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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Francis Tregear KC is valued for his comprehensive and detailed understanding of the commercial and financial issues and realities affecting his clients. He is acknowledged as an extremely effective advocate in court as well as on paper. This has made him a popular choice for all types of business disputes and civil fraud claims involving complex issues of fact, law and forensic accountancy.
A very significant proportion of his work is international in nature and he has a sterling reputation for his international expertise. He has acted and advised in many offshore jurisdictions including the Cayman Islands, BVI, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Cyprus and the Isle of Man. He is called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean. His pre-eminence in multi-jurisdictional disputes involves him in strategy, interim remedies including freezing injunctions, conflicts of law, asset tracing and recovery.
Career
Call: 1980 | Silk: 2003
Languages
Fluent French.
Memberships
- Member of the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
- Chancery Bar Association [Member of the Committee]
- COMBAR
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- European Circuit
Education
BA (Cantab) (St John’s College)
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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.'