Serle Court > London, England > Set Profile
Serle Court Offices
6 NEW SQUARE, LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3QS
England
Serle Court > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Fraud: civil Tier 1
‘An excellent set with a roster of formidably intelligent, yet approachable and user-friendly barristers‘, Serle Court‘s members consistently appear in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division’s most substantial civil fraud actions. Head of chambers Elizabeth Jones KC
has longstanding experience in handling litigation involving fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other wrongdoing. In Joannou Paraskavides Overseas Limited (in liquidation) v Joannou, Philip Marshall KC represents an international construction company’s claimant liquidators, which are bringing claims of over $1bn for fraudulent trading and conspiracy to defraud. Meanwhile, in a $3bn bribery action before the Commercial Court, Jonathan Adkin acts for the Republic of Mozambique against a number of banks and an Abu Dhabi-based shipbuilder, in relation to allegations that state guarantees were procured by massive bribes to bankers and state agents. Dan McCourt Fritz KC, who took silk in March 2023, routinely acts in a broad range of fraud litigation; while at a junior level, Gregor Hogan‘s civil fraud practice spans multiple jurisdictions, including England, the DIFC, BVI and the Isle of Man. Leading Silks
–Serle Court ‘Manages to direct the strategy while having total command of the detail. She is courageous, determined and formidable.’
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Serle Court provides very good coverage, particularly for civil fraud claims.‘
‘Daniel Wheeler, in particular, is a superb clerk. Commercial, approachable and with a can-do attitude that guarantees excellent service every time.‘
‘Emma Quin and Charlie Payne are fantastic.‘
‘Serle Court offers tremendous depth of resources on cases.‘
‘Very impressive depth of expertise.‘
‘Excellent from top to bottom.‘
‘The clerks at Serle Court have long been the front-runners in providing a great service to solicitors.‘
‘Serle Court is an excellent set with a roster of formidably intelligent, yet approachable and user-friendly barristers.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Partnership Tier 1
Serle Court has a focus on the commercial space within partnership law, with its practice developed to include partnership and LLP arbitration and mediation practice, with a broad range of members instructed on partnership and LLP disputes. Alongside this, members of chambers have also been instructed by clients in the financial sector, with John Machell KC having advised professional service and financial services firms in a range of partnership and regulatory issues. Jonathan Adkin KC has been involved in partnership disputes revolving around investment partnerships while David Blayney KC has experience in company and corporate partnerships, having been instructed by the administrators of Lehman Brothers in proceedings involving estoppel, agency and mitigation in Re Lehman Brothers International Europe. Jennifer Haywood sits as an arbitrator and mediator for partnership and LLP disputes.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Excellent clerks room, always responsive when requesting availabilities (often with constantly changing dates).’
Work highlights
London Bar > Private client: trusts and probate Tier 1
Serle Court is the ‘go-to set for all high-value trusts work’ with ‘excellent strength in depth’ in complex trust and offshore disputes. Richard Wilson KC is ‘well known for finding solutions to complex problems’ and represented Tony Wang in the Wong v Grand View trusts litigation in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council concerning Bermudian trusts storing wealth for the family that created the Formosa Plastics Corporation in Taiwan. John Machell KC ‘excels under pressure’ and has been instructed in the ITG v Glenalla Properties Limited dispute, a part of the Tchenguiz Discretionary Trust saga, with issues concerning how to deal with insolvent trusts. William Henderson represented the government in Re the Will of His late Royal Highness Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, a case concerning The Guardian’s opposition to the practice of sealing wills of members of the royal family, outside the usual principle that all wills are open to inspection. ‘Incredibly perceptive and intelligent’ James Weale recently acted for the defendant in Sofer v Swiss Independent Trustees Ltd, a fraud claim relating to assets worth $60m.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks are extremely capable, friendly and efficient, particularly Nick Hockney and Dan Wheeler.’
‘The clerks provide excellent service. Nick Hockney, in particular, is responsive, personable and visible.’
‘Serle Court is the market leader for offshore trust litigation. Their members are invariable of the very highest standard.’
‘Serle is a great set. It has so much quality for silks and juniors in commercial litigation, civil fraud and trust litigation.’
‘Serle Court is a go-to set, which has a good number and depth of barristers at all levels of call.’
Work highlights
Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 1
Beverly-Ann Rogers – Serle Court
Also mediating through IPOS Mediation, Beverly-Ann Rogers of Serle Court is 'always enormously well prepared and arrives with a clear road map towards a potential settlement. Clients and lawyers value her calm, knowledgeable approach to mediation, and she can deal with pretty much any kind of dispute'. Particularly noted for her expertise across the full range of Chancery and commercial law, Rogers' mediation practice covers trusts, estates, property, partnership, company, and professional negligence, as well as general commercial and employment disputes. Recent appointments include a complex dispute over a family estate, and a shareholder conflict involving film animation companies in England and California.Elizabeth Jones KC – Serle Court
Appreciated for her 'understated approach, which conceals a steely determination', Serle Court's Elizabeth Jones KC has a longstanding mediation practice that covers a broad array of complex disputes.Jennifer Haywood - Serle Court
Recently moving into full-time ADR work, Jennifer Haywood at Serle Court is 'a calm and constructive presence, even in fraught and emotive mediations'. Haywood conducts mediations across the spectrum of Chancery and commercial disputes, particularly in relation to trusts, partnerships, company law, and commercial disputes. Work highlights
Work highlights
London Bar > Charities Tier 2
At Serle Court, William Henderson is well-known for his role as junior council to the Treasury regarding a broad spectrum of non-contentious and contentious charity matters, and his recent workload includes appearing before the High Court in Butler-Sloss v Charity Commission and HM Attorney General, a case where the trustees of two charities sought to adopt investment policies seeking to select lower-carbon, but lower-return, investments. Jonathan Fowles has ‘a huge brain‘, and is representing the trustees of a religious charity in a dispute over the ownership and charitable trusts of a site in Abbey Mills in East London, in the context of a dispute within the Tablighi Jamaat Sunni missionary movement.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Clerks are very responsive, helpful and reasonable.’
‘Very good and efficient clerks.’
‘The clerks are the most personable, approachable and accommodating that I have come across.’
London Bar > Commercial litigation Tier 2
‘Standout set‘ Serle Court is consistently involved in the market’s most significant disputes, including heavyweight commercial cases before both the Commercial Court and the Business and Property Courts. In Kea v Watson, Elizabeth Jones KC, leading a team of six juniors against three separate teams for the defendants, is representing New Zealand businessman and philanthropist Sir Owen Glenn in various proceedings concerning BVI joint venture company, Spartan Capital. In The Public Institution for Social Security v Al-Rajaan, Philip Marshall KC, leading Simon Hattan, represents one of the defendants in a $800m-plus fraud claim, arising out of alleged bribery involving Kuwait’s state pension fund’s investments, while Hugh Norbury KC is acting for the claimant. Senior junior and business disputes specialist, Jennifer Meech, joined chambers in October 2022 from Enterprise Chambers, and in April 2023, head clerk Steve Whitaker retired after 48 years at chambers, with management of the clerking team passed to senior clerks Nick Hockney and Dan Wheeler, who are ‘real assets for the set‘. Leading Silks
–Serle Court ‘Fabulous attention to detail, combined with outstanding strategic and legal advice - one of the very best. Total authority in court.’
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Daniel Wheeler and Nick Hockney are real assets for the set.’
‘Nick Hockney, Daniel Wheeler and Emma Quin are particularly good.’
‘Nick Hockney is an experienced clerk who develops an excellent rapport with solicitors, and Daniel Wheeler is bright and responsive.’
‘Charlie Payne is a rising star as a clerk.’
‘Serle Court is a standout set.‘
‘A first port of call for any offshore matters.‘
‘Serle Court has excellent strength in depth, and the clerks consistently go above and beyond to ensure they can identify available counsel.‘
‘The clerking room is approachable, responsive and flexible. Clients couldn’t rate them more.‘
Work highlights
London Bar > Insolvency Tier 2
The ‘highly capable‘ set in insolvency and restructuring law, Serle Court find themselves representing clients in cases ranging from high-profile claims linked to fraud and the offshore work, alongside energy insolvencies where Lance Ashworth KC and Matthew Morrison have represented two applicants in Croxen v Gas and Electric Markets Authority in which concerning a number of market-wide issues arising from the failure of a large number of smaller and medium-sized energy suppliers. Philip Marshall KC is a leading international insolvency silk who appears in complex commercial disputes in the UK courts while also being a Deputy High Court Judge. Daniel Lightman KC advises on insolvency issues and represents litigants in claims by and against insolvency office holders. Dan McCourt Fritz KC was appointed silk in March 2023 while Paul Johnson joined from Exchange Chambers in December 2022.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Nick Hockney and Charlie Payne are both excellent, always willing to help with listing and documents.’
‘Nick Hockney is outstanding.’
‘In any other set, the recently retired Steve Whitaker would be sorely missed, but with people like Nick Hockney, Dan Wheeler and Emma Quin, the clerks room is not short of highly efficient people who are also nice to know.’
‘Excellent set.’
‘Strong set.’
‘Serle Court remains the friendliest set out there, but also a highly capable one.’
‘The clerks are very user friendly and always very polite and accommodating.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Company Tier 2
Serle Court is highly-respected for its work on company law litigation, particularly offshore matters, and it has a deep bench of talent at both junior and silk levels. It is ‘one of the most comprehensive commercial Chancery sets in the UK’, and clients remark that it is ‘exceptionally strong, flexible and collaborative, and consistently brilliant’. Philip Marshall KC recently worked with Guernsey advocates for the claimant liquidators of an international construction company in a claim exceeding $1bn for fraudulent trading and conspiracy to defraud. Daniel Lightman KC, who is frequently instructed on many leading and cutting-edge company law and minority shareholder cases, is another standout silk. Tom Braithwaite, who is acting for the defendant in a shareholder dispute concerning the ownership of a hospital, and David Drake are among the vastly experienced senior juniors.
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘In my view the Serle Court clerks room is outstanding, with a culture developed over the last few decades by Steve Whitaker, who retired as Head Clerk in April 2023 after 48 years at the set. Nick Hockney is an experienced clerk who develops an excellent rapport with solicitors, Daniel Wheeler is bright and responsive and Charlie Payne is a risking star as a clerk.’
‘Serle Court has excellent strength in depth, and the clerks consistently go above and beyond to ensure they can identify available counsel.’
‘The clerks are excellent and provide very good service. Make themselves available and ensure they deliver wherever possible. Also very commercial in approach. Nick Hockney, Dan Wheeler and Emma Quin are particularly good.’
‘The Serle Court clerks are excellent. Their mindset is solutions-focused and they are great to deal with over quotes, availability etc; personable and sensible. I have dealt with a range of clerks at the set and have been impressed by all.’
‘Nick Hockney offers great service. He is commercial, user-friendly and extremely responsive.’
‘Serle is a great set with very good depth.’
‘Serle Court are an exceptionally strong set. They are decisive but also flexible and collaborative, consistently brilliant, and I would highly recommend them in this area.’
‘Serle Court remains the friendliest set out there, but also a highly capable one.’
London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Tier 3
Serle Court continues to be instructed on high-profile and complex banking and finance cases, both in the domestic courts and international courts. One such example was the case of Eternity Sky Investments Limited v Zhang, in which Philip Marshall KC and James Mather were instructed in relation to a claim brought by Huarong Banking Group, which raised issues on public policy and illegality regarding enforcement of guarantees and Hong Kong arbitration awards. David Blayney KC has been involved in large banking cases including the RBS Rights Issue Litigation arising out of the insolvency of Lehman Brothers, while Rupert Reed KC is noted for his cross-border banking practice in the Middle East and London, with significant experience of cases involving Islamic finance. Zoe O’Sullivan KC has a broad commercial and Chancery practice and is a recognised practitioner in the DIFC courts.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Dan Wheeler and Paul Ballard are exceptionally user-friendly and helpful. It is always a pleasure to work with them.’
‘Serle Court is a very strong set when it comes to DIFC litigation, and one of the Chambers we look to first when considering counsel options.’
‘Serle court is now ubiquitous in the Middle East, in part due to Rupert’s influence, and Gregor Horgan is a junior to watch.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Professional negligence Tier 3
Serle Court undertakes professional negligence across the financial and legal sectors for both claimants and defendants. Daniel Lightman KC is instructed to defend a former director of BHS in a professional negligence and wrongful trading claim brought by the company’s liquidator for a value of £160 million. Additionally, Philip Jones KC is acting in a professional negligence claim against solicitors which alleges that negligent drafting of a subcontract for the provision of asylum seeker accommodation resulted in losses of over £100 million.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Property litigation Tier 5
Serle Court includes property silks and juniors experienced in a broad range of property disputes, including complex issues relating to easements, covenants, options, land registrations and trusts, often crossing over with the set’s broader expertise in Chancery matters. Rupert Reed KC represented the widow of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia in Asturion Foundation v HH Princess Al Jawharah bint Ibrahim al Ibrahim, a Court of Appeal case which raised complex issues of Liechtenstein, Saudi and Islamic law concerning the validity of a will which gifted the property to her. Turning to the set’s juniors, Andrew Bruce represented the successful seller defendants in a five-day case, after the buyers of a property alleged fraudulent misrepresentation after significant amounts of Japanese knotweed were found two years after the transaction.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Serle Court’s clerks are very accessible and responsive. They are quick to provide fee estimates and honour them. One of the best clerking services amongst the chambers I instruct.’
‘Best clerks in the business. The set is in very good hands with Nick Hockney and Dan Wheeler.’
‘Paul Ballard has been a clerk for many years and goes above and beyond to keep cases moving, and synchronised with counsel.’
‘Paul Ballard was prompt and easy to deal with, making the process quite smooth.’
‘Serle Court is a highly respected Chancery set with strength in depth.’
‘Real in-depth strength in other areas of litigation including commercial and trusts disputes, now growing their property disputes team.’
‘The breadth of talent at Serle Court is excellent. It has some of the leading silks and juniors at the commercial Chancery Bar, representing clients in multiple jurisdictions.’
‘Serle Court are the go-to chambers on matters of property litigation.’
London Bar > Intellectual property
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
London Bar > Tax: corporate
London Bar > Family: divorce and financial remedy
London Bar > Art and cultural property
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Competition
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Financial services regulation
London Bar > Group litigation
London Bar > Energy
The English Bar Offshore > The English Bar Offshore Tier 1
Serle Court retains its status as among the market-leading offshore sets, with extensive expertise across international trusts, probate and commercial work, with members regularly involved in cases at the bleeding edge of the law in this area. Recent prominent cases include Re Cave Cay, which is thought to be worth more than $300 million, in which Philip Jones KC is acting in an injunction application in BVI in aid of arbitration proceedings. Elsewhere within set, Jonathan Adkin KC is involved in a billion-dollar shareholder dispute in the Bermuda Supreme Court in Re Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd, which concerns an attempt to take private the Jardine Matheson conglomerate, which owns Hongkong Land and Mandarin Oriental. Dakis Hagen KC is known for his wide-ranging offshore practice and sees frequent involvement in high-end trusts and estate litigation in major offshore jurisdictions. Pre-eminent offshore silk Elizabeth Jones KC remains noted for her strong offshore presence and is often instructed on complex, high-profile and high-value international commercial disputes. Rising stars
Leading Silks
–Serle Court 'Elizabeth is a formidable advocate. She is a master of strategy and is right across the detail. She is fantastic at pulling a team together and wringing the very best out of it.'2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Nick Hockney is the best clerk at the Bar! He is quick to respond, very commercial and helpful in ensuring clients get the right person for the job.’
‘Charlie Payne is helpful, personable and responsive.’
‘Clerks are first-class, responsive and sensible. Paul Ballard is very good.’
‘Serle Court are at the top of the Premier League – very much the “go to” set for complex trust work.’
‘Strong set which is eclectic in its focus areas. Particular strength in handling off-shore and trust disputes.’
‘They are a top set with a long history of being significant players in the offshore environment and fend an array of very bright and able barristers. The clerks are pleasant to deal with and they do very good quality seminars.’
‘Serle Court remains one of the go-to sets for offshore work.’
‘The clerks are great, always very responsive and accommodating when trying to get availability for court dates.’
Work highlights
Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial Tier 2
Serle Court ‘deservedly has an excellent reputation for DIFC cases’ and has an equally strong presence in the Middle Eastern arbitration space, acting as both counsel and arbitrators. Zoe O’Sullivan KC led Gregor Hogan when successfully acting for the respondent in Al Buhaira National Insurance Co v Horizon Energy, with the DIFC Court of Appeal’s judgement establishing that anti-suit injunctions will only be granted exceptionally to restrain proceedings in another Emirate. As the SBM Bank (Mauritius) Ltd v Renish Petrochem FZE and Prime Energy FZE case continues on, James Weale appeared at the sanctions hearing in June 2023. Rupert Reed KC remains extremely active throughout the region in disputes concerning commercial, banking, civil fraud and property issues.Leading silks
2023 Silks
Leading juniors
Testimonials
‘I have no complaints whatsoever. I was very happy with the service received and our client was elated with the result.’
‘Dan Wheeler is very responsive and personable; he is always a pleasure to deal with.’
‘Excellent set.’
‘Serle Court has a really strong reputation for Middle East work.’
Work highlights
Serle Court > Set Profile
Described as a “market leader for offshore trust litigation”, Serle Court is applauded for being a “go-to set for high-value trusts work”, whose “members are invariable of the very highest standard” — Legal 500. In addition to its reputation as one of the top sets at the English Bar, Serle Court is also one of the largest commercial chancery sets, with 79 members, including 28 silks.
Serle Court’s members offer genuine expertise across a broad range of chancery and commercial disciplines, from offshore litigation concerning the world’s largest companies to domestic advice on probate matters, servicing a similarly disparate lay and professional client base at home and abroad.
WORK UNDERTAKEN Widely recognised as a pre-eminent set in chancery and commercial litigation, Serle Court is recommended in 10 practice areas by Legal 500: Fraud: Civil, Partnership, Private Client: Trusts and Probate, Charities, Commercial Litigation, Insolvency, Company, Banking and Finance (including consumer credit), Professional Negligence, Property Litigation.
Serle Court barristers provide clear, practical advice and imaginative solutions to all types of disputes. Serle Court is experienced at putting together streamlined and powerful teams, and is seen as the go to choice for big-ticket cases, which are often cross-border and multi-faceted; these cases have included: Mozambique tuna bonds litigation, the Wong litigation, Re BHS Group Ltd (in liquidation), Dyer v Webb, Renova Industries Ltd v Emmerson International Corporation, Investec Trust (Guernsey) Ltd v Glenalla Properties Ltd, Khan v Gany Holdings, Bestfort Developments LLP v Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority, Municipality of Mariana and ors v BHP Group plc and anor, Yukos Finance BV & others v Stephen Lynch & others.The Hyderabad Fund case, the RBS rights issue litigation, the Fiona litigation, and the Lehman Brothers administration. Serle Court has also established itself as one of the leading ADR sets, with highly regarded mediators and arbitrators, as well as members with extensive experience of appearing in ‘alternative’ dispute resolution forums.
INTERNATIONAL A significant proportion of Serle Court’s work originates overseas. Serle Court barristers are routinely instructed to act in a range of offshore jurisdictions, including Bermuda, BVI, the Cayman Islands, the Crown Dependencies, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Middle East, including in the DIFC.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of chambers | Elizabeth Jones KC | ||
| Chambers Director | Kathryn Purkis | ||
| Practice Director | Nicholas Hockney | ||
| Practice Director | Daniel Wheeler | ||
| Business Development Director | Charlotte Davidson | ||
| Members of Chambers | JONES KC, Elizabeth (1984) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TALBOT KC, Patrick (1969) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SINGH KC, Kuldip (1975) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CHAISTY KC, Paul (1982) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DOWLEY KC, Dominic (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | QUIGLEY KC, Conor (1985) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MARSHALL KC, Philip (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JONES KC, Philip (1985) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ASHWORTH KC, Lance (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CASEMENT KC, David (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | STONER KC, Christopher (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | EDENBOROUGH KC, Michael (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MACHELL KC, John (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | NORBURY KC, Hugh (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BLAYNEY KC, David (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ADKIN KC, Jonathan (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | REED KC, Rupert (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | O'SULLIVAN KC, Zoe (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MORAN KC, Andrew (1989) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LIGHTMAN KC, Daniel (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WILSON KC, Richard (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARRIS KC (Hon), Prof Jonathan (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HAGEN KC, Dakis (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MCDONNELL KC, Constance (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FRANCIS, Andrew (1977) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROGERS, Ann-Beverly (1978) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BEHRENS, James (1979) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARRISON, Nicholas (1988) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BRUCE, Andrew (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DRAKE, David (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HIGGO KC, Justin (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | COLLINGWOOD KC, Timothy (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | RICHARDSON KC, Giles (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BRAITHWAITE, Thomas (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HATTAN, Simon (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HAYWOOD, Jennifer (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JORDAN, Ruth (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FOWLES, Jonathan (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | UPTON, Jonathan (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MORRISON, Matthew (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WALSH, Michael (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JOHNSON, Paul (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MATHER, James (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MCOURT FRITZ KC, Dan (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TILLEY, Gareth (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WEALE, James (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ADAMS, Paul (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ELIAS, Thomas (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MEECH, Jennifer (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOLCOMBE, Sophie (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FLETCHER, Thomas (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MOHAMEDBHAI, Adil (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MCDONAGH, Jonathan (2011) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARGREAVES, Emma (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PROFERES, Amy (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BRYAN, Zahler (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MARTIN, Harry (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | RAB, Suzanne (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DE FROMENT, Adrian (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | OLIVER, Jones (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WICKENDEN, Stephanie (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DINENIS, Eleni (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BEYNON, Charlotte (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOGAN, Gregor (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WRAITH, Mark (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GARG, Sparsh (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | THOMPSON, Stephanie (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | RANDALL, Jamie (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GARG, Sparsh (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HERRETT, Niamh (2021) | ||
| Members of Chambers | THEODOLI-BRASCHI, Stefano (2021) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MONDSCHEIN, Anneliese (2021) | ||
| Members of Chambers | VEERABATHRAN, Ramyaa (2023) | ||
| Member of Chambers | TANG, Ryan (2022) | ||
| Member of Chambers | INNES, Matthew (2022) |
Barrister Profiles
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Paul Adams | Chancery and commercial, with a particular focus on company, joint venture and… | View Profile |
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Jonathan Adkin | Barrister specialising in chancery and commercial disputes, including civil fraud, trusts, insolvency,… | View Profile |
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Lance Ashworth | Commercial litigation, insolvency, company/chancery, professional negligence. Recent cases include: Loveridge v. Loveridge… | View Profile |
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Prof William Ballantyne | Specialist areas of practice concern Arab laws, comparative commercial law, arbitration. Important… | View Profile |
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Charlotte Beynon | Charlotte joined Serle Court in October 2016 following successful completion of her… | View Profile |
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David Blayney | General commercial and chancery litigation, particularly: commercial, banking, insolvency, companies, trusts, charities,… | View Profile |
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Alan Boyle | Alan is one of the most senior and distinguished silks at the… | View Profile |
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Tom Braithwaite | Barrister specialising in commercial and chancery litigation, with particular expertise in the… | View Profile |
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Andrew Bruce | Andrew is a leading senior junior in real estate litigation and has… | View Profile |
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Zahler Bryan | Zahler has a broad commercial chancery practice, with particular emphasis on company… | View Profile |
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Julian Burling | General commercial lawyer with particular specialism in all aspects of insurance and… | View Profile |
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Paul Chaisty | Barrister and a leading practitioner in Chancery and commercial litigation, including individual… | View Profile |
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Timothy Collingwood | Practises across the broad range of the commercial-chancery spectrum, but with particular… | View Profile |
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Eleni Dinenis | General commercial and chancery practice | View Profile |
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Dominic Dowley | Barrister dealing with civil fraud; commercial litigation; contentious trust disputes; insurance litigation… | View Profile |
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David Drake | General commercial litigation (SPI North Ltd v Swiss Post International (UK) Ltd… | View Profile |
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Michael Edenborough | All aspects of intellectual property law and practice, and technical commercial disputes,… | View Profile |
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Thomas Elias | Commercial chancery barrister regularly instructed in a wide range of business disputes,… | View Profile |
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Jonathan Fowles | Charities, domestic and international trusts, and probate; property litigation. | View Profile |
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Andrew Francis | Barrister with a practice which specialises in real property advice and litigation.… | View Profile |
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Dakis Hagen | Chancery litigation with an emphasis on contentious trusts (international and domestic), civil… | View Profile |
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Emma Hargreaves | Emma Hargreaves specialises in general commercial chancery litigation, particularly trusts disputes (international… | View Profile |
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Prof Jonathan Harris | Barrister practising in all areas of commercial and chancery law; private international… | View Profile |
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Nicholas Harrison | Barrister specialising in commercial fraud, international trust and general commercial Chancery litigation.… | View Profile |
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Simon Hattan | Commercial chancery litigation, including in particular commercial fraud and breach of fiduciary… | View Profile |
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Jennifer Haywood | Serle Court: commercial/chancery, in particular partnership, company, contentious trusts and probate and… | View Profile |
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William Henderson | Barrister specialising in domestic and international trust, probate and administration of estate… | View Profile |
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Justin Higgo | Specialist in commercial and chancery litigation and advice with extensive offshore experience… | View Profile |
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Frank Hinks | Barrister with specialist domestic and international trusts practice (advisory, drafting, litigation and… | View Profile |
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Mr Gregor Hogan | Gregor joined Chambers in October 2017 and is developing a busy practice… | View Profile |
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Sophie Holcombe | Sophie Holcombe has a commercial chancery practice, with a particular focus on… | View Profile |
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Oliver Jones | Ollie Jones is a barrister at Serle Court. He has a busy… | View Profile |
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Elizabeth Jones | Barrister with broad Chancery and commercial practice; mediator. | View Profile |
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Philip Jones | Barrister specialising in Chancery and commercial litigation, companies and insolvency, financial services,… | View Profile |
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Ruth Jordan | Barrister specialising in Chancery and commercial litigation, in particular company and insolvency… | View Profile |
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Daniel Lightman | As part of a broad Chancery-Commercial practice, Daniel Lightman KC often engages… | View Profile |
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Daniel Lightman | As part of a broad Chancery-Commercial practice, Daniel Lightman KC often engages… | View Profile |
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John Machell | Barrister specialising in general Chancery and commercial litigation including partnership, LLPs, companies,… | View Profile |
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Philip Marshall | Barrister specialising in: commercial fraud (Emmerson v Renova; Orb v Ruhan; Constantin… | View Profile |
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James Mather | Barrister specialising in chancery and commercial litigation, partnership, companies and insolvency, financial… | View Profile |
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Dan McCourt Fritz KC | Chancery, commercial and property. | View Profile |
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Jonathan McDonagh | All areas of chancery and commercial practice, in particular civil fraud, contentious… | View Profile |
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Constance McDonnell | Barrister specialising in Chancery litigation, in particular contentious trusts and probate, Inheritance… | View Profile |
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Jennifer Meech | Jennifer is a commercial Chancery barrister with particular expertise in insolvency, company,… | View Profile |
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Adil Mohamedbhai | Barrister specialising in all areas of chancery and commercial practice, in particular… | View Profile |
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Andrew Moran | Barrister dealing with chancery/commercial litigation, commercial fraud, freezing and search and seize… | View Profile |
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Matthew Morrison | Commercial chancery litigation, with a particular emphasis on civil fraud, company and… | View Profile |
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Hugh Norbury | Hugh has a broad commercial and chancery practice, with a particular emphasis… | View Profile |
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Hugh Norbury | Hugh has a broad commercial and chancery practice, with a particular emphasis… | View Profile |
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Zoe O'Sullivan | Zoe O’Sullivan QC is a robust and experienced advocate who thrives on… | View Profile |
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Amy Proferes | Barrister with broad chancery and commercial practice; particular interest in traditional chancery… | View Profile |
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Kathryn Purkis | Kathryn is a leading senior junior in offshore litigation and has variously… | View Profile |
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Conor Quigley | Barrister specialising in European Union law and competition law, with particular expertise in… | View Profile |
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Professor Suzanne Rab | Suzanne Rab specialises in competition law, EU law and regulation combining cartels,… | View Profile |
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Mr Jamie Randall | Jamie joined Chambers in October 2018. He is developing a practice across… | View Profile |
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Rupert Reed | Queen’s Counsel specialising in commercial and financial disputes, with a strong focus… | View Profile |
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Giles Richardson KC | View Profile | |
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Beverly-Ann Rogers | Barrister specialising in mediation across a wide range of chancery and commercial… | View Profile |
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Kuldip Singh | Commercial litigation; chancery commercial litigation; commercial fraud; financial services; banking; arbitration; professional… | View Profile |
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Christopher Stoner | Specialist in property, Chancery and commercial litigation (especially landlord and tenant, mortgages,… | View Profile |
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Patrick Talbot | Barrister specialising in commercial and Chancery litigation and advice (including acting for… | View Profile |
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Ms Stephanie Thompson | Stephanie joined chambers in October 2018 following the successful completion of her… | View Profile |
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Gareth Tilley | All areas of commercial and chancery litigation including: civil fraud, asset tracing… | View Profile |
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Richard Walford | Barrister specialising in commercial disputes (including commercial arbitrations (ICC, LCIA etc), share… | View Profile |
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James Weale | Chancery and commercial litigation, arbitration, trusts (offshore and onshore), probate, civil fraud,… | View Profile |
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Ms Stephanie Wickenden | Stephanie was called to the Bar in 2014. Stephanie specialises in Intellectual… | View Profile |
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Richard Wilson | General chancery, with a strong emphasis on litigation (both onshore and offshore)… | View Profile |
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Mr Mark Wraith | Mark joined Chambers in October 2018 following the successful completion of his… | View Profile |
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Dr Adrian de Froment | Barrister specialising in all areas of chancery and commercial practice, in particular… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Members of Staff : 24Languages
Arabic French German Spanish PortugeseMemberships
COMBARDiversity/Community
Serle Court recognises the importance of providing a positive and supportive working environment for our barristers and staff and has done so for several years. As a growing chambers, we acknowledge the importance of maintaining a collegiate working environment and the need to ensure that all our policies and practices enable us to do this.
Serle Court has an established Equality, Diversity and Wellbeing Committee and a Chambers Health & Wellbeing Policy with the work of that committee overseen by the Management Committee thereby ensuring it has the widest application to all aspects of Chambers. We also have a member on the Chancery Bar E&D Committee.
Serle Court’s Equality and Diversity policy aims include:
- to secure equality of opportunity in every area of its activities.
- to treat its members, pupils, employees, clients, and the public with respect.
- to observe and endorse the relevant provisions of the Code of Conduct and the Equality and Diversity Code, particularly when discharging any duties in the management of Chambers.
- to strive to ensure that Chambers does not directly or indirectly discriminate against any current or prospective member, pupil, employee or client on any improper ground, such as age; disability; gender reassignment; marital or civil partnership status; pregnancy or maternity; race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin; religion or belief; sex and sexual orientation.
We are formulating a series of health and wellbeing related initiatives as part of chambers’ wellbeing strategy, as we believe that a healthy and well-motivated chambers will enhance our productiveness and effectiveness. We aim to encourage and facilitate working practices and services that support the health and wellbeing of barristers, pupils, and staff.
Work/life balance is a central pillar of the Serle Court ethos. Barristers take breaks, sabbaticals and manage their workloads. Annual practice review meetings (PRM) provide an opportunity for members to discuss with clerks, the Chief Executive, and the Business Development Manager how they see their next year and how much work they would like to do. Experience of flexible working from the pandemic means barristers and employees are able to adopt a working pattern that best suits their needs and Serle Court responds positively to accommodate the best work/life balance for the individual barrister.
Serle Court is delighted to have received a Wellbeing Certificate of Recognition from The Bar Council by demonstrating chambers’ dedication and commitment to the wellbeing of its barristers and staff through our policies, and wellbeing programmes. Please find more information on our CSR page here.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Shona Coffer
COMPANY/FIRM: Mishcon de Reya LLP
TESTIMONIAL: With an extremely strong junior offering, some very special silks and superb clerking Serle Court is an obvious choice for all corporate litigation disputes. In over 10 years of working with Serle Court I have never had any issue on fees or the quality of work.
CLIENT: Mr Keith Oliver
COMPANY/FIRM: Peters and Peters Solicitors LLP
TESTIMONIAL: We have enjoyed an extraordinarily close relationship with Serle Court since 1989 when we were fortunate to be recommend by the late great Sir Gavin Lightman to a junior in Chambers, Michael (now Lord) Briggs, and the rest is history. As our own litigation practice expanded we marched almost step by step with Serle Court as Chambers itself grew adding a number of Commercial heavyweights to its existing thriving Chancery based practice. The move from 13 Old Square to 6 New Square cemented the strength and depth and all around excellence that each member of Chambers reflects – incredibly able, wonderfully accessible and even in the most challenging of cases it is like working on a day to day basis with your closest friends. In a legal world where so much has changed in the last few years it remains a tribute to the philosophy and brand of those who have chosen to develop their careers at Serle Court, and all those who have subsequently joined that fundamentally Serle Court represents a Chambers that is a first among equals. We look forward to continuing our wonderful relationships for many years to come.
- Fraud: civil
- Partnership
- Private client: trusts and probate
- Dispute resolution > Mediators
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Charities
- Commercial litigation
- Insolvency
- Company
Set Rankings
- Intellectual property
- International arbitration: counsel
- Tax: corporate
- Family: divorce and financial remedy
- Art and cultural property
- Competition
- Financial services regulation
- Group litigation
- Energy
- The English Bar Offshore > The English Bar Offshore
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Middle East: The English Bar > Commercial