4 Stone Buildings > London, England > Set Profile
4 Stone Buildings Offices
4 Stone Buildings
LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3XT
England
4 Stone Buildings > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Insolvency Tier 2
4 Stone Buildings places insolvency and reconstruction as a central area of focus, with the set known for its involvement in high profile and high value insolvency work. Members of chambers have also represented the government on insolvency matters, including Tiran Nersessian, who was instructed by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to advise on the insolvency elements of the Horizon scandal, including the predicament of a cohort of postmasters who found themselves bankrupt. ‘Stand-out silk’ Jonathan Crow KC, was instructed in a multi-million dollar claim in Byers v Saudi National Bank which was brought by the liquidators of two insolvent companies against a bank for knowing receipt of funds paid in breach of trust. Alastair Tomson is frequently led by Richard Hill KC and John Brisby KC, having been instructed on noteworthy bankruptcy cases. Zara McGlone is noted for her work for Ofgem – she acted as sole counsel for the energy regulator in several cases concerning the insolvencies of energy suppliers.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Ryan Tunkel deserves particular mention. He builds a relationship with instructing solicitors and ensures that any queries or requirements are addressed quickly and efficiently. He is heavily relied on by Counsel, and therefore instructing solicitors, to maintain a good relationship with the Court meaning that urgent applications run smoothly.’
‘David Goddard is a legend in the London clerking fraternity. Well liked and respected by all.’
‘Both Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel consistently provide excellent service. Both are very responsive and Ben, in particular, frequently goes above and beyond to assist where possible.’
‘First rate.’
‘This is our “go-to” chambers for insolvency/energy and general Chancery work. The Chambers has a high standard of Counsel and excellent clerks. If first choice Counsel is not available, they will always find Counsel available to take instructions who are equally as proficient in the relevant area.’
‘They are a class act throughout. Strong, commercially astute and expert counsel. I find that Four Stone is distinguished by how helpful and courteous its members and clerks are.’
‘A strong Chancery set, with some excellent juniors.’
‘Outstanding. Attentive, helpful and swift. Highly professional. As good as any leading set.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Company Tier 2
4 Stone Buildings ‘has incredible ability at all years of call’, and one client remarks that it is ‘a leading set for company law and provides top-class service’. Jonathan Crow KC frequently appears in Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council cases, a recent example being his work for Jardine Matheson group of companies in a multimillion-dollar appraisal claim brought by investors concerning a substantial corporate reorganisation of the holding company. Among the juniors, Christopher Harrison is a recognised expert in shareholder disputes – in Laxmi BNS Holdings Limited he handled a seven-week trial arising from four connected proceedings concerning the ownership and control of one of the UK’s biggest pharmaceutical suppliers, the B&S Group.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Clerks are excellent and always find a way to make it happen, whatever the constraints, time pressures or diary difficulties.’
‘The clerks are uniformly excellent, approachable and available. Ryan Tunkel in particular is a real asset to the set.’
‘Ryan Tunkel is highly responsive and easy to work with.’
‘The service level of the clerks’ room is second to none. They’re highly responsive, professional and always on hand to assist when required.’
‘Great clerks room. Very on top of it and a pleasure to work with. Ben Lashmar and Ryan Tunkel stand out.’
‘For a small set they are undoubtedly the market leaders in all company disputes. They have incredible ability at all years of call.’
‘Our go-to set for this kind of work. There is strength in depth at the junior counsel level and the set attracts well-rounded individuals. Always a pleasure to work with them.’
‘Leading set for company law which is widely used with our firm and has been for many years. Top-class service.’
London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Tier 3
Banking and finance remains a key area for members of 4 Stone Buildings, who handle disputes which arise in connection with the raising of loan or share capital, and in situations of insolvency or weak markets. Members have been involved in domestic and international high profile and high value cases such as Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse, which saw Richard Hill KC, Sharif Shivji KC and Tom Gentleman involved in a high-value multi-party casein relation to a collapsed banking facility connected to the “tuna bond” scandal.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘4 Stone Buildings are my go-to set for commercial and commercial chancery work. They have a great bench, both at KC and junior level and the clerking team are user-friendly.’
‘One of a long line of exceptionally talented barristers at 4 Stone Buildings – something of a lesser known gem, and very good value for money.’
‘4 Stone Buildings work well together as a team.’
‘Clerks are responsive and helpful.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Commercial litigation Tier 3
4 Stone Buildings is an ‘excellent chambers with an impeccable reputation for having first-rate advocates‘. The set has a significant track record in major disputes in both the Commercial and Chancery courts, ranging from disputes over commercial contracts, to boardroom fallouts from market disasters. In Dargamo Holdings Ltd v Avonwick Holdings Ltd, Jonathan Crow KC is instructed in an appeal arising from a dispute between three Ukrainian oligarchs, the matter involving complex allegations of deceit, causation issues, and conflicts over choice of law; and in Tribe v Elborne Mitchell, George Bompas KC successfully defended, with an order for indemnity costs, a claim for an increased share of partnership profits by a former partner. Particularly focused on high-value disputes in England and Wales, as well as offshore jurisdictions, Alexander Cook KC took silk in March 2023, while former member Paul Greenwood became an Insolvency and Companies Court judge in October 2022.Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘David Goddard is one of the best known and most capable of senior clerks.’
‘Ben Lashmar makes an excellent deputy to David Goddard.’
‘The clerks are very good.’
‘Ryan Tunkel is a pleasure to deal with.’
‘Ryan Tunkel – never had any issues with his level of service. He is attentive and has an excellent relationship with solicitor firms.’
‘Excellent chambers with an impeccable reputation for having first-rate advocates.‘
‘4 Stone Buildings has great strength in depth – excellent barristers at all levels, from senior and junior silks, to senior juniors and junior barristers.‘
‘True experts – impressive professionals across the board.‘
Work highlights
London Bar > Fraud: civil Tier 3
With ‘excellent barristers and strength in depth‘, 4 Stone Buildings has particular experience in acting for liquidators, administrators, directors, creditors, bondholders, bond trustees, and shareholders in cases that frequently incorporate international aspects, such as worldwide tracing claims and cross-border insolvency issues. In recent highlights, Alexander Cook KC, who took silk in 2023, acted for the claimant in a large-value fraud dispute in the BVI Commercial Court and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal; and in the senior-junior ranks, Christopher Harrison is acting in one of the highest profile corporate disqualification proceedings currently making its way through the courts, the matter concerning a well-known public relations firm. Rising star Karl Anderson is particularly focused on civil fraud matters involving both the UK and overseas.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Excellent. David Goddard and his team are responsive and very practical.’
‘Ben Lashmar is very personable.’
‘Ryan Tunkel, in particular, is a real asset to the set.’
‘Ben Lashmer and Ryan Tunkel are extremely efficient and helpful. They rank as among the best in the business.’
‘4 Stone Buildings is excellent, offering significant expertise across a range of practice areas.‘
‘The clerks provide an excellent service.‘
‘4SB is a great set. A really strong bench.‘
‘4 Stone Buildings has excellent barristers and strength in depth. If a preferred barrister is unavailable, clients can be assured that they are getting the same quality of service. Chambers also has an excellent group of juniors, who are able and ready to assist when called upon.‘
Work highlights
London Bar > Financial services regulation
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Administrative law and human rights
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
Leading Silks
London Bar > Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture
London Bar > Crypto and blockchain assets
Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial Tier 1
Internationally renowned for financial matters and commercial disputes, 4 Stone Buildings is ‘a great set with barristers having expertise in a wide range of subject matters and regularly collaborating with the DIFC courts.’ Chambers is equally at the forefront of matters before the AGDM courts, with Andrew Rose representing the defendant in NMC v Dubai Islamic Bank; the three-week trial in May 2023 saw the court reject the creditor’s claim on the grounds of UAE, ADGM and English law principles on the construction and ratification of contracts. Richard Hill KC is representing the defendant in Gate Mena DMCC v Tarabak Capital Investments, with an appeal pending in the DIFC Court of Appeal regarding breach of contract and duty in relation to cryptocurrency transactions. In Emirates NBD v Advanced Facilities Management, Edward Crossley acted for the appellants in a case concerning a $500m syndicated loan agreement, dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 1st of May 2023.Leading juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks, guided by David Goddard, who is one of the best clerks, are extremely helpful and always willing to assist.’
‘The clerks are excellent and will find a way to make things work. David Goddard and Ben Lashmar are standouts!’
‘Ben Lashmer and Ryan Tunkel are responsive and are always available to assist and accommodate.’
‘The clerks are extremely helpful and are guided by David Goddard who is one of the best clerks.’
‘Excellent barristers across the board.’
‘Excellent Chambers. Responsive with great depth and expertise across all years of call.’
‘4 Stone Buildings is a great set with barristers having expertise in a wide range of subject matters. The set regularly collaborate with the DIFC Courts and the DIFC Academy in respect of training in the UAE.’
The English Bar Offshore > The English Bar Offshore
Leading Silks
4 Stone Buildings > Set Profile
4 Stone Buildings enjoys an enviable reputation in relation to company/ commercial litigation and advice, and many other related areas of law.
The chambers: Chambers currently consist of 39 members, including nine silks. Three members are currently on the Treasury Panels. Three members are appointed to sit as Deputy Judges of the High Court. One silk is Attorney General to the Duchy of Lancaster and another is Attorney General to the Prince of Wales. Chambers belong to the Commercial Bar Association and the Chancery Bar Association.
Work undertaken: Work covers all aspects of company and commercial litigation, including shareholders disputes, corporate fraud and asset recovery as well as commercial arbitration, banking, financial services and regulatory work, international trusts and public law. Since few business disputes or problems lend themselves to rigid categorisation, we cover a wide range of related legal specialisations in our core areas of expertise. Members of chambers are just as likely to appear in the Commercial Court as in the Chancery Division, and we are also frequently instructed in cases overseas, particularly in the Caribbean and the Far East. Apart from our commercial clientele, we also have a strong regulatory tradition in the commercial and financial sectors. In addition, individual practitioners have developed expertise in other areas, such as international trusts and public law. Further information about chambers and the work undertaken is available on the website www.4stonebuildings.com.
Publications: All members at 4 Stone Buildings collaborated to produce the publication ‘Litigation in the Time of Covid-19′. The book has since evolved into a live publication e-book which is regularly updated. Members of chambers have also contributed to numerous publications in their specialist fields including ‘Annotated Companies Acts (Oxford University Press)’, ‘Tolley’s Company Law, Atkin Court Forms’ 2nd ed., (volumes on companies, winding up and equitable remedies), ‘Halsbury’s Laws of England’ 4th ed. (volumes on corporations and money); ‘A Practitioner’s Guide to Directors’ Duties and Responsibilities (City & Financial Publishing).’ Loose & Griffiths on Liquidators, Transaction Avoidance in Insolvencies. e-book, Litigation in the time of COVID-19: Legal issues in commerce, finance and insolvency.
International: Chambers undertake a substantial amount of work for overseas clients and members regularly receive instructions from the Caribbean, the United States, Europe, Dubai, Central Asia and the Far East. In recent years, members have appeared in court and arbitrations in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Gibraltar, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Malaysia, Singapore, Rwanda, Hong Kong, Nevis, Dominica, Seychelles and Trinidad. In addition certain members are full members of the Northern Ireland Bar, the Cayman Islands Bar and the Bar of the British Virgin Islands.
Recruitment: 4 Stone Buildings’ policy is to seek to have up to two pupils each year and to recruit each of those pupils that meet the required standard. Prospective applicants for pupillage will find further information including details of chambers’ awards in the Pupillage Pack which is available on request. Mini-pupillages are encouraged.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior clerk | GODDARD, David | ||
| Members of Chambers | BOMPAS KC, George (1975) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BRISBY KC, John (1978) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CROW KC, Jonathan (1981) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HILL KC, Richard (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CLUTTERBUCK KC, Andrew (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FRASER KC, Orlando (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BOEDDINGHAUS KC, Hermann (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SHIVJI KC, Sharif (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | de MESTRE KC, Andrew (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARMAN, Sarah (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARRISON, Christopher (1988) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GREENWOOD, Paul (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | COX, Nicholas (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MARQUAND, Charles (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MARKHAM, Anna (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DENTON-COX, Gregory (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | NERSESSIAN, Tiran (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TOMSON, Alastair (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOLLIMAN, Adam (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GENTLEMAN, Tom (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LILLY, Donald (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | COOK, Alexander (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TIMMINS, Nicola (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KNOTT, James (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOLLAND, Eleanor (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WIGLEY, Joseph (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CROSSLEY, Edward (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROSE, Andrew (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SAMPSON, Albert (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HASSELL, Lara (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HORNER, Emma (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | OLLIFF-COOPER, Guy (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | McGLONE, Zara (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ANDERSON, Karl (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KESSLER, Daniel (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SHARAFI, Hossein (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WRIGHT, Nicholas (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WALSH, Elizabeth (2020) | ||
| Members of Chambers | O'NEILL, Josh (2020) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TUCK, Sophy (2019) |
Barrister Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mr Karl Anderson | Barrister specialising in banking and finance; commercial litigation; company law; civil fraud;… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Hermann Boeddinghaus | Hermann Boeddinghaus has over 20 years’ experience as a specialist in corporate… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Hermann Boeddinghaus | Hermann Boeddinghaus has over 20 years’ experience as a specialist in corporate… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr George Bompas | Head of Chambers. Company law (all aspects, advisory and litigation, including minority… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr George Bompas | Head of Chambers. Company law (all aspects, advisory and litigation, including minority… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr John Brisby | John Brisby is a seasoned litigator, with substantial experience of heavy trials… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr John Brisby | John Brisby is a seasoned litigator, with substantial experience of heavy trials… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Andrew Clutterbuck | Practice Areas: Company/commercial litigation including fraud, shareholder disputes and directors’ duties, capital… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Andrew Clutterbuck | Practice Areas: Company/commercial litigation including fraud, shareholder disputes and directors’ duties, capital… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Alexander Cook KC | Alexander Cook KC has a litigation-focussed commercial Chancery practice, with a significant… | View Profile |
|
Nicholas Cox | Nicholas Cox is an exceptionally versatile senior junior with a silk-level commercial… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Edward Crossley | Edward has a busy practice of commercial and company litigation, arbitration, insolvency,… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Jonathan Crow | Jonathan’s practice straddles a broad range of litigation, largely in the appellate courts… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Jonathan Crow | Jonathan’s practice straddles a broad range of litigation, largely in the appellate courts… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Gregory Denton-cox | Broad commercial and chancery litigation practice with particular experience in company law… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Orlando Fraser | Orlando’s career began at 4 Stone Buildings in the 1990s, learning his… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Orlando Fraser | Orlando’s career began at 4 Stone Buildings in the 1990s, learning his… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Tom Gentleman | Tom is a leading commercial chancery junior. His practice covers the full… | View Profile |
|
Mr Paul Greenwood | Recent cases include a unfair prejudice petition concerning a company owning hotels… | View Profile |
|
Ms Sarah Harman | Barrister specialising in company and commercial litigation and advice, bankruptcy and insolvency,… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Christopher Harrison | Commercial and chancery litigation; civil fraud; tracing and asset recovery; banking and… | View Profile |
|
|
Ms Lara Hassell-Hart | Lara has a busy commercial chancery practice, specialising in the full range… | View Profile |
|
|
Richard Hill | Litigation specialist focusing on commercial, capital markets and banking, civil fraud, insolvency… | View Profile |
|
|
Richard Hill | Litigation specialist focusing on commercial, capital markets and banking, civil fraud, insolvency… | View Profile |
|
Ms Eleanor Holland | A barrister and mediator with a broad commercial Chancery practice, Eleanor provides… | View Profile |
|
Mr Adam Holliman | Adam has a broad commercial chancery practice. He often works as junior… | View Profile |
|
|
Ms Emma Horner | Emma’s specialises in commercial chancery litigation and arbitration with particular interests in… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Daniel Kessler | Daniel accepts instructions across the full spectrum of work undertaken by Chambers,… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr James Knott | Company / commercial litigation; chancery (commercial); insolvency & reconstruction; civil / commercial… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Donald Lilly | Barrister specialising in corporate insolvency, commercial, company and trust litigation, with a… | View Profile |
|
Ms Anna Markham | Anna Markham is a specialist in company, commercial, financial services and insolvency… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Charles Marquand | Well-known as specialist, advising on a wide range of complex financial services… | View Profile |
|
|
Zara McGlone | Zara has a busy commercial chancery practice, with a focus on company,… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Tiran Nersessian | Highly regarded for his courtroom advocacy and particularly extensive experience as sole… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Guy Olliff-Cooper | Guy has a broad commercial Chancery practice with a particular emphasis on… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Andrew Rose | Advocate and advisor specialising in commercial and chancery disputes, particularly those involving… | View Profile |
|
Mr Albert Sampson | Albert has a busy practice as an advisor and advocate embracing commercial… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Sharif Shivji | Formerly a derivatives trader in London and Hong-Kong, now King’s Counsel specialising… | View Profile |
|
Ms Nicola Timmins | Nicola specialises in commercial chancery and commercial litigation. Many of her cases… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Alastair Tomson | Alastair has an international litigation and advisory practice with experience of High… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Joseph Wigley | Joseph has a litigation-focussed commercial chancery practice, which includes advice, drafting and… | View Profile |
|
Nicholas Wright | Barrister specialising in commercial and commercial Chancery litigation, particularly company law and… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Andrew de Mestre | Commercial litigation and arbitration with particular emphasis on civil fraud and asset… | View Profile |
|
|
Mr Andrew de Mestre | Commercial litigation and arbitration with particular emphasis on civil fraud and asset… | View Profile |
- Insolvency
- Company
Set Rankings
- Financial services regulation
- Administrative law and human rights
- International arbitration: counsel
- Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture
- Crypto and blockchain assets
- Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial
Top Tier Set Rankings
- The English Bar Offshore > The English Bar Offshore