Mark Phillips KC is an experienced Silk. A KC(QC) for 26 years (at the Bar for 41). Legal500 said: ‘Vastly experienced, quite probably the most so in the insolvency and restructuring space. Pragmatic and no-nonsense barrister, comes to a clear view and gives advice rather than just pointing out risks.’ Mark has appeared in courts at every level and in several jurisdictions. He successfully represented liquidators in the Hong Kong Court of Appeal establishing that ‘Keepwell Deeds’, running into US$ billions, gave rise to provable debts against Chinese entities.
Client comments recorded in Legal 500 in 2025:
‘Mark is a great advocate – very persuasive and can read a court well. A genuine thought leader in the sector.‘ (Band 1 for Commercial Disputes)
‘Mark is a wonderful mixture of charming and combative. He is a fighter that all clients feel comforted by having in their corner.’ (Band 1 for Insolvency)
‘Mark is absolutely fantastic. His dedication to a case is unmatched, his brilliance, his analytical skills and – above all – his cross-examination qualities. There is no one who can match Mark on these points.’ (Band 2 for Sport)
In 2024 Legal500 said: ‘Mark is at the top of the list for court-based complex work. He is an exceptional advocate with a great instinct of how to present a case to the court. He works well with a good junior and his honing into the issues and mind for solutions are first rate. He knows what a court wants to hear about a case and, more importantly, what it doesn’t.’
Client comments recorded in Chambers & Partners in 2025:
“He thinks fast on his feet, is very assured with judges and is well-liked and connected. An exceptional barrister with excellent advocacy skills.” and “In the insolvency space, there aren’t many others with his calibre of expertise.” (Band 1 for Insolvency)
“Mark is a very powerful advocate and incredibly effective.”
“Mark thinks fast on his feet, and is very assured when dealing with judges. Both well liked and well connected, he produces really impressive arguments.”
“Mark reads the court well, and I love working with him as he’s very proactive.”
“Mark is very hands-on. He’s always available if I need him at short notice, which is rare for someone of his seniority.”
His clients have included the Governor of the Bank of England, UEFA and the Football League as well as liquidators, directors, sportsmen (including Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Lewis Hamilton) and premier sports clubs. He was named as Chancery Silk of the Year by Legal 500 in 2023 and Company/Insolvency Silk of the Year by Chambers and Partners in 2018. In 2024 he was Highly Commended, runner up in the Lawyer Barrister of the Year.
In his autobiography “Calling the shots” David Dein, formerly the Vice Chairman of Arsenal, says of Mark “We retained the brilliant Mark Phillips QC. He really does have two brains! (As already mentioned, he went on to play a significant part in the legalities when we formed the Premier League.)”
Mark operates at the highest level, winning complex cases in the highest courts. His first appearance in the Court of Appeal was at the start of his practice in 1986 in the ground-breaking case, West Mercia Safetywear v Dodd. Subsequently, he has led or has appeared in many cases in the House of Lords and Supreme Court including the Lehman’s Pensions appeal, Toshoku Finance, Paramount Airways, Leyland Daf, Sher v Policyholders Protection Board and Three Rivers District Council v the Governor and Company of the Bank of England.
Mark is especially well known for his tenacity in cross examination and resilience during long trials. He successfully defended the Bank of England in a two-year trial against the claim made arising out of its regulation of BCCI (which included the longest speech in English legal history) – the claim was dismissed with indemnity costs. He also defended the GT Liquidators in the Saad fraud trial that lasted for 129 days in Court over 12 months (the longest trial in Cayman history) – the claim against his clients was dismissed.
Mark also has a high-profile sports law practice. He was involved in the establishment of the Premier League for the “big 5 clubs”. He has appeared at several disciplinary and regulatory hearings. He prosecuted Manchester City on behalf of UEFA, and Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County on behalf of the Football League and has appeared for Lewis Hamilton in relation to several matters including the “Ferrari Gate” hearing. He has assisted with the future of football regulation and the EFL’s covid task force.
Insolvency, Restructuring and Chancery/Commercial litigation +
Sport +
Contact
+44 (0)20 7696 9900 Email Mark Personal Assistant
“Vastly experienced, quite probably the most so in the insolvency and restructuring space. Pragmatic and no-nonsense barrister, comes to a clear view and gives advice rather than just pointing out risks.”
“Identified as one of the best advocates in the market and regularly involved in high-profile cases. ”
Ranked in
Chancery: Commercial, Restructuring/Insolvency, Sport
Banking & Finance, Fraud, Civil, Insolvency, Sport
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