Commercial Dispute Resolution
UK Bar Guide 2025 : Northern (Bar)
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0151) 236 7747Chambers Review
Exchange Chambers' leading commercial barristers are regularly instructed by financial services institutions and large corporations in various sectors. Its members are described by solicitors as "good all rounders for commercial litigation" and demonstrate superb experience of a broad range of areas, including company and insolvency law, director and shareholder matters, commercial contracts and competition law. Members of the set were recently involved in Clements v Frisby, a high-profile fraud claim concerning an online fashion business.
Nick Buckley and Neil Wright lead the clerking in Manchester and Liverpool respectively.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Senior business and property clerk Joe Mawson is outstanding. He is professional and has a real focus on client relationships. He is far more than a 9 to 5 clerk."
"Senior business and property clerk Joe Mawson is key to the success of chambers. He is on top of his game and knows what his instructing solicitors need."
"Chambers director Nick Buckley in Manchester is outstanding."
"Senior business and property clerk Joe Mawson is outstanding. He is professional and has a real focus on client relationships. He is far more than a 9 to 5 clerk."
"Senior business and property clerk Joe Mawson is key to the success of chambers. He is on top of his game and knows what his instructing solicitors need."
"Chambers director Nick Buckley in Manchester is outstanding."
Notable Practitioners
Carly Sandbach is a barrister with a leading commercial and chancery practice, and has particular expertise in professional negligence, insolvency and company cases. She acts for both claimants and defendants, and often handles matters concerning solicitors and accountants. She is also adept at handling winding-up petitions and directors' disqualification proceedings. Her clients include multinational corporations, banks, private individuals and government departments.
"Carly has a truly impressive ability to grapple with complex issues, distil them down, and communicate effectively with clients, lawyers and the court. She is a genuine asset to any legal team."
Stephen Connolly is a well-regarded and highly experienced commercial barrister who is particularly adept at acting in cases concerning stakeholder disputes. He also offers expertise in contract, professional negligence, property and fraud claims. He represents a wide range of clients, including both private individuals and businesses.
"Stephen is probably one of the best juniors at the Bar. He has a very good all-round practice and a range of specialisms within commercial litigation, which makes him stand out in the market."
"Stephen really understands what solicitors want from counsel; he is incredibly supportive and involved."
Andrew Vinson enjoys respect in the market for his solid commercial and chancery practice. He is adept at handling cases concerning directors' disqualification and insolvency, professional negligence and company disputes. He also excels in contractual matters, and has recognised expertise in property cases. He often acts for domestic and international firms, trustees and governmental office holders.
"Andrew is very strong technically and an excellent advocate. Clients like him, he explains things clearly and precisely, and he is commercial in his approach."
"His written work is clear and gets to the heart of it."
Giles Maynard-Connor KC is an acclaimed barrister who is highly proficient in company and fraud matters, as well as in cases concerning professional negligence and insolvency. He is often instructed in cases involving directors' disqualification and company winding-up petitions. He is experienced in cases in offshore jurisdictions, having previously appeared in courts in Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands.
"Giles' advice is super clear and he cuts through to the issue. He is really good with clients as well."
Richard Tetlow is a talented barrister with a burgeoning reputation. He handles a wide variety of commercial disputes, including company, contractual and insolvency-related matters. He has additional expertise in finance, product liability, property and professional negligence cases.
"Richard is a very effective barrister who works incredibly positively with lawyers and lay clients. He also demonstrates great attention to detail."
"Richard's written work was first class, but he is also a confident team player prepared to make contributions; he wants to be heard and he is willing to get involved."
Anja Lansbergen-Mills is a strong barrister who has attracted attention on the Northern Circuit for her excellent commercial practice, which focuses on insolvency, commercial contracts and various other areas.
"Her technical knowledge is excellent and she is very dedicated."
"Anja is a quality young barrister on the up; she's technically very good and easy to work with."
"Anja is ferociously bright, very responsive and great to work with as part of a team; she really knows what solicitors want from counsel."
Ian Tucker is an impressive barrister with a growing commercial and chancery practice, who has particular expertise in insolvency-related cases. He also deals with litigation regarding professional negligence claims, contractual issues and contested trusts. He advises a range of clients, including insolvency practitioners, private companies and financial institutions.
"Ian is just excellent; he is commercial and sensible, and clients like him. He also has the skill and knowledge to deal with complex niche legal issues."
"Ian is outstanding in all respects and our go-to counsel for all matters; he's a safe pair of hands and is always innovative in the analysis and problem solving."
James Malam has a broad commercial practice spanning construction, insolvency and professional negligence.
"James is a real star who is technically good, commercial and a real gem to work with."
"James is very good on his written arguments and on his feet."
Lawrence McDonald is noted for his expertise in real estate disputes, demonstrating further proficiency in areas including contracts, breach of fiduciary duty and trusts.
"Lawrence is a safe pair of hands."
Harriet Hartshorn is regularly instructed by banks and lenders in asset recovery and consumer credit matters. She is particularly experienced in misrepresentation claims bought under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
"Harriet is a fantastic advocate. She's excellent with lay clients and provides an all-round quality service."
"A star in the making, Harriet is technically good and great to work with."