3 Verulam Buildings > London, England > Set Profile
3 Verulam Buildings Offices
3 Verulam Buildings
GRAY'S INN
LONDON
WC1R 5NT
England
3 Verulam Buildings > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Art and cultural property Tier 1
Members of 3 Verulam Buildings continue to be involved in a number of high-profile cases and are considered ‘sector specialists’ within the art and cultural property sector. Andrew Onslow KC recently acted as sole counsel for Lord and Lady Wemyss in Wemyss v Simon C Dickinson Ltd, a case concerning alleged professional negligence against an art dealer concerning the sale of a Le Bénédicité painting by Jean Simeon Chardin. Angharad Start has also been very active in this practice area, and is currently representing Dmitry Rybolovlev in his long-running case against Sotheby's concerning an alleged secret profit by Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘3VB is an excellent set with excellent counsel.’
‘It is a set with a strong stable of art lawyers from Andrew Onslow at the top end to Sophia Dzwig at the junior end. Few Chambers have as many sector specialists.’
‘The counsel at 3VB are, on the whole, fantastic in the area of art and cultural property. They are a go-to set in this field.’
‘A very helpful clerking team.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Tier 1
3 Verulam Buildings are the ‘go-to set for banking litigation‘ with a ‘clear, demonstrable strength in depth‘ in their bench. Members of the set engage on some of the area’s defining cases involving major international banks and prominent individuals. One such example this year is the case of Re an application for directions by Golden Belt 1 Sukuk Company BSC in which Richard Salter KC led Sarah Tulip acted for the claimant bond trustee and its delegate on their application for a declaration that the limitations imposed by the declaration of trust and agency on the power of certificate holders to pass resolutions. Barristers from the set have also been regularly instructed on international and cross-border cases, such as Jonathan Davies-Jones KC and David Simpson representing Siam Commercial Bank in Suppipat v Narongdei, a large civil fraud claim concerning an alleged attempt to wrest control of a wind energy company. Alongside this, the set covers disputes covering all parts of the globe, with significant instructions received from global events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Juniors Ravi Jackson and Ryan Ferro are names to watch from the set, with both instructed on high-value, complex banking and finance disputes.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘3VB have an excellent clerking team. Richard Ansell is a standout and is always accommodating and on point with his recommendations. He and his team always ensure that service levels are high and response times and delivery are as expected.’
‘3VB’s clerks are responsive and easy to work with.’
‘3VB are the go to set for banking litigation. They have a clear, demonstrable strength in depth and I have instructed barrister from all ranges of the call spectrum. Their training sessions are always excellent.’
‘A friendly set, with real strengths in the banking arena.’
‘Good for financial services litigation.’
‘3VB have a high calibre of advocates and are often one of the first chambers I look to instruct in relation to complex banking and finance litigation.’
‘Strong chambers at all levels.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Commercial litigation Tier 1
‘A very good, go-to set, with true bench strength at all levels‘, 3 Verulam Buildings routinely acts in large-value, multi-jurisdictional, complex cases, both at all levels of the English court system and globally. In the leading 2023 COVID-19 business interruption test case London International Exhibition Centre v RSA and others, Adam Kramer KC and rising star William Day acted for the lead claimants. In Argentum Exploration Ltd v The Republic of South Africa, Liisa Lahti was part of the legal team that successfully represented treasure hunters, who resisted South Africa’s state immunity claims in relation to 2,391 bars of silver salvaged from the wreck of the SS Tilawa, which was sunk during World War II. Elsewhere in chambers, Christopher Harris KC and James McWilliams, in Labrador Marine Corporation v Petroserv Marine Inc, are acting for Petroserv in major Commercial Court proceedings concerning Labrador’s entitlement to substantial sums under a promissory note.Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Stephen Penson and Stuart Pullum are superb clerks. They intimately understand clients’ needs and are adept at suggesting the best candidates for the mandates at hand – a very strong clerking team.’
‘The clerks are wonderfully helpful. Stephen Penson and Stuart Pullum are amongst the best clerks in London.’
‘Stephen Penson and Lucy Burrows are a dream to work with – responsive, available (even at odd hours) and supremely helpful.’
‘3VB is a very good, go-to set, with true bench strength at all levels.‘
‘Great strength in depth and an impressive junior roster.‘
‘3VB is strong on a number of levels.‘
‘3VB is a set of choice. They have incredible strength in depth and their clerking is second to none.‘
‘The juniors are great and 3VB is rightly renowned as one of the leading sets.‘
Work highlights
London Bar > Financial services regulation Tier 1
With ‘genuine strength in depth’, 3 Verulam Buildings is ‘one of the pre-eminent financial services regulation sets’; highly active across both the contentious side, including FCA investigations, market misconduct and judicial review, as well as non-contentious regulatory matters. 2021 silk Saima Hanif KC has a stellar reputation for acting against financial regulators, while 2022 silk Farhaz Khan KC continues to undertake high-profile work in the area of non-financial misconduct proceedings and investigations. Adam Temple is known for representing regulators and did so in FCA v Steel, the FCA has sought to use s.382 of FSMA to obtain restitution orders against shareholders of regulated firms.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks are very efficient and straightforward to work with. I have been impressed by the thoughtful and considered approach of Richard Ansell.’
‘The clerks are 3VB are first rate. Stuart Pullum and Steve Penson are senior clerks leading the room. Clients adore them and they are absolute superstars.’
‘The clerks at 3VB are almost without exception professional and accommodating. Steve Penson and Stuart Pullum lead by example and when problems arise they are faced head on.’
‘3VB have great strength in financial services and financial regulatory work – they are one of the top sets in this area.’
‘Courageous and pragmatic set, with excellent client service. A depth of knowledge and resource in the regulatory contentious space.’
‘Great strength in depth for financial services regulatory work.’
‘3VB are one of the pre-eminent financial services regulation sets. They have a lot of great barristers with experience in this area.’
‘3VB has genuine strength in depth. Their tendency to recruit former solicitors means that a number of their baby juniors have experience that others lack.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Fraud: civil Tier 1
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.Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Best in London. Stuart Pullum goes out of his way to help, no matter the size of the brief.‘
‘Steve Penson is very user friendly and commercial.‘
‘James Kelly is excellent in fixing hearings and arranging things with the court.‘
‘3VB has a strong civil fraud practice, particularly for cases involving banking fraud.‘
‘The whole clerking team is incredibly pragmatic and commercially minded.‘
‘Excellent – responsive and commercial.‘
‘3VB offers a cornucopia of talent – brilliant minds but also brilliantly normal. There is always a specialist to help.‘
‘A very good and trusted set. Clients are very impressed with 3VB generally.‘
Work highlights
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel Tier 1
3 Verulam Buildings is ‘first-class’ and has become ‘the go-to set for international arbitration in London’ for many. With strong recruits in recent years, most notably Zachary Douglas KC and Can Yeginsu, the set ‘has an excellent reputation for arbitration arising from its strength-in-depth of top practitioners’ at all levels of seniority. In synergy with its public international law expertise, chambers built a significant portfolio of the most high-profile and politically sensitive commercial and investment treaty arbitrations across a range of sectors and arbitral rules. Recent highlights include a highly politically sensitive investment treaty arbitration brought by Qatar Pharma in which Christopher Harris KC, leading Mark Wassouf , acted for the government of Saudi Arabia. Douglas KC acted for the claimant in LLC Lugzor v Russian Federation, a dispute relating to the expropriation of Ukrainian investments in Crimea upon Russia’s illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014. Georges Chalfoun, led by Harris KC, is acting for Nova Group Investments B.V. v Romania, an ICSID claim arising out of the expropriation of Romanian insurer Astra Asigurări.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Stuart Pullum is one of the best clerks I have encountered: polite, honest and straight forward, incredibly knowledgeable about the market and the advocates in his stable. He has no hesitation in telling you pros/cons to get the right person, and even learns a but about the case.’
‘Excellent and dynamic leadership with Stuart Pullum, Steven Penson, and Lucy Burrows.’
‘Very user-friendly, switched-on; committed to excellent service provision.’
‘Stuart Pullum and Steve Penson really understand the international arbitration market and there is no complacency at 3VB. I will usually go to them first for a matter and then deal with individual barrister’s clerks.’
‘3VB is a pre-eminent arbitration set. There is huge strength in depth.’
‘3VB distinguishes itself by having juniors who can step up without a KC in commercial arbitrations. 3VB is showing great thought leadership with its annual London lecture. And the set has a growing following in North America, especially from firms in New York and Washington.’
‘3VB is very strong across the board but what stands out is the arbitration offering and the strength of the junior bench’
‘3VB is now the top Chambers for international arbitration in London.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Public international law Tier 1
With the arrival of Zachary Douglas KC and Can Yeginsu, 3 Verulam Buildings ‘has really moved up from being a strong set for public international law to one of the two or three top sets in London’, with ‘unrivalled bench strength’ and outstanding capabilities in international investment treaty disputes, in which Tariq Baloch is particularly sought after. Yeginsu acts for states, international organisations, including the UN, and non-governmental bodies, advising on investment treaty arbitration, international claims commissions and reparations, and matters of diplomatic and state immunity. He currently acts as lead counsel to international media outlet Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty in its challenge to the Russian Federation’s designation of the organisation as a “foreign agent”. Christopher Harris KC maintains a busy practice with significant instructions as lead counsel in a variety of major international investment disputes as well as in complex enforcement proceedings. Cameron Miles, with particular expertise in investment treaty arbitration and state immunity questions arising in English courts, is advancing into the inter-state arena with high-level instructions in the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the ICJ.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Very good. Stuart Pullum and Steve Penson really understand the market – excellent clerks.’
‘Great clerks – especially Samantha Jones and Stuart Pullum.’
‘Stuart Pullum understands the PIL market and the clerking room has brilliant leaders in the team, including Steven Penson and Lucy Burrows.’
‘3VB has risen to the status of a top London set in public international law with some top senior recruitment in this area and some very strong juniors rising through the ranks (Cameron Miles and Mark Wassouf).’
‘This is no longer a set that views public international law as an extension of its investment arbitration offering. It is a full-service magic circle set for public international law.’
‘3VB has a number of PIL superstars.’
‘They put out top quality legal advocacy, both written and oral.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Crypto and blockchain assets Tier 1
3 Verulam Buildings has a number of members with experience of civil fraud and regulatory work in the crypto space. Hodge Malek KC has expertise in domestic and international compliance reviews for cryptocurrency businesses, while Adam Temple is knowledgeable on the new cryptoasset registration regime, by which the Financial Conduct Authority is responsible for registering cryptoasset exchange providers and custodian wallet providers under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. David Quest KC is a lead author on the landmark UK Jurisdiction Taskforce Legal Statement on Cryptoassets and Smart Contracts, setting out the current state of the law on the proprietary status of cryptoassets and the enforceability of smart contracts. James Potts is noted for the instructions he has received by leading cryptoasset exchanges in the UK and the United Arab Emirates, as well as individuals and companies involved in crypto disputes.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Stephen Penson and Stuart Pullum are brilliant senior clerks. Among the best in the top sets.’
‘3VB are one of my favourite sets. Quality from top to bottom.’
‘One of the best sets for financial services matters.’
London Bar > Group litigation Tier 2
With its focus in the group litigation space on matters crossing over with the set’s financial litigation expertise, 3 Verulam Buildings is described by clients as ‘go-to set for banking and group litigation matters‘. Andrew Onslow KC is representing hundreds of former customers in proceedings against Clydesdale Bank and its parent company National Australia Bank, while Jonathan Nash KC is instructed to represent the lead claimant group against the Ingenious group and their financial advisors in a multi-party case alleging misrepresentation and negligent advice in regard to the tax treatment of a number of film production partnerships. Nash KC is also representing a group of investors in a high value Section 90 and Section 90a Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 claim for losses arising from the decline in the share price of Barclays Bank plc following the discovery of misconduct in its New York ‘dark pool’ trading operation.Leading Silks
Testimonials
‘Stuart Pullum is responsive.’
‘3VB has a number of barristers that are fantastic in financial and banking litigation. ‘
‘3 VB have a growing reputation in this field.’
‘3VB are excellent and a go-to set on banking and group litigation matters. They have many of the top silks and juniors in the area. For business/institutional group actions, probably has the greatest strength-in-depth of any other set. But they are also no slouch on consumer group actions with a commercial element.’
‘3VB are a strong set for group litigation.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Insolvency Tier 2
3 Verulam Buildings is known for its members having ‘great gravitas and reputation for contentious insolvency work,‘ with the set often involved in multi-jurisdictional insolvency disputes. In Lehman Brothers Holdings plc, Adrian Beltrami KC was instructed to represent the insolvent bank in ongoing waterfall disputes about the distribution of surpluses within the Lehman estate. Ewan McQuater KC was involved in NMC Healthcare Limited v Dubai Islamic Bank, the Middle East’s largest ongoing insolvency, where he led a counsel team in defending the interests of a Dubai Islamic Bank and Noor Bank in litigation concerning the collapse of the health company, alleged to be caused by fraud on the part of the company’s chairman. Looking at the juniors, Philip Hinks is noted for his work in Harrington Trading Company Ltd v Mehta, in which he acted for seven companies in liquidation and their joint liquidators in their claim that the proceeds of US$1bn of loans of gold bullion were misappropriated and laundered through a global network of companies.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks at 3VB are without exception professional and accommodating. Steve Penson, Stuart Pullum and Lucy Burrows lead by example. When problems arise they are faced head on. Fee negotiations are usually fair and transparent. It is also good to see a woman in a senior position.
‘Excellent clerks – very responsive and knowledgeable.’
‘Efficient.’
‘The clerks are good. Responsive and commercial.’
‘Incredible strength in depth when it comes to counsel with financial services experience.’
‘3VB has genuine strength in depth. Their tendency to recruit former solicitors means that a number of their baby juniors have experience that others lack. Their ability to cover a wide range of commercial and financial services work makes them one of our first choice sets.’
‘Great gravitas and reputation for contentious insolvency work.’
‘Generally a strong set for insolvency work.’
Work highlights
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 2
3 Verulam Buildings is ‘one of the premier sets at the English commercial Bar’ with esteemed members recognised for their extensive experience handling the whole spectrum of arbitration proceedings with wide-ranging sectorial and geographical reach. Amongst the most in-demand arbitrators are Ali Malek KC who has a track record of presiding over ICSID cases, Zachary Douglas KC, whose experience as an arbitrator ranges from commercial to public international law matters, Christopher Symons KC, a full time international commercial arbitrator and Jane Davies Evans KC, a dual-qualified barrister and chartered accountant, with expertise in energy disputes, construction and commercial disputes. Alongside a busy arbitration counsel practice, Christopher Harris KC has become an increasingly sought-after arbitrator in commercial and investment arbitration matters across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.Leading arbitrators
Leading counsel as arbitrators
Work highlights
London Bar > Professional negligence Tier 2
3 Verulam Buildings has a strong specialism in commercial related professional negligence claims. Andrew Onslow KC acts for the claimants in a case where hundreds of former customers of Clydesdale Bank have sued Clydesdale and its parent company, National Australia Bank, for fraud and negligence, alleging that they were misled about their liability to pay swap breakage costs to Clydesdale on early termination or restructuring of business loans. Additionally, Ali Malek KC currently acts for one of the defendants, ED&F Mann Capital Markets Limited, on a £1.5 billion claim brought by the Danish Customs and Tax Administration, which claims professional negligence and negligence concerning allegedly fraudulent application for the refund of dividend withholding tax - the matter is against the backdrop of the dispute between SKAT and Solo Capital Partners, concerning what is alleged by the Danish authorities to be a "cum-ex" fraud.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Excellent team led by Steve Penson. They are working in a way that should be a model for other clerks in the market to follow.’
‘Excellent clerking team – very responsive and helpful. Special mention to the fantastic Steve Penson and Richard Ansell who are both very responsive, resourceful and make excellent recommendations.’
‘The clerks are very helpful and work together with leading and junior counsel’s chambers to arrange meetings and provide joint availability.’
‘Good clerks, good counsel, great to have as part of a legal team on all sorts of complex commercial disputes.’
‘The clerks have always been responsive to requests and have looked to find a suitable match for cases we wish to involve their barristers on.’
‘Chambers have been brilliant in servicing our needs. There has always been good availability of counsel, including senior and junior counsel.’
‘Wide ranging professional negligence experience, with market leading financial services specialism. Great range of experience across all levels.’
One of my go-to sets. Good clerks, good counsel, great to have as part of a legal team on all sorts of complex commercial disputes.
Work highlights
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance Tier 3
3 Verulam Buildings is noted as being ‘a good solid set for commercial matters,‘ with members such as Adam Kramer KC and William Day having been involved in Covid-19 lockdown-related cases such as Stonegate Pub Company v MS Amlin. Tom Weitzman KC and Peter Ratcliffe acted for the restaurant chain in PizzaExpress v Liberty Mutual Insurance, another case concerning if the policy (which used the "Aon Trio" wording) applied to central government action and if the limits in that case were national or per restaurant. Kate Holderness has acted and advised in related to a wide range of insurance disputes, including between brokers and insurers, while Sophia Dzwig is another key junior on the set.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Richard Ansell is knowledgeable and helpful.’
‘Stephen Penson is a fantastic senior clerk. He knows how to balance conflicting demands on time and keeps instructing solicitors aware of availability and matters as they arise. There are never any surprises with Stephen.’
‘All the clerks are pleasant to deal with, commercial and efficient. Stuart Pullum has been particularly helpful in the past few months.’
‘Fantastic set – commercial, competitive, pleasant.’
‘3VB is our go-to set for policyholder-side insurance coverage counsel.”
‘3VB is a good solid set for commercial matters. It is stocked with people who are all very easy to deal with.’
‘3VB is a first choice set for insurance work at the moment. They have some exceptional people there and are great to deal with across the board.’
‘The go to set for complex insurance coverage work, with leading silks and juniors.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture Tier 3
Best known as a commercial set with a proud track record in banking-related work among other areas, 3 Verulam Buildings is an ‘an increasing force in POCA work and asset forfeiture‘ with a particular focus on civil recovery work relating to proceeds of crime. Andrew Sutcliffe KC, who regularly acts for government agencies, was instructed by the National Crime Agency in National Crime Agency v Persons Unknown, with Barclays Bank as an interested party: in this unprecedented case, the court passed a summary judgment for £55m believed to be proceeds of crime held at Barclays, and gave permission to issue claim against 30,000 account holders as ‘persons unknown’. In the money laundering case NCA v Nuttall & ors, Anne Jeavons also acted for the National Crime Agency on the question of if proceeds of crime can be used to validly discharge a settlement agreement in lieu of the recovery of other proceeds of crime.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘3VB is an increasing force in POCA work and asset forfeiture, with a number of its barristers gaining experience in the area.’
‘The clerking team is very responsive and good at dealing with court listing to get preferred hearing dates.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Energy Tier 4
3 Verulam Buildings is ‘an excellent set for international arbitration work’ and has ‘unrivalled bench-strength and a really strong group of juniors’, according to one client. Another notes that the set is ‘very responsive and able to produce and recommend counsel who are experts in the matters at hand’. The set continues to grow its presence in energy and natural resources disputes, particularly those that concern financing and commercial contracts, insurance and international arbitration. Its work covers all forms of arbitration and litigation concerning the energy market, and arises from a range of sectors, among them oil, gas, renewables, hydroelectric, nuclear and mining. The most prominent silk is Christopher Harris KC, who is currently representing claimant investors in an ICSID arbitration against Bosnia concerning government measures against two hydroelectric power plant projects on the Vrbas river.
Leading Silks
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Clerks are responsive and understand client concerns and timing issues.’
‘First-rate clerking.’
‘Pretty solid clerking.’
‘Stephen Penson and Stuart Pullum are brilliant senior clerks. Among the best in the top sets.’
‘Very good – one of the best.’
‘Excellent set with a lot of skills.’
‘3VB is very responsive and are able to produce and recommend counsel who are experts in the matters at hand. Counsel are excellent generally and vailable at the client’s convenience. Turnaround time is excellent without any delays.’
‘3VB has built excellent bench strength with respect to Middle Eastern commercial disputes.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Aviation
Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
Leading Silks
London Bar > Media and entertainment
London Bar > Commodities
Leading Silks
London Bar > Pensions
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Construction
2024 Silks
London Bar > Administrative law and human rights
Leading Juniors
London Bar > IT and telecoms (infrastructure and contracts)
London Bar > Consumer
Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Commercial Tier 1
‘Leading commercial set‘ 3 Verulam Buildings has ‘strength and depth of talent at every level‘. Investment treaty and commercial arbitration continue to be key areas of instruction within the set’s Asia Pacific practice. Ali Malek KC regularly appears in disputes under HKIAC, ICC, SIAC and LCIA rules, and is sought after for his expertise in investor-state disputes. Saima Hanif KC is ‘very energetic and responsive‘ and ‘her advocacy exudes confidence‘; she is a key name for financial regulatory matters. Rajesh Pillai KC is ‘highly recommended for commercial disputes‘, with ‘excellent advocacy skills and strong judgement – a real asset to the team‘.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Stephen Penson and Stuart Pullum are exceptional.’
‘A first-rate set.’
‘An outstanding commercial and arbitration set, given the strength in depth and quality of barristers.’
‘A top quality commercial set.’
‘The clerks offer a speedy and professional service.’
India - Senior Advocates > Commercial disputes Tier 1
Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial Tier 1
A market leading set for commercial litigation in the Middle East, 3 Verulam Buildings’ members regularly appear in high value banking claims in the DIFC Courts, as well as complex commercial arbitration as both counsel and arbitrators. Tom Montagu-Smith KC led Matthew Watson in Emirates NBD Bank v Advanced Facilities Management, successfully convincing the DIFC Court of Appeal to dismiss a claim against a judgement for a $540 million loan facility under both conventional and Islamic lending. Nicholas Craig KC was also successful in September 2023 before the DIFC Court of First Instance in Union Insurance PJSC v International Precious Metals Refiners, with the issues around jurisdiction of the court being developed from previous decisions in Horizon Energy v Al Buhaira and AIG v Qatar Insurance. Saima Hanif KC continues to offer extensive expertise in matters concerning regulatory investigations by the likes of the DFSA.Work highlights
The English Bar Offshore > The English Bar Offshore Tier 2
Known in the offshore world as a ‘strong commercial set with a number of excellent counsel’, 3 Verulam Buildings experienced another strong year with members receiving instructions across a breadth of complex cases, ranging from banking and finance disputes to high-profile judicial reviews. Hodge Malek KC , Hefin Rees KC and Philip Hinks are representing MBFX and a MultiBank Group's founder in a large international fraud case where it is alleged that the trading platform fraudulently misappropriated €35m of noteholder funds. Ewan McQuater KC is involved in litigation in the BVI worth $1.5bn, where he is acting for provisional liquidators appointed by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands seeking to preserve and prevent dissipation of the assets of the business group headed by Global Cord Blood Corporation.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Steve Penson makes sure things are humming.’
‘3 Verulam Buildings clerks have a great business sense and are very responsive to clients’ needs and concerns.’
‘They are a good set of chambers with strength in depth.’
‘3 Verulam Buildings is a great set to work with. It has an outstanding reputation which puts the client at ease.’
‘3VB is a strong commercial set with a number of excellent counsel who I am familiar with. They are certainly a go-to set.’
‘3VB is the premium commercial set for heavy offshore work. Their barristers are top notch and their clerks are genuinely a cut above the competition. Overall an absolutely class act.’
‘Well run set with good helpful clerks.’
Work highlights
Asia Pacific: Regional International Arbitration > Arbitration counsel
Leading Silks
Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Construction, energy and infrastructure
Leading Juniors
3 Verulam Buildings > Set Profile
The set: 3 Verulam Buildings is one of the leading sets providing specialist advocacy and advisory services worldwide in all areas of commercial and financial litigation, dispute resolution, international arbitration and public international law, with over 90 members based in London and with many highly prominent legal practitioners across the World. Members advise and represent clients in court, arbitration and other tribunals in England and other jurisdictions worldwide. 3VB’s approachable and responsive members and practice managers understand the pressures on solicitors and clients and the importance of providing a superb quality of service, in which legal excellence is combined with a commercial attitude.
Work undertaken: 3VB has a genuine depth of experience across the full range of commercial litigation, from banking and financial services to company law, insurance, professional negligence, insolvency, commercial fraud, IT and media and entertainment. Its members are regularly instructed by the leading law firms in the major pieces of commercial litigation of the day, and often act in teams on various sides of major disputes. In addition, chambers has a strong reputation in domestic and international arbitration, including significant experience of investment treaty disputes and cases involving energy, natural resources and infrastructure. 3VB has substantial experience of international work, in both litigation and arbitration. Members are frequently instructed by lawyers from other jurisdictions and are accustomed to working in multi-jurisdictional teams. They have particular experience of disputes arising in the Caribbean, the Gulf States, the post-Soviet states and the Asia-Pacific region. As well as acting as counsel, many of its members and impressive array of international associate members sit as arbitrators, under all the major arbitration rules. 3VB’s members also undertake non-contentious work, such as drafting terms and conditions in contracts for financial institutions and commercial clients, and advising clients on the effects of new law. The languages spoken in 3VB include English, Arabic, Creole, French, German, Greek, Italian, Punjabi, Russian, Sinhala, Spanish, Swedish and Urdu.
Recruitment: 3VB offers up to four pupillages a year (through the Pupillage Gateway and for Gateway-exempt transferring lawyers) and also considers applications as lateral hires from barristers with established, excellent practices.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chambers Director | Stewart Thompson | 020 7831 8441 | |
Senior Practice Manager | Stephen Penson | 020 7831 8441 | |
Senior Practice Manager | Stuart Pullum | 020 7831 8441 | |
Marketing Director | Petra Bailey | 020 7831 8441 | |
Head of Finance and Operations | Andrew Veale | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | McQUATER KC, Ewan (1985) (KC 2003) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | QUEST KC, David (1993) (KC 2013) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | MALEK KC, Ali (1980) (KC 1996) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | JARVIS KC, John (1970) (KC 1989) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SYMONS KC, Christopher (1972) (KC 1989) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BELTRAMI KC, Adrian (1989) (KC 2008) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SALTER KC, Richard (1975) (KC 1995) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BLAIR KC, Michael (Hon Causa) (1965) (KC 1996) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | MALEK KC, HODGE (1983) (KC 1999) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SUTCLIFFE KC, Andrew (1983) (KC 2001) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | ONSLOW KC, Andrew (1982) (KC 2002) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | PHILLIPS KC, Rory (1984) (KC 2002) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | WEITZMAN KC, Tom (1984) (KC 2003) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | FLETCHER KC, Andrew (1980) (KC 2006) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | NASH KC, Jonathan (1986) (KC 2006) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | REES KC, Hefin (1992) (KC 2013) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DAVIES-JONES KC, Jonathan (1994) (KC 2013) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HARDWICK KC, Matthew (1994) (KC 2014) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | GIBAUD KC, Catherine (1996) (KC 2014) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DOUGLAS KC, Zachary (2006) (KC 2015) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | McKENDRICK KC, Ewan (Hon Causa) (1998) (KC 2015) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HEAD KC, David (1997) (KC 2016) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | MONTAGU-SMITH KC, Tom (2001) (KC 2017) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | WILSON KC, Ian (1995) (KC 2018) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | RILEY KC, Jamie (1995) (KC 2019) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DE VERNEUIL SMITH KC, Peter (1998) (KC 2019) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | CRAIG KC, Nicholas (1998) (KC 2019) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HARRIS KC, Christopher (2002) (KC 2019) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | PILLAI KC, Rajesh (2002) (KC 2020) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | PARKER KC, Matthew (1997) (KC 2021) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HANIF KC, Saima (2002) (KC 2021) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | KRAMER KC, Adam (2004) (KC 2021) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | KHAN KC, Farhaz (2005) (KC 2022) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | START, Angharad (1988) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | RATCLIFFE, Peter (1998) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | MALLINCKRODT, Sophie (1999) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DAVIES EVANS, Jane (2001) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BALOCH, Tariq (2001) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | EDWARDS, William (2002) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | McPHERSON, George (2003) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SIMPSON, David (2003) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | LACOB, Lisa (2004) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | EBORALL, Charlotte (2004) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HANKE, Richard (2006) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | WALKER, Damien (2006) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | YEGINSU, Can (2007) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | PURVES, Robert (2007) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | KNIGHT, Alexia (2007) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BOND, Christopher (2008) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HINKS, Philip (2008) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | JEAVONS, Anne (2008) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | TEMPLE, Adam (2008) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HOLDERNESS, Kate (2008) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | LAHTI, Liisa (2009) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DE VECCHI, Tom (2009) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | VAN SANTE, Theodor (2009) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SCHMELZER, Miriam (2010) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | RAINSBURY, Tom (2010) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BURDIN, Christopher (2010) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | ONABANJO, Teniola (2010) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HIGGINS, Ian (2011) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BHEEROO, Yash (2011) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | POTTS, James (2011) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | CATSAMBIS, Cleon (2011) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | McWILLIAMS, James (2011) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | PAVLOVICH, Anthony (2012) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | RALSTON, Scott (2012) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | WATSON, Matthew (2012) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | TULIP, Sarah (2012) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DUTTON, Pia (2013) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SHEPPARD, Emmanuel (2013) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | GLOVER, Hannah (2013) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | WASSOUF, Mark (2014) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | CHALFOUN, Georges (2014) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | STEINMETZ, Victor (2014) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | MILES, Cameron (2015) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | ZAMAN, Rebecca (2015) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BELL, Chloë (2015) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | KENNELLY, Dominic (2016) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DAY, William (2016) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DZWIG, Sophia (2017) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | FERRO, Ryan (2017) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | JACKSON, Ravi (2017) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | HUGHES, Emma (2018) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | DASKALOVA, Ivana (2018) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | JONES, Clarissa (2018) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | FU, Judy (2019) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | MULDERRIG, Calum (2019) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | PARKER, Sarah (2016) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BUNDA, Anca (2019) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SHARMA, Chinmayi (2020) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | CHOLAKOV, Rumen (2021) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BONNER HUGHES, Paul (2021) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | SCOTT, Gretel (2021) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | BOUCHER, Katherine (2021) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | AIREY, Devon (2022) | 020 7831 8441 | |
Member of Chambers | GREGG, Amy (2023) | 020 7831 8441 |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Tariq Baloch | Specialises in international arbitration (international investment treaty claims and internationl commercial arbitration),… | View Profile | |
Chloe Bell | View Profile | ||
Adrian Beltrami | Barrister specialising in commercial law, banking law, insolvency, sale of goods, commercial… | View Profile | |
Yash Bheeroo | Yash has a broad and successful commercial practice which encompasses: fraud; commercial… | View Profile | |
Elizabeth Birch | Commercial barrister since 1980, has sat as arbitrator since 1992 and as… | View Profile | |
Michael Blair | Queen’s Counsel in independent practice, specialising in financial services. | View Profile | |
Christopher Bond | Christopher has a general commercial practice, much of it with an international… | View Profile | |
Richard Brent | Barrister specialising in general commercial work, including banking law, insurance and reinsurance… | View Profile | |
Christopher Burdin | Barrister specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration, including banking and finance, civil… | View Profile | |
Cleon Catsambis | Cleon has a strong and well-regarded commercial practice that encompasses commercial litigation… | View Profile | |
Nicholas Craig | Barrister specialising in commercial litigation, in particular arbitration, civil fraud, banking, shipping,… | View Profile | |
Peter Cranfield | Barrister specialising in professional indemnity (including claims against accountants, architects, brokers, financial… | View Profile | |
Jane Davies Evans KC | Jane is a renowned commercial barrister, specialising in energy and engineering/construction disputes,… | View Profile | |
Jonathan Davies-Jones | Jonathan has a broad-based commercial disputes practice with a wide range of… | View Profile | |
Tom De Vecchi | General commercial practice, including banking, financial services, insolvency, civil fraud, insurance and… | View Profile | |
Peter De Verneuil Smith | Peter is well known for his excellent advocacy and client skills. He… | View Profile | |
Zachary Douglas KC | Barrister specialising in public international law, conflict of laws and arbitration. Counsel… | View Profile | |
Pia Dutton | Pia is building a general commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile.… | View Profile | |
Sophia Dzwig | Sophia is a commercial barrister with a broad practice spanning litigation and… | View Profile | |
Charlotte Eborall | Barrister specialising in commercial litigation, including banking and finance (including consumer credit),… | View Profile | |
William Edwards | Barrister specialising in general commercial work (including sale of goods/supply of services… | View Profile | |
Andrew Fletcher | Barrister with particular experience in share purchase agreements (especially misrepresentation and breach… | View Profile | |
Clive Freedman | Barrister specialising in commercial work generally, in particular IT law, banking, building… | View Profile | |
Catherine Gibaud | Barrister specialising in commercial law, in particular banking and finance, insolvency and… | View Profile | |
Hannah Glover | Hannah specialises in commercial disputes, with a particular emphasis on banking and… | View Profile | |
Saima Hanif | Saima has an expertise in banking and financial services, with a particular… | View Profile | |
Richard Hanke | General commercial work, including banking and financial services, civil fraud and insolvency. | View Profile | |
Matthew Hardwick | Barrister specialising in commercial litigation, banking, insolvency, insurance, professional negligence and employment. | View Profile | |
Christopher Harris | Barrister specialising in banking, financial services, general commercial litigation and international commercial… | View Profile | |
David Head | David Head is an experienced advocate with a wide-ranging commercial practice, including… | View Profile | |
David Head | David Head is an experienced advocate with a wide-ranging commercial practice, including… | View Profile | |
Ian Higgins | Ian is a former solicitor with a general commercial practice, with particular… | View Profile | |
Philip Hinks | View Profile | ||
Kate Holderness | Experience across the breadth of general commercial law, including in the specialist… | View Profile | |
John Jarvis | Commercial work, specialising in banking law both domestic and international, including drafting… | View Profile | |
Dominic Kennelly | Dominic is a former solicitor with substantial experience of commercial disputes, particularly… | View Profile | |
Farhaz Khan KC | Farhaz is a leading advocate at the commercial bar, was appointed Queen’s… | View Profile | |
Alexia Knight | General commercial work and litigation in line with 3VB’s practice, including banking… | View Profile | |
Adam Kramer | Adam Kramer QC is a highly regarded commercial litigator and arbitration advocate… | View Profile | |
Lisa Lacob | Barrister specialising in general commercial work, including banking and financial services, insurance,… | View Profile | |
Michael Lazarus | Michael’s practice includes most areas of domestic and international commercial and business… | View Profile | |
Hodge Malek | Barrister with an impressive academic and practical background with a successful and… | View Profile | |
Ali Malek | Barrister specialising in commercial law, including banking and financial disputes, insurance and… | View Profile | |
Sophie Mallinckrodt | Barrister with general commercial practice, including banking, insurance, financial services, insolvency, company… | View Profile | |
James McWilliams | James is a leading commercial junior with a practice that spans a… | View Profile | |
Ewan Mckendrick | Barrister specialising in advisory work on general commercial matters, particularly contract law,… | View Profile | |
George Mcpherson | Barrister with general commercial practice, including insurance and reinsurance, insolvency, commercial fraud,… | View Profile | |
Ewan Mcquater | Barrister specialising in commercial work in particular international and domestic banking and… | View Profile | |
Gregory Mitchell | Specialises in commercial litigation, arbitration and advisory work. He has been instructed… | View Profile | |
Jonathan Nash | Banking law and insolvency, financial services, professional negligence (solicitors, barristers and accountants),… | View Profile | |
John Odgers | Commercial litigator specialising in banking, financial services, professional negligence, fraud, company sale… | View Profile | |
Teniola Onabanjo | Barrister specialising in general commercial work, including banking, financial services, contractual disputes,… | View Profile | |
Andrew Onslow KC | Andrew Onslow KC specialises in commercial litigation, banking and financial services, fraud,… | View Profile | |
Matthew Parker | Matthew is a leading practitioner at the commercial Bar. He took silk… | View Profile | |
Anthony Pavlovich | Barrister experienced in banking (guarantees, mortgages, bonds, derivatives, sale-and-purchase agreements); financial services… | View Profile | |
Rory Phillips | Wide-ranging public and commercial law practice. | View Profile | |
Jonathan Phillips | Commercial litigation, particularly banking, finance, security and insolvency; practice includes domestic and… | View Profile | |
Rajesh Pillai | Barrister specialising in banking, commercial fraud, company, insurance and reinsurance, entertainment, insolvency… | View Profile | |
David Quest | Barrister specialising in commercial law: banking; international trade and finance; insurance and… | View Profile | |
Scott Ralston | Barrister specialising in commercial and banking law. | View Profile | |
Peter Ratcliffe | Barrister specialising in commercial litigation and advisory work, with particular emphasis on… | View Profile | |
Hefin Rees | Hefin Rees QC has extensive experience of international disputes in the commercial,… | View Profile | |
Jamie Riley KC | View Profile | ||
Richard Salter KC | Richard Salter is regarded as one of the leading commercial silks at… | View Profile | |
Miriam Schmelzer | Miriam is developing a broad commercial practice in line with Chambers’ profile.… | View Profile | |
David Simpson | Barrister undertaking general commercial work with particular emphasis to date on financial… | View Profile | |
Angharad Start | Barrister specialising in company law, corporate and personal insolvency, professional indemnity work,… | View Profile | |
Andrew Sutcliffe | Principal areas of practice are commercial and business law (including banking, financial… | View Profile | |
Christopher Symons | Barrister specialising in commercial litigation/arbitration particularly all aspects of insurance, reinsurance, professional… | View Profile | |
Adam Temple | Adam is a specialist in financial services disputes. He is regularly instructed… | View Profile | |
Sarah Tulip | Sarah has a broad commercial practice, with particular specialisms in banking and… | View Profile | |
Damien Walker | Damien Walker is a senior junior counsel specialising in commercial dispute resolution.… | View Profile | |
Paul Wee | Paul is a barrister practicing from 3 Verulam Buildings in London, specialising… | View Profile | |
Ian Wilson | Barrister specialising in commercial litigation, including banking and finance, commercial fraud, professional… | View Profile | |
Can Yeginsu | Can combines a strong practice in international arbitration and commercial litigation (including… | View Profile | |
Rebecca Zaman | Rebecca has a decade of experience in commercial disputes, with a particular… | View Profile |
Languages
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3VB is committed to furthering equality of opportunity and diversity. We do not discriminate in any aspect of our business on grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, nationality or citizenship, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, religion or belief, political persuasion, pregnancy, or maternity, or social or educational background.
Quite independent from any standards imposed by legislation or the Bar Standards Board, we believe that increasing diversity and inclusion makes good business sense. We know we achieve better outcomes when we have access to talent, perspectives, and experience from all walks of life.
Beyond Chambers, we want to encourage more diversity at the Bar and help address structural problems that inhibit individuals from groups that are underrepresented.
This is why we support and participate in organisations such as:
- The Sutton Trust
- Bridging The Bar
- The Black Talent Charter
- The Bar Council’s Women in Law Pledge
In 2020, together with five of our fellow commercial sets, we set up the Mentoring for Underrepresented Groups Scheme, which aims to mentor young people from underrepresented groups in their path to pursue careers as barristers. For 2021 the scheme was expanded to 10 commercial sets. From 2022 it was operated through the Commercial Bar Association. We are delighted to be part of this Scheme.
For further information on the initiatives mentioned above promoting access to the legal profession and to the bar, please refer to our CSR Page.
- Art and cultural property
- Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
- Commercial litigation
- Financial services regulation
- Fraud: civil
- International arbitration: counsel
- Public international law
- Crypto and blockchain assets
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Group litigation
- Insolvency
- International arbitration: arbitrators
- Professional negligence
Set Rankings
- Aviation
- Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
- Media and entertainment
- Commodities
- Pensions
- Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
- Construction
- Administrative law and human rights
- IT and telecoms (infrastructure and contracts)
- Consumer
- Asia Pacific - The English Bar > Commercial
- India - Senior Advocates > Commercial disputes
- Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial
Top Tier Set Rankings
- The English Bar Offshore > The English Bar Offshore