New Square Chambers

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Guy Adams

Guy Adams

Guy is a chancery and commercial specialist who acts in complex cases which often raise difficult and/or novel points of law. His commercial work includes banking, finance, commercial contract, company and partnership and professional negligence. Guy also has expertise in more traditional chancery matters, including landlord and tenant, property and trusts. In administrative law matters, Guy has particular experience of acting for commercial clients whose business interests have been adversely affected by administrative decisions. He has extensive appellate experience at all levels up to the Supreme Court.
Simon Adamyk

Simon Adamyk

Simon is an experienced litigator with an international practice. As well as being called to the Bar in England and Wales, he has been called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in the territory of the British Virgin Islands. He has significant experience of dealing with international issues and heavyweight cases. He has attended court in The Bahamas, the Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands, has appeared before the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean, has appeared in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in England, and has appeared twice in the Privy Council. He regularly deals with cases involving millions, and sometimes billions, of pounds. Simon appeared (unled) in the multi-billion pound Equitable Life litigation (one of the most contentious cases of the decade), has advised in proceedings in Antigua & Barbuda, and has acted in a stream of major high value disputes, including the huge BTA Bank litigation in the BVI and London (one of the largest cases of the year according to The Lawyer) and a number of high value and hotly contested disputes in Jersey. The value which he brings to clients is widely recognised: he is “a mighty intellect and brings piercing analysis and meticulous attention to detail to his work” (Legal 500), he “enjoys a stellar practice” (Chambers Global), “his mastery of complex factual background is hugely impressive” (Legal 500) and he is “a major boost to any legal team” (Chambers UK Bar).
Robert Bellin

Robert Bellin

On successful completion of a third six pupillage, Robert became a tenant of New Square Chambers in May 2023. He completed his 12-month pupillage at Essex Court Chambers. Robert accepts instructions across all areas of commercial, insolvency, company and civil fraud work. From 2021-2022, Robert worked as the Judicial Assistant to Lord Hamblen and Lord Leggatt at the Supreme Court. While at the Court, Robert assisted on several significant cases, including: Guest v Guest [2022] UKSC 27 (proprietary estoppel). Gol Linhas Aereas SA v MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners (Cayman) and others [2022] UKPC 21 (refusal to recognise and enforce an arbitral award under article V of the New York Convention). Royal Bank of Scotland International v JP SPC 4 and another [2022] UKPC 18 (whether a bank’s Quincecare duty could be extended to a duty of care owed in tort to the beneficiary of an account known by the bank to be a trust account). Before starting pupillage, Robert taught Contract, Administrative and Roman law at the University of Oxford and was a teaching fellow in contract law at UCL. At the same time, he completed a DPhil with a thesis exploring possible legal methods for regulating stored human genetic material. Robert has a BA in Law (First), BCL (Distinction), and MPhil from the University of Oxford. He also holds an LLM from Harvard Law School. At Oxford, Robert won numerous mooting competitions, including the Shearman & Sterling and Maitland Chambers Intercollegiate Moots, and volunteered with Lawyers Without Borders in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also won The Times 2TG Moot in 2019.
Amy Berry

Amy Berry

Amy Berry is well known and well liked amongst her peers for her succession work often on behalf or involving those who have lost capacity. Amy thinks laterally, she has to as she is dyslexic, and her work is bespoken and forward thinking. Amy has had a varied life and she deploys her skills at people management, farming, property development, acting as a trustee and caring/working with the disabled to create a real niche practice with a large following. Amy is in great demand and has an unbelievable ability to manage and resolve the most complex of cases and people; she is a survivor and ensures all her clients (both professional and lay) survive too. All those years playing chess and cards make her a great strategist; she can and does out manoeuvre her peers and will guide you out of tricky situations while retaining composure and charm. Her work and practice sit largely within traditional chancery work including trusts, wills, estates, equitable remedies, court of protection, tax, property, farming, building, construction, planning, inheritance and related professional negligence. She is regularly involved in large and complex claims and mediations. But is equally happy dealing with anyone and everyone. Amy enjoys her work and gets a sense of pride in ensuring her work helps society grieve after what are usually the most harrowing of experiences. Amy has an uncanny ability to work with anyone and often her clients are those that solicitors find the most difficult to deal with. She is comfortable and at ease in any court room or mediation whether in person or remote. She has a lovely manner that glows, giving a sense of calm and confidence to her clients but strikes fear in those she is about to cross examine. She is often instructed by her opposing solicitors after they see her in court or after mediations (and wishing they had instructed her first). Above all Amy is succinct, kind, considerate and patient. She will not faulter on her integrity, honesty or candor. She can be firm when required. And always adds value to a legal team.
Michael Booth KC

Michael Booth KC

Michael is an experienced barrister with a recognised expertise in advocacy. Michael's speciality is conducting trials in commercial and chancery matters where allegations of fraud, complex questions of credibility and large amounts of money are involved. "A real streetfighter whose cross-examination is outstanding." (Chambers UK Bar). Michael is particularly strong in handling heavily contested litigation. He has been described as being "an absolutely first-rate commercial litigator" who is "a ferocious advocate and who has the ability to get to the root of the problem quickly" (Legal 500).
Aidan Briggs

Aidan Briggs

Described by Chambers & Partners as ‘an exceptional barrister’, Aidan Briggs has established himself as a specialist advocate and advisor for trusts, estates and property disputes. His regular trial experience in the High Court gives him the edge in the courtroom and makes him a favourite for factually complex cases where effective cross-examination may be the difference between winning and losing. Aidan’s practice covers the full range of private client matters: contested probate and 1975 Act claims, partnership disputes and contentious trusts work (both on- and offshore) as well as proprietary estoppel, commercial landlord and tenant disputes and trusts of land. His cases often involve multiple jurisdictions and issues of domicile. Aidan is fully versed in the tax implications of private client disputes and regularly advises in relation to Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax matters, particularly as they affect farmland and farming families. Aidan is an Associate Editor of Lewin on Trusts (20th Ed.) and a contributor to Williams, Mortimer & Sunnucks on Executors, Administrators and Probate (21st Ed.). His writing has appeared in Trusts & Trustees, the Wills & Trusts Law Reports and the New Law Journal. Aidan is sought-after as an accredited mediator and as an arbitrator in his main areas of practice.
John Campbell

John Campbell

John has a busy and varied practice predominantly in Property & Real Estate and Commercial Dispute Resolution. Very much in demand, John is developing a considerable following of clients both regionally and nationally. He deals with complex and high value litigation in the High Court and County Courts. John acts on behalf of companies, private individuals and government departments, having been appointed to the Attorney General’s Regional Panel of Counsel in 2020. John read law at the University of Leicester and graduated with a First Class Honours degree. He was awarded a Harmsworth Scholarship and completed a common law pupillage in London. He is also direct access qualified and is happy to accept instructions from businesses and individuals looking for advice and representation. Away from the Bar, John is a keen (if not accomplished) sportsman and musician, an active member of his local Round Table and an avid Leicester City fan.
Marcus Croskell

Marcus Croskell

Marcus is an experienced practitioner noted as a top tier leading junior barrister in the 2024 edition of the Legal 500. He accepts instructions via solicitors and on a direct access basis in a broad range of chancery and commercial disputes that affect both businesses and individuals in the UK and around the world. His international work has involved working with clients in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. He undertakes a broad spectrum of work with recent instructions dealing with breaches of director’s statutory and equitable duties, corporate and personal insolvency, breaches of contract, property claims often involving complex acts of fraud or concealment, breach of trust and the failure by fiduciaries to comply with their duties. “His written advice is always a model of clarity. His judgment is excellent, and clients have total confidence in his performance in court.” Legal 500: Leading Junior, Commercial Litigation
Stuart David Armstrong

Stuart David Armstrong

Stuart is a property specialist with more than 20 years’ experience. His practice encompasses landlord and tenant issues (relating to both residential and commercial properties) including forfeiture of leases, variation of leases, renewal of business tenancies, dilapidations and leasehold enfranchisement. Stuart also deals with a range of other real property matters including boundary disputes, adverse possession, freehold covenants and disputes as to beneficial ownership/trusts. Clients range from private individuals to large companies. Stuart regularly gives seminars in his practice areas and appears in a range of courts and tribunals, including the Court of Appeal, High Court and county court as well as the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and the Upper Tribunal. Stuart is a trained mediator and has also acted as an expert in the construction of legal documents. He accepts Public Access work. Stuart's GDPR privacy policy is available upon request.
James Davies

James Davies

James Davies is an experienced commercial and traditional chancery barrister with an established County Court and High Court practice. His practice encompasses commercial litigation, company and shareholder disputes, insolvency and wills and trusts disputes. Prior to coming to the Bar James qualified as a Chartered Accountant specialising in SMEs. Many of his cases feature complex financial elements or multi-generational family business disputes which draw on this expertise: “he’s brilliant on detail. He’s particularly good where there is a debate over figures or where there are issues over complex transactions” and “methodical and thorough in high-value disputes”. He has been consistently ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for commercial litigation. James acts as the editor of the Surveyors and Accountants chapters of the Encyclopaedia of Professional Partnerships by Sweet & Maxwell. He is a regular contributor to LexisNexis PSL and LexisNexis Webinars. James also has an established practice as a mediator, having successfully mediated a number of business and chancery disputes.
Oliver Durnall

Oliver Durnall

Oliver joined Chambers as a tenant in January 2026 following successful completion of his pupillage under the supervision of Aidan Briggs, John Campbell, Jessica Powers and James Saunders. During pupillage, Oliver experienced the full breadth of Chambers’ specialisms and undertook a secondment with a specialist insolvency firm. Oliver is developing a broad commercial chancery practice and is regularly instructed to appear in court on a range of matters within Chambers’ core practice areas. Before coming to the Bar, Oliver worked as a judicial assistant to Lord Justice Popplewell in the Court of Appeal. In that role, Oliver worked on commercial and public law appeals in areas including arbitration, insurance, shipping and private international law. Oliver previously worked as a Senior Legal Assistant to James Ramsden KC at a boutique litigation and investigations firm. In that role, Oliver worked on commercial, civil fraud and professional discipline matters. Oliver graduated with a First Class degree and ranked first in his cohort.
David Eaton Turner

David Eaton Turner

David Eaton Turner specialises in company law, corporate and personal insolvency, commercial fraud, banking, commercial litigation and related professional negligence matters. He is regularly instructed in relation to shareholder disputes, and by liquidators, administrators and trustees in bankruptcy, and by banks and their customers in relation to securities, commercial fraud and asset recovery, and with regard to confidential information, partnership, sale of goods and other contractual and commercial matters. He is listed as a leading junior in the current editions of Chambers & Partners (Chancery: Commercial; Company; Restructuring/Insolvency) and Legal 500 (Company; Insolvency). He has been called to both the Bar of Gibraltar for specific cases, and to the Bar of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, in the territory of the British Virgin Islands. He has also been appointed a Recorder (Civil). He regularly represents clients at mediations, especially in relation to shareholders’ disputes. David is qualified to accept Public Access instructions and does so in appropriate matters.
Sarah Egan

Sarah Egan

Sarah is a specialist Private Client Trusts, Wills, and Estates barrister providing advice and advocacy in succession, estates, trusts, and Court of Protection matters, as well as related professional negligence. Sarah has been ranked consistently as a Leading Junior in the Legal 500 in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. An experienced trial advocate, Sarah has been recognised as “always extremely well-prepared for every hearing and her communications skills with clients have always been reassuring and well-received with matters being explained clearly”. Sarah’s practice covers the full spectrum of contentious probate and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 claims, trusts, trusts of land and co-ownership, proprietary estoppel, cross-border succession, and non-contentious trusts and probate. Sarah has particular expertise and interest in European cross-border and conflict of laws matters. She is regularly asked to advise on cross-border succession, including issues of domicile, the interpretation of foreign Wills, forced heirship, and the application of the EU Succession Regulation. Fluent in German, and proficient in French, Italian, and Danish, with some Spanish, she has the additional advantage of being to peruse documentation and advise in the original language. Described in the Legal 500 as “a very thorough barrister” who “goes the extra mile”, Sarah is analytical, organised and “has great attention to detail and preparation”. She is lauded for her “solid grasp of the law in her field” and her “legal knowledge and drafting are strong”. She adopts a pragmatic and strategic approach to litigation, which focuses on achieving optimal solutions for her clients with sensitivity and empathy.
Alexander Farara

Alexander Farara

Alex has represented officeholders, directors, shareholders and individuals in personal and corporate insolvency disputes and restructurings. He heavily assisted (led by David Lord KC) on litigation concerning the priority of a floating charge holder and the circumstances in which a solicitor’s lien may be preserved or waived in a cross-border insolvency dispute heard before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal (on appeal from the BVI): Re Peak Hotels and Resorts Ltd [2022] UKSC 35. He also as a pupil helped advise on the merits of an appeal challenging a liquidator’s assignment of a cause of action: Lock v Stanley [2022] EWCA Civ 626. He is currently acting in two related insolvency proceedings before the BVI Commercial Court. The first concerns a petition to liquidate a dissolved foreign company of Bahrain (led by Robert Weekes KC) and applications seeking injunctive relief to prevent a BVI company (listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange) from redomiciling out of the jurisdiction and into Palestine (led by David Mumford KC). Both proceedings concern claims of fraud and conspiracy between warring family members in relation to circa $100 million in assets. He also recently successfully represented the directors of a company in liquidation in challenging a decision of BVI appointed liquidators, to facilitate an ongoing shareholder dispute in Singapore. Alexander’s experience includes: Claims challenging reviewable or antecedent transactions Applications challenging the decisions of office-holders Applications seeking an exemption to the general restriction on the re-use of company names on behalf of directors under section 216 of the Insolvency Act 1986 Official Receiver applications for bankruptcy restrictions orders under shc.4A of the Insolvency Act 1986 Advising and acting in winding up and bankruptcy petitions Applications to set aside statutory demands; Applications restraining the presentation of winding up petitions Applications to challenge both the remuneration of office-holders and extent of liquidation expenses
Rabby Fozlay

Rabby Fozlay

With over 10 years’ experience in Legal Practice – across barristers’ chambers; solicitors’ firms and Local Government – Rabby is confident on his feet; experienced beyond his years of call and has already successfully appeared in the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber); County Court; Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and High Court. Rabby has recently successfully appeared as Junior Counsel in a High Court case and assisted in a Court of Appeal matter. Rabby has successfully undertaken trials; CCMCs; interlocutory/possession/insolvency hearings and led mediations/settlement negotiations. Rabby regularly acts for and against: private/social-housing tenants; private/institutional landlords; listed/multinational companies; Receivers; Administrators/Insolvency Practitioners; banks and Local Government. Rabby is praised for his clear drafting; analytical precision and creative problem-solving – tackling complex issues with ease.
Thomas Graham

Thomas Graham

Thomas is an extremely experienced specialist in commercial law, company law and insolvency law, with a wealth of court-room experience. Areas of particular expertise are: shareholder disputes, including unfair prejudice petitions and claims over beneficial ownership of shares; claims against company directors for breach of duty, contract and confidence; commercial disputes, and fraud. He has conducted High Court trials and/or arbitrations in all these areas. His cases often involve a number of areas of law. He appears regularly in the High Court, mainly in the Chancery Division and Commercial Court, and in the Court of Appeal. Recent cases have included: a long-running LCIA arbitration concerning the interpretation and enforcement of a commercial contract with a significant intellectual property content; a Chancery Division claim by a divorcee against her former husband for secret commission; a Commercial Court trial concerning bribes, governed by Sharia law (Al Qahtani); appearances in the JSC STA Bank v Ablyazov fraud litigation; an appeal to the Court of Appeal concerning inadequate judicial reasoning; and an appeal to the Court of Appeal challenging the conduct of the administrators of the holographic company Musion Systems. Other High Court trials and/or appeals to the Court of Appeal, of interest, have included: a dispute over the break-up of a London river-boat syndicate (Thames Cruises); a dispute over ownership of a vintage car collection (Neave); a dispute between rival porcelain manufacturers over confidential information and intellectual property; a commercial dispute over a film screenplay based on the life of Grace Jones (Artlamb v Goude); a claim on a guarantee which resulted in a non-party costs order against the claimant’s director, a practising solicitor who had suppressed documents (Goodwood Recoveries v Breen); several disputes over beneficial ownership of company shares; a director’s disqualification trial; and a commercial dispute over aircraft repairs in East Africa (Transafrik v Venus).
Nigel Hood

Nigel Hood

Instructed in some of the largest civil fraud claims in recent years, including representing the claimant JSC BTA Bank in its 45 day Commercial Court fraud trial: JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov & Others [2013] EWHC 510. During the last year, Nigel has also represented the principal defendant in a £100m cross-border fraud/conspiracy claim, a defendant in a conspiracy claim for £26m, a claimant in a £10m deceit and conspiracy claim involving bogus financial instruments and another claimant in an identity fraud involving approximately £15 million. Nigel’s work often involves making or defending urgent applications for interim relief in order to identify and protect/recover assets and to identify and pursue wrongdoers. Although his practice primarily involves handIing civil fraud cases he also has a busy commercial and chancery practice encompassing broader commercial and chancery litigation matters, including commercial arbitrations, contractual disputes, unfair prejudice and other shareholder actions, actions against directors or trustees for breach of duty, claims involving guarantees and indemnities, professional negligence claims and insolvency matters. Recent reported cases include: JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov & Others [2013] EWHC 510, KAR Oil Refining Ltd v Frion Ltd & Others [2011] EWHC 1813; CMCS Common Market Commercial Services v Taylor [2011] PNLR 17, [2011] Costs L.O. 259; Shah v Shah [2010] EWHC 313, & [2011]1 P.&C.R. DG19 (Court of Appeal);4ENG v Harper & Others (No.2) [2010] 1 BCLC 176; 4ENG v Harper & Others [2009] Ch 91; Portsmouth City Football Club Limited v HMRC [2010] EWHC 75 (Ch), [2011] STC 683; Independent Trustee Services Limited v GP Noble Trustees Limited [2009] EWHC 161.
William Hopkin

William Hopkin

“Intellectually outstanding” and “strategically perceptive”, William Hopkin is a first-choice for complex litigation and technical advice. Whilst being a “great orator”, “able to disarm the most aggressive opponents”, he remains a “personable barrister who can relate to clients”. (Quotes from The Legal 500, UK Bar) William’s breadth of knowledge and experience, across high-level commercial Chancery practice, enables him to be “exceptionally skilled at identifying the crux of an issue, finding a sensible and pragmatic resolution to cases”.    He is commended for the clarity and focus that he brings to difficult matters, with solicitors describing him as “extremely able at assimilating complex information quickly” and “very astute”. William has acted in a range of notable matters that combine the overlapping areas of his practice: company, commercial, property, trusts and charity – the last being a particular area of specialty. Recent examples of his work include: successfully appearing in the leading authority on fiduciary relations and bribes in commercial transactions (Wood & Pengelly v Commercial First et al [2021] EWCA Civ 471); being appointed to conduct an independent investigation for a national charity; and tackling company issues in respect of one of the UK’s largest estates dedicated to charity. William acts for a spectrum of organisations including universities, banks, public bodies and charities, as well as for private individuals and companies. Over the last 20 years, he has served on the board of a number of organisations, operating in the UK and internationally, with this experience giving him a very practical edge. “He is exceptionally talented at offering pragmatic and cost-effective advice” and it has been noted that “his advice is first rate, commercially minded, and pragmatic”. William is, also, an accredited mediator, and a member of the Society of Mediators. In 2022 he mediated a range of matters such as rights of way, unlawful eviction, noise, nuisance, boundaries and privacy. William was elected to the Executive Committee of the Charity Law Association in July 2023. *Quotes are from the Legal 500 UK Bar
Mark Hubbard

Mark Hubbard

Mark is a Chancery barrister with a reputation as a litigator in commercial litigation featuring trusts, contentious trust and estate cases, civil fraud, shareholder disputes, company, insolvency and regulatory matters. He is often instructed to obtain or resist freezing injunctions and other urgent interim remedies. His practice has a substantial offshore and international element. Mark has particular experience of litigation in the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Singapore and Switzerland and is praised by clients for his quick grasp of complex cases, and for the quality of his advocacy, advice, and client skills. Publications: Protectors of Trusts (OUP 2013), 1st edition of new international practitioners work. Author of current series of practice notes on shareholder remedies for Lexis PSL.
Amit Karia

Amit Karia

Amit’s practice spans commercial litigation/arbitration, insolvency and company work. He has particular interest and expertise in civil fraud, contempt, technology disputes and group actions. Amit’s has a domestic and international client base with a Middle Eastern focus. They value his discretion, insight and strategical approach to litigation. While Amit is regularly led, he particularly enjoys and thrives un-led at trials, for which he has developed experience beyond his call. Amit’s family background in business, including international trade and commercial property, to a large extent guides his more candid and commercial approach to clients and disputes. 

Prior to coming to the Bar Amit worked at the Financial Conduct Authority, Slaughter and May LLP and undertook government policy work in Nepal. Amit has also worked as in-house counsel in both the Personal Tax Litigation and Insolvency departments of HM Revenue and Customs Solicitor’s Office.
George Laurence KC

George Laurence KC

Specialises in real property disputes; also has special interest and expertise in the public and administrative aspects of property law, in particular concerning access to the countryside, minor highways, commons and village greens. He frequently appears at public inquiries and before both Houses of Parliament, notably when dealing with the High Speed 2 (2006, House of Lords), Channel Tunnel, Crossrail and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link hybrid bills. His cases since 2000 (many in the House of Lords, Supreme Court or Court of Appeal) include: Ex parte Sunningwell [2000] 1 AC 335; Masters v Secretary of State for the Environment [2001] GB 151 (CA); Yaxley v Gotts [2001] Ch 162 (CA); R (Beresford) v Sunderland City Council [2004] 1 AC 889; Todd v Secretary of State for the Environment [2004] 1 WLR 2471; Oxfordshire County Council v Oxford City Council [2006] 2 AC 674; R (Norfolk County Council) v Sosefra [2006] 1 WLR 1103; R (Kind) v Sosefra [2006] QB 113; Ford-Camber Ltd v Deanminster Ltd [2007] EWCA Civ 458; R (Godmanchester Town Council) v Sosefra [2008] 1 AC 221; Sava v SS Global [2008] EWCA Civ 1308; Smith v Muller [2008] EWCA Civ 1425; Winchester College v Hampshire County Council [2009] 1 WLR 138 (CA); Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Ltd v Dorset County Council [2009] 1 WLR 334 (CA); Herrick v Kidner and Somerset County Council [2010] EWHC 269 (Admin); R (Lewis) v Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Anor (No 2) [2010] 2 AC 70; Leeds Group plc v Leeds City Council [2011] Ch 363 (CA); Leeds Group plc v Leeds City Council (No 2) (CA) [2012] 1 WLR 1561 (CA); Fortune v Wiltshire County Council [2013] 1 WLR 808 (CA); Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Limited v Dorset County Council (No 2) SC(E) [2014] AC 1072; Paddico (267) Limited v Kirklees Metropolitan Council SC(E) [2014] AC 1072; R (Barkas) v N Yorkshire County Council SC(E) [2015] AC 195; R (Newhaven Port and Properties Ltd) v East Sussex County Council SC(E) [2015] 1 AC 1547; R (Andrews) v Sosefra [2015] EWCA Civ 669; Powell and anor v Sosefra [2014] EWHC 4003 (admin); R (Trail Riders Fellowship) v Dorset County Council SC(E) [2015] UKSC 18.
Roger Laville

Roger Laville

Roger is a highly experienced commercial chancery barrister with a particular focus on financial disputes. His practice covers both debt finance—including matters relating to banking and insolvency—and equity finance, such as shareholder disputes and claims involving breaches of directors’ duties. Allegations of fraud and dishonesty are a recurring feature of Roger’s caseload, frequently necessitating the use of freezing orders and other forms of injunctive relief. A significant proportion of his work also involves complex, cross-border jurisdictional issues. Prior to being called to the Bar in 2015, Roger was a partner in a firm of solicitors. This background affords him a valuable understanding of the commercial realities faced by clients, and he is known for delivering clear, pragmatic advice that supports informed decision-making. He is approachable, responsive, and takes pride in being accessible to clients to discuss matters as they arise. He particularly enjoys cases that present intricate or seemingly intractable issues, and those requiring creative and analytical thinking to resolve. Roger is recommended as a leading junior in banking and finance by The Legal 500, which notes: “Roger clearly has vast experience advising on banking matters. He is able to pick out issues with ease.”
Alexander Learmonth KC

Alexander Learmonth KC

Appointed to silk in 2021, Alexander Learmonth KC has a busy practice and an enviable reputation as a leading figure at the Chancery Bar. Described as “intellectually and technically remarkable” (Legal 500), he is renowned for his “first-rate strategic acumen” (Chambers HNW), and his “great advocacy and cross-examination skills” (Legal 500).  Besides being “an excellent trial lawyer, cerebral but assertive”, “a commanding advocate”, “stellar on paper and on his feet”, and “a true team player who rolls up his sleeves,” he is also noted for being “charming” and “affable” with clients at what is often a stressful time. His principal areas of practice are succession and trusts, both at home and abroad, having appeared in many major cases, at every level of court, including the first probate case ever to reach the Supreme Court, Marley v Rawlings. He is editor of leading Sweet & Maxwell textbooks: ‘Theobald on Wills‘ and ‘Williams, Mortimer & Sunnucks on Executors, Administrators and Probate‘. He has particular expertise in relation to the law of mental capacity, both domestically in the Court of Protection and in the High Court, and abroad. Alexander is also a recognised expert in the law of property, ranked by the Legal 500 for ‘Property Litigation’ and ‘Agriculture’, with several Court of Appeal decisions to his name. He also regularly handles professional negligence claims (for claimants, professionals and insurers) arising in related fields, and has experience in dealing with the trust, property and succession issues arising in the context of Family proceedings. Alexander won ‘Advocate of the Year’ at the prestigious STEP Private Client Awards 2020, having previously been named ‘Contentious Barrister of the Year  by ACTAPS in 2015, and shortlisted for Chancery Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2019. He then served as one of the Presiding Judges for the STEP Private Client Awards 2021 and 2022. He is a certified mediator (IMI), having completed a CMC-accredited course in 2020. He is a great believer in mediation and other forms of ADR as a tool for resolving of succession disputes and brings his expertise to bear both when acting as mediator and when representing a party to a mediation to encourage mutually acceptable solutions. Alexander is also the Deputy Chancellor for the Diocese of Derby. He also appeared as an expert commentator on ‘Inheritance Wars: Who gets the money?’ on Channel 5.
Jian Jun (JJ) Liew

Jian Jun (JJ) Liew

JJ’s commercial chancery practice spans the full breadth of Chambers’ practice area. He is well versed in cutting through dense facts and engaging with complex principles of law. JJ keeps up to date and regularly comments on recent significant decisions in his practice areas on LexisPSL and on the New Square Chambers website. This also includes publications in legal journals, such as: “In Defence of Ingram v Little: Understanding Collateral Offer and Acceptance” (2017) 6(1) OUULJ 34. “Parker v Financial Conduct Authority – A Missed Opportunity?” (2021) 35.3 TLI 185. “Mistake, misprediction, and risk-taking in tax-avoidance” (2022) 28(4) T&T 285, co-authored with Aidan Briggs. JJ has a firm grasp of financial services regulatory work, having been seconded to the Retail Investments team of the Financial Conduct Authority’s General Counsel’s Division. JJ is currently seconded to the China Practice team of McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP.
Jonathan Lopian

Jonathan Lopian

A commercial chancery barrister, called in 1994, with an advisory and litigation practice primarily focused on company, insolvency and commercial law and with previous high-level professional experience in the field of corporate finance within the investment banking and international business sectors. Specialising in all aspects of company and insolvency law. His commercial practice covers all types of contractual disputes, commercial fraud and claims relating to the law of agency, guarantees, banking, partnership, professional negligence, breaches of trust and fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and asset-tracing. Jonathan appears regularly in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal and is instructed both on short-term matters such as urgent applications for interim injunctive relief and on long-running cases from their inception through to final determination at trial. Recent cases include: McTear & Williams v Engelhard & Others [2016] EWCA Civ 487; Hamilton v (1) Brown (2) C&MB Holdings Ltd [2016] EWHC 191 (Ch), [2016] BPIR 531; DMQA Investments Limited (In Liquidation); McKenzie v Marshall (2016); (Ch) JCAM Commercial Real Estate Property XV Limited v Davis Haulage Limited [2016] EWHC 772 (Ch); Godefroy v Company Health Limited & Others [2015] EWHC 3978; Re Calibre Solicitors Limited (In Administration) [2015] BPIR 435.
James McKean

James McKean

James specialises in disputes concerning trusts, wills, and estates, where he is described as “superb” (Legal 500, 2022). He also acts in general commercial matters. His practice ranges from the high-value (a claim against a £118 million estate) to the bizarre (a disputed trust made primarily to benefit a tortoise). His reported cases include: Lattimer v Karamanoli [2023] EWHC 1524 (Ch) (rectification and construction of will; £10 million estate) Chiemelu v Egemonye [2023] W.T.L.R. 17; [2023] W.T.L.R. 23; [2023] W.T.L.R. 35 (spousal 1975 Act claim) Fennessy v Turner [2022] WTLR 1295 (adult child 1975 Act claim) F v R [2022] EWCOP 49 (variation of will trust) Fullard v Kershaw [2022] EWHC 2189 (Ch) (costs of proceedings to remove executors) Eade v Hogg [2021] EWHC 1057 (Ch) (rectification of will to determine company shareholding; £6.4 million estate) Fellner v Cleall [2021] EWHC 3599 (Ch) (costs of proceedings to remove administrator) Blu-Sky Solutions Limited v Be Caring Limited [2021] EWHC 2619 (Comm) (penalty and onerous / unusual clauses in telecoms contract) O. Trading Ltd v Favorite Border LDA [2021] 10 WLUK 420 (unless orders; 1.2-million-euro loan dispute) Rochford v Rochford [2021] WTLR 951 (1975 Act claim; costs of failing to mediate) Carpmaels & Ransford LLP and Collyer Bristow LLP v Regen Lab SA [2021] EWHC 845 (Comm) (debt claim arising from patent litigation) Zauli v Lughi [2020] Lexis Citation 282 (enforcement of 2.7-million-euro Member State judgment subject to appeal under Brussels I recast) Re LMS [2020] EWCOP 52 (variation of will trust) Razaq v Baig [2019] EWHC 3490 (Ch) (right of partners to continue business of dissolved partnership) He is instructed in on- and off-shore disputes. James has first-class degrees in history from Lincoln College, Oxford and law from St John’s College, Cambridge. He received the two highest student scholarships awarded by Lincoln’s Inn.
Adrian Pay

Adrian Pay

Adrian Pay's practice focuses on contentious chancery work, in particular, commercial chancery and property work. His commercial work includes commercial fraud (e.g. Weavering v Ernst & Young, a claim against auditors relating to the collapse of a fraudulently run hedge fund), company and insolvency matters and contractual disputes (including matters with an information technology aspect). He has particular expertise in shareholder disputes (e.g. Caldero v Beppler & Jacobson Ltd [2013] EWHC 2191 (Ch); [2014] EWCA Civ 935, a high-profile dispute relating to two prestigious hotels in Montenegro; Adrian is currently instructed on a high-value shareholder dispute concerning an investment fund in Vietnam). His property work includes, in particular, disputes arising out of property developments and deficient conveyancing:  cases include Angel Solicitors v Jenkins O'Dowd & Barth [2009] 1 WLR 1220; Clark v Lucas LLP [2010] 2 All ER 955; Kind v Northumberland County Council [2013] 1 WLR 743; R (Trail Riders Fellowship) v Dorset CC [2015] UKSC 18.
Justin Perring

Justin Perring

is a commercial chancery barrister with a focus on commercial litigation, civil fraud, company and insolvency law. He also has recognised expertise in property and trust work, which often compliment and overlap his commercial practice. He has been recommended by the Legal 500 for a number of years across several practice areas, where has been described as “approachable”, “frank and sensible with the facts”, “efficient and professional”, and “thorough and prompt”, and noted for settling “meticulous, accurate” statements of case, and providing “clear, meaningful advice”. Justin works with solicitors, in-house teams and teams of counsel. He appears as counsel at final and interim hearings (including freezing orders and injunctions) in the Senior Courts, County Court and specialist Tribunals. He also represents clients at ADR. Justin contributes to Lexis PSL, law reports, and delivers seminars and training. He chairs Chambers’ Company, Insolvency and Commercial Practice Group.
Jessica Powers

Jessica Powers

Jessica “is fast developing a strong commercial chancery practice, with a focus on insolvency, and is certainly a name to note at the junior Bar” (Legal 500 UK 2021). Jessica is a “superb advocate” (Legal 500 UK Bar 2022) who is “excellent on her feet” (Legal 500 UK 2021). She appears as sole counsel regularly in the High Court, and was successful in the Court of Appeal in the important case of Bell v Ide. She is well accustomed to conducting cases from pre-action advice through to trial, whilst throughout maintaining a pragmatic and commercial approach. During her five-year appointment to the Attorney-General’s C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown (2017-2022), Jessica was frequently instructed by HMRC and the Official Receiver in insolvency cases, and by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in director’s disqualification proceedings. In addition to domestic work, Jessica is developing a thriving offshore practice. She has received instructions from the Channel Islands, the UAE and Gibraltar, and has an ongoing consultancy arrangement with the dispute resolution department of a leading offshore firm in Jersey (assisting with trust, company and insolvency matters) Jessica has contributed to Atkin’s Court Forms, and has also written for Lexis PSL, the Trusts and Estates Law and Tax Journal, the Corporate Rescue and Insolvency Journal, Insolvency Intelligence, and Estates Gazette.
Chloe Rixon

Chloe Rixon

Following Chloe’s successful completion of Pupillage, she joined New Square as a tenant in October 2024. Chloe is fast developing her practice in a wide range of commercial chancery areas, including property, wills and trusts, commercial, company and insolvency work. Chloe has been praised for her impressive advocacy skills, and is regularly in the County Court, achieving successful outcomes in a variety of possession, bankruptcy, injunction and interim application hearings. Chloe has also been instructed in multiple directions and costs management hearings, and has appeared in the High Court for a number of winding-up petitions. Before coming to the Bar, Chloe previously worked a commercial property paralegal for Wedlake Bell LLP, and obtained a first-class degree in Law from Durham University.
Raj Sahonte

Raj Sahonte

Raj is a chancery practitioner with a focus on real property, probate and public rights over land which include: Town & Village Greens, Rights over Commons, Highways and Wayleaves including stationing Telecommunications apparatus. Directory acknowledgements include: "Sensible, straightforward and smart. He knows his law." Chambers UK 2018 "Raj is a sound, sound chancery lawyer and a good performer." Chambers UK Bar, 2018 "He is extremely approachable, very user-friendly, and nothing is too much trouble for him. He always fights your corner." Chambers UK, 2017
James Saunders

James Saunders

James’ busy commercial chancery practice spans Chambers’ practice areas and he is particularly at home with complex disputes which engage multiple overlapping areas of law. James welcomes instructions across the full range of commercial-chancery work including insolvency, trusts and estates, property, commercial litigation, civil fraud and company. James appears frequently in his own right in the High Court and County Courts. Recent reported decisions include successfully setting aside a statutory demand relying upon the penalty doctrine in Slowikowsa v Rogers [2021] EWHC 192 (Ch), defending against presentation of a winding-up petition under the Coronavirus test in Newman v Templar Corp Ltd [2020] EWHC 3740 (Ch) and led trial experience with Nigel Hood in a four-week High Court dispute with issues of civil fraud and partnership dissolution (Sidhu v Rathor [2020] EWHC 1916 (Ch)). James is also a contributor to the forthcoming Third Edition of Gough on Company Charges, has written for Trust and Trustees and contributes to Lexis Nexis’ dispute resolution panel. Before coming to the Bar, James spent ten months at Canada’s leading boutique litigation firm Lenczner Slaght as a Fox Scholar. Previously, James tutored trusts law at the London School of Economics and obtained first class honours in his LLB from University College London. James can be instructed on a direct access basis.
Stephen Schaw Miller

Stephen Schaw Miller

Before joining New Square Chambers in 1998 Stephen practised at the common law bar and his practice retains a wide range.  He has appeared in all the divisions of the High Court as well as county courts throughout the country.  His work now tends to be mainly focused on disputes about property or businesses. He has edited a practitioner textbook on personal insolvency and his expertise in bankruptcy law leads to instructions not only in insolvency cases but also in areas such as contractual disputes or family law when insolvency points arise.  He regularly acts in and advises on company matters, not only in insolvency cases but also in shareholder disputes and cases involving breach of directors’ duties. His property work covers all aspects of business and residential tenancies before the property tribunals as well as in court.  He frequently advises on restrictive covenants and rights of way and other easements.
Edwin Simpson

Edwin Simpson

Barrister specialising in appearing at public inquiries and applications for judicial and statutory review and advising on all aspects of such work; has particular expertise in highway and village green matters, and acts as a non-statutory inspector at public inquiries into the latter, as well as appearing on behalf of both users and landowners; teaches trusts law and taxation at Christ Church, Oxford; vice-chair Oxford Student Disciplinary Panel. Recent cases include R (Godmanchester and Drain) v Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs [2008] AC 221 (HL) (meaning of the proviso to section 31, HA 1980); R (Newhaven) v East Sussex CC [2015] UKSC 7 (an attempt to register a beach as a village green); and R (Andrews) v SS for for Environment [2015] EWCA Civ 669 (modern effect of Inclosure awards).
Mark Townsend

Mark Townsend

Mark is fast developing a robust commercial chancery practice, having previously gained extensive experience at the Bar in South Africa. Over a period of more than ten years, he has represented individuals, corporate clients, and the government in wide-ranging, often complex, disputes. Mark is regarded as being strategic, practical, and thorough in his approach. These attributes, coupled with his calm disposition, mean that he is sought after as sole counsel and as a member of larger teams. Mark is skilled at distilling complicated issues and presenting them in an accessible way: he co-authored the latest edition of Amler’s Pleadings, the leading textbook on pleading in South Africa. Before joining the Bar, Mark gained valuable insight into the broader profession: he clerked for Justice Ngcobo at the Constitutional Court of South Africa; he practised as an attorney in South Africa; and he worked as a development editor at Oxford University Press.
Gerard Van Tonder

Gerard Van Tonder

Barrister with general Chancery and commercial practice comprising litigation and advisory work in the following practice areas: property, corporate and personal insolvency, partnership, company law and with a separate niche practice in the area of costs. He is an established practitioner in property litigation and is especially effective in complex cases which cross over into connected practice areas such as company law, insolvency and professional liability.  He is often instructed against leading counsel and receives regular instructions from local authorities Significant reported cases include: Dwyer v The Lord Mayor and Citizens of the City of London [2014] EWCA Civ 153 (whether the judge correctly held that an easement had been abandoned in respect of a class of users); Garside and Anson v RFYC Ltd [2011] UKUT 367 (LC) (whether the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal should have taken account of financial impact on tenants when deciding whether to phase major works); Maqsood v Mahmood and Another [2012] EWCA Civ 251 (whether a judge had been entitled to strike out a claim as a request at the failure to comply with orders of the court); Pattle and Another v Secretary of State for Transport [2009] UKUT 141 (LC) (whether party entitled to loss of rental income from a redevelopment scheme when part of land taken by compulsory purchase); Hilmi & Associates Ltd v Pembridge Villas Freehold Limited [2010] EWCA Civ 314 (Concerning strict requirements under Companies 1985 (and by extension Companies Act 2006) for the execution of documents by a company); Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd v Mulchinock [1998]1 WLR 42, Ch (Cancellation of a caution); Alfred Dunbar v Homebase [2003] 1 P&CR 6 (whether a supplemental deed of a subtenant diminished the obligations of the subtenant); Williams & Another v Natural Life Health Foods Ltd & Another [1998] 1 WLR 830, (HL)(E) (personal liability of company director for negligent misstatement made by the company).
Hermione Williams

Hermione Williams

Hermione has a multi-faceted chancery commercial practice. Her areas of practice comprise commercial litigation, trusts and estates, company, insolvency and property law. As few cases fall neatly under one category, clients find her experience across this spectrum of areas invaluable from a practical as well as strategic perspective. Hermione’s domestic practice has been enhanced by her international experience. She has worked in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Hong Kong and Guernsey, doing cross-border litigation. In the BVI and Hong Kong, the cases she worked on typically involved shareholder disputes, claims against directors, cross-border fraud and asset-tracing claims; whereas in Guernsey the matters were trust focused. Such experience at the “coal face” and moreover working in-house as part of a team, ensures that Hermione is a well-rounded litigator who genuinely adds value. Hermione has an excellent eye for detail and has a strategic, meticulous and sensitive approach to the detail of a case. She is described as an articulate and effective advocate who is able to present her arguments cogently and think on her feet. As a natural problem solver, Hermione systematically identifies solutions for the benefit and for the protection of her client’s best interests in order to secure their objectives. Though able to work alone, she thoroughly enjoys working hard as part of a team to do this. Hermione’s six years at the commercial and chancery Bar in England, combined with her time offshore, equips her to offer clients a high level of technical expertise. This experience, in conjunction with her instinctive commercial acumen, commitment and tenacity, enables Hermione to deliver legal advice that instils confidence in and loyalty from her clients.
Paul Wilmshurst

Paul Wilmshurst

Paul Wilmshurst is ranked by the Legal 500 as a leading junior in Property Litigation and Agriculture and by Chambers and Partners as a leading individual in Agriculture and Rural Affairs. His practice embraces all aspects of land law. Paul deals with the full range of property litigation between individuals and businesses. For example: easements, boundary disputes, commercial landlord and tenant, agricultural tenancies, disputes over ownership, proprietary estoppel, trusts of land, unjust enrichment, manorial rights, profits à prendre, covenants and nuisance. He is an experienced trial advocate. Recent cases include appearing in a 5-day trial in High Court (Chancery Division): Stanning v Baldwin [2019] EWHC 1350 (Ch); [2019] 5 WLUK 544. Secondly, Paul is particularly active and well-known for acting in cases which concern public rights over land or which have administrative law aspects. For example, town/village greens, commons, public rights of way, public open space, foreshore rights, and environmental cases. Paul is the author of the Village Green and Commons chapters of the Encyclopaedia of Forms & Precedents. He is a very experienced public inquiry advocate and has appeared in notable court proceedings.