The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance (including consumer credit), tier 4

At Erskine Chambers, clients are quick to praise the ‘excellent’ Leslie Kosmin QC and Richard Snowden QC, who is considered ‘first class in his field’. Michael Todd QC is also ‘very easy to work with and extremely effective’.

Within Commercial litigation, tier 4

Erskine Chambers is an undisputed leader for company law, and many of its barristers are recommended for broader commercial matters. The ‘responsive and excellent’ David Chivers QC represented RBS in the high-profile litigation arising from the contested takeover of Liverpool FC. Michael Todd QC is ‘a great team player and very user friendly’. Nigel Dougherty is valued for his ‘excellent drafting, good handling of clients and speedy responses’.

Within Company and partnership, Erskine Chambers (Chambers of Michael Todd QC) is a first tier firm,

Erskine Chambers is ‘pre-eminent’ for company law, with ‘good strength in depth at the most senior level’. The ‘excellent’ Leslie Kosmin QC and the ‘quick and incisive’ Michael Todd QC are ‘expert in all aspects of company law’. Martin Moore QC ‘walks the line between safety and technical innovation extremely well’ and is ‘the leading barrister for Part VII transfers and life assurance issues’. The ‘outstanding’ David Chivers QC is ‘a brilliant guy to have on your team for offshore company work’. The ‘first-class’ Richard Snowden QC is ‘fantastic for company and insolvency work’, and has good experience in Cayman Islands and BVI-related matters. From the juniors, John Cone’s ‘handling of Companies Court clerks and Registrars is a joy to watch’. Catherine Roberts is ‘commercial as well as legally astute and advises in the overall business context rather than purely on the basis of the black letter law’. The ‘very bright, flexible and supportive’ Nigel Dougherty is ‘very knowledgeable on company law issues’. James Potts has ‘excellent judgement and a good commercial approach’. Edward Davies is ‘very bright’ and ‘spots the angles others would easily miss’. Stephen Horan is ‘a very strong company law adviser’ and is considered ‘one to watch’, and Ben Griffiths is ‘destined for an outstanding career at the Bar’.

Within Insolvency, Erskine Chambers (Chambers of Michael Todd QC) is a second tier firm,

Erskine Chambers specialises in company law and maintains a leading insolvency practice, with several high-profile silks. The most prominent member is the ‘hugely prolific’ and ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ Richard Snowden QC, who has appeared opposing the Lehman Brothers insolvency scheme. Further leading silks include ‘terrific advocate’ David Chivers QC, who is ‘brilliant to have on your team for offshore company work’, and who acted in the high-profile Halliwells insolvency; and insolvency and restructuring expert Michael Todd QC. Several of the juniors made a mark on the insolvency sector in 2010, including Stephen Horan (noted for his ‘easy manner, commercial approach’); Andrew Thompson (‘technically very strong, with a phenomenal memory’); and the ‘very able, clever, thoughtful, responsive’ Edward Davies.

Within Treasury Panel Lists Junior Counsel to the Crown – C Panel