankruptcy and its impact upon existing and potential compensation arrangements for affect sub-postmasters who had been made bankrupt. Darragh Connell represented the trustees in bankruptcy of media personality Katie Price, gaining an incoming payments order against her OnlyFans account; Price was also arrested under a warrant at Heathrow Airport after fleeing the jurisdiction in August 2024. Matthew Smith KC took silk and Anna Lintner joined the team in 2024.
Highlight-Mandate
Serle Court
Serle Court‘s members handle a broad range of cross-border and domestic insolvency cases, having been involved in bringing innovation to the practice area, with cases ranging from dealing with the first ever winding up of a listed PLC on the just and equitable ground, to challenging excessive administrator remuneration in an energy insolvency. Daniel Lightman KC, alongside Tim Benham-Mirando, has been involved in Re BHS Group Limited, defending a claim for wrongful trading and misfeasance. Philip Marshall KC is active in insolvencies in offshore jurisdictions, particularly those involving asset tracing and fraud, while Jennifer Meech has appeared as sole counsel in a number of insolvency cases.
Referenzen
‘Serle Court is an excellent set in Commercial Chancery, and also in offshore work. They have great strength in depth.’
‘Nicholas Hockney runs a very good clerks room, and is a pleasure to deal with.’
‘Responsive and commercial service provided by the clerking team.’
Highlight-Mandate
Wilberforce Chambers
The insolvency group at Wilberforce Chambers specialises in a wide range of corporate and personal insolvency litigation cases, both domestically and internationally. Barristers at the set are often involved in high-profile insolvency matters, as well as work connected to restructurings, in particular where issues cross-over with other practice areas including property and pensions. Lexa Hilliard KC, alongside Tom Roscoe, were involved In the matter of Lehman Brothers Holdings PLC where they successfully advised the client, LBGP No 1, on a second issue concerning interest in the wake of the Lehman Brothers’ collapse. Marcia Shekerdemian KC specialises in personal and corporate insolvency, including restructuring, while Daniel Petrides is a name to watch.
Referenzen
‘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.’
Highlight-Mandate
Enterprise Chambers
Enterprise Chambers has been involved in high-profile insolvencies, both in the UK and internationally, with a key focus placed on insurance insolvencies, as well as volume HMRC winding-up proceedings. Head of chambers James Pickering KC is active in commercial insolvencies, and, alongside Samuel Hodge, has been instructed on behalf of the liquidator of Hotel Portfolio II in the case of Hotel Portfolio II UK Ltd v SMA, which combines issues of commercial fraud and commercial litigation Pickering was successful in obtaining a judgement against a fraudulent director and his dishonest assistant. Hugo Groves is experienced in insolvency cases involving a US or cross-border element, having previously qualified as a New York attorney, while Madeline Dixon is noted for her work on cases as a sole advocate.
Referenzen
‘Extremely helpful clerking team. Flexible.’
‘Enterprise chambers is the go to set for insolvency related matters. They have considerable strength in depth and possess some of the finest insolvency specialists in the city.’
‘The Clerks are commercially minded and incredibly helpful, always willing to go the extra mile.’
Highlight-Mandate
Gatehouse Chambers
Gatehouse Chambers houses a number of barristers with experience in insolvency cases, ranging from issues with director misfeasance, cross-border shareholder disputes, as well as disputed winding up petitions and unfair prejudice petitions. Within insurance insolvency, Sarah McCann is involved in a variety of cases, including a cross-border dispute that emerged as a result of Enterprise Insurance Company's insolvency in Gibraltar. Sarah Clarke represents high-profile clients in a variety of claims, while Jonathan Titmuss is involved in multiple insolvency disputes. Charles Raffin and Ryan Hocking are also key names at the set.
Referenzen
‘Gatehouse have a wide range of exceedingly good quality Counsel.’
‘Gatehouse Chambers are brilliant at providing skilled barristers who can provide a first class service.’
‘Good, efficient service from the clerks.’
Highlight-Mandate
Radcliffe Chambers
With ‘great strength in depth at the junior end‘ who ‘carry their weight against the other banded sets,’ Radcliffe Chambers' members are experienced in all aspects of insolvency litigation, as well as legal advisory work and corporate insolvency cases. David Mohyuddin KC specialises in commercial litigation, as well as asset recovery, while Tina Kyriakides focuses on cases that are linked to insolvency, commercial fraud and company law. Zachary Kell represents a mix of IPs, individuals and companies in distress, and both James Fagan and Lauren Kreamer are further key juniors at the set.
Referenzen
‘The service provided is unparalleled.’
‘Good clerking service – particularly Lee Wright.’
‘Radcliffe have an impressive array of talent at all levels. I really enjoy their annual insolvency conference and always get a huge amount of it.’
Highlight-Mandate
XXIV Old Buildings
Noted for having broad expertise in insolvency and restructuring cases, members at XXIV Old Buildings handle a range of matters, from corporate and personal insolvency work to contentious and non-contentious matters. Barristers are often instructed in cases involving offshore issues in the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. Edward Cumming KC specialises in corporate insolvency and bankruptcy, and Elspeth Talbot Rice KC acted for Barclays Bank in the case GTC v Zedra/Barclays which dealt with a claim in Jersey. Stuart Adair is noted for his ‘in-depth knowledge of insolvency law,’ while Jessica Lavelle and Alex Peplow are names to watch.
Referenzen
‘They are a great chambers.’
‘Brilliant clerking led by Paul Horsfield.’
‘Excellent set, many good barristers.’