Exchange Chambers is a 'very impressive commercial set' that has 'real strength, depth and quality'. The set displays expertise in corporate and personal insolvency work, shareholder, company and partnership litigation and disputes, commercial fraud. David Mohyuddin QC has a broad commercial litigation practice with expertise in handling fraud and deceit allegations. Carly Sandbach  handles a wide variety of commercial litigation cases and represents banks, multi-nationals, small businesses, professional firms and private individuals. David Went is also noted and represented Road Haulage Association in Road Haulage Association Limited v MAN SE and ors, a leg of the truck cartel competition law case. The 'excellent' James Malam and Stephen Connolly who is a 'strong technical lawyer' are also noted. Giles Maynard-Connor QC took Silk in the 2021 round, and Mark Cawson QC (as was) was appointed to the bench in November 2020.
Commercial litigation in Regional Bar
Exchange Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Exchange are a superb set of chambers. They have deep resources in the sector and our firm regularly uses counsel from exchange of all levels of experience.’
‘In commercial work, Exchange Chambers have a number of quality barristers who are easy to work with, practical and commercial.’
‘Strength-in-depth with an impressive array of varied Counsel able to meet the needs of each case.’
‘My team use Exchange Chambers as its go to chambers in the North West. The set has every level of superb expertise from junior juniors to hugely experienced silks.’
‘Exchange Chambers are an incredibly hard working set and no matter which barrister may be instructed you know you are in incredibly safe hands.’
‘Exchange Chambers is the strongest commercial set in Manchester. It has a good set of strong individuals at both QC and senior-junior level.’
‘This set has strength in depth in this area and are always willing to find a suitable counsel even at very short notice on occasion. They offer excellent training events and updates via on line platforms which are helpful and informative and fees are reasonable and timescales adhered to which is why they are my go to set of chambers for commercial matters.’
‘Exchange Chambers have always been very receptive to any requests we have made for counsel resource and have great strength in depth in commercial litigation, in particular product liability and group litigation.’
‘Exchange Chambers is a great set – I instruct a number of different barristers from Exchange all of whom adopt the same commercial approach to matters (seeing disputes from the perspective of the client and considering practical routes through which it can be resolved).’
‘Exchange are personable and quick to respond. When alternative barristers were required due to availability, this was dealt with quickly.’
‘Chambers have a significant depth of expertise especially amongst its juniors. The more senior barristers are able and likeable. Those more recently on their feet similarly. Exchange Chambers have a habit of inviting bright people to join but when that intellectual ability is supplemented with them being decent engaging and likeable it makes them the chambers of choice in the North.’
Clerking
‘Nick Buckley & Ian Spencer are particularly good.’
‘Clerks are easy to deal with, understand how to add value and the benefits of being available and responsive. Joe Mawson is excellent.’
‘Joe Mawson is excellent, always responds promptly, listens to any concerns and always happy to make recommendations if the requested counsel is not available but is always honest about Counsels capabilities and will advise if he believes matter may be a little too complex for one of the more junior barristers.’
‘The Clerks’ room is very helpful, informed and attuned to the particular barrister that will suit a particular case or circumstance dependant on availability.’
‘Joe Mawson continues to excel and in all these years we have never had an issue.’
‘The clerks are incredibly committed and always find the appropriate solutions to any problems presented no matter what time of day it may be.’
‘Clerks are usually very responsive, Josh Finn stands out.’
‘Very responsive and very helpful. Nick Buckley leads a great team and always seeks to provide quick solutions to any issues or matters which arise.’
‘The Clerking team is fantastic and flexible to meet your needs. They are realistic on fee estimates and will do what they can to help (from contacting listings teams to providing you with administrative assistance). Ian Spencer and Nicole Haigh in particular shine – always on hand on the phone and extremely responsive. Both are a safe pair of hands!’
Kings Chambers
Kings Chambers is a 'first class chambers' and is 'one of the top two commercial sets in Manchester'. The set is known for its 'strength in depth' and for delivering 'sound commercial, straightforward advice'. Key areas of focus include contracts, business sale and purchase, banking and finance, competition, and civil fraud. The set houses a number of commercial specialists including Lesley Anderson QC, Paul Chaisty QC and Andrew Grantham QC. David Casement QC is noted and was involved in Waldron v Waldron, a case involving a shareholder dispute between family shareholders in a construction company. Mark Harper QC also has a strong shareholder and company disputes practice, as well as focusing on professional negligence, restraint of trade, partnership, sports related disputes, intellectual property and commercial litigation. Martin Budworth represented the defendant in Manolete Partners v Ismail, which involved a £60m breach of fiduciary duty claim.
Testimonials
Set
‘The set has huge strength in depth across all levels of experience in the commercial field and a responsive clerking team that is always on call and meets your needs; that said, the barristers, too, are available for direct contact, too, and do not stand on needless ceremony.’
‘For commercial litigation matters the go-to set with barristers on a par with those in London sets.’
‘The best commercial set in the North West. A great range of QCs but with strength in depth in the junior ranks.’
‘Kings Chambers is a very good set, especially in the field of Chancery/commercial litigation. They have a wide array for excellent barristers, both senior and junior alike.’
‘Kings, along with Exchange, is one of the top two commercial sets in Manchester. They have genuine strength in depth and their clerking, under Gary Young for commercial work, is excellent. They listen to constructive feedback and respond to it. We trust them and that underpins the whole relationship. We value our relationship with Kings.’
‘Kings Chambers has some very talented individuals particularly in the fraud and share holder dispute areas.’
‘Kings Chambers is my go to. A huge wealth of talent and expertise rare outside London.’
‘Wide range of specialist experience for commercial work. Always of a great standard and range of experience. High standards.’
‘Kings Chambers are a first class set with strength in depth from inexperienced juniors up to well respected leading counsel. My firm has instructed Kings for in excess of twenty years and, as an individual solicitor, I have always referred to Kings a variety of commercial work.’
Clerking
‘The Clerks’ room is very helpful, informed and attuned to the particular barrister that will suit a particular case or circumstance dependant on availability. We get excellent service from Gary Young, Harry Young and Brandon Singh.’
‘I predominantly deal with Gary Young. Gary is the chief clerk for Business & Property and Construction. He understands that we are under pressure from clients and therefore need to turn matters around swiftly.’
‘The clerks are very responsive and helpful, especially the senior clerk Gary Young.’
‘The clerks are very personable and prompt in dealing with any queries. Gary Young is instrumental on the commercial side of the set in ensuring that commercial work is carried out by members efficiently and cost effectively. He is in that respect, ably assisted by Harry Young.’
18 St John Street Chambers
18 St John Street Chambers' business and property team is 'user friendly and approachable'. Richard Chapman QC is Chair of the Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association and represented the defendant in Coyne v MFW Developments Ltd, a case involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty by a director with over £2m at stake. The set is also home to David Hoffman who shows 'exceptional ability to interpret the law'. Hoffman represented Greentree Legal in Direct Accident Management v Greentree Legal Ltd, Legend Legal Ltd & Others, a case that involved a claim for misuse of confidential information.
Testimonials
Set
‘They will always have someone available and price the counsel in line with the claim. Helpful, organised and covering a broad range.’
‘I haven’t used the chambers because I have gone through David direct.’
‘I have used this Chambers for many years and keep coming back because of the quality and service of its commercial team.’
‘I have used all levels of Counsel in the Chambers from the most junior to senior and am always impressed with the responsiveness received .Over the years the Chambers have offered training to our commercial team on topics often chosen by us where this has been bespoke to our needs.’
Clerking
‘Good service and amenable clerks.’
‘Katie Brown has been at 18 St John Street for a very long time and is very responsive and fair in her dealings and builds a good rapport with her solicitors.’
‘Always efficient and helpful.’
‘I have come back to the chambers year after year due to the service received not only because of the quality of Counsel but also the quality of the clerking service. Katie Brown and the clerking team are great to work with, responsive, fair and reasonable on fees, helpful, friendly and always willing to take a commercial view when perhaps the more difficult cases need perhaps a different approach.’
St John's Buildings
St John's Buildings has a broad client offering for commercial litigation and displays particular expertise in general commercial law, intellectual property and fraud. Members represent a wide range of clients from large multinationals to small businesses and individuals. Pépin Aslett's practice covers a variety of contract, fraud and company claims.