On 14 July 2011, we reported that Robin Dicker QC and Joanna Perkins were both appointed as Finance Experts to the Panel of Recognised International Market Experts In Finance (see [LINK]). We are now pleased to announce that Gabriel Moss QC has also been appointed as a panel expert. P.R.I.M.E. Finance was created by the World Legal Forum foundation, a conflict-resolution initiative started by the International Criminal Law Network and the Science Alliance.

To see the list of experts, please click here.

On 17 January 2012, Robin Dicker QC and Joanna Perkins  contributed to seminars as experts in dispute resolution in the financial markets at the opening conference of P.R.I.M.E. Finance in The Hague. Robin gave a presentation on “Expectation v Entitlement: the evolving jurisprudence of flip clauses, ipso facto clauses and Section 2(a)(iii) of the ISDA Master”; and Joanna discussed “The Devil is in the Detail: interpreting master agreements (valuations, measuring loss, set-off and tax characterisation)”.

The P.RI.M.E. Finance Disputes Centre has been established to help resolve disputes over complex financial transactions and to assist judicial systems in doing this. For more information on the centre, there is an article on page 7 of the Financial Times of 16 January 2012 (see here – subscription only).

We are delighted to announce that Tom Smith has been awarded “Insolvency and Corporate Restructuring Junior of the Year” at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2011.

Our Chief Executive, Caoilionn Hurley, is leaving South Square for pastures new. We are very grateful for all that she has done towards the smooth running of Chambers during her time with us. She will be replaced by Ron Barclay-Smith, our new Chambers Director, who will be joining us from the well-known common law set at 9 Gough Square. Ron was an RAF officer for 20 years and, before joining 9 Gough Square, had a successful career leading a number of organisations in the charitable, public and private sectors. We are all very much looking forward to the contribution which we feel sure that Ron will make to the management and future development of Chambers.

Following his appointment to the position of Visiting Professor at The Faculty of Law in Oxford, we are now delighted to announce that, in addition, Gabriel Moss QC has been appointed as Visiting Fellow at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, for the same 3 year period.  This appointment does not entail any further teaching.

Gabriel will continue in full-time practice as a member of South Square, along with fulfilling his occasional duties as a deputy High Court judge in the Chancery division.

We are delighted to announce that Gabriel Moss QC has been appointed Visiting Professor at The Faculty of Law in Oxford, initially for a period of 3 years, and will teach insolvency law to BCL students. 

Gabriel will continue  in  full-time practice as a  member of Chambers and will teach part-time, along with occasional sitting as a deputy High Court judge in the Chancery division.  William Trower QC, Chair of South Square’s Executive Committee congratulating Gabriel said: ‘The appointment is a well-deserved recognition of Gabriel’s standing in the area of insolvency law.’

Robin Dicker QC and Joanna Perkins have both recently been appointed as Finance Experts to the Panel of Recognized International Market Experts In Finance, also known as Prime Finance, which was created by the World Legal Forum foundation, a conflict-resolution initiative started by the International Criminal Law Network and the Science Alliance. P.R.I.M.E. Finance was established with the aim of facilitating dispute settlement, reducing legal uncertainty and fostering stability in the global financial markets.

To see the list of experts please click here.

Please click here to read a news article about P.R.I.M.E.

We are delighted to announce that Professor Sarah Worthington QC has been elected Downing Professor of the Laws of England.  Founded in 1800, the Chair is one of the most senior professorships in law at the University of Cambridge.

On Thursday 16 June 2011, Southsea Mortgage and Investment Company Limited was made the subject of a bank insolvency order under Part 2 of the Banking Act 2009. The bank insolvency order was made by Henderson J at approximately 7.35am and is the first of its type ever to be made. Stephen Atherton QC, from South Square, instructed by Travers Smith LLP, made the application to court on behalf of the Bank of England. Messrs Cohen and Shaw of BDO LLP were appointed as bank liquidators. Southsea Mortgage and Investment Company operated as bank in Hampshire and had about 270 depositors.

Ceremonies for new Silks

Glen Davis QC, Barry Isaacs QC and Felicity Toube QC today made solemn declarations and received their Letters Patent of Appointment as Queen’s Counsel from the Lord Chancellor at Westminster Hall.

Later, they were among this year’s new Queen’s Counsel invited by the Lord Chief Justice to take their seats “within the Bar” (in the front row of the Court) in the traditional ceremony at Court 4 of the Royal Courts of Justice, and received by the Judges of the Chancery Division and of the Commercial Court.