South Square's members frequently combine market-leading expertise in corporate insolvency and civil fraud with an in-depth knowledge of company law matters. David Allison KC acts for the joint administrators on the conduct of the $5bn administration of Greensill Bank. Opposing Felicity Toube KC, Allison KC also appeared for the McDermott construction group in relation to its successful restructuring of over $2bn of financial debt and over $1bn of unsecured debt. Turning to the set's juniors William Willson appeared for banks at the high-profile convening hearing for the Thames Water restructuring plan.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
William specialises in insolvency and restructuring, banking and finance and commercial litigation. His busy practice also includes civil fraud, company law, financial services, professional negligence, shipping, insurance and real property. Many of his cases have an international element, and he is particularly interested/experienced in cases involving Russia/the CIS. In the last 12 months he has been instructed in relation to many of the major insolvencies/restructurings, including Virgin, Debenhams, Arcadia, British Steel and Lehman Brothers.
In recent years William has appeared successfully in several high-profile trials, both at home and abroad, including the ongoing dispute about the ranking/priority of $10 billion of Lehman Brothers’ subordinated debt, and the $2 billion professional negligence claim by Primeo (a Madoff ‘feeder fund’) against HSBC. In the next 12 months he is instructed to appear in the Privy Council and the Court of Appeal, as well as trials in both the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division.
William has appeared as sole Counsel in the Court of Appeal, the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands and the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. He has been called to the Bar of Gibraltar (2013), the Cayman Islands (2014) and the British Virgin Islands (2016).
Before practicing at the Bar, William was a journalist/documentary producer, specialising in the former Soviet Union, terrorism and the intelligence services. His credits include the triple-BAFTA winning The Government Inspector.
Career
Called 2006: called to the Bar of Gibraltar 2013: called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands 2014.
Memberships
Chancery Bar Association, Commercial Bar Association, Insolvency Lawyers’ Association, INSOL International.
Education
Oxford University (2000 MA Classics, First Class); City University (2005 CPE, Distinction); Inns Court School of Law (2006 BVC).
Content supplied by South Square
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The clerks at South Square are a pleasure to deal with. In particular, I have found Dylan Playfoot and Luke Clark to be very responsive and provide a great service.'
- 'The best in Restructuring & Insolvency both domestic and international. An array of talent at all levels. The clerks, especially Dylan Playfoot are exceptional.'
'The clerks are excellent - always responsive, polite, helpful.'
- 'Top company law practice with a deep bench of KCs and a strong clerking room.'
'South Square is the go-to set if you are doing restructuring work. They are either working on or have worked on the leading cases in the market. This makes them indispensable for complex matters.'