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November 2008
Chambers & Partners 2009
Commercial Chancery:
Leading set
Edward Cohen - leading junior
Head of chambers Edward Cohen is seen as a "delight to work with." He has a broad-based chancery practice and recently acted as sole counsel for the appellate in Tasarruf Mevduati Sigorta Fonu v Demirel in the Court of Appeal. According to clients, he "has an amazing brain and is great for detailed paperwork."
Tim Penny - leading junior
Tim Penny enters this year's tables after being highly recommended by peers and clients as "hard-working, effective and user-friendly." His chancery practice overlaps with his media and privacy practice.
Iain Pester - up and coming
Also praised here is Iain Pester, who has built up a decent fraud, insolvency and partnership-based chancery practice: "a thorough performer, he is able to explain potentially complicated matters to clients with clarity."
Jonathan Lopian - Treasury Counsel
A well-regarded Treasury Counsel practitioner, Jonathan Lopian acted for the Secretary of State in the British Coal respiratory disease litigation and represented HMRC in the Farepak Limited administration. Peers describe him as "a good, forceful litigator."
Commercial Dispute Resolution:
Alan Gourgey QC - leading silk
Max Mallin - leading junior
The extremely brainy and accessible Alan Gourgey QC at 11 Stone Buildings is highly sought-after. He has been immersed in the BSkyB/EDS litigation concerning allegations of deceit and breach of contract. Few understand finance-related litigation and commercial fraud better than Max Mallin. A man with Wall Street and City banking experience, he is "utterly au fait with the world of high finance."
Company:
Leading Set
Jane Giret QC - leading silk
Marcia Shekerdemian - leading junior
Tina Kyriakides - leading junior
11 Stone Buildings has a notable presence in the market due to the fact that it has a large number of members practising in the area. Handling shareholders' disputes, directors' disqualifications, conspiracy and breaches of fiduciary duty, the members here regularly involve themselves in work of the highest quality. Cost-effective, they "look after their clients well and provide excellent advice." Jane Giret QC has a broad practice that covers company law and chancery matters, among other areas. "A really strong advocate who gets the job done quickly and efficiently," she handles both insolvency and company law effectively. Marcia Shekerdemian is an experienced junior who "pays great attention to detail - nothing escapes her notice." Her strong presence on a case is undeniable and "she commands the respect of the courtroom with ease." She is recommended along with Tina Kyriakides, "a highly pragmatic and responsive practitioner" who provides "client-friendly advice" on all aspects of company law.
Fraud:
Leading Set
Alan Gourgey QC - leading silk
Max Mallin - leading junior
Nick Parfitt - leading junior
Iain Pester - leading junior
11 Stone Buildings enjoys a steady stream of fraud cases to nicely complement the manifold insolvency instructions it receives. It has on offer "highly approachable" barristers who are exceptionally user-friendly. As one interviewee said, "from the clerks right up to the senior members, all are incredibly amiable and will bend over backwards to make sure things are done." Of their number, Alan Gourgey QC remains a silk to turn to for complex fraud matters. He is described as a "fantastic advocate" who is popular with both judges and peers. "Terrific advocate" Max Mallin inspires confidence in his clients. His practice focuses on major commercial and company disputes, with particular emphasis on commercial fraud, financial markets issues and general contract litigation. Mallin engenders further praise for his "ability to see the bigger picture" and the fact that "he leaves the ostentatious stuff at the door and focuses on the core issues." Iain Pester has recently been acting for the defendant in a large-scale fraud case in the Commercial Court where the claimants are claiming USD69 million. Interviewees commend him for his "ability to explain potentially complicated matters with clarity." Despite being only eight years' call, he is said to be "developing into a well-rounded chancery barrister who's prepared to roll up his sleeves and get involved." His cross-examination skills are of particular note, as they are of "a quality more usually seen in barristers of much greater experience." Also at the set, Nick Parfitt is especially recommended for his advices.
Insolvency:
Leading Set
Jane Giret QC - leading silk
Raquel Agnello -leading junior
Marcia Shekerdemian - leading junior
Christopher Boardman - leading junior
Tina Kyriakides - leading junior
Sally Barber - leading junior
Jonathan Lopian - leading junior
Jamie Riley - leading junior
Adam Deacock - leading junior
Jamie Riley - leading junior
Iain Pester - up and coming
This "modern, client-focused" set is appreciated for offering "a fantastic service and great value for money." With its competitive fees and "approachable, unstuffy" staff, it proves a popular alternative to some of the longer-established sets in the market. The barristers here are "all refreshingly good at appreciating tight deadlines" and have a particularly strong profile in the mid-market, whilst also taking on the larger matters. They offer "a very broad range of choices to their clients," agree sources, many of whom took the time to also applaud the "very fine clerks who put themselves out for you." The set recently welcomed Michael Couling, who joined as chambers director in January 2008. Heading up the company and insolvency group, Jane Giret QC "brings a wealth of experience to the table." An "approachable and client-friendly" silk, she is congratulated for "exploring the issues and working around problems, rather than just focusing on what she's been asked to do." Much of her time recently has been spent acting for the trustee in the bankruptcy of a dishonest accountant. Leading the way amongst the juniors, Marcia Shekerdemian is "an incredibly hard-working and tenacious advocate who lives and breathes her cases." According to clients, her skills combine to make her "almost the perfect junior," and "she's definitely someone you want on your team." As well as being "excellent on her feet," her paperwork is highly rated and her turnaround fast, due to the fact that she "can seemingly juggle hundreds of balls at the same time." Shekerdemian is further praised for her "ability to identify the central issues quickly and put forward a sensible solution." 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." Garnering much positive feedback this year, Chris Boardman is many people's number-one barrister. Viewed as "almost faultless," he impresses as "a bullish advocate who's superb on his feet." Peers describe him as "bright, commercial and focused on what needs to be done in order to get a result." He is especially popular with clients, who find him "unstuffy and excellent when it comes to technical knowledge, with the ability to run a complicated case." Tina Kyriakides "has a steady practice and is always fair," agree sources. "Clever, but not in a pompous way," she "gets deeply involved in her cases" and has "first-class knowledge." Sally Barber is recommended for property disputes arising in an insolvency context. A "clued-up and approachable" junior, she "has a strong analytical brain and is robust in court," note clients. Jamie Riley is making progress as "an excellent strategist and advocate." Clients value his responsiveness, describing him as "practical and easy to work with." They also admire his commercial approach, saying: "He gives good, straight answers with a sensible rationale." A new entry to the tables this year, Iain Pester is "bright and thorough." "Firm but not flashy," he is an engaging performer who is applauded for presenting his cases attractively. Pester has particular experience of the private international law aspects of insolvency, including the application of the EU Regulation on insolvency Proceedings. He is joined in the tables by Jonathan Lopian "a clear and compelling advocate who always arrives at court raring to go." His recent cases have included Ahmed and Andronikou v TradIndex, and he has also had a role in the Farepak affair.
Travel:
Max Mallin - leading junior
"Down to earth" Max Mallin of 11 Stone Buildings puts his banking background to good use and has impressed clients in a number of high-profile travel fraud cases.