Enterprise Chambers > London, England > Set Profile
Enterprise Chambers Offices
Enterprise Chambers
9 OLD SQUARE, LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3SR
England
Enterprise Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
North Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation Tier 1
The commercial litigation team at Enterprise Chambers has 'good strength in depth' and is regularly instructed across the spectrum of contentious matters. Complex unfair prejudice petitions have been prominent in Margaret Griffin's workload. The 'very sharp and extremely hardworking' Matthew Maddison's 'technical knowledge and written advice is second to none'. The 'very responsive' Cristín Toman is sought after for her expertise in commercial injunctions. Duncan Heath 'is very good on his feet and has a calm, measured approach which always impresses judges and clients alike'.
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Clerking
‘The clerks are fantastic. Joanne Caunt in particular is brilliant – nothing is too much trouble and she is always available‘.
‘Helpful and efficient‘.
North Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency Tier 1
'A good strong set for insolvency work', Enterprise Chambers' team is regularly instructed in complex large-scale insolvency cases, and is well versed in handling a broad spectrum of company-related issues. Matthew Maddison appeared in Re: Arlington Infrastructure Limited, involving a challenge to the validity of an out-of-court appointment of administrators, as well as determining whether a qualifying floating charge may be rendered “unenforceable” under Paragraph 16 of Schedule B1, which requires the charge to be enforceable before an administrator can be appointed. The 'confident' Kelly Bond appeared for the successful trustees in Re Lasytsya, a bankruptcy case where a bankrupt's attempt to set aside a search and seizure order made under section 365 of the Insolvency Act 1986 was dismissed. The case involved issues of implementing appropriate safeguards when drafting the mentioned orders at a without notice hearing, and the requirement for full and frank disclosure on applications made without notice.
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Clerking
‘Joanne Caunt is brilliant and goes above and beyond‘.
‘Joanne Caunt and Ellen McInall are very good and always available to help‘.
North Eastern Circuit > Property and construction Tier 1
Enterprise Chambers has 'marked strength in property and landlord and tenant disputes'. The 'intellectually exceptional' Christopher Buckingham is representing a landlord in litigation concerning alleged unlawful forfeiture. Dominic Crossley appeared in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) in a case where it was ruled that restrictive covenants affecting a burdened title can become obsolete when the original beneficiaries are deceased. Proprietary estoppel claims have been prominent in Bruce Walker's recent workload.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A very good set of barristers with good upcoming juniors.’
‘They have a marked strength in real property and landlord and tenant disputes. There is always a capable, approachable and friendly barrister available.’
‘Enterprise is an excellent chambers, providing a City level of service and expertise, but at a regional price. Clients are delighted by the service and assistance that they receive from barristers at Enterprise.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are very efficient and helpful. Joanne Caunt in particular is extremely helpful.’
‘Very professional service.’
‘Always provided with a good service by the Leeds clerks, Joanne Caunt and Ellen McInall.’
Western Circuit > Company and insolvency Tier 1
Enterprise Chambers' Bristol office fields a team with established expertise in handling insolvency litigation. Stephen Davies QC is singled out as 'a leading specialist in insolvency work', and the 'tenacious' Jeremy Bamford is 'a well-known insolvency junior'. The 'calm, considered and commercial' Christopher Brockman is sought after for a wide range of personal and corporate insolvency issues, including advice on breaches of fiduciary duty claims. The 'very capable' Daisy Brown is regularly instructed in shareholders' disputes and misfeasance cases.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A consistently good and reputable set.’
‘Tremendous strength in depth – a good stable of juniors to support where more senior juniors become hearing blocked.’
‘A strong set and go-to for insolvency work.’
‘The philosophy is that nothing is too much trouble for the benefit of the client. I regularly attend webinars organised by the set and find the presentations to be both topical and technically excellent.’
‘They have a strong offering in the senior-junior area, who are well capable of dealing with the full array of insolvency applications and issues.’
Clerking
‘The clerking is excellent.’
North Eastern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax Tier 2
Enterprise Chambers is an 'excellent set giving a specialist commercial and Chancery service to the North Eastern Circuit'. The team has established strength in handling Inheritance Act claims and probate and trusts work; the 'absolutely excellent' Stephanie Jarron and the 'fearless' Margaret Griffin have noted expertise in contentious probate matters. Griffin is acting in a ongoing case involving a dispute over the validity of a will. Dominic Crossley is singled out for 'his superb technical knowledge in relation to trust law'. Chris Dunk is another key practitioner to note.
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Enterprise Chambers has a good number of barristers in this field who undertake this work with skill and care‘.
‘Brilliant, effective and efficient‘.
‘A grounded set‘.
Clerking
‘The clerks are of the highest calibre. Responsive and solution driven‘.
‘The clerks are so friendly and lovely to deal with‘.
‘Joanne Caunt and Ellen McInall are first rate: very quick to respond, nothing is a problem and they always find a solution‘.
London Bar > Insolvency Tier 3
A number of the more high-profile insolvency cases of recent years have seen significant involvement from Enterprise Chambers‘ members, in particular, complex insurance insolvencies have been a forté. James Pickering QC had a very strong first year as silk, acting for the joint liquidators of Mintpal, a defunct cryptocurrency exchange, in what is thought to be the first provisional liquidation based on a debt in digital currency. The set boasts a strong pool of juniors, including Linden Ife, who has a niche expertise in recovering unlawful dividends paid pre-insolvency; and Kavan Gunaratna, an expert in cases with a commercial, property, or banking slant.Leading Silks
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Excellent, and a go-to for commercial & insolvency work.‘
‘Enterprise Chambers offer a fantastic service.‘
‘Good strength in depth and very good insolvency set.‘
‘A strong set for insolvency.‘
‘I have always found Enterprise to be a helpful and user-friendly set.‘
Clerking
‘Very impressed with their clerking abilities, particularly Raj Lamba.‘
London Bar > Commercial litigation Tier 4
Enterprise Chambers is 'a go-to for commercial and insolvency work' with 'a strong team across the chambers'. The set differs from others in the London rankings due to its strong UK footprint, with locations in Bristol, Leeds, and Newcastle, in addition to the capital. James Pickering QC is one of the set's lead silks for Commercial Court claims and recently advised the liquidators on Hotel Portfolio II UK Ltd v SMA Investment Holdings Ltd, a matter which has feature complex privilege issues. The set has a strong stable of senior juniors, including Linden Ife, who represented the claimants in Close Brothers Asset Finance v A&M Commercials Ltd, involving claims of misrepresentation that could have implications for the asset finance market. Niall McCulloch, Edward Cohen and Geoffrey Zelin also have active commercial practices.
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘It is a close-knit set who work well together. A good range of barristers, but with some very notable talent. Excellent clerks. A considerable number of well-delivered webinars in particular over the last year and first rate seminars on specific subjects.’
‘Quality and depth at all levels.’
‘The set is going from strength to strength and growing throughout the country. They have been hosting a series of webinars on topical subjects which have all been very well received and is something I consider they should continue with. ‘
‘Enterprise are superb for insolvency and contract disputes.’
‘Our go to set for chancery litigation. Strength in depth, user friendly, flexible on fees.’
Clerking
‘Luke Clark and Michael Ireland are personable, hard-working and extremely responsive. Hard to find clerks in other sets who deliver the same service.’
London Bar > Company and partnership Tier 4
Enterprise Chambers houses ‘a great range of juniors’ for all matters pertaining to company law. Linden Ife, who ‘takes no prisoners’ in complex shareholder litigation, is particularly noteworthy, having defended oil executive Peter Young against insider trading allegations raised by investment firm FCFM. Niall McCulloch represented the municipality of Mariana in Brazil in a dispute with BHP after the Fundão dam collapse, which involved complex issues of corporate personality. Geoffrey Zelin has a particular interest in directors’ disqualification disputes whereas Edward Cohen’s practice covers both company and partnerships law and is currently representing various claimants in a dispute with an architecture LLP.Company - Leading Juniors
Partnership - Leading juniors
Testimonials
Set
Down to earth, very friendly set, always on hand to offer suitable counsel for a variety of work.
Very good set offering insolvency expertise at every level.
A good set in both London and Leeds, with members who , together, cover virtually all of the waterfront relevant to company/commercial disputes.
Strength in depth and availability of trusted counsel is invaluable.
Clerking
Clerks are always willing to assist and be proactive in offering suitable counsel without being forceful in their recommendations.
The clerks are responsive and helpful. I would particularly commend Michael Ireland and Luke Clark.
London Bar > Property litigation Tier 5
Enterprise Chambers is a focused real estate litigation set, primarily acting for mid-tier City and national law firms. Members are heavily involved in landlord and tenant litigation, as well as more recently representing clients in mortgage and lease disputes. Kavan Gunaratna represents major landowners, business tenants, and companies in in business tenancy litigation, property-insolvency cases, and service charge disputes, acting for the owner of the Tolworth Tower against Travelodge’s controversial CVA proposals. Geoffrey Zelin is representing Royal London in its well-publicised dispute with Boots over the liability for rent under a number of leases. Sally Ann Blackmore represents residential and commercial clients in a variety of proceedings, including representing defendants in respect of a claim for damages and an injunction for breach of an alleged easement and trespass involving parcels of registered and unregistered land.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘The chambers are responsive and have a great strength in depth in particular on matters relating to property and insolvency.‘
‘Enterprise Chambers are a great set, particularly given their property and insolvency cross-over. They have offered phenomenal training during the pandemic which helped navigate some very difficult quick moving legislative changes.‘
Clerking
‘The clerks are all responsive.‘
‘Michael Ireland and Luke Clark are excellent and responsive.‘
‘Good long-term relationship with all the clerks who are responsive and flexible on fees when the need arises.‘
Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 5
Jonathan Arkush – Enterprise Chambers Highly experienced mediator Jonathan Arkush at Enterprise Chambers has conducted over 350 mediations to date across a wide range of practice areas. Arkush recently mediated a dispute involving allegations that a sibling had stripped the parents of assets and hidden them.
Midland Circuit > Company and insolvency
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Social housing
Leading Juniors
Enterprise Chambers > Set Profile
Enterprise Chambers is a leading set of barristers, specialising in commercial, business and property related disputes.
The set: Enterprise Chambers is unique among commercial sets in offering a nationwide presence. It has established premises in London, Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne and fields barristers throughout England and Wales. The set values are robustly commercial. Members understand the needs of the solicitors who instruct them and their lay clients. They aim to meet those needs with rapidly delivered, high quality, commercially sound advice and representation. Members are familiar with and experienced in all courts and tribunals, including regulatory and property tribunals, and mediations and arbitrations.
Types of work undertaken: Members carry out work across a wide range of commercial, business and property problems encountered by private individuals, small- and medium-enterprises, large corporations and public authorities alike. The set can field individual barristers at any level or a team of barristers able to take on the largest and most complex litigation. The sets core specialisms are commercial chancery, including commercial, company, insolvency, banking & financial services, property/landlord and tenant both commercial and residential and professional negligence.
The sets expertise within insolvency and property uniquely places it to deal with disputes which involve both.
Insolvency covers international and cross-border insolvency and all matters appertaining to liquidations, receiverships, administrations, voluntary arrangements, schemes of arrangement and bankruptcies, with members frequently acting for and against insolvency practitioners engaged in the adjustment of prior transactions.
Commercial work covers all legal and strategic issues facing individuals, businesses and public authorities today. These include contract, restraint of trade, loans, guarantees and other securities, sale of goods, insurance, competition law, civil fraud and tax.
Company and partnership problems, including directors liabilities and disqualification, shareholder and partner disputes, unfair prejudice, derivative actions, dissolution claims and quasi-partnerships
Banking & Finance covers mortgages and charges, guarantees and indemnities, receivership and administration, negligent investment advice, product mis-selling, payment fraud and misdirected payments, project finance, hire-purchase and asset finance
Property/landlord and tenant covers all aspects of business, residential and agricultural tenancies, mortgages, conveyancing, easements, covenants, adverse possession, environmental law, housing, sale of land, legal and beneficial interests in land, and registration of land.
Members additionally cover professional negligence involving accountants, architects, barristers, insolvency practitioners, engineers, solicitors and surveyors. All aspects of licensing and regulation increasingly faced by individuals and businesses are addressed, including environmental, water and waste licensing, building regulation and remediation, as well as the licensing of alcohol, entertainment, betting, gaming, lotteries, firearms and taxis.
Many of the sets members are recognised in the major directories as leaders in their fields and all are known to their clients for their approachability, expertise and commercial acumen.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Clerk | Michael Ireland | ||
| Chambers Administrator | Tracey Collins | ||
| Clerk | Luke Clark | ||
| Clerk | Raj Lamba | ||
| Clerk | Frazer Gale-Sinclair | ||
| Clerk | Kenya Mendoza | ||
| Clerk | Jade Farrow | ||
| Clerk | Justin Emmett | ||
| Clerk | Joanne Caunt | ||
| Clerk | Ellen Mcinall | ||
| Clerk | Michelle Carson | ||
| Members of Chambers | PICKERING QC, James (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DAVIES QC, Stephen (1983, QC 2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PAGE QC, Hugo (1977, QC 2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | COHEN, Edward (1972) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ARKUSH, Jonathan (1977) | ||
| Members of Chambers | IFE, Linden (1982) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ZELIN, Geoffrey (1984) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BARKER, James (1984) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BROCKMAN, Christopher (1985) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GROVES, Hugo (1980) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LEVY, Neil (1986) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KENNEDY-McGregor, Marilyn (1989) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BAMFORD, Jeremy (1989) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JARRON, Stephanie (1990) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WILLIAMSON, Bridget (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WALKER, Bruce (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FRANCIS, Edward (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ILYAS, Shaiba (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | McCULLOCH, Niall (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JOHNSON, Simon (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FENTEM, Ross (2003) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BLACKMORE, Sally-Anne (2003) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GUNARATNA, Kavan (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TOMAN, Cristin (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GRIFFIN, Margaret (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GUPTA, Amit (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BROWN, Daisy (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CROSSLEY, Dominic (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | READ, Emma (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BOND, Kelly (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HEATH, Duncan (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MEECH, Jennifer (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GALE, Phillip (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DAVIES, James (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BUCKINGHAM, Christopher (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROYLE, Chris (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MADDISON, Matthew (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BROOKE, Jessica (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DIXON, Madeline (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | THOMPSON, Claire (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TODD, Fiona (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DUNK, Chris (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | INNES, Mari (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HODGE, Samuel (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GRAHAM, Otis (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PURNELL, Georgia (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MALLOCH, Kirsty (2018) | ||
| VACANI, Ella (2019) | |||
| Members of Chambers | LANGAN QC, HH Peter* | ||
| Members of Chambers | KAYE QC, HH Roger |
Barrister Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Jonathan Arkush | Conducts a wide range of commercial and chancery litigation, including contract, real… | View Profile |
 | Sally Blackmore | Sally specialises in (i) landlord and tenant, property and housing litigation (ii)… | View Profile |
 | Louise Bowmaker | Barrister specialising in commercial chancery work, with a particular emphasis on insolvency… | View Profile |
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| Edward Cohen | Edward has practised since 1973 in the field of general commercial and… | View Profile |
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| James Davies | Barrister specialising in a broad range of commercial and chancery work, with… | View Profile |
 | Madeline Dixon | Barrister specialising in a broad range of commercial and chancery work, with… | View Profile |
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| Edward Francis | Barrister specialising in real property litigation (Including easements, restrictive covenants, conveyancing, land… | View Profile |
 | Phillip Gale | Barrister specialising in all aspects of commercial and Chancery work, with an… | View Profile |
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| Kavan Gunaratna | Barrister specialising in commercial chancery litigation, corporate and personal insolvency, landlord and… | View Profile |
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| Linden Ife | Barrister specialising in commercial and Chancery litigation, especially insolvency and corporate reconstruction;… | View Profile |
 | Shaiba Ilyas | Barrister specialising in all aspects of commercial Chancery litigation, with a particular… | View Profile |
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| Simon Johnson | Corporate and personal insolvency: claims for and against office-holders, creditor constituencies and… | View Profile |
 | Marilyn Kennedy-McGregor | Marilyn specialises in work which is likely to become adversarial and is… | View Profile |
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| Niall McCulloch | Chancery (general), insolvency (including cross-border insolvency), commercial, company (reconstruction, director and shareholders… | View Profile |
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| Jennifer Meech | Jennifer specialises in commercial Chancery litigation with a particular emphasis on insolvency,… | View Profile |
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| James Pickering | Barrister specialising in insolvency, commercial, professional negligence, property, landlord and tenant, and… | View Profile |
 | Bridget Williamson | Barrister specialising in insolvency (corporate and individual), company, property, general Chancery. | View Profile |
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| Geoffrey Zelin | Barrister specialising in general Chancery litigation with commercial emphasis; partnership, company law,… | View Profile |