Five of the Bar's best

Mark Hapgood QC
Brick Court Chambers
Called to the Bar: 197Appointed QC: 19
Professional achievements/associations:
Appointed to Queen's Counsel in April 1994 - the most junior bar member to be appointed a silk in the 1994 list.
Areas of practice:
Professional negligence, litigation, advisory and drafting work in the whole field of commercial law, including agency; banking; commodities and futures; company and insolvency; insurance; international trade; jurisdictional disputes; reservation of title; sale of goods; security.
Recent reported cases:
Banque Financiere de la Cite v Skandia (UK) Insurance (1990); Banque Bruxelles Lambert v Eagle Star Insurance (1995); Nederlandse Reassurantie Groep Holding v Bacon & Woodrow and others (1997).
What they say about him:
"Exceptionally bright", "very tenacious", "adept at analysing complex issues", "outstanding cross-examiner" and "a rising star as a silk".
Nicholas Davidson QC
4 Paper Buildings
Called to the Bar: 197Appointed QC: 19
Professional achievements/associations:
Chairman of the Professional Negligence Bar Association; member of Combar and Society for Computers & Law.
Areas of practice:
Professional negligence, especially legal, financial, computer contracts and commodities.
Recent reported cases:
Bristol & West Building Society v Fancy & Jackson (1997); National Home Loans Corp v Giffen Couch & Archer (1998); Wraith v Wraith (1997).
What they say about him:
"Very thorough", "exceptional intellect", "approachable", "gives total commitment".
Nigel Tozzi
4 Pump Court
Called to the Bar: 1980
Professional achievements/associations:
Member of the London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association, and a member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association.
Areas of practice:
Contractual disputes, professional negligence, insurance, reinsurance, media and entertainment, employment, agency, advertising, construction.
Recent reported cases:
PLT v Smith Metzack (judgment awaited); IM Properties v Cape & Dalgleish (1998).
What they say about him:
"Exceptional intellect, probably top of his generation", "can dominate a court room", "very assertive; leadership qualities", "positive attitude", "first rate".
Mark Simpson
4 Paper Buildings
Called to the Bar: 19
Professional achievements/associations:
General editor of Professional Negligence - a two volume looseleaf paper to be published this year; has done several lectures and articles on professional negligence.
Areas of practice:
Professional negligence, including solicitors, barristers, surveyors, valuers, estate agents, IT advisers, architects, insurance brokers, financial advisers and accountants; general commercial law.
Recent reported cases:
Brophy v Dunphys (1998); S v M (1998).
What they say about him:
"Very assured manner", "very bright and able", "got his foot on the accelerator", "would expect him to take silk soon".
Christopher Gibson QC
2 Crown Office Row
Called to the Bar: 197Appointed QC: 19
Professional achievements:
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Areas of practice:
All types of professional negligence work, including building professionals, valuers, solicitors and barristers, accountants and doctors, as well as general commercial litigation and insurance.
Recent reported cases:
Banque Bruxelles Lambert v Eagle Star (settled before going to House of Lords); Abbey National v Key Surveyors; Mortgage Express v Bowerman (1996); Thorman v New Hampshire Insurance (1988).
What they say about him:
"Extremely user-friendly", "ability to communicate at all levels", "pleasure to work with".