XXIV Old Buildings has a strong reputation in international arbitration and high-value commercial disputes, and is well-equipped to handle cases involving allegations of fraud, insolvency issues, and professional negligence matters. Elspeth Talbot Rice KC's recent workload includes advising on a cross-border dispute involving alleged misappropriation and transfer of trust assets. In Alimov v Mirakhmedov & ors, a case concerning a shareholder dispute arising from a bitcoin-mining project in Kazakhstan, Edward Cumming KC successfully acted for the first and third defendants in a jurisdictional challenge to the Commercial Court, which held that Kazakhstan was the most appropriate forum for the claim to be heard in.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC has strength and depth right across the spectrum of commercial chancery matters. “An exceptional barrister with a stellar reputation” her expertise and experience straddles complex international trust, succession and probate disputes, and business-based litigation and arbitration including fraud, company, partnership, insolvency and contractual disputes.
Elspeth has an extremely loyal client base, she wins the confidence of her clients with her clear, practical and straight forward analysis of issues and their solutions; “Her formidable determination ensures she resolutely champions the client’s position.” She is highly sought after for her incisive legal analysis, the depth of her experience, her ability to present complicated law and facts in a simple and clear way, the energy and zest she brings to the cases with which she deals, her strong court presence and her superb advocacy. Clients praise her as “‘A top barrister, who is extremely analytical, and both straightforward and strategic in her advocacy”, as having “a great court presence, which comes from self-confidence, experience, and thorough preparation” and comment “She’s just outstanding in terms of advocacy and client handling.”
Many of her cases have overseas and international elements. She has been called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean and has appeared in the British Virgin Islands on a number of occasions. She has also been licensed to appear, and has appeared a number of times, as an advocate in the Courts of the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Additionally, she has advised on many matters relating to the jurisdictions of Guernsey, Jersey, the USA, the Bahamas, other islands of the Caribbean, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Career
Call 1990 | Silk 2008
Memberships
- ACTAPS
- Chancery Bar Association member (committee member 1994-1996, Hon Sec, 2008-2012)
- Denning Society of Lincoln’s Inn (committee member since foundation)
- Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Education
- BA (Hons) Durham University
- Wigglesworth Scholar of Lincoln’s Inn
Content supplied by XXIV Old Buildings
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Excellent. Paul, Perry and Lyndon provide a first rate service.'
- 'The clerks are supportive and make working with counsel straightforward.'
- 'Clerks are sensible in all discussions and clearly work very hard to make the process of instructing counsel as seamless as possible.'
- 'The clerks are very professional.'
- 'Exceptional chancery and commercial barristers.'