Chambers Global 2013

Dispute Resolution: Commercial (Band 3)

Ian Croxford QC is “a fine advocate,” who opponents say is “brilliant in court.” Such is his learning and manner that “judges always listen to him.” He is a highly respected individual.

Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery (Band 2)

SILKS

Terence Mowschenson QC is widely respected for his vast experience on both traditional and commercial chancery matters. Much of his recent workload has involved the Madoff investment scandal. Sources describe him as both “brilliant in his advice” and positive in his outlook.

“Star performer” Ian Croxford QC has a business-focused practice, and often handles matters that involve fraud and professional negligence, as well as commercial issues. He frequently appears both domestically and abroad, and recently acted in the Court of Appeal case of Daventry District Council v Daventry District Housing.

John Wardell QC is another who acts internationally. In the past year, he appeared in Ackerman v Ackerman, a large family and partnership dispute relating to GBP150 million worth of assets. Solicitors say he is “extremely experienced, thorough, good to work with and an excellent cross-examiner.”

Much of Lawrence Cohen QC‘s work has an international flavour. He concentrates predominantly on disputes involving banks and investment funds.

JUNIORS

Multiple sources comment that Rupert Reed is an “outstanding” practitioner. He operates within the commercial and chancery spaces, and handles breach of warranty, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims.

Clare Stanley is praised for being “very, very smart and easy to deal with.” She is an adept litigator who frequently acts in offshore jurisdictions, with recent sorties including Isis v Kaupthing and TDT, a substantial claim against offshore trustees.

Nikki Singla‘s strengths lie in matters such as partnership disputes, breach of trust and breach of fiduciary duty claims and fraud cases. “Incredibly diligent and very good,” he appeared in Ackerman v Ackerman & Thornhill.

Offshore (Band 2)

SILKS

Simply put, Brian Green QC is “top-drawer when it comes to trust matters.” This “immensely impressive” silk “has really got it all in terms of intellectual prowess and client handling,” and “effectively combines guile and real common sense to resolve seemingly intractable situations,” say sources. He is routinely called upon by solicitors in those offshore jurisdictions that have adopted the UK trusts model, and has especially notable experience in Bermuda, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Lawrence Cohen QC has a strong track record of handling large-scale cross-border work, often relating to offshore trusts, corporations and holding structures where fraud and asset tracing considerations are involved. Instructing solicitors appreciate that he is “creative” and “willing to take on a novel argument,” factors that make him a sound choice for complex cases. His recent matters include advising on a dispute between two BVI companies concerning the performance of a shareholders’ agreement linked to their joint venture.

Thomas Lowe QC is in a prime position to advise on offshore matters as he operates directly from the Cayman Islands. “An excellent strategist who has the ability to deal with immense detail,” he is appreciated by clients as he “does not waffle, but gets right to the point.” This style is said to play particularly well in the Caribbean courts. His practice focuses on disputes surrounding complex financial structures, and he is currently acting for one of the defendants in the high-profile AHAB v Al Sanea proceedings.

Commentators report that Terence Mowschenson QC “has all the qualities one would want in a barrister.” Not only is he a “charismatic, thorough lawyer who is very persuasive in court,” but he can also be relied upon to provide “practical, on-the-button, timely advice.” He has a high profile in Gibraltar, the BVI and the Cayman Islands, where he is routinely instructed to handle trust, company and commercial matters.

Robert Ham QC enters the rankings this year having been singled out as “a heavyweight figure in international trusts litigation.” He also handles non-contentious advisory trusts work, and has been instructed on matters in all the key offshore jurisdictions. Sources say: “He is an incredibly experienced chancery practitioner who does an awful lot of work in the Caribbean and Bermuda – clients would be lucky to have him on their side.”

JUNIORS

Daniel Hochberg “has become a go-to guy in Guernsey and Jersey” for both contentious and advisory trusts work. Instructing solicitors appreciate that he has a good feel for how the Channel Islands’ courts work, and can be relied upon to provide thorough and practical advice.

Though still a relatively junior junior in a market which largely favours the instruction of silks, market observers roundly recognise Jonathan Hilliard as someone who “will undoubtedly be a big name for offshore work” in years to come. His flourishing reputation is based on his deft handling of various high net worth offshore trusts and fraud issues in Jersey, Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

Offshore (Foreign Experts)