The members at 4 New Square Chambers boast expertise in handling contentious work across the Caribbean, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man in shareholder disputes, contentious liquidations, and civil fraud matters. Justin Fenwick KC specialises in onshore and offshore commercial litigation, with an emphasis on fraud cases. Graeme McPherson KC has been notably busy in the Cayman Islands with expertise in insurance litigation and professional liability claims. He is acting for the claimant in The Armand Hammer Foundation Inc v Hammer International Foundation in the Cayman Financial Services Division which concerns substantial assets that were allegedly misappropriated through impermissible corporate resolutions, and their subsequent recovery. Ben Hubble KC is another key silk with significant offshore experience in the Caribbean, while Graham Chapman KC is skilled in Cayman-based proceedings. Business disputes with a financial element are a particular strength of Daniel Saoul KC, and he is representing the claimant in Privatbank v Kolomoisky, Boglyubov and Others, a $2.6bn claim against shareholders and directors based on allegations of a series of frauds. George Spalton KC‘s practice has an emphasis on complex civil fraud. Lucy Colter and Mark Cullen are notable juniors at the set.
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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.
- 'Clerks are exceptional. They understand what is needed and what the fees should be for an offshore job. Dennis Peck is exceptional.'
- 'Dennis Peck and Lizzy Stewart do a great job.'
- 'Always quick to respond and assist. Look for alternatives when there are conflicts. Very helpful. James Barrass is a star clerk.'
- 'The clerks' room service is strong and Lizzy Stewart, in particular, is an excellent senior clerk.'
- 'Outstanding depth in professional negligence litigation.'