Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Commercial Dispute Resolution - London (Bar)
3
Band 3
What the Team is Known For

Wilberforce Chambers has at its disposal a strong bench of commercial barristers, with particularly impressive capability at silk level. Its members are capable of handling a wide spectrum of commercial matters, including cases arising out of company law, insolvency and civil fraud. The set's barristers are well known for their ability to represent clients in international disputes and regularly appear in a range of jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Recently, its members have appeared in Bourlakova & Others v Bourlakov & Others, a USD3 billion family dispute concerning alleged fraud, and Invest Bank v El-Husseini, a claim seeking relief under Section 423 of the Insolvency Act. Its members also continue to act on Tulip LLP v Bitcoin Association, a very high-profile case from the crypto sector. One interviewee commented: “Wilberforce Chambers is a leading set with some very bright minds who are very capable of taking on the most complicated and sophisticated litigation.”

Nicholas Luckman is the practice director.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
1
Alan Gourgey KC
1
Band 1

"Alan Gourgey KC is a highly intelligent and experienced lawyer who is able to navigate complex issues with ease. His client service is excellent."

"Alan is an all-around barrister in that he embodies everything that you would want in a silk. He is wonderful with clients, on top of the detail and someone who provides high-quality written work."

1
John Wardell KC
1
Band 1

"John's opinions are really clear, even in cases with complicated subject matter. He condenses the complex aspects of a brief into an easy-to-understand form."

"John is sensible, commercial and good on his feet."

"John is a really outstanding silk, who has a very impressive cross-examination style. He is a first-rate commercial barrister."

"John is fantastic to work with and a voice of reason during incredibly high-stakes pieces of litigation with demanding time pressures."

3
Tim Penny KC
3
Band 3

"Tim is focused and effective in cross-examination. He makes concise and compelling submissions and has the ear of the court."

"Tim is an excellent KC and a real team player. A barrister with an excellent legal mind who is very user-friendly, he is all-round brilliant and he gets the job done."

"Tim is effortlessly charming and has control of his witness and the trust of the court and his clients. He can absorb a huge amount of detail in a short space of time and he is wonderful to work with."

"Tim is a master practitioner. He is well prepared, very thorough, all over the detail and excellent on his feet."

4
Bobby Friedman
4
Band 4

"Bobby is very robust, very commercial and an excellent person to deal with."

"Bobby is incredibly commercial and not afraid to give very direct advice. He's a joy to work with and he cuts through the academic matter in a case to deliver commercial advice."

"Bobby is a very safe pair of hands. The solicitor team trusts him to take charge of matters and advocate persuasively on behalf of the client."

"His written work is superb and he has a great eye for detail."

4
Ian Croxford KC
4
Band 4

"The way he deals with a judge is masterful."

"He is an extremely good trial lawyer."

4
Jack Watson
4
Band 4

"Jack is adept at navigating complex matters and difficult circumstances. His written submissions are excellent and he is impressive on his feet."

"Jack is a computer on legs – he is very clever and logical in his approach."

"Jack is an excellent barrister whose talent for lateral thinking far exceeds his year of call."

"Jack is great on the detail and turns work around very quickly."

4
Marcia Shekerdemian KC
4
Band 4

"She is flexible in her approach, very patient and extremely good at making complex things very easy to understand."

"Marcia is a force to be reckoned with. She is always in control and takes things forward."

4
Sri Carmichael
4
Band 4

"Sri is all over the detail, a brilliant drafter and a good team player."

"She has excellent commercial awareness and strong technical expertise."

"Sri is fantastic to work with. She is able to turn her hand to matters with great speed and deal with detailed technical matters with ease. A fantastic senior junior."

5
James Bailey KC
5
Band 5

"James is really friendly, hands-on and the type of barrister that never lets the case drift."

"His star qualities are his advocacy and his manner with the judge. He knows how to present a point and assess how the court is taking it."

"He instils confidence and his knowledge of the law is top-notch."

5
James Walmsley
5
Band 5

"James is wise beyond his years. He really gets involved with cases and client objectives, and understands the commercial drivers."

5
Max Mallin KC
5
Band 5

"Max has a very strong commercial practice and brings a lot of numeracy and clear thinking to his matters."

"Max is a very good advocate. He is user-friendly for clients and approachable, and he communicates in an easy-to-understand manner."

"He is a true team player."

"Max is very calm under pressure and easy to work with. He is also good in the courtroom."

5
Terence Mowschenson KC
5
Band 5

"A lawyer with great cross-examination skills, who is excellent in terms of his strategy for handling the case."

"A barrister of gravitas, who commands the respect of the judge."

5
Tim Matthewson
5
Band 5

"Tim absorbs information at a staggering rate and condenses it into relevant points."

"Tim's written advocacy is excellent. He is a pleasure to work with and a good strategist."

"Tim is very meticulous, very considered in his opinions and just all over the detail in very complex cases."

6
Emily McKechnie
6
Band 6

"Emily is really good for technical and detailed cases. She can easily digest and command a lot of data and process and present it in a very simple way."

"Emily never disappoints and is loved by clients. She is phenomenally bright and she offers the complete package. She is a KC without the title and that is sure to change very soon."

"She is commercial, collaborative and a lawyer whose advocacy is brilliant."

"Emily is very good in terms of her eye for detail. She's also very accessible and really hands-on."

"Emily is user-friendly and delivers pinpoint advice in a sensible and comprehensive way. She's on top of the facts and works well with all members of the team, however senior or junior."

6
Stephen Brown
6
Band 6

"He can find the points that make the difference."

"Stephen used to be a solicitor, which is a big selling point. He knows how it works on both sides of the fence."

"Extremely well prepared and professional, he has strong commercial vision and always understands the client's needs."

"A calming presence and a really industrious barrister."

Ranked Barristers at
Wilberforce Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Commercial Dispute Resolution

1
Alan Gourgey KC
1
Band 1
1
John Wardell KC
1
Band 1
3
Tim Penny KC
3
Band 3
4
Ian Croxford KC
4
Band 4
4
Marcia Shekerdemian KC
4
Band 4
5
James Bailey KC
5
Band 5
5
Max Mallin KC
5
Band 5
5
Terence Mowschenson KC
5
Band 5

Juniors

London (Bar)

Commercial Dispute Resolution

4
Bobby Friedman
4
Band 4
4
Jack Watson
4
Band 4
4
Sri Carmichael
4
Band 4
5
James Walmsley
5
Band 5
5
Tim Matthewson
5
Band 5
6
Emily McKechnie
6
Band 6
6
Stephen Brown
6
Band 6