David Head KC > Chambers of Ewan McQuater KC and David Quest KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Chambers of Ewan McQuater KC and David Quest KC
3 Verulam Buildings
GRAY'S INN
LONDON
WC1R 5NT
England
David Head photo

Position

David Head is an experienced advocate with a wide-ranging commercial practice, including banking and finance, civil and commercial fraud; professional negligence and liability (especially solicitors, brokers, auditors and surveyors); insurance and reinsurance; insolvency; media, entertainment and sports law. High profile cases include the BCCI employee group litigation (2001-2008), the Zambia v Meer Care fraud litigation (2006-8), the Kyrgyz Mobil Tel v BITEL fraud litigation (Isle of Man, 2011-13), Krys/VDP v New World Value Fund (BVI, 2013-2015) and the Kazakstan Kagazy litigation (2013-date). Many of his cases have an international dimension.

Career

Called to the Bar 1997. QC 2016

Memberships

Middle Temple, Commercial Bar Association, LCLCBA.

Education

St Albans School; Hertford College, Oxford.

Lawyer Rankings

London Bar > Fraud: civil

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1

David Head KC3 Verulam Buildings ‘A charmingly ruthless operator – he gets straight to the nub of the issue and is equally happy and impressive before judges and clients.’

3 Verulam Buildings has ‘a strong civil fraud practice, particularly for cases involving banking fraud‘. The set was recently particularly active in litigation surrounding several very high-value frauds involving the Covid-related furlough scheme and business loans. In other areas, David Head KC is defending Dimitrios Tsouvelekakis against a substantial claim, which alleges that he acted fraudulently in relation to advice on discretionary investment trusts. In a multi-jurisdictional dispute over Russia’s largest fishing business, Hodge Malek KC defended Vitaly Orlov, CEO and co-founder of the Norebo Group, against complex fraud and conspiracy claims brought by Alexander Tugushev. Elsewhere in chambers, Ewan McQuater KC is leading a substantial counsel team that includes David Quest KC and rising star William Day, in defending the interests of Dubai Islamic Bank and Noor Bank, further to the 2020 collapse of the NMC Healthcare group, which is said to have been the subject of a massive fraud by its management. Juniors building notable fraud practices include Sophia Dzwig, Ryan Ferro and Ravi Jackson.

London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit)

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3

David Head KC3 Verulam Buildings ‘David is a very engaging advocate, and is great at reading a judge and knowing what tone to strike in key moments. He is a fantastic person to deal with and is very personable. His written submissions are persuasive and compelling.’

London Bar > Professional negligence

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4

David Head KC3 Verulam Buildings ‘David is always very clear, no nonsense and to the point on his feet. Very responsive and excellent with the clients.’

London Bar > Commercial litigation

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3

David Head KC3 Verulam Buildings ‘Clear, concise and commercial.  A great team player, who is an intelligent, articulate and persuasive advocate.’