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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
020 7242 6105
Email
Profile

Profile

Position

Constance specialises in trusts and probate disputes.  She has appeared in a number of highly publicised cases, including Reeves v Drew (a probate dispute about the £100m estate of an illiterate testator). She has appeared twice in the UK Supreme Court: as Junior Counsel in the landmark case of Ilott v The Blue Cross and recently in Hirachand v Hirachand, concerning whether a CFA success fee can be recoverable as part of an award under the 1975 Act.  Constance also has an international practice.

Prior to taking Silk in 2019, Constance won the Chancery Junior of the Year award at the 2018 Chambers Bar Awards, and was recommended as a Star Individual in Chambers UK Bar Guide 2019 and High Net Worth Guide 2018.  Constance won the ‘Barrister of the Year’ Gold Award at the 2023 Citywealth Magic Circle Awards.

Career

Called in 2000 (Lincoln's Inn).

Memberships

Chancery Bar Association; STEP; ACTAPS.

Education

MA in Classics, Oriel College, Oxford.

Content supplied by Serle Court

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks here are what other chambers should aspire to. Well led by Nicholas Hockney, they are responsive, commercial and really helpful.'
  • 'Clerks are always quick and easy to deal with, particularly Daniel Wheeler and Colin Bunyan. They understand commercial imperatives for the matters and never have any issue with them.'
  • 'Jim Costa is particularly good to work with.'
  • 'Serle Court always offer a high level of service. Nicholas Hockney is an outstanding senior clerk.'
  • 'Clerks are user-friendly, commercial and easy to work with. Charlie Payne and Nicholas Hockney are stand-outs.'