4 New Square Chambers remains at the forefront of the professional negligence market. The set continues to be involved with Grenfell Tower litigation, with David Turner KC, Clare Dixon KC, Isabel Barter and Conor Ewing acting for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in claims against contractors, architects and others. Ben Hubble KC, Justin Fenwick KC and Ben Smiley are involved in Abraaj v KPMG, a claim against the auditors of the high-profile Dubai-based emerging markets private equity house which collapsed in 2018. Hubble KC is also acting for the defendants in Afan Valley Ltd & Ors v Lupton Fawcett & Metis, alongside Michael Bowmer, Daniel Saoul KC and Pippa Manby; the case concerns a number of property investment schemes which entered into liquidation. Patrick Lawrence KC and Helen Evans KC are instructed on behalf of the defendant in Discovery Land v Axis, a case which raised questions on the extent of the coverage of solicitors’ insurers on the grounds of dishonesty on the parts of the insured solicitor. Scott Allen was instructed in Bratt v Jones, another case which went to the Court of Appeal concerning the test for valuers’ negligence.
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Profile
Position
Justin Fenwick came to the Bar in 1981 and was appointed QC in 1993 (the most junior member of the Bar to be appointed as Silk in the 1993 list). He has sat as a Judge in both civil and criminal cases, having been made an Assistant Recorder in 1994, a Recorder in 1999 and a Deputy High Court Judge (Chancery and Queen’s Bench Division) in March 2003. He was appointed a Deputy Judge of the Administrative Court in 2008. He was Head of Chambers at 4 New Square between 2000 and 2005 and has been a Bencher of the Inner Temple since 1997 and was Chairman of its Investment Sub-Committee between 2004 and 2011. He was Chairman of the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (the Bar’s own Mutual Insurer) from 1999 until 2013. He was a Commissioner and in due course Deputy Chairman of the Royal Hospital Chelsea (home to the Chelsea Pensioners) between 2011-2017 where he sat on the Remuneration Committee and the Nominations Committee. He has an extensive offshore and international practice involving court appearances in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, BVI, Cayman, Bermuda, St Vincent and Nevis.
Career
Called 1980, Inner Temple Bencher 1998; QC 1993, recorder since 1996, Deputy High Court Judge Chancery Division, Queen’s Bench Division and Administrative Court since 2003; chairman of Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund since 1999; Head of Chambers 2000-06; previously ten years in Grenadier Guards (including intelligence and operational duties); assistant private secretary and temporary equerry to the Duke of Edinburgh 1979-81.
Languages
French, Spanish (fluent); some Italian, German.
Education
Ampleforth College; Clare College, Cambridge (1971 Modern Languages and Architectural History).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Dennis Peck and Andy Call are model clerks in the old style, which is greatly appreciated by solicitors.'
- 'Dennis Peck, Lizzy Stewart and Andrew Call are all very impressive.'
- 'Dennis Peck is a star.'
- 'Their clerks are extremely helpful and are very contactable for any urgent work. The barristers recommended are always well suited to the case and work is always delivered on time.'
- 'Consistently excellent, and some strong juniors emerging through the ranks.'
- 'The clerks are responsive to queries and upfront on costs. They are always willing to talk through fee estimates and try to accommodate the client's requirements.'
- '4 New Square is an excellent set and a true leader in its field.'
- '4 New Square is easily the premier Professional Indemnity set. Great reputation and strength across the field of barristers.'