The Legal 500

Within Aviation, Quadrant Chambers (Chambers of Lionel Persey QC & Simon Rainey QC) is a first tier firm,

Quadrant Chambers has a ‘leading reputation that would be difficult to beat’, and has ‘quality from top to bottom’. Charles Haddon-Cave QC represented the claimants on appeal regarding the allowance of direct flights between the UK and Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, John Russell acted in the Biggin Hill light aircraft crash, and John Kimbell acted in arrest proceedings involving Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Robert Lawson QC is an ‘obvious choice on any major airline case’. Hugh O’Donovan’s ‘knowledge of the aviation industry is unparalleled – he has the perspective of both “poacher and game keeper”, and intimate knowledge of the commercial business of airlines’. Matthew Reeve is a ‘faultless and dedicated advocate with a detailed grasp of all technical issues’, and Tim Marland has ‘impressive instincts’ and is ‘not intimidated on any level’. Jonathan Chambers’ ‘methodical approach to evidence and legal analysis’ makes him a top pick for cases needing attention to detail.

Within Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Banking and finance – New Silks

Within Commercial litigation, Quadrant Chambers (Chambers of Lionel Persey QC & Simon Rainey QC) is a third tier firm,

Quadrant Chambers is very well known for commodities, shipping and transport, but the ‘commercially minded set’ also has a good track record for broader commercial disputes. Lionel Persey QC is ‘one of the really big players in commercial litigation cases, especially those with a shipping or energy element’. Simon Rainey QC is a ‘super advocate’, ‘very capable, very hardworking and a great tactician’. Yash Kulkarni is ‘bright, always on top of the facts and in control’.

Within Commodities, Quadrant Chambers (Chambers of Lionel Persey QC & Simon Rainey QC) is a second tier firm,

At Quadrant Chambers, Simon Rainey QC is ‘top class in all respects – team leadership, knowledge, advocacy and drafting – and he is a delight to work with’. David Goldstone QC is ‘always on the button and has a real understanding of both the legal and commercial issues’. ‘The juniors are usually excellent value for money’, especially Guy Blackwood, Stewart Buckingham and John Russell. ‘The clerking is superb.’

Within Energy, tier 4

At Quadrant Chambers, Lionel Persey QC is ‘one of the really big beasts in the energy litigation jungle’; Simon Rainey QC appears in a number of drilling disputes; and James Turner has a strong international practice.

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 Insurance and reinsurance, Quadrant Chambers (Chambers of Lionel Persey QC & Simon Rainey QC) is a third tier firm,

Quadrant Chambers takes a ‘refreshingly commercial and modern attitude’ and is ‘a strong set that knows its practice areas well’. New silk Stephen Cogley QC is ‘a brilliantly tenacious barrister with an ability to get right to the heart of the matter with an unerring instinct for the answer’, and John Passmore is ‘incisive, with a good grasp of commercial realities’. Luke Parsons QC, who has a broad practice including marine insurance, appeared in Global Process Systems Inc & Anor v Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad.

Within International arbitration, tier 4

Quadrant Chambers is well regarded for shipping, aviation and commodities related disputes, and praised for its ‘excellent clerks’. Simon Rainey QC is ‘a great tactician, super advocate’ who is ‘good with clients, and responsive’. Lionel Persey QC is ‘an excellent lawyer’. Among the juniors, Matthew Reeve ‘comes up to speed quickly and knows the papers very well, and his understated advocacy style is very effective, particularly for cross-examination’. James Turner is ‘particularly good on private international law issues’.

Within Media, entertainment and sport,

Other highly respected silks include: Andrew Caldecott QC at 1 Brick Court; Guy Morpuss QC at 20 Essex Street; Ely Place Chambers’ Nicholas Stewart QC; and ‘extremely personable’ new silk Stephen Cogley QC at Quadrant Chambers. Of the juniors: Nicholas Randall at Devereux is ‘pre-eminent for sport work’; Jonathan Bellamy of Thirty Nine Essex Street is ‘a barrister you can put your faith in’; and Cloisters’ Caspar Glyn provides ‘strong technical analysis’. Also recommended are: John Critchley of Field Court Chambers; Madeleine Heal of Hardwicke; the ‘talented and tenacious’ Louis Weston at 3PB; and XXIV Old Buildings’ Ian Meakin. Simon Malynicz (formerly of Hogarth Chambers) joined Three New Square in 2011.

Within Professional discipline and regulatory law (including police law) Professional discipline and regulatory law (including police law) – Leading Silks

Within Shipping, Quadrant Chambers (Chambers of Lionel Persey QC & Simon Rainey QC) is a first tier firm,

Quadrant Chambers has ‘excellent response times with good strength in depth for counsel of different calls – it is possible to find the right person for each instruction’. Lionel Persey QC’s ‘advice and assessments are always accurate and on complex issues he always manages to deliver clear answers’. ‘Top-end commercial silk’ Simon Rainey QC is used for ‘very large maritime cases’, and Luke Parsons QC has one of the ‘fastest minds around’. David Goldstone QC is ‘extremely bright and approachable’, and Simon Kverndal QC is recommended for his ‘approachability, speed of response and quality of work’. Nigel Jacobs QC is ‘effective, meticulous, thoughtful, cooperative and hardworking’. Impressive juniors include the ‘always first-class’ Michael Nolan (who ‘combines astute analysis with a clear appreciation of commercial challenges’); the ‘excellent’ Stewart Buckingham; Chirag Karia (who has a ‘complete grasp of the facts and legal issues, and the intellectual ability to make full use of that knowledge’); Yash Kulkarni, who ‘shows good commercial appreciation’ and gives ‘clear and comprehensive advice’; Ruth Hosking (‘quick to respond, pragmatic and honest’); John Passmore (‘incisive and reliable with a good grasp of commercial realities’); Chris Smith (‘practical and with good attention to detail’); John Russell (‘clear, precise and unflappable’); and Caroline Pounds (who is ‘very hardworking and provides sound advice beyond her years of call’). Jeremy Russell QC is leading James Turner in a $100m marine casualty that is one of the most important safe harbour cases, and Nevil Phillips is acting in the Northern Prince dispute, which is testing the proper approach to the assessment of damages.