Kings Chambers handles large-scale commercial disputes for national clients with ease, and is praised as ‘the pre-eminent set in Manchester for valuable commercial litigation’. Its members are well-equipped to expertly handle cases in domestic and international courts and arbitral venues. It is home to Andrew Grantham KC, who boasts expertise in a range of commercial disputes, and David Casement KC is another active silk in this arena. Lesley Anderson KC is a notable name who has appeared before the Supreme Court several times over the last few years. Among the juniors Martin Budworth acted for the claimant in Oakwell v BFC Investment Company, which concerned a claim for several million in unpaid consideration pursuant to Chinese-American investors purchasing Barnsley Football Club. Ben Harding has an increasingly active practice in the injunctive work space, while Aidan Reay is noted for his frequent appearances in the High Court. Neil Berragan predominantly appears before the business and property courts and is often sought after for urgent interim applications. He is acting for the claimant in Kip McGrath Global Pty Ltd v Justine & Colin Gray and KMM Learning LLP, which concerns an Australian company claiming for the breach of a franchise agreement, and an interim injunction was successfully obtained to prevent the defendant from further breaching non-compete covenants.

Exchange Chambers is praised by one client as ‘the first port of call for work in the north of England’ due to the ‘breadth of expertise across all levels of call in commercial litigation.’ Giles Maynard-Connor KC is a notable name here with a focus on corporate fraud, and he was instructed by the defendant in a £2.5m claim surrounding allegations of breaches of sale and purchase agreements following the defendant’s partial acquirement of the claimant’s former business (Delkia Limited v Nuvia Limited). The set also houses Carly Sandbach, who has acted for clients in all levels of court up to the Court of Appeal, and her client base includes banks, multinational and small businesses, and professional services firms. She represented the defendant in the case of 199 Solar Limited v Equity Housing Group Limited, a dispute centred around a JCT construction contract and alleged misrepresentation. Andrew Vinson acts for foreign and domestic companies in high-value contractual disputes.

18 St John Street Chambers boasts ‘a wide range of barristers who cover all issues that arise in commercial litigation’, and one such barrister is head of chambers Richard Chapman KC, who has particular expertise in commercial contract disputes. The set is also home to Elisabeth Tythcott, who frequently appears before the High Court and the Business and Property courts. She acted for the claimant in CW & CG Claims Ltd v Clarkewood Ltd and Mohammed, a case concerning a claim for breach of contract where allegations of fraud were also made. David Hoffman is another key name in this space.

St John’s Buildings is home to commercial litigation specialist Pépin Aslett, who has appeared before the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the Supreme Court of Gibraltar. He represented the claimant in Hargrave Consulting Group Ltd v Carey Group Ltd, a £1m contractual claim in the High Court arising from a dispute over a procurement consultancy contract. Daniel Metcalfe is another notable name in this space, and he frequently handles high-value commercial cases in the High Court.