The Legal 500

London Bar

Set overviews: England and Wales

Described by some as ‘a bit of a Slaughter and May of the Bar’, Chancery set 4 Stone Buildings is ‘very good for banking and commercial disputes’, offering approachable counsel for company and partnership, financial services, civil fraud and insolvency work. The clerks’ room, led by senior clerk David Goddard, is ‘the best in the market’ and ‘eager to assist’; ‘if I have a question others cannot answer, I go to them,’ said one solicitor. Others highlighted the team’s ‘excellent relationship with the court and listings office’ and its pragmatism ‘when it comes to negotiating fees’. First junior clerk Jason Doyle is ‘user friendly and happy to discuss which counsel to use for your matters’, and ‘understands what is required for the lay client’. ‘Ones to watch’, Ben Lashmar and Harry Hinkins offer an ‘excellent service’ and ‘are always available to speak’. Offices in: London

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London Bar

Administrative and public law (including local government)

Administrative and public law (including local government) – Leading silks

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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 is ‘a terrific set on banking and insolvency, with some real stars’, particularly among the set’s senior silks. Members have been involved in several leading mandates, including Singularis Holdings Limited v Daiwa Capital Markets Europe, and JSC BTA Bank v. Ablyazov.

Banking and finance (including consumer credit) – Leading silks

Banking and finance (including consumer credit) – Leading juniors

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Commercial litigation

Commercial litigation – Leading sets - ranked: tier 3

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings is ‘a great set for commercial litigation, especially that related to company law’, and is noted for its ‘good mix of seniors and juniors with genuine expertise’. The set’s commercial barristers enjoyed another active year with significant roles in Autonomy Corporation v Dr Michael Lynch, Robert Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton, and Haven Insurance v Gavin Edmondson Solicitors. The service from the clerks is ‘proactive and collaborative’.

Commercial litigation – Leading silks

Commercial litigation – Leading juniors

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Company and partnership

Company – Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

4 Stone Buildings

‘First class in every single way’, 4 Stone Buildings is noted for its strong clerking culture and the quality of advice offered by its members. Expertise within the set covers all aspects of company law, which has become a real focus of its work. Multiple members continued their involvement in Autonomy v Dr Michael Lynch, while Robert Miles QC is acting for Kaupthing in Vincent Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton, Kaupthing and others. With a strong international practice, Jonathan Crow QC is instructed by Koza Altin on its Court of Appeal hearing in Koza Ltd v Akcil.

Company – Leading silks

Company – Leading juniors

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Financial services

Financial services – Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

4 Stone Buildings

Members from 4 Stone Buildings regularly represent clients before disciplinary tribunals, including the FCA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee and the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal. A notable recent highlight has been R (Macris) v FCA, which went to the Supreme Court.

Financial services – Leading silks

Financial services – Leading juniors

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Fraud: civil

Fraud: civil – Leading sets - ranked: tier 3

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings has a strong background in civil fraud work with regular commercial mandates, as well as instructions from public bodies such as the National Crime Agency. The set has some top-quality barristers, including several leading name silks. This has led to prominent roles on cases such as Autonomy v Michael Lynch & others, and Shulman v Kolomoisky & Bogolyubov.

Fraud: civil – Leading silks

Fraud: civil – Leading juniors

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IT and telecoms (excluding regulatory)

Telecoms (regulatory) – Leading silks

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Insolvency

Insolvency – Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

4 Stone Buildings

4 Stone Buildings is singled out as ‘a strong, likeable set all the way from the clerks’ room to senior barristers’; while members ‘never fall short of sound legal knowledge and skill’. Multiple members are kept busy with aspects of the collapse of BHS. Tom Gentleman and Robert Miles QC are acting for a defendant in Robert Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton, Kaupthing & others.

Insolvency – Leading silks

Insolvency – Leading juniors

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Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture

Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture – Leading juniors

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Set overviews: England and Wales

Described by some as ‘a bit of a Slaughter and May of the Bar’, Chancery set 4 Stone Buildings is ‘very good for banking and commercial disputes’, offering approachable counsel for company and partnership, financial services, civil fraud and insolvency work. The clerks’ room, led by senior clerk David Goddard, is ‘the best in the market’ and ‘eager to assist’; ‘if I have a question others cannot answer, I go to them,’ said one solicitor. Others highlighted the team’s ‘excellent relationship with the court and listings office’ and its pragmatism ‘when it comes to negotiating fees’. First junior clerk Jason Doyle is ‘user friendly and happy to discuss which counsel to use for your matters’, and ‘understands what is required for the lay client’. ‘Ones to watch’, Ben Lashmar and Harry Hinkins offer an ‘excellent service’ and ‘are always available to speak’. Offices in: London

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