Fountain Court Chambers garners praise from clients as ‘a go-to chambers when it comes to legal services regulation’. The team is sought after by solicitors and other professional services firms for assistance with disciplinary matters. Richard Coleman KC is ‘a very impressive cross examiner who is always over the detail of the case’. Marianne Butler is ‘phenomenal’. In March 2025 Rupert Allen KC was appointed to silk.
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Profile

Position

Richard Coleman KC’s practice spans commercial dispute resolution, banking, financial services, administrative and public law and professional discipline. He has been instructed in some of the most significant disputes in these areas, such as the FCA’s test case concerning COVID-19 related insurance business interruption insurance claims; the Ingenious litigation concerning advice and lending provided by banks in relation to film schemes promoted to investors on the basis that they would have tax advantages; the disciplinary proceedings brought by the SRA against Baker McKenzie and others in respect of the handling of a complaint; the Bank Charges litigation concerning whether charges levied on current account customers whose account goes overdrawn may be assessed for fairness under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations; the PPI judicial review concerning the guidance issued by the Financial Services Authority in respect of the misselling of Payment Protection Insurance; the Financial Conduct Authority’s investigation into LIBOR manipulation; and the misselling of interest rate hedging products.  He frequently advises on the FCA’s duties and powers and on solicitors’ obligations under the Code of Conduct.

Career

Practised at the English Bar since 1994; Queen’s Counsel 2012; Attorney General’s A Panel 2007-12; member of the New York Bar since 1995.

Publications:

Contributor to Law of Bank Payments (Brindle and Cox, 5th ed.)

Languages

French (working knowledge).

Education

Auckland Grammar School; Cambridge University (MA; Double First Class Hons in the law tripos); Yale University (LLM); Inns of Court Studentship; Hardwicke and Mansfield Scholarships (Lincoln’s Inn); Pegasus Scholarship.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks are extremely helpful and responsive. I've had great service from everyone I've worked with, including Sian Huckett, Luke Diebelius, Alfie Harper and Oliver Duane.'
  • 'The clerks are very good at developing a working relationship with solicitors who instructs their members. They are helpful and responsive.'
  • 'Quick to respond and overall great service.'
  • 'Probably the premier set for solicitors' regulatory and disciplinary matters.'
  • 'The go-to chambers when it comes to legal services regulation.'
  • 'Excellent.'
  • 'Fountain Court has a wealth of knowledge on professional discipline work.'
  • 'There is strength in depth in this set, with many members of chambers able to act in regulatory matters.'