Chambers & Partners 2008

Chambers & Partners ranked Wilberforce Chambers as a leading set for:

Individually ranked for:

Set Overview

Long regarded as "the crème de la crème of chancery sets," Wilberforce Chambers shows no signs of slowing up. Firmly installed as a leader in traditional chancery work, it has, with some success, leveraged itself into the more commercial end of the spectrum where it continues to make strides. The set is keen to trumpet the fact that it has superior advocacy skills and the capacity to engage in a diffuse array of commercial cases. Both claims can be substantiated. Members boast noted specialisms in real estate, professional negligence and charities matters but, in truth, offer advice on all matters such as banking, civil fraud, and company law. Other areas handled include insolvency, insurance, partnership law and joint ventures. Perhaps most impressively, the set has firmly anchored itself in the pensions market and is, according to many, "the premier pensions set in the country." Harland & Wolff Pension Trustees Ltd v Aon Consulting Financial Services Ltd, and Aon Trust Corporations v KPMG are just two of the cases it has handled in this sphere in the recent past. Its success in this area and its general success in the chancery world at large lead commentators to dub it "an outfit with a glittering past and an enviable future."

Leading Set: Chancery Commercial

Though the market may still perceive Wilberforce to be primarily a traditional chancery set, there can be no doubt that it harbours some fine commercially bent practitioners; indeed, its recruitment from the so-called ‘magic circle' of commercial sets has demonstrated its efforts to move into more business-centred territory.

Leading Silks: Christopher Nugee QC, Jules Sher QC, Ian Croxford QC, Terence Mowschenson QC, John Wardell QC

Leading Juniors: Thomas Lowe, James Ayliffe

A man who "really knows his way around a financial case," Chris Nugee QC is an emerging force at the Chancery Bar. He enjoys a broad practice, and 2006 saw him appear successfully in two high-value cases relating to share sale agreements.

Also a possessor of a wide-ranging practice, Jules Sher QC is "frighteningly intelligent" and blessed with "one of the quickest minds in the Inn." In 2006 he defended David Wilson in a professional negligence case brought by Equitable Life.

"A talented cross-examiner who is often underestimated," Ian Croxford QC has of late been working on some weighty fraud cases. Peers enthuse about his style in court: "He addresses problematic matters with alacrity and great intellectual insight - he rolls up his sleeves and fires bullets quickly."

Terence Mowschenson QC's commercial background feeds naturally into a broad-based commercial chancery practice, and peers attest to being "deeply impressed by his competence and demeanour." He has acted in the Equitable Life case for the Accountants Joint Disciplinary Scheme.

Another silk with a strongly commercial background is John Wardell QC, a "persistent advocate with a detail-oriented mind." He has worked on a groundbreaking and potentially seminal AIM fraud case.

Tom Lowe joins the rankings this year. A good deal of time spent lately in the Cayman Islands may have restricted his profile in London, but those who have come across him describe him as a "tough advocate who has a real knack of getting his arms around a case."

James Ayliffe is another well-known junior in the commercial chancery arena, who in 2006 acted for the defendants in a £50 million claim relating to the financing arrangements of Bluewater shopping centre.

Leading Set: Chancery Traditional

Though moving towards a more commercially flavoured ‘business' practice, this chambers is still best known by the market for harbouring a collection of London's finest traditional chancery barristers. "No one challenges Wilberforce on the depth and breadth of quality practitioners in the area," confirmed one peer. Clients, meanwhile, appreciate the "can-do attitude" of the set, which for them "places it a step above some of the more old-fashioned chambers."

Leading Silks: Brian Green QC, Christopher Nugee QC, Robert Ham QC, Michael Furness QC, John Martin QC, Jules Sher QC, Edward Nugee QC

Leading Juniors: Judith Bryant, John Child, Daniel Hochberg, Emily Campbell, Mark Studer, Jonathan Hilliard, Andrew Mold

Brian Green QC "may not always be found in the cut and thrust of litigation, or destroying witnesses, but when it comes to hard-fought chancery work, stuffed with technical points, he is in a class of his own." "Phenomenally creative and able," his stellar reputation is well deserved.

"An extremely good appellate advocate" who is "astute, practical and fantastic with clients," Chris Nugee QC climbs to the top of the rankings this year on the back of euphoric feedback from clients and peers alike.

"Charmingly old-fashioned without being at all pompous," Robert Ham QC "gets straight to the heart of the case" and is credited with "finding solutions where others see only problems."

"Extremely intelligent, extremely adaptable and wonderfully affable," Michael Furness QC is on of the unsung heroes of the chancery Bar. 2006 saw him appear as an expert witness in a high-profile arbitration case relating to the ownership of the Beaverbrook art collection.

Particularly strong in trusts, John Martin QC "has good judgement and common sense, and knows the law inside and out."

Head of Chambers Jules Sher QC has a catholic practice, and brings to all aspects of it his "piercing intelligence."

His predecessor as head of chambers is legend of the chancery bar Edward Nugee QC who, though now more selective in the work he takes on, still possesses and active advisory practice.

"An old-fashioned chancery practitioner," Judith Bryant dispenses "clear and ultra-reliable advice" in the fields of tax and trusts in both the contentious and the non-contentious arenas.

John Child possesses a mainly advisory practice "of outstanding repute," focusing on trusts, property and probate matters.

Extremely thoughtful, bright, and detail-focussed in his work," Daniel Hochberg has a rich history in the wills and professional negligence area. "If I were in need of a chancery practitioner to represent me," remarked one peer, "I would go to him - and there's no higher praise than that."

"Academically first-rate and tenacious and courageous in court," Emily Campbell splits her practice between contentious and non-contentious issues relating to trusts, probate and pensions.

The "charmingly Dickensian" Mark Studer is another trusts and probate junior with a well of experience and "a knack for really getting on top of his briefs."

Jonathan Hilliard "is really going places in the Chancery world," and has been working on a high-value piece of trust litigation relating to two London properties.

Another emerging force at Wilberforce is Andrew Mold, who has proved his mettle working alongside Chris Nugee as a trust lawyer on a highly contentious and valuable divorce case. Most of his practice relates to offshore trust work.

Leading Set: Charities

Charities expertise features amongst this set's countless attributes. All aspects of advisory work and contentious litigation are handled by a talented group of barristers that is "particularly well-clerked" according to solicitors.

Leading Silks: Edward Nugee QC and Michael Furness QC

Edward Nugee QC has decades of experience under his belt and is described as "immensely gifted and able to recall even the most arcane case law." Recently he advised the Church Commissioners of England on how to manage their investments and he advised the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on its relationship with Oxford University.

Michael Furness QC is a very able and pleasant" younger silk who maintains a busy advisory practice in relation to national and international charities work.

Commercial Dispute Resolution

Leading Silks Ian Croxford QC, Terence Mowschenson QC, John Wardell QC

A barrister who makes "others look timorous in court," Ian Croxford QC of Wilberforce Chambers is in huge demand for his trial skills. He was a lead player in the Zambia corruption case and has since been instructed in relation to a major fraud claim.

At the same set, Terence Mowschenson QC has a broad practice that has ranged from involvement in Equitable Life to representing clients embroiled in litigation connected with the recovery of funds. Illustrative of his experience of banking and business issues, he also sits as a part-time chair of the Financial Services and Markets acts tribunal.

"User-friendly and approachable," David Phillips QC attracts praise for bringing potentially damaging proceedings to a swift conclusion out of the public eye.

John Wardell QC offers the enticing combination of "first-rate" analytical ability and "confident, measured advocacy, and is regularly instructed on matters of huge industry significance and public interest. One such case is the mammoth Langbar International v Rybak matter, in which Wardell is representing the only active defendant.

Company

Leading Silks: Terence Mowschenson QC

Terence Mowschenson QC of Wilberforce Chambers is a leading mind in the area of directors' liabilities. He advises on an array of corporate matters, including takeovers and share schemes.

Fraud: Civil

Leading Silks: Ian Croxford QC

Up-and-coming individuals: Edward Sawyer

The "all-round excellent" Ian Croxford QC at Wilberforce Chambers gathers acclaim for being "extremely bright, commercial and clear thinking." He has been engaged acting for the Government of Zambia in a complex money laundering case.

Wilberforce is also home to Edward Sawyer who debuts in this year's tables on account of overwhelmingly positive feedback from market commentators. An interviewee described him as "one of the best young lawyers I have come across" and predicted "future stardom" for him. He was junior in the recent Jahre litigation.

Leading Set: Intellectual Property

This group is predominantly a chancery set but is "really making its mark" with its strong focus on brands, designs and copyright. It was involved in 19 Entertainment v Simon Cowell, where Simon Fuller of 19 Entertainment and creator of Pop Idol accused Simon Cowell, responsible for X-Factor, of copyright infringement. The set also acted in Bouverie No.1 v De Vere Hotels & Leisure over the branding and managing of The Belfry Hotel and gold course. Other highlights include Orange v easyMobile and Jimmy Choo v Soochi; the latter being a trade mark and passing off action against Soochi's Choosi brand.

Leading Silks: Michael Bloch QC

Leading Juniors: Alan Bryson, Anna Carboni

Its many luminaries include the "incredibly skilful, charming and commercially minded" Michael Bloch QC. Bloch was applauded by interviewees for his "dexterity in destroying others' legal positions." "Good on overall tactics and the promoter of novel arguments," he acted in the Simon Cowell and Bouverie cases. On the patent side, he has been involved in Takada Pharmaceutical v Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and The Welcome Foundation v Abbott Laboratories.

"Fantastically bright," Alan Bryson brings "vast experience and attention to detail to the table." He has been involved in Orange v easyMobile and Lucasfilm v Ainsworth.

Anna Carboni, meanwhile, has appeared in BP and Total v Shell in relation to the Power trade mark, and had a role in the Jimmy Choo case. "Very sharp and remarkably client-focused," she is especially good at parallel import cases.

Leading Set: Pensions

"A name that inevitably springs to mind when on considers high-quality pensions advice," Wilberforce Chambers has an enviable history and pedigree in the field. It's "a set riddles with talent."

Leading Silks: Brian Green QC, Michael Furness QC, Christopher Nugee QC, Robert Ham QC, Michael Tennet QC

Leading Juniors: Paul Newman, Jonathan Evans, Caroline Furze, Emily Campbell, Jonathan Hilliard

Brian Green QC stands out for his advisory and litigation work on pensions matters. "Exceptionally clever and enormously user-friendly," Green has established the standards by which all other pension silks are judged. His reputation rests on his "ability to supply definitive and most robust opinion on anything." In court he is renowned as a "great artist" and a "tenacious fighter" who "leaves no stone unturned." He advises employers and trustees of the largest and most prominent occupational pension schemes, and recently advised the trustees of the industry-wide Railway Pensions Scheme.

Michael Furness QC's reputation is not far behind that of Green. Concentrating on scheme funding, age discrimination and equalisation, scheme rules, trustee powers and professional negligence, he is a "tour de force in many areas." Solicitors were unequivocal in their endorsement of his "amazing intellect" and "superb client-facing skills." His "understated and straightforward" style of analysis conveys "gravitas" and puts him "up there with the best."

Christopher Nugee QC focuses his practice on litigation and applies his "razor-sharp mind" to a wide range of pensions matters. Professional clients tell researchers that he "users his brain and his gut to work out a problems" and is "superb in predicting what judges will do." Outside court, he engages in "the highest levels of cerebral activity" to provide clients with "advice which solicitors know can be safely relied upon."

"Pragmatic and flexible on his feet," Robert Ham QC is identified as "the silk with the quickest turnaround time." He has an "understated but forceful and effective" advocacy style and is an "excellent client handler" in both advisory and litigation capacities. Solicitors stated: "If we want counsel to explore the issues and our clients to be impressed by barristorial gravitas, we go to Ham.

Now making significant headway as a silk, previous leading junior Michael Tennet QC provides "commercially robust advice" on a broad range of pensions issues, offering particular expertise in the realm of actuaries. "Bright, user-friendly and charming," Tennet presents well to clients, who describe him as "accomplished and obviously very expert."

Hailed as "leading pensions junior," Paul Newman is acknowledged as "extremely good" in disputes arising from pensions schemes. Often described as a "forceful and aggressive" presence in court, he is valued for "shooting from the hip" and his "skilful presentation of inventive arguments." "Creativity and sheet knowledge of pensions law" mark Newman out from the crowd.

Jonathan Evans drew compliments from solicitors who lauded him as "in the tradition of Wilberforce juniors" and a "proper pensions specialist." His "calm manner" and "air of maturity beyond his years" allows clients to feel confident that he is "very much in control." In court, he is reputed to be a "clear, coherent and very sensible advocate." His practice spans advice and litigation (including Ombudsman complaints in relation to occupational and personal pension schemes), and matters pertaining to the areas of financial services and professional negligence.

In a similar vein, Caroline Furze remains busy providing advice on occupational pensions schemes and professional negligence cases. Solicitors report "very positive experiences" with this exceptional junior.

"Solid, capable and a safe pair of hands" were just some of the compliments paid by solicitors to Emily Campbell. She has "impressed with work on complex matters" and is valued for her "sharp eye for detail."

Jonathan Hilliard is a "new rising star," already landing plaudits as an "intellectual heavyweight." Interviewees were certain that "one day he will be at the top of the league." He worked on the Toray Textiles case, which concerned the equalisation of pension scheme benefits and the amendment of pension schemes.

Leading Set: Professional Negligence

"Highly able " in the professional negligence sphere, Wilberforce Chambers' work encompasses financial services, corporate, solicitors' and property professionals' cases.

Leading Silks: Jonathan Seitler QC, Ian Croxford QC, Christopher Nugee QC, John Wardell QC

Leading Juniors: Thomas Lowe, Paul Newman

Jonathan Seitler QC is considered "an outstanding silk for property-related negligence work." "Self-possessed and unshakeable in his self-belief," his notable cases highlights include London Borough of Hackney v Lovells, a claim against surveyors arising from a building development agreement.

"A robust fighter whose work encompasses huge cases and also smaller, quirkier ones," Ian Croxford QC has won many fans among the ranks of the solicitors over the years. Much of Croxford's time recent has been taken up with the Diana, Princess of Wales inquiry. However, his professional negligence cases of note include a claim relating to an overseas office of one of the big four UK accountancy firms.

Christopher Nugee QC wins recognition for his "depth of experience in high-profile cases." Recently he acted for the defendant solicitors in 3M United Kingdom Plc & Anger v Linklaters & Pain.

Clients point to John Wardell QC's "fitting and professional performance across a number of cases." Wardell has acted on Sweetman v Russell Jones & Walker, a substantial and complex case against a practising barrister, arising out of the acquisition of open moorland in Yorkshire and planning permission for the same.

Thomas Lowe is recognised for his work on high-profile cases, including those with an offshore component. "He's very highly throught of - very careful and good at planning a case," remarked instructing solicitors. He acted on behalf of engine design consultants in a £40 million negligence action before the Court of Appeal.

A depth of expertise in pensions makes Paul Newman one of the best for professional negligence issues that arise within the industry. Newman represented the defendants in MFI Group Pension Plan and Schreiber Furniture Ltd, a multimillion-pound claim relating to failure to adequately explain pension benefits.

Leading Set: Real Estate Litigation

A top competitor in real estate litigation, this set boasts a collection of quality counsel that deals with disputes at every level. It works with a litany of solicitors, from large City outfits to regional niche operators, and accordingly is exposed to much variety in its workload.

Leading Silks: Michael Barnes QC, Jonathan Seitler QC, Jonathan Karas QC, Christopher Nugee QC, John Furber QC

Leading Juniors: Martin Hutchings, Joanne Wicks, Jonathan Evans, Gabriel Fadipe, James Ayliffe

Michael Barnes QC stands out due to his expertise in rent review cases and "is always prepared to put his heart into an argument." His advocacy is described by commentators as "pretty fearsome - he takes no prisoners." One solicitor declared: " I wouldn't want to be cross-examined by him, that's for sure!"

Jonathan Seitler QC "talks a language everyone can understand and gets his sleeves rolled up." He appeared in court contesting the case of Cobbe v Yeoman's Row, and is regarded as being "in a different league to everyone else in mediations." Comments flowed from all quarters commending his "lateral and original through process."

The "down-to-earth and forthright" Jonathan Karas QC has established a reputation for "cutting to the chase." "He consistently demonstrates high levels of expertise," and has most recently tried a case in the House of Lords regarding village greens and commons rights, representing DEFRA.

Having made his name as a general commercial silk with leanings toward planning, Christopher Nugee QC has become an important member of the property group at Wilberforce. Solicitors, in particular laud him as "a real team player."

John Furber QC is regarded as an expert in determinations, and regularly advises his clients on property matters. "A tenacious lawyer," he has worked with the National Parks, Punch Taverns and The Neville Estate Company.

Dilapidations claims have occupied the caseload of Martin Hutchings of late, with a number of mortgage fraud and party wall cases thrown in for good measure. Peers and clients appreciate his "no-nonsense approach" which makes him "easy to do business with."

Joanne Wicks impressed observers with her determined rise to prominence in the real estate sector. "A great team player," she has worked with Seitler on the Cobbe case, helping to take it to the higher courts of appeal.

"An outstanding junior," Jonathan Evans practises in commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes. He is also noted for his strength in matters relating to professional negligence .

Commonly called upon to handle the property aspects of cases in the family courts, criminal courts and disciplinary tribunals, Gabriel Fadipe displays impressive variety in his caseload. Particular areas of expertise are landlord and tenant and mortgages and security matters.

Instructing solicitors commend James Ayliffe for his "intelligence and diligence," as well as his ability to turn work around quickly.

Sport

Leading Silks: David Phillips QC

David Phillips QC of Wilberforce Chambers wins over commentators with his advocacy skills. He is said to be "very good at working with panels. He wins them over without having to being overbearing or aggressive."

Tax

Leading Silks: Michael Furness QC

Michael Furness QC of Wilberforce Chambers is acclaimed as "an excellent choice for high-profile HMRC cases." He deploys an "intelligent, understated and effective" style in court.

Travel

Leading Silks: John Wardell QC

The "very adaptable" John Wardell QC of Wilberforce Chambers aids tour operators across a sweep of matters including health and safety, terms and conditions, package travel regulations and corporate manslaughter issues. He recently led on an interesting case regarding the liability sustained by TUI following a catamaran accident.