Midland Circuit
St Philips Chambers ‘is a well-regarded set known for its expertise in company and insolvency’ work with some ’standout individuals’ in these fields. Robert Mundy KC’s wide-ranging practice includes high-profile company and insolvency cases; in Syspal Capital Ltd v Truman he represented the claimant, with the trial considering the terms on which a majority shareholder was entitled to purchase the minority shareholder’s shares. He took silk in March 2025. Ali Tabari is praised by clients as ‘completely unflappable’ and noted for his ’clear and practical advice’. Natalie Kearney has a strong track record in both company and insolvency work; she appeared in Lime & Black BPS Limited (In Liquidation) v Gill, in which a claim was brought by a company in liquidation involving allegations of de facto directorship, misfeasance, breach of fiduciary duty, and knowing receipt related to VAT fraud.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Profile
Work Department
Business & Property
Position
Ali Tabari is widely recognised as a leading commercial junior, consistently ranked in the legal directories for many years and described variously as “a highly skilled and persuasive advocate”, “exceptional on his feet”, “a very impressive trial advocate”, “very incisive”, “a pleasure to work with”, “very approachable, responsive and friendly”, “absolutely fantastic”, and with an “excellent manner with clients and the judiciary”.
He has a busy and thriving commercial practice focussing on heavy commercial litigation involving fraud, insolvency, company and finance aspects. His experience in those fields also leads to instructions in professional liability matters.
He regularly appears in lengthy and complex trials in the High Court, and has been instructed in the Court of Appeal several times. Recent experience has seen him led in a 3-week fraud trial worth £100m+ and sole junior (against four Silks) in a month-long conspiracy and breach of duty trial worth £30m+ in the Rolls Building.
First and foremost, Ali is a confident courtroom advocate who is diligent, proactive and approachable. He welcomes early involvement so as to help formulate a strategy in line with the client’s commercial objectives, and his advice is robust, pragmatic and realistic. Ali’s responsive and collaborative style is well-suited to urgent applications for injunctive relief, as well as applications for pre-action and interim relief, all of which are regular features of his fraud and insolvency practice areas.
Moreover, Ali is an accredited civil/commercial mediator through ADR Group, and uses those skills when instructed as the advocate in mediations; he has acted in over 50 mediations as either mediator or advocate. His sensible and considered approach has also led to instructions as an independent investigator for private companies requiring findings of fact and determinations of internal disputes.
Ali is qualified to take instructions through the Direct Public Access scheme. He writes regularly for well-established practitioner resources and regularly delivers seminars.
Career
Called 2006, Inner Temple.
Languages
Fluent in Farsi, with a good working knowledge of German and French.
Memberships
Midlands Chancery and Commercial Bar Association (MCCBA)
Education
Dunelm (LLB (Hons)); Nottingham Law School (BVC, very competent).
Content supplied by St Philips Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Justin Luckman is approachable and able to find solutions and options to suit a range of clients. He is assisted by a good team.'
- 'Jake Smithers has really stepped up and is helpful and responsible.'
- 'The clerks at St Philip's are responsive and friendly. They have a good understanding of the skillset of their barristers and provide useful and sensible suggestions when necessary.'
- 'Jake Smithers is extremely quick to respond and assist. He and Tom Kelly are friendly and provide regular updates on enquiries where applicable.'
- 'St Philips is an excellent set in the Midlands for insolvency matters.'
- 'St Philips is a go-to set for insolvency work. If your preferred barrister is unavailable, you can be confident the clerks will suggest someone just as suitable.'
- 'St Philips is a well-regarded set known for its expertise in company and insolvency. The chambers consistently demonstrate a high standard of advocacy, legal analysis, and client service.'
- 'A generally good set with some standout individuals.'