For the team at Twenty Essex, commercial chancery work, company law issues, and commercial offshore litigation are key areas of strength. Duncan Matthews KC boasts a significant international arbitration practice, and Andrew Ayres KC is a BVI and Cayman advocate, regularly appearing before the Court of Appeal and Privy Council. Tony Beswetherick KC is especially skilled in advising on civil fraud, asset recovery, and company and insolvency-related disputes. Joshua Folkard has acted in numerous cases in the BVI and the Cayman Islands, and is particularly strong on Eastern Caribbean civil procedure. In recent matters, he acted for the joint liquidators in a USD1bn claim following the collapse of one of the world’s largest Ponzi schemes. Sarah Tresman is another key junior at the set, with expertise in handling banking and financial services mandates.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Very responsive and helpful practice management and clerking team. Particularly Arron Zitver and Robert Wheeler.'
- 'Absolutely top-notch service with kudos to Christopher Theobald in particular.'
- 'Christopher Theobald leads a responsive clerking team.'
- '20 Essex is a very well respected set for offshore and fraud litigation.'
- '20 Essex Street is a go-to set, very strong leaders supported by hard-working, responsive and capable juniors.'
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.
Andrew Ayres KC
‘Andrew is a wonderful barrister with a very measured and effective style of advocacy. He delivers quality results every time.’
Tony Beswetherick KC
‘Tony is a well-regarded silk. His advocacy skills are matched with an in-depth knowledge of his subject, and he gives well-thought-out and well-articulated advice.’
Blair Leahy KC
‘Blair is a brilliant barrister and advocate, and someone you want on your team. She has a great mind and is able to assist with navigating the most complex and difficult situations with ease.’
Paul Lowenstein KC
‘Paul is an extremely experienced and talented barrister. He is very thorough in analysing and preparing his cases.'
Duncan Matthews KC
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.
