4 Stone Buildings places insolvency and reconstruction as a central area of focus, with the set known for its involvement in high profile and high value insolvency work. Members of chambers have also represented the government on insolvency matters, including Tiran Nersessian, who was instructed by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to advise on the insolvency elements of the Horizon scandal, including the predicament of a cohort of postmasters who found themselves bankrupt. ‘Stand-out silk’ Jonathan Crow KC, was instructed in a multi-million dollar claim in Byers v Saudi National Bank which was brought by the liquidators of two insolvent companies against a bank for knowing receipt of funds paid in breach of trust. Alastair Tomson is frequently led by Richard Hill KC and John Brisby KC, having been instructed on noteworthy bankruptcy cases. Zara McGlone is noted for her work for Ofgem – she acted as sole counsel for the energy regulator in several cases concerning the insolvencies of energy suppliers.
Rising stars
Karl Anderson – 4 Stone Buildings ‘Karl is a skilled and efficient cross-examiner.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Daniel Kessler – 4 Stone Buildings ‘Daniel is an exceptionally clever junior, who is highly responsive.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Zara McGlone – 4 Stone Buildings
Ranked: Tier 1
Leading silks
Jonathan Crow KC –4 Stone Buildings ‘He is one of the best advocates at the English Bar today – an incredibly impressive trial advocate and an effective cross-examiner.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Sharif Shivji KC –4 Stone Buildings ‘Sharif has a passion for equality and justice, alongside being brilliantly clever and held in high regard across the breadth of the chancery Bar and particularly in the insolvency field.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Richard Hill KC – 4 Stone Buildings
Ranked: Tier 3
John Brisby KC –4 Stone Buildings ‘Extremely experienced and a very good litigation instinct. His insights borne of his experiences are much valued and relied on by clients whose trust he gains by his passion for their case.’
Ranked: Tier 4
Andrew De Mestre KC – 4 Stone Buildings ‘Andrew is incredibly personable. He is a pleasure to work with and really engages with his instructing solicitors. He is able to think quickly on his feet and is so well prepared that it is unlikely that an issue will come out of the blue. He takes the stress out of stressful situations, being extremely calm and rational.’
Ranked: Tier 4
George Bompas KC –4 Stone Buildings
Ranked: Tier 4
Orlando Fraser KC – 4 Stone Buildings ‘Orlando is a diligent and well rehearsed specialist in his field; a polished and persuasive advocate; someone in whom you can place your trust. He is a straight-talker – not afraid, and well able, to give difficult advice – but when the gloves are off no one is better placed to fight your corner.’
Ranked: Tier 5
Hermann Boeddinghaus KC – 4 Stone Buildings ‘Hermann is a very astute and bright advocate, who is able to produce top notch work under intense time pressure. He is always a pleasure to work with and knows when to push the difficult points at a hearing.’
Ranked: Tier 5
2023 Silks
Alexander Cook KC – 4 Stone Buildings ‘Alexander is everything that you want in a barrister. Intelligent, responsive, clear, decisive and commercial.’
Leading Juniors
Tiran Nersessian –4 Stone Buildings ‘Hard-working, very experienced, and a well-known name in this field.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Christopher Harrison –4 Stone Buildings ‘Christopher is incredibly clever and thoughtful, and he makes sure that he has covered off all relevant points in a case. He is measured, calm and precise on his feet, and his skeleton arguments are excellent.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Andrew Rose – 4 Stone Buildings ‘Andrew has excellent powers of legal analysis showing real insight into complex legal problems. He was consistently good humoured and a pleasure to work with.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Donald Lilly –4 Stone Buildings ‘Donald is very user friendly, works well as part of a team and is highly regarded by clients. He excels in all aspects of his work – research, drafting and oral advocacy. He is also excellent at managing more junior barristers.’
Ranked: Tier 4
Alastair Tomson – 4 Stone Buildings
Ranked: Tier 4
Joseph Wigley –4 Stone Buildings ‘Calm and measured approach in court; thorough preparation and willingness to pitch in as part of an overall team.’
Ranked: Tier 4
James Knott – 4 Stone Buildings
Ranked: Tier 5
Anna Markham – 4 Stone Buildings
Ranked: Tier 5
Clerks
“David Goddard is a legend in the London clerking fraternity. Well liked and respected by all.’
‘This is our “go-to” chambers for insolvency/energy and general Chancery work. The Chambers has a high standard of Counsel and excellent clerks. If first choice Counsel is not available, they will always find Counsel available to take instructions who are equally as proficient in the relevant area.’
