Fenner Moeran KC

Barrister

+44 (0)20 7306 0102 fmoeran@wilberforce.co.uk

Call: 1996 KC: 2014

Practice overview

Fenner has a broad-based chancery / commercial practice with an emphasis on litigation. Whilst he has specialisms in pensions and financial services, civil fraud and asset recovery, and complex trusts/private client disputes, he also regularly acts in general litigious chancery matters as well as company, insolvency, property and general commercial matters.

Fenner is called to the bars of Anguilla and Northern Ireland, and regularly litigates and advises in Cayman, BVI, The Bahamas, Jersey and Guernsey and other offshore jurisdictions.

He is recommended in Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and Chambers Global as a leading practitioner in his fields, as well as being named in the Chambers 100: UK Bar list of the top 100 junior barristers in 2013, before he took silk in 2014. Fenner is recommended in the directories for:

Civil Fraud
Commercial Litigation
Pensions
Chancery Traditional
Chancery Commercial
Trusts / Private Client

Fenner's expertise

Download Commercial disputes CV

Commercial disputes

Fenner has been recommended in the directories for many years in both general Commercial Litigation as well as Commercial Chancery (including in Chambers Global) and also in specialist Civil Fraud and asset recovery fields.

Within the commercial field his work in recent years has been focused on civil fraud and dishonesty disputes, with particular emphasis on breaches of fiduciary duties (including shareholder disputes) and money laundering / asset recovery work. With regard to asset recovery, Fenner has extensive experience of obtaining and defending domestic and worldwide freezing, search, disclosure (including third-party disclosure) and gagging orders. His clients range from international financial institutions, through regulatory bodies to individual financial traders and customers.

The legal directories have described him as “an impressive litigator, whose experience spans freezing orders, asset tracing, shareholder disputes and professional negligence claims” who “has a thorough grounding in the law, and just tenaciously goes for it in court”. He is a “superb advocate who can combine the charm to keep the judge on side with the huge experience and gravitas to win the day. He commands the room“, who is “clever, sensible and approachable” and a “ fount of knowledge when it comes to obscure legal points, and also has the ability to quickly identify the right issues.” Clients like working with him because he is “great at cross- examination and has a sound grasp of mathematical concepts”.

Notable cases include:

Re Solid Star [2023] EWHC 2277 (Ch): Unfair prejudice petitions, directors duties and dishonesty in relation to bankrupt defendants.
USAF Nominee No.18 Ltd v Watkin Jones & Son Ltd [2023[ EWHC 1880 (TCC): Assignment of causes of action, security agreements and transfer of title to sue.
Re Solid Star [2022] EWHC 222 (Ch): Freezing injunctions and unfair prejudice petitions, and the granting of freezing injunctions against bankrupt defendants.
Bacci v Green [2022] EWHC 486 (Ch), [2022] EWCA Civ 1393: Availability of pension rights to creditors after bankruptcy where debt continues due to dishonesty.
Gavigan v Norton [2020] EWHC 2583 (Ch): Tribunal and procedure for committal applications in cases transferred from High Court to County Court.
Bostani v Pieper [2019] 4 WLR 44 [2019] 2 All ER (Comm) 276 [2019] EWHC 547 (Comm): Enforcement of Tomlin orders / lifting stays of proceedings, and how limitation periods / passage of time applies to this.
Caribonum Pension Trustee Ltd v Pelikan Hardcopy Production AG [2019] EWHC 314 (Ch), and [2019] 6 WLUK 362: Construction and enforcement of a guarantee, abuse of process.
Jones v Hamilton [2017] EWHC 3361 (Ch) and [2017] EWHC 1065 (Ch): Forgery of share documentation, and taking an account between business partners.
Kanev-Lipinski v Lipinski [2016] EWHC 475 (QB): Discharging worldwide freezing and search orders made in support of Israeli proceedings under Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 s.25 where there was no real risk of dissipation.
Re Bovey Cranbrook RBS [2013] EWHC 4346 (Ch): Inherent jurisdiction of the Court, freezing injunctions and cross-undertakings by public bodies and office holders.
JSC BTA Bank v Solodchenko [2012] EWHC 1247 (Comm): Third-party delivery up of documents, cross-examination of third-parties, passports and restraint orders.
Redpath v Shefford [2011] All ER (D) 12 (Mar): Adjournment of proceedings on first day of fraud trial.
Law Society of England and Wales v Isaac & Isaac International Holdings Ltd [2010] EWHC 1670 (Ch): Mortgage fraud by solicitors, dishonest assistance and conspiracy, tracing and asset recovery.
Law Society of England & Wales v Habitable Concepts Ltd [2010] EWHC 1449 (Ch): More solicitors mortgage fraud…
Chan Sui v Appasmy [2008] BPIR 18: Setting aside a statutory demand on the basis of cross-demands and equitable set-off.
PNC Telecoms plc v Thomas & others [2008] 2 BCLC 95: Director’s breach of fiduciary duties, relief from liability and conflicts of interest.

Download Commercial disputes CV

A terrific advocate and able to persuade a wavering court. He is supremely quick off the mark but listens to the mood of the room.
Legal 500 2025
Fenner is a truly excellent, very persuasive barrister with an incredibly quick brain. He is hugely knowledgeable and someone who gets people on his side very quickly.
Chambers & Partners 2025
A brilliant barrister with great analytical skills, who has a strong, strategic mindset. Clients really take to him and he is a top advocate.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Fenner is able to navigate complex matters with ease and is very robust in his advocacy, whilst at the same time having a sense of calm about him. He is a formidable barrister.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Fenner is excellent all round. He is superb on the technical detail, but also a first-rate advocate and brilliant with clients.
The Legal 500 2024

Commercial disputes insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Commercial Litigation Conference 2024
Wednesday 2nd October 2024 | 12.15pm - 5.50pm, followed by drinks and canapés
The Langham, London
£155 + VAT | 3.1 CPD
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Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Jersey Conference 2024
Thursday 26th September 2024 | 3.30pm - 6.20pm, followed by a drinks reception
Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Jersey
Free to attend | 2.0 CPD
View more
Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Guernsey Conference 2024
Wednesday 25th September 2024 | 3.30pm - 6.20pm, followed by a drinks reception
The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, St Peter Port
Free to attend | 2.0 CPD
View more
Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Cayman Conference 2024
Thursday 12th September 2024 | 3.45pm - 6.55pm, followed by a dinner buffet
Kimpton Seafire Resort
Free to attend | 2.0 CPD
View more

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Fenner's expertise

Download Pensions CV

Pensions

In Pensions, Fenner has been recommended for many years in the directories.

Within the pensions field, he acts for trustees, employers, members and professionals in both litigation and advisory work. He acts for the Pensions Regulator and various Government departments. His work has in recent years included litigation of pensions liberation and misselling claims, moral hazard claims (on both sides), professional negligence claims against actuaries and solicitors, advising on occupational pension scheme wind-ups and interpreting the statutory provisions of the PPF, the FCS and the FSCS, as well as various public sector pension schemes. He has particular interests in financial services regulation in relation to pensions, public sector pension schemes and pensions liberation.

The legal directories have said he is “charming, efficient and prepared to go the extra mile”, as well as being a “great advocate who really has the ear of the court, judging to perfection how to handle a hearing. His drafting is always first-rate and he delivers everything with the utmost efficiency”. Fenner is “commercial, pragmatic and astute, he’s someone you want on your side”. He is “an articulate advocate who gives practical and workable advice” with “a perfect legal mind”. Fenner is described as “a tireless worker who will peer into every nook and cranny of a case”, a “bright and practical barrister with plenty of experience who provides spot-on, commercial advice”, he is “unremittingly enthusiastic and always ready to find an answer”. Commentators are keen to highlight his level of consciousness with regards to the wider pensions industry: “He is very well up to date and alive to a range of various issues” “especially on pensions law and the international ramifications of applying UK law” and is “commended for his enthusiastic engagement with the pensions sector and his detailed approach to work”.

Notable cases include:

Brass Trustees Ltd v Goldstone [2023] EWHC 1978 (Ch): Trustees seeking permission to wind up an employer, relevance of PPF and PPF drift to trustee decision-making process.
Bacci v Green [2022] EWHC 486 (Ch), [2022] EWCA Civ 1393: Availability of pension rights to creditors after bankruptcy where dept continues due to dishonesty.
Adams v Options SIPP UK LLP [2021] EWCA Civ: FSMA based duties of SIPP providers to supervise investments in ‘execution only’ transactions.
Iggesund Paperboard (Workington) Ltd v Messenger [2021] Pens L.R. 13: Rectification of a pension scheme in a negative intention situation.
Adams v Options SIPP UK LLP [2021] EWCA Civ 474: FSMA based duties of SIPP providers to supervise investments in ‘execution only’ transactions.
Dukeries Healthcare Ltd v Bay Trust International Ltd [2021] EWHC 2086 (Ch) [2021] WTLR 809: Rescission of employee benefit trusts for mistake, application of Pitt v Holt in tax mitigation schemes.
Board of the PPF v Dalriada Trustees Ltd [2020] EWHC 2906 (Ch): Admissibility of ‘pensions liberation’ schemes to the Fraud Compensation Fund.
Caribonum Pension Trustee Ltd v Pelikan Hardcopy Production AG [2019] EWHC 314 (Ch), and [2019] 6 WLUK 362: Construction and enforcement of a PPF-type guarantee, abuse of process.
Capita Pension Trustees Ltd v Sedgwick Financial Services Ltd [2019] EWHC 313 (Ch): Admission of evidence after hearing of application.
Caribonum Pension Trustee Ltd v Pelikan Hardcopy Production AG [2019] Pens. L.R. 2: Construction of guarantee, and abuse of process.
Unipart Group Ltd v UGC Pension Trustees Ltd [2018] Pens. L.R. 18 [2018] EWHC 2124 (Ch): Rectification and use of confidential opinions in unopposed hearings.
Unipart Group Ltd v UGC Pension Trustees Ltd [2018] Pens L.R. 18: Use of confidential opinions on unopposed rectification proceedings with representative parties.
Dalriada Trustees Ltd v Bluefin Trustees Ltd [2017] Pens.L.R. 12: Court’s inherent jurisdiction over trustees.
Dalriada Trustees Ltd v McCauley [2017] Pens. L.R. 8: Freezing orders and breaches of statutory duty.
Granada Group Ltd v Law Debenture Pension Trust Corp plc [2017] Bus L.R. 870, [2017] BCC 57, [2017] Pens L.R. 5, [2017] 2 BCLC 1. (CA).
Hughes v Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Ltd [2016] Pens. L.R. 69: Whether a member of a pension scheme has a right to a cash equivalent transfer to an OPS where they are not an employee of one of the receiving scheme’s employers.
Garvin Trustees Ltd v Pensions Regulator [2015] Pens. L.R. 1: Legal professional privilege and bona vacantia.
Bellinger v Mercer Ltd [2014] 1 WLR 3597 (CA): Amending particulars of claim after the expiry of a period of limitation.
Re Bovey Cranbrook RBS [2013] EWHC 4346 (Ch): Inherent jurisdiction of the Court, freezing injunctions and cross-undertakings by public bodies and office holders.
Pi Consulting (Trustee Services) Ltd v Pensions Regulator [2013] Pens LR 433: Status of pensions liberation vehicles as occupational pension schemes under the PSA 1993.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd v Applegate (2) [2013] EWHC 2536 (Ch): Rectification of serial deeds of amendment.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd v Applegate (1) [2013] ICR 625, [2013] Pens. L.R. 105: Calculation of early leaver benefits and rectification.
Entrust Pension Ltd v Prospect Hospice Ltd (2) [2013] Pens. L.R. 73: Exercise of trustees discretion over 30 year period.
Re Sea Containers Services Ltd (In Liquidation) [2012] Pens. L.R. 569. 2012] Pens. L.R. 569: Construction of deeds, equalisation of male and female pension benefits.
Entrust Pension Ltd v Prospect Hospice Ltd (1) [2012] Pens. L.R. 341: Exercise of trustees powers late – matters to take into consideration.
Dalriada Trustees Ltd v Woodward [2012] EWHC 21626(Ch) [2012] All ER (D) 98 (Jun): Trustees rights of action against third-parties for breach of trust, fraud on a power, excessive exercise of power, locus standi.
Dalriada Trustees Ltd v Faulds [2011] EWHC 3391 (Ch) [2012] Pens. L.R.15: Unauthorised payments under Finance Act 2004, fraud on a power, breach of trust.
HR Trustees Ltd v Wembley plc [2011] EWHC 2974 (Ch): Faulty amendment of trust deed, maxim of equity “equity will treat as done that which ought to be done”.
Capita ATL Pension Trustees Ltd v Gellately [2011] EWHC 485 (Ch) [2011] Pens. L.R. 99: Faulty amendment of trust deed, equalisation of pension benefits.
Capita ATL Pension Trustees Ltd v Gellately [2011] EWHC 485 (Ch): Amendment of trust deed, equalisation of pension scheme, estoppel and contractual variation.
Capita ATL Pension Trustees Ltd v Zurkinskas [2010] EWHC 3365 (Ch): Compromise of trust dispute.
PNPF Trust Co Ltd v Taylor [2010] EWHC 1573 (Ch): The Pilots National Pension Fund Case, dealing with amendments to schemes, who an ‘employer’ is for s.75 and SSF purposes, and various other matters.
MCP Pension Trustees Ltd -v- Aon Pension Trustees Ltd [2009] EWHC 1351 (Ch): Notice, knowledge and forgetfulness for Trustee Act 1925 s.27 advertisements.
Re A.C. Skelton Pensions & Life Assurance Scheme, Capital Canfield Trustees Ltd v Beck [2009] PLR 71: Equalisation of benefits in occupational pension schemes.

Download Pensions CV

He has excellent knowledge of pensions and financial services law and regulatory issues – a go-to KC in this area.
Legal 500 2025
A terrific advocate and able to persuade a wavering court. He is supremely quick off the mark but listens to the mood of the room.
Chambers & Partners 2025
A brilliant barrister with great analytical skills, who has a strong, strategic mindset. Clients really take to him and he is a top advocate.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Fenner is a truly excellent, very persuasive barrister with an incredibly quick brain. He is hugely knowledgeable and someone who gets people on his side very quickly.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Fenner is able to navigate complex matters with ease and is very robust in his advocacy, whilst at the same time having a sense of calm about him. He is a formidable barrister.
Chambers & Partners 2025

Pensions insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

Publications
The Edward Nugee Memorial Lectures 2018
Michael Tennet KC | Paul Newman KC | Fenner Moeran KC | Jonathan Hilliard KC | David Pollard | Edward Sawyer | Thomas Robinson | James McCreath
June 2018
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Events / Webinars
Pensions Lectures 2018 #4
Tuesday 26 June 2018 | 6.30pm - 7.30pm followed by drinks
58VE, 58 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DS
£70 + VAT | 1.0 CPD
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Fenner's expertise

Download Trusts, probate and estates: contentious CV

Trusts, probate and estates: contentious

Fenner has a leading reputation in the field of Traditional Chancery and Private Client litigation.

A considerable portion of Fenner’s practice deals with high-value private client litigation and associated advice, in highly confidential situations. This encompasses both domestic and off-shore cases, from Jersey and Guernsey to Cayman, BVI, The Bahamas, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. He is regularly involved in both traditional court proceedings as well as trust arbitration under statutory regimes and the various forms of ADR.

His cases range from overt hostile action including claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duties, sham transactions and tracing assets, through to large scale multi-trust court approval actions on behalf of professional trustees. He also has a (possibly unique) specialism in the custody and disposal of dead bodies.

The legal directories have described Fenner as “a renowned trusts expert” who is “very bright and very diligent, he has a mind that is incredibly lucid and he can recall every detail”. He is “an excellent advocate, [who] comes up with creative solutions.” “Fenner has an impeccable judgment, providing well-thought through analysis, is admired by clients and is a persuasive and effective advocate.” In this area Fenner again specialises in the more litigious areas, including in particular property disputes arising out of or parallel to matrimonial proceedings (“He is especially well regarded for his expertise in cases arising from divorce proceedings”), and misfeasance of trustees, directors and other fiduciaries.

Notable cases include:

Wynne-Finch v Natural Resources Body for Wales [2020] EWHC 1924 (Ch), [2021] EWCA Civ 1473: Manorial mineral rights, construction of reservations in conveyances and adverse possessions of mineral rights.
Ravendark Holdings Ltd v Rotenberg [2021] EWCA Civ 1661: Beneficial ownership of property held by oligarch’s henchman’s company in divorce proceedings.
Dukeries Healthcare Ltd v Bay Trust International Ltd [2021] EWHC 2086 (Ch) [2021] WTLR 809: Rescission of trusts for mistake, application of Pitt v Holt in tax mitigation schemes.
Re 8th Earl Bathurst [2018] EWHC 21 (Ch): Construction of statutory wills, executor’s duty to assent assets.
Baker v Dunne [2016] WTLR 1489: Abuse of process and Beddoe proceedings.
Preedy v Dunne [2016] EWCA Civ 805: Proprietary estoppel, estoppel by convention and trustees.
Morley-Clarke v Brooks [2011] WTLR 297: Court’s discretion to capitalise life interest of widow on intestacy. Impact of non-consummation of marriage and lack of capacity to marry.
MCP Pension Trustees Ltd v Aon Pension Trustees Ltd [2009] EWHC 1351 (Ch): Notice, knowledge and forgetfulness for Trustee Act 1925 s.27 advertisements.

Download Trusts, probate and estates: contentious CV

A terrific advocate and able to persuade a wavering court. He is supremely quick off the mark but listens to the mood of the room.
Legal 500 2025
A brilliant barrister with great analytical skills, who has a strong, strategic mindset. Clients really take to him and he is a top advocate.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Fenner is a truly excellent, very persuasive barrister with an incredibly quick brain. He is hugely knowledgeable and someone who gets people on his side very quickly.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Fenner is able to navigate complex matters with ease and is very robust in his advocacy, whilst at the same time having a sense of calm about him. He is a formidable barrister.
Chambers & Partners 2025
Fenner is excellent all round. He is superb on the technical detail, but also a first-rate advocate and brilliant with clients.
The Legal 500 2024

Trusts, probate and estates: contentious insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Trusts Litigation Day 2025
Monday 20th January 2025 | 9am - 6pm, followed by drinks and dinner
InterContinental Park Lane, London
£299 - £360 + VAT | 5.5 CPD CPD
View more
Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Jersey Conference 2024
Thursday 26th September 2024 | 3.30pm - 6.20pm, followed by a drinks reception
Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Jersey
Free to attend | 2.0 CPD
View more
Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Guernsey Conference 2024
Wednesday 25th September 2024 | 3.30pm - 6.20pm, followed by a drinks reception
The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, St Peter Port
Free to attend | 2.0 CPD
View more
Events / Webinars
Wilberforce Cayman Conference 2024
Thursday 12th September 2024 | 3.45pm - 6.55pm, followed by a dinner buffet
Kimpton Seafire Resort
Free to attend | 2.0 CPD
View more

View all thought leadership View all events

Fenner's Details

BSB/VAT information

Registered name: Mr Fenner Orlando Moeran KC
VAT number: 702041793

Privacy Notice pdf

Qualifications and Appointments

Fenner Moeran read Politics and Philosophy at Bristol University, before reading for his C.P.E. at City University.
He was a Hardwick Scholar and Walter Wigglesworth Scholar of Lincoln’s Inn.