Profile

Raquel Agnello QC deals with all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency, company and commercial litigation including: rescue and recovery work , voluntary arrangements, contracts, banking & finance, partnerships, guarantees and other securities, directors’ duties and liabilities, shareholder disputes and pensions and insolvency. 

Raquel has developed a practice acting for the Pensions Regulator in the fast growing area of pensions and insolvency and in particular the 'moral hazard' provisions. She appeared for them in the first case (Sea Containers) where a financial support direction was issued.  She has been retained by the Pensions Regulator in a number of confidential complex cases involving both financial support directions and contribution notices.

She frequently advises in relation to disciplinary proceedings brought against accountants/auditors and insolvency practitioners and has defended as well as prosecuted in front of various disciplinary panels, including appeal committees. She also has a particular expertise in advising various sporting bodies in relation to insolvency issues. Raquel is fluent in French and has been retained as an expert in contract and commercial law in relation to French Commercial Court proceedings.

Raquel sits in the High Court part time as a Deputy Registrar in Bankruptcy and also sits in the Companies Court. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2009 and was named Insolvency Barrister of the Year 2008 at the Chambers & Partners Awards. In October 2010, she was named ‘Barrister of the Year’ at the Insolvency & Rescue Awards 2010 organised by Insolvency Today Magazine, recognising Raquel’s reputation as an established insolvency practitioner.

What others say

In January 2012, The Lawyer featured one of Raquel's cases, Nortel Networks & Lehman Brothers v The Pensions Regulator and Others, in their Top 20 cases for 2012. The article highlights significant and high-profile litigation which is set to define the legal landscape. That same month they also included her as one of the Top 100 which lists 100 high-achieving names in the legal profession.

She is recommended by both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a leading silk for insolvency law and for pensions. The directories highlight:

Raquel Agnello QC continues to impress market sources, who say that "she is tireless on her feet" and "firm, effective and persistent" in her addresses to the Bench. Not only is she "extremely bright," but those who work with her say she is "great company and brilliant with clients." She recently acted on behalf of the pensions regulator in the Nortel and Lehman Brothers litigation. (Insolvency - Chambers UK 2012)

Raquel Agnello QC of 11 Stone Buildings, who has "in-depth knowledge of insolvency law," has carved out a particular niche in the market advising the Pensions Regulator's office on the exercise of its moral hazard powers. (Pensions - Chambers UK 2012)

"Popular, charming and exceptionally gifted" silk Raquel Agnello QC is also recommended. (Insolvency - Legal 500 2011)

Raquel Agnello QC and Thomas Robinson at 11 Stone Buildings are well versed in handling insolvency and regulatory aspects of pensions cases. (Pensions - Legal 500 2011)

Raquel Agnello QC is "talented, articulate and enthusiastic." She is praised for her "immediate understanding of the important issues in a case" and the clear direction she gives clients. She acted for the administrators of Sports Betting Media, and has also represented the Pensions Regulator with regard to insolvency-related issues. (Insolvency - Chambers UK 2011)

Raquel Agnello QC of 11 Stone Buildings, who has established a niche for herself acting for the pensions regulator. Not being a pure pensions specialists, she offers a different skill set to many of the people in the table, but is, nevertheless, viewed as being "someone with great judgement who isn't afraid to bounce ideas off instructing solicitors. (Pensions - Chambers UK 2011)

The set now has a second QC in the rankings due to the recent appointment of Raquel Agnello QC. A worthy addition to silk, she has "fantastic knowledge and an approachable manner." Peers respect her courtroom skills, revealing: "She is always prepared to argue a point and to do so with gusto." Although especially strong on pensions specialist bankruptcy work, she also advises on insolvencies in the sports sector and recently acted for the administrators of Sports Betting Media. (Insolvency - Chambers UK 2010)

Raquel Agnello QC is ‘very commercially focused and well respected by the Insolvency Court'. (Legal 500 2010)

Also recommended is Raquel Agnello QC from 11 Stone Buildings, who has worked with the Pensions regulator on highly technical work where insolvency impacts on pensions funds, ... (Pensions - Legal 500 2010)

Raquel Agnello is another "personable and forceful" junior who "comes across extremely well," agree commentators. Pre-eminent in corporate and personal insolvency, she recently acted for the Pensions Regulator in Sea Containers. Her technical knowledge is "second to none," and she is known for being "quick to understand the client and where they're coming from." (Chambers UK 2009)

"Feisty and experienced" junior Raquel Agnello stands out in court, agree peers. "A strong advocate with articulate, factual-based arguments," she is said to be especially skilled at managing the court and witnesses. (Chambers UK 2008)

Such is her reputation she is sometimes referred to as "the queen of IVAs and CVAs." (Chambers UK 2007)

VAT NO: 494 6818 91

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