Mr Stuart Adair > Chambers of Elspeth Talbot Rice KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Noted for having broad expertise in insolvency and restructuring cases, members at XXIV Old Buildings handle a range of matters, from corporate and personal insolvency work to contentious and non-contentious matters. Barristers are often instructed in cases involving offshore issues in the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. Edward Cumming KC specialises in corporate insolvency and bankruptcy, and Elspeth Talbot Rice KC acted for Barclays Bank in the case GTC v Zedra/Barclays which dealt with a claim in Jersey. Stuart Adair is noted for his ‘in-depth knowledge of insolvency law,’ while Jessica Lavelle and Alex Peplow are names to watch.

At XXIV Old Buildings, ‘counsel are of an extremely high calibre‘, and clients remark on chambers’ ‘extremely complementary blend of private wealth, offshore, corporate and commercial expertise, which is well suited to heavyweight litigation‘. Shareholder disputes, often involving allegations of fraud, form the backbone of the set’s practice. Stephen Moverley Smith KC  continues to handle a high volume of prominent, high-profile company law cases, often involving international elements. Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is a ‘confident and experienced‘ silk, with a solid track record in advising on unfair prejudice claims and breach of duty issues. Stuart Adair is well versed in handling claims against directors and directors’ disqualification matters.

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.