Set Profile > Chambers of Ewan McQuater QC and Adrian Beltrami QC > London, England

Public international law

Aviation

Commodities

Shipping

Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Tier 1

3 Verulam Buildings 'continues to thrive as a first-rate set,' and is a 'clear market leader in this field', according to instructing solicitors, who add that on 'all banking and finance matters they can offer genuine expertise and huge strength in depth'. The set's silks and juniors are regularly called upon to act on the market's largest and most technically challenging banking disputes. Recent examples using multiple members include PJSC Commercial Bank Privatbank v Kolomoisky & Others, in which Ali Malek QC and Matthew Parker represented Gennadiy Bogolyubov. Another highlight was PCP Capital Partners v Barclays Bank Plc, in which Ewan McQuater QC represented Barclays, while Andrew Onslow QC  advised the Serious Fraud Office in related parallel criminal proceedings.

Commercial litigation Tier 1

With 'excellent bench strength', 3 Verulam Buildings is a 'go-to set for commercial litigation mandates'. Over the years, the set has been building an extremely strong team at the junior end, with some well-chosen laterals, arriving either from rival sets or law firms. Notable recent examples include Jamie Riley QC and James McWiliams from Littleton Chambers. The workload of members also continues to impress, with significant roles on Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton, in which Adrian Beltrami QC successfully represented the defendant, and PCP Capital Partners v Barclays Bank Plc, where Ewan McQuater QC led the defence for the bank.

Financial services regulation Tier 1

3 Verulam Buildings remains 'a go-to set for any dispute with a financial services angle', according to instructing solicitors. Recently members such as Richard Brent QC have advised on several major test cases affecting the financial services industry. Members, including Rory Phillips QC, Robert Purves, and Sophie Mallinckrodt  also acted for the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority on the Part VII transfers of Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank, HSBC, and Santander.

Fraud: civil Tier 1

3 Verulam Buildings has an 'excellent blend of barristers and door tenants, and the clerks ensure that the barristers instructed are available when needed'. The set's pedigree in the fraud arena is demonstrated by the caseload of its members, which includes AHAB v Saad Investments Co Ltd, one of the largest fraud claims ever litigated, in which David Quest QC acted for the Algosaibi Brothers. Other notable mandates included Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton, where Adrian Beltrami QC represented the accountants, and Tatneft v Bogolyubov & Ors, in which Ali Malek QC and Peter De Verneuil Smith represented the defendants.

IT and telecoms Tier 1

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 1

International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 2

Mediators Tier 2

3 Verulam Buildings' Elizabeth Birch is also a member of In Place of Strife. Birch has been mediating commercial and international disputes since 1995, and is particularly focused on maritime, commercial, insurance and reinsurance matters, and receives appointments from the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and other international panels.

Offshore Tier 2

A set that is 'very impressive in terms of its coverage, and advocates with really strong advocacy skills', 3 Verulam Buildings handles a range of work, with a number of cases having links to the CIS region through the BVI. Members are also involved in litigation elsewhere in the Caribbean. Matthew Hardwick QC represented Delco Participation, a Dutch company, in an appeal against the decision of a BVI's first instance court to refuse to appoint liquidators over Green Elite in an unusual use of the loss of substratum ground for a winding-up. Ewan McQuater QC led the team representing BVI companies in the Investec Trust v Glenalla Trustees case, the latest round of the Tchenguiz saga, in this instance concerning enforcing against Robert Tchenguiz's home near the Royal Albert Hall. Hefin Rees QC joined in October 2018 from 39 Essex Chambers, further strengthening the set.

Professional negligence Tier 2

3 Verulam Buildings 'undoubtedly has strength-in-depth' and offers 'quality counsel' for professional negligence disputes, where it is noted for its ability to handle cases in the financial services sector. It is also instructed by a number of major insurance and reinsurance groups. Richard Edwards QC acted for the claimant in Court of Appeal case CGL Group Ltd v RBS, which concerned alleged duties of care owed by banks to customers. Ali Malek QC  is instructed in Carlyle Capital Corporation Ltd (In Liquidation) & Others v Conway & Others, which involves the collapse of a $22bn fund and  professional negligence issues.

Insolvency Tier 3

3 Verulam Buildings has 'strength in depth at every level and offer an excellent choice of counsel'. The set has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, demonstrated by Ewan Mcquater QC's lead of Vodafone's defence in Phones 4u Limited v Vodafone Group. In another highlight, Matthew Hardwick QC acted for the claimant in Delco Participation BV v Green Elite Limited. Adrian Beltrami QC, who was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2018, acted for RBS in the pre-trial phase of Marme v RBS.

Insurance and reinsurance Tier 3

3 Verulam Buildings is noted for its 'star individuals' for insurance and reinsurance work. Peter Ratcliffe and Adam Kramer were instructed in professional indemnity policy dispute Brightside Group Ltd v AIG Europe Ltd and others. With several 'fantastic silks', Tom Weitzman QC, in particular, has been involved in a number of complex insurance disputes; he led Kate Holderness in The Cultural Foundation & Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company v Beazley Furlonge, which relates to claims brought by third parties against Beazley Furlonge and a number of excess insurers under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930.

International arbitration: counsel Tier 3

3 Verulam Buildings is praised for its 'mentality and ethos'. The set has built up an impressive roster of arbitration counsel over recent years, particularly at the more junior end. Recent highlight cases include Marfin Investment Group v Cyprus, where Ali Malek QC, Tariq Baloch and Mark Wassouf represented the claimants, and Anatolie Stati & (2) Gabriel Stati & (3) Ascom Group S.A. & (4) Terra Raf Trans Traiding Ltd v The Republic of Kazakhstan in which Malek and Christopher Harris QC represented Kazakhstan.

Consumer Tier 3

Construction Tier 3

Pensions Tier 3

Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture Tier 3

3 Verulam Buildings has a solid track record representing the National Crime Agency in civil recovery proceedings. Andrew Sutcliffe QC and Anne Jeavons successfully acted for the agency in the case of National Crime Agency v Nuttall, involving the recovery of assets worth £6m, which were found to be the proceeds of a money laundering scheme.

Energy Tier 4

In 2018, members of 3 Verulam Buildings appeared in numerous court and arbitration cases related to oilfields and mines, as well as technical disputes and matters concerning the economic interests of parties involved in the operation of major oil and gas pipelines. The set is 'more than just its core finance and banking practice', remarks one client, while another recommends the 'efficient and forward-looking' clerking team. Andrew Onslow QC acted for the claimant in Iran Offshore & Engineering Construction Company v Dean Investment Holdings SA & Ors Acting to attempt the recovery of $87m for an offshore oil drilling rig. Heavyweight commercial silk Hodge Malek QC joined the set in 2018. He is currently involved in a multibillion-dollar arbitration concerning a long-term gas supply contract. Ali Malek QC acted for Ukrainian oligarch Gennadiy Bogolyubov in a $380m oil distribution dispute. Paul Wee is acting for The Russian Federation in enforcement proceedings concerning the $50bn arbitral awards obtained by former shareholders of Yukos under the Energy Charter Treaty.

Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 4

Administrative and public law (including local government) Tier 4

Media and entertainment (including art and cultural property) Tier 4

Set overviews: England and Wales

‘One of the first choices for banking and financial market disputes’, the ‘top notch’ 3 Verulam Buildings has ‘strong bench strength’ with ‘numerous barristers who are excellent in a range of other areas’, including arbitration, fraud, and insolvency; ‘they are all reliable and provide quality advice, with some superstars there present’. The set ‘unquestionably has the heft and the strength in depth of the very best commercial sets,’ said one client, and despite its ‘top-flight status’ solicitors are pleased chambers has ‘managed to stay in the real world’ when it comes to fees, which are described as ‘realistic and commercial’. Christopher Harris, Peter De Verneuil Smith, and Nicholas Craig all took silk in 2019. After a busy 2018 for recruitment, chambers further strengthened its stable with the arrival of new commercial litigation and insolvency silk Jamie Riley QC and junior James McWilliams from Littleton Chambers. The set also celebrated the arrival of three new high-profile associate members: Brian King, formerly head of arbitration at Freshfields, Sean Hagan, former general counsel of the International Monetary Fund, and sovereign debt specialist Lee C Buchheit. But it is not just the set’s membership that has grown; chambers has also recruited talented clerk Samantha Jones from Serjeants' Inn Chambers. The set’s senior management consists of chambers director Robin Jackson and joint senior practice managers Stephen Penson (‘a pleasure to deal with’) and Stuart Pullum (‘responsive, helpful, and has a strong relationship with the court’), who together oversee ‘one of the best clerks' rooms around’. The clerks are all ‘approachable and highly responsive. They take time to get to know you and can put together the right team for you in short order’. Richard Ansell is ‘particularly impressive’; Ed Tolfts is ‘helpful, hardworking, and goes the extra mile’; Robert Croke, James Ingham, Harry Freeman, and Jack Wheeler are also rated for their ‘exemplary’ client service. Offices in: London