Ben Archer is currently undertaking a third six, having previously worked as an employed barrister at the Government Legal Department. He is keen to develop a broad practice across Chambers’ core areas of work.
In his time at GLD, Ben moved across a number of government departments, dealing with a wide range of contentious and advisory matters. During pupillage he regularly appeared in judicial review proceedings for the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in both the Upper Tribunal and the High Court. He later joined the commercial law group within the Department for Work and Pensions, before moving to the insolvency team at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Ben holds a PhD in insolvency law, for which he was awarded Geoff Pillar and Peel Trust scholarships. His thesis, completed under the supervision of leading insolvency academic Professor David Milman, considers the effectiveness of the legal mechanisms by which directors of insolvent companies can be held personally accountable for their misconduct, with a particular focus on directors’ disqualification and wrongful trading proceedings. Throughout his doctoral studies, Ben regularly led tutorials in a range of undergraduate modules including torts, contracts, trusts, and public law.
Ben has experience of assisting in high value commercial disputes and in the areas of professional liability, civil fraud and sports law. He retains his interest in insolvency law (including cross-border work) and, stemming from his government background, also has a strong interest in public law and human rights related matters.
Before coming to the Bar, Ben graduated with a first class degree in law from Lancaster University. He was called by Lincoln’s Inn, from whom he has received Lord Denning, Megarry and Hardwicke Entrance scholarships. Ben was also the recipient of a BPTC Excellence Award.