David Allison KC KC > South Square > London, England > Barrister Profile
South Square Offices

3-4 SOUTH SQUARE, GRAY'S INN
LONDON
WC1R 5HP
England
- Set Profile
- Go to...
David Allison KC KC

Position
David specialises in business, commercial and financial law, with a particular emphasis on corporate restructuring (both domestic and cross-border), sovereign debt restructuring, banking and financial services, structured finance, commercial litigation and company matters. He has an extensive overseas practice which includes Cayman, BVI, Dubai, Jersey and Guernsey. He has acted as an expert witness in proceedings in a number of overseas jurisdictions.
Recent cases include Lehman Waterfall, Carillion, Metinvest, Monarch, Noble, House of Fraser, BHS, Agrokor, KWM, Codere, Abengoa, Russian Standard Bank, APCOA, ATU, Airwave, Stemcor, MF Global, Nortel, Bank of Ireland, European Directories, Stanford International Bank, Madoff, Landsbanki, Glitnir, Kaupthing, Dewey & LeBoeuf, Deutsche Annington, PrimaCom, Nef Telecom, Biffa, Fitness First, NCP, Monier, Tele Columbus and Cattles.
Career
Called 1998; QC 2014. Full registration under Part II of the DIFC Courts’ Register of Legal Practitioners 2006; Called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean 2007.
Memberships
COMBAR, Chancery Bar Association.
Education
Downing College, University of Cambridge (MA Law, First Class).
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2David Allison KC – South Square ‘David always provides absolutely top notch, clear and detailed advice, always well considered, thorough and commercial. He is the top barrister in his areas.’
London Bar > Insolvency
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1David Allison KC – South Square ‘David is the most experienced barrister in the market when it comes to schemes/restructuring plans. He is a leading authority and his views carry real weight in the courtroom. He combines his terrific legal brain with a very amenable personality and commercial mindset, which makes him very user-friendly.’
London Bar > Company
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2David Allison KC – South Square ‘He is a superb technician, his delivery is clear, and his approach thorough.’
London Bar > Commercial litigation
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3David Allison KC –South Square ‘David is truly an expert in this area. He has a very smooth and persuasive advocacy style.’
The English Bar Offshore > Commercial disputes
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1David Allison KC – South Square ‘David is a phenomenal advocate who instantly commands the respect of the bench. He masters the details but never fails to see the bigger picture.’
For the members of South Square, offshore mandates surrounding the financial services, insolvency and company law, and fraud-related disputes are key pillars of practice. The set boasts a strong bench of reputable silks, including David Allison KC, who is representing Aston Martin in a case surrounding a just and equitable winding up petition in the Jersey courts. Barry Isaacs KC has substantial knowledge of insolvency and banking and finance work, while Tom Smith KC is a specialist in offshore and funds work in the Cayman Islands; he acted for the claimants in Primeo Fund v HSBC, a $2bn claim regarding allegations of fraud and negligence against a former administrator and custodian. Felicity Toube KC has expertise in international proceedings and is especially experienced in major corporate restructurings. David Alexander KC is skilled in civil fraud cases, Glen Davis KC has notable expertise in litigation proceedings arising out of Gibraltar, and Richard Fisher KC frequently handles insolvency and commercial matters in the BVI, Cayman Islands, and Channel Islands. Jeremy Goldring KC is another key silk at the set handling banking and finance and company law matters. Making silk in the 2024 round, Adam Al-Attar KC is a key name to note in the insolvency and restructuring space. Amongst the set’s juniors, Clara Johnson has a particular strength in disputes with cross-border elements, especially those involving injunctive relief. She represented the joint liquidators in a case surrounding the collapse of a global construction company that had debts of $2bn (Joannou and Paraskevaides (Overseas) Limited (In Liquidation) v Dakis Joannou and others).