Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd > Douglas, Isle Of Man > Firm Profile

Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd > Firm Profile

Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd is a specialist litigation practice in the heart of Douglas, the Isle of Man’s capital.

The firm: Hazel Smith, Darren Taubitz and Vicki Unsworth pooled their knowledge, experience and skills to offer their clients a fully functioning litigation practice.  Since inception, Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd has built up an experienced team of advocates in order to ensure that clients can obtain the advice they require. Each of the advocates bring their own expertise and reputation for demanding high standards and obtaining the best result possible for each client to the practice which strives to offer a gold standard service to all clients.

Whereas many firms in the Isle of Man are limited in their scope of practice, the experience and expertise of our advocates means that the entire spectrum of litigation is covered by the firm, a rare benefit in the Isle of Man. Further, the team at Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd work together on cases to ensure clients get the full benefit of the knowledge and experience on offer, in a cost effective manner, with no double charging.

Hazel Smith, Darren Taubitz and Vicki Unsworth are assisted by associates Kate Alexander, Andrew Baker, Matt Wilshaw, and trainee Sara-Jayne Dodge.  In addition, Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd has a number of consultancy agreements in place with senior barristers and advocates, which expands on the expertise and experience on offer to clients.

The firm is very well regarded and receives a number of referrals from larger firms. All advocates are very positively received by the courts, and are routinely praised by the judiciary for their advocacy and case presentation.

A large percentage of the firm’s clients are based on the Island, however Vicki Unsworth’s practice spans the globe. The firm acts for clients from every walk of life, and is not afraid to give a voice and a chance to the most vulnerable members of society, even if it means working on a pro bono basis. At the other end of the spectrum the firm is involved in a lot of high-value litigation, working with some of the leading firms in the UK, the Caribbean and the US. A number of large clients and national insurers are now instructing the firm in place of tier 1 and 2 firms that they historically instructed.

Throughout 2019, Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd has grown from strength to strength and has been exceptionally busy. Darren Taubitz and Vicki Unsworth have been instructed to act in a number of very high profile regulatory cases forging the way by defending the first prosecutions in the regulatory sphere, both AML and Data Protection, as well as working with the FSA on mutual cooperation cases and litigation avoidance.  The reputations, hard work and court room ability of all of the advocates have ensured success, and that the firm continues to grow organically, with the associate advocates now becoming leading junior advocates.

Types of work undertaken: Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd covers all areas of court work.

Commercial litigation: Vicki Unsworth is known for international commercial litigation including insolvency and trust litigation, with both Darren Taubitz and Vicki Unsworth having an excellent reputation in regulatory compliance and data protection.  Vicki Unsworth has passed the Institute of Directors Diploma with Distinction and is a member of the Institute of Directors, which gives her a fantastic insight into all areas of business when advising.  Andrew Baker, Matt Wilshaw and Sara-Jayne Dodge assist in these matters.

Criminal litigation: Darren Taubitz is one of the Island’s leading criminal defence advocates.  Each of Kate Alexander and Matt Wilshaw are experienced in criminal litigation and are known to be two of the leading juniors at the criminal bar.

Matrimonial and children law: Hazel Smith is a leader in the field of matrimonial and children, being one of the Island’s most experienced advocates.  Kate Alexander works alongside Hazel Smith, and Kate Alexander is developing as a leading junior advocate in this field.

Personal injury and medical negligence: Hazel Smith and Vicki Unsworth are both renowned as being leading advocates in personal injury (both claimant and defendant) and medical negligence cases.  Each of Kate Alexander, Matt Wilshaw and Sara-Jayne Dodge also work within these areas of law.

Regulatory and data protection: Darren Taubitz and Vicki Unsworth undertake a significant amount of work in the regulatory and data protection fields, as this is an area of law that is ever growing and developing.  They provide advice and assistance to some heavy weight clients from international companies to local start ups in relation to these fields of work. Both Darren Taubitz and Vicki Unsworth are qualified Data Protection Practitioners (GDPR) and Vicki Unsworth also holds a certificate in Anti Money Laundering.  Both Darren Taubitz and Vicki Unsworth, assisted by Matt Wilshaw, Andrew Baker and Sara-Jayne Dodge have been engaged in large scale advice and representation in relation to defending data protection offences as well as regulatory offences and avoiding prosecution in relation thereto.  They work closely with the ICO, FSA, FIU and ECU in seeking to reach the best possible outcome for their clients.

The firm also has extensive experience in general civil litigation and employment law, in respect of which all associates assist.

All fee-earners regularly appear before the courts from the Summary Court up to the Court of Appeal.

Lawyer Profiles

Photo	Name	Position	Profile
	Kate Alexander	Associate Advocate	View Profile
	Andrew Baker	Associate Advocate	View Profile
	Sara-Jayne Dodge	Trainee Advocate	View Profile
	Hazel Smith	Consultant Advocate	View Profile
	Darren Taubitz	Director	View Profile
	Vicki Unsworth	Director	View Profile
	Matt Wilshaw	Associate Advocate	View Profile