Enterprise Chambers > Leeds, England > Set Profile

Enterprise Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings

North Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency Tier 1

Enterprise Chambers garners praise as an ‘excellent‘ set, with ‘a very good range of insolvency barristers‘. Recent instructions include the ‘very approachable‘ Cristín Toman acting in Levi Solicitors LLP v Wilson & Anor, involving issues arising from the interpretation of provisions in a JCT standard construction contract relating to insolvency and proof of debt under a Creditor’s Voluntary Arrangement. Matthew Maddison ‘is excellent and his technical knowledge is second to none; he is helpful, proactive and meticulous‘. Hugo Groves is well versed in handling cross-border insolvency cases.

North Eastern Circuit > Property and construction Tier 1

‘Very professional set‘ Enterprise Chambers is home to a team with noted expertise in contentious real estate work, which is a particular area of strength for Stephanie Jarron. Cristín Toman handles a broad spectrum of property matters, including injunctions and rights of way disputes, and the ‘very well-prepared‘ Bruce Walker has a solid track record in advising on, among other areas, possession disputes, proprietary estoppel claims, and trespass matters.

Western Circuit > Company and insolvency Tier 1

Enterprise Chambers has established itself as a ‘go-to‘ company and insolvency set on the Western Circuit. Stephen Davies KC has extensive experience acting in high-profile insolvency cases throughout his career and is ‘simply brilliant with clients‘. Recently in Derby County FC Ltd v English Football League, he represented the joint administrators of the football club in relation to its restructuring, which involved the defeat of two claims for damages by other clubs alleging a conspiracy to injure on the part of the insolvent club. Christopher Brockman is ‘good on his feet and gets the measure of the court‘ – he is regularly instructed by HMRC, including in relation to applications for the appointment of provisional liquidators. Jeremy Bamford has an excellent reputation for handling disciplinary complaints and regulatory proceedings involving insolvency practitioners as well as director disqualification proceedings, while Claire Thompson has built a strong insolvency practice and in Re Gallagher recently acted for the trustee in bankruptcy in connection with an annulment application by the bankrupt pursuant to s.282(1)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986.

London Bar > Insolvency Tier 3

‘Efficient and friendly’ Enterprise Chambers have been involved in significant cross-border cases and high profile litigation, such as Octavian Security Ltd v Ghuman which saw James Pickering KC led a team in a contested freezing injunction and then various contested bankruptcy proceedings against the former directors. Stephen Davies KC has acted in cases relating to the interface of the law and practice of insolvency in the banking and finance space, while Kavan Gunaratna  has expertise in disputes concerning insolvent tenant companies, including advising creditors on the insolvencies of Debenhams. Hugo Groves  is noted for his work in litigating claims involving directors and third parties in and around a variety of insolvency scenarios.

London Bar > Company Tier 3

Enterprise Chambers is ‘strong for company disputes and insolvency’ and clients regard it as ‘a very friendly set with a real team spirit’. Members cover all aspects of litigation and advisory work involving companies, directors and shareholders, including unfair prejudice claims, derivative actions, claims against directors and directors’ disqualification matters. Top-rated junior Niall McCulloch was recently instructed in Bouchier, Williams and Bell (Liquidators of Tiuta International) v Booth and Nicholas, on behalf of the liquidators of an insolvent company, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, regarding a £70m fraud perpetrated on an unregulated investment fund and its investors. The ‘fiercely intelligent’ Simon Johnson is also sought after for cross-border disputes.

London Bar > Property litigation Tier 5

Property litigation remains a primary focus area for Enterprise Chambers. The set specialises in landlord and tenant matters, with an offering supplemented by specialist expertise in the areas of insolvency and property-related professional negligence. Kavan Gunaratna acted for the claimant in Circus Apartments Ltd v Domus BWW Group, a High Court case in which the landlord was seeking unpaid rent and disrepair claims following the collapse of the tenant into insolvency administration. Edward Francis acted on behalf of various lessees in Camden Hill Gate Ltd v Duchess of Bedford House RTM Company Limited, which concerned the scope and application of the principle that parking enjoyed as of right by residents of a block can be converted into an easement of parking.

Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 5

Jonathan Arkush – Enterprise Chambers  Jonathan Arkush at Enterprise Chambers is 'an exceptional mediator who strikes the perfect balance between being authoritative (such that clients and their lawyers respect his views and guidance) and empathic (such that clients feel heard and respected). Clients really couldn't ask for more in a mediator'. Arkush, who has conducted over 350 mediations to date, is a member of the mediation panels of the Chancery Bar Association, Property Bar Association, Property Law UK, Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Practitioners, and Dispute Mediation.

North Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation

North Eastern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax

Midland Circuit > Company and insolvency

London Bar > Commercial litigation

London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance

London Bar > Social housing