Set, Band 3
4 Stone Buildings is a highly capable set with a strong reputation for banking and finance work. Its barristers regularly tackle complex cases arising in the context of fraud and insolvency, as well as regulatory breaches. Its extensive client base includes multinational banks, financial corporations and institutional investors. Barristers at the set are regularly instructed in high-profile cases, such as continuing to act for the liquidator of Stanford International Bank, a Ponzi scheme operated by Robert Stanford, in a multimillion-pound claim against HSBC and for Credit Suisse in a claim brought against it by the Republic of Mozambique related to allegations of fraud and corruption. Members of chambers are experienced at acting in offshore disputes and offer particular expertise in handling allegations of LIBOR manipulation. The set is capable of drawing on broader expertise in a range of chancery matters, company law and commercial arbitration. Market sources say: “4 Stone Buildings are known for big banking cases with high-quality silks.”
“I always think they are very responsive and very helpful, seamless and very organised and they are quick on billing.”
“Easy to deal with and professional.”
Jonathan Crow KC, Star Individual
Jonathan Crow KC is an impressive silk with expertise in handling a wide array of commercial litigation and public law cases at all levels of court. He acts in fraud and FCA-related cases along with insolvency and offshore disputes.
“His advocacy skills are peerless.”
“Jonathan stands out for his ability to distil and present a lucid, subtle, elegant and measured argument from a mass of extremely complex and difficult case law.”
“Jonathan is a super silk. He has so much experience and such good judgement and expertise.”
“Jonathan has a first-class brain. He is an exceptional advocate.”
“He has an almost supernatural quality to identify in advance what the judge is interested in. He is also very human and very down to earth.”
“He is the best advocate in the country, the master of the witty understatement. He has the judges eating out of his hands.”
“He is a superstar who can turn his hand to anything.”
“He’s brilliant. He can turn his mind to absolutely everything and gets to the nub of the matter very quickly. He’s an incredible advocate.”
“Jonathan Crow has a wonderful ability to take something very complex and present it as if it’s very simple. The beauty of it is you have the ear of the tribunal, which is skilful.”
“Jonathan stands out for his ability to distil and present a lucid, subtle, elegant and measured argument from a mass of extremely complex and difficult case law.”
“Jonathan is a super silk – there is no better person for appellate matters.”
“A top-class, super-smooth advocate.”
“Nobody beats Jonathan when it comes to a Privy Council appeal. He has so much experience and such good judgement and expertise.”
“He stands out. Jonathan is incredibly versatile; he can do anything and has a brain the size of a planet.”
“An exceptional advocate, who is impressive to watch in action.”
“Jonathan has a first-class brain. He is an exceptional advocate.”
“No one beats him for Privy Council appeals. He has so much experience, such good judgement and expertise that I would always go to him if he has availability.”
“He is a silk of the highest quality, who is hugely respected in the Caribbean.”
“Jonathan Crow gets brought in for heavy complex cases and gets parachuted in for those matters, much to the dismay of the opposing counsel.”
“He is a master in this field. He is such a brilliant advocate; so smooth and persuasive.”
“He is fantastic; extremely hard-working and meticulous.”
“Jonathan Crow KC is a superstar of the Bar generally and so pleasant to work with.”
Richard Hill KC, Band 2
Richard Hill KC is an accomplished practitioner with experience in a wide array of banking, company and insolvency issues. He acts in matters relating to mis-selling disputes and damages claims, and also has solid experience in arbitration proceedings.
Andrew De Mestre KC, Band 4
Andrew de Mestre KC offers strong expertise in handling a range of commercial and financial disputes for clients including corporate trustees, bondholders and fund managers. He acts in all court levels in cases involving fraud, bond disputes and insolvency claims.
Sharif Shivji KC, Band 4
Sharif Shivji KC is a highly skilled practitioner who has solid experience of acting for a wide range of clients, from investment banks to institutional investors. He coordinates cases concerning LIBOR manipulation, mis-selling claims and derivative issues, and also handles matters with offshore elements, including in the Middle East.
Alastair Tomson, Band 3
Alastair Tomson is a proficient junior appearing both led and unled in a wide variety of financial matters. He has skills in managing cases relating to LIBOR and EURIBOR manipulation, and acts on both the claimant and defendant sides.
“A man with a busy practice who is very good on the strategy.”
“He expresses himself very clearly, he has good instincts for arguments and he writes very well. He is an effective advocate.”
“A pleasure to deal with, he’s red hot on the law, commercial in his advice, realistic in assessing outcomes and eminently personable.”
“He gets on top of the facts of the case, writes well and is an effective cross-examiner.”
“Alastair is tactically and strategically shrewd and provides a quality service.”