For the members of South Square, offshore mandates surrounding the financial services, insolvency and company law, and fraud-related disputes are key pillars of practice. The set boasts a strong bench of reputable silks, including David Allison KC, who is representing Aston Martin in a case surrounding a just and equitable winding up petition in the Jersey courts. Barry Isaacs KC has substantial knowledge of insolvency and banking and finance work, while Tom Smith KC is a specialist in offshore and funds work in the Cayman Islands; he acted for the claimants in Primeo Fund v HSBC, a $2bn claim regarding allegations of fraud and negligence against a former administrator and custodian. Felicity Toube KC has expertise in international proceedings and is especially experienced in major corporate restructurings. David Alexander KC is skilled in civil fraud cases, Glen Davis KC has notable expertise in litigation proceedings arising out of Gibraltar, and Richard Fisher KC frequently handles insolvency and commercial matters in the BVI, Cayman Islands, and Channel Islands. Jeremy Goldring KC is another key silk at the set handling banking and finance and company law matters. Making silk in the 2024 round, Adam Al-Attar KC is a key name to note in the insolvency and restructuring space. Amongst the set’s juniors, Clara Johnson has a particular strength in disputes with cross-border elements, especially those involving injunctive relief. She represented the joint liquidators in a case surrounding the collapse of a global construction company that had debts of $2bn (Joannou and Paraskevaides (Overseas) Limited (In Liquidation) v Dakis Joannou and others).
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Profile
Position
Barry specialises in insolvency and restructuring, banking and finance, commercial litigation and arbitration, and company law. He is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and has particular expertise in cases of financial complexity. He often appears as an advocate or expert in overseas jurisdictions.
Barry has appeared in numerous substantial and high-profile cases in the Supreme Court/House of Lords (eg Lehman Brothers (Waterfall), Nortel (Expenses), Rubin/New Cap Reinsurance, Sigma Finance, Mainstream Properties, Three Rivers v Bank of England), in the Court of Appeal (eg Prudential/Rothesay (Pt VII transfer), Rosesilver v Paton, Woolworths, Davenham Trust, FKI v Stribog, Golden Key, Whistlejacket Capital, OT Computers), and at first instance, including several major trials and arbitrations.
Other recent cases of note include Provident Financial, Greensill Capital, Premier Oil, Castle Trust, VB Football Assets v Blackpool Football Club, HSBC (ring-fencing scheme), Noble Group, Carillion, International Bank of Azerbaijan, Ve Interactive, Orion Insurance, Stemcor, APCOA Parking, MF Global, Punch Taverns, Travelodge, BTA Bank v Ablyazov, and AWAL Bank.
Recent cases in overseas jurisdictions include (in the Cayman Islands) ikang, Qunar, Abraaj, Nord Anglia, Medimpact, Platinum Partners, China Branding, Weavering, Eurasia Drilling, Homeinns Hotel Group, Pacific Harbor Asia Fund, CHC Group, Primeo Fund, FFC Fund, China Fishery, Sterling Macro Fund, Caledonian Bank; (in Bermuda) Georges Bay, Lehman Re, Saab Financial, Millennium Asset Management, KIC; (in the British Virgin Islands) Kaupthing, Monarch Pointe Fund, Thema Fund; (in the Bahamas) British American Insurance; (in Hong Kong) Noble Group, Mongolian Mining; (in the DIFC) Abraaj; and (as an expert in proceedings in New York) Lehman Brothers, Hellas Telecommunications , Mill Financial v Hicks, and Deutsche Bank v Serengeti.
Career
Called 1994, QC 2011. Called ad hoc to the Bars of the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands.
Memberships
Chancery Bar Association, Commercial Bar Association, Insolvency Lawyers’ Association, Recovery and Insolvency Specialists Association, Associate of the Society of Actuaries.
Education
Oriel College, Oxford University (1987 BA); Harvard University (1989 MA).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Dylan Playfoot is probably the best clerk in the business.'
- 'South Square's clerks are always easy to deal with and highly commercial; particular shout out to Tom Gibbons.'
- 'I have worked with Luke Barefoot for a number of years. He is very responsive and pleasant.'
- 'South Square's clerks are always easy to deal with and highly commercial; particular shout out to Luke Clark.'
- 'Excellent service. Luke Clark and Lewis Madle are very efficient and quick to respond.'
- 'Since I started to work with South Square, the set has grown considerably, but the level of service that you receive from the clerks, Dylan Playfoot in particular, has never faltered.'
- 'The South Square clerk team, lead by Dylan Playfoot, is very knowledgeable, professional and easy to deal with.'