Maxim Cardew

Call: 2012

Maxim is a commercial and chancery barrister, ranked as a leading junior in commercial litigation and commercial chancery by the Legal 500 and Chambers UK. He is an experienced advocate both at trial and at interlocutory applications and hearings. Maxim is described in the directories as “technically brilliant” and “incredibly diligent and precise”, with “excellent attention to detail” and “impressive advocacy skills”. He is also frequently instructed as a senior junior as part of a larger team.

Within Maitland’s specialisms, Maxim is particularly experienced in matters relating to insolvency, companies and partnerships. He is ranked as a leading junior in insolvency by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. He has previously served on Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel, so has particular experience in cases involving HMRC, the Official Receiver and the Secretary of State for Business. Maxim is also ranked as a leading junior in property litigation, and is particularly known for his expertise in charity law, in which he is ranked as a leading junior by both major directories.

For his pro bono work, Maxim has received a Pro Bono Champion Award from the Chancery Bar Association and also appears on the Lady Chief Justice’s inaugural Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales.


  • Expertise

    • Commercial Litigation & Arbitration

      Maxim is ranked as as leading junior in commercial litigation (Legal 500) and commercial chancery (Chambers & Partners). He has substantial experience in high-value and complex contractual and debt claims; freezing injunctions and other applications for interlocutory relief; and issues relating to service out and challenging jurisdiction.

      His significant cases include Nederlandse Financierings-maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden NV v Societe Bengaz SA [2024] EWHC 901 (Comm) and The Official Receiver v Shop Direct Finance Company Limited [2023] EWCA Civ 367; [2023] 2 All ER (Comm) 1074.

    • Insolvency & Asset Recovery

      Maxim is ranked as as leading junior in insolvency by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. He has substantial experience in directors disqualification; high-value, complex or disputed winding-up petitions; transaction avoidance; and applications relating to administrations. 

      Maxim previously served on the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel, including regularly acting for HMRC in insolvency matters and being instructed on the Carillion disqualification litigation, so has particular experience in cases involving HMRC, the Official Receiver, and the Secretary of State for Business.

      His significant cases include The Official Receiver v Shop Direct Finance Company Limited [2023] EWCA Civ 367; [2024] BPIR 185.

    • Company & Partnership

      Maxim has substantial experience in company and partnership matters, including shareholder disputes; directors disqualification; breach of directors’ duties; disputes about the existence of partnerships and/or the ownership of partnership property; and the dissolution of partnerships and taking of partnership accounts. 

      His significant cases include Destiny Investments (1993) Ltd v TH Holdings Ltd (Re TPD Investments Ltd) [2017] EWHC 657 (Ch). He has previously served on Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel, including being instructed on the Carillion disqualification litigation, so also has particular experience in cases involving HMRC, the Official Receiver and the Secretary of State for Business.

    • Charities

      Maxim is one of the top charity juniors at the bar, and has been ranked as a leading junior for many years by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. He is familiar with all aspects of charity law, including advising on trustee duties; investments by charities; trustee disqualification; applications for permission from the Charity Commission; and disputes regarding the appointment/removal of trustees. Maxim acted for the successful claimants in the landmark case of Butler-Sloss v Charity Commission for England and Wales [2022] EWHC 974 (Ch); [2022] Ch 371.

    • Real Estate

      Maxim is ranked as a leading junior in property litigation by the Legal 500. He has substantial experience in mortgage litigation, commercial and residential landlord and tenant, and issues relating to easements and restrictive covenants. His significant cases include EMI Group Ltd v The Prudential Assurance Company Ltd [2020] EWHC 2061 (Ch); [2021] 1 P & CR 17.

  • Directory Quotes

    CHAMBERS UK CHARITIES (2025)

    "Maxim Cardew has a strong commercial chancery litigation practice and is frequently instructed by trustees and beneficiaries for charity disputes. He also has experience acting for and against the Charity Commission."

    CHAMBERS UK RESTRUCTURING/INSOLVENCY (2025)

    "Maxim Cardew focuses his practice on commercial chancery litigation and is highly regarded for his insolvency practice. Cardew often acts as sole counsel, and his practice encompasses administration and insolvency following bankruptcy cases."

    CHAMBERS UK CHARITIES (2024)

    "Maxim is technically brilliant, incisive and to the point. A good man to turn to when it matters."

    CHAMBERS UK CHANCERY: COMMERCIAL (2024)

    "He has impressive advocacy skills and shows excellent attention to detail."

    CHAMBERS UK CHANCERY: COMMERCIAL (2024)

    "A very considered, thoughtful, methodical lawyer, who likes to work collaboratively. If I want something where I need a considered and careful approach, he's the one as he will put all of the pieces of the puzzle together. Quite a quirky individual in a really good way, breaks the mould of what you'd expect of a barrister, proving brilliant in a modern, understated way. He is just very easy to work with and has a nice manner."

    CHAMBERS UK CHANCERY: COMMERCIAL (2024)

    "Really good with clients and opponents, and excellent on the law. There's nothing missing from the package."

    LEGAL 500 INSOLVENCY (2024)

    "Maxim is thorough and has excellent attention to detail. He is also responsive and user-friendly."

    LEGAL 500 CHARITIES (2024 )

    “Maxim is technically brilliant. He has a first rate mind, is confident on his feet and has full command of his brief.”

    Chambers UK Commercial Chancery (2023)

    "Maxim is absolutely super. He is very bright, very considered and highly resilient: just what you want in a junior barrister."

    Chambers UK Commercial Chancery (2023)

    "He is very astute and his input is very valuable."

    Legal 500 Insolvency (2023)

    "A true asset to have on your team when there is a difficult issue or time sensitivity."

    Chambers UK Charities (2023)

    "Maxim Cardew is a very strategic thinker, and his ability to steer a course through the issues and find tactical solutions is exceptional. He has a brilliant mind and is making a real name for himself."

    Legal 500 Charities (2023)

    "Maxim is both hugely practical and has great attention to detail."

    Legal 500 Property Litigation (2023)

    ‘Maxim is extremely considered when giving his views and provides detailed and thorough analysis. ’

    Legal 500 UK Insolvency (2022)

    “Maxim has demonstrated the ability to pick up complex instructions and analyse very significant volumes of evidence in a short space of time.”

    Chambers UK Charities (2022)

    “Very prompt, attentive and courteous. He has assisted greatly in simplifying my job in extracting the correct details and instructions from my clients." "He is particularly friendly, open and keen to understand bigger picture.”

    Legal 500 UK Charities (2022)

    “Maxim is incredibly diligent and precise. His knowledge of charity law matters is formidable.”

  • Notable Cases

    Maxim Cardew's notable cases include: