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Stars at the Bar
STARS AT THE BAR
Stars at the Bar
Ranked in 10 practice areas
Alan Steinfeld QC
of XXIV Old Buildings
Ranked in 9 practice areas
Bankim Thanki QC
of Fountain Court Chambers
Ranked in 8 practice areas
Mark Howard QC
of Brick Court Chambers
Timothy Howe QC
of Fountain Court Chambers
Philip Jones QC
of Serle Court
David Pannick QC
of Blackstone Chambers
Pushpinder Saini QC
of Blackstone Chambers
Ranked in 7 practice areas
Alan Boyle QC
of Serle Court
Richard Drabble QC
of Landmark Chambers
Lord Edward Faulks QC
of 1 Chancery Lane
Richard Hill
of 4 Stone Buildings
Nathalie Lieven QC
of Landmark Chambers
Philip Marshall QC
of Serle Court
Ewan McQuater QC
of 3 Verulam Buildings
Dinah Rose QC
of Blackstone Chambers
Anthony Trace QC
of Maitland Chambers
Ranked in ten practice areas
Alan Steinfeld QC: XXIV Old Buildings
“If I was on a desert island and had to pick one
barrister to deal with all my litigation, it would
undoubtedly be Alan Steinfeld QC,” asserts one
instructing solicitor, and justly so, as this “almost
peerless” silk demonstrates an “astounding retention
of the law” across a range of practice areas.
His “direct, no-nonsense” approach and “exceptional
ability to quickly nail down the crucial
issues” have earned him a reputation as an “indefatigable”
practitioner who consistently offers his
clients “highly articulate and incisive advice.”
What is more, he is “quite incredible on his feet”
and “a powerful cross-examiner in court.” This
diverse skill set means Steinfeld is no stranger to
heavyweight disputes. In the last year alone, his
prowess has been called upon to deal with complex
litigation arising out of the collapse of
Kazakhstan’s BTA Bank, and to deal with the
long-running battle over the ownership of
Freeport in Grand Bahama. Put simply, “he is a
cut above all the rest.”
Ranked in nine practice areas
Bankim Thanki QC: Fountain Court
Chambers
Bankim Thanki QC is “a total star,” who impresses
sources from all corners of the market as “a
truly exceptional” barrister. He has proven himself
more than capable of dealing with a vast
variety of matters, from aviation and banking
cases to insurance, fraud and professional negligence
disputes. His wide-ranging success stems
not only from his “incredible depth of intellectual
ability” but also from the fact that he is
universally acknowledged as “one of the most
user-friendly barristers around.”“He is 100%
committed to achieving the best result for each
individual client,”“provides excellent legal advice
in its proper commercial context” and “always
remains calm under pressure,” enthuse interviewees.
With such a formidable reputation, Thanki
is highly sought after for litigation of considerable
importance. By way of example, he recently
appeared for the Bar Council in Prudential v
HMRC, a much commented upon Court of
Appeal case considering whether legal professional
privilege should be extended to
communications with accountants.
Ranked in eight practice areas
Mark Howard QC: Brick Court
Chambers
“Right at the top for big City litigation,” Mark
Howard QC is a “supreme tactician” who “tears
the opposition apart in court” time and time
again with his “incisive, commanding and powerful
advocacy.”“He just wins so many of his
applications; it’s quite unreal,” said one
impressed solicitor.” Said to be “at his best when
engaged in real discussion with judges,” Howard
“enjoys a tussle and never dodges tricky issues,”
making him “the first port of call for many
instructing solicitors when they need a heavy hitter.”
His recent successes include securing a
multimillion-pound payout for his client BSkyB
following its long-running dispute with EDS.
There is no doubt that this “real star” is now “the
leading light at Brick Court” following Jonathan
Sumption QC’s elevation to the Supreme Court.
Timothy Howe QC: Fountain Court
Chambers
With such instructions under his belt as representing
Goldman Sachs in the Lehman ‘client
money’ case and acting for HBOS in the bank
overdraft charges litigation, it is hard to believe
that Timothy Howe QC has only been in silk
since 2008. He has exceptional knowledge of
banking matters and demonstrates an “effortless
grasp of complex financial products.” He further
impresses with his fraud, insurance, energy and
natural resources, and professional negligence
expertise. Very much a modern advocate, Howe’s
“excellent attentiveness, easy-going style and
down-to-earth advice” are much appreciated by
clients, while his determined advocacy and “ability
to soak up pressure” make him yet more
desirable to solicitors.
Philip Jones QC: Serle Court
Serle Court can take great pride in being home to
Philip Jones QC, who has fast emerged as one of
the most sought-after leaders at the Bar since
taking silk in 2006. His popularity is born from
the fact that he is not only a “superb team player”
with “excellent interpersonal skills,” but also a
“strong communicator” who always has the ear
of the Bench thanks to his “elegant and cogent
submissions.” Sources warn that Jones’“calm,
quietly spoken” manner should not be underestimated,
as “when armed with hard legal points, he
is like a spitfire pilot who just shoots the opposition
down.” Of late, he has played a key role
acting for the defendant in SOCA v Perry, a case
due to be heard before the Supreme Court considering
the territorial scope of the Proceeds of
Crime Act 2002. Company, partnership, professional
negligence and restructuring/insolvency
matters also regularly feature in his workload.
Lord David Pannick QC: Blackstone
Chambers
Market sources plainly asserted to Chambers’
researchers: “You don’t need us to tell you how
good David Pannick QC is. When you instruct
him, you have the best of the Bar, irrespective of
the field.” Indeed, the “legendary” Pannick enjoys
doyen status for being “spectacular in all
respects” and “an absolute dream to work with.”
“A supreme advocate,” he marries “outstanding
analysis” with “measured and balanced advice,”
and is always “extremely impressive on his feet.”
During his distinguished career he has amassed a
wealth of experience across a range of practice
areas, including competition, professional disci-
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Stars at the Bar
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pline and media and entertainment. The pièce de
résistance of his practice, however, is undoubtedly
public law. Here, his caseload speaks for itself,
with one recent example being his successful
representation of the Crown in a Supreme
Court case which established that MPs being
prosecuted for dishonesty in the claiming of
Parliamentary expenses were not entitled to
Parliamentary privilege.
Pushpinder Saini QC: Blackstone
Chambers
An eternal favourite with clients and solicitors
alike, the “incredibly user-friendly and responsive”
Pushpinder Saini QC is “a true example of
how to work effectively.”“Excellent at interpreting
whatever piece of legislation is put in front of
him,” Saini’s advice is “always clear and robust,”
whether it be in relation to complex public law
and human rights cases or high-profile media
and entertainment disputes. Adding to his lustre,
he is equally “superb” in court as he is on paper,
and never fails to produce “persuasive and
joined-up advocacy which judges can’t help but
listen to.” Headline work Saini has been involved
in of late includes acting for EMI in proceedings
concerning music rights in the newly released
Beatles Rock Band console game. He also advised
the government on judicial review and civil proceedings
alleging systematic abuse of Iraqi
nationals by British troops.
Ranked in seven practice areas
Alan Boyle QC: Serle Court
“A leader par excellence of the commercial
chancery world,” Alan Boyle QC is the architect
of an impressive multifaceted practice spanning
company and offshore litigation as well as fraud,
restructuring and insolvency and general commercial
dispute resolution. Chambers’
researchers were hard-pressed to find a peer
unmoved by his “brilliant advocacy, vast experience
and immense intellect,” whilst his “devotion
to the client’s cause and ability to convert vastly
complex issues into clear and pragmatic advice”
make him a firm favourite amongst instructing
solicitors. With such an array of talents, it is no
wonder that Boyle is often engaged on cases of
the highest value and importance, such as the
long-running Masri litigation and disputes arising
out of the Madoff fraud.
Richard Drabble QC: Landmark
Chambers
“Everyone has time for” this “extremely accomplished”
practitioner. Billed as “one of the best
barristers at the Bar,” Richard Drabble QC is “the
man to turn to for particularly difficult matters,”
say sources. Instructing solicitors know he can be
relied upon to produce “exceptional advocacy”
thanks to his “excellent judgement as to how the
courts will react.” He “clearly has the judges’ ear”
and is “lightning quick in his ability to get on top
of a case.” Drabble’s wide-ranging practice
includes administrative and public law cases,
costs litigation and environment and planning
disputes. Of late, he has appeared before the
Supreme Court in R (Patmalniece) v Secretary of
State for Work and Pensions, a case concerning
the compatibility with EU law of the imposition
of a ‘right to reside’ test for social security benefits.
Richard Hill: 4 Stone Buildings
Richard Hill’s career continues in its ascendancy
and shows no signs of stopping any time soon.
“Destined to be a star silk” in the future, this
“outstanding” senior junior has seen himself
move up in the Chambers commercial dispute
resolution and banking and finance rankings two
years running, and he further maintains a formidable
reputation for his company, fraud and
restructuring and insolvency work. He thrives
due to the fact that he “possesses all the assets
one could want in counsel: he is incredibly
bright, works extremely hard, is authoritative in
court, remains calm under pressure and strikes a
great rapport with clients,” say sources. Recent
highlights include successfully representing the
appellants in the Lehman ‘client money’ appeal.
Lord Edward Faulks QC: 1 Chancery
Lane
Market sources have “no reservations about recommending
Lord Edward Faulks QC at the
highest level.” Top ranked in Chambers’ rankings
for his police law, clinical negligence and personal
injury matters, he also has enviable education,
civil liberties and local government practices.
Considered to be one of the best appellate advocates
of his generation, this “forceful opponent”
has “a reputation for winning.” He is “sharp on
the issues” and has a “calm but commanding
manner” in court, leaving judges with no choice
but to “sit up and listen attentively” to all he has
to say. Clients affirm: “You cannot place a case in
safer hands.”
Nathalie Lieven QC: Landmark Chambers
One need only look to Nathalie Lieven QC’s
recent successful appearances before the
Supreme Court in high-profile public law cases
Ali v Birmingham City Council and Yemshaw v
London Borough of Hounslow to see that this
“first-class lawyer” has quickly established a practice
well beyond her five years in silk. Lauded as
“a compelling advocate” who “judges really listen
to,” Lieven has considerable experience of acting
for both claimants and local and central government
bodies on a range of matters, including
human rights, planning, environment, education
and social housing. As a result, “she can see a
problem from both sides of the fence” and
“quickly identifies the salient issues and how to
best pursue them” in court. Her “straightforward
manner, strong teamwork ethic and down-toearth
advice” are also much appreciated by
clients, who say she is “a total pleasure to work
with.”
Philip Marshall QC: Serle Court
“When in the trenches, Philip Marshall QC is
who you want on your side,” say sources of this
“fearless and tenacious advocate.”“Feisty,”
“dynamic” and “terrific on his feet,” he “commands
the respect of judges” in court. This
fighting spirit is backed up by an “excellent
understanding of financial products” and a
“strong attention to detail,” leaving instructing
solicitors assured that he “can quickly understand
the most complex of matters.” Marshall is
best known for his work in commercial disputes,
and has achieved considerable success in fraud,
company, restructuring/insolvency, banking and
professional negligence matters over the years.
His recent efforts include advising on fraud
claims in excess of USD1 billion allegedly perpetrated
on a Kazakhstan bank in the high-profile
JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov case.
Ewan McQuater QC: 3 Verulam
Buildings
The “ferociously bright” Ewan McQuater has
established a thriving practice at the Commercial
Bar. Described by sources as “a first choice for
difficult banking cases,” he recently demonstrated
his mastery of the subject in Terra Firma v
Citibank, where he defended the latter against a
multibillion-dollar claim for alleged fraud and
negligence in the acquisition of the EMI music
group. General commercial disputes and restructuring
matters, particularly those with a
complicated cross-border element, also form a
large part of his caseload. In court,“he not only
wins but does so with style” thanks to his astute
sense of strategy and excellent cross-examination
skills. Allied to this, he is “incredibly pragmatic,”
taking care to blend his “excellent analytical skills
with a strong commercial approach.” Combining
this versatile skill set with “a complete lack of
arrogance,” McQuater’s “hard-working, handson
and easy to work with style” will no doubt
ensure he remains highly sought after by clients
for many years to come.
Dinah Rose QC: Blackstone Chambers
There seems to be no limit to the praise afforded
to Dinah Rose QC, who was described by one
source this year as “the most dangerous weapon
in a solicitor’s arsenal.” An “exceptional allrounder,”
she has been involved in some of the
most high-profile public law, employment, competition
and telecommunications cases to be
heard in the last 20 years. Just one recent example
was her appearance before the Supreme Court in
R (Smith) v Secretary of State for Defence, a case
concerning whether British troops serving
abroad are covered by the Human Rights Act
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1998. It is certainly no surprise that Rose receives
regular instructions on heavyweight matters. “A
committed and forceful advocate,” she is both
“incredibly quick on her feet” and “incisive in her
analysis.”“Judges are totally hooked” by her
“charming manner” and “ability to deliver arguments
concisely,” whilst clients appreciate her
“complete lack of pomposity” and “straight-tothe-point
advice.” All in all, she really is “in a class
of her own.”
Anthony Trace QC: Maitland Chambers
Anthony Trace QC continues to be the subject of
a torrent of praise. He is hailed for his “top-class
capabilities across the commercial chancery
spectrum,” and market observers fully acknowledge
that he “can turn his hand to anything with
great effect,” be it general commercial and company
disputes, professional negligence claims or
real estate litigation. The “ideal counsel to
instruct where cross-examination is critical to
the outcome of a case,” Trace is a “shrewd tactician”
and a “pugnacious advocate.” His
“devastating style in court,”“clear and articulate
advice,”“keen understanding of a client’s commercial
drivers” and “excellent responsiveness”
really set him apart as one of the Bar’s most wellrounded
practitioners.
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