Herbert Smith, Pinsent Masons and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert have all secured roles on a £22m case against a barrister, which is set to go to court later this month.

The negligence claim, which is thought to be one of the largest cases ever pursued against a barrister, was brought against tax specialist Adrian Shipwright of Pump Court Tax Chambers and accountancy firm Baker Tilly by approximately 75 claimants.

The claim, filed in the High Court in 2006, alleges Shipwright and Baker Tilly were negligent in advice they gave the claimants, which include Terra Firma chief executive Guy Hands, about the availability of tax relief on investments in film finance schemes.

Herbert Smith disputes partner Ted Greeno is advising the claimants, with Three Verulam Buildings' Christopher Symons QC and Cyril Kinsky instructed as counsel. Pinsent Masons litigation partner David Lancaster is advising Shipwright with Blackstone Chambers' joint head of chambers Ian Mill QC and Brick Court Chambers' Tom Adam QC instructed as counsel.

Lancaster said: "I have advised Shipwright that he has a strong defence on all aspects of the pleaded issues of the case and I fully expect the claims against him to fail."

Meanwhile, Baker Tilly is being advised by Barlows' newly-appointed senior partner Simon Konsta, with Four New Square's Justin Fenwick QC and David Turner instructed as counsel.

The case is set to go to trial for four weeks at the end of June after talks between the parties are thought to have failed. This claim will be closely watched by negligence specialists as claims of this size against barristers are highly unusual.