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.
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Profile
Work Department
Banking and financial services; Civil fraud and asset recovery; Commercial dispute resolution; Energy and natural resources; Insurance and reinsurance; International arbitration and related court applications; Mediation; Private international law; Shipping and commodities
Position
Duncan is a leading trial advocate with a broad practice in international and domestic commercial dispute resolution.
He helps clients in English higher court proceedings and overseas. He also has a large international arbitration practice, with experience of a wide range of arbitral institutions including the HKIAC, ICC, JCAA, LCIA, LMAA, UNCITRAL and SIAC (ad hoc).
Duncan accepts arbitral appointments and has been appointed sole arbitrator and as chairman of three-member tribunals.
He is a registered foreign lawyer with the Singapore International Commercial Court. He is also admitted to the Bars of the Turks and Caicos Islands (ad hoc), British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Nevis (ad hoc), and East Caribbean Supreme Court.
Duncan is ranked in the leading legal directories for civil fraud, commercial dispute resolution, energy and natural resources, international arbitration, shipping and commodities, and as an arbitrator.
Languages
French (proficient); Italian (proficient); German (conversational)
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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.'