Insolvency
The insolvency team at 11 Stone Buildings has an exceptionally strong reputation in the market. We have been recommended in the major legal directories as a leading insolvency set and for the second year running we were short-listed for 'Insolvency Set of the Year' at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards. Raquel Agnello was named 'Insolvency Junior Barrister of the Year 2008' at the same awards. In October 2010, she was named ‘Barrister of the Year' at the Insolvency & Rescue Awards 2010 organised by Insolvency Today Magazine.
We act for office holders, companies, directors and debtors in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious personal and corporate insolvency including administrations, receiverships, liquidations, wrongful trading and fraudulent trading, misfeasance claims, bankruptcy and voluntary arrangements (corporate and individual). We also have considerable expertise in proceedings against directors under the Company Director Disqualification Act (CDDA) and corporate restructuring.
Tina Kyriakides is consultant editor to Corporate Rescue & Insolvency, Martin Ouwehand, Reuben Comiskey, Clive Wolman, Sarah Clarke, Thomas Robinson, Dawn McCambley and David Peters are the team who contribute regularly to their case alerter section.
What others say
Our most recent recommendations by the legal directories are as follows:
Insolvency
A leading set - Chambers UK 2012
11 Stone Buildings is a set on the move, as evidenced by its hire of two silks in the past year or so. It continues to impress with its offering across the full range of restructuring and insolvency matters, but proves particularly effective at the personal insolvency end of the market. The set is a firm favourite with solicitors, who wax lyrical about a clerking team that is "always friendly, approachable and helpful," and which importantly "maintains an astute commercial relationship" with clients.
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. A new arrival at 11 Stone Buildings, Lexa Hilliard QC is hailed by sources as an excellent advocate and a tough opponent. She also earns praise for being "highly responsive and an astute strategist." Commentators are in no doubt that the set's secural of her services represents a notable feather in its cap. She joins chambers that include Jane Giret QC, a lawyer with extensive experience in both personal and corporate insolvency. She advised the LPC Group in relation to the UK government's freezing of Landsbanki.
Marcia Shekerdemian is admired by sources who say they use her for "more intellectually heavyweight legal matters." She is an impressive advocate, and "a real fighter in court." Her recent high-profile instructions include acting for the liquidators of Miss Sixty UK. Tina Kyriakides "is very commercial and always gets straight to the point." "Very accessible, friendly and always willing to help," she has considerable experience in both corporate and personal insolvency. Sources praise Christopher Boardman as a barrister "who has the whole package of skills." His "strategic judgement in court is excellent, as is his written work and drafting." His recent matters include acting for the liquidators of the Super Aguri Formula One team. Iain Pester impresses as being "fantastic on intellectually gritty matters." His wide-ranging practice caters to all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency.
Adam Deacock is "very diligent and fantastic when dealing with all of his many clients." He excels at winning the Bench's trust and is a barrister "you would prefer to have on your side." Jonathan Lopian is admired by market sources as he is highly technically skilled. He recently acted for Lloyds TSB Bank in applying for an administration order for Powercorp International. Jamie Riley has established a strong reputation in the market as "a very assured advocate." He frequently acts in both domestic and international insolvency matters. Finally at the set, Thomas Robinson is hailed as an up-and-coming star of the future. His votaries say that "he offers a very supportive service," has an excellent work rate and is "very good at handling a massive caseload." (Insolvency, Chambers UK 2012)
A leading set - Legal 500 2011
11 Stone Buildings is able to "turn work around quickly", "offers excellent value for money" and benefits from "very efficient" clerks. Jane Giret QC has "excellent technical knowledge, is great in complex cases, and is very thorough", recently appearing in Alfa Laval Tumba AB & Another v Mark Pacy. "Popular, charming and exceptionally gifted" silk Raquel Agnello QC is also recommended. Among the leading juniors, Christopher Boardman is exceptional at cross-examination'; Marcia Shekerdemian has "great technical knowledge" and "goes out of her way for clients"; David Peters is "very commercial and always makes the right call"; Thomas Robinson has "great attention to detail"; Jamie Riley is a "very competent barrister"; Tina Kyriakides is "extremely strong"; and Adam Deacock has a "good, sound commercial approach". (Insolvency, Legal 500 2011)
For a full overview of the directories' testimonials for insolvency over the years, please click here.
Pensions
Leading silk - 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)
Leading silk and junior - 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)
For a full overview of the directories' testimonials for pensions over the years, please click here.
Our insolvency barristers are: