Recognised for being ‘great for fraud and asset tracing’, members of Twenty Essex regularly handle civil fraud and asset tracing cases, leveraging its deep expertise in commercial litigation, shipping and trade matters, and public international law. Duncan Matthews KC, Philip Riches KC and Twenty Essex defended Privinvest in Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others, a high-profile litigation involving allegations of fraud bribery, and corruption connected to a series of loans provided to the East African country. In Steenbok Newco 10 SARL and another v Formal Holdings Limited and others, Andrew Ayres KC and Andrew Dinsmore represent the claimants in an international conspiracy case, alleging the dishonest appropriation of €100m through circular and layered payments in the BVI. Philip Edey KC is leading Maria Kennedy in representing the Bank of Baroda against the NMC Group in legal proceedings where the UAE-based healthcare provider alleges that the bank was complicit in or failed to prevent the fraudulent activities that led to the group’s collapse into administration. Josephine Davies KC took silk in March 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'It is a pleasure to work with the clerks at Twenty Essex. Christopher Theobald is always accessible, very responsive and wonderful to work with.'
- 'Christopher Theobald runs a great clerks room. They are commercial and efficient.'
- 'Robert Wheeler is always a pleasure to deal with. Sensible, proactive and a great attitude.'
- 'The clerks, particularly Alicia Tester, are very prompt and helpful.'
- 'The set has no shortage of brilliant silks and very able juniors.'
- 'Twenty Essex has great bench strength, and has grown its fraud and insolvency offering over the past few years.'
- 'Twenty Essex boasts a roster of barristers who are not only knowledgeable but also accessible, ensuring that clients always have the required support.'
- 'Great for fraud and asset tracing.'
Lawyers
Leading silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2023 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Leading juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
