Financial services and fintech regulation

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
Alex Bailin KC
Matrix Chambers
‘Alex is a wonderful strategist. His breadth of experience means that he is able to identify novel ideas and approaches and he is brilliant at considering the longer term implications of strategic decisions and playing the long game. His oral advocacy is a delight – he is charming and compelling.’
1
Michael Blair KC
3 Verulam Buildings 
1
Sarah Clarke KC
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers
‘Sarah is an unrivalled cross-examiner. The enormous of amount preparation she puts in pays dividends when, like a boa constrictor catching its prey, she squeezes the witness into the position that best supports her case. She is also a very formidable lawyer and the go-to authority on insider dealing and market abuse.'
1
Richard Coleman KC
Fountain Court Chambers
‘Richard is brilliant and very thorough. He adopts a suitably light touch when needed. His real strength is in his advice, which is always astute and comprehensive.’
1
Andrew George KC
Blackstone Chambers
‘A technically skilled and talented advocate. Andrew is straightforward, down-to-earth and approachable and presents difficult concepts in a way that is easily digestible for the lay client.’
1
Andrew Green KC
Blackstone Chambers
‘Andrew has good judgement, but really comes into his own in the courtroom. He is a forensic cross-examiner.'
1
Richard Handyside KC
Fountain Court Chambers
‘If you want the best barrister for any financial services or fintech issue, he’s your barrister. Superbly clever, a marvellously compelling advocate, an outstanding lawyer, and has the ear of the court. He is the best of the best.’
1
Javan Herberg KC
Blackstone Chambers
‘Javan is definitely one of – if not the – titans of the FS Bar. His experience is unrivalled and he is an excellent advocate, as well as being technically brilliant. He is superb.’
1
Richard Lissack KC
Fountain Court Chambers
With Richard's incredible experience in the field comes a level of assuredness when advising and when advocating that few possess. He really comes to life when doing advocacy, playing the courtroom effortlessly.’
1
Bankim Thanki KC
Fountain Court Chambers
‘Bankim has a natural authority and gravitas in court. His calm and measured delivery attracts the ear of the judges, who instinctively listen to what he has to say. He is known for his extremely careful and knowledgeable legal analysis. An obvious choice for the biggest appellate cases.’
2
Monica Carss-Frisk KC
Blackstone Chambers
2
James Counsell KC
Outer Temple Chambers
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2
Jonathan Fisher KC
Red Lion Chambers
2
Ben Jaffey KC
Blackstone Chambers 
‘Ben is incredibly clever. He is able to assimilate detail very quickly and reach a reasoned answer in short order. His advice is always clear, and where appropriate he is very comfortable taking a robust position.’
2
Jonathan Kirk KC
Gough Square Chambers
‘Advocacy stands out as a key strength amongst his peers. He manages to get the all key points across without losing the detail and has a knack of doing so with an extremely likeable demeanour. His clients are very impressed by him.’
2
Hodge Malek KC
3 Verulam Buildings
‘Hodge is the difference maker on any case and he is the go to silk for financial services. He has a first rate intellect with the ability to absorb a vast about of information in a short span of time. He is on top of every detail, and his advice is always commercial.'
2
Nicholas Medcroft KC
Fountain Court Chambers
‘Nick is top of his game in financial services litigation, regulation and corporate crime. He is meticulous, tough and a superb advocate.’
2
Andrew Mitchell KC
Fountain Court Chambers
'Andrew really is a superb advocate. He is a master of the craft and while very good indeed on paper, he is even better on his feet.'
2
Rory Phillips KC
3 Verulam Buildings
'Incisive, very clever and has an engaging style - Rory will always get air-time with clients or judges because he makes good points very well.'
2
Patricia Robertson KC
Fountain Court Chambers
superstar and a joy to work with. Her relaxed manner belies someone who brings a huge amount of energy, thoroughness and technical excellence to the case at hand. Always on top of the detail and able to distil legal and factual arguments into client and court friendly bite-size chunks.'
2
James Strachan KC
39 Essex Chambers
'James is the pre-eminent silk at the intersection of public administrative law and financial services regulation. He is totally unflappable, crisp, precise and doesn’t take bad points. He has an unerring ability to win cases.' 
2
Ben Strong KC
One Essex Court
‘Ben is exceptionally bright with a forensic attention to detail, but also a team player. He has a great sense of what arguments play well with the FCA decision makers and is a brilliant advocate.’
2
Nick Vineall KC
4 Pump Court
3
Robin Barclay KC
Fountain Court Chambers
'Robin is enormously bright and decisive. He gives clear and commercially savvy advice and inspires confidence in clients.'
3
Raymond Cox KC
Fountain Court Chambers
3
Jonathan Crow KC
4 Stone Buildings
 
3
Paul Downes KC
Quadrant Chambers
3
Mark Fell KC
Radcliffe Chambers
3
Catherine Gibaud KC
3 Verulam Buildings
'Catherine is superb, very clever, a very skilled advocate and someone with great judgment. She has a laser focus on what matters in order to progress a case and is highly efficient. An all-round fantastic and well-respected silk.'
3
Saima Hanif KC
3 Verulam Buildings
Saima continues to develop an impressive silk practice in financial services.’
3
Timothy Howe KC
Fountain Court Chambers
‘Tim is a formidable cross-examiner, whose preparation for trial leaves no stone left unturned. He brings real energy and direction to even the most difficult cases.’
3
Andrew Hunter KC
Blackstone Chambers
3
Brian Kennelly KC
Blackstone Chambers
3
Farhaz Khan KC
3 Verulam Buildings
gely knowledgeable financial services specialist. He delivers top-class legal advice wrapped in commercial reality.’
3
Henry King KC
Fountain Court Chambers
‘Henry is a superb silk with a meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of finance. He is a smooth and polished advocate, confident on his feet and respected by judges and opponents. He leaves no stone unturned to help his clients succeed.’
3
Ali Malek KC
3 Verulam Buildings
3
James McClelland KC
Brick Court Chambers
James is a star barrister whose judgment is superb; his written advocacy is of the highest standard and he can identify the argument that wins the case.’
3
Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC
Fountain Court Chambers
'Leigh-Ann is simply one of the best in the business. She is intellectually brilliant, extremely hard working and has flawless judgement. She is also a joy to work with.'
3
Hanif Mussa KC
Blackstone Chambers
‘Hanif is very clever and user friendly.’
3
Toby Riley-Smith KC
Henderson Chambers
‘Toby is particularly gifted in explaining complex legal matters to the client in a logical and simple manner. His tone is thoughtful and he is very knowledgeable in consumer credit.’
3
Sharif Shivji KC
4 Stone Buildings
‘Sharif is extremely intelligent. He is energetic and willing to get involved in the detail of complex cases in order to identify key strategic decisions which will guide the successful conduct of a matter. Clients have absolute confidence in his advice and abilities as an advocate.’
3
Tom Weitzman KC
3 Verulam Buildings
 
3
Ian Wilson KC
3 Verulam Buildings
Ian offers technical legal skills, a commercial pragmatic approach and a team working style.'

2025 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
Rupert Allen KC
Fountain Court Chambers
1
Oliver Powell KC
Outer Temple Chambers
Oliver is very responsive, utterly charming and will go the extra mile for a client.’

2024 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
Oliver Assersohn KC
XXIV Old Buildings
‘Oliver is approachable and friendly. He is excellent on market abuse and financial crime.’
1
Shail Patel KC
4 New Square