4 Stone Buildings is increasingly active in cross-border contentious and non-contentious commercial matters, especially in the Caribbean. Company and commercial litigation are strong areas of expertise for Jonathan Crow KC, who regularly appears before Courts of Appeal and Supreme Courts. Hermann Boeddinghaus KC specialises in corporate and commercial disputes, with a particular focus on shareholder disputes, the recovery of assets, and cross-border enforcement. Alongside Orlando Fraser KC, Boeddinghaus KC acted for a Liberian company seeking the restitution of $6m, which it alleges it was defrauded of by BVI companies. George Bompas KC, in addition to BVI work, and has also appeared before the courts of Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands. Alexander Cook KC is frequently instructed to handle disputes in the BVI, and he is representing the claimant in a $43m commercial fraud claim (Von der Heydt Invest SA v Mex Securities S.a.r.l and Others). Among the set’s juniors sits Nicola Timmins, who is especially active in Bermuda, BVI, and Cayman proceedings, and Guy Olliff-Cooper is another key name.
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Profile
Work Department
Litigation – commercial chancery; company; insolvency; fraud; civil; proceeds of crime; civil recovery.
Position
Alexander Cook KC has a litigation-focussed commercial Chancery practice, with a significant emphasis on high value disputes in England & Wales and offshore. His work encompasses all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, civil fraud, company law, insolvency, and actions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
A significant proportion of Alexander’s practice comprises offshore or international work. He appears regularly before the courts of the British Virgin Islands and is registered as a legal practitioner with the Court of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). He has been admitted pro hac to the bars of Bermuda and Antigua & Barbuda. Other offshore experience includes the Cayman Islands, Nevis, Anguilla, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jersey and Guernsey.
In addition to his private work, Alexander also undertakes work on behalf of the UK government. He has been appointed as Standing Counsel to the Competition and Markets Authority, and was formerly a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel.
Alexander also sits as an arbitrator and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb).
Career
Call: 2008; Silk: 2023
Memberships
Bars of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands), DIFC Court, Northern Ireland, New York State, Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Member of COMBAR and Chancery Bar Association
Appointments: Standing Counsel to the Competition and Markets Authority, Legal Services Panel for the Government of the British Virgin Islands
Education
The King’s School, Chester; University College, Oxford (MA (Oxon)); Washington and Lee University (LLM).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'We have a very good relationship with Clerks in 4SB. In particular, Ryan Tunkel and Ben Lashmar. They have been proactive in finding innovative solutions to client requirements on fees and visibility of counsel.'
- 'Top-notch commercial chancery set.'
- 'Great set. Some excellent juniors and good clerking team.'
- 'The clerks are invariably helpful.'
- 'Excellent service and clerks. Always accommodating and courteous.'