4 Stone Buildings is well-regarded for its expertise in handling a broad spectrum of complex commercial disputes. The team has a solid track record in appearing before offshore forums, as well as the Commercial and Chancery courts in the UK. Jonathan Crow KC represented the claimants before the Court of Appeal in Hulley Enterprises Ltd & Others v The Russian Federation, a longrunning dispute concerning the enforcement of an arbitration award against the Russian government. The Court rejected the Russian government's claim of state immunity on the grounds of issue estoppel. Christopher Harrison is 'charm personified with a steel core of no-nonsense capability'. Donald Lilly KC took silk in March 2025.
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Profile
Work Department
Commercial and chancery litigation; civil fraud; tracing and asset recovery; banking and finance; shareholder disputes; company law; insolvency and restructuring; director disqualification.
Position
Commercial and chancery litigation; civil fraud; tracing and asset recovery; banking and finance; shareholder disputes; company law; insolvency and restructuring; director disqualification. Commercial and Chancery disputes lie at the heart of Christopher’s practice and he has wide-ranging experience in both the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division. He deals with all aspects of claims, recognising the importance in particular of interim steps such as injunctive relief in leading to a successful outcome. He has considerable trial experience. He has assisted many clients in successfully resolving their disputes by negotiated ADR procedures. His work often has an international dimension and he has worked with lawyers in many jurisdictions.
Career
Called to the Bar in 1988; Atkin Scholar of Gray’s Inn; Appointed as a Government Inspector to chair an insider-trading inquiry in 1996; Junior Counsel to the Crown, B Panel (1996-2003); Called to the Bars of the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands for specific cases.
Memberships
Chancery Bar Association; COMBAR
Education
Trinity Hall, Cambridge: MA (Hons), First Class
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The service from the clerks is immaculate. The client is always put first. They are flexible, commercial and always a pleasure to deal with. Ryan Tunkel is an absolute star. He is brilliant at understanding the client's needs and nothing is too much trouble.'
- 'Ben and Ryan are superb.'
- 'Ryan Tunkel is outstanding.'
- 'Ben Lashmar, Ryan Tunkel, Ed Tolfts and Louie Millard are highly responsive and professional.'
- '4 Stone Buildings is a very strong set with a number of impressive barristers working on top commercial cases.'
- 'Strong bench of barristers.'
- 'A dependable set for high quality advice.'
- 'An exceptional chambers.'