Serle Court
‘An incredibly quick wit and calm under pressure, Philip is a rare individual who combines a deep command of the law with an innate sense of the tactics needed to achieve the client's objectives.’
Serle Court is highly-respected for its work on company law litigation, particularly offshore matters, and it has a deep bench of talent at both junior and silk levels. It is ‘one of the most comprehensive commercial Chancery sets in the UK’, and clients remark that it is ’exceptionally strong, flexible and collaborative, and consistently brilliant’. Philip Marshall KC recently worked with Guernsey advocates for the claimant liquidators of an international construction company in a claim exceeding $1bn for fraudulent trading and conspiracy to defraud. Daniel Lightman KC, who is frequently instructed on many leading and cutting-edge company law and minority shareholder cases, is another standout silk. Tom Braithwaite, who is acting for the defendant in a shareholder dispute concerning the ownership of a hospital, and David Drake are among the vastly experienced senior juniors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'In my view the Serle Court clerks room is outstanding, with a culture developed over the last few decades by Steve Whitaker, who retired as Head Clerk in April 2023 after 48 years at the set. Nick Hockney is an experienced clerk who develops an excellent rapport with solicitors, Daniel Wheeler is bright and responsive and Charlie Payne is a risking star as a clerk.'
- 'Serle Court has excellent strength in depth, and the clerks consistently go above and beyond to ensure they can identify available counsel.'
- 'The clerks are excellent and provide very good service. Make themselves available and ensure they deliver wherever possible. Also very commercial in approach. Nick Hockney, Dan Wheeler and Emma Quin are particularly good.'
- 'The Serle Court clerks are excellent. Their mindset is solutions-focused and they are great to deal with over quotes, availability etc; personable and sensible. I have dealt with a range of clerks at the set and have been impressed by all.'
- 'Nick Hockney offers great service. He is commercial, user-friendly and extremely responsive.'
- 'Serle is a great set with very good depth.'
- 'Serle Court are an exceptionally strong set. They are decisive but also flexible and collaborative, consistently brilliant, and I would highly recommend them in this area.'
- 'Serle Court remains the friendliest set out there, but also a highly capable one.'
- 'Serle has a very deep bench and, in my view, represents one of the most comprehensive commercial chancery sets in the UK.'
- 'Serle Court is a pre-eminent company law set with strength throughout its members. Acts in some of the most significant company disputes internationally as well as domestically.'
Silks
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.
Serle Court
‘Daniel has exceptional experience in shareholder disputes and is incredibly creative, thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative solutions no one else thinks about.’
Serle Court
‘His technical ability is second to none, but what really sets him apart is how approachable and pragmatic he is.’
Serle Court
‘Lance is very decisive, makes judgement calls and backs them up with hard work and ability.’
Serle Court
‘Jonathan is an incredible barrister, extremely hardworking and not afraid to get stuck in on substantive drafting, he is an absolute pleasure to work with.’
Serle Court
‘Technically brilliant, commercially savvy and exemplary with clients, Hugh’s fierce attention to detail and tireless work ethic mean he is an asset in any instruction.’
2022 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.
Serle Court
‘Extremely clever, charming and efficient. Clients have been very impressed with his clear advice and frequently ask that many re-instruct him.’
2023 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.
Juniors
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.
Serle Court
‘A formidable advocate whose ability to cut to the chase on complex matters is highly valued and his written and oral advice is always clear and pragmatic.’
Serle Court
‘Smart, dependable and very happy to roll up his sleeves, Matthew has an uncanny ability to call the outcome correctly from the outset.’
Serle Court
‘David is probably one of the smartest people at the Bar and is sought after for the most difficult issues that require super brain power.’
Serle Court
‘Superb in every respect, his ability to process vast amounts of complex information and to cut through it to give clear, correct advice is dazzling.’
Serle Court
‘Emma is very bright and a superb barrister who produces fine written work remarkably quickly, has an excellent understanding of procedural and legal issues, and develops a rapid understanding of the facts.’
Serle Court
‘Thomas has a strikingly good eye for detail and his advocacy is perfectly judged, never overplaying a point but always pressing the point home until it lands.’
Leading Juniors
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Serle Court
‘A formidable advocate whose ability to cut to the chase on complex matters is highly valued and his written and oral advice is always clear and pragmatic.’
Serle Court
‘Smart, dependable and very happy to roll up his sleeves, Matthew has an uncanny ability to call the outcome correctly from the outset.’
Serle Court
‘David is probably one of the smartest people at the Bar and is sought after for the most difficult issues that require super brain power.’
Serle Court
‘Superb in every respect, his ability to process vast amounts of complex information and to cut through it to give clear, correct advice is dazzling.’
Serle Court
‘Emma is very bright and a superb barrister who produces fine written work remarkably quickly, has an excellent understanding of procedural and legal issues, and develops a rapid understanding of the facts.’
Serle Court
‘Thomas has a strikingly good eye for detail and his advocacy is perfectly judged, never overplaying a point but always pressing the point home until it lands.’