The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance (including consumer credit and financial regulation), South Square is a third tier set,

South Square has benefited greatly from the crossover between banking and insolvency disputes, where it is an undisputed leader; if there is an insolvency element to a dispute, then the ‘extremely bright and thoughtful’ Robin Dicker QC ‘would be first choice every time’. Antony Zacaroli QC is ‘sharp, and able to navigate his way around the issues arising out of very complex finance transactions’. The ‘extremely bright, smooth and unflappable’ Ben Valentin has ‘expanded far beyond insolvency to become one of the most sought-after juniors’, and the ‘thoroughly intellectual, calm and polished’ Jeremy Goldring is ‘set for stardom’. Richard Fisher is ‘very bright’, and Joanna Perkins has a strong banking pedigree, having worked as secretary of the Bank of England’s Financial Markets Law Committee. Clients consider her ‘one of the best junior barristers at the Bar for any financial law’.

Within Commercial litigation, South Square is a third tier set,

South Square is best known for insolvency work, but its barristers also have a strong grounding in general commercial disputes. The ‘truly brilliant’ Antony Zacaroli QC is very well regarded in this field. Ben Valentin’s ‘efficiency at producing economical, extremely well-structured and thought-out drafts are a real asset’. Jeremy Goldring is ‘set for stardom; as well as being thoroughly intellectual, he is a calm, polished advocate’.

Within Company and partnership, South Square is a third tier set,

South Square is best known for insolvency matters, where it fields leaders such as Gabriel Moss QC, but its members are also well versed in company law. Robin Dicker QC is ‘extremely bright, but with a modern, understated advocacy style’. Clients also commend the ‘truly brilliant’ Antony Zacaroli QC and David Allison, who is ‘very intelligent, commercial, and very attentive to clients ’ needs’.

Within Fraud: civil, South Square is a third tier set,

South Square’s civil fraud offering is complemented by a strong insolvency presence. High-profile silks include Robin Dicker QC and Mark Phillips QC. At the junior end, Ben Valentin has ‘razor-sharp intellect and is charming with clients’; Tom Smith ‘combines excellent technical precision with good commercial sense’; and Stephen Robins is ‘extremely dedicated’. Lloyd Tamlyn is also recommended.

Within Insolvency, South Square is a first tier set,

‘Without question the leading set in insolvency’, South Square fields ‘an unrivalled collection of the best talents currently at the Bar’, including the ‘legendary’ Gabriel Moss QC, and Robin Dicker QC, who specialises in commercial, business and financial law. ‘Tough and uncompromising advocate’ David Alexander QC is strong in litigation, and David Marks QC has ‘an excellent mind and superb advocacy skills’. Glen Davis QC is ‘very good technically’ and a ‘go-to barrister on FSMA-related matters’. Also recommended are the ‘very user-friendly and commercial’ Barry Isaacs QC, Antony Zacaroli QC and William Trower QC, who has ‘wonderful charisma in court’. Among the juniors, Lloyd Tamlyn is ‘exceptionally bright, grasps issues very quickly and is great to work with’, and appeared in Lictor Anstalt v Mir Steel (UK) Limited. Litigation and advisory specialist Jeremy Goldring provides ‘excellent legal advice and is extremely personable’. The ‘dedicated and responsive’ Lucy Frazer appeared in Rawlinson and Hunter Trustees SA v. Kaupthing Bank Hf, and the ‘always comprehensive’ John Briggs appeared in McPherson v Wise. Mark Arnold is ‘diligent, calm, well organised and a pleasure to deal with’.

Within Insurance and reinsurance Insurance and reinsurance – Leading Silks

Within International arbitration International arbitration – Leading Silks

Within Media, entertainment and sport,

South Square’s Mark Phillips QC is ‘a fighter who gets results’ in high-profile Formula 1 cases and heavyweight football disputes. Daniel Bayfield acts for the FA Premier League, and is ‘extremely diligent and personable, with a keen eye for detail’.

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