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. He is also frequently instructed as a senior junior as part of a larger team. Maxim is particularly known for his expertise in charity law, and is ranked as a leading junior in charities by both major directories.

He is described in the directories as “incredibly diligent and precise”, “a very strategic thinker, and his ability to steer a course through the issues and find tactical solutions is exceptional”, able “to pick up complex instructions and analyse very significant volumes of evidence in a short space of time”, “very bright” and having “a brilliant mind”, and being “hugely practical” with “great attention to detail”.

Within Maitland’s specialisms, he is particularly experienced in matters with a company, partnership, insolvency, trust and/or property component. He is ranked as a leading junior in both insolvency and property litigation by the Legal 500.




  • Expertise

    • Commercial Litigation & Arbitration

      Maxim is ranked as a leading junior in commercial chancery (Chambers & Partners) and has wide-ranging experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, including trials and interim applications.

    • Charities

      Maxim is one of the leading charities juniors at the Bar and is ranked as such by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. He has advised and acted for a wide range of large and small charities, for individual trustees, and for/against the Charity Commission.

    • Civil Fraud

      Maxim is ranked as a leading junior in commercial chancery (Chambers & Partners) and as such has a wide range of relevant experience in civil fraud disputes including trials and interim applications.

    • Company & Partnership

      Maxim has extensive experience, including trial experience, in company and partnership disputes, drawing on his experience as a leading junior in commercial chancery (Chambers & Partners) and insolvency (Legal 500).

    • Insolvency & Asset Recovery

      Maxim is ranked as a leading junior in insolvency (Legal 500) and has experience advising and appearing in a wide range of personal and corporate insolvency cases, acting for creditors, debtors, insolvency practitioners, and company directors.

    • Offshore & Trusts

      Maxim has experience in a wide range of trusts (both domestic and international) and offshore disputes. He draws on his experience as one of the leading juniors in charities at the Bar (Chambers & Partners and Legal 500).

    • Real Estate

      Maxim is ranked as a leading junior in property litigation (Legal 500). He has experience in all aspects of real estate litigation, commercial landlord and tenant, and residential landlord and tenant.

    • Private Client

      Maxim has acted for many individuals in respect of legal issues arising from wealth management (including investments), wills, trusts and probate, drawing on his experience as one of the leading charities juniors at the Bar.

  • Directory Quotes

    CAMBERS 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: