Wilberforce Chambers is a go-to set for offshore contentious trust mandates, and is praised for having some of the ‘leading barristers in the world for international trusts work’. It is home to the reputable Brian Green KC and Robert Ham KC, who regularly handles traditional private client work, as well as cases involving elements of tax and pension schemes. Clare Stanley KC frequently appears before the courts of the Channel Islands, Cayman, and the BVI regarding trust cases. She acted for the claimant in Halabi v Equity Trust (Jersey) Ltd, which is now a leading case regarding the proper distribution of assets when dealing with an insolvent offshore trust. Gilead Cooper KC is particularly skilled in contentious property and trusts matters. Turning to the juniors at the set, Anna Littler is a key name to note, as is Elizabeth Houghton, who represents clients in novel Chancery matters that often have an international element.
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Profile
Position
Elizabeth has a very broad commercial chancery practice. She frequently appears in the High Court, County Court and tribunals, both in led teams and in her own right. She is often instructed in complex commercial matters with an international element. Recent work has involved jurisdictions including the Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Mauritius, Andorra, Switzerland, Italy, Russia and the Marshall Islands.
Elizabeth’s work frequently involves asset tracing in a number of jurisdictions and working closely with insolvency practitioners and other professionals. Her primary areas of practice are:
- Trusts and private client, including large offshore disputes in jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man and Hong Kong.
- Commercial disputes involving claims for breach of contract, misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duties.
- Arbitration, and the enforcement of foreign arbitration awards in England.
- Regulatory disputes, including acting for the Financial Reporting Council and the Pensions Regulator.
- Professional liability including claims against solicitors and auditors.
- Civil fraud claims and insolvency
- Property disputes
Career
Call : 2014 (England & Wales), 2011 (Western Australia).
Education
MPhil, Exeter College, Oxford, Distinction; BCL, Exeter College, Oxford, Distinction; LLB, University of Western Australia, First Class Honours; BCom, University of Western Australia; Diploma of Modern Languages (French), University of Western Australia.
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Testimonials
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- 'All the clerks are friendly (including to junior instructing lawyers), polite and very eager to help. It is very easy to liaise with Stewart Cameron in particular on any instructions, conferences and general access to counsels.'
- 'Nicholas Luckman is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable.'
- 'Nicholas Luckman may be the best in the business.'
- 'Andrew Barnes is brilliant and is very personable.'
- 'Very professional and easy to deal with. Nicholas Luckman and Andrew Barnes know the market very well.'