Mark Phillips KC

KC1999, Called to the Bar 1984

Mark Phillips KC is an experienced Silk. His clients have included the Governor of the Bank of England, UEFA and the Football League as well as liquidators, directors, sportsmen 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 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 and has over thirty years 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 and defended the GT Liquidators in the Saad fraud trial that lasted for 129 days in Court over 12 months.

Legal 500 say of Mark:

“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.” 2023 edition

“Mark is an excellent trial lawyer and always relishes the challenge – exactly who you want acting for you when the rest of the courtroom is opposing you.” 2022 edition

“Astute and incisive. A force to be reckoned with in court.” 2022 edition

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.

Legal 500 say of Mark in the 2022 edition:

“The best there is in F1 regulatory. Elite status in motorsport.”

Mark is often quoted in the business press and in industry forums in relation to the government’s response to businesses support during the Covid pandemic. He produced the Administration Consent Protocol and is co Chair of Back to Business UK, which has now been rolled out over 52 countries worldwide. He is active on social media and has spoken at several international conferences on how to help small to medium sized businesses to deal with debt. His views are sought by policy makers, industry leaders and decision-makers around the world.

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