Brick Court Chambers maintains its excellent reputation as ‘a top end set’ in the civil fraud space. In Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others, a high-profile claim involving allegations of fraud, corruption and bribery concerning the procurement of sovereign guarantees worth $2bn in what is known as the "tuna bonds" scandal, Richard Blakeley KC acted for the Republic in proceedings against the Privinvest Group, represented by Tom Woolgar; the court ruled in favour of the Republic against the Privinvest defendants. In the same case, Stephen Midwinter KC, Fred Hobson KC, Laura Newton and Tom Wood represented banks that provided syndicated lending to Mozambique. In recent developments at the set, Edward Harrison KC took silk in March 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Commercial dispute resolution
Position
Laura Newton is widely regarded as one of the stars of the junior commercial Bar. She is an experienced senior junior with a commercial practice which sees her regularly instructed in high value international commercial disputes and arbitrations, often with a fraud aspect. Her clients include banks, tech companies, nation states and private individuals. She regularly appears unled in high value disputes in the High Court, often against leading silks. She has also appeared as sole counsel in the Privy Council, where the Board’s judgment noted that her “thorough preparation and well-crafted submissions were of substantial assistance”.
Laura was named Commercial Litigation Junior of the Year by Legal 500 in September 2025 and nominated for that award by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in 2023. She also won Returner of the Year, as one of the Outstanding Women in Law, in the 2024 Women and Diversity in Law Awards. Previously she has been listed in The Lawyer Hot 100, and was featured as one of the Legal Week 10 Stars at the Bar. She has also been ranked as one of the top 10 commercial juniors at the Bar.
Career
Laura’s experience has been recognised as exceptional for someone of her seniority: she was one of just 10 barristers selected for inclusion in The Lawyer Hot 100 2016, and was also featured as one of the Legal Week 10 Stars at the Bar 2016. The Lawyer noted that, “At just seven years’ call Laura Newton has been dubbed a ‘superstar’ by QCs for her record of bringing in significant commercial litigation mandates and being a ’driving force’ in complex case management.” Legal Week referred to her as “winning plaudits left, right and centre”.
Laura frequently deals with substantial commercial cases, most of which have an international aspect. Under the umbrella of commercial litigation, Laura’s practice spans contractual disputes, civil fraud, banking and finance, and professional liability.
International arbitration also forms a large part of Laura’s practice. She has been involved as sole Counsel, as well as being led, in a number of substantial LCIA and ad hoc arbitrations.
Laura also has experience of shareholder disputes, applications against directors, applications under the Companies Act 2006, applications under the Insolvency Act, and advising in relation to company law issues.
Languages
English, French, German, basic Mandarin
Memberships
COMBAR
Chancery Bar Association
LCIA
YIAG
Commercial Fraud Lawyers’ Association
Young Fraud Lawyers’ Association
Education
Hatfield College, Durham:
- LLB (Dunelm), First class honours
- Baxter Prize for top performance in college
- Cervantes Prize for top performance in year
St Catherine’s College, Oxford:
- BCL (Oxon), Distinction
- Allen & Overy Prize for the Best Performance in Global Comparative Financial Law
- Allen & Overy Prize for the Best Performance in Corporate Insolvency Law
- College honours for top performance in the BCL
Astbury Scholarship, Middle Temple
University College London: Visiting Tutor in Tort Law
King’s College London: Examiner in Trusts Law
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Tony Burgess is a star.'
- 'Paul Dennison runs a tight ship.'
- 'Paul Dennison is an outstanding senior clerk whose professionalism, efficiency, and deep understanding of the commercial Bar make him an invaluable asset to Brick Court Chambers. He brings a calm authority and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to every aspect of his role, ensuring smooth and effective service for solicitors and clients alike.'
- 'Tony Burgess is excellent.'
- 'A powerhouse set.'
- 'Brick Court are in the top echelon of the commercial Bar.'
- 'Very talented team.'
- 'A top, magic circle chambers, packed full of talented barristers.'