Giles Maynard-Connor KC

Call 1992
Silk 2021

maynardconnorkc@exchangechambers.co.uk
Head of Business and Property Department and Head of Insolvency Team

'Giles is at the top of his game. He is rightly viewed in the market as the KC of the moment, as he is a formidable advocate and passionate about every case he advocates.'

The Legal 500 2025
Photo of Giles Maynard-Connor KC

Commercial

Giles is Head of the Business and Property Department at Exchange Chambers. A leading commercial practitioner, he is recognised as a robust, thorough advocate who readily assimilates the vital details, whilst maintaining an eye on the ‘big picture’. He has a clear grasp of commercial issues and how best to overcome them. He works with his clients, favouring a team approach, particularly when faced with complex issues. With an in-depth understanding of the commercial world, he is adept at keeping his clients informed and aware of any issues that may arise at the earliest opportunity. Giles is combative when needed but at all times he remains a truly commercial litigator in terms of approach to his cases and his clients’ interests and needs. He recognises the importance of achieving his clients’ aims and objectives (whether at trial or through ADR) as quickly and as cost effectively as possible.

Giles is consistently noted as a leader in his field, is highly regarded for his ‘technical knowledge and commercial know-how’, and has a wealth of experience dealing with substantial commercial litigation. Over the last 30 years he has appeared at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal; he has also acted outside the jurisdiction including in the Supreme Court of the Seychelles and in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar.

His practice has a particular emphasis on civil and corporate fraud, company and contentious insolvency work, professional negligence (claimant and defendant) and banking.

Before taking Silk, Giles was Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional Panel A) and his work for the Secretary of State focused on contentious public interest winding up petitions, including the appointment of provisional liquidators and appropriate injunctive relief, and disqualification applications under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

In recent years he has successfully acted in a number of high profile high value corporate fraud cases, including representing over 300 claimants in a multi-million pound corporate fraud case in the Cayman Islands, has regularly lead other junior Counsel, and has acted as the leading Counsel in a number of high value international arbitrations. He has also dealt with the fallout from the collapse of BHS and the high profile insolvency of the Redcar based steel business operated by SSI UK Ltd.

He is currently involved in a number of complex commercial fraud, professional negligence and shareholder dispute actions in the High Court.

Giles has recently secured an important victory in the Court of Appeal in the case of Allsop v Banner Jones and Cohen, which has significant and wide ranging implications for future claims (see more here).

His most recent work includes the successful defence of a £125M claim against a high-profile fashion and internet entrepreneur, which was dismissed as being fraudulent.

Commercial Cases

Magee & Ors v Crocker & Anor [2024] EWHC 1723 (Ch)

Clements v Frisby [2023] EWHC 320 (Ch)

Clements v Frisby [2022] EWHC 3124 (Ch)

Price & Ors v Flitcraft Ltd & Ors [2022] EWHC 3381 (Pat)

Morton v Morton [2022] EWHC 163 (Ch)

Aamir Walayat & Ors v Berkeley Solicitors Ltd & Mohammed Rafaqat Lal and Forseti Law Ltd and Shamikh Mohammed Mustasum [2021] EWHC 227 (Ch)

Alsop v Banner Jones & Cohen [2021] EWCA Civ 7

Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd v (1) CJSC Kazsubton (2) Kazphosphate LLP & Solvay Solutions UK Ltd [2020] EWHC 2957 (QB)

(1) Philip Price (2) Supawall Ltd (3) Supahome by Maple Ltd v (1) Flitcraft Ltd (2) Flitcraft Timber Frame Ltd (3) Garry Flitcroft (4) Thomas Flitcroft (2020) [2020] EWCA Civ 850

Re Ahmed [2018] EWCA Civ 519

David Hugh Carr & 16 Ors v Formation Group PLC & 5 Ors [2018] EWHC 3116 (Ch)

Walker v Mills [2018] EWHC 998 (Ch)

Corran v Butters [2017] EWHC 2294 (Ch)

McConomy and another v ASE plc [2017] EWHC 92 (Ch)

Turvill v Bird [2016] EWCA Civ 703

SSI UK Ltd v Hewden Stuart Ltd [2015] EWHC 2726 (Ch)

Secretary of State for Business Innovation & Skills v Pawson [2015] EWHC 2626 (Ch)

LSC Finance Ltd v Abensons Law Ltd [2015] EWHC 1163 (Ch)

Overfinch Bespoke Vehicles Ltd (in Liquidation) v Freddie White as Liquidator of Lemma Europe Insurance Company Ltd [13/5/15] Gibraltar

Secretary of State v APW Asset Management Ltd [2015] All ER (D) 160 (Apr)

Secretary of State v Combined Maintenance Services Ltd [2015] LTL 7/1/15

Clydesdale Bank Plc (T/A Yorkshire Bank) v Duffy [2014] LTL 30/1/14 CA

Beloit Walmsley Ltd [2008] [EWHC 1888 (Ch) (CVAs and contingent creditors claims)

Straker v Tudor Rose [2007] EWCA Civ 368 (Costs)

Clearwater Corporate Finance LLP v Moon [2006] EWCA Civ 1365;

In the Matter of Lune Metal Products Ltd (in Administration)[2006] EWCA Civ 1720, 15/12/06 LTL;

Northstar Systems Ltd & Ors v Fielding & Ors [2006] EWCA Civ 1660 (costs);

In The Matter of Brampton Manor (Leisure) LimitedLTL 8/2/2006 (directors disqualification);

Davidson v Stanley [2005] BPIR 279;

Ultraframe v Fielding & Ors [2005] EWHC 1638 (Ch) (corporate fraud);

Meisels v Martin & Dawson [2005] EWHC 845 (ch) (creditors’ proofs);

Claughton v. Charalambous [1998] BPIR 558 (bankruptcy – sale of land);

Walker v. Turpin [1994] 1 WLR 196 (CA) (payments in)