With sadness Erskine Chambers announces that John Cone, a former member and head of Chambers, died on 22nd March 2026 after a short illness.

25th March 2026

With sadness Erskine Chambers announces that John Cone, a former member and head of Chambers, died on 22^nd March 2026 after a short illness. He will be greatly missed by us all.

John was called to the Bar in 1975 and became a member of Chambers in 1977, on completion of his pupillage with the late Robin Potts QC. He quickly built up a thriving practice in insolvency and company work, gaining a great following amongst solicitors in the City. He was much valued for his intellect and ability to give clear and practical advice. Indeed, in his heyday, he was involved in a great many of the major corporate transaction in the City. In the Courts he was involved in many corporate battles and was frequently in demand. MB Group plc [1989] BCLC 672, Maxwell Communications Corp plc (No.2) [1994] I BCLC 1, Northern Engineering Industries plc [1994] 2 BCLC 705, BAT Industries plc (1998), RAC Motoring Services Ltd [2000] 1 BCLC 307 and Expro International Group plc [2010] 2 BCLC 514 are a few of the company law cases in which he appeared. He was a formidable, but fair opponent.

John led Chambers very successfully between 2006 and 2011 with a steady hand, courteously and with good humour. He gave tremendous support and encouragement to all members of Chambers, but especially to the junior members. John retired from Chambers in 2018.

John had a strong sense of values which guided his conduct in his professional and personal life, and which was an example to us all. He was a bencher of Middle Temple to which he made a great contribution.

In his retirement he moved to his native Yorkshire with his wife Alex, to whom we extend our deep sympathy.

Not only will John be remembered by members of Chambers and others as a very fine company lawyer, but, perhaps more importantly, as a very decent person; we will all miss him very much.