Bristol-based Guildhall Chambers is one of the ‘go-to‘ commercial litigation sets on the Western Circuit. Hugh Sims KC is highly sought after for his expertise - he has recently led Jay Jagasia, with ‘unparalleled knowledge of financial services and banking law‘ and Lucy Walker, with ‘sound technical expertise‘, in the high-profile case of Philipp v Barclays Bank UK plc, concerning the liability under the Quincecare duty of the paying bank in respect of authorised push payment fraud. Richard Ashcroft’s broad practice includes claims involving misrepresentation and breaches of warranty, the supply of defective goods and services, and the enforcement of post-sale restrictive covenants. James Hannant tends to handle commercial work arising out of insolvency proceedings, while ‘great all-rounder‘ Stefan Ramel has a strong reputation for acting in cross-border proceedings and recently acted for the claimant in BW Legal Services v Glassdoor, who sought Norwich Pharmacal orders in respect of two anonymous reviews posted on the eponymous employer review site.
Commercial litigation in
Regional Bar
Guildhall Chambers
Testimonials
‘Joe Stayte is responsive and very commercial in resourcing suitable counsel and is an all round excellent clerk.’
‘Joe Stayte and Stephen Arnold are always available to take calls and answer any queries and are both upfront on availability and fees. They will always try to offer a solution.’
‘Guildhall is a go to chambers and has been for in excess of 20 years for commercial disputes work. Their clerks are responsive and very helpful. Their members are very bright team players who are good with clients and advise clearly and in appropriate language are also demonstrably strong advocates.’
‘Guildhall continually offers a solid choice of user friendly and capable barristers.’
‘Guildhall is an excellent chambers and the clerks will always find counsel to help.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is the “go to” chambers for financial services- and banking-related commercial litigation.’
‘The clerks are always excellent, responsive and willing to assist in any way they can.’
St John's Chambers
St John’s Chambers’ ‘excellent‘ commercial team offers its expertise to both businesses and individuals in relation to a wide range of disputes. John Dickinson ‘deals with difficult cases with ease’, including those involving local authority procurement claims, breaches of contract, restraint of trade, and fraud. In Capital Green Recycling v Bird, James Pearce-Smith represented the defendants in a significant claim for damages for misrepresentation and breach of warranty, brought by the overseas purchaser of shares in a waste recycling company. Matthew O’Regan specialises in competition disputes, while Charlie Newington-Bridges regularly displays a ‘superb mastery of company-commercial disputes‘, focusing on shareholder and partnership disputes, commercial contract disputes, claims relation to directors, and financial litigation. He recently acted for the first respondent in the High Court case of Duneau v Klimt Invest SA, which concerned the winding up of a listed company on the just and equitable ground of loss of substratum. Natasha Dzameh is a ‘confident advocate‘ who represents a wide range of clients, including financial institutions, international corporations, and individuals.
Testimonials
‘Simon Lyons is very helpful and prompt.’
‘The clerks are commercial, practical and most importantly, quick. In particular, Simon Lyons, who is extremely helpful, Paul Nuttall, who is very efficient, and Rob Bocock who runs the team, are excellent. The clerks team at St Johns makes it easy to use this set.’
‘The clerks are extremely responsive, knowledgeable and commercial in their approach. Simon Lyons in particular stands out. He develops relationships with instructing solicitors and endeavours to understand matters in order to assist in the progression of the instruction.’
‘The go to set in the South West in terms of strength in depth at a junior level.’
‘Good strength in depth.’
‘A very strong set which could easily match London counsel.’
Work highlights
Guildhall Chambers
Testimonials
‘Joe Stayte is responsive and very commercial in resourcing suitable counsel and is an all round excellent clerk.’
‘Joe Stayte and Stephen Arnold are always available to take calls and answer any queries and are both upfront on availability and fees. They will always try to offer a solution.’
‘Guildhall is a go to chambers and has been for in excess of 20 years for commercial disputes work. Their clerks are responsive and very helpful. Their members are very bright team players who are good with clients and advise clearly and in appropriate language are also demonstrably strong advocates.’
‘Guildhall continually offers a solid choice of user friendly and capable barristers.’
‘Guildhall is an excellent chambers and the clerks will always find counsel to help.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is the “go to” chambers for financial services- and banking-related commercial litigation.’
‘The clerks are always excellent, responsive and willing to assist in any way they can.’
St John's Chambers
St John’s Chambers’ ‘excellent‘ commercial team offers its expertise to both businesses and individuals in relation to a wide range of disputes. John Dickinson ‘deals with difficult cases with ease’, including those involving local authority procurement claims, breaches of contract, restraint of trade, and fraud. In Capital Green Recycling v Bird, James Pearce-Smith represented the defendants in a significant claim for damages for misrepresentation and breach of warranty, brought by the overseas purchaser of shares in a waste recycling company. Matthew O’Regan specialises in competition disputes, while Charlie Newington-Bridges regularly displays a ‘superb mastery of company-commercial disputes‘, focusing on shareholder and partnership disputes, commercial contract disputes, claims relation to directors, and financial litigation. He recently acted for the first respondent in the High Court case of Duneau v Klimt Invest SA, which concerned the winding up of a listed company on the just and equitable ground of loss of substratum. Natasha Dzameh is a ‘confident advocate‘ who represents a wide range of clients, including financial institutions, international corporations, and individuals.
Testimonials
‘Simon Lyons is very helpful and prompt.’
‘The clerks are commercial, practical and most importantly, quick. In particular, Simon Lyons, who is extremely helpful, Paul Nuttall, who is very efficient, and Rob Bocock who runs the team, are excellent. The clerks team at St Johns makes it easy to use this set.’
‘The clerks are extremely responsive, knowledgeable and commercial in their approach. Simon Lyons in particular stands out. He develops relationships with instructing solicitors and endeavours to understand matters in order to assist in the progression of the instruction.’
‘The go to set in the South West in terms of strength in depth at a junior level.’
‘Good strength in depth.’
‘A very strong set which could easily match London counsel.’