XXIV Old Buildings is sought after by clients to handle work originating from Gibraltar, Bermuda, BVI, the Cayman Islands, and the Crown Dependencies. Stephen Moverley Smith KC is a key silk at the set and has appeared before the Supreme Court of the Bahamas, the Bermuda Court of Appeal, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and the Privy Council, and has recently been acting alongside Francis Tregear KC for the trust beneficiaries in a case concerning the division of a trust into several, and the related opposition application. Tregear KC is called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean, as is Elspeth Talbot Rice KC, who continues to act for the appellants in the Wong v Grand View case, which concerns the validity and transfer of five purpose trusts, as well as the related use of powers of addition and exclusion. Among the set’s strong bench of juniors, Nicole Langlois is dual qualified to act in England and Jersey, and Bajul Shah is notable for his trust disputes work; he represented the defendant in Pilatus (PTC) Limited v RBC Trutsees (Guernsey) Limited, which concerns a breach of trust claim following the resignation of the trustee. Andrew Holden is another key junior at the set.
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Profile
Position
Stephen specialises in litigation and arbitration in the fields of commercial, company, trusts and business law.
With a background of high profile work for the DTI and Inland Revenue as junior counsel to the Crown (Chancery) prior to taking silk in 2002, Stephen has developed an extensive practice in the fields of hostile corporate and trust litigation, insolvency, civil fraud and joint venture disputes (in both a corporate and partnership context), often for private clients.
Stephen has practiced in the regulatory field for many years and was appointed a Joint Inspector by the DTI (now BERR) to investigate allegations of market abuse. His on-going regulatory work includes cases is in the area of collective Investment schemes and land banking.
Stephen has an extensive off-shore practice, particularly in the British Virgin Islands (since 1995) and Cayman Islands. He is regularly involved in multi-jurisdictional disputes, advising on global strategy, interim remedies, conflicts of law and asset recovery and appearing before courts and arbitral tribunals in a wide variety of jurisdictions.
Career
Called 1985, Middle Temple; junior counsel to the Crown, Chancery; called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean; Queens Counsel 2002.
Memberships
- Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
- Bar of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Chancery Bar Association
- COMBAR
- European Circuit
- Insolvency Lawyers Association
Education
- Pembroke College Oxford (MA)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'This is one of the best clerking teams. Always willing to accommodate and go the extra mile. James Ladbrook is the pick of the bunch - charming, helpful and willing.'
- 'The clerks room are always professional and responsive. Paul Horsfield and Perry Brown stand out.'
- 'Paul Horsfield, James Ladbrook and Perry Brown are a formidable team and ensure that every instruction is dealt with efficiently and seamlessly.'
- 'Undoubtedly one of the top London sets for offshore disputes work.'
- 'XXVI are out go-to set. All of the barristers are top of their game.'