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November 2009
Chambers UK Recommends 11 Stone Buildings
Commercial Chancery
Leading Commercial Chancery Chambers
11 Stone Buildings impresses its clients with its capacity for change, with one source reporting that the set "seems to be trying hard to modernise - to make its barristers more receptive and more commercially minded." The set has positively reorganised its clerking, and maintains an excellent array of juniors. The future, it would seem, is rosy for this set. A member of the Attorney General's B Panel, Jonathan Lopian is principally recognised for his work on behalf of central government. He has been acting for HMRC in an ongoing case concerning the administration and liquidation of Farepak. Tim Penny impresses sources with his "highly analytical and creative approach." He is further appreciated for the fact that he is "always approachable and very client-friendly - Tim is always prepared to listen to ideas." He maintains a broad practice in commercial and chancery disputes, and is recognised by sources for his specialism in IP, sport and media and entertainment. Iain Pester combines general commercial and chancery litigation with advisory work, and impresses sources with his specific expertise in fraud, insolvency and partnership - based cases. Iain Pester's skill belies the relatively short time he has been at the Bar. He is a favoured junior counsel in many fraud matters, and has recently obtained a freezing injunction in a matter that involved cheque fraud. Head of chambers Edward Cohen is also recommended. Thirty-five years and more at the Bar have made him into "a wise old head who is never likely to be put off his stride."
Edward Cohen - leading junior
Iain Pester - leading junior
Tim Penny - leading junior
Jonathan Lopian - Chancery Treasury Counsel
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Alan Gourgey QC - leading silk
Max Mallin - leading junior
Company
Leading Company Chambers
This "very approachable and accommodating set" maintains its steady position in the market due to the presence of a team of skilled company practitioners that is backed up by effective administration. The set's client-friendly service is such that "it is very easy to pick up the telephone to 11SB and be pointed in the right direction straight away," according to solicitors. The talented hands on board here include the "experienced and pragmatic" Jane Giret QC. She heads the set's company and insolvency group, and has a broad practice strongly focused on company directors and their conduct. Sources say she "thinks quickly and is extremely commercial and practical in her outlook." Junior Tina Kyriakides is an experienced adviser on contentious and non-contentious company and commercial matters. She has "a friendly and pleasant manner, and really knows her stuff," according to peers. Recent matters for her include cases relating to CMC Group Holdings and BWE Limited. Also recommended, Marcia Shekerdemian is "good on paper and tough in court." She won admiration from lawyers for being "a good team player who is willing to listen to input from her solicitors."
Jane Giret QC - leading silk
Tina Kyriakides - leading junior
Marcia Shekerdemian - leading junior
Fraud: Civil
Leading Fraud Chambers
The members at 11 Stone Buildings "bring a clever thinking process to complex issues and offer excellent support throughout." Backed by an improved clerking team, they handle fraud cases as part of their general commercial and chancery caseload. Alan Gourgey QC, who has recently emerged from the high-profile EDS and Sky dispute, has now turned his attention to various other pieces of litigation. He is celebrated for being "excellent on his paperwork, a clear thinker and a pleasure to work with." Max Mallin's former career as a banker assists him greatly in handling financial markets disputes and commercial fraud matters. In court, he is "quick on his feet, bullish and forthright." Lately he has been engaged in Rosenberg v Nazarov, a case relating to damages for conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty in a partnership and joint venture. Nick Parfitt is commended for the support he provides throughout the entirety of a case. He has recently settled a slew of fraud matters, including a carousel fraud case and a shareholder dispute involving breach of fiduciary and contractual duties. Iain Pester's skill belies the relatively short time he has been at the Bar. He is a favoured junior counsel in many fraud matters, and has recently obtained a freezing injunction in a matter that involved cheque fraud. He is rated along with Ian Smith, a former solicitor, whose "commercial, hands-on approach is in tune with clients' goals." He is particularly favoured for his expertise in proceeds of crime and money-laundering matters, and is a frequent writer and speaker on these issues. Smith was recently led in 4 Eng v Harper, securing damages in excess of £8 million.
Alan Gourgey QC - leading silk
Max Mallin - leading junior
Nick Parfitt - leading junior
Iain Pester - leading junior
Ian Smith - up and coming
Insolvency:
Leading Insolvency Chambers
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, Christopher 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.