Banking and finance (including consumer credit)

Essex Court Chambers

Essex Court Chambers handle high-profile and high-value international banking and finance litigation, with members regularly for blue-chip city and US firms, offshore and in domestic litigation. Joe Smouha KC is noted for his ‘strong advocacy, and precise and persuasive presentation,’ and alongside Louise Hutton KC represented the Prime Minister of Georgia against Credit Suisse’s Bermuda life insurance subsidiary for losses incurred to the assets held by two life insurance policy wrappers as a result of fraud of the relationship manager in Bidzina Ivanishvilli v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd. Stephen Houseman KC is focused on disputes within banking, finance and investment, acting for both major banks and financial institutions. Sophia Hurst acts for major banks and funds as well as regulators, and has experience on the consumer credit aspects of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. James Sheehan KC took silk in 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Joe Ferrigno is very smooth and is a real operator - very responsive and commercially savvy.'
'Very responsive and client friendly.'
'Great set, full of first class minds with deep commercial experience.'
'The clerks are responsive and helpful.'
'Excellent service at every level.'

Lawyers

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1

Joe Smouha KC

Joe’s oral advocacy is very strong. He has a relaxed manner but is precise and persuasive in his presentation.’

2

Stephen Houseman KC

Stephen is very smart, even by the standards of the commercial Bar. He is also cool under pressure, and generates confidence in his instructing solicitors and the client. His advocacy is focused and persuasive. Finally, he is a pleasure to work with and a real team-player.’

3

Nathan Pillow KC

Nathan is exceptional – a go-to silk for me. Fabulous in writing, and a particularly effective advocacy style which puts judges at ease. Always calm and collected even under the most immense pressure. And tops it all off by being a real pleasure to work with, and very good with clients.’

3

Iain Quirk KC

Iain is very user-friendly and collaborative. Iain’s advocacy style is very calm and conversational. He is not a grandstander.’

3

James Willan KC

James has a razor sharp mind. He is one of the brightest minds at the Bar of his or any generation. His advocacy and cross-examination is both brutal and deft. He has a great future ahead of him having made silk at an unusually early stage in his career.’

3

2025 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1

Anton Dudnikov KC

‘Anton is a star. He is brilliant on his feet – assured, calm, and has the judge with him on every point. He is also incredibly easy to work with, and has great rapport with both solicitors and clients.’

2024 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1

James Sheehan KC

James was in my view the best senior junior in London until he recently took silk. I have no reason to doubt that he will thrive as a KC. He is incredibly bright and has a depth of knowledge that is, at times, hard to believe.’

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.