Chancery: Commercial
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7696 9900About
Provided by South Square
South Square is a world-renowned leading commercial chancery set with Members frequently instructed in the most high-profile disputes, both domestically and internationally. It is routinely instructed by magic circle firms and those ranked in Band 1, and Members frequently appear against opposing counsel ranked in Band 1.
Chambers’ expertise in this field spans an impressive range of areas, including banking, funds and shareholder disputes, fraud and asset tracing (often arising out of high-profile global insolvencies, in which Members are routinely instructed). Members are regularly instructed to appear in offshore jurisdictions and at the highest appellate levels
Some notable examples of recent cases involving Members of South Square are: AGPS Bondco plc (also known as Re Adler), Avanti Communications, Bulb Energy Ltd, Greensill; Credit Suisse v Softbank; Citibank v Speciality Steel UK, London Capital & Finance Plc, NMC Healthcare, Port Fund.
Chambers Review
In addition to offering significant strength in insolvency law, South Square is also highly regarded for its expertise in a wide range of commercial Chancery disputes. The team is well versed in the handling of both contentious and non-contentious matters. Members are regularly called upon to act in claims brought against accountants and professional service firms, and in complex cases involving derivatives and securitisation transactions, among other commercial matters. The team is known for its expert handling of both domestic and international disputes. Recent examples include Avanti Communications, a dispute concerning the characterisation of security interests granted in accordance with LMA market precedents. Members also handled matters arising out of the collapse of Greensill Bank, and in Galapagos Bidco SARL v Kebekus, litigation arising out of the complex restructuring of Galapagos, a Luxembourg incorporated industrial group.
Dylan Playfoot is the senior clerk.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Dylan Playfoot is brilliant. A super nice fellow who gets things done, he leads a good team of clerks, who are proactive and responsive."
"South Square have great clerks. They are professional and very modern."
"The clerking team is a very well-oiled machine."
"Dylan Playfoot is brilliant. A super nice fellow who gets things done, he leads a good team of clerks, who are proactive and responsive."
"South Square have great clerks. They are professional and very modern."
"The clerking team is a very well-oiled machine."
Notable Practitioners
"Felicity is very smart and hard-working. She's a real pleasure to work with."
"Very clever, very user-friendly, highly accessible and great on her feet, she is absolutely amazing and just gets it."
"She is an absolute fount of knowledge."
"Tom is an excellent advocate. His ability to get the right information in a case is extraordinary."
"One of the most sophisticated advocates I've ever seen. He's so smooth in how he presents his submissions. He builds good rapport and knows his stuff inside out."
"David has a significant degree of gravitas."
"David is an extremely effective advocate. He is very clever and quick, and has the trust of the court because of his deep expertise."
"Rory strikes the right balance between aggression and commerciality."
"Aidan's written work is really fantastic; he is very eloquent and very clear. His ability to analyse facts and put forward the best arguments for clients is incredibly impressive."
"Aidan is a fantastic advocate who's trusted by judges."
"Mark has a very clear advocacy style."
"Used to appearing in the highest courts, he is very easy to deal with and hugely impressive in his command of the brief."
"Both astute and unflappable, Mark is the barrister's barrister. He is an old-school, rough-and-tumble, legal brawler that you thought they didn't make any more."
"Richard is a very strong communicator, who is always quick to respond. He gives good advice and is a fine all-round operator."
"Richard is very good. He is intelligent and pleasant to work with."
"Adam bridges insolvency, offshore and fraud matters brilliantly. He is particularly incredible at disputes arising out of restructuring."
"Adam is really good on black letter law, but also a robust advocate who gives clear advice. He's an extremely modern and highly commercial barrister."
"Adam is very good in front of clients, very good at running complex cases, a good advocate who provides end-to-end service from first instance to trial."
Ranked Barristers at
South Square
Silks (KC)
London (Bar)
Juniors
London (Bar)
Members
Provided by South Square