There are few teams of legal eagles that could rival the one put together for the benefit of the very rich Baron Hans Hienrich Thyssen-Bornemisza to fight his son for a business worth the small sum of $2.7 billion.

The only comparable group of the cream of the British justice system is the one representing the baron's son George Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza (who is also very rich) to defend him against his father's actions.

In charge of the baron's team is Michael Crystal QC, a colourful character who deals with his opponents as a pit-bull would savage a small animal.

Crystal was listed this year in the Chambers and Partners as one of the UK lawyers who earns over 1 million a year ($1.6 million). Also named on the list was his partner in crime Robert Ham QC.

Crystal, who is 51 and lives in London, became a Queen's Counsel -- an elite legal ranking -- in 1984.

There are only 700-800 QCs who represent the top 10 percent of their profession. Often known as silks, for the shiny gowns they wear, they sit at the front of court and lead the proceedings.

In an article in the Times on the Chambers and Partners list, Teena SenGupta, editor of the directory said that some of those in the million-a-year-club would be earning 2 million gross. A top lawyer in practice can charge up to 1,000 an hour ($1,600).

Crystal is rated as one of the UK's top commercial barristers. Mr. Crystal reportedly argued before it was decided where the case should heard, that he needed extra space for his wild gesticulations.

Crystal attended Leeds Grammar School, attended both the University of London and Oxford, and was called to the bar in 1970.

Crystal has been involved in some very high profile cases. He represented the pensioners in the Maxwell case, the creditors after the BCCI collapse and J.P.

Getty junior in the Getty Trust litigation. He also represented the creditors for Mentor Insurance in Bermuda.

Robert Ham QC is also rated as one of England's finest. He has been involved in equally high-profile cases including the National Grid vs the Pensions Ombudsman and the National Bus Company pension scheme litigation.

Ham, Crystal, et all from London have been instructed by Appleby, Spurling and Kempe, one of Bermuda's leading law firms.

Heading up the Bermuda team is Geoffrey Bell, the senior counsel at AS&K and one of the best in the Bermudian law fraternity.

Also on the team is Jerome Dill, the former Deputy Premier and partner in AS&K Mr. Dill is also considered one of the most senior lawyers on the Island.

Arabella di Iorio is also an associate in AS&K. Mrs di Iorio was born in Italy and raised in the UK and has a bachelor's degree in jurisprudence from Oxford University in 1986.

She was called to the bar in Bermuda last September. She was called a "rising star'' in the legal profession in the 1996 -- 1997 edition of the Chambers Directory -- the most prominent guide to English and Welsh lawyers.

Crystal has his chambers in 3/4 South Square, Gray's Inn, in London. David Alexander is another leading barrister on the side, and son of Lord Alexander, the former chairman of NatWest Bank, also works in the chambers with Crystal.

Junior barrister Samantha Knights also works with Crystal in South Square.

Allan Reason, a London solicitor, who works for Davies, Arnold and Coopers is also on the team.

Michael Crystal