Commercial litigation

Our large commercial litigation team deals with all aspects of business litigation. We have specialist groups which offer expertise in the many and varied areas of law in which commercial disputes can occur, and which are listed in more detail in the 'practice area' section. We have received recommendations in the fields of commercial dispute resolution, commercial chancery as well as commercial litigation by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.

A key advantage of instructing 11 Stone Buildings is that the majority of our members combine commercial litigation expertise with knowledge and experience in one or more areas of law, in particular company, banking, insolvency, civil fraud, real estate, IP and IT. As many disputes often involve more than one practice area, this multi-disciplinary expertise is of real benefit to our clients.

What others say

Our most recent recommendations by the legal directories are:

Leading set, silks and juniors for Chancery: Commercial - Chambers UK 2013

11 Stone Buildings' traditional area of expertise is insolvency law, but the set is well capable of handling chancery-related matters of any type. A host of business and private client cases are handled by barristers who act as advisers, mediators and arbitrators both at home and abroad. Members here can tackle matters of any magnitude and have within their ranks some veterans of major pieces of litigation. The set's smooth administration is much appreciated by clients, who note that the clerks, led by Michael Couling, are "helpful, knowledgeable and always come back to you to deal with things."

Jeremy Cousins QC is an "outstanding" practitioner on commercial matters, and is particularly good on cases with a fiduciary duties element to them. He recently acted in Stanleybet International Betting v Steinberg & others, a claim surrounding guarantee liability construction. Alan Gourgey QC divides his time between commercial, chancery and fraud courts. "I can't fault him. He has impressive knowledge and can deal with things as they arise," said one peer. Gourgey was another involved in the Stanleybet case, and also had involvement in Hawksford Trustees v Stella Global, an important case concerning a share purchase agreement. Lexa Hilliard QC is an expert in company, insolvency and shareholder disputes. Speaking of her one interviewee remarked: "Lots of barristers are good advocates, but not many are team players - she is." Hilliard recently had a key role in insolvency proceedings relating to Hellas Telecommunications.

The "fantastic" Iain Pester has a practice strong on fraud, insolvency, shareholder and professional negligence matters. His recent cases have included VTB Capital Plc v Nutritek, a USD200 million fraud claim concerning the financing of a sale of a Russian Dairy Business. In addition to fraud, partnership and shareholder disputes, Tim Penny also specialises in claims relating to intellectual property, financial services, and media and entertainment. Observers state that Penny is "really good on his feet. He is easy-going but he has a seriousness behind him." Edward Cohen is valued for "having a delightful manner with clients." He has recently been involved in insolvency proceedings relating to a sizeable law firm based in Gibraltar. Cohen is recommended along with Max Mallin, who brings his background as an investment banker to bear on cases concerning financial markets and shareholder disputes. He also handles breach of duty claims with regularity. Sources consider him to be "user-friendly, commercial, well prepared for court and a fierce advocate." Jamie Riley dedicates a sizeable portion of his practice to insolvency matters, but also acts on other commercial and chancery matters. He recently advised the administrators of Colorama Pharmaceuticals when the retail chain was acquired by another business. Finally here, Jonathan Lopian divides his time between litigious and advisory matters, and has a practice heavy on shareholder disputes and insolvency proceedings. He is valued by solicitors as he "really reads the detail in the papers and is good on his feet." (Chancery: Commercial, Chambers UK 2013)

Leading silk and juniors for Commercial Dispute Resolution - Chambers UK 2013

Alan Gourgey QC of 11 Stone Buildings is "a powerful and persuasive advocate," and also "an excellent, creative strategist." He was singled out by sources for his "impressive ability to grasp complex issues of law and fact."

At the same set, Max Mallin provides "excellent analysis" in conjunction with "good client skills." Instructing solicitors offer much in the way of praise: "Mallin is articulate and very commercial. He ticks all the boxes." The set also plays host to the "highly impressive" Gary Lidington, who is possessed of "a fast mind, displays excellent attention to detail," and is skilled at communicating complicated concepts to lay clients. Solicitors favour him as he is "intellectual, adept at mastering voluminous instructions, and capable of dealing with a case rigorously." Others here include the "thorough and practical" Marcia Shekerdemian. "Excellent with clients" as well as "user-friendly," she is a "good advocate and a superb all-rounder."(Commercial Dispute Resolution, Chambers UK 2013)

Leading set, silks and juniors for Dispute Resolution: Chancery Commercial - Chambers Global 2013

Jeremy Cousins QC is an "outstanding" practitioner on commercial matters, and is particularly good on cases with a fiduciary duties element to them. He recently acted in Stanleybet International Betting v Steinberg & Others, a claim surrounding guarantee liability construction. Alan Gourgey QC divides his time between commercial, Chancery and fraud courts. "I can't fault him. He has impressive knowledge and can deal with things as they arise," said one peer. Gourgey was another involved in the Stanleybet case, and also had involvement in Hawksford Trustees v Stella Global, an important case concerning a share purchase agreement. Lexa Hilliard QC is an expert in company, insolvency and shareholder disputes. One interviewee remarked: "Lots of barristers are good advocates, but not many are team players – she is." Hilliard recently had a key role in insolvency proceedings relating to Hellas Telecommunications.

The "fantastic" Iain Pester has a practice strong on fraud, insolvency, shareholder and professional negligence matters. His recent cases have included VTB Capital Plc v Nutritek, a USD200 million fraud claim concerning the financing of a sale of a Russian dairy business.
In addition to fraud, partnership and shareholder disputes, Tim Penny also specialises in claims relating to IP, financial services, and media and entertainment. Observers state that Penny is "really good on his feet. He is easy-going but he has a seriousness behind him."
Edward Cohen is valued for "having a delightful manner with clients." He has recently been involved in insolvency proceedings relating to a sizeable law firm based in Gibraltar. Jonathan Lopian divides his time between litigious and advisory matters, and has a practice heavy on shareholder disputes and insolvency proceedings. He is valued by solicitors as he "really reads the detail in the papers and is good on his feet."

Leading silk for Dispute Resolution: Commercial - Chambers Global 2013

Alan Gourgey QC of 11 Stone Buildings is "a powerful and persuasive advocate," and also "an excellent, creative strategist." He was singled out by sources for his "impressive ability to grasp complex issues of law and fact."

Leading set, silks and juniors for Commercial Litigation - Legal 500 2012

11 Stone Buildings’ barristers have ‘a refreshing approachability and make a good team’. Alan Gourgey QC is ‘ideal for fast-paced litigation, being both very experienced in injunction cases and very quick at producing excellent written submissions’. Lexa Hilliard QC is ‘an exceptional advocate, with great skill at cross-examination: definitely someone who will battle the client’s corner’. Tim Penny provides ‘excellent advice and maintains a very good grip on factually complex claims’. Also recommended are Jeremy Cousins QC, Robert Deacon, Tina Kyriakides, Marcia Shekerdemian, Max Mallin and Jamie Riley. (Commercial Litigation, Legal 500 2012)

For a full overview of the directories' testimonials over the years, please click here.

Articles & Publications

Given our expertise in this area our members are often invited to write for specialised publications and/or have written 11 SB case notes/bulletins on relevant topics. A few recent examples include:

Our commercial barristers are: