Legal 500
“Ben is a phenomenal lawyer, a KC of choice for professional negligence matters. He is calm and unflappable in times of high stress, cuts through impenetrable detail easily and always impressive on his feet.”
Ben Hubble KC is a specialist in professional liability, disciplinary, regulatory and commercial work. He was nominated for Professional Regulatory and Disciplinary Silk of the Year in the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022.
Much of Ben’s work involves claims against accountants, actuaries, auditors, directors, financial advisers, financial institutions, insurance brokers, lawyers, pension consultants and tax advisers often following on from corporate collapse, lender losses, increased pension scheme liabilities or failed tax and investment schemes. Multi-party and group litigation is a particular expertise. In addition, Ben concentrates on: commercial arbitrations and litigation both on and offshore; banking; insurance (particularly coverage and indemnity disputes) and claims arising from the financial services sector. Ben is a Senior Decision Maker for the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
In April 2020, Ben was featured as both ‘Lawyer of the Week’ in The Times and as the first ‘Barrister of the Week’ in The Lawyer following his success for the claimant in the landmark case of Rihan v Ernst & Young [2020] EWHC 901 (QB). Ben’s recommendations in the Directories extend to Professional Negligence, Professional Discipline & Regulatory, Pensions, Offshore and Insurance. He is variously described as “superb on every level: rolls up his sleeves and solves issues; adds huge value to anything he touches”, “absolutely at the top of his game and excellent to work with”, “his advocacy is fantastic. He really makes it all very simple and based in common sense”, “analytical, innovative and easy to approach”, “highly rated for his advocacy, focused advice and prompt response”, “[a QC who] immediately earns clients’ confidence due to his understanding and his forensic approach”, “as conscientious and thorough as can be”, “hardworking, bright and responsive”, “the first name I think of for professional discipline accountancy cases”, “one of the ‘big beasts’ of the Professional Negligence Bar and our first choice for big-ticket claims in that arena. He is very knowledgeable and articulate and he is an excellent advocate” and “very experienced and [able to] adapt his advocacy style to the particular tribunal he is addressing.”
Ben regularly acts on the high value claims in the professional liability arena, particularly those where the dispute is of a commercial or international nature. In relation to lawyers’ liability, Ben is frequently involved in claims with a multi-party element, such as the Right to Buy Litigation and various claims arising from failed property investment schemes.
Ben is particularly experienced in regulatory and professional disciplinary issues in the legal, accountancy and financial sectors. Ben advises a number of city law firms on regulatory and compliance issues, as well as acting on disciplinary claims before the SDT. On the accountancy and financial disciplinary side, Ben has longstanding expertise in advising audit practices on regulatory issues and acting in many of the large accountancy disciplinary proceedings of recent times. Ben is particularly adept at providing strategies to address the various regulatory and compensatory risks that arise from a breakdown in compliance or corporate governance.
Ben is a highly experienced trial lawyer and relishes his role as an advocate. Alongside that, Ben places particular emphasis on detailed preparation, teamwork and being as approachable and flexible as possible.
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“An excellent advocate, with fantastic client-handling skills. The complete package.” “Ben is remarkable among silks for his willingness to grip a matter and drive it forward with a complex lack of ego.” “Ben is able to quickly master a large amount of complicated material and pull out the key threads.” “A barrister of choice for providing excellent advice and service.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Ben is a phenomenal lawyer a KC of choice for professional negligence matters. He is calm and unflappable in times of high stress, cuts through impenetrable detail easily and always impressive on his feet.” – Legal 500, 2024
“A complete joy to work with. Clients and solicitors love him for his calm, patient manner and his fiendishly good advice.” “A great team payer; he’s calm and measured and has huge respect from the judges.” “An excellent advocate, with a real affinity for generating trust with clients. A pleasure to work with.” – Chambers & Partners
“A very impressive silk. He is extremely bright, always prepares very thoroughly, and is great with clients.” – Legal 500
“At the top of the game in professional indemnity. An exceptional lawyer and great in trials.” “He is very bright and very capable, but also very client-focused. An ideal person for his expertise and his people skills.” “Exceptionally prompt, gets to the point very quickly, and gives technically strong and very pragmatic advice.” – Chambers & Partners
“He has everything: a brilliant legal and strategic mind combined with outstanding client care skills.” – Legal 500
“He is unflappable and inspires confidence.” – Legal 500
“He is very good at reading his audience and knows when he should keep going with a point and when he should stop.” “He is unflappable and inspires confidence. He possesses a wonderful down-to-earth manner: he’s warm and welcoming, yet has a gravitas that is helpful on some of the bigger, more high-profile cases.” – Chambers & Partners
“His advocacy is fantastic. He really makes it all very simple and based in common sense.” “Extremely likeable and humble. There is no arrogance or grandstanding and he is a pleasure to work with. He comes across as eminently reasonable in court, which can result in him succeeding with applications that he shouldn’t really be able to win.”– Chambers & Partners
Ben is top rated and cited in the Directories as one of the ‘big beasts’ of the professional liability world. Ben has very considerable experience in all aspects of professional liability claims, especially those with a commercial element. Ben also has very considerable experience in multi-party litigation. He acted for the majority of the 650 odd panel solicitors sued by ATE insurers in the TAG Litigation following the collapse of the Accident Group. Similarly, he acted for the lead defence group in the CLE Litigation. He successfully resisted the application made on behalf of miners for a Group Litigation Order arising from alleged misappropriation of damages paid under the Coal Miners Compensation Scheme. He acted for the solicitor firm sued in the Innovator Litigation. He acted for one of the Major Defendant firms of solicitors in the Right to Buy Litigation. He is instructed on various ongoing claims against solicitors’ firms arising from failed property or investment schemes. Claims involving security documentation and undue influence remain a particular interest, Ben having acted for the Law Society and the solicitor appellant in Etridge.
Ben was at the forefront of the wave of lender claims against both solicitors and valuers following on from the credit crunch. He acted for the lender in Nationwide v Dunlop Haywards, obtaining summary judgment on the £20m+ deceit claim, and in the associated claims against the solicitors involved. He acted on numerous claims arising from high value (£10m+) individual transactions and also multi-claim actions arising from alleged mortgage fraud rings. He defended the innocent partner in relation to claims of alleged dishonesty against his fellow partner in some 500 odd conveyancing transactions. In E-surv v Goldsmith Williams he successfully argued that the Bowerman duty survives the imposition of the CML Handbook. Ben also has particular expertise in limitation (having appeared for the successful defendants in the Court of Appeal in Axa v Akhtar) and issues arising under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978.
Ben is also heavily involved in claims arising from the failure of (what were intended to be) tax-advantaged investment or film schemes. He regularly acts for both high net worth individuals (often from the sporting world) who have found themselves caught up in the adverse financial and taxation consequences, as well as accountants, tax advisers and IFAs who advised on such schemes.
In the pension context, Ben regularly acts for pension consultants, scheme actuaries or scheme solicitors on claims arising from the mis-management of pension schemes.
In addition to appearing in the English Courts, Ben acts on claims in a number of Caribbean jurisdictions, including the BVI and the Cayman Islands.
Ben is in demand as a lecturer on professional indemnity related issues. He is a past Chairman of the Professional Negligence Bar Association. He ran the Lawyers Liability annual seminar for that Association for many years. In addition to that, he lectures regularly on professional liability related issues to Specialist Bar Associations, insurers and solicitors.
Ben has acted and continues to act in the major lawyers liabilities’ claims of the day. Ben’s expertise covers all areas of lawyers liabilities, including in particular lender litigation, defective tax and investment schemes, mishandled litigation, failed joint ventures and confidentiality/privilege issues. Multi-party actions are a particular interest. He acted for the majority of the 650 odd firms of solicitors sued in the TAG Litigation and for the lead defence group in the CLE Litigation. He successfully resisted the application made on behalf of miners for a Group Litigation Order arising from alleged misappropriation of damages paid under the Coal Miners Compensation Scheme. He acted for the solicitor’s firm sued in the Innovator Litigation. He acted for one of the Major Defendants in the Right to Buy Litigation. He is presently acting on various multi-party claims against solicitors firms arising from failed property or investment schemes.
Examples of cases leading to judgments can be found in the cases section below. In addition, Ben has acted and continues to act on large numbers of complex and high value cases, about which confidentiality means relatively little can be said.
Featured cases
Ben regularly acts on claims against accountants, auditors and tax advisers. Having acted for the Defendant solicitors in the Innovator Litigation, a particular expertise is litigation arising from the failure of (what were intended to be) tax advantaged investment or film schemes. Ben variously acts for both high net worth individuals (often from the sports world) who entered into ill-fated tax schemes, and the accountants, tax advisers and IFAs who advised on such schemes. Ben has acted and is acting on claims arising from, among others, the Innovator, Tower M Cashback, Eclipse, Ice-breaker, Little Wings, Samarkand, Resolve, Fortitude, Perseus and Scion Schemes. Recent cases include a claim by a group of high net worth individuals against one of the big four accountancy firms, a claim by a boxing promoter against his former accountant relating to a failed insurance policy entered into in respect of a failed tax scheme, and a claim by one of the world’s leading football managers against his former tax advisers.
In addition to failed tax schemes, Ben regularly acts on other accountants and auditors’ negligence cases. Examples of recent cases include:
In relation to actuaries, Ben has in depth knowledge of the pensions industry and the workings of large life offices having spent two years leading the successful prosecution of the successive chief executives of Equitable Life for professional misconduct. Ben has acted and is acting on various claims against pension consultants and actuaries (and often scheme solicitors also) relating to alleged misadministration of pension schemes, including re Barber window problems.
Featured cases
Ben is regularly instructed on claims involving financial services professionals. Often this involves acting for claimants or defendants in relation to financial advice and pension cases. It also includes claims over against financial advisers following on from allegedly defective tax and investment schemes. Ben is currently acting on the claims over against financial advisers arising from the multi-party Innovator Litigation.
Featured cases
Ben regularly acts on insurance brokers’ claims, typically defending insurance brokers. Ben is very familiar with the issues that arise in tripartite litigation involving insurers, insureds and insurance brokers.
Featured cases
Ben has acted on claims against Surveyors and Valuers throughout his career and has been at the forefront of the new wave of litigation against surveyors and valuers following on from the credit crunch. Ben acted for Nationwide in its claims against Dunlop Haywards arising from the fraudulent acts of their valuer, Mr McGarry, and successfully obtained summary judgment in deceit for £20m+.
Featured cases
“The go-to barrister for accounting regulatory work. Always exceptional value. A proper specialist, who’s got brilliant judgement and is great to work with.” “Ben is excellent: he’s very thorough and he under-promises and over-delivers.” “Extremely impressive advocacy. Very persuasive and a delight to listen to.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Ben is a true specialist in accountancy-related matters. He is utterly reliable in his legal judgement and analysis.” – Legal 500, 2024
“He has an impressive grasp of the issues and quickly identifies a clear strategy.” – Chambers & Partners
“Ben is extremely thorough, bright, has excellent judgement and a very good eye for detail.” – Legal 500
“He is as bright as any counsel I’ve instructed. He really knows his regulatory law and he knows how to add value.” “He is very bright and capable, but also client-focused.” – Chambers & Partners
“Excellent from a technical perspective and very gentle with clients in a difficult situation.” – Legal 500
“A disarmingly persuasive leader in the field.” – Legal 500
“Accessible and super bright.” “Responsive, pragmatic and empathetic yet firm. He is good on his feet in hearings with multiple parties and his submissions are all well crafted.” – Chambers & Partners
“Very knowledgeable and a good advocate, he is also very good at managing clients.’’ – Legal 500
“Very easy to work with and extremely practical and sensible.” “Very bright.” – Chambers & Partners
Ben regards his regulatory and disciplinary work as a natural extension to his professional liability work. Indeed, claims often require a holistic approach where both the liability and the disciplinary aspects are dealt with at the same time. Ben is particularly adept at devising strategies to address the inter-related regulatory, disciplinary and regulatory risks that arise after a breakdown of compliance or corporate breakdown. Ben has a strong track record in dealing with regulatory problems such that issues, whilst being addressed properly with the regulator, are contained and so never enter the public domain.
In relation to his professional disciplinary work, Ben is named as a leading Silk in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. He enjoyed the recommendation in the Legal 500 as being the lawyer to instruct if you are stuck on a desert island and need to work the law to get off it. His experience extends across all disciplinary and regulatory sectors but he has an outstanding track record in the financial disciplinary area. Thus, he successfully defended the finance director accused of misconduct in the Mayflower case, being the first prosecution brought by the then Accountancy Investigation & Discipline Board, and then went on successfully to prosecute three Chief Executives of the Equitable Life Assurance Society for misconduct. Previously, Ben was retained by the AADB and the FRC to prosecute on their behalf, but now he concentrates on acting only for Respondents. He is particularly well placed to advise on financial (FCA related), accountancy or actuarial related disciplinary matters. Alongside that, Ben undertakes work in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and before the Bar Standards Board.
Ben regularly lectures on professional disciplinary issues to Specialist Bar Associations, insurers and solicitors.
Ben has long experience of disciplinary proceedings against auditors going back to the Equitable Life Proceedings where (notwithstanding the collapse of the commercial litigation against the same individuals and the massive scale of the investigation) he secured findings of misconduct against each of the respondents; this, despite the fact that the respondents called the then President of the Institute of Actuaries to give expert evidence on their behalf.
Successfully defended architect accused of inadequate professional services and unprofessional dealings with clients.
Ben acts as effectively trusted adviser to city and other law firms to assist COLPs, COFAs and Heads of Risk with the range of regulatory issues that across domestically and internationally across large global businesses. He has a strong track record in managing these issues to a successful conclusion with either no or minimal public attention. Where that is not possible, Ben then acts on the subsequent proceedings before the SDT.
Featured cases
Acted for firm accused of failure to preserve client funds; successfully applied to strike out the proceedings on the basis that the RICS investigation amounted to an abuse of process and that the charges were in any event not evidenced.
“Ben Hubble is exceptional. He is excellent with clients and managing expectations in difficult situations.” “Ben Hubble is very good on client relationships. He is a nice and very down-to-earth person. He is very thorough – always underpromising and overdelivering for clients.” “One of the things Ben brings to bear is an exceptional bedside manner. He explains issues and difficulties clients may face in a calm way. His manner is such that he doesn’t compound difficult situations.” – Chambers & Partners, 2024
“Ben is a hugely experienced barrister at the top of his game. He offers considered advice in a calm manner, and is always meticulously prepared.” – Legal 500, 2024
“He is really knowledgeable.” “Ben Hubble is very strong with an amazing capacity for work.” – Chambers & Partners
“Accessible, knows his stuff, provides straightforward and pragmatic advice, and is excellent on his feet – the go-to silk for difficult clients who are reluctant to accept the problems with their case.” – Legal 500
“Ben has a great bedside manner and has tenacity.” “He is very pragmatic and provides technically strong advice.” – Chambers & Partners
“A go-to QC for coverage claims, he is calm, detailed and decisive, as well as a first-rate analyst. He also has an excellent manner in dealing with clients facing serious claims, which reassures them that their claims will be tenaciously defended.” – Legal 500
“He is able to get to the heart of the issues quickly; his advice is measured, practical and commercial.” – Legal 500
“Technically very strong and rolls up his sleeves and gets into the detail.” “Very authoritative.” – Chambers & Partners
“Very accessible and easy to work with. He provides very pragmatic advice and is excellent on his feet.” “Very knowledgeable, commercial and approachable.” – Chambers & Partners
In relation to insurance, Ben concentrates on both general commercial insurance and professional indemnity insurance related issues. In relation to general commercial insurance, Ben is particularly experienced in fire and business interruption claims. Ben has been appointed to advise a number of different insurance brokers, and/or their clients, in relation to potential Covid-19 claims.
In relation to professional indemnity related insurance claims, the nature of Ben’s practice is such that his expertise inevitably extends to all the insurance related issues arising from professional liability and misconduct claims. Ben is accordingly an expert in the issues arising from both professional indemnity insurance and D&O policies. Ben regularly advises on indemnity and coverage issues. Ben acts as an arbitrator on professional indemnity coverage disputes.
Expertise
Ben regularly advises on the above issues, acts as a paper arbitrator and appears at arbitrations between insurer and insureds.
“Ben is an excellent barrister and a pleasure to work with. He is responsive and gives clear strategic advice, and is a calm and clear advocate.” – Legal 500, 2024
“Excellent, clear advice. Clear subject matter expertise. Very pleasant to deal with.” – Legal 500
“Very approachable and available to discuss points as and when they arise – a great team player and a pleasure to work with. Technically strong and with a strong appreciation of how points will be received by the court.” – Legal 500
Ben combines top level professional liability expertise (he is top Tier in the directories and is a former Chair of the Professional Negligence Bar Association) with a real understanding of pensions (he is ranked in Pensions in the Legal 500). His pensions experience dates back to when, as a junior, he acted for the Institute of Actuaries in (successfully) prosecuting Chief Executives and Appointed Actuaries of Equitable Life for misconduct.
Ben is regularly instructed in relation to high value pension claims brought by Scheme trustees and employers against former scheme consultants, actuaries and solicitors. He is particularly experienced in equalisation, Barber window and deeds cases.
Featured Pensions cases
Ben has a broad commercial litigation practice, ranging from fire claims through to banking and security documentation. Ben particularly relishes proceedings involving security documentation dating back to his involvement in Etridge in the House of Lords. Ben spends much of his time as an advocate in the Commercial Court.
Featured Commercial Dispute Resolution cases
“Ben is a reassuring silk to have on your side. His advice is invariably measured, sensible, and tactically sound, with a firm eye on the underlying commerciality of the case.” – Legal 500, 2024
“Has an exceptionally calm and reassuring approach, coupled with sound legal thinking and good strategic advice.” – Legal 500
“One of the most user-friendly silks in the fields of accountants regulatory investigations.” – Legal 500
“Superb on every level: rolls up his sleeves and solves issues; adds huge value to anything he touches.”– Legal 500
Ben’s work frequently is either offshore or has an offshore element. Recent cases have included, an arbitration on behalf of a Caribbean Government relating to the ownership of a significant amount of its coastline, a $1billion auditors negligence claim in the Cayman Islands and a key case on directors and registered agents’ duties in the BVI. Ben is called in the BVI and appears in the Cayman Islands.
Featured Offshore cases
Ben’s modern and flexible approach to the presentation of written materials and advocacy makes him well suited to his arbitration work.
Ben’s arbitration related work has three elements:
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Ben is a former Chairman of the Professional Negligence Bar Association. He has sat on the Committees advising on the terms of the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol and the Adjudication Scheme for Solicitors Negligence claims. He is also a member of the Chancery Bar Association and the Common Law & Commercial Bar Association.
Education
B.A. (Oxon.) Dip. Law (City)
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