Chambers & Partners 2021

An impressive set, noted for its expertise in complex commercial chancery litigation arising in the UK and across several international and offshore jurisdictions. The team is regularly instructed in company, insolvency and civil fraud disputes, and offers considerable strength when undertaking complex commercial litigation involving elements of pensions, trusts and property law. Instructing solicitors praise Wilberforce Chambers as “a pre-eminent set that provides an excellent service,“ adding that “it houses a real depth of talent.“ Standout cases recently handled by the set’s members include Takhar v Gracefield Developments and Others, a high-profile case heard in the Supreme Court that redefined the test for setting aside judgments for fraud.

Client service: “The clerking team is fantastic – they know their barristers very well and have a good handle on their skill set. They really understand the type of work the barristers do and are an efficient team who are quick to turn around on requests.” “The clerking service is engaging and everyone is prompt to respond and endeavours to deal with concerns fairly.” “Practice director Nick Luckman is very smooth and user-friendly.” Mark Rushton is the head practice manager.

Alan Gourgey QC

A strong advocate with a commanding reputation at the Chancery Bar. He is highly sought after for shareholder disputes, banking matters, and international commercial work.
“He’s very easy to work with and is a very good advocate. He achieves successful result after successful result.”

Andrew Mold QC

A well-liked junior with a broad chancery practice, who is effective in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty cases. He is admired for the quality of his advice and advocacy. His work also includes property, pensions and partnership disputes.
“He has a great balance between technical skill and commercial sense – he never gets lost in the technical detail. He is also very, very good with clients and is an excellent communicator.” “Andrew makes complicated matters seem simple. He’s also very personable.”

Anna Littler
A talented junior with a direct and focused approach to commercial chancery work, who shines in civil fraud and insolvency work. Interviewees praise her for her ability to work through a complicated question and produce a reliable answer. She has considerable experience in offshore work, including in the Isle of Man and the Caribbean.
“An excellent barrister – she is really committed and has a good analytical mind.” “She’s absolutely superb. When she speaks everyone listens to her and she is a really deep thinker.”

Clare Stanley QC
A respected silk whose broad-ranging commercial chancery practice includes fraud, insolvency and asset tracing both domestically and abroad. She is regularly instructed on high-value and complex matters.
“Clare is hard-working and reliable.” “She’s excellent – very responsive and great in court. She’s very authoritative and is highly respected by the judiciary. Her written work is very compelling.”

Edward Sawyer
A respected junior with a straightforward approach to commercial chancery matters. He is sought-after for cases with a large volume of documentary evidence, and for matters with some international element.
“One of the best draftsmen at the junior Bar, with a great eye for detail. He’s a very reliable barrister.” “He is unbelievably intelligent, and sees angles that nobody else ever spots. He’s very thorough, very likeable, excellent with clients, and a very good advocate. He’s sympathetic but very analytical.”

Emer Murphy
Has a varied practice that encompasses property, trusts and professional negligence cases. Sources describe her as an effective advocate who produces especially attractive paperwork.
“Emer is super-smart, always focused on strategic outcomes and is willing to go the extra mile for her clients. Her advice is clear, direct and well thought out, and she works fast and hard. She is also friendly, approachable and a real pleasure to work with.” “A fantastic junior – her attention to detail is unmatched and clients are impressed by the quantity and quality of her work.”

Fenner Moeran QC
A well-known silk who is particularly experienced in chancery matters with both traditional and commercial aspects. He is frequently instructed on high-value and high-profile work.
“Fenner has a great manner with clients and is particularly good at explaining complicated areas in simple ways so that clients understand. He is good on his feet and is a delight to work with.” “He has great strategic instincts and is very outcome-focused and pragmatic. He manages to be modern in a very old-fashioned world.”

Graeme Halkerston
A noted junior with a respected commercial chancery practice, particularly global freezing litigation. He was a litigation partner in the Cayman Islands for six years, and as a result is an exceptionally good choice for international, offshore and cross-border matters.
“He is very impressive on his feet and good at reading the court and pushing difficult points as far as they can go.”

Iain Pester
A respected junior who is highly sought-after for company litigation, partnership disputes, and conflict of laws matters. He is also noted for his work in civil fraud. His strong command of Russian makes him an unusually fine choice of counsel for matters with some Russian element.
“He’s very inventive and thinks outside the box. He knows the documents inside out, is very hands-on and understands the issues quickly.”

Ian Croxford QC
A powerful advocate with a good deal of experience in the commercial chancery world. His practice has a particularly prominent civil fraud strand. He also has extensive experience of dealing with high-profile professional negligence cases against solicitors, accountants and stockbrokers.
“He is a particularly outstanding trial lawyer – one of the best barristers for cross-examinations.”

Jack Watson

“Super bright and very focused on the detail.” “A great drafter and good with clients – an impressive individual.”

James Ayliffe QC
Has a broad commercial chancery practice and has handled many joint venture and real property cases. He is regarded as very thorough and measured in his approach and is also recognised for his work on professional negligence, real estate and contentious trust matters.
“Simply top notch – he is able to assess complex situations and devise highly effective strategies. He inspires confidence in clients, is first class on his feet and a pleasure to deal with.” “He’s measured, understated and thoughtful in his advice.”

James Bailey QC
A new silk who is building on a respected junior practice. He is most often instructed on long-running and high-profile cases and appears in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
“He’s extremely measured, thinks everything through very carefully and is great with clients.”

James McCreath
A bright and well-regarded junior with a broad commercial chancery practice. Sources praise him for his technical ability and his willingness to work hard. His cases often involve property, pensions or trusts.
“His written work is really impressive.”

Joanna Smith QC
Highly respected silk with a wide-ranging commercial chancery practice. She is sought after for commercial matters, including shareholder disputes, insolvency, professional negligence and other high-profile and high-value work.
“She’s very impressive and technically excellent. She has an excellent way with words and great client skills.” “Simply brilliant. She is incredibly impressive and a great team player with a common touch where required for lay clients. Her advocacy is superb.”

John Wardell QC
A widely renowned silk whose broad commercial chancery practice includes company, joint venture and partnership matters. He is sought after by a wide range of clients, including banks and high net worth individuals.
“He’s brilliant when it comes to matters of fraud and is always on top of his cases. A very user-friendly barrister.” “He is at the top of his game when it comes to complex fraud and has an incisive mind. He’s able to explain matters clearly and has a huge courtroom presence.”

Lawrence Cohen QC
An experienced commercial chancery silk who leads substantial and complicated matters to successful conclusions. His recent caseload has involved a significant element of shareholder dispute work and an international aspect.
“He is very good – very analytical and a creative thinker.” “His strengths are his immense competence, thoroughness and experience, all of which make for a quick turnaround time on opinion work.”

Lexa Hilliard QC
A former academic whose exceptional depth of expertise is widely respected throughout the Commercial Chancery Bar. She is frequently instructed on both litigation and advisory work and is noted for her confident handling of insolvency matters.
“Her reputation is truly fantastic. She’s a brilliant practitioner for any insolvency or restructuring matter and has such a loyal following. Judges really listen to her.” “Her pleadings are good and she’s also very practical when dealing with clients.”

Nikki Singla QC

“He is really impressive on his feet and gets under the skin of the case really quickly. He sees the commercial side of the case not just the legal matters.” “He is always on top of the detail and is a very good trial advocate.”

Terence Mowschenson QC
A respected and highly experienced silk with a depth of expertise in company, banking, insolvency and commercial matters. He handles both litigation and advisory work and is noted for his dispute resolution in mediation and arbitration as well as court.
“He is extremely engaging to work with and very user-friendly. He is excellent at digesting complex legal and factual scenarios and distilling them into clear and well-crafted arguments. He has a calm and confident demeanour in court and delivers his arguments in a clear and well-structured manner.”

Thomas Lowe QC
An able advocate who is respected for his handling of high-value and high-profile matters across the full scope of commercial chancery. He is particularly fine choice of counsel for matters in the BVI and the Cayman Islands, as he has full practising certificates in both jurisdictions.
“A fantastic trial advocate – he is excellent in court.”

Thomas Robinson
A well-liked junior with an aptitude for technically complicated legal issues. His practice includes both pensions and insolvency cases, as well as other general commercial chancery work. Robinson regularly appears in offshore cases.
“A great strategist and very hard-working. He has a good court manner.” “Very able and easy to work with.”

Tiffany Scott QC
A recent silk with a depth of experience in commercial chancery matters, particularly fund and partnership disputes and work with some international element. She is noted for her calm and confident client-management and practical approach to advisory matters.
“She is really strategic and has an eye for the detail. Her communication skills are great and she puts clients at ease. She is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with.” “Her ability to tap into the details of a case at a moment’s thought is what sets her apart from other counsel in this area.”

Tim Penny QC
A popular commercial chancery silk with a depth of experience in commercial fraud and partnership disputes. He is particularly respected for his work on freezing orders and is often sought after for cross-border matters.
“A really brilliant, thoughtful and compelling advocate. His written work is excellent, and he’s a pleasure to work with.” “He’s extremely thorough and capable of getting through a lot of material while maintaining the quality of his drafting. In his oral submissions he’s able to represent some very dense and factually intricate material in a really clear and persuasive way. An excellent leader.”

Wilberforce Chambers is “my go-to set for lots of chancery matters,” says an interviewee, who explains: “They have such a lot of good barristers, and the level of service is so high. The clerking is excellent and they are very commercial in their approach.” The set’s group of respected silks and juniors are regularly instructed in complex pensions, wills and trusts matters, and often act in cross-jurisdictional and offshore cases. “The team are very knowledgeable and thoughtful, and their strengths are in technical expertise and the robustness of the advice,” states a source. Another commentator describes Wilberforce as the “first choice of set for trust work” and adds: “To my mind, it’s the top set for trust work.”

Client service: “The clerks are completely first class, the best in the City without a doubt. They really commit to their client service and make the effort to respond very quickly,” explains an interviewee. The practice director is Nicholas Luckman and the head practice manager is Mark Rushton.

Andrew Child
Enjoys a commanding reputation in the field of traditional chancery. He is regularly sought after for high-value matters domestically, offshore and in cross-border situations, and is noted for his work on contentious trusts and estates matters, including those involving a fraud element.
“He is really good at drafting papers and explaining matters. He is just a brilliant lawyer.”

Andrew Mold QC
Has a wide-ranging traditional chancery practice. Sources highlight his particular expertise in matters with matrimonial trust aspects to them. He also advises on complex fraud and pensions matters.
“Very impressive and very pleasant.” “He gives first-class practical advice and his drafting skills are excellent.”

Brian Green QC
A respected silk whose depth of experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters is widely recognised. He works on a range of challenging cases both domestically and offshore, and is a particular expert in trusts and pensions matters. Green is the head of chambers.
“He is the very best – there’s no one better than Brian Green QC. He has phenomenal experience, a brilliant mind and speed of thought. He’s utterly practical, utterly approachable and always ready to help.”

Clare Stanley QC
Acts in a wide range of private client and trust litigation, regularly handling highly complex disputes. She is frequently instructed in high-value matters both onshore and offshore.
“She is fantastic.” “She gives clear, confident advice, and you can tell that the lay client has complete confidence in her.” “So approachable” and someone whose “advice is always spot-on.”

Emily Campbell
Well-known junior with a highly respected traditional chancery practice, encompassing pensions cases, advisory and contentious trusts matters and estate planning. She is noted for her capability with extremely detailed or complex cases.
“A first-rate junior.” “Has a superb intellect and a highly impressive, logical manner. She is very sharp and tough, although courteous in court. She is very hard-working, and prepared to be intensely involved when necessary. A friendly and approachable counsel.”

Fenner Moeran QC
Particularly focused on pensions and associated trusts, although he is also regularly instructed in cases concerning other contentious trusts. He has a substantial advisory practice both onshore and offshore.
“So strategic” and “brilliant at pulling the strings.” “He gave very clear advice which was consistent throughout. He was rock-solid from the outset.”

Gilead Cooper QC
An eminent silk whose respected chancery practice is focused on contentious property and trusts. He attracts a wealth of praise for his advocacy.
“An experienced and hard-hitting trial lawyer. He clearly relishes getting his teeth into cases.” “Has an incredible mind. He knows his stuff inside and out, and gets it right first time around.”

Jonathan Davey QC
Frequently sought after for high-value and high-profile traditional chancery matters. He is noted for his expertise in charities and pensions matters, and for handling highly complex tax litigation.
“A real pleasure to work with.” “He has particular expertise in both tax and property law, which is so helpful. He relates to clients in a very positive way.”

Jonathan Hilliard QC
Has a broad traditional chancery practice that takes in a wide array of trusts matters and a substantial amount of advisory work. He is widely respected for his depth of technical knowledge. Hilliard has built a formidable practice focusing on trusts, fraud and pensions cases.
“On another planet when it comes to detail.” “He is so responsive and, night or day, you very rarely have to wait very long for a response from him. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a barrister who has a greater appetite for hard work and the law.”

Judith Bryant
Advises on a range of trusts work on both the contentious and non-contentious sides, and is instructed both onshore and offshore. She is also noted for her considerable experience of alternative methods of dispute resolution.
“Incredibly user-friendly, helpful, proactive, thoughtful and approachable. She’s very good at untangling knotty trust documents.” “She’s very user-friendly and very collegiate.”

Michael Furness QC
A deeply respected silk who has an impressive depth of knowledge across the board in traditional chancery, and is highly respected for his handling of offshore and overseas litigation. Furness is noted for his representation of clients in tax, trusts and pensions litigation.
“He’s a lovely team player and a fantastic technical lawyer. He’s very, very clever.”

Robert Ham QC
Focuses his practice on trusts and other private client work, including tax matters, both contentious and non-contentious. He is regularly instructed in cases which go to the Supreme Court.
“A titan of the Chancery Bar.” “He’s absolutely top drawer. He has this incredible ability to make the complex simple, which is so helpful.”

Tiffany Scott QC
Has a depth of experience in both contentious and non-contentious trusts matters, and is frequently instructed by charities, high net worth individuals and estates. Her practice  also includes property disputes and professional liability cases, and she is noted for her involvement in offshore work.
“Immensely clever.” “She is very intelligent, very user-friendly and very responsive.”

Charities (Band 3)

THE SET

A highly distinguished chancery set, whose charities specialists frequently advise foundations, charities themselves and the Charity Commission on a diverse range of issues including those concerning commercial and tax questions as they impact on charitable bodies. Individuals are active on behalf of these clients in contentious matters as well, and also represent trustees and the HMRC in test cases concerning devolution and tax avoidance schemes. Clients further benefit from the set’s well-renowned high-quality offshore expertise.

Client service: Nicholas Luckman is practice director and Mark Rushton is head practice manager. Both are described as being “flexible, commercial and willing to take a long-term view of things.”

“A supremely sophisticated and well-established set,” Wilberforce Chambers has at its disposal a strong bench of barristers, with particularly impressive capability at silk level. Its members are capable of handling a wide spectrum of commercial matters, including, among others, cases arising out of company law, insolvency and civil fraud. Recent successes have included acting for the respondent in Naftogaz v Gazprom, resisting an application in the Commercial Court for immediate enforcement of an arbitral award of almost USD3 billion. Members also defended RBS in a case which questioned the bank’s ability to terminate a relationship with a customer it suspected of money laundering, regardless of the impact on its client. Wilberforce barristers are well noted for their ability to represent clients in international disputes, and regularly appear in a range of jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

Client service: “The clerks’ room is a smoothly operating machine; the clerks understand the client’s needs and run a very tight ship.” “Everyone is a pleasure to deal with. The clerks go out of their way to help solicitors.” Mark Rushton is the head practice manager.

Alan Gourgey QC
“Terrific and easy to get on with.” “He is very popular and has a busy practice.”
Recent work: Successfully appeared for Gazprom in resisting an application for immediate enforcement of an arbitral award of almost USD3 billion.

Ian Croxford QC
“A brilliantly robust advocate who takes no prisoners.”

James Walmsley
“He is incredibly logical and will look at things very thoroughly from all angles.”
Recent work: Acted for Mr Titarenko in Renova v Emmerson & Others, British Virgin Islands proceedings concerning a joint venture in relation to power generation assets in Russia. The principal sum at stake was approximately USD1 billion.

John Wardell QC
“John has a lovely advocacy style which is easy to follow and very persuasive.” “He is very impressive, proving aggressive when needs be, and is always realistic in his advice.”
Recent work: Successfully defended RBS in a case which questioned its ability to terminate a relationship with a customer it suspected of money laundering, despite the fact that that as a result of this action the customer might have been unable to continue trading.

Marcia Shekerdemian QC
“She has a wealth of intellectual capital and great expertise.”
Recent work: Acted for Countess Von Sachsenburg in a case regarding a minority shareholder petition under Section 994 of the Companies Act 2006. The case involved numerous contested allegations brought by the Countess’s ex-husband relating to Mulberry House.

Terence Mowschenson QC
“Very client-friendly.” “He is tenacious and gets to the heart of the matter quickly.”
Recent work: Successfully acted for Alexander Plashekov in his action against Sky Stream, Linkov and others, regarding the ownership of 20% of the shareholding of Transaero Airlines.

Wilberforce Chambers represents an excellent choice of set for company matters. Its barristers frequently represent clients faced with domestic and cross-border shareholder disputes, issues of directors’ duties and breaches of fiduciary duty, among other matters. Their reputation for handling offshore work is particularly strong. Recent work includes a role advising in O’Keefe v Caner, a high-profile case regarding allegations of breach of fiduciary duty.

Client service: “The clerking is exceptional. They’re very good at matching the people in the case with the right personality.” “The clerks are engaging and prompt to respond. They endeavour to deal with concerns fairly.” Mark Rushton is the head practice manager.

Lexa Hilliard QC

A well-regarded silk who frequently handles claims relating to company and insolvency law. She regularly acts in cross-border shareholder disputes and offshore litigation, and has made appearances in the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and the Caribbean. Hilliard exhibits further strength in fraud, professional negligence and banking matters.
“Lexa is a delight to work with. She’s energetic and works very well with instructing solicitors.”
Recent work: Defended FRP Advisory against a claim brought by a shareholder alleging conspiracy to reduce the company’s shareholding value.

Marcia Shekerdemian QC
Enjoys a busy company practice which is complemented well by her work in insolvency and restructuring cases. She regularly advises on domestic and international disputes. Most recently, she has been engaged in several high-profile shareholder litigation matters and issues concerning breach of directors’ duty.
“Fantastic at getting to the heart of the matter and giving clear advice on complex claims.”
Recent work: Represented the respondent to a minority shareholder petition under Section 994 of the Companies Act 2006 concerning Mulberry House Ltd., the UK market leader for the production of training products in the care sector.

Client service: “The clerks are fantastic – they’re extremely efficient and really understand the type of work their barristers do.” “Head practice manager Mark Rushton is very accommodating, responsive and quick to find solutions.” Nicholas Luckman is the practice director.

Alan Gourgey QC
Routinely called upon to deal with difficult, fast-moving fraud litigation and arbitrations involving such allegations as breach of contract, deceit, bribery and misappropriation. He is successful at obtaining freezing and search orders. His instructions come from across the globe.
“A fantastic advocate who is very impressive in court.” “He is phenomenal both on paper and on his feet. He’s also very creative and works very hard.” “A genius who is exceptionally good on complex fraud cases.”
Recent work: Acted for one of the defendants in Libyan Investment Authority v JP Morgan and Others, a case involving allegations of fraud and corruption.

Iain Pester
Has worked on a number of high-profile civil fraud cases and, being a fluent Russian speaker, is an expert in work emanating from that country. He acts for both claimants and defendants. He is noted for his skills in obtaining injunctive relief. His cases frequently involve allegations such as unlawful means conspiracy, bribery and manipulation of a trading account.
“He is incredibly cerebral and intelligent.” “He is very inventive, understands the issues and can quickly give advice.”
Recent work: Acted for the third defendant in Danilina v Navigator, Chernukhin, Kargin, a dispute between Russian businessmen over the ownership of a company. Allegations of fraud were made on both sides.

Ian Croxford QC
Tenacious and experienced silk regularly engaged in high-profile commercial disputes and professional negligence matters in which fraud is alleged.
“He is clever and incredibly impressive on fraud cases.” “An outstanding trial lawyer who can address difficult tactical issues.” “He is pragmatic in his advice and superb on his feet.”

John Wardell QC
An outstanding leader with a wide-ranging practice who is accustomed to fighting complex fraud disputes. Many of his instructions originate abroad in such places as the Middle East and the Caribbean. He bolsters his civil fraud offering with complementary knowledge in commercial chancery and professional negligence law.
“He has an incisive mind and a huge courtroom presence.” “An impressive appellate advocate who has considerable experience at the Bar.” “He is a barrister that you want in the trenches with you – he rolls up his sleeves and understands the needs of the client.”
Recent work: Acted for RBS in the defence of an £80 million claim brought by the liquidators of a number of companies caught up in a VAT fraud involving carbon credits.

Jonathan Hilliard QC
Skilled silk who practises civil fraud as part of thriving commercial litigation practice which also includes pensions, offshore trust and regulatory work. His cases concern a variety of allegations including dishonesty and misappropriation.
“Extremely bright, energetic and a very good advocate.”

Max Mallin QC
Instructed in heavyweight fraud claims, especially those with international or banking elements. Allegations he has dealt with include conspiracy and fraudulent misappropriation of funds. He has an expert understanding of financial markets owing to his background as an investment banker.
“An impressive operator who is good at explaining complex ideas in simple terms.” “He is very sound in terms of his legal knowledge and willing to be creative.”
Recent work: Assisted the claimant in KSSL v King & Others, an action to recover money fraudulently diverted from the claimant company by former directors.

Client service: “The process is very seamless and the clerks are very supportive.” “The clerking team is responsive and helpful.” Nicholas Luckman serves as practice director.

Andrew Child
Has a strong offshore practice and noted experience of handling civil fraud and trusts matters. He is also involved in asset transfer disputes and is active in Guernsey and the Cayman Islands. Child has further expertise in private client matters including estate management and family disputes.
“Extremely tough and very bright.”

Andrew Mold QC
Adroitly handles a diverse range of traditional and commercial chancery matters, demonstrating considerable strength in cases concerning trusts, professional liability and company law. His practice has led him to litigate or advise on matters in the Cayman Islands, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Bermuda and Singapore. He is experienced in intra-family disputes including high-value divorce proceedings.
“He is disarmingly clever.” “Exceptionally able and a very nice guy.”
Recent work: Represented the investment manager in resisting the application to wind up an investment fund in proceedings in the Cayman Islands.

Brian Green QC
A market leader in chancery work who is regularly instructed by solicitors due to his ability to handle the most complex and high-profile litigation. He has a wide-ranging practice but proves particularly adept at cases concerning trusts and pensions. He has recently handled matters in Bermuda, Hong Kong and Jersey.
“So incredibly brilliant and so incredibly practical. He cuts through all the noise and always gets to the crucial central issue.” “A very bright advocate who is very easy to get on with.”

Clare Stanley QC
Noted for her commercial and company law practice, encompassing the likes of insolvency and fraud matters. She is well versed in the intricacies of acting in a number of offshore jurisdictions, including the Cayman Islands.
“Very accessible and very talented. An excellent team member and someone on whom you can rely.”
Recent work: Acted for the widow of a high net worth Caymanian individual in a dispute with the residuary beneficiary of the deceased’s estate, centred on claims to the subsequent increase in value of the estate.

Gilead Cooper QC
Has a great standing in offshore litigation, and noted ability in trusts, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and professional negligence disputes. He also handles property disputes. Cooper has appeared in court proceedings in the BVI, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong.
“He is personable, responsive, and surgically incisive in getting to the heart of the issues.” “Very bright, thorough and accommodating.”
Recent work: Acted in the Zhao litigation matters in the BVI, two related cases involving a dispute between Chinese nationals over the beneficial ownership of shares in a group of companies valued at over USD1 billion.

Graeme Halkerston
Very well acquainted with the offshore market, having worked for several years as a partner in a leading firm in the Cayman Islands. The bulk of his work is BVI or Cayman Islands based. He maintains a diverse and dynamic commercial litigation practice and has strengths in banking and financial disputes, restructuring proceedings and cross-border fraud.
“Very user-friendly, detail-oriented and knows Cayman procedure very well indeed.”
Recent work: Represented the investors in Meridian Trust v Eike Batista, a fraud claim with proceedings in both the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.

John Wardell QC
Has a strong commercial and company law practice and a broad range of expertise, including in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty cases. He is admitted to the Bar in the BVI and has further experience in the Cayman Islands.
“An impressive advocate and pleasant to deal with.” “He is very bright and a brilliant advocate.” “To say he is unflappable is an understatement.”
Recent work: Acted for the claimants in proceedings brought in the BVI relating to the ownership and control of a valuable group of companies in Ukraine.

Jonathan Hilliard QC
Has an excellent reputation for trusts and commercial litigation work. His practice has led him to act in the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Channel Islands and the BVI, among other jurisdictions.
“He is very talented and an exceptional litigator.” “His intelligence and knowledge is astonishing.”

Michael Furness QC
An impressive silk who is especially knowledgeable in trusts and tax disputes, as well as contentious and non-contentious pension scheme work. His practice regularly leads him to appear in Bermudian trust cases, and he has experience of acting in Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal. He also provides counsel on professional negligence claims.
“Happy to get his hands dirty and into the detail of the case.”
Recent work: Acted in a Guernsey breach of trust case regarding the alleged failure to distribute assets and failure in reporting IHT charge.

Nikki Singla QC
A highly regarded performer with experience of appearing for clients in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Dubai and the Channel Islands. Solicitors turn to him for advice on a wide range of commercial and business cases, and admire him for his specialist trusts expertise. His clients include high net worth families and trustees. He regularly handles shareholder disputes, negligence and joint venture ownership disputes, among others.
“He is absolutely fantastic. His mannerisms and approach are brilliant, and his knowledge of international law is spectacular.” “An extremely effective orator.”
Recent work: Continued to act in Pavilion v Radcliffes LeBrasseur regarding claims of breach of retainer.

Robert Ham QC
A very highly regarded practitioner who receives effusive praise for his outstanding efforts in private client work, tax law and pensions. He acts in cases in Guernsey, the Caribbean and the Isle of Man, among other jurisdictions.
“Top-notch trusts silk.” “Fantastically knowledgeable and provides very clear and concrete advice on trust and other matters.”

Terence Mowschenson QC
A popular and much-admired chancery silk who has undertaken a range of banking, finance, company and insolvency cases worldwide. His practice also encompasses joint ventures and partnerships. He has appeared in a wide range of jurisdictions, including Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, the Cayman Islands and the BVI. He has additional expertise in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
“Hugely experienced, knowledgeable about Isle of Man law. Extremely responsive and clear.”
Recent work: Acted for the respondents in O’Keefe v Caner regarding breach of fiduciary duty claims.

Wilberforce Chambers is a distinguished set with a market-leading group of both silks and juniors able to handle the full spectrum of pensions work. Members are thoroughly experienced in handling large-scale, high-profile cases at the forefront of the pensions industry. Wilberforce barristers are equipped for advice and advocacy in relation to a host of regulatory matters and act for employers, trustees and the Pensions Regulator. The set is able to act in complex cases with elements of employment, trusts and tax law.

Client service: “The clerks are absolutely first-class. They make it a pleasure to instruct a barrister from their chambers. They manage diaries perfectly, always deliver, don’t overpromise, have excellent resources and are very easy to deal with.” Mark Rushton is the head practice manager.

Andrew Mold QC
Garners considerable praise for his impressive ability in major pensions cases. He specialises in professional negligence and the regulatory aspects of complex pensions cases. He is experienced in appellate matters, including those before the Supreme Court.
“He is very pragmatic and commercial, and has great attention to detail.” “He is highly intelligent and very personable. He is fantastic.”
Recent work: Continued to act for Lloyds Bank in ongoing proceedings regarding Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation.

Benjamin Faulkner
High-quality junior with a broad commercial chancery practice. He specialises in pensions and related professional negligence disputes. He has notable experience of high-stakes, document-heavy matters.
“He is an excellent junior; he is very personable and strong on the technical detail.”

Bobby Friedman
A respected pensions junior with considerable regulatory experience. He has acted in some of the most high-profile pensions disputes and trials. He has advised on high-value financial support direction actions, and related allegations of professional negligence. He is particularly known for his work defending clients against regulatory action.
“He certainly knows his stuff and is robust in professional negligence claims.” “He writes extremely well.”
Recent work: Acted as sole counsel for a member of a pension scheme whose investments were entirely lost due to what he contends is negligent trading and investment.

Brian Green QC
One of the leading lights in the pensions industry, he is frequently seen on some of the most high-profile and significant pieces of litigation. He brings well-honed advocacy skills to his litigation and offers expertise in tax and trusts law. He is noted for his experience advising on charity and legacy public sector schemes.
“An outstanding advocate and an outstanding technical pensions litigator. He is absolutely at the top of the Pensions Bar and has serious gravitas in court.” “When he reaches a view he expresses it, rather than dancing around the issues.” “He is the very best – there’s no one better than Brian Green QC. He has phenomenal experience, a brilliant mind and speed of thought. He’s utterly practical, utterly approachable and always ready to help.”
Recent work: Acted for Stena Line in a case regarding the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund and whether an accrued rights proviso to an amendment power precludes amendments to ill-health and death benefits not yet fallen into payment.

Edward Sawyer
A gifted and experienced pensions barrister who has appeared in several high-profile cases affecting the industry. He is often involved in long-running litigation with international elements concerning pension schemes and the Pensions Regulator. He also has prior experience of advising on professional negligence allegations.
“He sees the angles that nobody else ever spots. He is very thorough excellent with clients and a very good advocate.” “He has incredible attention to detail, an incredible memory, and he is a great team player. He is very much a class act.”
Recent work: Continued to act for the trustees of the Mitchell & Butlers Pension Plan in a large rectification claim being brought by the trustee against the employer on behalf of the members. The case concerns whether the plan must or should stop using the Retail Prices Index to increase pensions.

Emily Campbell
Maintains an impressive reputation for her handling of pension matters that contain financial, actuarial or tax aspects. She is also experienced in regulatory, professional negligence and rectification issues. She is additionally noted for handling matters with an international dimension.
“She has a very good legal mind. She always has eyes for the ultimate position for the client.” “She provides really excellent technical pensions expertise and develops novel arguments on complex tax and overseas pensions matters.” “She is very committed and will not back down.”
Recent work: Acted for the Universities Superannuation Scheme in an appeal regarding the meaning of the ill-health early retirement provision for university staff and whether the trustees had the power to decide whether the member was suffering from incapacity at all, rather than just the extent of that incapacity.

Emily McKechnie
A well-reputed chancery lawyer whose expertise in pensions is complemented by her burgeoning reputation in professional negligence. Her client roster includes representative beneficiaries, company sponsors and the Pension Protection Fund.
“She is super intelligent, really practical and has judges wrapped around her finger.” “She is extremely diligent, technically excellent and provides exactly what you want from a senior junior barrister.”
Recent work: Acted for the representative beneficiaries in Part 8 proceedings brought by the trustees of the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund regarding the right to an ill-health pension.

Fenner Moeran QC
An impressive advocate, particularly well versed in pension liberation, fraud and moral hazard disputes. He frequently represents trustees, insurance companies and employers, as well as the Pensions Regulator and the government.
“He is very efficient, very user-friendly, extremely reliable and has a consistently positive and enthusiastic attitude.”

Recent work: Acted for Caribonum Pension Trustees in a dispute with Pelikan Hardcopy Production concerning the wording of the standard Pension Protection Fund assets guarantee.

James McCreath
Acts for employers, trustees and scheme members in a variety of pension disputes. He has gained particular exposure to Section 75 debt claims and regulatory cases, as well as professional negligence allegations in the pensions arena.
“He is great with clients and on top of his subject.” “He is a very good technical lawyer on the pensions trust side.”
Recent work: Acted for ITV as part of the counsel team in the Box Clever litigation.

James Walmsley
An established pensions junior who is highly reputed for his diligent work ethic. He is well versed in regulatory investigations and rectification actions.
“He is exceptionally good – extremely bright and hard-working.” “He always adds value when considering difficult areas of contract law.”
Recent work: Continued to act for the Pensions Regulator in its exercise of its Financial Support Direction power in proceedings against ITV regarding the collapse of the Box Clever joint venture.

Jonathan Hilliard QC
Widely regarded as the go-to barrister for technical pensions issues, he represents parties in a broad array of cases. He has significant experience in liberation, moral hazard and professional negligence matters. He is sought after by the Pensions Regulator, as well as sponsors and trustees. He has appeared in courts at all levels of the British judicial system, as well as the CJEU.
“He works very effectively and does excellent advocacy.” “He is intellectually prodigious and always exceptionally well prepared.”
Recent work: Continued to act for the trustees of Airways Pension Scheme in a Beddoe hearing to determine whether the trustee could use the scheme funds to appeal to the Supreme Court in the long-running litigation with BA.

Michael Furness QC
Enjoys broad expertise in occupational pensions and other relevant areas, including tax law and trust litigation. He is well known for engaging in international litigation in offshore jurisdictions. Trustee boards and large household-name employers seek out his counsel.
“Very experienced and a great technical lawyer.” “He is very careful and meticulous.”
Recent work: Acted for the members of British Airways Pension Scheme in Beddoe proceedings concerning whether the trustee should be able to fund an appeal to the Supreme Court and whether the trustee should compromise the litigation.

Michael Tennet QC
One of the leading silks for pensions, he is a master in regulatory matters and additionally specialises in actuarial issues. He is regularly seen in some of the pension industry’s most high-profile and contentious cases. His broad experience includes advising trustees, employers and representative beneficiaries.
“If you’re in the trenches then you want him with you. He’s very, very clever, absolutely determined to get the right results and really cares about winning for the client. He is absolutely top drawer.”
Recent work: Acted for the representative beneficiaries of the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund in a Part 8 claim to determine the validity of the provisions and procedure governing the grant of ill-health early retirement pensions to a member of the scheme.

Paul Newman QC
Highly regarded in the industry, he acts on the full range of pension matters and is particularly recommended for high-profile, intricate cases. He acts for a diverse set of clients, including a number of FTSE 100 companies, trustees, the Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund. He is also an accomplished adviser on allegations of professional negligence.
“He is absolutely fantastic; he provides fantastic advice on tax.” “He is a real go-to for no-nonsense, straightforward advice. He gets to the heart of things very quickly, offers high-quality advice with a commercial feel, has technical knowledge and is very easy to work with.”
Recent work: Acted in Marathon Oil UK v Centrica Resources, a claim regarding the reimbursement of deficit pensions funding contributions under a joint venture agreement.

Robert Ham QC
An experienced silk with a very strong reputation in the field of chancery and associated trusts work, both at home and overseas. He is frequently sought out to provide counsel on complex pension scheme matters. He also offers expertise in associated professional negligence issues.
“He gives something quite special in terms of experience and judgement. He brings decisiveness and gives you short and succinct answers.” “He doesn’t skirt around issues and cuts through the information easily.”

Sebastian Allen
A well-regarded junior with experience in the full spectrum of pensions cases. He has advised and advocated on some of the most large-scale pensions matters including benefits indexation, equalisation and moral hazard proceedings.
“He is thorough, detailed and reliable. He adapts his style to suit the particular client, and he is easy to work with. His depth of knowledge of subject matter and wealth of practical experience makes him a go-to barrister.”
Recent work: Instructed to act for a group of claimant rail companies in their dispute with the Secretary of State for Transport regarding the rejection of their bids as part of a recent rail franchise procurement process. The case concerns the way in which the Department for Transport treated the assessment by the different bidders of the future pension costs associated with joining the Railways Pension Scheme during the term of the franchise.

Thomas Robinson
Enjoys a wealth of experience in regulatory, moral hazard and insolvency cases all the way up to the Supreme Court. Highly valued by the Pensions Regulator, especially for moral hazard cases. He also has experience in professional negligence cases.
“He is very thorough and has great attention to detail.” “He has a very pleasing manner in court.”

Recent work: Acted in Blatchford v Blatchford & Others, a case in which the new guidance by the Court of Appeal on rectification was applied to a pension scheme deed.