Insolvency

Leading Silks
2025 Silks
2026 Silks

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.

Catherine Addy KC

Maitland Chambers

An outstanding star of the insolvency bar. A huge intellect displayed by clarity and rigor, but always engaging and client-friendly. A tenacious advocate with great courtroom manner, always highly persuasive in the most complex and testing of cases.

David Allison KC

Unrivaled market knowledge and experience - and hugely respected by all players, including the judiciary. Has seen and done it all, so someone you want on your side.

Peter Arden KC

Erskine Chambers

Forensic attention to detail, extremely approachable, and a calming presence. Able to convey the most technical points to the court persuasively when on his feet.

1

Jonathan Crow KC

4 Stone Buildings

Lexa Hilliard KC

Wilberforce Chambers

Lexa's strengths are her incredible knowledge about the area of insolvency and her unmatched work ethic. There is hardly a case where she is not the most prepared barrister in court. She is extremely clever and my number one choice in insolvency barristers. Quite honestly, it is hard to find a weakness.

Ewan McQuater KC

3 Verulam Buildings

Hugely experienced and able. Exudes gravitas. Highly articulate and very strategic. Good at handling difficult questions on his feet from judges/arbitrators.

Mark Phillips KC

Tom Smith KC

Tom is in a class of his own - he's highly user-friendly, is willing to give clear views, and is without peer in the courtroom.

Sonia Tolaney KC

One Essex Court

Brilliant advocate.

Felicity Toube KC

1

Philip Marshall KC

Chambers of Philip Marshall KC

Adam Al-Attar KC

Adam is unquestionably one of the most talented young KCs at the bar. He is strong in all facets, both advocacy and analysis. I would be comfortable entrusting him with any matter and have seen him represent clients on a number of the most complex transactions currently in the market.

David Alexander KC

David is at the heart of the team; he gets stuck in and does not rely on the work of juniors. He has tremendous presence and authority in court.

Daniel Bayfield KC

Daniel can cut through a large and complicated case and identify the good arguments to run and the bad ones to leave alone. His advocacy is concise, focused, and compelling.

Joseph Curl KC

Joe was very commercial and responsive. He can read a courtroom very well and knows when saying less is more. He knows how to deliver key messages in a simple and pragmatic way. I would definitely use him again.

Richard Fisher KC

Richard is very user-friendly and provides cogent, practical advice. He is very good at cutting through thorny technical issues such as those arising from insurance insolvencies and financial institution special administrations.

Barry Isaacs KC

Daniel Lightman KC

Daniel has a phenomenal intellect and is a brilliant and incisive lawyer.

Stephen Moverley Smith KC

XXIV Old Buildings

Stephen is very good at cutting through difficult issues to get to the core of a matter. This is an extremely useful skill in offshore work where there is often a dearth of authorities. Stephen is also a skillful advocate who can navigate difficult situations and opponents with ease. His written work is also top-notch.

James Pickering KC

Enterprise Chambers

A modern renaissance man at the bar, accepting a wide range of instruction across a variety of aspects, including those at the forefront of new ideas and change: recognition of foreign judgments, digital currency, challenging fraud in new markets, all while sitting in the High Court and leading Chambers, while bringing youthful energy, a highly commercial approach and the ability to distill, simplify and cut through complex matters.

Peter Shaw KC

Selborne Chambers

Clare Stanley KC

Wilberforce Chambers

Clare Stanley KC’s principal strength lies in her exceptional advocacy. She is a very polished and persuasive advocate, with a style that is calm, controlled, and highly authoritative. Her submissions are always extremely clear and carefully structured, and she has a strong ability to distill complex legal and factual issues into points that are both accessible and compelling to the court.

Mark Arnold KC

Lance Ashworth KC

Lance is very high quality in his preparation and advocacy.

James Bailey KC

Wilberforce Chambers

James is superb. A real team player. He is very knowledgeable and gets to the issues.

Adrian Beltrami KC

3 Verulam Buildings

Tony Beswetherick KC

Alexander Cook KC

4 Stone Buildings

Alex is a true standout silk. Very bright. Vast knowledge and experience. A leader in his field and regularly appears before the BVI courts. He combines first-rate technical ability with strong strategic instincts, quickly identifying the core issues in complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes and presenting them with clarity and conviction. His advocacy is composed, measured, and highly effective. He prepares thoroughly but remains flexible on his feet, adapting well to developments during hearings. He is also very responsive and collaborative, making him easy to work with as part of a wider team.

Edward Cumming KC

XXIV Old Buildings

Ed exudes enormous (and well-justified) confidence. His excellent advice and strategic input are second to none. I know that I can rely on Ed to navigate the safest path through shark-infested waters.

Simon Davenport KC

Stephen Davies KC

Enterprise Chambers

Glen Davis KC

Andrew de Mestre KC

4 Stone Buildings

Andrew is an excellent barrister with a stellar reputation. He is measured and pleasant to listen to and clearly has the ear of the court.

Michael Gibbon KC

Maitland Chambers

Massive intellect, clear thinking, calm, charming. No weaknesses.

Matthew Hardwick KC

3 Verulam Buildings

Matthew is extremely diligent and detail-oriented. He is a trusted leader among offshore law firms.

Richard Hill KC

4 Stone Buildings

3

Blair Leahy KC

Erskine Chambers

David Mohyuddin KC

Radcliffe Chambers

David Mohyuddin is a superb senior silk for insolvency and litigation matters. As you would expect, David is a great asset to any legal team on insolvency and asset recovery matters. He is calm and unflappable outwardly and a strategic mastermind behind the scenes. David is very collaborative and well-liked by all members of the team, including lay clients. Judges like David’s no-nonsense demeanor and his advocacy is sharp and persuasive.

Tom Poole KC

Very high level of knowledge of the subject and extremely approachable and user-friendly.

Stephen Robins KC

Stephen is an intellectual powerhouse. He is brilliant to have in your corner because all bases are covered; you know that if he’s against you, he will be able to formulate an incredibly academic and novel argument that may convince a judge that the law is not what they thought it was! Stephen is both excellent on his feet and in writing; he is user-friendly and understands the insolvency landscape well.

Ben Shaw KC

Erskine Chambers

Marcia Shekerdemian KC

Wilberforce Chambers

Marcia is smart, diligent, and responsive. It is a joy to work with her and fascinating to see her navigate around English insolvency proceedings.

Sharif Shivji KC

4 Stone Buildings

He is widely respected at the bar and has a strong reputation for being a very able advocate.

Andrew Thompson KC

Erskine Chambers

Ben Valentin KC

Fountain Court Chambers

Lord Wolfson KC

One Essex Court

Jonathan Adkin KC

A superb advocate who has a real mastery of his cases. He is wonderful in court and equally adept at running a large case. An inspiring barrister who is undoubtedly one of the best at the Bar.

Andrew Ayres KC

Christopher Boardman KC

Radcliffe Chambers

Matthew Collings KC

Maitland Chambers

Timothy Collingwood KC

Responsive and pleasant to work with. The written work is impressive and clear.

Andreas Gledhill KC

Blackstone Chambers

Jeremy Goldring KC

Jeremy is excellent. He has a very strong grasp of the case law and brilliant analytical skills. He sees through the problem to find really creative solutions.

Louise Hutton KC

Essex Court Chambers

4

Hugh Jory KC

4 New Square Chambers

Adam Kramer KC

3 Verulam Buildings

Adam is extremely intelligent. He has a deep knowledge of the law. He is a very convincing advocate.

4

Robert Levy KC

No5 Barristers' Chambers

James Morgan KC

Radcliffe Chambers

James is very user-friendly and provides super clear advice. He is a very good advocate in court and is highly persuasive.

Simon Passfield KC

Guildhall Chambers

Has an outstanding knowledge of multiple areas of the law and practice, and this proves invaluable in finding a way through complex cases. Invariably provides a quick, efficient, and accurate response to queries, and written work is of an extremely high standard. As for advocacy, this is outstanding - gaining the trust of judges from the outset and never making too much of a weaker point to detract from the overwhelming power of the argument. Highly persuasive generally.

James Potts KC

Erskine Chambers

Elspeth Talbot Rice KC

XXIV Old Buildings

Elspeth is one of my go-to silks. She is a phenomenal strategist and knows exactly when to make the right tactical moves on a case. Her written and oral advocacy is compelling and persuasive, and she writes exceptionally clearly and accessibly, which is a great benefit when acting for international clients.

Jamie Riley KC

3 Verulam Buildings

Matthew Smith KC

Maitland Chambers

Matthew is incredibly knowledgeable in the interaction between charity and insolvency law. In his advisory work, he is keen to suggest novel solutions to complex problems, considered in his approach and very client-friendly.

Matthew Weaver KC

Radcliffe Chambers

Matt Weaver is an all-round brilliant silk. He is excellent on his feet, fast and precise in drafting, and understands well the risk and commercial landscape of insolvency litigation, which enables him to give really useful advice that actually helps us to determine strategy. Matt’s straightforward and balanced approach results in him being well-liked by judges, instructing solicitors, and lay clients – and probably also opponents! If he’s not already engaged, Matt is one of my top picks for insolvency litigation matters coming my way.

Andrew Westwood KC

Maitland Chambers

Technically very creative when faced with novel and complex issues, and an extremely reassuring presence in front of clients. Unflappable in front of the court, even when instructed on an urgent last-minute basis with minimal preparation.

Ian Wilson KC

3 Verulam Buildings

Ian is an excellent advocate. He has a formidable intellect.

Hermann Boeddinghaus KC

4 Stone Buildings

Attention to detail and creativity - never leaves a stone unturned and is constantly looking for and regularly finding creative solutions to what may appear to be insurmountable problems. Has a nice way of gently persuading the court in oral submissions.

John Brisby KC

4 Stone Buildings

Adam Cloherty KC

XXIV Old Buildings

Bright, energetic and possessing good common sense. Excellent in court - calm and authoritative.

Ruth den Besten KC

Essex Court Chambers

Thomas Munby KC

Maitland Chambers

An impressive advocate who is exceptionally strong on his feet, remaining calm, measured, and effective even under significant pressure. He builds immediate credibility with clients through his clear communication and reassuring manner. He remains my insolvency barrister of choice.

Hugh Norbury KC

Christopher Parker KC

Maitland Chambers

Jeremy Richmond KC

Quadrant Chambers

He is a meticulous and a well-respected advocate. He is extremely user-friendly and appreciates the clients' commercial objectives.

David Scorey KC

Essex Court Chambers

James Sheehan KC

Essex Court Chambers

He is outstanding in both drafting and advocacy. His analytical approach is truly remarkable. I would especially highlight his abilities as a highly persuasive advocate with an elegant, deft manner in his presentation, and as someone who is exceptionally intelligent and possesses an impressive depth of expertise. Additionally, he is extremely approachable, commercially astute, personable, and an absolute pleasure to collaborate with.

Hugh Sims KC

Guildhall Chambers

Steven Thompson KC

XXIV Old Buildings

Steven Thompson KC has acted for us across a number of matters and has consistently impressed. He brings deep expertise in the Cayman jurisdiction together with a pragmatic, approachable manner that clients greatly value. He is an exceptional advocate whom we would readily recommend.

Francis Tregear KC

XXIV Old Buildings

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.

Alex Barden KC

Fountain Court Chambers

Alex is a very solutions-focused barrister. He has boundless energy and is always looking for a new angle or winning argument on any case. He is very responsive and his advice cuts straight to the point. He's a reassuring presence in front of clients.

Donald Lilly KC

4 Stone Buildings

Rebecca Page KC

Maitland Chambers

Rebecca is incredibly calm and user-friendly; very easy to work with and willing to muck in on the details.

Thomas Robinson KC

Wilberforce Chambers

Tom is first class. Calm, measured, and respected by the bench and opponents. Particularly strong in his insolvency work and is not afraid to tackle difficult points and complex areas of law.

Niranjan Venkatesan KC

One Essex Court

Niranjan Venkatesan is the one to watch. He is bright, astute, and intellectually honest. He is an absolute pleasure to watch on his feet, and his ability to read, digest, understand, and retain information is incredibly impressive. I wouldn't hesitate to use Niranjan, and if you've worked with him, he is your first choice.

2026 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.

Rory Brown KC

Bobby Friedman KC

Wilberforce Chambers

Ben Griffiths KC

Erskine Chambers

Philip Hinks KC

3 Verulam Buildings

Olivier Kalfon KC

Maitland Chambers

Olivier is very hands-on, practical, and fantastic with clients. He has a calming manner and a strategic mind.

Sarah McCann KC

Gatehouse Chambers

Niall McCulloch KC

Enterprise Chambers

Hugh Miall KC

XXIV Old Buildings

Tiran Nersessian KC

4 Stone Buildings

Tiran is first-rate. He thinks things through in all their details, works very hard, and is able to express his views with real clarity. He is also very personable and impresses clients with his professionalism.

Jack Watson KC

Wilberforce Chambers

William Willson KC

Insolvency in London Bar | Law firm and lawyer rankings from Legal 500 Insolvency guide | Silks