Neil Hext KC KC > 4 New Square Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
4 New Square Chambers Offices
LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3RJ
England
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Neil Hext KC KC
Work Department
Litigation
Position
Barrister specialising in commercial litigation, insurance and professional negligence. He appears regularly in the High Court, particularly in the Commercial Court, TCC and Chancery Division, and in arbitration proceedings. He has substantial appellate experience in the Court of Appeal. He has expertise in all aspects of insurance/reinsurance, acting for both insurers and insureds. In the commercial field he focuses particularly on commercial fraud, including claims for misappropriation of corporate assets, and is regularly instructed in relation to matters requiring urgent interlocutory relief. In professional negligence his work covers lawyers, insurance brokers, construction professionals, surveyors and accountants. He edits the chapter on surveyors in Jackson & Powell on Professional Liability.
Career
Called 1995, Gray’s Inn. Queen’s Counsel 2015.
Languages
French (working knowledge).
Memberships
Commercial Bar Association; Professional Negligence Bar Association.
Education
Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby; Bristol University/Leuven University, Belgium (1992 LLB European Legal Studies).
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3Neil Hext KC –4 New Square ‘Excellent on his feet in court, very clear advice and well drafted pleadings. A great all-rounder.’
London Bar > Construction
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4Neil Hext KC – 4 New Square ‘Neil is a bright and very articulate advocate. He is a good cross-examiner, hard-working, and very fair.’
London Bar > Professional negligence
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 24 New Square Chambers continues to be one of the most prominent sets on the market for professional liability matters with a strong bench strength across both silks and juniors. Ben Elkington KC and Anthony Jones are acting for the defendant in HMRC v Ernst & Young, which explores important legal points surrounding the duty of care owed by tax advisors to HMRC. Neil Hext KC and Hannah Daly act for the claimants, while Jamie Smith KC and Miles Harris represent the defendant in Manchester Property Development Holdings Ltd v Kuit Steinart Levy LLP, a case concerning alleged negligent advice given by a firm of solicitors in relation to a revolving finance facility. Shail Patel KC took silk in March 2024. Alongside Ben Hubble KC, Patel has been instructed in Peter Breitenback & Ors v Canaccord Genuity regarding a high-value tax and investment negligence claim against a Canadian wealth management company. Isabel Barter joined the set from 2 Temple Gardens in December 2023. The professional negligence offering is also strengthened by the addition of Jack Steer, who joined from Hailsham Chambers in January 2024.
Middle East: The English Bar > Construction
(Leading silks)Ranked: Tier 2Neil Hext KC – 4 New Square Chambers ‘Highly analytical and an effective advocate. Judges know they can trust him.’
4 New Square Chambers is praised as ‘an up and coming set for construction work’ as well as being ‘great for insurance work’ frequently acting for contractors on complex, high-profile construction disputes across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain among others. Roger Stewart KC is highly regarded for his expertise in insurance, professional negligence and construction negligence disputes, Neil Hext KC is well-versed in professional indemnity cases, while Nicholas Fletcher KC sits as an arbitrator on construction disputes across the Middle East. Tim Chelmick is often engaged in disputes arising from infrastructure, oil refinery, power station and airport development projects.