3 Verulam Buildings has an ‘excellent choice of specialist barristers at different levels mostly focusing on complex commercial work and white-collar complex fraud cases and crime‘. The set’s members regularly feature on the market’s largest fraud claims, including thirteen who were involved SKAT v Solo Capital Partners, in which the Danish tax authority is alleging fraud against multiple defendants for withholding tax under double taxation treaties. David Quest KC and Philip Hinks acted for the defendants in State Bank of Qatar v Banque Havilland and Bolelyy, a multi-billion-dollar fraud claim that ultimately settled before trial, concerning an alleged conspiracy to sabotage the Qatari economy. In Ritchie Capital Management LLC v General Electric Company, Adrian Beltrami KC, Ewan McQuater KC and James McWilliams successfully acted for General Electric in a complex multi-jurisdiction dispute arising out the US$3.6bn Petters Group Worldwide ponzi scheme, whose American eponymous founder Tom Petters is serving a five-decade federal prison sentence for fraud offences.
Fraud: civil in
London Bar3 Verulam Buildings
Testimonials
Set
‘3VB has a number of impressive Counsel and can field real specialists for a wide variety of cases. They also have an extensive training programme which helpfully reaches the regions, rather than just being London focused.’
‘Excellent; strong range of leaders and juniors; their junior juniors are particularly strong and excellent value for money.’
‘Very impressive set which is continuing to attract new talent. A go to.’
‘Excellent choice of specialist barristers at different levels depending on the brief required mostly focusing on complex commercial work and white-collar complex fraud cases and crime. Easily a top commercial set in London.’
‘All counsel I have instructed at 3VB have been very effective and knowledgeable about the law and operation of financial markets.’
Clerking
‘Senior clerk, Steve Penson, runs a tight ship and always goes above and beyond.’
Work highlights
4 Stone Buildings
4 Stone Buildings is ‘a strong set for company, fraud and commercial work‘ whose barristers are ‘without exception, friendly, easy to work with, and supremely confident and gifted lawyers‘. The set is also strong on insolvency and restructuring related fraud claims. Recent cases include Secretary of State for Health v Servier Laboratories, in which Jonathan Crow KC represented the Secretary of State for Health in a multi-million pound claim against a pharmaceutical company for overcharging the NHS for drugs subject to patent allegedly procured through fraud, which went to the Supreme Court. Richard Hill KC is leading the team defending the Michelin-starred chef, Axel Manes, in MAD Atelier International BV v Manes, involving a transfer of share under value, allegedly by duping a joint venture partner, in a company owning the "Atelier de Joel Robuchon" restaurants. Several impressive juniors are also making a name for themselves, including Alexander Cook KCand Guy Olliff-Cooper.
Testimonials
Set
‘Very well-regarded set in the area.’
‘4 Stone Buildings are an outstanding Chancery set. Most (if not all) of our fee earners regularly instruct their Counsel at all levels, from the most junior members up to Silks. Without exception, their barristers are friendly, easy to work with, and supremely confident and gifted lawyers. They can be flexible and innovative with regard to fee structures and rates, and their clerks always ensure that someone is available, even on very short notice. They always recommend the right person for the job.’
‘4 Stone Buildings is a strong set for company, fraud and commercial work. I often instruct them on unfair prejudice matters, fraud matters and cases involving regulated financial services businesses.’
‘They are one of the leading sets for commercial litigation, not a factory set – a traditional small set of chambers. They have decided to stay quite small. For that reason it is very personal.’
Clerking
‘Excellent service provided.’
‘Ryan Tunkel is particularly good.’
Work highlights
Blackstone Chambers
Blackstone Chambers has an extremely good pedigree for civil fraud matters, with barristers ‘of the highest quality at all levels‘. Members regularly work alongside and against one another in some of the UK’s largest fraud cases, including several with a significant cross-border component. This was the case in Rowe v Ingenious Media Holdings Plc & Others, an ongoing civil dispute launched by investors in the Ingenious film finance schemes in which Robert Anderson KC, Andrew Hunter KC and Tom Mountford, were among those representing various claimant parties, and Andrew Green KC and Harry Adamson represented HSBC, a defendant. Tom Weisselberg KC is acting for one of the defendants (Evgeny Dankevich) in a US$572m claim brought against him by his former employer in PJSC National Bank Trust v Mints, with Victoria Windle KC acting as sole counsel for another defendant, Mikhail Shishkhanov.
Testimonials
Set
‘Blackstone chambers is the leading set in commercial and fraud litigation with some of the finest barristers in the UK and highly efficient clerks. Their first rate webinars are also extremely informative and appreciated.’
‘Blackstone are one of the top chambers in London, and one of the go-to sets for the most complex chancery and commercial litigation. You know what you are getting from all of their barristers.’
‘One of the best. Fiercely intelligent barristers with expertise across both civil and regulatory matters in the financial services sector.’
‘The top of the market. Having Blackstone on your side sends a strong message to opposing parties.’
‘Blackstone is an excellent set, particularly in the commercial/civil fraud sphere. Its barristers are all of the highest quality at all levels.’
Clerking
‘Very good. Adam Fuschillo in particular is a key contact and bends over backwards to help instructing solicitors.’
Work highlights
Brick Court Chambers
Brick Court Chambers
is ‘top-of-the-list for commercial civil fraud work‘, commended for being ‘very businesslike in its approach to matter management, and extremely user-friendly‘. The set has plenty of bench strength to provide the largest teams for the largest cases, such as Privatbank v Kolomoisky and others, in which Mark Howard KC, supported by six further silks and juniors, led the defence for Igor Kolomoisky, one of the former owners of a nationalised Ukrainian bank who is fighting claims that he misappropriated US$2.4bn by arranging fraudulent loans. Another major case is Rowe v Ingenious Media entities and Others, a litigation arising from the highly publicised film finance investment schemes, in which Tim Lord KC is leading for Ingenious Media, supported by Simon Birt KC, Craig Morrison KC and Sophie Shaw.
Testimonials
Set
‘Brick Court is top-of-the-list for commercial civil fraud work.’
‘Excellent commercial set; very businesslike in its approach to matter management, and extremely user-friendly. The training is almost always of a high calibre, and it has a broad range of counsel for commercial disputes.’
‘Very much a premium set offering a premium service. They probably have the greatest concentration of top-level silks within the commercial bar.’
‘Very strong for fraud claims.’
‘Brick Court is the model chambers. My go to set.’
Clerking
‘A strong clerking team, very responsive and user-friendly. Paul Dennison is a name to note.’
Work highlights
Essex Court Chambers
Essex Court Chambers is ‘the market leading civil fraud set by the proverbial country mile’ with ‘true strength and depth in chambers from silks to baby juniors, and a great training programme to show off their knowledge and skills‘. The set’s broad offering ensures a wide range of expertise in a range of areas, including cryptocurrencies. Paul McGrath KC remains a dominant force and successfully led James Sheehan, Tom Ford and Owen Lloyd on behalf of the lead defendants in PJSC Bank “Finance and Credit” Deposit Guarantee Fund of Ukraine v Zhevago and others, a US$500m fraud claim against PJSC Bank’s former owner with significant jurisdictional implications. Joe Smouha KC also led Louise Hutton KC and Felix Wardle on behalf of the claimant in Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life, a claim by Georgia’s former prime minister over losses incurred to the assets held in two life insurance policy wrappers as a result of the fraud of his Credit Suisse relationship manager.
Testimonials
Set
‘The market leading civil fraud set by the proverbial country mile – absolute strength in depth.’
‘Essex Court is one of the leading sets in commercial fraud litigation for a reason. They have true strength and depth in chambers from silks to baby juniors, and a great training programme to show off their knowledge and skills.’
‘They are in a league of their own for this kind of work – all the best people for this area are at this set, and they’re routinely our first port of call.’
‘Essex Court are, in my view, the number one chambers for civil fraud work. They are rightly considered to be the market leaders in this area.’
‘Exceptional set with lots of exceptional people – some of them being astonishingly good. Real market leaders.’
Clerking
‘With such a wealth of talent, the clerks know how to pair barristers to the right cases and are ably led by Joe Ferrigno.’
Work highlights
Fountain Court Chambers
Fountain Court Chambers is ‘really strong across all levels and with a market-leading civil and criminal fraud team‘. The set is noted for its overlapping strengths in key areas such as banking and financial services. Notable mandates include Kuwaiti Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & Others, a massive fraud claim brought by the Kuwaiti pension fund against its former Director General, Fahad Al-Rajaan, and over 40 defendants, in which Stuart Ritchie KC is co-leading a team, including Nico Leslie , for the claimants, and Richard Lissack KC is leading several members, including Leonora Sagan , for Man Group, one of the defendants. Rosalind Phelps KC is also representing the defendant in Federal Republic of Nigeria v JP Morgan Chase, a US$870m fraud claim brought by the Nigerian government concerning bank payments used for an allegedly corrupt oil deal dating back to the regime of Sani Abacha.
Testimonials
Set
‘Fountain Court have a pre-eminent position in the banking market, and that naturally feeds into becoming involved in fraud work as banks are increasingly becoming involved – directly or indirectly – in fraud litigation.’
‘Fountain Court counsel are consistently excellent – very smart barristers who are also great to work with.’
‘Really strong, across all levels and with a market-leading civil/criminal fraud team.’
‘Fountain Court are excellent across the board, but particularly on com lit and fraud.’
‘Fountain Court Chambers is in my view one of the leading sets in the civil fraud area. I have worked with a number of excellent barristers in this area at different levels of seniority.’
Clerking
‘Alex Taylor is the best clerk in London by a country mile. There is nothing he does not know. He never oversells and always offers frank views on which barristers are suitable and available.’
Work highlights
One Essex Court
One Essex Court is ‘a top-tier set for civil fraud matters with considerable strength in depth’, and its ‘impressive’ bench of juniors ‘bodes well for the set going forward’. The set offers market-leading expertise across the full range of civil fraud disputes, including major cross-border claims. Recent high profile instructions include HMRC v GE & others, in which Laurence Rabinowitz KC is leading Nicholas Sloboda for General Electric’s defence against a US$1bn fraud claim brought by HMRC relating to a 2005 tax settlement. Six members, including Camilla Bingham KC for the claimant and Sonia Tolaney KC for the defendant, were involved in Pipia v Bank of Georgia Group, a claim brought by the Georgian oligarch, Roman Pipia, concerning the allegedly wrongful sale of an ammonia plant in Georgia. The claim was ultimately struck out on day one of trial in April, 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘One Essex Court is a top tier set for civil fraud matters with considerable strength in depth. Their barristers are leaders in their fields, with exceptional intellects and impressive advocacy skills.’
‘One of the top commercial sets and one of the destinations for complex commercial and fraud work.’
‘Great bench depth at all levels – especially junior silk but also very impressive at all levels of juniors which bodes well for the set going forward.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are excellent – helpful, responsive and friendly. The provide sound guidance when required. Jackie Ginty, David Amdor and Adam Wheeler are particularly good.’
‘Rob Smith is fantastic – practical, helpful and a real pleasure to deal with.’
‘We are very happy with the clerks. Standing out are Rob Smith, and Jade Cassell.’
Work highlights
Serle Court
‘Second to none for civil fraud‘, Serle Court is noted for its ‘superb silks and even better juniors‘. The set’s top-notch reputation for offshore and Chancery matters feeds into its market-leading commercial fraud practice. Members have been involved in several of the largest cases to hit the courts, including Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & Ors, a US$800m fraud claim involving bribery allegations linked to the banking and investments of the state pension fund of Kuwait, with Hugh Norbury KC co-leading for the claimant and Jonathan Adkin KC, Philip Marshall KC, Simon Hattan and Charlotte Beynon among those acting for defendants. Senior juniors are often top choices for silks outside of chambers, as demonstrated by James Weale‘s role on the claimant team in the long-running oligarch dispute Chernukhin v Deripaska, including a two-day Court of Appeal hearing in 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘Serle Court is still second to none for civil fraud. They have great experience and insight.’
‘Serle Court are an absolutely first rate set. The quality of the barristers I have worked with there has been uniformly high and their breadth of expertise within the area is impressive. I would highly recommend them to anyone.’
‘Go to set for civil fraud. Great depth of experience. They don’t overtrade.’
‘Serle Court remains the leader in its field – superb silks but even better juniors.’
‘From Elizabeth Jones (a superb choice as the new head of chambers) to the newest pupil, Serle Court are a delight to work with. Virtually everyone I have instructed at the set has been at the top of their game, as well as being easy to work with. Whenever a first choice is not available, there is always an equally good substitution (and often we work again with people we are introduced to this way).’
Clerking
‘Head clerk Steve Whitaker is excellent. He is responsive, organised, able to identify the right barrister and provide alternative options if they are not available, and also puts together good teams of barristers when more than one is needed.’
Work highlights
Maitland Chambers
Maitland Chambers has ‘great talent at all levels, including at the more junior end‘ , and maintains excellent credentials for high value fraud claims. The set’s renowned Chancery expertise ensures a strong grounding in insolvency and offshore-related fraud issues. Recently Thomas Grant KC and Caley Wright have been representing the defendants in a £180m claim brought by the administrators of London Capital & Finance against several of the company’s senior executives who received funds prior to its insolvency. David Mumford KC is also leading Thomas Munby KC on behalf of Qatar in State of Qatar v Banque Havilland, following claims for conspiracy arising out of an international scheme, involving among others the Emirati government, to cause a run on the value of its sovereign debt and a collapse in its currency.
Testimonials
Set
‘Maitland’s service levels are outstanding and the responsiveness and engagement from the team is superb. Highly technical barristers who are easy to deal with and work well in teams.’
‘Maitland remains an excellent commercial and Chancery set. There is great talent at all levels, including at the more junior end. Seemingly, it is a set going from strength to strength.’
‘We have a strong working relationship with Maitland who listen to our needs and field top barristers at all levels. They are organised, insightful and reliable.’
‘Ahead of the game and will always make your opponent sweat.’
‘Leaders in their field.’
Clerking
‘John Wiggs is a real leader and a knowledgeable and helpful port of call.’
Work highlights
Twenty Essex
Twenty Essex is going from ‘strength to strength with many quality advocates at all levels particularly in fraud and insolvency‘. The set’s offering also overlaps into key areas such as banking and commodities. Multiple members were represented defendants in PJSC National Bank Trust; PJSC Otkritie Bank Financial Corporation v Mints, a fraudulent conspiracy claim in relation to the restructuring of loans, with Philip Edey KC and Sarah Tresman representing Boris Mints and Duncan Matthews KC representing Igor, one of his three co-defendant sons. In The Libyan Investment Authority v Credit Suisse International; Man Asset Management (Ireland) Limited; Frontier Investment Management Partners Ltd & others, Paul Lowenstein KC and Sam Goodman successfully defended Frontier Investment Management Partners in the last of several high-profile investment disputes brought by the Libyan sovereign wealth fund.
Testimonials
Set
‘Twenty Essex are a strong set for civil fraud and we use other barristers in this field from that set. They have very good strength in depth.’
‘Twenty Essex has excellent barristers at all levels of seniority.’
‘Twenty Essex chambers goes from strength to strength with many quality advocates at all levels particularly in fraud and insolvency. They are always present at the relevant conferences which they often sponsor and are active in the network. Some of the advocates like Sam Goodman are leading the way in the crypto space.’
‘Twenty Essex is a fantastic set, one of our go-to sets given the quality of counsel and their personable nature.’
‘Twenty Essex continue to rise in their reputation. They have really grown rapidly, and I have not had a bad experience. The junior end is particularly high quality; and I now always see who is available when a new matter comes in.’
Clerking
‘Responsive, helpful, kind and accurate.’
Work highlights
Wilberforce Chambers
Wilberforce Chambers is a ‘go-to set for complex, high value claims involving in-depth technical issues‘, and is especially strong for offshore claims. The set’s members are involved in some of the longest running cases to hit the market, including AHAB v Saad Investments Company Limited, what at first instance was referred to by a Caymanian judge as ‘one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history‘ and was the longest appeal heard by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, in which John Wardell KC‘s claimant team faced Thomas Lowe KC and Jack Watson on the defendant side. Newer cases include three disputes linked to the collapse of NMC Health, the Middle East’s largest private healthcare company, in which Tim Penny KC is representing former director Saeed Al Qebaisi and former vice-chairman Khalifa Al Muhairi, who are accused of fraud and unlawful means of conspiracy leading to NMC’s demise.
Testimonials
Set
‘Wilberforce Chambers is a first rate set with a growing number of excellent barristers.’
‘Wilberforce is an excellent chambers. We have used a number of silks and juniors from the set and regularly attend training sessions hosted by the Chambers.’
‘Wilberforce has a number of excellent silks and senior juniors for both traditional chancery work and for instructions with a commercial content. The members of chambers are without exception approachable and willing to get into the trenches in the cases on which they are instructed.’
‘A go-to set for complex, high value claims involving in-depth technical issues.’
‘Wilberforce Chambers are a premier Commercial Chancery set.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are always very efficient, polite and helpful.’
XXIV Old Buildings
XXIV Old Buildings has ‘considerable depth in civil fraud work‘ and ‘ heavy hitting leading counsels and very bright and knowledgeable juniors‘. A real strength is its Chancery expertise, ‘particularly onshore and offshore trust and probate work’. Edward Cumming KC and Timothy Sherwin are representing the former trustee in St John’s Trust Company (PVT) Limited v Watlington, a major dispute involving fraud, freezing injunctions and trust and corporate issues linked to allegations by the US Department of Justice that the multi-billion dollar trust was used to assist in the largest US tax evasion case against an individual taxpayer, the Texas billionaire Robert Brockman. Stuart Adair is representing a former director and shareholder of Emerald Meats (London) Limited over claims of misappropriated assets emerging from the company’s liquidation, in which Alan Steinfeld KC is acting as opposing counsel.
Testimonials
Set
‘XXIV Buildings are great at what they do, with a deep bench.’
‘XXIV has considerable depth in civil fraud work. I have encountered members of XXIV throughout my career and consider them to be a leading set for this work.’
‘Top quality set with ability across the board, good strength in depth and a user-friendly approach.’
‘XXIV are a go to set for Chancery work particularly onshore and offshore trust and probate work. A number of heavy hitting leading counsels and very bright and knowledgeable juniors.’
‘Great set of Chambers with a real breadth of experience.’
Clerking
‘Excellent. Highly responsive and personable.’
Work highlights
7 King's Bench Walk
7 King’s Bench Walk is ‘making its name in the fraud market’ particularly ‘where it crosses over with commodities financing, or multi-jurisdictional disputes‘. Clients are well supplied with experienced barristers at the senior and junior levels. In recent matters, David Allen KC is leading Keir Howie on behalf of the primary defendant in Maroil Trading and Sea Pioneer Shipping Corporation v Cally Shipholdings and others, a high-profile claim listed for trial in 2022 involving the breach of a confidentiality agreement and allegations that a senior executive of litigation funder Burford Capital traded confidential documents related to the case in return for a sex tape linked to an entirely separate legal battle. Several members were involved in VTB Bank v Antipinsky and Others, a case concerning the financial collapse of the company owning the Antipinsky refinery in Russia, in which Michael Holmes KC represented a defendant, Machoinport, with Jonathan Gaisman KC and Michael Ryan among those representing VTB.
Testimonials
Set
‘Highly regarded set and making its name in the fraud market.’
‘This is an area in which 7KBW has increased specialism over the last 8 years since Clive Freedman KC (now Mr Justice Freedman) joined chambers and led many juniors in his practice which focused on some of the key civil fraud court cases in that time. But many other members of chambers have always practised in this area, particularly where it crosses over with, for example, commodities financing, or multi-jurisdictional disputes.’
‘They have some strong juniors coming through in civil fraud.’
Clerking
‘Greg Leyden leads a very strong clerking team.’
‘The clerks are great. Gary Rose is excellent.’
‘Greg Leyden is excellent – goes the extra mile to develop work as well as ensuring a first-class service.’
Work highlights
South Square
South Square is ‘the go-to set with many good lawyers and advocates‘, particularly when it comes to insolvency-related fraud disputes. The administration, in the Abu Dhabi Global Market courts, of the NMC Group, the Middle East’s largest healthcare company, and related fraud claims against its founder, BR Shetty, have involved several members on behalf of the administrators, including Tom Smith KC and Felicity Toube KC. Smith also led Robert Amey on behalf of Primeo Fund, a Madoff feeder fund, in Primeo Fund v HSBC, a US$2bn claim against its former administrator and custodian, HSBC. Senior juniors such as William Willson often act alone, as in Vneshprombank v Bedzhamov where he represented the defendant’s bankruptcy manager, as part of a fraud claim against Georgy Bedzhamov, the brother of Vneshprombank’s founder, Larisa Markus.
Testimonials
Set
‘They are the go-to set with many good lawyers and advocates.’
Clerking
‘All very helpful – Chris Filby and Marco Malatesta are particularly helpful.’
Work highlights
3 Verulam Buildings
Testimonials
Set
‘3VB has a number of impressive Counsel and can field real specialists for a wide variety of cases. They also have an extensive training programme which helpfully reaches the regions, rather than just being London focused.’
‘Excellent; strong range of leaders and juniors; their junior juniors are particularly strong and excellent value for money.’
‘Very impressive set which is continuing to attract new talent. A go to.’
‘Excellent choice of specialist barristers at different levels depending on the brief required mostly focusing on complex commercial work and white-collar complex fraud cases and crime. Easily a top commercial set in London.’
‘All counsel I have instructed at 3VB have been very effective and knowledgeable about the law and operation of financial markets.’
Clerking
‘Senior clerk, Steve Penson, runs a tight ship and always goes above and beyond.’
Work highlights
4 Stone Buildings
4 Stone Buildings is ‘a strong set for company, fraud and commercial work‘ whose barristers are ‘without exception, friendly, easy to work with, and supremely confident and gifted lawyers‘. The set is also strong on insolvency and restructuring related fraud claims. Recent cases include Secretary of State for Health v Servier Laboratories, in which Jonathan Crow KC represented the Secretary of State for Health in a multi-million pound claim against a pharmaceutical company for overcharging the NHS for drugs subject to patent allegedly procured through fraud, which went to the Supreme Court. Richard Hill KC is leading the team defending the Michelin-starred chef, Axel Manes, in MAD Atelier International BV v Manes, involving a transfer of share under value, allegedly by duping a joint venture partner, in a company owning the "Atelier de Joel Robuchon" restaurants. Several impressive juniors are also making a name for themselves, including Alexander Cook KCand Guy Olliff-Cooper.
Testimonials
Set
‘Very well-regarded set in the area.’
‘4 Stone Buildings are an outstanding Chancery set. Most (if not all) of our fee earners regularly instruct their Counsel at all levels, from the most junior members up to Silks. Without exception, their barristers are friendly, easy to work with, and supremely confident and gifted lawyers. They can be flexible and innovative with regard to fee structures and rates, and their clerks always ensure that someone is available, even on very short notice. They always recommend the right person for the job.’
‘4 Stone Buildings is a strong set for company, fraud and commercial work. I often instruct them on unfair prejudice matters, fraud matters and cases involving regulated financial services businesses.’
‘They are one of the leading sets for commercial litigation, not a factory set – a traditional small set of chambers. They have decided to stay quite small. For that reason it is very personal.’
Clerking
‘Excellent service provided.’
‘Ryan Tunkel is particularly good.’
Work highlights
Blackstone Chambers
Blackstone Chambers has an extremely good pedigree for civil fraud matters, with barristers ‘of the highest quality at all levels‘. Members regularly work alongside and against one another in some of the UK’s largest fraud cases, including several with a significant cross-border component. This was the case in Rowe v Ingenious Media Holdings Plc & Others, an ongoing civil dispute launched by investors in the Ingenious film finance schemes in which Robert Anderson KC, Andrew Hunter KC and Tom Mountford, were among those representing various claimant parties, and Andrew Green KC and Harry Adamson represented HSBC, a defendant. Tom Weisselberg KC is acting for one of the defendants (Evgeny Dankevich) in a US$572m claim brought against him by his former employer in PJSC National Bank Trust v Mints, with Victoria Windle KC acting as sole counsel for another defendant, Mikhail Shishkhanov.
Testimonials
Set
‘Blackstone chambers is the leading set in commercial and fraud litigation with some of the finest barristers in the UK and highly efficient clerks. Their first rate webinars are also extremely informative and appreciated.’
‘Blackstone are one of the top chambers in London, and one of the go-to sets for the most complex chancery and commercial litigation. You know what you are getting from all of their barristers.’
‘One of the best. Fiercely intelligent barristers with expertise across both civil and regulatory matters in the financial services sector.’
‘The top of the market. Having Blackstone on your side sends a strong message to opposing parties.’
‘Blackstone is an excellent set, particularly in the commercial/civil fraud sphere. Its barristers are all of the highest quality at all levels.’
Clerking
‘Very good. Adam Fuschillo in particular is a key contact and bends over backwards to help instructing solicitors.’
Work highlights
Brick Court Chambers
Brick Court Chambers is ‘top-of-the-list for commercial civil fraud work‘, commended for being ‘very businesslike in its approach to matter management, and extremely user-friendly‘. The set has plenty of bench strength to provide the largest teams for the largest cases, such as Privatbank v Kolomoisky and others, in which Mark Howard KC, supported by six further silks and juniors, led the defence for Igor Kolomoisky, one of the former owners of a nationalised Ukrainian bank who is fighting claims that he misappropriated US$2.4bn by arranging fraudulent loans. Another major case is Rowe v Ingenious Media entities and Others, a litigation arising from the highly publicised film finance investment schemes, in which Tim Lord KC is leading for Ingenious Media, supported by Simon Birt KC, Craig Morrison KC and Sophie Shaw.
Testimonials
Set
‘Brick Court is top-of-the-list for commercial civil fraud work.’
‘Excellent commercial set; very businesslike in its approach to matter management, and extremely user-friendly. The training is almost always of a high calibre, and it has a broad range of counsel for commercial disputes.’
‘Very much a premium set offering a premium service. They probably have the greatest concentration of top-level silks within the commercial bar.’
‘Very strong for fraud claims.’
‘Brick Court is the model chambers. My go to set.’
Clerking
‘A strong clerking team, very responsive and user-friendly. Paul Dennison is a name to note.’
Work highlights
Essex Court Chambers
Essex Court Chambers is ‘the market leading civil fraud set by the proverbial country mile’ with ‘true strength and depth in chambers from silks to baby juniors, and a great training programme to show off their knowledge and skills‘. The set’s broad offering ensures a wide range of expertise in a range of areas, including cryptocurrencies. Paul McGrath KC remains a dominant force and successfully led James Sheehan, Tom Ford and Owen Lloyd on behalf of the lead defendants in PJSC Bank “Finance and Credit” Deposit Guarantee Fund of Ukraine v Zhevago and others, a US$500m fraud claim against PJSC Bank’s former owner with significant jurisdictional implications. Joe Smouha KC also led Louise Hutton KC and Felix Wardle on behalf of the claimant in Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life, a claim by Georgia’s former prime minister over losses incurred to the assets held in two life insurance policy wrappers as a result of the fraud of his Credit Suisse relationship manager.
Testimonials
Set
‘The market leading civil fraud set by the proverbial country mile – absolute strength in depth.’
‘Essex Court is one of the leading sets in commercial fraud litigation for a reason. They have true strength and depth in chambers from silks to baby juniors, and a great training programme to show off their knowledge and skills.’
‘They are in a league of their own for this kind of work – all the best people for this area are at this set, and they’re routinely our first port of call.’
‘Essex Court are, in my view, the number one chambers for civil fraud work. They are rightly considered to be the market leaders in this area.’
‘Exceptional set with lots of exceptional people – some of them being astonishingly good. Real market leaders.’
Clerking
‘With such a wealth of talent, the clerks know how to pair barristers to the right cases and are ably led by Joe Ferrigno.’
Work highlights
Fountain Court Chambers
Fountain Court Chambers is ‘really strong across all levels and with a market-leading civil and criminal fraud team‘. The set is noted for its overlapping strengths in key areas such as banking and financial services. Notable mandates include Kuwaiti Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & Others, a massive fraud claim brought by the Kuwaiti pension fund against its former Director General, Fahad Al-Rajaan, and over 40 defendants, in which Stuart Ritchie KC is co-leading a team, including Nico Leslie , for the claimants, and Richard Lissack KC is leading several members, including Leonora Sagan , for Man Group, one of the defendants. Rosalind Phelps KC is also representing the defendant in Federal Republic of Nigeria v JP Morgan Chase, a US$870m fraud claim brought by the Nigerian government concerning bank payments used for an allegedly corrupt oil deal dating back to the regime of Sani Abacha.
Testimonials
Set
‘Fountain Court have a pre-eminent position in the banking market, and that naturally feeds into becoming involved in fraud work as banks are increasingly becoming involved – directly or indirectly – in fraud litigation.’
‘Fountain Court counsel are consistently excellent – very smart barristers who are also great to work with.’
‘Really strong, across all levels and with a market-leading civil/criminal fraud team.’
‘Fountain Court are excellent across the board, but particularly on com lit and fraud.’
‘Fountain Court Chambers is in my view one of the leading sets in the civil fraud area. I have worked with a number of excellent barristers in this area at different levels of seniority.’
Clerking
‘Alex Taylor is the best clerk in London by a country mile. There is nothing he does not know. He never oversells and always offers frank views on which barristers are suitable and available.’
Work highlights
One Essex Court
One Essex Court is ‘a top-tier set for civil fraud matters with considerable strength in depth’, and its ‘impressive’ bench of juniors ‘bodes well for the set going forward’. The set offers market-leading expertise across the full range of civil fraud disputes, including major cross-border claims. Recent high profile instructions include HMRC v GE & others, in which Laurence Rabinowitz KC is leading Nicholas Sloboda for General Electric’s defence against a US$1bn fraud claim brought by HMRC relating to a 2005 tax settlement. Six members, including Camilla Bingham KC for the claimant and Sonia Tolaney KC for the defendant, were involved in Pipia v Bank of Georgia Group, a claim brought by the Georgian oligarch, Roman Pipia, concerning the allegedly wrongful sale of an ammonia plant in Georgia. The claim was ultimately struck out on day one of trial in April, 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘One Essex Court is a top tier set for civil fraud matters with considerable strength in depth. Their barristers are leaders in their fields, with exceptional intellects and impressive advocacy skills.’
‘One of the top commercial sets and one of the destinations for complex commercial and fraud work.’
‘Great bench depth at all levels – especially junior silk but also very impressive at all levels of juniors which bodes well for the set going forward.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are excellent – helpful, responsive and friendly. The provide sound guidance when required. Jackie Ginty, David Amdor and Adam Wheeler are particularly good.’
‘Rob Smith is fantastic – practical, helpful and a real pleasure to deal with.’
‘We are very happy with the clerks. Standing out are Rob Smith, and Jade Cassell.’
Work highlights
Serle Court
‘Second to none for civil fraud‘, Serle Court is noted for its ‘superb silks and even better juniors‘. The set’s top-notch reputation for offshore and Chancery matters feeds into its market-leading commercial fraud practice. Members have been involved in several of the largest cases to hit the courts, including Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & Ors, a US$800m fraud claim involving bribery allegations linked to the banking and investments of the state pension fund of Kuwait, with Hugh Norbury KC co-leading for the claimant and Jonathan Adkin KC, Philip Marshall KC, Simon Hattan and Charlotte Beynon among those acting for defendants. Senior juniors are often top choices for silks outside of chambers, as demonstrated by James Weale‘s role on the claimant team in the long-running oligarch dispute Chernukhin v Deripaska, including a two-day Court of Appeal hearing in 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘Serle Court is still second to none for civil fraud. They have great experience and insight.’
‘Serle Court are an absolutely first rate set. The quality of the barristers I have worked with there has been uniformly high and their breadth of expertise within the area is impressive. I would highly recommend them to anyone.’
‘Go to set for civil fraud. Great depth of experience. They don’t overtrade.’
‘Serle Court remains the leader in its field – superb silks but even better juniors.’
‘From Elizabeth Jones (a superb choice as the new head of chambers) to the newest pupil, Serle Court are a delight to work with. Virtually everyone I have instructed at the set has been at the top of their game, as well as being easy to work with. Whenever a first choice is not available, there is always an equally good substitution (and often we work again with people we are introduced to this way).’
Clerking
‘Head clerk Steve Whitaker is excellent. He is responsive, organised, able to identify the right barrister and provide alternative options if they are not available, and also puts together good teams of barristers when more than one is needed.’
Work highlights
Maitland Chambers
Maitland Chambers has ‘great talent at all levels, including at the more junior end‘ , and maintains excellent credentials for high value fraud claims. The set’s renowned Chancery expertise ensures a strong grounding in insolvency and offshore-related fraud issues. Recently Thomas Grant KC and Caley Wright have been representing the defendants in a £180m claim brought by the administrators of London Capital & Finance against several of the company’s senior executives who received funds prior to its insolvency. David Mumford KC is also leading Thomas Munby KC on behalf of Qatar in State of Qatar v Banque Havilland, following claims for conspiracy arising out of an international scheme, involving among others the Emirati government, to cause a run on the value of its sovereign debt and a collapse in its currency.
Testimonials
Set
‘Maitland’s service levels are outstanding and the responsiveness and engagement from the team is superb. Highly technical barristers who are easy to deal with and work well in teams.’
‘Maitland remains an excellent commercial and Chancery set. There is great talent at all levels, including at the more junior end. Seemingly, it is a set going from strength to strength.’
‘We have a strong working relationship with Maitland who listen to our needs and field top barristers at all levels. They are organised, insightful and reliable.’
‘Ahead of the game and will always make your opponent sweat.’
‘Leaders in their field.’
Clerking
‘John Wiggs is a real leader and a knowledgeable and helpful port of call.’
Work highlights
Twenty Essex
Twenty Essex is going from ‘strength to strength with many quality advocates at all levels particularly in fraud and insolvency‘. The set’s offering also overlaps into key areas such as banking and commodities. Multiple members were represented defendants in PJSC National Bank Trust; PJSC Otkritie Bank Financial Corporation v Mints, a fraudulent conspiracy claim in relation to the restructuring of loans, with Philip Edey KC and Sarah Tresman representing Boris Mints and Duncan Matthews KC representing Igor, one of his three co-defendant sons. In The Libyan Investment Authority v Credit Suisse International; Man Asset Management (Ireland) Limited; Frontier Investment Management Partners Ltd & others, Paul Lowenstein KC and Sam Goodman successfully defended Frontier Investment Management Partners in the last of several high-profile investment disputes brought by the Libyan sovereign wealth fund.
Testimonials
Set
‘Twenty Essex are a strong set for civil fraud and we use other barristers in this field from that set. They have very good strength in depth.’
‘Twenty Essex has excellent barristers at all levels of seniority.’
‘Twenty Essex chambers goes from strength to strength with many quality advocates at all levels particularly in fraud and insolvency. They are always present at the relevant conferences which they often sponsor and are active in the network. Some of the advocates like Sam Goodman are leading the way in the crypto space.’
‘Twenty Essex is a fantastic set, one of our go-to sets given the quality of counsel and their personable nature.’
‘Twenty Essex continue to rise in their reputation. They have really grown rapidly, and I have not had a bad experience. The junior end is particularly high quality; and I now always see who is available when a new matter comes in.’
Clerking
‘Responsive, helpful, kind and accurate.’
Work highlights
Wilberforce Chambers
Wilberforce Chambers is a ‘go-to set for complex, high value claims involving in-depth technical issues‘, and is especially strong for offshore claims. The set’s members are involved in some of the longest running cases to hit the market, including AHAB v Saad Investments Company Limited, what at first instance was referred to by a Caymanian judge as ‘one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history‘ and was the longest appeal heard by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, in which John Wardell KC‘s claimant team faced Thomas Lowe KC and Jack Watson on the defendant side. Newer cases include three disputes linked to the collapse of NMC Health, the Middle East’s largest private healthcare company, in which Tim Penny KC is representing former director Saeed Al Qebaisi and former vice-chairman Khalifa Al Muhairi, who are accused of fraud and unlawful means of conspiracy leading to NMC’s demise.
Testimonials
Set
‘Wilberforce Chambers is a first rate set with a growing number of excellent barristers.’
‘Wilberforce is an excellent chambers. We have used a number of silks and juniors from the set and regularly attend training sessions hosted by the Chambers.’
‘Wilberforce has a number of excellent silks and senior juniors for both traditional chancery work and for instructions with a commercial content. The members of chambers are without exception approachable and willing to get into the trenches in the cases on which they are instructed.’
‘A go-to set for complex, high value claims involving in-depth technical issues.’
‘Wilberforce Chambers are a premier Commercial Chancery set.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are always very efficient, polite and helpful.’
XXIV Old Buildings
XXIV Old Buildings has ‘considerable depth in civil fraud work‘ and ‘ heavy hitting leading counsels and very bright and knowledgeable juniors‘. A real strength is its Chancery expertise, ‘particularly onshore and offshore trust and probate work’. Edward Cumming KC and Timothy Sherwin are representing the former trustee in St John’s Trust Company (PVT) Limited v Watlington, a major dispute involving fraud, freezing injunctions and trust and corporate issues linked to allegations by the US Department of Justice that the multi-billion dollar trust was used to assist in the largest US tax evasion case against an individual taxpayer, the Texas billionaire Robert Brockman. Stuart Adair is representing a former director and shareholder of Emerald Meats (London) Limited over claims of misappropriated assets emerging from the company’s liquidation, in which Alan Steinfeld KC is acting as opposing counsel.
Testimonials
Set
‘XXIV Buildings are great at what they do, with a deep bench.’
‘XXIV has considerable depth in civil fraud work. I have encountered members of XXIV throughout my career and consider them to be a leading set for this work.’
‘Top quality set with ability across the board, good strength in depth and a user-friendly approach.’
‘XXIV are a go to set for Chancery work particularly onshore and offshore trust and probate work. A number of heavy hitting leading counsels and very bright and knowledgeable juniors.’
‘Great set of Chambers with a real breadth of experience.’
Clerking
‘Excellent. Highly responsive and personable.’
Work highlights
7 King's Bench Walk
7 King’s Bench Walk is ‘making its name in the fraud market’ particularly ‘where it crosses over with commodities financing, or multi-jurisdictional disputes‘. Clients are well supplied with experienced barristers at the senior and junior levels. In recent matters, David Allen KC is leading Keir Howie on behalf of the primary defendant in Maroil Trading and Sea Pioneer Shipping Corporation v Cally Shipholdings and others, a high-profile claim listed for trial in 2022 involving the breach of a confidentiality agreement and allegations that a senior executive of litigation funder Burford Capital traded confidential documents related to the case in return for a sex tape linked to an entirely separate legal battle. Several members were involved in VTB Bank v Antipinsky and Others, a case concerning the financial collapse of the company owning the Antipinsky refinery in Russia, in which Michael Holmes KC represented a defendant, Machoinport, with Jonathan Gaisman KC and Michael Ryan among those representing VTB.
Testimonials
Set
‘Highly regarded set and making its name in the fraud market.’
‘This is an area in which 7KBW has increased specialism over the last 8 years since Clive Freedman KC (now Mr Justice Freedman) joined chambers and led many juniors in his practice which focused on some of the key civil fraud court cases in that time. But many other members of chambers have always practised in this area, particularly where it crosses over with, for example, commodities financing, or multi-jurisdictional disputes.’
‘They have some strong juniors coming through in civil fraud.’
Clerking
‘Greg Leyden leads a very strong clerking team.’
‘The clerks are great. Gary Rose is excellent.’
‘Greg Leyden is excellent – goes the extra mile to develop work as well as ensuring a first-class service.’
Work highlights
South Square
South Square is ‘the go-to set with many good lawyers and advocates‘, particularly when it comes to insolvency-related fraud disputes. The administration, in the Abu Dhabi Global Market courts, of the NMC Group, the Middle East’s largest healthcare company, and related fraud claims against its founder, BR Shetty, have involved several members on behalf of the administrators, including Tom Smith KC and Felicity Toube KC. Smith also led Robert Amey on behalf of Primeo Fund, a Madoff feeder fund, in Primeo Fund v HSBC, a US$2bn claim against its former administrator and custodian, HSBC. Senior juniors such as William Willson often act alone, as in Vneshprombank v Bedzhamov where he represented the defendant’s bankruptcy manager, as part of a fraud claim against Georgy Bedzhamov, the brother of Vneshprombank’s founder, Larisa Markus.
Testimonials
Set
‘They are the go-to set with many good lawyers and advocates.’
Clerking
‘All very helpful – Chris Filby and Marco Malatesta are particularly helpful.’