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Financial Services Regulation

1
3 Verulam Buildings
Blackstone Chambers
Fountain Court Chambers
2
Gough Square Chambers
Henderson Chambers
Outer Temple Chambers

Leading Silks

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Alex Bailin KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Alex is a wonderful strategist. His breadth of experience means that he is able to identify novel ideas and approaches and he is brilliant at considering the longer term implications of strategic decisions and playing the long game. His oral advocacy is a delight – he is charming and compelling.’
Michael Blair KC –3 Verulam Buildings 
Sarah Clarke KC – Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Sarah is an unrivalled cross-examiner. The enormous of amount preparation she puts in pays dividends when, like a boa constrictor catching its prey, she squeezes the witness into the position that best supports her case. She is also a very formidable lawyer and the go-to authority on insider dealing and market abuse.'
Richard Coleman KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Richard is brilliant and very thorough. He adopts a suitably light touch when needed. His real strength is in his advice, which is always astute and comprehensive.’
Andrew George KC –Blackstone Chambers ‘A technically skilled and talented advocate. Andrew is straightforward, down-to-earth and approachable and presents difficult concepts in a way that is easily digestible for the lay client.’
Andrew Green KC –Blackstone Chambers ‘Andrew has good judgement, but really comes into his own in the courtroom. He is a forensic cross-examiner.'
Richard Handyside KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘If you want the best barrister for any financial services or fintech issue, he’s your barrister. Superbly clever, a marvellously compelling advocate, an outstanding lawyer, and has the ear of the court. He is the best of the best.’
Javan Herberg KC –Blackstone Chambers ‘Javan is definitely one of – if not the – titans of the FS Bar. His experience is unrivalled and he is an excellent advocate, as well as being technically brilliant. He is superb.’
Richard Lissack KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘With Richard's incredible experience in the field comes a level of assuredness when advising and when advocating that few possess. He really comes to life when doing advocacy, playing the courtroom effortlessly.’
Bankim Thanki KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Bankim has a natural authority and gravitas in court. His calm and measured delivery attracts the ear of the judges, who instinctively listen to what he has to say. He is known for his extremely careful and knowledgeable legal analysis. An obvious choice for the biggest appellate cases.’
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Monica Carss-Frisk KC –Blackstone Chambers
Timothy Dutton CBE KC – Fountain Court Chambers ‘He is a titan of the Bar. Tribunals listen to him with respect, and he is astute at anticipating what will concern them.’
James Counsell KC –Outer Temple Chambers ‘James is a silk who has the ability to win the confidence of judges in court through his abilities and charm and applies the same skills to work with clients in conference.’
Jonathan Fisher KC –Red Lion Chambers
Ben Jaffey KC –Blackstone Chambers  ‘Ben is incredibly clever. He is able to assimilate detail very quickly and reach a reasoned answer in short order. His advice is always clear, and where appropriate he is very comfortable taking a robust position.’
Jonathan Kirk KC –Gough Square Chambers ‘Advocacy stands out as a key strength amongst his peers. He manages to get the all key points across without losing the detail and has a knack of doing so with an extremely likeable demeanour. His clients are very impressed by him.’
Hodge Malek KC –3 Verulam Buildings ‘Hodge is the difference maker on any case and he is the go to silk for financial services. He has a first rate intellect with the ability to absorb a vast about of information in a short span of time. He is on top of every detail, and his advice is always commercial.'
Nicholas Medcroft KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Nick is top of his game in financial services litigation, regulation and corporate crime. He is meticulous, tough and a superb advocate.’
Andrew Mitchell KC –Fountain Court Chambers 'Andrew really is a superb advocate. He is a master of the craft and while very good indeed on paper, he is even better on his feet.'
Rory Phillips KC  –3 Verulam Buildings 'Incisive, very clever and has an engaging style - Rory will always get air-time with clients or judges because he makes good points very well.'
Patricia Robertson KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Patricia is a superstar and a joy to work with. Her relaxed manner belies someone who brings a huge amount of energy, thoroughness and technical excellence to the case at hand. Always on top of the detail and able to distil legal and factual arguments into client and court friendly bite-size chunks.'
James Strachan KC –39 Essex Chambers 'James is the pre-eminent silk at the intersection of public administrative law and financial services regulation. He is totally unflappable, crisp, precise and doesn’t take bad points. He has an unerring ability to win cases.' 
Ben Strong KC –One Essex Court ‘Ben is exceptionally bright with a forensic attention to detail, but also a team player. He has a great sense of what arguments play well with the FCA decision makers and is a brilliant advocate.’
Nick Vineall KC – 4 Pump Court
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Robin Barclay KC –Fountain Court Chambers 'Robin is enormously bright and decisive. He gives clear and commercially savvy advice and inspires confidence in clients.'
Raymond Cox KC –Fountain Court Chambers
Jonathan Crow KC –4 Stone Buildings 
Paul Downes KC –Quadrant Chambers
Mark Fell KC –Radcliffe Chambers
Catherine Gibaud KC – 3 Verulam Buildings 'Catherine is superb, very clever, a very skilled advocate and someone with great judgment. She has a laser focus on what matters in order to progress a case and is highly efficient. An all-round fantastic and well-respected silk.'
Saima Hanif KC – 3 Verulam Buildings ‘Saima continues to develop an impressive silk practice in financial services.’
Timothy Howe KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Tim is a formidable cross-examiner, whose preparation for trial leaves no stone left unturned. He brings real energy and direction to even the most difficult cases.’
Andrew Hunter KC –Blackstone Chambers
Brian Kennelly KC –Blackstone Chambers
Farhaz Khan KC –3 Verulam Buildings ‘Farhaz is a hugely knowledgeable financial services specialist. He delivers top-class legal advice wrapped in commercial reality.’
Henry King KC –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Henry is a superb silk with a meticulous attention to detail and a thorough understanding of finance. He is a smooth and polished advocate, confident on his feet and respected by judges and opponents. He leaves no stone unturned to help his clients succeed.’
Ali Malek KC –3 Verulam Buildings
James McClelland KC – Brick Court Chambers ‘James is a star barrister whose judgment is superb; his written advocacy is of the highest standard and he can identify the argument that wins the case.’
Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC – Fountain Court Chambers 'Leigh-Ann is simply one of the best in the business. She is intellectually brilliant, extremely hard working and has flawless judgement. She is also a joy to work with.'
Hanif Mussa KC –Blackstone Chambers ‘Hanif is very clever and user friendly.’
Toby Riley-Smith KC –Henderson Chambers ‘Toby is particularly gifted in explaining complex legal matters to the client in a logical and simple manner. His tone is thoughtful and he is very knowledgeable in consumer credit.’
Sharif Shivji KC –4 Stone Buildings ‘Sharif is extremely intelligent. He is energetic and willing to get involved in the detail of complex cases in order to identify key strategic decisions which will guide the successful conduct of a matter. Clients have absolute confidence in his advice and abilities as an advocate.’
Tom Weitzman KC –3 Verulam Buildings 
Ian Wilson KC – 3 Verulam Buildings 'Ian offers technical legal skills, a commercial pragmatic approach and a team working style.'

2024 Silks

Oliver Assersohn KC –XXIV Old Buildings ‘Oliver is approachable and friendly. He is excellent on market abuse and financial crime.’
Shail Patel KC –4 New Square

Leading Juniors

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Daniel Burgess –Blackstone Chambers ‘Daniel is a hugely impressive advocate and tactician. He has a great talent for cutting through very complex facts to get to the issues and give clear but high level advice.’
Eleanor Davison –Fountain Court Chambers  ‘Eleanor is a hugely popular junior in this field, adored by clients and solicitors alike. Extremely hard working, with a close eye on detail and appropriate client care. She is a published author on investigations and she understands the law and the market like no other junior at the Bar.’
Charlotte Eborall –3 Verulam Buildings ‘Charlotte is great, really easy to work with, bright, commercial and very good with clients and the wider team. She is very responsive and always available when needed.’
Philip Hinks –3 Verulam Buildings ‘Philip has a very good understanding of financial services regulation. He provides great strategic advice and is a very good advocate.’
Paul Luckhurst –Blackstone Chambers ‘Paul is excellent. Calm and measured, very clear thinking, and increasingly authoritative in his views. He is careful in his written work, thorough in his research, and very responsive.’
Jason Mansell –QEB Hollis Whiteman
Charles Marquand –4 Stone Buildings ‘Charles is pragmatic, knowledgeable and a good communicator, both on a technical level and with clients.’
Fred Philpott –Gough Square Chambers 
James Potts – 3 Verulam Buildings ‘James is very knowledgeable about financial services regulation.’
Simon Pritchard –Blackstone Chambers ‘Simon is very responsive and turns high quality drafted representations around very quickly. He knows the law extremely well and also knows the regulators and those who work within them very well. Go to junior this area.’
James Purchas –4 Pump Court ‘James is one of the go-to barristers on the regulatory and civil side of FCA regulation.’
Robert Purves –3 Verulam Buildings ‘Robert has an in-depth, intellectual understanding of the complex financial services regulation across the products and regulatory perimeter and a gift advising in a pragmatic and proportionate manner. He is extremely easy to deal with and very responsive and prompt with his advice.'
Ajay Ratan –Blackstone Chambers ‘Ajay provides an incisive analytical approach with a client friendly manner, and adapts his advocacy to the occasion, creating a good impression with panel members.’
Adam Temple –3 Verulam Buildings ‘Adam has excellent technical ability and an encyclopaedic knowledge of contentious and non-contentious financial services matters. He is also very user friendly.'
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Harry Adamson –Blackstone Chambers ‘Harry is a pleasure to work with in all respects – efficient, responsive, detailed and practical advice.’
Rupert Allen –Fountain Court Chambers
Ruth Bala – 4 Pump Court
William Hibbert –Henderson Chambers 'Simply one of the best: thorough, knowledgeable, concise, and one of the best barristers out there in his field.' 
Iain MacDonald –Gough Square Chambers 'Iain is an experienced and knowledgeable advocate. He is also highly reliable when interacting with clients, providing clear, well-reasoned and commercial advice as to the various issues in discussion. His ability to consider technical issues in granular detail is extremely helpful in assessing and adopting suitable strategies.'
Andrew Maguire –Littleton Chambers 
Stephen Neville –Gough Square Chambers ‘Stephen knows key issues and what is happening in the industry sector.'
Elizabeth Ovey –Radcliffe Chambers
Simon Popplewell –Gough Square Chambers ‘Simon is a star of the Bar. He is extremely quick and very easy to work with; his analysis is second to none and his advocacy is compelling. It is like having a second silk on a case.’
James Ross –Gough Square Chambers
Thomas Samuels – Henderson Chambers ‘Thomas’ clarity and ability to very quickly identify the issues and the best way of tackling those issues helps to advance a case.’
Theodor van Sante –3 Verulam Buildings 'Theo's work is of a consistently excellent standard. He turns work around quickly and is very user friendly.’
David Simpson –3 Verulam Buildings
Michael Uberoi –Outer Temple Chambers 
Kate Urell –Gough Square Chambers ‘A legal powerhouse you want in your corner. Her technical brilliance places her ahead of her peers. She doesn't merely focus on the issues; in preparation she meticulously explores every avenue to guarantee excellent results. Kate embodies everything you want in a barrister and everything you need.’
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Tim Aron  – Minerva Chambers
Tom Asquith –4 New Square ‘Tom has an excellent way of cutting through the noise and is very diligent when drafting pleadings or clients. He is approachable, very supportive and delivers commercially sensitive and pragmatic advice.’
Clare Baker  – Outer Temple Chambers 'Clare is very knowledgeable, calm and reassuring.' 
Chloë Bell – 3 Verulam Buildings 'Chloe is very analytical, bright and is also extremely level headed and calm under pressure. She is very well respected in financial services and in Fintech work she is a real trailblazer- mounting cutting edge arguments and understanding the evolution of this area of the law.'
Daniel Brayley –Gough Square Chambers ‘Daniel is clear thinking and efficient in his guidance and advice. He is always very well prepared and works with you at your level.’
Cleon Catsambis –3 Verulam Buildings ‘Cleon is insightful and clear with his advice. He breaks things down well and has a good way of explaining things to clients. His written work is extremely good quality and he is a team player.’
Stewart Chirnside –Quadrant Chambers 
Nazeer Chowdhury –Henderson Chambers
William Day – 3 Verulam Buildings 'He has excellent judgement and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.'
Anthony Dearing –Radcliffe Chambers
Lee Finch  – Gough Square Chambers ‘Lee is an expert in his field - articulate, precise, flexible to client needs, and a pleasure to work with.’
Kathryn Hughes –QEB Hollis Whiteman
Jas Jandu – 3 Hare Court ‘Jas is a real standout practitioner in relation to his in-depth knowledge of financial services regulation, including fintech regulation developed from his previous work at the Financial Conduct Authority. He is a truly a safe pair of hands when it comes down to the really knotty financial services issues.’
Robin Kingham – Gough Square Chambers
Stephen Kosmin –11KBW
Iona Levine – Minerva Chambers
Robin Lööf – Fountain Court Chambers ‘Robin has a broad practice across insurance and other financial services regulatory matters. He is very responsive and easy to work with, making himself available at short notice even when busy on other matters.’
Rebecca Loveridge –Fountain Court Chambers ‘Rebecca has been very impressive to date. She combines a great intellect with a personable down-to-earth manner, which makes her a pleasure to work with.’
Sophie Mallinckrodt –3 Verulam Buildings
Teniola Onabanjo  – 3 Verulam Buildings ‘Teni is a recognised expert in this area - her technical ability is first rate, and she has been involved in some high-profile financial services enforcement matters.’
Oliver Powell –Outer Temple Chambers 'Oliver is very responsive, utterly charming and will go the extra mile for a client.'
Suzanne Rab – Serle Court ‘Her first-rate intellect, and analytical skills, combined with a mastery of the relevant law, sound judgement, and a commercial and user-friendly approach, make her one of the leading practitioners at the Bar in this field.’
Leonora Sagan  – Fountain Court Chambers ‘She is a very clear thinker and has a laser focus on the issues in the case, working quickly and effectively to master the materials and to produce high quality work. She expresses herself with economy and courts and tribunals find her advocacy to be persuasive.’
Emily Saunderson –Quadrant Chambers ‘Emily has a fantastic working knowledge of financial services regulation and banking law, having been involved in some high profile and significant cases that underscore her expertise. She is meticulous in her preparations and approach to document and case analysis.’
Julia Smith –Henderson Chambers ‘Julia has excellent specialist expertise on the detailed requirements of consumer credit legislation and case law.’
Justina Stewart –Outer Temple Chambers 'A go to on technical points of regulation on banking disputes. Will methodically work through reams of difficult legislation to arrive at clearly presented practical advice. She has a good tactical nous.'
Alastair Tomson –4 Stone Buildings 'Alastair's advocacy is excellent. He is confident, engaging, clear, calm under pressure and quick on his feet.'

Rising Stars

Rebecca Keating – 4 Pump Court 'Rebecca is very approachable, open to discussion, extremely thorough in her reviews and always has good and practical ideas for resolving matters that arise during the lifetime of the case.'
Ava Mayer – Blackstone Chambers
Henry Reid – Outer Temple Chambers 'Henry is friendly, responsive and hardworking. His real strength is his oral advocacy, where he performs well beyond his years and holds his own up against silks with a wonderful, natural style.'

Financial services and fintech regulation in London Bar

3 Verulam Buildings


3 Verulam Buildings is ‘an exceptionally strong financial services set with excellent practitioners at all levels’, regularly acting for and against financial institutions, regulators and private clients across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious work. Ian Wilson KC successfully acted for the defendant, opposite Lisa Lacob, in Farol & Ors v Clydesdale Bank plc & National Australia Bank Ltd, with the High Court deciding that Cyldesdale was entitled to charge break costs, and that it had not acted wrongfully in the manner it had priced and explained the loans to the claimants who entered into them. Saima Hanif KC is ‘developing an impressive silk practice in financial services’ and is particularly well adept at acting for clients against the FCA.

Les références

‘Lucy Burrows is a pleasure to deal with. She is commercial, responsive, and on top of things.’ 

‘The clerks are responsive and make arrangements quickly, at short notice where needed. Richard Ansell is particularly helpful and responsive.’

‘Richard Ansell is particularly good at understanding what is needed and finding the best person for the task.’

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Blackstone Chambers


Blackstone Chambers is a ‘number one set for regulatory disputes work’, offering a broad range of expertise that spans market authorisations and approval, listing rules, market abuse and insider trading, financial promotions, and collective investment schemes. Monica Carss-Frisk KC acted for the claimant in R (Elliott Associates LP) v London Metal Exchange, a judicial review to a decision by the defendant to cancel hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of trades; with an appeal to the Court of Appeal now pending. In FCA v Whitestone and Seiler, Andrew George KC acted for the regulator before the Upper Tribunal in a significant costs application. Daniel Burgess acted as sole counsel for the defendant in FCA v Wealthtek LLP & John Dance, proceedings concerning an £81m shortfall in client funds and an application by the regulator for an interim stay of civil proceedings so it could prioritise its criminal investigation for overlapping conduct.

Les références

‘Danny Compton is a pleasure to deal with. Practical, reasonable and charming.’

‘Billy Brian is a smooth operator.’

‘Blackstone is the preeminent set in this area.’ 

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Fountain Court Chambers


Offering ‘strong depth in insurance and regulatory matters’, Fountain Court Chambers has a well established reputation for their ability to handle significant regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, as well as financial services disputes of an international nature. Eleanor Davison  continues to act for the former CEO and CFO of Metro Bank in an FCA investigation regarding the reporting of the bank’s risk weighted assets, with the matter due to be heard by the Upper Tribunal this year and potential for an appeal to the Court of Appeal regardless of the outcome. Robin Barclay KC, leading Leonora Sagan, is acting for Odey Asset Management LLP in the FCA investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of staff by Crispin Odey, a notable example of a non-financial misconduct case. Rebecca Loveridge, who is adept at presenting ‘complex technical issues in a comprehensible prose’, acted for the London Metal Exchange in the judicial review related to the disorder in the market for nickel futures that occurred in March 2022.

Les références

‘The clerks are excellent. Alex Taylor and the team are fully attuned to the requirements of the market in financial services and financial technology work.’

‘Very strong Clerks room. Sian Huckett and Alex Taylor at the top of their game – available, commercial and client-focussed.’

‘The clerks are first class. Sian Huckett in particular is a star.’

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Gough Square Chambers


Gough Square Chambers ‘remains outstanding in consumer finance’ and regularly appear for major banks and governmental bodies, including HM Treasury, the FCA and FSCS. The ‘very impressive’ Jonathan Kirk KC  acted for the interested parties Diamond Resorts and Club La Costa in consumer credit litigation before the High Court, with the test case addressing the mis-selling of timeshares as investments. Stephen Neville ‘knows what is happening in the industry’, routinely advising banks and lenders on complex consumer finance issues. Fred Philpott remains an authority on issues concerning the Consumer Credit Act, while Iain MacDonald is highly sought after for his expertise in retail banking and the mis-selling of financial products.

Les références

‘The clerks will always try to accommodate all requests. Jack Bradshaw is an outstanding second clerk and always goes above and beyond.’

‘Jack Bradshaw is senior clerk in the making.’ 

‘Bob Weekes, Richard Bryant and Jack Bradshaw are exceptionally helpful and approachable in their roles.’

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Henderson Chambers


Henderson Chambers’ members have increasingly been called upon to advise on the FCA and FSMA regulatory regime, while also advising on financial products regulated by consumer credit legislation and unfair business to consumer practices. Toby Riley-Smith KC, who is ‘particularly gifted in explaining complex legal matters in a logical and simple manner’, offers a wealth of experience in litigation involving consumer credit and hire agreements. Thomas Samuels is frequently instructed to provide non-contentious regulatory advice, while William Hibbert is particularly well regarded for his expertise in consumer credit and consumer-facing financial services, such as regulated credit and secured borrowing.

Les références

‘The clerks are very good.’ 

‘Very good set; great strength in depth.’ 

 

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Outer Temple Chambers


With a ‘longstanding reputation for financial services work’, Outer Temple Chambers’ members ‘routinely act for and against the FCA, PRU and Lloyds of London’. Michael Uberoi and Henry Reid acted for the defendant in FCA v Reynolds, proceedings brought against a financial adviser seeking the disgorgement of over £2m of commission payments obtained in consequence of advice given to members of the British Steel pensions scheme; with the Upper Tribunal appeal being heard in June 2024. Oliver Powell, who always ‘goes the extra mile for his client’, is particularly well regarded for regulatory enforcement action taken by the FCA and Lloyds, internal investigations conducted by financial institutions, and criminal prosecutions brought by the FCA and SFO.

Les références

‘The clerks are brilliant – open, honest and clear. You always know where you stand with them.’ 

‘Sam Carter is very helpful and always keen to ensure that the right barrister is put forward for a particular instruction.’

‘Sam Carter is a dream to deal with – leads the chambers incredibly well.’

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