Serle Court

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Christopher Stoner KC

Chris specialises in both property litigation and the regulatory/disciplinary aspects of sports law. Chris undertakes work in all aspects of property litigation encompassing real property, and both residential and commercial landlord and tenant work. In the field of real property Chris has developed a particular specialism in the law relating to canals and water, which work often involves consideration of difficult issues relating to riparian rights and ancient title documentation as well as the understanding and application of aged private Acts of Parliament. Chris has acted extensively for British Waterways and its statutory successor the Canal & River Trust, and also for other public authorities as well as for private individuals on canal and water based matters. Chris also regularly advises and litigates on registration, option, easement and covenant issues. As a corollary of his work relating to waterways, Chris also has expertise in advising on Human Rights issues relating to property interests. Chris also has a real interest in rights of light and will be an author of ‘Rights of Light: The Modern Law’ 4th Edition (Lexis Nexis) along with Andrew Francis and Tom Weekes KC. The 4th edition is to be published later in 2024. In the field of landlord & tenant Chris has particular expertise in service charge disputes (especially in the context of representative actions for large numbers of tenants) as well as extensive experience of matters such as the 1954 Act, dilapidations claims, options and the construction and enforcement of tenant covenants. In sports law Chris has many years of experience in appearing before various tribunals, from domestic disciplinary hearings to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland as well as in High Court litigation. Chris is particularly well respected for his work in relation to selection issues and Paralympic classification issues. Chris has acted for numerous governing bodies in sports as diverse as football, swimming, diving, cricket, tennis, rugby and boxing and as well as prosecuting (or defending) regulatory and disciplinary matters. Chris has been appointed to chair numerous disciplinary panels.

Giles Richardson KC

Giles took silk in 2022. He specialises in trusts, probate, company and fiduciary obligations litigation, both in London and offshore, as well as associated professional negligence and fraud work. He also acts in high value financial remedy actions in the Family Division. Giles is ranked in Chambers and Partners for all of Traditional Chancery, Commercial Chancery, Offshore, Trusts and Family/Matrimonial: Trusts/Tax Experts being described as “Personable and supremely intelligent, he has a great way with clients”; "Giles' advice is very helpful, very user-friendly, and very commercial. It has rigorous analysis behind it. He's really bright and a real team player”; Calm, measured and assured as an advocate, he adopts a clinical approach that is devastatingly effective”. He is also recommended in Legal 500 for Private Client: Trusts and Probate, Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy, Company law and Offshore work.

Rupert took silk in 2014, having won 'Chancery Junior of the Year' at the Chambers Bar Awards in 2013. In the same year, he was included in the Chambers 100: UK Bar list of the top 100 junior barristers across all fields. Since 2014, he has been consistently identified as a leader of the Bar across various fields in Chambers Global, Chambers UK Bar, Legal 500 and other directories. He has a broad commercial and financial dispute practice, with a focus on agreements arising out of property investment, finance, development, and management, as well as wider fraud, banking, and shareholder disputes. In his UK practice, he has recently led trial teams in one of the Lawyer’s ‘Top 20’ cases in each of 2022 (Aurium) and 2023 (Asturion). His practice in England is primarily in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. He has a substantial overseas practice before arbitral tribunals and in the courts of offshore jurisdictions, in particular, the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) Courts. His international work commonly involves issues as to interim injunctive relief, jurisdiction, applicable law and cross-border enforcement. Rupert has an established reputation in cases in the Middle East and in London involving parties from the Gulf and wider MENA region. He is fluent in French and has a working knowledge of Arabic, and has significant experience of issues of law and practice arising in Saudi Arabia, as well as the UAE, Egypt and other civil law jurisdictions. He co-edits the DIFC Courts Practice, the leading text-book on DIFC substantive and procedural law, to which a number of members of Chambers have contributed. In his foreword, the Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts generously commented of the editors that ‘few have made as great a contribution to the development of the laws and rules’. He is regularly appointed as an arbitrator in commercial, banking and property matters in the Middle East and has significant experience as co-arbitrator, chairperson and sole arbitrator in DIAC and DIFC-LCIA arbitrations. He has even wider experience as counsel in LCIA, LICA-DIFC, ICC, DIAC and LMAA arbitrations seated in Europe and the Gulf. He is a member of both the DIAC Rules Task Force and the DIFC Court’s Arbitration Working Group, and was appointed in 2023 as a member of the DIAC Court. Rupert accepts professional negligence and indemnity work for both claimants and defendants across a broad range of professionals, including solicitors, barristers, IFAs, company directors and property professionals. Rupert's work and reputation have been widely recognized: in Chancery Commercial practice and Middle East Commercial practice in Chambers Global; in Chancery Commercial, Real Estate Litigation, and Professional Negligence in Chambers UK Bar; in Commercial Litigation in London and the Middle East, Property Litigation and Banking and Finance in the Legal 500; and in Civil Fraud and Real Estate in Who's Who Legal: UK Bar. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the world’s leading property practitioners in WWL’s Real Estate Report 2022.

Hugh Norbury KC

Hugh is recognised as a leading silk at the Chancery Commercial Bar. He has a broad commercial and chancery practice, with a particular emphasis on cases involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and confidential information. He is highly recommended by the leading directories in all his principal practice areas. He has been involved in some of the most significant fraud cases of recent years. Currently he is co-leading for the claimant in Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan & ors, a claim for in excess of US$800m arising out of alleged bribery of the former Director General of the Kuwaiti State Pension and Social Security Fund. Hugh is also leading a defence team in Jinxin v Aser Media Pte Limited & ors, a US$660m claim for rescission or damages arising out of alleged deceit in the purchase by a Chinese fund of a controlling interest in a leading sports media rights group. He previously acted in Vale v Steinmetz, a £1 billion-plus claim relating to a mining joint venture in Guinea. Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, has brought a claim against various directors and controllers within the BSGR group to set aside a joint venture for fraudulent misrepresentation. He is also currently acting in Ballacorey Wheat v Brown & ors, a fraud claim commenced in 2019 in the Isle of Man (relating to asset management) and in Athene v Siddiqui & ors, a claim commenced in Bermuda involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and dishonest assistance relating to confidential information in insurance and private equity. In 2019 and 2020, Hugh represented Charles Saatchi in proceedings against a former trusted advisor in relation to misappropriations relating to Mr Saatchi’s famous art collection. In 2019, Hugh acted for the film and music business Entertainment One in fraud proceedings relating to secret commissions paid to senior employees. Between 2018 and 2019, he was involved in Arcelormittal v Essar Steel, a huge claim arising out of efforts to enforce an underlying arbitration between two steel manufacturing giants. In 2018 he led one of the defence teams in Accident Exchange v McLean & ors, a £127 million conspiracy claim brought by a firm of credit hire providers against experts and solicitors previously involved in litigation against the credit hire providers.

Philip Marshall KC

“One of the Bar’s most successful silks”, Philip Marshall KC is a senior commercial and chancery silk who specialises in complex commercial disputes and commercial fraud, particularly international fraud. He continues to be involved in a number of high profile matters and is “selected for very sophisticated cases”. In 2009 he was authorised to sit as Deputy High Court Judge (Chancery and Queen’s Bench Division) and regularly acts and advises in several overseas jurisdictions including the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda and Hong Kong. He is called to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands. Philip is classified in Chambers & Partners as one of “the Stars at the Bar” and is recommended in 8 different practice areas. He is a Legal Commentator for television and was The Times ‘Lawyer of the week’ for work on a major fraud case. Philip was awarded 'Chancery Silk of the Year' at the Chambers Bar Awards 2020.

John Machell KC

John has a broad commercial chancery practice, and particular experience of large-scale litigation involving trusts, fiduciary duties, and fraud and trusts, particularly with an international dimension. John is regarded as one of the leading partnership and LLP silks and has experience of a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious matters across the whole range of business sectors. A large part of his work involves issues arising from the use of partnerships and LLPs in hedge fund and private equity structures; in international commercial group structures; and as part of wealth planning strategies. A substantial part of John’s practice relates to trusts, mostly offshore, and he has appeared in the Grand Court in Cayman on a number of occasions in the last few years. John acts as an arbitrator and as an expert pursuant to expert determination agreements. As a member of the Football Premier League Panel, John sat as the chair of an inquiry into Hull City's ticketing policy. John has conducted internal inquiries on professional conduct and other matters for firms of solicitors.

Elizabeth Jones KC

Described recently by Chambers & Partners as "superlative and top of the tree" and as a "renowned trial advocate", Liz is widely recognized as a first class litigator, noted for her intellectual rigour, hands-on approach and team work. In addition to general commercial/contract/company disputes, she has particular expertise in civil fraud and asset tracing, banking and financial services (including regulatory work), contentious trust and probate, and has nearly 30 years' experience in the music business. Most of her cases are complex, multi-party and often cross-jurisdictional disputes. Liz is noted by clients and directories for her highly persuasive advocacy and her ability to master and control very large scale and often cross jurisdictional litigation. She regularly works in the Channel Islands and is called to the Bar in the BVI. Liz is Head of Chambers. Liz also has significant regulatory and disciplinary experience, having been Complaints Ombudsman for LIFFE between 2000 and 2008. Liz is a well known mediator, and this forms a small but significant part of her practice. She also sits as a deputy High Court Judge in the Chancery Division. Liz has fought several cases in different jurisdictions where the governing law of the dispute was Saudi law, in particular in the areas of contract law, agency, tort, and commercial distribution within Saudi Arabia.

Philip Jones KC

Philip Jones KC has been named by Chambers & Partners 2023 as one of its 21 Stars at the Bar. He has frequently been named by Chambers & Partners as one of the Stars at the Bar during the last 18 years. He was ranked in 9 different practice areas (there are 5 tier levels in each area): Chancery Commercial (Tier 1), Company (Tier 1), Partnership (Tier 1), Offshore (Tier 1), Commercial Dispute Resolution (Tier 2), Civil Fraud (Tier 2), Restructuring and Insolvency (Tier 2), Tax (Tier 2), Professional Negligence (Tier 3). In Legal 500 Philip was ranked in 8 different practice areas: Company (Tier 1), Partnership (Tier 1), Offshore (Tier 1), Private Client: trusts and probate (Tier 1), Insolvency (Tier 2), Civil Fraud (Tier 2), Professional Negligence (Tier 3), Commercial Litigation (Tier 3) He has a broad commercial and chancery practice but having been Junior Counsel to the Crown from 1994 to 2006 he also has considerable experience of advising on all aspects of public law, human rights and judicial review. He frequently advises on the commercial, company, trusts and insolvency laws of Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and various Caribbean jurisdictions. He was called to the BVI Bar in 2002 and has frequently appeared in the BVI High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Jonathan Harris KC

Professor Jonathan Harris KC (Hon.) practises in all core areas of commercial and chancery litigation. He has a pre-eminent reputation in the field of private international law and specialises in cross-border disputes (particularly disputes raising issues of jurisdiction, arbitration, anti-suit injunctions, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and choice of law- both under the European legislation and the common law rules). He also specialises in offshore litigation. He has also drafted firewall and asset protection legislation for a number of offshore jurisdictions (including BVI and Gibraltar). Jonathan is joint general editor (with Lord Collins of Mapesbury) of the leading work Dicey, Morris and Collins, The Conflict of Laws (and is also responsible for eleven chapters). Jonathan was instructed for the successful appellant in the Privy Council in Hutcheson v Spread Trustees, a case concerning trustee exemption clauses in Guernsey. He was also instructed for the successful respondent in the landmark Supreme Court case of Granatino v Radmacher on pre-nuptial agreements. He has been instructed in landmark offshore cases including Charman v Charman and Mubarak v Mubarak. Jonathan also regularly provides expert opinions on English law for foreign proceedings as well as on the law of offshore jurisdictions. Jonathan is a member of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Private International Law. He was legal advisor to the Ministry of Justice in negotiations on the EU Succession Regulation. He gave evidence to the House of Lords EU Select Committee on the implications of Brexit for cross-border dispute resolution. He is author of The Hague Trusts Convention and co-author of International Sale of Goods in the Conflict of Laws. He has also contributed to two editions of Underhill and Hayton, Law of Trusts and Trustees and to Benjamin’s Sale of Goods (8th edition). He is co-editor of the Journal of Private International Law, joint general editor of the Oxford Private International Law Series and an editorial board member of Trusts and Trustees. He is a member of STEP and honorary member of ACTAPS. Jonathan also holds the position of Professor of International Commercial Law at King’s College, London on a part-time basis; and is Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford and Harris Manchester College, Oxford. He has previously been Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore and Visiting Professorial Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Australia. Jonathan’s practice was the subject of a profile in the New Law Journal.

Dan McCourt Fritz KC

Dan was among the very first of his cohort to take silk, at only 15 years' call - an achievement made more remarkable by the fact that Dan practises across a wide range of heavyweight chancery commercial specialisms. His appointment as a KC represented a natural progression from his position as one of the most sought after and highly rated chancery commercial juniors at the Bar (most recently recognised by his 2022 shortlisting by Legal 500 for chancery junior of the year). Dan is recognised by the main directories as a leading practitioner in Civil Fraud, Offshore, Chancery Commercial, Commercial Disputes and Company and Partnership Law. Dan’s practice centres on three inter-related areas: company law, civil fraud and trust disputes. In company law, during the past two years Dan has appeared in the Court of Appeal in three appeals concerning unfair prejudice (Zedra, Loveridge (No.1) and Loveridge (No.2)) and as sole advocate in the notorious BIG (regarding the scope and effect of the rule against reflective loss). Dan’s clients succeeded in all four appeals. In civil fraud, Dan is lead advocate for the claimant in Isbilen, a multi-jurisdictional fraud claim arising from the alleged misappropriation of some £40 million, and (led by David Allison QC) acts for the plaintiffs in Re The Port Fund, in which the general partner of a Caymanian exempted liability partnership is alleged to have conspired with others to cause losses exceeding £100 million to the fund’s limited partners. Dan’s trust practice has a strong international element: notable recent cases include Re The Brockman Trust – in which (led by John Machell KC) Dan acted for the successful respondent to an appeal concerning a Bermudan trust worth some $8 billion – and Volpi (ongoing proceedings in the Bahamas relating to a group of high value family trusts). Dan is also regularly instructed in domestic trust disputes; he is currently acting for a Jersey trustee in English proceedings, defending a claim for alleged dishonest breaches of trust which is said to be worth £30 million. In the majority of his cases Dan acts as lead or sole advocate. He is however equally comfortable working under more senior KCs within or outside chambers, as he is currently doing across a range of cases in England and overseas. Dan’s ability and experience as an oral advocate are outstanding, especially given his call: his recent appearances include numerous appeals in the Court of Appeal, lengthy High Court trials and arbitrations involving extensive cross-examination, and heavy interlocutory applications (including in particular applications for search orders, freezing orders and proprietary injunctions). In Chambers & Partners Dan is described as “magnificent in court”, with his advocacy being recognised as "incredibly impressive" and “exceptional”. To similar effect, Legal 500 praises Dan as “a fierce intellect and a brilliant advocate”, whose advocacy is "persuasive and skilful beyond his years". Across the broad spectrum of his practice, Dan has developed noteworthy expertise in committal proceedings (representing both applicants and respondents). He has acted in many of the leading civil contempt cases over the past decade, including Loveridge (No.2), Isbilen v Turk, Super-Max v Malhotra, Emmott v Willson, Ablyazov, Berry Piling and Masri.

Michael Edenborough KC

Michael’s practice involves advice and advocacy on infringement and validity issues concerning all types of IPRs. As such, he deals with declarations of invalidity, revocation, rectification and cancellation of registered intellectual property rights such as trade marks, registered designs and patents. He is often instructed in cases involving the main unregistered IPRs such as goodwill, copyright, designs and confidential information, and also the more unusual rights such as plant varieties, moral rights, database rights and geographical indications. Further, he has been instructed on matters dealing with title to IPRs, Freedom of Information requests relating to IPRs, data protection, the calculation of the financial relief and what other remedies that might be available. His forte is finding points of law and practice that can be invoked in order to solve a problem that has arisen for the client (be it lay or professional). In addition, Michael acts as an expert witness on points of English law in foreign cases, and as a mediator in IP cases - in particular where the parties wish to adopt the facilitative approach for their mutual advantage.

Dominic Dowley KC

Dominic Dowley KC is a highly-regarded commercial and contentious chancery silk with a wide and lengthy experience (both as a silk and formerly as a junior) of chancery and commercial litigation, including extensive experience of civil fraud litigation, contentious trusts, banking and financial services (including regulation), commercial litigation/arbitration, insurance and reinsurance, ancillary proceedings, asset-tracing and recovery. He has conducted lengthy trials both in England and abroad. His experience in foreign jurisdictions includes disputes concerning Guernsey, Jersey, Bermuda, the Bahamas, St Christopher & Nevis, the Isle of Man, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and various of the United States.

Tom Braithwaite

Tom practises in all areas of chancery commercial work, with a particular emphasis on: Property Litigation Partnership - Professional partnership disputes, LLPs and dissolutions Commercial litigation Company & Insolvency Wills & Trusts, including offshore trusts Professional Negligence - in these and other fields

David Blayney KC

David has a commercial and chancery practice with a particular focus on disputes involving complex financial or quantum issues. He is often involved in large commercial matters, where he brings a rigorous and imaginative approach to finding the arguments most likely to prevail. Major cases in which David has been involved includes the litigation arising out of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the test case on the fairness of bank charges and the group litigation relating to the RBS’s £12bn rights issue in 2008. David also deals effectively with discrete arguments of law or construction, as in his representation of the successful appellant in Brightsea UK Ltd Drachs Investments No.3 Ltd [2012] EWCA Civ 516 (dealing with the construction of a Tax Deed). David’s trial experience includes Singer v Beckett [2007] 2 BCLC 287, a 72 day wrongful trading trial at the end of which Park J described David as “remarkably gifted in relation to difficult financial and quantum issues” and commented “I can imagine how [the key witness on quantum] felt as Mr Blayney’s (totally charming and courteous) cross-examination progressed, demolishing large tracts of his evidence…"

Lance Ashworth KC

Lance is recommended by Chambers and Partners, the Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal and The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom. He is recognised as a leading silk with a commercial and chancery practice, having a particular focus on international litigation, civil multi-jurisdictional fraud, company and insolvency cases. He has a firm grasp of the commercial realities of any litigation and understands clients’ needs and wishes. Lance’s fraud practice is both international and domestic and at present includes acting for a Malian gold mine seeking to set aside a settlement agreement on the grounds of it having been induced by fraud; Hummingbird Resources, and acting for clients who are alleged to have defeated a claim by the production of forged documents; Taylor v. Khodabakhsh listed for October 2024. He has dealt with a substantial number of freezing orders, again both domestic and international. Lance has substantial expertise both at first instance and on appeal in company and commercial matters including unfair prejudice petitions, having been successful in 2 of the leading Court of Appeal cases in the last 3 years: Loveridge v. Loveridge and The Hut Group; breach of duty claims including being instructed in Wickers v. Humbles which is due to be heard in 2024 for 10 weeks in the Isle of Man, which will be one of the longest cases in the Isle of Man in recent years; share warranty claims, hedge fund claims and professional negligence cases. In insolvency matters, Lance deals with both corporate and personal insolvency. In 2022, he undertook the energy suppliers’ failure case: Croxen v. GEMA dealing with liabilities of the failed companies for renewables obligations and Suppliers of Last Resort, and was successful in Orca v. Dusoruth in establishing that where a bankruptcy order was made on the basis of what turned out to be an unliquidated debt, the Court retained a discretion not to annul the bankruptcy. He acts both for and against insolvency practitioners in claims against former directors, accountants and others, as well as having done a substantial number of cases involving more technical issues that arise under the Insolvency Act 1986. In addition, Lance has substantial expertise of the use of insolvency tools and section 423 Insolvency Act 1986 in order to effect recovery of assets both pre- and post-judgment, currently being instructed on several matters in this area. Lance was appointed a Recorder in 2005 and a Deputy High Court Judge of the Chancery Division from 2016 and sits in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions.

Jonathan Adkin KC

Jonathan Adkin KC is a leading Silk at the Chancery and Commercial Bar. His high-profile practice spans a wide range of fields in international and domestic chancery and commercial law. He appears regularly in the High Court and appellate Courts in England, in domestic and international arbitrations, and in international commercial Courts and offshore jurisdictions including Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the BVI, the DIFC and Gibraltar. In the leading legal directories (Chambers & Partners and Legal 500) Jonathan holds rankings across eight practice areas, encompassing Commercial Dispute Resolution, Commercial Chancery, Civil Fraud, Trusts and Probate, Company, Insolvency, Partnership and Offshore. Jonathan was named the Chancery Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards for 2022 and shortlisted for the same award in 2023 and 2024. He was named Trusts and Probate Silk of the Year at the Legal 500 Awards for 2017. He has also been recognised as one of The Lawyer magazine’s “Hot 100 Lawyers”. He is shortlisted for Commercial Dispute Resolution Silk of the year for the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards 2024.

Giselle McGowan

Giselle McGowan has a commercial chancery practice with a particular emphasis on insolvency, property and indirect tax litigation. Giselle is recognised as a Leading Junior for Restructuring and Insolvency by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, which describe her as “a fearsome and fearless advocate who is always deeply prepared and leaves no stone unturned” and “tenacious, hard-working and commercially astute”. Giselle has been appointed to the Attorney-General’s B Panel of Junior Counsel. She regularly represents and advises government departments including HMRC, the Department for Business and Trade, the Insolvency Service, the Official Receiver and the Chief Land Registrar. Prior to joining the Independent Bar, Giselle was an employed barrister at HMRC Solicitor’s Office, working in the Enforcement and Insolvency, Personal Tax and VAT teams.

Paul Chaisty KC

Paul is a leading specialist in chancery and commercial litigation across all fields especially commercial disputes, corporate shareholder actions, civil fraud, partnership, banking, sports law, and domestic and international arbitrations. Appears at all levels including Supreme Court/Privy Council, Court of Appeal, High Court and domestic and international arbitrations and is regularly instructed in litigation abroad including in the BVI, Cayman Islands, Singapore (where he is a registered overseas lawyer), the Isle of Man and in the Bahamas on an ad hoc basis. A specialist trial lawyer with a strong reputation for tactical advice and ruthless cross-examination Paul regularly acts in connection with freezing injunctions, provisional liquidators, and associated interim applications. Rated as “Star of the Bar” since 2015. Deputy High Court Judge in Chancery Division and QBD. Also a full member of Kings Chambers, Manchester.

Timothy Collingwood KC

Tim has a broad commercial and chancery practice, with a particular emphasis on litigation concerning issues in respect of commercial agreements and company, insolvency and international trusts matters. The directories recognise him as a leading practitioner in these fields. He has extensive experience of claims concerning breaches of duty, in particular in respect of directors or trustees and frequently involving allegations of fraud, and of shareholder disputes. Prior to commencing practice in this jurisdiction, Tim was called to the bar in the Cayman Islands and practised as an attorney-at-law. He continues to undertake work in respect of a number of offshore jurisdictions. He is called to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands.

Adrian de Froment

Adrian has a broad commercial chancery practice, with a particular focus on commercial disputes, intellectual property and civil fraud. Much of Adrian's work also has an international or cross-border element to it. He has substantial experience of acting in large, complex litigation having been instructed as part of the team acting for one of the defendants in Wong v Grand View Private Trust Company Limited and ors, one of the highest value trust cases to have been litigated, for the claimants in Mariana v BHP, the very large group action arising from the Fundão Dam environmental disaster in Brazil, and for the defendants in claims arising out of the £12 billion RBS rights issue. Adrian regularly appears unled in the High Court, including recently acting for a successful claimant in UK enforcement proceedings following judgment abroad for $135 million and as sole counsel for the successful defendants in INVISTA v Botes and ors [2019] EWHC 58 (Ch); [2019] 1 WLUK 170, a 7-day trial before Birss J of claims relating to alleged breaches of confidence by research scientists. He also has experience obtaining interim relief, including freezing relief. Prior to coming to the Bar, Adrian gained a PhD in evolutionary biology from Princeton University and as a former scientist he is well placed to deal with scientific and quantitative issues that arise in litigation.

Nicholas Harrison

For the last 15 years, Nicholas has specialized in large and complex commercial fraud and international trust cases, many of them offshore and/or with a multi-jurisdictional element. He is highly experienced in freezing injunctions and tracing remedies, as well as jurisdiction disputes. He has practiced in many different jurisdictions, including Bermuda, the Isle of Man, Jersey, the BVI, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. Nicholas’s practice is unusual in that he undertakes very few cases and will generally work on only one case at a time, sometimes over a period of several years. However he will also from time to time also undertake smaller cases.

David has a broad commercial chancery practice, encompassing general commercial litigation, commercial fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, company and insolvency, and professional negligence disputes, appearing in fora as diverse as the Technology and Construction Court and the European Commission. He is often involved in cases with an international element, and in matters arising from a complex or technical background.

Thomas has a wide-ranging commercial chancery practice with particular expertise in company law, civil fraud, insolvency and intellectual property. Notable recent matters include successfully appealing a finding of dishonesty in a three day appeal in the Court of Appeal (Floreat v Churchill [2023] EWCA Civ 440) (leading John Eldridge), successfully defending a claim to a property worth c. £8 million under s. 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (Lemos v Church Bay [2023] EWHC 2384 (Ch)) (leading Andrew Gurr), and appearing in the Court of Appeal in Marks & Spencer v Aldi Stores in a design right case relating to light-up snow globe gin liqueur bottles (led by Michael Edenborough KC). He also appeared as part of a team in two appeals to the Privy Council from The Bahamas. Thomas is due to appear in a three week Commercial Court fraud trial in the summer of 2024. Thomas is recognized in the Legal 500 as a leading practitioner in commercial litigation, company law, intellectual property and insolvency. He is one of the editors of Minority Shareholders: Law, Practice and Procedure (Joffe et al, 7th edn, 2024) and a contributing editor of CITMA’s Contentious Trade Mark Registry Proceedings (2nd edn, 2023).

Jonathan Fowles

Jonathan is a specialist in charity law, but also has supporting expertise in related areas of law, particularly trusts and probate, real property, and company law so far as it relates to charities. His practice encompasses both contentious and non-contentious work in the law of charities. He is Junior Counsel to the Treasury in Charity Matters, advising the Attorney General in their constitutional function as defender of charity and the charitable interest and representing them in litigation where necessary. He is also co-editor of the leading textbook, Tudor on Charities, 11th edn. (Sweet & Maxwell).

Andrew Moran KC

Barrister dealing with chancery/commercial litigation, commercial fraud, freezing and search and seize orders, insurance litigation and professional liability litigation.

Andrew’s practice has a very strong emphasis on real property law. He is recognised as a leading authority on the law of restrictive covenants affecting freehold land, and on the law of rights of light. He has been instructed in many of the major cases in these areas of law in the last three decades. He is the author of a textbook on restrictive covenants, and a co-author of textbooks on rights of light and private rights of way.

Dakis Hagen KC specialises in Chancery litigation, both commercial and traditional. His cases usually involve international structures, most often trusts and estates, allegations of fraud or professional negligence and asset tracing. Dakis is ranked in Chambers & Partners for Chancery: Commercial and Chancery: Traditional (Band 1) as well as for Trusts (Band 1), Offshore (Band 1) and Family/Matrimonial: Trusts/Tax Experts (Star Individual). Chambers HNW has placed him in Band 1 for Traditional Chancery. The Legal 500 ranks him for Private Client, Civil Fraud and Offshore (top ranked). He is named in the Legal Week Private Client Global Elite. The international nature of Dakis' practice has meant that he is instructed both by London solicitors and also directly from overseas (including from the USA, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands). He has appeared as leading counsel in courts in the Cayman Islands, BVI, Bermuda and Gibraltar as well as frequently in London. He is co-chairman of the Legal Week Trusts & Estates Litigation Forum and in 2022 was Citywealth Barrister of the Year.

Emma Hargreaves

Emma has a broad commercial chancery practice, with a particular focus on domestic and offshore trust/probate litigation, civil fraud, and company disputes. She also advises and appears as specialist Chancery counsel in financial remedy proceedings. Emma is often instructed to act as sole counsel, often appearing against more senior practitioners. She is also regularly instructed as junior counsel in large-scale commercial and chancery litigation, both onshore and offshore, and has previously appeared (ad hoc) as junior counsel in the Supreme Court of Bermuda. Emma is ranked in Legal 500, Who's Who Legal, Chambers UK Bar, Chambers Global and Chambers High Net Worth. She was named Chancery Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2020 and she was also named in The Lawyer's Hot 100 2019, which described her reputation as "superb". She is also listed in Legal Week's Private Client Global Elite: Rising Leaders and was "highly recommended" in Legal Week's Stars at the Bar 2017.

Jennifer Haywood

Having practised as a commercial-chancery barrister for over 20 years, Jennifer practises ADR as a neutral, helping parties to resolve their disputes by acting as an arbitrator, mediator or conducting binding or non-binding evaluations and private FDR’s. Jennifer’s experience as an arbitrator includes disputes involving partnerships, pharmaceuticals, companies, media contracts and finance agreements. She has been appointed to many of the major arbitral institution lists, including those of BVI IAC, HKIAC, AIAC and DIAC. She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She has acted as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and presiding arbitrator. Her experience as a mediator includes both commercial and private client disputes, reflecting her experience as counsel and her recognised client handling skills and commercial approach. She has particular experience of difficult partnership/JV disputes but she has also mediated company, commercial, property, wills and trusts disputes. She is experienced at remote mediations as well as in person mediations and has also conducted mediations with multiple parties. She is recommended as a mediator by Legal 500. Jennifer is able to draw on both her experience as a commercial chancery barrister and her medical science background. Her practice as a barrister has covered the breadth of commercial chancery practice, including litigation, drafting and advisory work, with a strong emphasis on disputes involving breach of fiduciary duty, company, partnership, trusts and probate and fraud. Particularly well-regarded for her commercial outlook and client interaction, Jennifer is praised by The Legal 500 as being “exceptionally user-friendly, easy work with and a great team player,” and Chambers and Partners says “she attracts particular praise for her excellent, candid and common sense-based client service.” She has been ranked in Tier 1 for Partnership work.

Daniel Lightman KC

As part of a broad Chancery-Commercial practice, Daniel Lightman KC often engages with challenging and novel issues of law and civil procedure, in particular concerning shareholder disputes (he has appeared in a number of landmark unfair prejudice petitions and derivative claims), company law (including in matrimonial proceedings), insolvency, civil fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and professional negligence. Shortlisted for Company/Insolvency Silk of the year for the Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards 2024, and previously recognised as one of The Lawyer magazine’s “Hot 100 Lawyers”, he is described by Chambers & Partners as “always [seeking] to find solutions to issues. He does creative and clever work… A man with a brilliant mind, who is really knowledgeable in his field”. Recent significant cases include Re Contingent and Future Technologies Ltd [2024] BCC 223; In re BHS Group Ltd (in liquidation) [2024] 1 BCLC 71; Re Klimvest plc [2023] 1 BCLC 388; Taylor Goodchild Ltd v Taylor [2022] 2 BCLC 27; Re Prospect Place (Wimbledon) Management Co Ltd [2022] BCC 1176; and King v Stiefel [2022] 1 All ER (Comm) 990. He is a co-author of two leading practitioner textbooks, contributing two chapters (on derivative claims and unfair prejudice petitions) to Joffe et al., Minority Shareholders: Law, Practice & Procedure (OUP, 7th Ed, 2024) and three chapters to Lightman & Moss, The Law of Receivers and Administrators of Companies (6th Ed, 2017). Other recent publications include: ‘Non-members and s 994 petitions: a novel approach’ (NLJ, 31 May 2024), ‘The rule in Clayton’s Case: its application in non-banking relationships’ (BJIBFL, May 2024), ‘The light at the end of the tunnel and the last throw of the die: liquidators’ claims against former directors following Sequana’ (IIRR 2023-24) and ‘Pleading Issues: Pick Your Battles’ (NLJ, 27 January 2023).

Justin Higgo KC

Justin Higgo KC has a broad commercial chancery practice with substantial expertise in litigating and arbitrating domestic and international commercial fraud disputes. His recent practice has involved both large scale long running and high profile proceedings in conjunction with established leaders (Sovcomflot, the BTA Bank litigation, Aeroflot v Berezovsky), and smaller scale proceedings in which he is most often instructed on his own or as the lead barrister. His recent work has included acting for and advising major multinational firms, UK and Jersey companies and a number of individuals in a wide range of legal disputes encompassing international and domestic fraud, jurisdiction disputes, breach of trust (domestic and offshore), shareholder disputes, misuse of confidential information, breach of contract predominantly in the commercial context and in the art world. Justin has considerable offshore experience and has acted in disputes in many offshore jurisdictions, including Jersey, Guernsey and the Cayman Islands, where he has also appeared.

Gregor has a busy commercial and chancery practice with a particular interest in commercial litigation, contentious trusts and probate (onshore and offshore), trusts issues in financial remedy proceedings, company and insolvency, and civil fraud. He regularly appears in the High Court, where he is instructed in his own right on interlocutory matters, and in the County Court. Gregor has acted for a range of clients, including trustees, high net worth individuals, insolvency practitioners, national charities and international companies, and in jurisdictions including Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, BVI and the UAE. Gregor is also a contributing author for the 11th edition of Tudor on Charities. Gregor Hogan was admitted to The British Virgin Islands Bar in July 2023. Recent instructions include advising on a claim related to allegations of fraudulent breaches of directors’ duties in the context of a super-prime property development, advising the trustees of a number of offshore trusts holding business assets worth over $2billion, appearing as sole trusts counsel in matrimonial proceedings on the question of the validity of a Cypriot law trust, and acting for the trustee-executors in the Cowan v Foreman litigation. Gregor is also regularly instructed on cases involving the DIFC and the Middle East generally, and he is admitted as a Part II Practitioner before the DIFC Courts. His recent instructions including obtaining worldwide freezing relief on behalf of a major Dutch bank against entities within the NMC Group and its personal guarantor, obtaining worldwide freezing relief with the first notification order in the DIFC in support of the enforcement of an arbitration award, and acting in the leading DIFC authority on sovereign and inter-Emirate immunity. Gregor is also instructed on a number of DIFC-LCIA arbitrations involving complex commercial issues and questions of jurisdiction, and he is the contributing author of the Arbitration chapter in the recent DIFC Courts Practice publication. After completing pupillage in Chambers in 2017, Gregor spent seven months in the Contentious Trusts and Succession group at Withers LLP, during which he worked on a number of Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims involving dynastic and high net worth estates as well as advising offshore trustees and charities on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Before joining Chambers, Gregor was a Lecturer in Constitutional, EU and Administrative Law at St Hugh's College, University of Oxford.

Sophie Holcombe

Sophie Holcombe has a commercial chancery practice, with a particular focus on contentious domestic and offshore trusts and civil fraud. Sophie’s work is often multi-jurisdictional, involving issues of private international law. Currently, Sophie acts on behalf of a Georgian billionaire in a dispute against Credit Suisse for losses over mismanagement of an investment portfolio said to be worth over USD 1 billion, claims have been successful in Singapore and Bermuda (Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse). Sophie has also acted in Muncipio de Mariana v BHP Group Plc, the largest piece of group litigation before the English Courts arising from the Fundão Dam collapse in Brazil. Previously, Sophie acted as junior counsel in the mass data breach claim against British Airways (Various Claimants v British Airways); in Gudavadze v Anisimov, a claim for over $1.5bn relating to the Russian mining company Metalloinvest; and in the BTA v Ablyazov enforcement proceedings.

Ollie practises across Chambers' core areas of commercial chancery work, with a particular emphasis on civil fraud and trust and probate disputes. He is recognised as a leading junior in these areas by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. In addition to acting as sole counsel, Ollie has substantial experience of working as part of a team on large-scale commercial litigation (e.g. as part of a team of six members of Serle Court, led by Liz Jones KC, in the long-running 'Spartan' fraud litigation; and as part of a team of five barristers, led by Philip Marshall KC, in one of the largest disputes before the BVI Commercial Court, Renova Industries Ltd & ors v Emmerson International Corporation & ors). In 2019, Ollie was admitted to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands. Before coming to the Bar, Ollie spent four years working as a management consultant in the financial services, energy, and public sectors.

Ruth is involved in litigation and advisory work domestically and offshore in commercial, trusts and property matters. She has expertise and wide experience across the areas of trusts, tax litigation, company disputes, charities, insolvency and public law and often where these areas intersect. She appears frequently on these matters (led and unled) in the High Court, Tax Tribunals, Court of Appeal and Privy Council. Ruth has a strong offshore practice and in addition to her commercial chancery practice has been heavily involved in a long-running series of judicial review, contempt and constitutional proceedings in The Bahamas. Ruth’s government work is predominantly in the areas of tax and trusts: she appeared for HMRC in the landmark Supreme Court appeals in Pitt v Holt and Futter v Futter; in a series of matters on appeal to the Court of Appeal on the application of transfer pricing rules to shareholder transactions and the meaning of ‘loss’ for corporation tax purposes; and, currently, on a series of tax appeals relating to the validity of remuneration trusts.

"An exceptionally bright rising star of the Chancery Bar”, James focuses on large-scale and complex commercial disputes with an emphasis on the areas of civil fraud and asset recovery; insolvency; company and partnership disputes; and domestic and offshore trusts matters. He also has particular knowledge and experience of interim injunctions and issues arising from international litigation including cross-border insolvency. He is consistently recognised in the legal directories as a leading junior, where he is described as “absolutely phenomenally intelligent” and “brilliant in court”, and won Insolvency Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards. Notable matters include acting in two sets of proceedings arising out of the corrupt sale of Formula One, both of which featured in The Lawyer’s top 20 cases of the year; acting for a Middle Eastern bank in claims brought by the State of Qatar alleging a conspiracy to manipulate its currency; leading Court of Appeal authorities on, respectively, the law of privilege in personal insolvency and the threshold test for obtaining security for costs; a Privy Council decision on a novel point of BVI company law; and a Commercial Court decision on the scope of the court’s power to grant urgent injunctive relief in support of arbitration proceedings. He is a highly experienced advocate equally at home in trials and complex interim applications, both in the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court, and is noted for his forthright advocacy often against more senior opponents. He was formerly a member of the Serious Fraud Office’s panel of counsel for recovery of the proceeds of crime and standing junior counsel to the Department of Business in directors’ disqualification proceedings. James is also “a superb, trusted counsel in partnership matters” and funds and joint venture disputes. His experience extends to issues concerning private equity and hedge funds, shareholders of English and offshore companies, and members of LLPs and limited and traditional partnerships, in sectors encompassing financial services, property development and the full spectrum of professional services. James is described in the directories as “an awesome forensic attacker with excellent knowledge of the law and an ability to absorb very complex matters quickly and take on the most sophisticated players in the sector”. In addition to being praised for his “razor sharp mind” and legal skills that are “extremely strong across the board”, he is described as “responsive, incisive and user-friendly” and “a good team player” who is “incredibly easy to talk to and very accessible.”

Jonathan McDonagh

Jonathan is a commercial chancery junior specialising in complex and high value litigation in the fields of private client, company, civil fraud, and general commercial disputes. In recent years, Jonathan has been instructed in some of the most high-profile pieces of litigation before the English courts, including Pakistan v Prince Muffakham Jah (the Hyderabad Fund dispute) and Munícipio de Mariana and oths v BHP Group (the Fundão Dam disaster litigation). There is an international dimension to much of Jonathan's work and he is frequently instructed to provide advice in respect of matters proceeding overseas as well as in this jurisdiction.

Constance McDonnell KC

Constance specialises in trusts and probate disputes. She has appeared in a number of highly publicised cases, including Reeves v Drew (a probate dispute about the £100m estate of an illiterate testator). She has appeared twice in the UK Supreme Court: as Junior Counsel in the landmark case of Ilott v The Blue Cross and recently in Hirachand v Hirachand, concerning whether a CFA success fee can be recoverable as part of an award under the 1975 Act. Constance also has an international practice. Prior to taking Silk in 2019, Constance won the Chancery Junior of the Year award at the 2018 Chambers Bar Awards, and was recommended as a Star Individual in Chambers UK Bar Guide 2019 and High Net Worth Guide 2018. Constance won the ‘Barrister of the Year’ Gold Award at the 2023 Citywealth Magic Circle Awards.

Adil Mohamedbhai

Adil has a broad commercial chancery practice. He has particular expertise in high-value, multi-jurisdictional commercial, civil fraud, offshore and trust disputes. He is recognised by the main directories (Legal 500, Chambers UK Bar, Chambers Global, Who’s Who Legal and Private Client Global Elite) as a leading junior in civil fraud, commercial, commercial chancery, offshore, trust and private client work. He has been described as “very strategic, commercially minded and pragmatic." "Adil is phenomenally smart and extremely astute on very complex court matters. He is excellent at cutting to the heart of issues and superb on black-letter law". Adil has also been recognised as "easy to work with and very responsive, he's commercially minded and very strategic and pragmatic in his approach. Great with clients, he uses commercial language with them rather than legal jargon. He's very good on his feet, very persuasive, and a barrister who fights really hard for his client." Adil was selected by Legal 500 as one of the top ten commercial barristers under eight years' call in both 2016 and 2017 and has since been ranked by Who's Who Legal as one of the three most highly regarded juniors at the English Bar for civil fraud work. Adil acts both as sole counsel and junior counsel as part of a team of barristers. In addition to regular appearances in both the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court, Adil has appeared in the Court of Appeal, the UK Supreme Court and the Privy Council. He also has substantial experience appearing in, or assisting with, arbitrations and cases in other jurisdictions, including Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, the Bahamas, Singapore, the DIFC, Mauritius and Malta. He has developed a particular expertise in private international law issues. He is also one of the few juniors at the English Bar with experience in shareholder appraisal actions in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. In 2021, he was the lead junior for the defendant Trustees in Wong v Grand View PTC & others, believed to be one of the largest ever civil claims brought in a common law court. The trial lasted six months. Prior to coming to the Bar, Adil qualified as a solicitor at Freshfields, where he was involved in a broad range of transactional and contentious work (including public and private M&A deals, IPOs, share buybacks, rights issues and corporate restructurings). He is therefore very familiar with "City" work. During 2009 - 2010, Adil was appointed as one of the first judicial assistants to the Justices of the UK Supreme Court, where he worked for Lords Rodger and Brown.

Amy has a broad commercial Chancery practice and appears regularly in the County Courts and High Court, primarily unled. She has particular interests in property, wills and probate, and civil fraud, and is experienced in dealing with cases where these areas overlap. She is ranked as a leading junior in Private Client: Trusts and Probate by Legal 500. Before coming to the Bar, Amy worked at a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm specialising in aerospace and industrials, following postgraduate studies in History & Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University. Amy is an advocacy tutor at Lincoln's Inn and also helps run the Inn's debating society.

Conor Quigley KC

Conor Quigley KC specialises in European Union, State Aid and UK Subsidy Control law. He has appeared in many EU Law cases in the UK in the High Court, Court of Appeal, House of Lords and Supreme Court, and in the European Union General Court and Court of Justice. Clients have included UK and Irish Governments, the European Commission, public and private companies, private individuals and UK public authorities. In recent years, his practice has increasingly specialized in two areas: (i) acting as an expert witness on EU State aid law in international arbitrations, particularly ICSID arbitrations; (ii) expert specialization on the interface of corporate taxation and State aid international investment arbitrations. In 2022, he was appointed a Visiting Professor in Practice at the London School of Economics. He has been identified in WhosWhoLegal, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners Directory as a leading silk in EU, competition and public procurement law.

Jamie has a busy practice which spans Chambers' core areas of expertise, with a particular focus on commercial and trust disputes with an international element. He is regularly instructed in matters involving general commercial and contractual disputes, trusts, wills and probate, inheritance act claims, company disputes, insolvency, and cross-border disputes. He frequently appears both led and unled in the English High Court and County Court. He has also been instructed to assist on disputes before courts in offshore jurisdictions, including Guernsey, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the BVI and the DIFC. Jamie has undertaken two secondments, spending six months with the dispute resolution team at Kingsley Napley LLP and three months with the contentious trusts and estates team at Farrer & Co. These have provided Jamie with invaluable experience of the requirements of solicitors and their clients and enabled him to advise in a highly commercial and pragmatic way. Prior to coming to the Bar, Jamie gained a first class degree in Classics from Brasenose College, Oxford and spent three years working for the strategy consultancy firm, Oliver Wyman, where he predominantly focused on the financial services sector. During his time at Oliver Wyman, Jamie also completed the Chartered Financial Analyst exams. This experience is particularly useful in cases which involve expert evidence in the fields of forensic accounting and investment management.

Kuldip Singh KC

Consistently recognised as one of the leading advocates at the Bar, and often recognised in various legal directories, Kuldip has a broad commercial and chancery practice, mainly in the areas of commercial litigation, arbitration, company/shareholder disputes, civil fraud, asset-tracing, banking, financial services, contentious trusts, professional negligence, sanctions, criminal fraud, regulatory (including judicial review/public law), professional discipline, and sports law. His work often involves international litigation (and sometimes concurrent proceedings in more than one jurisdiction), and has included cases involving Dubai, various other Middle East jurisdictions, India, Russia, CIS, Cyprus, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, BVI, Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Panama, Bermuda, Bahamas, West Indies, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mauritius, Ireland, China, USA, et cetera. Kuldip also sits as an arbitrator and mediator, and is a member of the Panel of the London Court of International Arbitration.

Patrick Talbot KC

Barrister specialising in commercial and Chancery litigation and advice (including acting for Canada in the litigation relating to the collapse of the International Tin Council, in civil litigation relating to the collapse of the Maxwell trading empire, cases relating to large-scale commercial landlord and tenant matters including rent reviews, repairing covenants and joint venture arrangements) and acting for a group of Lloyd’s Names in the ‘threshold fraud’ case, Jaffrey v Lloyd’s [2000], commercial and business agreements (advice and drafting), commercial fraud (litigation relating to asset-tracing in the UK or cross-border), commercial property law and agricultural property law (litigation relating to all aspects of these areas), company law, credit and banking, securities and capital markets, entertainment law, insolvency (including directors’ disqualification) and receivership, partnership law including professional partnerships, sports law (including commercial transactions and broadcasting matters), professional negligence (including solicitors, accountants, pension-fund managers, actuaries, banks, merchant banks, surveyors), trusts, probate and charities, computer law.

Stephanie Thompson

Stephanie has a broad commercial chancery practice, with a focus on civil fraud, offshore trust litigation and domestic trust and probate litigation. She has a particular interest in cases with foreign law elements and has experience in overseas jurisdictions including Bermuda, The Bahamas, the BVI, Jersey, Guernsey and New Zealand. Stephanie is regularly instructed as sole counsel in the High Court and is equally comfortable working as part of a larger team: she is one of a four-member Counsel team acting in Wong v Grand View PTC & Ors (in the Bermuda courts) and Wong v Grand View PTC (in the Privy Council). She also has a developing arbitration practice and has appeared in or advised on proceedings under the UNCITRAL, ICC and LCIA Rules. Stephanie was admitted to the British Virgin Islands bar in 2022. Prior to joining Serle Court, Stephanie was a barrister in New Zealand for three years. She also completed an LLM at the University of Cambridge, where she received the BRD Clarke Prize for coming first in her year and prizes for coming first in each of her four subjects.

Gareth’s practice focuses on fraud, and breakdowns within long-term business and personal relationships. This covers misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of confidence, employee competition, breach of contract, shareholder disputes, trust claims, asset tracing, proprietary estoppel claims, unjust enrichment and accessorial liability, plus associated interlocutory and enforcement matters such as freezing injunctions and committal applications. Gareth also acts in cases of professional negligence, insolvency, and regulatory/disciplinary matters, particularly where they touch on the above areas. Gareth’s cases often have an international element, and he has acted and advised in cases in the courts of the Caribbean and Channel Islands. Gareth is appointed to the Attorney General's A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown and is a Bar Standards Board Prosecutor. Before being called to the English Bar Gareth was admitted as a legal practitioner in New South Wales and worked as a judicial assistant in the Equity Division of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

James has a very busy commercial chancery practice with a focus on domestic and international commercial and trusts disputes. He has been recognised as a leading practitioner in those fields in Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, Chambers Global, Chambers High Net Worth, and Who’s Who Legal where he is described as a “brilliant lawyer” and a “Superstar”. He regularly appears (both as sole and junior counsel) in the English High Court and has appeared several times in the Court of Appeal. He also has considerable experience in overseas jurisdictions (including as sole counsel) including Bermuda, the DIFC, the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar and Panama.

Stephanie Wickenden

Stephanie specialises in Intellectual Property, Art and Media law. She also accepts instructions on broader commercial issues pertaining to the creative and technology sectors, such as contractual and tortious IT disputes or advice on IP transactions and licensing. A significant proportion of her practice involves an international element and she has experience in cases with disputed jurisdiction, foreign law, and service and enforcement out of the jurisdiction. Her background in art, combined with her expertise in IP, commercial and private international law, means she is uniquely placed to advise clients across a broad range of contentious or non-contentious matters relating to art and cultural property. Stephanie enjoys working as part of a team and is also experienced and confident acting as sole counsel. She is regularly instructed in the most significant Intellectual Property cases before the UK courts, often unled and against QCs. She has appeared before the CJEU (General Court), Court of Appeal, High Court and IPEC as well as in registry proceedings before the UK IPO and EUIPO.

Richard Wilson KC

Richard Wilson KC has a practice encompassing litigation, drafting and advisory work across a wide range of traditional and commercial chancery, with a strong emphasis on trusts and probate (both contentious and non-contentious), related company and partnership law, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, tax, professional negligence and civil fraud. Richard has been involved in many of the most significant and high-value cases in those areas in recent years, including: Futter v. Futter [2013] UKSC 26 (the leading case on the Rule in Re Hastings-Bass); Gany v Khan [2018] UKPC 21 (claim to establish ownership of companies by BVI trust and setting aside appointment by trustees); Grand View Private Trust Company v. Wong [2020] Bermuda Court of Appeal (challenge to exercise of trustees’ powers on the basis that it destroyed the ‘substratum’ of the trust) and the Dawson-Damer litigation (high value breach of trust claim in The Bahamas with related litigation in England and Bermuda). He is also currently acting in a number of disputes concerning the estates of UHNWIs in England. His work frequently involves offshore matters and issues of private international law. He has appeared in the Privy Council, the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal of Gibraltar, the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal of Bermuda, the Supreme Court of The Bahamas, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He has also given expert evidence of English Law in the Royal Courts of Jersey and Guernsey. He frequently acts in cases in all of the principal offshore jurisdictions including those mentioned above and in an increasing number of cases in Hong Kong. Before commencing practice at the Bar, Richard worked as a tax consultant with Price Waterhouse.

Mark has a busy commercial chancery practice with a particular interest in civil fraud, commercial litigation, shareholder disputes and trusts. He is instructed regularly in the High Court as sole counsel or as part of a larger team. Mark recently acted in the Eclipse litigation, one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2024. Other recent instructions include acting in a claim arising out of the breakdown in relationship between the founders of a multi-million pound restaurant business (Malik v Hussain [2020] EWHC 2334 (Ch); [2021] EWHC 1405 (Ch); [2023] EWCA Civ 2), a matter arising out of the purchase of a Luxembourg business involving allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, a substantial offshore trust matter involving allegations of breach of trust against former trustees. Before coming to the Bar, Mark read Mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge, and worked in the online gambling industry, and this background means that he is comfortable with matters involving ﬁnancial, accounting, or other complex technical issues and expert evidence. Mark previously taught courses in trusts at undergraduate and postgraduate level at UCL.

$Zoe O\'Sullivan KC$

Zoe O\'Sullivan KC

Zoe O’Sullivan KC is a robust and experienced advocate who thrives on the challenges of oral advocacy and cross-examination. She is recommended by Chambers UK Bar for Commercial Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance and Information Technology. Zoe is also recommended in Dispute Resolution (The English Bar - United Arab Emirates) by Chambers Global. Zoe is described in Chambers UK as “very easy to work with and very hands-on”, “very technically able” and “formidably bright”. The Legal 500 says: “Zoe is - even by the standards of the commercial bar - highly intelligent and extremely diligent: she is seriously very hard-working. As a result she displays complete mastery of the documents and of the law. She is an extremely tough, but always fair and decent, opponent. A star silk for the future.” Zoe’s commercial/Chancery practice spans a broad range including IT and outsourcing disputes, shareholder disputes/joint ventures, directors’ duties, banking and finance, civil fraud, oil and gas, and shipbuilding. She is highly experienced in jurisdiction issues and in key interim applications including freezing orders, anti-suit injunctions, and applications under section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996. Zoe is also ranked by the Legal 500 as a leading silk in international commercial arbitration. She is regularly appointed as presiding, sole and co-arbitrator in claims proceeding under the LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, ICC and UNICTRAL rules. She is on the List of Arbitrators of the HK IAC. Zoe is registered in the DIFC and admitted to the Bar of the BVI.

Matthew Morrison KC

Matthew has a broad commercial chancery practice, with a particular emphasis on civil fraud, company and partnership, insolvency, and trust litigation. Matthew has also appeared in a number of judicial review claims and other matters raising issues of public and administrative law. Matthew has been instructed as sole counsel in proceedings before the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal. He is also regularly instructed as junior counsel in large-scale commercial and chancery matters both onshore and offshore. These include cases in the Courts of the DIFC and the BVI. In addition, Matthew has significant experience of assisting advocates in appearances before the Royal Courts of Jersey and Guernsey. Although always ready and willing to advance a client’s case vigorously and fearlessly, Matthew equally relishes the challenge of helping conflicting parties to achieve a consensual and commercial resolution of their differences, and is a great believer in mediation. Matthew is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading individual in civil fraud, commercial litigation, company and partnership, and offshore. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners for civil fraud, commercial dispute resolution, commercial chancery, company and offshore, and in Chambers & Partners Global for commercial, commercial chancery and offshore. Matthew is the author of widely read Practical Law Company practice notes on minority shareholder remedies and various aspects of claims against trustees. In March 2018 he was invited to join the Practical Law Company’s Private Client Consultation Board. He is also the editor of chapters of Butterworths Corporate Law Service and Tolleys Company Law Service on directors’ liabilities in insolvency and disqualification. In addition, Matthew contributes chapters on liquidation, investigations and striking off, unfair prejudice, misfeasance and disqualification to The Law of Limited Liability Partnerships (Whittaker and Machell, 5th ed. (2021)). A list of articles written by Matthew may be found in the Publications section.

Paul has a broad commercial chancery practice covering most of chambers’ core practice areas. He seeks to bring a rigorous, commercial and creative approach to the cases in which he is instructed. Commended in the directories as ‘strategic’, ‘creative’ and ‘all over the bigger picture’, Paul is often instructed to act as sole counsel in difficult, complex and high-value cases, often with prominent silks on the opposing side. Paul is equally happy working as part of a team in larger cases, and is noted in the directories to be ‘completely on top of all the detail’, to have a ‘dazzling’ ability to process vast amounts of complex information, and to be a ‘real team player’. Paul's recent cases have included high-profile company, civil fraud and commercial disputes and nine-figure trust, professional negligence and insolvency claims.

Andrew has a commercial and chancery practice with a particular focus on property-related work. He is regarded as one of the leading senior juniors in real estate litigation and has been described as “an exceptional talent in the property sphere”. In addition, Andrew has a noted art law practice and is highly-rated for professional negligence work, acting for both claimants and defendants, in matters ranging from high-profile claims in respect of Old Master Paintings to claims against architects in respect of residential developments and claims against solicitors relating to international corporate transactions. Andrew also regularly acts in high-value commercial litigation and is a “skilful advocate” who is “effective in digging under the surface to uncover the real issues”. Andrew has sat as a (part-time) Deputy District Judge since 2004 and as a (part-time) Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) since 2008. In 2019 Andrew was appointed to the Pool of Arbitrators for the Court of Arbitration for Art (CAfA) in The Hague.

Simon has a broad general commercial and chancery practice, with particular experience of litigation involving civil fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, banking and finance disputes, regulatory and disciplinary proceedings (in particular those related to financial services) and trusts litigation. He is regularly instructed in significant cases in these areas and is comfortable either as sole counsel or as part of a team. He was part of the team acting for the Defendants in the RBS Right issue litigation in the Chancery Division. Simon has been recommended for a number of years in Chambers UK as a leading junior in the fields of Banking and Finance, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud, Commercial Chancery, and Financial Services and in The Legal 500 for Banking and Finance, Commercial Litigation, Civil Fraud, and Financial Services Regulation. He is ranked in the top tier for Banking and Finance (both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners), Commercial Litigation (The Legal 500) and Civil Fraud (The Legal 500).

Charlotte Beynon

Charlotte has a commercial chancery practice encompassing contentious trusts, civil fraud, insolvency and commercial litigation. She frequently deals with complex, high-value cases, both onshore and offshore, often with international elements. She is particularly experienced in acting in high-value offshore trusts disputes and complex fraud claims – often raising issues of private international law. Charlotte regularly appears in the High Court and County Court both led and as sole counsel. She also appears as specialist chancery counsel in matrimonial proceedings in the Family Division. Her legal writing has been published in Trusts & Trustees.

Zahler has a broad commercial chancery practice, with a particular emphasis on contentious trusts, civil fraud and financial disputes. She regularly advises on a wide range of matters, with considerable experience in large-scale commercial and trust disputes spanning an extensive range of jurisdictions. Zahler also has a particular interest in appellate work and has appeared in the Supreme Court and the Privy Council. Zahler was awarded 'Chancery Junior of the Year' at the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2023.

James Behrens' practice focuses on mediation and arbitration. He has conducted over 100 mediations, roughly two-thirds in the chancery and commercial fields, with the remainder covering a wide range of other subjects. Several cases have an international element or involve cultural or religious issues. He was a director of Mediation UK for three years, and for five years did pro bono community mediation for the Camden Mediation Service. He also completed a PhD on mediation in 2002. He has run a group mediation involving over 50 participants and lasting four days, but most cases are settled in one day or less. He is widely praised for the way he helps the parties find a solution to their disputes, his professionalism, and his success. James has also been a chartered arbitrator since 2001, and is a fellow and former council member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He holds the Chartered Institute’s diploma in international commercial arbitration. He has had over 70 appointments as arbitrator, mainly in disputes concerning the computer and telecommunications business, partnerships, real property, sale of goods, and financial services. He also acts as barrister in commercial and property arbitrations. Most of his recent appointments have been in property matters. He is a member of the CIArb property panel.

Michael Walsh KC

“Very smart, commercial and pragmatic. His advocacy is incredibly impressive, often outshining KCs. A real pleasure to work with.” Legal 500 2024. Michael is a highly sought after senior junior specialising in property, commercial chancery, civil fraud and professional liability. Known for his extensive trial experience, strategic focus and excellent cross-examination, clients have told Legal 500: 'Michael is a phenomenal property lawyer who understands not only the academic intricacy of property law, but how it works and can be made to work in practice for his clients.' Michael frequently appears in the Court of Appeal, High Court, County Court, and Tribunals in connection with all areas of his practice. Michael draws on his broad expert knowledge to advise clients on how to best achieve their strategic goals in complex cases and transactions. He receives regular instructions in commercial matters and projects involving property, company and partnership law, development finance, securities and planning. In 2021 Michael was appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. Members of the A panel deal with the most complex government cases in all courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court. They will often appear against King’s Counsel. He has also advised many government departments on a range of real estate matters, such as overage agreements, lease break notices, and a large and complex arbitration in connection with government property. Michael’s appointment to the A Panel follows his five-year appointment to the B Panel between 2016 and 2021.

Sparsh is a chancery and commercial practitioner. He has a varied practice with a particular focus on trusts and estates litigation, company law, insolvency and commercial disputes. Sparsh is regularly instructed as sole counsel, or as part of a larger counsel team, in both English and international litigation/arbitral proceedings. He has acted or advised in relation to disputes before the English High Court, as well as matters in Gibraltar (where he has been called ad hoc), The Bahamas, Bermuda, BVI, Cayman Islands, the DIFC, Guernsey and in LCIA/LMAA arbitrations. Sparsh has also contributed to the latest chapter on “England” of International Trust Laws loose-leaf (with Bajul Shah and Owen Curry). Sparsh also worked in the Brussels office of a major international law firm, and was seconded to the litigation team of a leading international offshore firm where he worked on multiple complex and high-value contentious trusts matters. Further details of Sparsh’s experience are set out below.

Thomas Fletcher

Thomas is a trusts and estates specialist. He has extensive experience in high-value, complex trusts and estates matters with a cross-border dimension and has been involved in some of the most legally significant cases in these areas across the common law world. His practice covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious private client work in England and internationally, including trust administration applications, breach of trust claims, contentious probate, family provision, professional negligence and taxation issues affecting the administration of trusts and estates. He has considerable experience in overseas jurisdictions, including Bermuda, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, the Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the BVI. Thomas has appeared as Counsel at every level of the court hierarchy in England and Wales from the High Court to the Supreme Court. He has also appeared twice before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and in courts in several offshore jurisdictions. He is called to the Bar of Bermuda (ad hoc). Thomas is the editor of the key practitioner works in trusts and estates, namely Lewin on Trusts, Theobald on Wills and Williams, Mortimer & Sunnucks: Executors, Administrators and Probate. Recommended as a Leading Junior in the latest Chambers UK Bar, Global and HNW directories for Chancery: Traditional, Trusts and Offshore, Thomas is described as “literally indispensable. A complete workhorse, he is really one of the team and rolls up his sleeves. He is incredibly bright and very diplomatic.” He is also ranked in the Legal 500 UK Bar (Private Client: Trusts and Probate) and English Bar Offshore. Thomas’s practice also covers the whole range of commercial and chancery work. He has been instructed in several heavy commercial disputes involving trusts or estates elements. He also has a growing practice in charities work, particularly related to the administration of charitable trusts and similar structures.

Jonathan’s cases invariably involve land and property but span commercial, company, fraud, trust and insolvency law disputes and related professional negligence. Jonathan is recognised as a leading senior junior having been providing advice and advocacy on these issues for almost twenty years. He has appeared in courts and tribunals at all levels, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal (on many occasions without a leader). He is equally happy acting in large, complex litigation as part of a team as he is representing an individual landowner, developer or leaseholder. Jonathan is frequently against silks as sole counsel. He also acts in mediations and arbitrations. Jonathan is acknowledged as a leading practitioner in the fields of restrictive covenants, rights to light and other easements, leasehold enfranchisement, tenants’ rights of first refusal, right to manage and service charges. Jonathan is particularly experienced on matters relating to mixed-use developments. His cases regularly involve large group litigation. He is frequently instructed in relation to joint ventures, overage, contracts for sale, options, injunctions, specific performance and orders for sale. Jonathan has particular experience of cases involving fraudulent dispositions, sham transactions and allegations of dishonesty. He is a seasoned trial advocate and has been involved in a number of cases involving the bona fides of a declaration of trust, including Tigris Industries Inc v Ghassemian [2016] EWCA Civ 269; Saranovic v Saranovic The Times, March 21, 2017; and Premium Jet AG v Sutton [2017] EWHC 186 (QB). His trusts work encompasses co-ownership disputes and applications for orders for sale/TOLATA claims. He successfully argued for a resulting trust analysis in Chaudhary v Chaudhary [2013] EWCA Civ 758; [2013] 2 F.L.R. 1526; [2013] Fam. Law 1257, cited in all the leading texts. He successfully appeared in the Upper Tribunal (Fancourt J) concerning the First-tier Tribunal’s jurisdiction to determine an application by joint trustees in bankruptcy to register a restriction against a property held in joint names (Wolloff and Dante (as Joint Trustees in Bankruptcy of Alexander James Dhillon) v Patel [2019] UKUT 333 (LC)). Jonathan has been ranked in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 for many years. He is “the perfect package for complex and hard-fought property litigation. Jonathan is both technically brilliant and a creative advocate.” He “combines a sharp mind, deep knowledge, experience and seasoned advocacy with consummate client-handling skills”; he is “very cerebral, persuasive towards judges, prompt and easy to deal with”; and “a good all-round property barrister with both residential and commercial expertise”. Jonathan also accepts instructions directly from members of the public under the Public Access scheme.

Tim Benham-Mirando

Tim has a broad commercial chancery practice across the range of work undertaken in Chambers, with a particular focus on commercial disputes, company law, trusts and civil fraud. He has experience of litigation (both domestic and offshore) and arbitration (under various rules). Tim read law at the University of Oxford where he graduated with a first class degree (ranking fifth in his year) and a Distinction on the BCL. He previously taught Trusts and Land Law at the University of Oxford. He was awarded the Lord Mansfield scholarship by Lincoln’s Inn (the Inn’s top award). Before coming to the Bar, Tim worked in the international arbitration group at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, a leading US law firm. During his time at the firm, he worked on a number of arbitrations, and arbitration related court applications, for corporate clients from a variety of industries, including energy, commodities and telecommunications.

Claudia has a broad commercial and chancery practice. Claudia joined Serle Court in October 2024 following the successful completion of her pupillage where she was exposed to a wide variety of Chambers’ core practice areas including commercial litigation and civil fraud. During her training she was supervised by Stephanie Wickenden, Jonathan McDonagh, Matthew Morrison and Michael Walsh. Before coming to the Bar, Claudia was a solicitor at Allen & Overy in the litigation, arbitration and investigations team in Dubai, having trained with the firm in London and completed banking and corporate seats. As a solicitor, Claudia gained experience in general commercial and banking litigation in addition to disputes and investigations involving sovereign wealth funds. She is experienced in working with solicitors and counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Jon is developing a broad Commercial Chancery practice across Chambers’ core practice areas. Jon has particular interest in Civil Fraud, Company, Insolvency and Banking & Finance related litigation. Jon joined chambers in 2024 on successful completion of pupillage. During pupillage he assisted Dan McCourt Fritz KC, Matthew Morrison, Thomas Elias, Harry Martin and Sparsh Garg. This included working on three substantial High Court trials (in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division), and an appeal to the Court of Appeal. He has also appeared as sole counsel in the High Court. Before joining Serle Court Jon was the Judicial Assistant to Lord Briggs of Westbourne in the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. During that time he worked on a number of high profile and important appeals, dealing with novel and complex issues of law. These covered a wide range of areas including contract, tort, equitable remedies, civil fraud, insolvency, company, property, private international law and public law. Notably this included Byers v Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51, a landmark case on knowing receipt. Jon was also previously a Judicial Assistant in the High Court. There he assisted a range of judges in the Queen’s Bench Division including Mr Justice Warby (as he was), Mrs Justice Cockerill, Mrs Justice Tipples, Mr Justice Freedman and Mrs Justice McGowan. Prior to coming to the Bar, Jon was a Senior Associate in the Litigation & Investigations team at Allen & Overy LLP. During his career as a solicitor Jon represented large corporates and financial institutions in a range of high-value complex commercial disputes and regulatory investigations. Jon’s practice primarily focussed on banking and finance disputes, in particular those with an insolvency or civil fraud aspect. He also acted on very substantial international commercial arbitrations in both London and Singapore. He is therefore very used to handling heavy and complex multi-jurisdictional litigation. Jon has also spent time on secondment to the Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings team at Goldman Sachs. He is therefore well versed in complex financial products and issues arising in large financial institutions.

David Casement KC FCIArb

David Casement KC FCIArb is a silk specialising in chancery and commercial litigation. He is regularly instructed in large-scale disputes involving company, LLP and partnership disputes advising and representing companies, directors, shareholders, members and partners. He covers the full range of commercial litigation such as banking, finance and securities and professional negligence. He also specialises in all aspects of insolvency litigation and has acted for office-holders and third parties in corporate and personal insolvency disputes. David has acted for claimants and defendants in commercial fraud litigation and asset tracing across multiple jurisdictions. David has also represented trustees and beneficiaries in trust litigation including the liability of trustees and obtaining information regarding assets and the terms of settlements. David was appointed as a Part-time Judge (Recorder) in 2005, a Queen's Counsel in 2008 and Deputy High Court Judge (Queen’s Bench and Chancery Division) in 2013. David is a member of the Bar of England and Wales, the Bar of Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland.

Harry has a busy junior practice specialising in Chancery, Commercial Chancery and Art and Cultural Property work. He advises in relation to contentious and non-contentious matters, both in England & Wales and in other jurisdictions. Harry is ranked as a leading barrister in the Chambers UK Bar and Chambers High Net Worth guides, which describe him as “a rising star”, and “very bright and commercial in his advice”. In 2019 he received the “star junior” award at the Chambers High Net Worth Awards.

Max is a commercial chancery barrister with a particular focus on civil fraud, company and insolvency disputes. He appears in some of today’s most high-profile commercial litigation and in precedent-setting commercial and chancery cases: Ras Al-Khaimah Investment Authority v Azima and others, part of a long-running litigation concerning allegations of fraud, perjury and computer hacking. Settled shortly before a ten-week trial listed to be heard by Mr Justice Michael Green in 2024. Acted for the Fourth Additional Defendant, led by Antony White KC and Ben Silverstone. Glenea Contracts v Friel [2024] EWHC 1243 (Ch). Sole counsel for the successful claimant in this three-day employee fraud trial, establishing constructive trusteeship and obtaining a c. £1m judgment inclusive of interest and costs. Re Klimvest plc [2023] 1 BCLC 388, on whether a listed plc can have a purpose or ‘substratum’, failure of which is a ground for winding-up, distinct from its constitutional ‘objects’, and whether a listed plc can be a quasi-partnership. Represented the successful petitioner, led by Daniel Lightman KC. Kennedy v The Official Receiver [2022] BPIR 1536, on whether the Court should have regard to the facts of similar cases when determining the tariff of a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order. Sole counsel for the successful appellant. Max is regularly instructed to appear as sole counsel in the High Court of England and Wales and has assisted as junior counsel with cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales and appeals to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. In 2024, Max was appointed to the UK Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. He is also developing a practice in the Middle East, focusing on the DIFC and ADGM. He is a Registered Part II Practitioner before the DIFC Courts and has appeared as sole Counsel in the DIFC Court of First Instance in addition to acting as junior Counsel on appeal to the DIFC Court of Appeal. Before transferring to the Bar, Max qualified as a solicitor and worked as a judicial assistant at the UK Supreme Court.

John has a busy commercial and chancery practice with a particular focus on commercial litigation, company and insolvency, civil fraud and intellectual property. He is regularly instructed as sole counsel but is equally comfortable working as part of a larger team. John's recent instructions include: Floreat Investment Management Ltd v Churchill [2023] EWCA Civ 440, in which the Court of Appeal reversed a finding of dishonesty made at first instance and entered judgment in favour of the appellants. John appeared for the successful appellants (led by Thomas Elias). Entertainment One UK Limited v Công Ty TNHH Đầu Tư Công Nghệ Và Dịch Vụ Sconnect Việtnam [2022] EWHC 3295 (Ch), in which the High Court dismissed service and jurisdiction challenges in a multi-jurisdictional copyright, trade mark and passing off claim concerning the Peppa Pig children’s animated series. John appeared for the successful claimants (led by Michael Edenborough KC and Gwilym Harbottle). Re Trade Mark Application No 3508962 (O/954/22), in which the Appointed Person upheld the dismissal of an opposition. The decision includes a discussion of the principles relevant to the comparison of word marks and figurative marks. John appeared unled for the successful respondent. In addition to his practice at the Bar, John is a distinguished academic lawyer. He has edited three books and has authored over twenty publications in leading academic law reviews. His publications have been cited by the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Singapore Court of Appeal, as well as in numerous textbooks, articles and reference works, including in Sir Kim Lewison's The Interpretation of Contracts and in the 10th edition of Goff & Jones on Unjust Enrichment.

Andrew has a busy Commercial Chancery practice across Chambers’ core areas, with interests in civil fraud and asset tracing, offshore and domestic trusts litigation, commercial disputes, company law, and property law. He has appeared in the High Court and Court of Appeal, and acts both alone and in larger teams. Andrew particularly welcomes instructions which involve legal or factual complexity, and which involve international teams working across multiple jurisdictions Andrew joined Chambers in October 2021 following the successful completion of pupillage. He sat with Gareth Tilley, Dan McCourt Fritz KC, James Brightwell (now Master Brightwell), Matthew Morrison and Christopher Stoner KC. Andrew spent his first six months in practice on secondment to Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP, where he worked closely with solicitors and counsel on complex and high-profile fraud and commercial litigation. Before joining Serle Court, Andrew studied law at Clare College, Cambridge. He graduated with a double first- class undergraduate degree, the top mark on the Cambridge LLM and several university prizes and scholarships. During his BPTC year Andrew was a Queen Mother’s Scholar at Middle Temple and taught Land Law at Wolfson College, Cambridge.

George joined Chambers as a tenant in October 2021 following the successful completion of his pupillage under the supervision of Lance Ashworth KC, Constance McDonnell KC, Dan McCourt Fritz KC, Matthew Morrison, and Gareth Tilley. He is developing a broad commercial chancery practice in line with chambers’ proﬁle, with a particular emphasis on work in the private client, trusts, civil fraud, commercial litigation, and company law spheres. George regularly appears both led and unled in the High Court and County Court, and is equally as happy to advise clients in his sole capacity, as he is to work as part of a larger counsel team. George read History at the University of Cambridge, graduating with a ﬁrst-class degree whilst receiving several awards and scholarships. He undertook the GDL at City Law School where he was awarded a Distinction (ranking ﬁfth in his year), before completing the BPTC in 2020 (graded Outstanding) having been awarded a Major Scholarship and Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award by Inner Temple.

Niamh joined Chambers in October 2022 following the successful completion of pupillage. She sat with Dan McCourt Fritz KC, Gareth Tilley, Constance McDonnell KC, Thomas Elias and Stephanie Wickenden developing a broad commercial chancery practice in line with chambers’ profile. During pupillage, Niamh worked on cases across Serle Court’s core practice areas, with particular experience in private client work, commercial litigation, company law and intellectual property. Before joining Serle Court, Niamh studied law at Merton College, Oxford graduating with a first-class undergraduate degree and a Distinction in the BCL receiving numerous academic scholarships and prizes. During her BPC year Niamh was a Guest Teacher at the London School of Economics and Political Science where she taught undergraduate seminars on the Property II course (Land and Trusts). Niamh spent her first six months in practice on secondment to Farrer & Co in their contentious trusts team where she worked on complex and high-profile private client trusts and probate matters. Niamh is interested in the whole range of Commercial and Chancery work and is developing a broad practice in all of Chambers’ core areas, as well as in Intellectual Property.

Stefano Braschi (Stefano Theodoli-Braschi)

Stefano joined chambers in October 2022 after successfully completing his pupillage under the supervision of Constance McDonnell KC, Matthew Morrison, Dan McCourt Fritz KC and Gareth Tilley. Before coming to the Bar, Stefano studied History at Yale University, then trained at LAMDA before working as a professional actor for over ten years, performing on screen and stage, including London’s West End. Stefano is interested in a wide range of Commercial and Chancery work, with a particular interest in matters concerning arts, culture and branding. He continues to develop a broad practice in all of Chambers’ core areas and recently completed (with distinction) the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice at the University of Oxford.

Anneliese Mondschein

Anneliese is developing a broad commercial and chancery practice in line with Chambers’ proﬁle. She has a particular interest in matters involving private clients, contracts and commercial arrangements, intellectual property, and art law. Anneliese completed pupillage in 2023 and was supervised by Stephanie Wickenden, Dan McCourt Fritz KC, Harry Martin, and Thomas Elias. She also assisted James Weale and Constance McDonnell KC in two multi-week trials. During pupillage and thereafter, Anneliese has worked on a broad range of private client and commercial matters which often contained multiple legal issues spanning copyright and trademark infringement, title disputes, breach of contract, rectification of trust deeds, civil fraud, and breach of director’s and fiduciary duties. Notable cases in which she was involved include Hirachand v Hirachand & Ors UKSC 2022/0015 on appeal from [2021] EWCA Civ 1498 (for the Respondent), THG plc and others v. Zedra Trust Company (Jersey) Limited [2024] EWCA Civ 158. (for the successful Appellants), EasyGroup Ltd v Easy Live (Services) Ltd & Ors [2023] EWCA Civ 1508 (for the successful Appellant), and Leonard v Leonard [2024] EWHC 321(ChD) (for the successful Claimants). Anneliese brings her prior professional and commercial experience to her legal work. Before transferring to the Bar, Anneliese was a Specialist at leading international auction houses, working closely with small businesses and high-net-worth private collectors and their estates. She also holds an MBA and worked in strategy consulting and market research full-time alongside her legal studies, for which she obtained the prestigious Lord Denning Major Scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn. Anneliese is fluent/bilingual in French, conversant in Spanish, and speaks and reads basic German.

Ryan joined Chambers in October 2023 following the successful completion of pupillage, during which he sat with Dan McCourt Fritz KC, Matthew Morrison, Sophie Holcombe, Stephanie Wickenden and Jonathan McDonagh. As a pupil, he has worked on a wide range of cases across commercial litigation, group litigation, company law, intellectual property, insolvency, civil fraud, charities, contentious trusts and probate disputes. He is developing a broad commercial chancery practice across Chambers’ core practice areas, as well as in intellectual property and charity law. Before joining Chambers, Ryan trained and qualified as a solicitor in 2021 with Slaughter and May. He previously read History and Politics at Oxford before converting to law.

Matthew has a broad commercial and Chancery practice covering all of Chambers’ core practice areas. He regularly appears as counsel, both in unled and led work. Matthew joined Chambers in October 2023 on the completion of his pupillage. During pupillage, he was exposed to a broad range of matters including civil fraud, company, commercial, property, insolvency, and trusts disputes. His supervisors were Gareth Tilley, Sophie Holcombe, Thomas Elias, and Michael Walsh. After joining Chambers, Matthew spent six months on a secondment with Stevens & Bolton LLP, where he assisted the Private Wealth Disputes and Commercial Litigation teams with a range of matters across the spectrum of commercial and Chancery work. Before coming to the Bar, Matthew completed a DPhil in early modern French history at University College, Oxford.

Ramyaa Veerabathran

Ramyaa is a commercial chancery barrister with a particular focus on commercial, civil fraud, trusts, probate, company and insolvency disputes. She has appeared as sole counsel in the High Court of England and Wales as well as in the County Court, and regularly assists as junior counsel with cases in the High Court. She also has experience of assisting with offshore trusts litigation at first instance and on appeal. Ramyaa joined chambers in July 2023 after successfully completing a period of training and assessment in place of pupillage as she was granted a full exemption by the Bar Standards Board in view of her prior professional experience and qualifications. During her training she was supervised by Dan McCourt Fritz KC, Constance McDonnell KC, Jonathan Adkin KC and John Machell KC. Before coming to the Bar, Ramyaa was a Senior Associate in the litigation team at Herbert Smith Freehills in London where she trained and qualified as a solicitor and, subsequently, solicitor advocate. Her practice at Herbert Smith Freehills primarily focussed on high-value commercial disputes but also extended to aspects of competition law and public inquiry work. Ramyaa therefore has significant experience of acting in and advising on complex commercial disputes at all stages of litigation and is adept at turning her hand to a range of practice areas. Ramyaa also served as the Judicial Assistant to Lord Kitchin at the UK Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for the year 2020-21. In this role she assisted with the most complex and high-profile appeals in the UK and across a number of Commonwealth jurisdictions, which raised difficult issues of law in a range of areas including tort, contract, company, trusts, tax and public law.

Marc is a barrister practising in London who represents corporate entities and individuals in civil fraud and asset recovery litigation, as part of his broader commercial dispute resolution practice. He is particularly experienced in high-value commercial litigation which has an international or cross-border element, typically involving jurisdiction challenges and presenting issues of foreign law. Examples of the heavyweight disputes in which Marc has been instructed include Privatbank v Kolomoisky ($2bn+ claim, one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2022) and BTA Bank v Khrapunov ($500m+ claim, which reached the Supreme Court). His cases often involve high-net-worth individuals or concern issues arising from gambling or cryptocurrency. Marc also has extensive experience, both as sole and junior counsel, of applications for interim relief (especially when urgent), including for asset freezing injunctions and Norwich Pharmacal information disclosure orders. As a Mathematics graduate, Marc is highly numerate and confident in tackling very technical and complex evidence.

Jennifer has a wide-ranging commercial chancery practice with a particular emphasis on business disputes. These frequently involve company law, breach of fiduciary duties, joint ventures, partnerships, insolvency and real property issues. She is particularly adept at assisting in cases where these practice areas intersect. Jennifer has appeared as sole counsel in a number of leading cases and is well placed to deal with complex legal issues. She has appeared both led and alone in appeals to the Court of Appeal, High Court and County Court. Jennifer also has significant trial experience and is a skilful cross examiner.

Wilson is a dual-qualified barrister with more than 14 years of experience. He started his career at the Hong Kong Bar, where he practises from Temple Chambers (“‘undoubtedly the top set in Hong Kong”, Legal 500); he then cross-qualified at the English Bar in 2022 and joined Serle Court. He focuses on complex commercial and chancery litigation, with particular experience in insolvency, company, contract, trusts, probate, and banking disputes. He has been ranked as a leading commercial junior in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal. Wilson has significant experience both as sole advocate and junior counsel (including multiple appearances at the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, and often appearing against silks), and has worked on some of the most high-profile cases in Hong Kong. In England, he is on the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and holds the Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from CIArb. In recent years, his work has taken on an increasingly international dimension, being instructed in proceedings in BVI, the Cayman Islands, and Jersey.

Lara has a commercial Chancery practice, which encompasses all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, property litigation, company law and insolvency matters. She is ranked as a leading junior barrister in three practice areas (Commercial Litigation and Property Litigation) by the Legal 500 and she is recommended for Real Estate Litigation by Chambers and Partners. Lara is highly regarded for her advocacy and regularly appears (unled) against senior juniors or KCs. She represents clients in Court litigation and arbitrations in England and internationally in disputes relating to a range of industry sectors, frequently with a technological focus. Her clients include corporations, insolvency office holders, litigation funders, company directors, private individuals and the UK Government. Lara is on the Attorney General’s C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown and represents the Government in commercial, property, company and insolvency matters. Lara is called to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands and has previously been admitted to the Bar of the Cayman Islands. Before transferring to the English Bar, Lara was a solicitor in the London commercial disputes team of two US firms: Weil, Gotshal & Manges and McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP. Between 2013 and 2015, Lara practised as a Cayman Islands attorney in the Dispute Resolution and Insolvency group at Maples and Calder.

Stephen Doherty

Stephen has a commercial disputes practice with a focus on international arbitration, litigation, and financial services. His international work is predominantly based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the wider GCC region, where he regularly appears in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts across a number of practice areas, as well as representing parties in arbitrations under a number of institutional rules, including the ICC, DIAC, DIFC-LCIA and ADCCAC. Stephen is ranked by the Legal 500 in four practice areas: Commercial (Middle East, Tier 1), Banking & Finance (Tier 3), Commercial Litigation (London, Tier 5), and Construction (Tier 2). He is also ranked by Chambers Global for Dispute Resolution (Band 3) and International Arbitration (Band 4). Stephen has been instructed as sole counsel in numerous multi-million dollar disputes, encompassing general commercial work (civil fraud, shareholder disputes, joint ventures, freezing injunctions etc.), as well as disputes within the fields of banking and financial services, employment, and construction. He has also been instructed in respect of a number of regulatory investigations by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (including investigations concerning the Abraaj Group), and has previously spent time on secondment at various regulatory authorities, including both the Enforcement and General Counsel’s Division of the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Pensions Regulator. Stephen has a first-class degree in History from Oxford University. He completed his Graduate Diploma in Law with distinction and achieved an outstanding grade in the Bar Professional Training Course.