South Square remains the preeminent restructuring and insolvency set and its silks and juniors continue to play a role in major proceedings. Representing the liquidators of Somerfield Stores Ltd, Tom Smith KC led Joseph Curl KC and Robert Amey in Cohen v Co-operative Group Limited, a High Court trial following the largest claim brought under s238 and s239 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Tom Smith KC also appeared alongside David Allison KC in Re Sino-Ocean, which saw the first use of an English restructuring plan for a Chinese state-owned enterprise and also involved Henry Phillips and Ryan Perkins. Daniel Bayfield KC led Matthew Abraham in Re Fossil (UK) Global Services Ltd, notable for its novel restructuring which involved a new method for NASDAQ-listed companies to restructure debt.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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.
2026 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.
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.
Rising stars
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.
Paul Fradley