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4 Stone Buildings

Chambers of George Bompas QC

LINCOLN'S INN, LONDON, WC2A 3XT, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 020 7242 5524
Fax:
Fax 020 7831 7907
DX:
385 LONDON CHANCERY LANE WC2
Email:
Web:
www.4stonebuildings.com

Set Rankings

London Bar

Set overviews: England and Wales

A ‘first-choice chambers’ for commercial Chancery work, 4 Stone Buildings is a ‘go-to’ set for company, insolvency, and financial services disputes, with junior barristers who have ‘very sharp minds’ and are ‘uniformly good’. Andrew de Mestre QC took silk in 2019 strengthening chambers at the senior end. Led by senior clerk David Goddard, the clerking team is described as ‘responsive, helpful, user friendly, and commercially minded’. First junior Jason Doyle and clerks Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are highly regarded by instructing solicitors. Offices in: London

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London Bar

Administrative and public law (including local government)
Leading Silks

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ An exceptional public law counsel with excellent judgement on complex issues. ’

Ranked: tier 2

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Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
Banking and finance (including consumer credit) - Leading sets - ranked: tier 4

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings houses a strong complement of highly experienced banking silks and juniors. The set can often be found on complex mandates, usually with an insolvency or regulatory bent. Notable cases included Singularis Holdings Limited v Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Limited, in which Robert Miles QC and Andrew de Mestre QC represented the claimant, and Jonathan Crow QC the respondent. Richard Hill QC, Sharif Shivji and Alastair Tomson also represented the claimaint in Al Khorafi v Bank Sarasin-Alpen before the DIFC.

Leading Silks

Robert Miles QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ His cross-examination skills are measured and effective. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ A very effective advocate, focused on the main issues, and calmly persuasive. ’

Ranked: tier 3

John Brisby QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Outstandingly clever with a compelling court style and a pleasure to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 5

Richard Hill QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Leaves no stone unturned when it comes to assessing details and evidence and is usually thinking a step or two ahead of his opponents. ’

Ranked: tier 5
2019 Silks

Andrew de Mestre QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Charming, down-to-earth and highly responsive, with first-rate client-care skills. ’

Ranked: tier 1
Leading Juniors

Sharif Shivji - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He really is first class, he combines charm and an ease of manner with a deft touch and strategic acumen. ’

Ranked: tier 2

Christopher Harrison - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Very erudite and thorough to a tee. ’

Ranked: tier 3

Alastair Tomson - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Great to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 4

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Commercial litigation
Commercial litigation - Leading sets - ranked: tier 3

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings has 'excellent barristers across the board' with 'very sharp minds combined with a user-friendly and commercially minded clerking team'. For some, the set is often the 'first-choice chambers for all commercial Chancery work' and boasts several superstar silks. Recent highlights include Autonomy Corporation v Dr Michael Lynch, in which Robert Miles QC, Richard Hill QC and Sharif Shivji are representing Dr Michael Lynch, and Al Khorafi v Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME) Limited and others.

Leading Silks

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ One of the super silks, his reputation alone adds immediate credibility to a client's case. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Robert Miles QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Connects with the judge on the most difficult points. ’

Ranked: tier 1

John Brisby QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ A seasoned litigator with a good strategic sense. ’

Ranked: tier 2

George Bompas QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ A hugely capable and experienced silk, he has enormous experience across a wide range of corporate and Chancery matters. ’

Ranked: tier 3

Andrew Clutterbuck QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ His advice is always clear and his approach is always commercial, never losing sight of the client's objectives. ’

Ranked: tier 5

Richard Hill QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Very well regarded for commercial Chancery disputes. ’

Ranked: tier 5
Leading Juniors

Sharif Shivji - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He devours papers, cutting through complexities, to arrive quickly at the nub of the issue. ’

Ranked: tier 2

Christopher Harrison - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ His advice is particularly polished. ’

Ranked: tier 4

Paul Greenwood - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Excellent with the client, meticulous on the detail, and a pleasure to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 4

Alexander Cook - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ An extremely safe pair of hands, very personable and very good with clients. ’

Ranked: tier 5

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Company and partnership
Company - Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

4 Stone Buildings

A 'go-to set', 4 Stone Buildings covers all aspects of company law, including formations and dissolutions, M&A, corporate finance, regulatory issues, directors' duties, and shareholder rights. Autonomy Corporation v Michael Lynch (Hewlett Packard's litigation against the former CEO of Autonomy, over its $18bn acquisition of the company), continues to occupy a number of members, most notably Robert Miles QC and accomplished senior-junior Sharif Shivji. Gregory Denton-cox is another junior to note, with significant experience in shareholder and investor disputes. He is acting for a shareholder in a joint venture company incorporated in Singapore in arbitration and court proceedings against another shareholder regarding an option over the company's principal asset.

Company - Leading Silks

George Bompas QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is calm and brilliant. ’

Ranked: tier 1

John Brisby QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is a seasoned litigator with a good strategic sense. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ One of the Bar's “super silks”. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Richard Hill QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is an extremely hardworking and energetic QC. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Robert Miles QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is a leading silk at the company Bar. ’

Ranked: tier 1
Company - 2020 Silks

Andrew de Mestre - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Drafts beautifully and works seriously hard. ’

Ranked: tier 1
Company - Leading juniors

Christopher Harrison - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ His studied, cerebral manner conceals a hard edge to his approach. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Sharif Shivji - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Great to work with, is focused, well prepared and excellent to have on your side. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Gregory Denton-Cox - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is excellent at breaking down difficult concepts for general consumption. ’

Ranked: tier 2

Paul Greenwood - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is excellent with the client, meticulous on the detail, and a pleasure to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 3

Tiran Nersessian - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ His advice is always commercial and pragmatic. ’

Ranked: tier 3

Alexander Cook - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is knowledgeable, responsive and very easy to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 4

Hermann Boeddinghaus - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is a very commercial and pragmatic barrister who is personable and easy to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 4

James Knott - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is very approachable and responsive, and quick-thinking, and decisively clear in his advice. ’

Ranked: tier 4

Tom Gentleman - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is excellent to deal with, able to handle multiple work streams and deliver quality work product consistently. ’

Ranked: tier 4

Anna Markham - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ She is very knowledgeable, experienced and easy to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 5

Alastair Tomson - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ His cross-examination is brilliant and he is very good on his feet. ’

Ranked: tier 5

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Financial services regulation
Financial services regulation - Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings houses members with experience representing a broad range of parties affected by the UK's financial services regulatory framework. The set's barristers also have strong expertise advising on regulatory issues in other key jurisdictions, including Dubai, where Sharif Shivji is experienced. In the UK, notable mandates include appearing before the Supreme Court in FCA v Macris, where Jonathan Crow QC represented the Financial Conduct Authority.

Leading Silks

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is exceptional. ’

Ranked: tier 2

John Brisby QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Proactive and creative in his thinking. ’

Ranked: tier 3

Robert Miles QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He has a towering intellect and is an extremely persuasive advocate. ’

Ranked: tier 3
Leading Juniors

Charles Marquand - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Always provides practical advice and is able to provide insight into how the FCA will approach matters. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Alastair Tomson - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ User friendly and extremely hardworking. ’

Ranked: tier 3

Sharif Shivji - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Top of my wish list for financial services work. ’

Ranked: tier 3

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Fraud: civil
Fraud: civil - Leading sets - ranked: tier 3

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings is a popular destination for high-end fraud work, and the set's top silks are regularly instructed on some of the City's largest cases. Recent cases have included Autonomy Corporation v Dr Michael Lynch, in which  is leading a team of three members on behalf Michael Lynch. Another highlight is Danilina v Chernukhin in which Jonathan Crow QC is representing the claimant.

Leading Silks

Robert Miles QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Did a terrific job and was enjoyable to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Well-prepared, measured and to the point, he understands lay client's needs and is a real pleasure to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 2

John Brisby QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Clear in his delivery of advice but always cognisant of the client's ultimate goal. ’

Ranked: tier 2
2019 Silks

Andrew de Mestre QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He has an extraordinary ability to marshal the facts of a case combined with an incisive grasp of the law. ’

Ranked: tier 1
Leading Juniors

Christopher Harrison - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Very thorough in his analysis, he gave clear pragmatic advice to the client and was a pleasure to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 2

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IT and telecoms
Telecoms (Regulatory) - Leading Silks

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is a completely fabulous advocate and wonderful with clients. ’

Ranked: tier 1

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Insolvency
Insolvency - Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings' members have developed strong practices in insolvency and restructuring work, including representations of the UK government. Jonathan Crow QC recently appeared in PST v OW Bunker; a major case for the shipping industry that raised issues including the application of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 to any contracts which include a retention of title clause and a licence to consume. Tiran Nersessian is also recommended, and has a broad practice of private and government instructions, including acting as sole counsel to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs before the Court of Appeal in Botleigh Grange v HMRC. Andrew de Mestre QC took silk in 2019 and recently acted for the liquidators of Hellas Telecommunications. Meanwhile, Sharif Shivji acted for the claimants, the liquidators of various BVI companies, in Stephen Akers v Deutsche Bank AG, winning a €200m settlement for the clients following accusations that Deutsche Bank sold toxic and complex credit derivative instruments.

Leading Silks

Jonathan Crow QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is always absolutely on top of the brief without hesitation and this never fails to come across when he is on his feet. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Robert Miles QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is a leading silk at the insolvency Bar. ’

Ranked: tier 2

John Brisby QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is clear in his delivery of advice but always cognisant of the client’s ultimate goal and provides his advice in context. ’

Ranked: tier 3

George Bompas QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is extremely knowledgeable in company and insolvency law, as well as highly intelligent and creative. ’

Ranked: tier 5
2019 Silks

Andrew de Mestre QC - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Superb at getting into the forensic detail of spreadsheets and models. ’

Ranked: tier 1
Leading Juniors

Sharif Shivji - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is one of the cleverest and savvy barristers at the Bar. ’

Ranked: tier 1

Tiran Nersessian - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is a very knowledgeable counsel who has the Insolvency Rules at his fingertips and is practical in the advice which he gives. ’

Ranked: tier 3

Christopher Harrison - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is a well-prepared and courteous advocate who presents a client’s case with care and articulacy. ’

Ranked: tier 4

Anna Markham - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ An outstanding member of chambers. ’

Ranked: tier 5

Hermann Boeddinghaus - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ A very commercial and pragmatic barrister who is personable and easy to work with. ’

Ranked: tier 5

Sarah Harman - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ She is very experienced and reliable. ’

Ranked: tier 5

Tom Gentleman - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ He is excellent to deal with, able to handle multiple work streams and deliver quality work product consistently. ’

Ranked: tier 5

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Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture
Leading Juniors

Alexander Cook - 4 Stone Buildings ‘ Very bright, persuasive, and determined. ’

Ranked: tier 2

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Set overviews: England and Wales

A ‘first-choice chambers’ for commercial Chancery work, 4 Stone Buildings is a ‘go-to’ set for company, insolvency, and financial services disputes, with junior barristers who have ‘very sharp minds’ and are ‘uniformly good’. Andrew de Mestre QC took silk in 2019 strengthening chambers at the senior end. Led by senior clerk David Goddard, the clerking team is described as ‘responsive, helpful, user friendly, and commercially minded’. First junior Jason Doyle and clerks Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel are highly regarded by instructing solicitors. Offices in: London

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Further information on 4 Stone Buildings (Chambers of George Bompas QC)

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