New Square Chambers > London, England > Set Profile
New Square Chambers Offices

12 NEW SQUARE, LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3SW
England
New Square Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Agriculture Tier 2
New Square Chambers is best known for its members' leading work on public access to land cases, including town and village green cases, alongside issues relating to highways law. George Laurence QC led on NHS Property Services Limited v Surrey County Council and Jones before the Court of Appeal, challenging the registration of hospital land in Surrey as a town green, with Simon Adamyk also involved. Paul Wilmshurst combines agricultural and real estate expertise, representing in cases relating to land access and development. Alexander Learmonth QC took silk in 2021, and is particularly known for his work on succession and agricultural estates.
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘The set has substantial in-depth expertise in a number of areas, including agriculture, property disputes (both public and private) and administrative law. New Square Chambers can field individuals with expertise in any aspect of those areas. Members of Chambers have appeared in this field at all levels of the hierarchy, from public inquiries to County Court to High Court to Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and Privy Council. They offer a remarkable pool of knowledge and expertise.‘
Clerking
‘The clerks have outstanding knowledge of practice and procedure and are always available.‘
‘The clerks’ room provided a first-class support service to George Laurence whilst he was working in Newcastle.‘
London Bar > Private client: trusts and probate Tier 2
At New Square Chambers Alexander Learmonth QC took silk in 2021. In Moaven v Texeira, he made a successful application to have his client’s brother-in-law removed as trustee of her late husband’s will trust, and an order for costs. In another substantive matter, Mark Hubbard is acting as sole English counsel for the claimant in a dispute between brothers about the ownership and control of a Manx company which holds a substantial property portfolio.
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Strong reputation in the trust & probate dispute resolution field.‘
‘The set is well renowned and justly so for its expertise in Chancery matters. I find the clerks helpful and Counsel approachable, hardworking and knowledgeable.’
‘High quality set of experts and have never had an issue with availability of counsel.’
‘I am grateful that the Barristers I am working with are always available to deal with my matters in a very satisfactory way.’
‘New Square Chambers has fantastic collection of experienced private client practitioners. The Chambers has done a lot this year to move its training/CPD seminars online. This has been invaluable to me.’
Clerking
‘Welcoming and helpful to our clients at conferences. They have a commercial sense when it comes to fees, always realistic and approachable keeping in mind client budget and expectations. When time was tight for an urgent injunction, the clerks at New Square Chambers joined in the effort to get the case ready for court on time. Michelle Greene understands how to help solicitors best serve their clients, and Nathan Hitchman is insightful, helpful and pragmatic.’
London Bar > Company and partnership Tier 3
‘Strong-all-round Chancery set’ New Square Chambers handles the breadth of company law disputes, including those pertaining to civil fraud and insolvency. A particular specialism is unfair prejudice petitions under section 994 of the Companies Act; Adrian Pay conducted a remote 18-day liability trial for the minority shareholders in Faulkner and ors v Vollin Holdings Ltd and ors - in this case it is alleged that that that two of the company's founders were ejected in violation of an obligation of good faith, and other directors appointed by the investors acted in breach of the duties. In addition, Robin Hollington QC is active in shareholder litigation in a number of offshore jurisdictions.
Company - Leading Silks
Company - Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
A good set of junior barristers complemented by the more experienced senior barristers who have, over the years, helped with some of the more complex litigation matters.
Very good.
My first port of call for company law advice/shareholder issues.
A strong all round chancery set.
Clerking
Very user friendly.
Charlie Sherwood is quick and approachable.
London Bar > Property litigation Tier 4
New Square Chambers has a strong focus on real property and landlord-tenant litigation, with members also regularly working on public law cases, professional negligence, and trusts claims in the proprety space. George Laurence QC is vastly experienced, having argued a number of precedent-setting cases before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, with one standout involvement being his leading role in Hampshire County Council v Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, in which he represented Hampshire County Council, and secured an order quashing a decision of the Secretary of State ordering deregistration of 0.5km² area of common land under to the Commons Act 2006. Paul Wilmshurst handles boundary and easements, landlord-tenant, and negligence proceedings, and has a strong niche in harassment-related property cases including the high-profile L&Q v Tate County Court case, in which a leading housing association failed to support a young female tenant forced to flee her home following nine months of racist abuse from neighbours. Alexander Learmonth QC took silk in 2021, and is involved in a number of estates disputes. Senior junior Gary Pryce focuses on real property disputes, alongside commercial and residential landlord and tenant work, representing the under lessor in a high-value residential landlord and tenant claim, counterclaim and additional claim concerning a Marble Arch maisonette overlooking Hyde Park. Simon Adamyk has great expertise in rural property cases, and has experience of cases both in England and the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘The team work together smoothly and effectively, with great support available whenever needed from the clerking team. Strength in depth and availability are excellent. ‘
‘New Square Chambers is a well-rounded set with a lot of strength in depth. The junior barristers are extremely competent and hard-working. ‘
‘The set has substantial in-depth expertise in a number of areas, including property litigation. New Square Chambers can field individuals with expertise in any aspect of those areas. Members of Chambers have appeared in this field at all levels of the hierarchy, from public inquiries to County Court to High Court to Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and Privy Council. They offer a remarkable pool of knowledge and expertise. ‘
‘ Welcoming and helpful to our clients at conferences. They have a commercial sense when it comes to fees, always realistic and approachable keeping in mind client budget and expectations. When time was tight for an urgent injunction, the clerks New Square Chambers joined in the effort to get the case ready for court on time. ‘
Clerking
‘The clerks are a friendly bunch who do their best to accommodate. They will offer a range of counsel, usually tailored to meet the client’s wallet, and are generally quick to get back to you.’
‘Very friendly and super efficient clerks. A professional and well-run set.‘
London Bar > Offshore
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Insolvency
Leading Juniors
South Eastern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax
South Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation
Leading Juniors
South Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency
Leading Juniors
South Eastern Circuit > Property and construction
Western Circuit > Commercial litigation
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Commercial litigation
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Fraud: civil
Leading Juniors
Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax
Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation
Leading Juniors
Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency
Leading Juniors
Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Property and construction
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Commercial litigation
Leading Juniors
New Square Chambers > Set Profile
New Square Chambers is based in Lincoln’s Inn and has 43 members of whom five are QCs and is one of the leading commercial chancery sets in London.
The set: In addition to members’ strengths as advisers and advocates in matters before the courts of England and Wales, Chambers is well known for its work in offshore and international jurisdictions.
Types of work undertaken: Commercial litigation and civil fraud: Chambers has extensive experience of commercial and civil fraud cases, and the conflicts of laws and jurisdictional issues that they often involve. Members of Chambers pioneered the development of worldwide freezing and tracing orders and continue to work at the cutting edge of the development of interim remedies and enforcement. Members are also familiar with civil claims relating to financial crime and a wide range of commercial disputes, including pure contract, commercial agency, partnership and remedial trusts. Members also practise in the field of professional negligence.
Company and insolvency: Chambers deals with every aspect of company law, particularly shareholders’ disputes involving unfair prejudice petitions under s994 of the Companies Act. New Square members conduct litigation about public share issues, listing particulars, derivative actions and similar matters. Members have acted in many high-profile insolvency cases. The set’s insolvency expertise extends from bankruptcy and liquidation to administrations, receiverships, DTI inquiries, voluntary arrangements, the adjustment of prior transactions and malpractice in and before insolvency.
Trusts, wills and estates: Chambers has been involved in a substantial amount of trust litigation in recent years. Members have extensive experience in both attacking and defending trusts, trustees and protectors. Members act as advocates in relation to all forms of trust claims before the courts of England and Wales, including in the context of divorce. It deals extensively with the drafting of and advice on wills and on trusts of all kinds, including charitable, governmental, pension and commercial trusts, acting in contentious and non-contentious probate cases. New Square also regularly deals with claims by and against personal representatives and family provision claims. Members advise on the tax consequences of complex trust arrangements at home and offshore.
International and offshore: Chambers has a large offshore presence and its work includes trusts and estates litigation, civil fraud, commercial litigation, company law, insolvency matters, proceeds of crime and property claims. Chambers has a long-standing reputation in many jurisdictions including Antigua, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, the Isle of Man and Singapore.
Property: Chambers’ work includes all forms of real property disputes, including easement and boundary disputes, nuisance, trespass, mortgages and related fraud or negligence. Chambers’ expertise covers the full range of landlord and tenant work, including commercial, residential, agricultural, private and public. Members act in contentious and non-contentious matters for landlords, tenants and lenders, as well as advising and drafting documents for a wide variety of leasehold transactions, including those involving unrealised development value. Chambers’ property practice also covers public and administrative law, including commons and rights of way and property rights.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Head of clerking | Phil Reeves | ||
Deputy head of clerking | Michelle Greene | ||
Business development director | John Campbell | ||
Members of Chambers | STEWART SMITH, Rodney (1964) | ||
Members of Chambers | FISHER, David (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | MACDONALD QC, John (1955) | ||
Members of Chambers | LAURENCE QC, George (1972) | ||
Members of Chambers | HOLLINGTON QC, Robin (1979) | ||
Members of Chambers | BOOTH QC, Michael (1981) | ||
Members of Chambers | LE POIDEVIN QC, Nicholas (1975) | ||
Members of Chambers | TUCKER, Lynton (1971) | ||
Members of Chambers | HILL-SMITH, Alexander (1978) | ||
Members of Chambers | SAGAR, Leigh (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | EATON TURNER, David (1984) | ||
Members of Chambers | GRAHAM, Thomas (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | STADDON, Claire (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | CRAIL, Ross (1986) | ||
Members of Chambers | SAHONTE, Raj (1987) | ||
Members of Chambers | SCHAW MILLER, Stephen (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | ADAMS, Guy (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | SIMPSON, Edwin (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | VAN TONDER, Gerard (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | ADAMYK, Simon (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | HUBBARD, Mark (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | EIDINOW, John (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | HOOD, Nigel (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | LOPIAN, Jonathan (1994) | ||
Members of Chambers | ARMSTRONG, Stuart (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | MACEVILLY, Conn (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | PRYCE, Gary (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | PAY, Adrian (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | LEARMONTH, Alexander (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | DAVIES, James (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILMSHURST, Paul (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILLIAMS, Hermione (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | BRIGGS, Aidan (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | SNELL, Christopher (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | HARDMAN, Jeff (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | POWERS, Jessica (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | KARIA, Amit (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | COLCLOUGH, Jon (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | MCKEAN, James (2017) | ||
Members of Chambers | SAUNDERS, James (2017) |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Simon Adamyk | Barrister with considerable experience of a broad range of Chancery and commercial… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Booth | View Profile | |
![]() | Ross Crail | Barrister with experience of litigation and advisory work in a wide range… | View Profile |
![]() | David Eaton Turner | Barrister specialising in company, corporate and personal insolvency, banking and commercial law… | View Profile |
![]() | John SC Eidinow | Barrister specialising in litigation and advisory work in wills and probate, trusts… | View Profile |
![]() | David Fisher | David Fisher is a commercial litigator whose practice embraces fraud, partnership and… | View Profile |
![]() | Thomas Graham | Thomas is an extremely experienced specialist in commercial law, company law and… | View Profile |
![]() | Alexander Hill-Smith | Landlord and tenant; professional negligence; commercial; consumer credit. Recent cases include Aldermore… | View Profile |
![]() | Robin Hollington | Barrister specialising in company law, shareholders’ disputes, insolvency, and general Chancery litigation;… | View Profile |
![]() | Nigel Hood | Instructed in some of the largest civil fraud claims in recent years,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Hubbard | Mark is a Chancery barrister with a reputation as a litigator in… | View Profile |
![]() | George Laurence | Specialises in real property disputes; also has special interest and expertise in… | View Profile |
![]() | Nicholas Le Poidevin | Barrister specialising in litigation: trusts, wills and estates, all forms of property,… | View Profile |
![]() | Alexander Learmonth | Specialises in succession – contentious probate, will construction, estate administration disputes, and… | View Profile |
![]() | Jonathan Lopian | A commercial chancery barrister, called in 1994, with an advisory and litigation… | View Profile |
![]() | Conn MacEvilly | Conn’s work focuses on three areas: insolvency, chancery commercial and offshore. | View Profile |
![]() | John Macdonald | John Macdonald is a skilful cross examiner, a persuasive advocate and a… | View Profile |
![]() | Gabriella McNicholas | Gabriella is developing a commercial and chancery practise focused on contractual disputes,… | View Profile |
![]() | Adrian Pay | Adrian Pay’s practice focuses on contentious chancery work, in particular, commercial chancery… | View Profile |
![]() | Justin Perring | Justin Perring is a commercial and chancery barrister whose practice includes commercial… | View Profile |
![]() | Gary Pryce | Chancery litigation, landlord and tenant litigation, real property litigation and related professional… | View Profile |
![]() | Leigh Sagar | National and international trusts and estates, commercial advice and litigation and Court… | View Profile |
![]() | Stephen Schaw Miller | Barrister practising in chancery and commercial law, property litigation, insolvency, company law,… | View Profile |
![]() | Edwin Simpson | Barrister specialising in appearing at public inquiries and applications for judicial and… | View Profile |
![]() | Claire Staddon | Recent years have seen increased focus on Claire’s property practice, in the… | View Profile |
![]() | Rodney Stewart Smith | A traditional Chancery practice with a particular flair for unusual areas of… | View Profile |
![]() | Lynton Tucker | Practice is primarily trusts-based and includes related tax work; advises on and… | View Profile |
![]() | Gerard Van Tonder | Barrister with general Chancery and commercial practice comprising litigation and advisory work… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Wilmshurst | Paul Wilmshurst is ranked by the Legal 500 as a leading junior… | View Profile |
- Agriculture
- Private client: trusts and probate
Set Rankings
- Offshore
- Insolvency
- South Eastern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax
- South Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation
- South Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency
- South Eastern Circuit > Property and construction
- Western Circuit > Commercial litigation
- Commercial litigation
- Fraud: civil
- Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax
- Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation
- Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency
- Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Property and construction
- Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Commercial litigation