Mr Steven Thompson KC KC > Chambers of Elspeth Talbot Rice KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

XXIV Old Buildings‘s members take instructions spanning the full breadth of aviation matters, covering insurance disputes, leasing issues that range from non-payment of rents to redelivery matters, and other claims arising out of hull losses. Steven Thompson KC is noted for his expertise in matters tied to aircraft maintenance and leasing challenges. Edward Cumming KC is highly sought after by airlines in dispute with lessors regarding aircraft condition, appearing for the airline in Jet2.com v SmartLynx, concerning liabilities resulting from the delivery of allegedly poorly maintained aircraft. Bajul Shah is acting for a number of hull risk reinsurers facing claims in the wake of Russian aircraft seizures, also taking on product liability cases in the sector, while Tom Stewart Coats‘ growing aviation practice encompasses redelivery disputes, acting for major airlines in relation to maintenance obligations.

Renowned for its offshore offering, XXIV Old Buildings fields ‘a strong bench’ that is well-equipped to handle shareholder disputes, breach of contract, civil fraud allegations, and other commercial instructions. Steven Thompson KC, acting for Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, and Edward Cumming KC, defending Sprite Aviation No. 6 DAC, were instructed to appear on opposite sides of a dispute concerning the interpretation of an operating lease agreement between the two parties. At the junior level, Stuart Adair represents Alawwal Capital JSC in Dubai International Financial Centre proceedings against Rasmala Investment Bank Limited, alleging that Rasmala’s misrepresentations induced Alawwal to invest in an offshore trade finance investment fund. Oliver Assersohn KC was elevated to silk in March 2024. Previously a senior practice manager, James Ladbrook is now the set’s COO.

With an ‘excellent stable of civil fraud barristers’, XXIV Old Buildings offers representation on a variety of civil fraud claims, including asset tracing, misappropriation of funds, and the worldwide enforcement of awards. The set is particularly recognised for its expertise in offshore litigation. Stephen Moverley Smith KC, Steven Thompson KC and Ben Waistell acted for the defendant life insurance company in Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda), a claim by the former Prime Minister of Georgia concerning the allegedly fraudulent actions of a rogue employee. Stuart Adair is appearing in McCarthy v Marshall, where the claimant alleges that the defendant fraudulently breached fiduciary duties by misappropriating and misapplying company assets, leading to the subsequent liquidation of their meat trading and importation business Emerald Meats (London) Limited. In Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan, a case involving claims of over $800m alleging bribery and money laundering by the former director general and various international banks, Francis Tregear KC represents Banque Mirabaud SA.

The members of XXIV Old Buildings are well-equipped to handle corporate, commercial, and finance-based disputes, including fraud and insolvency matters, before the courts of Gibraltar, Bermuda, BVI, the Cayman Islands, and the Crown Dependencies, including Jersey and Guernsey. Stephen Moverley Smith KC specialises in restructuring, fraud, and insolvency work, as well as cases surrounding allegations of corruption. He represented the successful respondent in the Cayman Court of Appeal in a case which saw, for the first time, an appellant decision confirming the jurisdictional power and scope of the Grand Court when considering injunctions in support of foreign arbitrations (Minsheng Vocational Education Company Limited v Lead Education Holding Limited and Others). Francis Tregear KC has recently been active in major liquidation cases in Cayman, and David Brownbill KC is skilled in fraud and asset recovery claims. He is representing the defendant in the Gibraltar-based case of Ambra and Others v Fiman Limited and Others, which concerns allegations of breaches of statutory, fiduciary, and tortious duties which are said to have caused substantial losses to several offshore companies. International disputes specialist Steven Thompson KC is active in the BVI, where he has appeared before the Court of Appeal and Privy Council. A key junior, Bajul Shah boasts company, commercial, and insolvency expertise.