With a depth and breadth of focus in its dispute resolution group, Cains is present on litigation across the banking, insurance, real estate and telecoms sectors. Cases on which the practice has expertise spans debt and asset recoveries, bankruptcies and liquidations, copyright and IP rights enforcement proceedings, and insurance claims. Robert Colquitt leads the litigation department and excels in ownership disputes and cases following worldwide freezing orders, and Peter Clucas and Robert Long are both highly experienced commercial litigators. Tara Cubbon-Wood has a broad financial services litigation practice, particularly in relation to insolvencies, and Charles Williams leads on recoveries and debt claims. May 2026 saw the firm augment its offering with the hire of Appleby‘s Caren Pegg, whose practice spans regulatory enforcement actions, public law disputes and shareholder litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The leading Isle of Man commercial litigation team is made up of extremely bright and hard-working individuals who are at the top of their game. They are very commercially minded, very responsive, and able to cope with the nuances and stresses that come with large, multi-jurisdictional litigation.
- Robert Long - partner - highly able, very involved, good client management, keeps knowledgeable of the details. Leanne Hinds - associate - very bright, very engaged, good commercial mindset, and extremely efficient. Produces top-quality work.
- I think Peter Clucas is good at keeping matters moving forward and looking at decision-making from a commercial and practical perspective.
- Tara Cubbon-Wood is an excellent practitioner, very quick to grasp the point and understand the commercial realities of the situation. Robert Colquitt is very experienced, knows the judiciary on the Isle of Man, and knows how to get the best result for the client.
- The team's strength is that it is very responsive and gives good, clear, comprehensive advice. They think through all of the angles.
- We worked with Tara Cubbon-Wood. She was very helpful and led the matter in the direction that we needed it to go. She was also very practical in her advice, which we needed.
Key clients
- BCI Ltd
- Excalibur Almaz
- Barclays Bank Plc
- Friends Provident International Limited
- HSBC Bank Plc
- Isle of Man Assurance Limited
- Stann Law Limited
- Tucker Capital Limited
- Sintana Energy Inc
Work highlights
Advised a yacht owner in admiralty proceedings for collision and limitation that have arisen following a yacht collision in international waters.
Represented Friends Provident International Limited in respect of two co-managed claims brought by over 300 claimants, concerning the alleged payment of two types of secret or half-secret commissions to their respective advisor brokers.
Acted for a space tourism company defending a substantial claim for fraud that is alleged to have arisen following the failed refurbishment of rocket nose cones.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Robert Colquitt
Other key lawyers
Peter Clucas; Robert Long; Tara Cubbon-Wood; Charles Williams; Caren Pegg