Dispute resolution
Praised as ‘one of the leading chambers for international trust matters, especially high-value and complex trusts’, Serle Court features members that are notably active across the Caribbean, Bermuda, Gibraltar, and the Channel Islands. Its barristers are well-equipped to act for trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries, especially in cases surrounding trust and estate administration disputes. Elizabeth Jones KC has an overlapping commercial and private client practice, while Jonathan Adkin KC is particularly active in high-profile disputes across Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas. Of recent note, Adkin is representing the plaintiff in a dispute surrounding issues of a settlor’s capacity in the Supreme Court of the Bahamas for more than $100m. Dakis Hagen KC has a thriving offshore trusts practice, and he is currently acting for the plaintiff in the high-profile case of Wong v Grand View PTC and others, which concerns an action to set aside five purpose trusts in Bermuda which in total hold more than $18bn. Constance McDonnell KC is another key silk at the set with expertise in the cross-border administration of trusts.
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Profile
Work Department
Liz has a wide-ranging practice both in the UK and offshore in the chancery and commercial fields, ranging from offshore trusts to commercial arbitration and civil fraud. Most of her cases are multi-jurisdictional and many involve dishonesty or breach of duty in some field or another. She is also a mediator.
Position
Described recently by Chambers & Partners as "superlative and top of the tree" and as a "renowned trial advocate", Liz is widely recognized as a first class litigator, noted for her intellectual rigour, hands-on approach and team work. In addition to general commercial/contract/company disputes, she has particular expertise in civil fraud and asset tracing, banking and financial services (including regulatory work), contentious trust and probate, and has nearly 30 years' experience in the music business. Most of her cases are complex, multi-party and often cross-jurisdictional disputes. Liz is noted by clients and directories for her highly persuasive advocacy and her ability to master and control very large scale and often cross jurisdictional litigation. She regularly works in the Channel Islands and is called to the Bar in the BVI. Liz is Head of Chambers.
Liz also has significant regulatory and disciplinary experience, having been Complaints Ombudsman for LIFFE between 2000 and 2008. Liz is a well known mediator, and this forms a small but significant part of her practice. She also sits as a deputy High Court Judge in the Chancery Division.
Liz has fought several cases in different jurisdictions where the governing law of the dispute was Saudi law, in particular in the areas of contract law, agency, tort, and commercial distribution within Saudi Arabia.
Career
Qualified 1984, Middle Temple and Lincoln’s Inn; KC 2000.
Memberships
Chancery Bar Association, COMBAR, ACTAPS.
Education
Howells School; King’s College, Cambridge (1983 BA).
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- 'The clerks here are what other chambers should aspire to. Well led by Nicholas Hockney, they are responsive, commercial and really helpful.'
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