The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Banking and finance – Leading Juniors

Within Commercial litigation, tier 4

11 Stone Buildings’ commercial litigation offering was significantly enhanced by the arrival of Jeremy Cousins QC from Selborne Chambers. The set has ‘a real star’ in Alan Gourgey QC, who is ‘a first-rate trial advocate and tactician’ whose ‘understanding of complex expert accounting and forensic issues is second to none’. Tina Kyriakides is noted for her ‘quiet approach, which cuts through the issues to produce excellent outcomes’.

Within Company and partnership Company – Leading Silks

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy – Leading Juniors

Within Fraud: civil, 11 Stone Buildings (Chambers of Edward Cohen) is a third tier firm,

At 11 Stone Buildings, Alan Gourgey QC is ‘not afraid to roll up his sleeves and immerse himself in a case’. Iain Pester ‘gives considerable strategic thought to his drafting and advice’, and Tim Penny is ‘capable of taking on the toughest of challenges’.

Within Information technology,

Also recommended are Alan Gourgey QC of 11 Stone Buildings (‘very user-friendly’); Graham Read QC at Devereux (‘tenacious in driving a strategy forward’); Simon Croall QC of Quadrant Chambers; and Derek Sweeting QC of 7 Bedford Row. Brick Court Chambers attracted ‘top junior’ Nicholas Saunders from Hogarth Chambers in 2010, who has an excellent reputation in the field – his ‘technical knowledge is unsurpassed’. The ‘very strong’ Lawrence Akka at 20 Essex Street and the ‘bright and client-friendly’ Philip Roberts of One Essex Court are also well-respected juniors.

Within Insolvency, 11 Stone Buildings (Chambers of Edward Cohen) is a second tier firm,

11 Stone Buildings is able to ‘turn work around quickly’, ‘offers excellent value for money’ and benefits from ‘very efficient’ clerks. Jane Giret QC has ‘excellent technical knowledge, is great in complex cases, and is very thorough’, recently appearing in Alfa Laval Tumba AB & Another v Mark Pacy. ‘Popular, charming and exceptionally gifted’ silk Raquel Agnello QC is also recommended. Among the leading juniors, Christopher Boardman is exceptional at cross-examination’; Marcia Shekerdemian has ‘great technical knowledge’ and ‘goes out of her way for clients’; David Peters is ‘very commercial and always makes the right call’; Thomas Robinson has ‘great attention to detail’; Jamie Riley is a ‘very competent barrister’; Tina Kyriakides is ‘extremely strong’; and Adam Deacock has a ‘good, sound commercial approach’.

Within Intellectual property,

Also recommended are highly respected silks Ian Mill QC at Blackstone Chambers (whose ‘grasp of soft IP – copyright in particular – is first class’); and Michael Edenborough QC of Serle Court (‘an excellent all-rounder who gives quick, practical advice’). Of the juniors, clients single out Mark Engelman at Hardwicke, who acted in The Estate of Adrian Jacobs v JK Rowling & Bloomsbury Publishing. Other noteworthy practitioners include Brick Court Chambers’ new recruit Nicholas Saunders (formerly of Hogarth Chambers); the ‘pragmatic and commercially minded’ Malcolm Chapple of New Square Chambers; and the ‘most helpful’ Robert Deacon at 11 Stone Buildings.

Within Media, entertainment and sport, 11 Stone Buildings (Chambers of Edward Cohen) is a second tier firm,

11 Stone Buildings’ Robert Deacon handles a number of privacy-related media cases and acts for high-profile sports and music personalities; and Tim Penny is well versed in injunction-related matters and cross-border disputes. Jamie Riley produces ‘good work in case preparation’, is ‘very strong on pleadings’, and is highly regarded for his expertise in ticketing policies and conditions.

Within Pensions,

Raquel Agnello QC and Thomas Robinson at 11 Stone Buildings are well versed in handling insolvency and regulatory aspects of pensions cases. Elsewhere, clients praise James Clifford from Maitland Chambers as ‘always providing robust advice’; Nigel Burroughs of Four New Square, for his ‘commercial and pragmatic approach’; and Nicholas Randall at Devereux, who is involved in high-profile cases relating to public sector pensions.

Within Professional negligence,

Described as a ‘solid set’, Selborne Chambers includes Justin Kitson, who is ‘good at giving a very clear explanation of issues’, and the ‘brilliant’ Hugh Jackson. Jeremy Cousins QC recently joined 11 Stone Buildings.

Within Property litigation (including agriculture and housing),

Also recommended are: Vivian Chapman QC at 9 Stone Buildings, who has ‘vast expertise in village green issues’; and David Halpern QC of Four New Square. Of the juniors, Ranjit Bhose’s knowledge of landlord and tenant matters is ‘up there with the very best’ at 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square; and Paul Letman of 3 Hare Court is ‘very well versed in enfranchisement legislation’. The ‘very bright’ Patrick Rolfe at 5 Stone Buildings is also recommended. Recent moves include the 'exceptional’ Jeremy Cousins QC (formerly of Selborne Chambers) joining 11 Stone Buildings. At Field Court Chambers, Miles Croally and Adrian Davis are highly regarded.