Set Profile > 4 Pump Court (Chambers of Nick Vineall QC and Sean Brannigan QC) > London, England

Financial services regulation Tier 1

Professional negligence Tier 1

4 PUMP COURT is an 'exceptionally friendly set' that 'understands the technical aspects of professional negligence cases'. Members handle claims involving a range of professionals, with expertise that covers technology, telecoms, construction, accountancy, auditors, financial, legal, surveyors and valuers negligence. The 'efficient' set has been involved in several  high-profile solicitors' negligence cases: Nigel Tozzi QC acted for the defendant solicitors in Evans v Brabners LLP, a claim brought by professional footballer Ched Evans against the law firm which defended him in his first rape trial; Tozzi QC also appeared for the defendant solicitors in Goddard-Watts v Bristol-based Independent UK Law Firm, which alleged the firm failed to ensure the claimant made full disclosure in matrimonial ancillary relief proceedings. Elsewhere, Michael Douglas QC, Aidan Christie QC, Benjamin Pilling QC and Lynne McCafferty QC are involved in The Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, which examines the causes of the fire and the role numerous core participants may have played in the occurrence and spread of the blaze.

Construction Tier 2

'One of the go-to sets for construction matters', 4 PUMP COURT's barristers are involved in a number of PFI projects and instructed to advise public authorities, funders, and contractors. The 'technically excellent' Sean Brannigan QC led Matthew Thorne in representing the successful contractor in both the High Court and Court of Appeal in Cyden Homes v North Midland Building, a case which highlighted a key issue relating to contracting parties' ability to agree how extensions of time should be handled in periods of concurrent delay. The 'swift and compelling' Duncan McCall QC led James Bowling in Clancy Docwra v EON Energy Solutions, a large dispute arising from declarations regarding the responsibility for underground obstructions encountered during the installation of a district heat network in central London.

Energy Tier 2

4 PUMP COURT provides 'excellent service – it sets the standard for commercial sets' and one client remarks that 'the clerks really feel like part of the team'. The set brings commercial, construction and maritime expertise to bear on a broad spectrum of disputes in the energy sector, including those involving highly technical issues. Its barristers frequently act in matters in the oil and gas, renewables and power sectors. Leading light Sean Brannigan QC focuses predominantly on high-value disputes arising from energy and offshore infrastructure projects. He secured more than £35m in damages in Fluor v ZPMC, a prolonged dispute that arose from the construction of a windfarm in the North Sea. Sean O’Sullivan QC's recent work includes high-value LCIA arbitrations relating to rights to oil and gas discoveries in Europe, and the construction of offshore vessels in Asia. In CIECO v Dana, Nigel Tozzi QC represented E&P company CIECO in an application for an urgent injunction prohibiting Dana from commencing the drilling of a well off the coast of Scotland. Prominent junior Kate Livesey is involved in high-value LMAA arbitrations.

International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 2

Defamation and privacy Tier 2

Insurance and reinsurance Tier 3

4 PUMP COURT is a 'fantastic set for insurance and reinsurance disputes' where it fields a 'raft of top-quality barristers' often instructed in cross-border litigation. Andrew Neish QC is representing ADNEC in the Commercial Court proceedings relating to the enforcement of an UAE arbitration award against various layers of London market insurers under the Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930. Also of note, Cultural Foundation and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company v Beazley Furlonge. Aldridge & others v Liberty Mutual Insurance and Arch Insurance was a key case for Aidan Christie QC in which he acted for the insurers.

International arbitration: counsel Tier 3

4 PUMP COURT is home to a versatile group of highly rated barristers with strong expertise across a range of areas, including infrastructure, shipping, insurance, and general commercial. Members are very active in Asia and the Middle East, where several members, including Sean Brannigan QC and Rachel Ansell QC, are facing each other in a significant airport-relate dispute.

Offshore Tier 3

Commodities Tier 3

Shipping Tier 3

4 PUMP COURT offers 'in-depth expertise for shipping disputes'; the set is noted for its' members experience across dry shipping, shipbuilding, marine insurance admiralty and other maritime disputes. Manchester Shipping v Sochin and Balfour Shipping was a key case for Nicholas Vineall QC, a $10m claim for damages for the unlawful diversion of charter hire. The set is particularly praised for its experience in working for a number of Chinese clients; Nicholas Vineall QC and Neil Henderson acted on behalf of a Chinese trading corporation in Sinocore v RBRG, which involved the enforcement of an arbitration award.

Commercial litigation Tier 4

4 PUMP COURT is 'very good value' with 'some very good silks and juniors', so say instructing solicitors. The versatile chambers has barristers with a good spread of expertise, from acting on high-end commercial, banking, and insurance claims, to international commodities, shipping, and trade disputes. Nigel Tozzi QC recently represented Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia in a dispute with Motortrak before the Commercial Court.

Aviation Tier 4

Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Tier 5

4 PUMP COURT is praised for helping 'make the whole solicitor-counsel-firm-chambers dynamic feel like a proper team'. The set has made strong inroads into the banking arena, and has a talented cadre of juniors coming through to support the more well-established silks. Members have been involved in several major cases, including Golden Belt v BNP Paribas and Fortress Securities v BNP Paribas, in which Nigel Tozzi QC represented the claimants in the consolidated claims.

IT and telecoms

4 PUMP COURT ‘combines IP and tech expertise’ with experience in a broad range of IT and telecoms disputes including those relating to licensing, royalties, outsourcing, infrastructure and cybersecurity. The set’s ’fantastic juniors are the cream of the crop’ and are complemented by ‘impressive silks’. In a recent high profile instruction Alex Charlton QC and Matthew Lavy are representing British Airways in a £70m dispute against CBRE Ltd, whose alleged breach of contract and negligence damaged and brought down its IT systems in May 2017 forcing the cancellation of many flights.

Set overviews: England and Wales

4 PUMP COURT offers ‘some very good silks and juniors who are very good value’ across the commercial, construction, and insurance/reinsurance sectors, as well as shipping, IT, arbitration, and professional negligence. Solicitors note how the set is very adept at ‘running very successful campaigns to corner a particular market’. Since the publication of our last guide, Sean Brannigan QC joins Nick Vineall QC as joint head of chambers; Rachel Ansell QC has been appointed chair of the Technology and Construction Bar Association; and James Watthey has been appointed to the council of the London Shipping Law Centre. James Leabeater QC and Jessica Stephens QC took silk in 2019, and chambers was further strengthen by the arrival of Lord Edward Garnier QC, Stephen Cogley QC, and Jennie Gillies from One Brick Court, XXIV OLD BUILDINGS, and in-house at Arup respectively, while Alexander Gunning QC joined One Essex Court. In the clerks’ room, Carl Wall and Stewart Gibbs are joint senior clerks of a ‘responsive, helpful and accommodating’ team that is ‘very easy to work with, and help make the whole solicitor/counsel firm/chambers dynamic feel like a proper team’. Also of note, Lucy Burrows, formerly of 3 Verulam Buildings, has joined chambers as a new deputy senior clerk, and former chambers chief executive Carolyn McCombe is now head of ADR and professional standards at the set. Offices in: London and Hong Kong