Toby Riley-Smith KC > Chambers of Charles Gibson KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Henderson Chambers garners praise as a ‘leading set of consumer finance regulatory barristers‘, however members are instructed by local authorities, private individuals and government entities across a wide spectrum of consumer law work. Toby Riley-Smith KC is ‘incredibly diligent and hard-working; he puts in enormous effort to ensure that all aspects of the case have been thoroughly considered and that no points are forgotten‘. Henry Warwick KC is a specialist in consumer finance matters, and William Hibbert is very experienced in advising on consumer credit and consumer protection regulatory issues.

Henderson Chambers is ‘excellent for financial services litigation and regulatory work’, with members being increasingly called upon to advise on matters governed by the FSMA and FCA regulatory regime related to consumer credit legislation and unfair business-to-consumer practices. In Intrum Finance v Baldwin, Toby Riley-Smith KC was instructed by the financier to appear in its appeal concerning if a debt-purchase company requires authorisation from the FCA to engage a third-party debt-recovery agent. Thomas Samuels is advising Google on the financial services aspects of a dispute regarding the right of insolvency practitioners to place search advertisements. Julia Smith continues to advise banks and other businesses on issues arising from the FSMA and FCA notification requirements.

Henderson Chambers is described by one client as ‘one of – if not the – leading set of consumer finance‘ and is focused on advising on consumer credit and consumer protection, with members acting predominantly for banks. Some of the set’s highlights include advising and acting for the UK’s five largest retail banks on a range of matters, including financing of FSMA regulated mortgage contract businesses. Toby Riley-Smith KC has experience in litigation involving consumer credit and hire agreements, alongside William Hibbert being a leading junior in consumer credit and consumer-facing financial services, including regulated credit and secured borrowing. Julia Smith  is a specialist in banking and financial services, regularly receiving instructions advising banks and other businesses as to issues arising under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Reputed as ‘go-to set for group litigation’, members of Henderson Chambers‘ areas of expertise include product liability, environmental, consumer and financial group actions, as well as handling claims arising from injuries, death or human rights abuse. A number of the set’s barristers, including Charles Gibson KC, Prashant Popat KC, Geraint Webb KC, Kathleen Donnelly KC and Lucy McCormick , continue to represent members of the Volkswagen Group in the ongoing group actions regarding the emissions of their diesel cars. Leading Adam Heppinstall KC, Oliver Campbell KC is acting as opposing counsel for claimants in these high-profile cases. At the same time, Campbell KC handles a group action by over 30,000 claimants against Easyjet in relation to a mass data breach involving financial and other data. Malcolm Sheehan KC represents Mercedes-Benz in other “dieselgate” litigation. Toby Riley-Smith KC  is acting for Bayer plc in over a hundred claims being brought under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, alleging that the permanent contraceptive device Essure has caused them a range of different personal injuries.