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 acting for the liquidator of Stanford International Bank, a Ponzi scheme operated by Robert Stanford, in a multimillion-pound claim against HSBC. 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: “It’s a great quality set which always produces a good product.”
Client service:
“The clerks are very helpful and very good.” “The clerks provide a very efficient service.” David Goddard is the senior clerk and is described as “always very helpful.”
Jonathan Crow QC
Jonathan Crow QC 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.
“He is absolutely superb.” ” Extremely able and an outstanding advocate.”
Recent work: Acted in Lamesa Investments v Cynergy Bank, an appeal involving the interpretation of standard-form wording in loan documentation and the impact of US secondary sanctions.
Richard Hill QC
Richard Hill QC 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.
“He is commercial, pragmatic and solutions-driven.” “He works alongside you as part of the team.”
Recent work: Acted for a claimant group of Lloyds shareholders in their claim against Lloyds and its former directors arising out of the acquisition of HBOS.
Andrew de Mestre QC
Andrew de Mestre QC 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.
“He is exceptional at being able to marshal and assimilate information. He is at complete comfort with numbers and accounts as well as the law.” “He has excellent finance expertise and, in particular, structured finance technical knowledge. He really gets to the bottom of the underlying transactions and is a great team player.”
Recent work: Acted for the liquidators of Stanford International Bank in a multimillion-pound claim against HSBC relating to the Quincecare duty of case.
Sharif Shivji QC
Sharif Shivji QC 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.
“He knows the details of a case inside out and he is very good at working with solicitors. He is wonderful.”
Recent work: Defended Credit Suisse in a USD2 billion claim brought by the Republic of Mozambique regarding the ‘tuna bonds scandal’.
Alastair Tomson
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.
“An excellent senior junior for banking and corporate disputes; he really knows his stuff.”
Recent work: Instructed in Deutsche Bank & Others v Unitech Global Limited & Another, a dispute over an interest rate swap involving LIBOR manipulation claims.
