Offshore (Bar)

Essex Court Chambers offers substantial expertise in a variety of offshore commercial disputes including fraud, shareholder actions, contentious liquidations and complex civil fraud matters. Its "phenomenally brainy" barristers act in some of the most high-profile and high-value offshore disputes, including such matters as Barclays Bank v Saad Investment Company and Cowan v Equis Special. Clients praise the chambers' ability to handle "large quantities of commercial information and to drill down to targeted strategic advice." Members have experience in several key offshore jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, the Channel Islands, Singapore and Dubai, and further jurisdictions, such as Belize.

"The clerking team is efficient and responsive."

"The clerks are great. They're really helpful and are really good to work with. They're also very good in terms of understanding different fee regimes in the jurisdictions."

Joe Ferrigno is the senior clerk.

Paul McGrath KC
Paul McGrath KC often appears in, or advises on, high-value commercial claims and is also highly adept at international arbitration. His instructions frequently include substantial fraud cases with cross-border regulatory implications. His offshore practice includes work in the Cayman Islands, the BVI and Dubai. "Paul rolls up his sleeves, goes in the ring and wins. He's very good for hard-hitting fraud work." "Paul is a very well-known high-powered silk. His analytical ingenuity and confidence are very helpful for difficult and legally complex cases." "Paul makes you quake in your boots when you see him on the other side."

Richard Millett KC
Richard Millett KC boasts an excellent track record in commercial litigation and arbitration matters, and is good at financial services and banking work. He is admitted to the Bars of the BVI and Anguilla, and is also called ad hoc to the Bars of the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Nevis, the Isle of Man and the Bahamas. Millett has significant experience acting in breach of trust disputes. "Richard is very smart, very diligent, and writes really well."

Ciaran Keller
Ciaran Keller has been called to the Bar of the BVI and is a noted presence in other offshore jurisdictions. He is an expert in cases involving breach of trust, insolvency and freezing order proceedings, and has a strong client roster that includes a number of international financial corporations. "Ciaran is an excellent advocate and a joy to work with." "Ciaran Keller is an outstanding defence barrister. He's a dogged fighter for his clients, very smart, unbelievably efficient, and super responsive. He's all in all a super impressive performer."

Joe Smouha KC
Joe Smouha KC has a wealth of experience in international commercial litigation. His offshore portfolio includes cases in the BVI and the Cayman Islands. Smouha is an expert in fraud, money laundering, and joint venture ownership disputes, to name but a few. "Joe is an excellent commercial all-rounder, and one of the best I've seen at leading big teams. He's a great team player and leader." "Joe is strategically brilliant. He's at the top of his game."

James Willan KC
James Willan KC has been called to the Bar of the BVI, and is also admitted in the DIFC, the Isle of Man and the Cayman Islands. Willan is particularly adept at unfair prejudice claims. He frequently acts in other commercial disputes such as fraud matters. "James' ability to grasp issues quickly is impressive, coupled with his outstanding level of knowledge and strong advocacy." "James is one of the best junior silks at the Bar. He's exceptional; always someone that's fantastic."

Stephen Houseman KC
Stephen Houseman KC's offshore practice sees him acting in commercial law matters arising from shareholder disputes to winding-up proceedings. He is also held in high regard for his ability to handle large-scale asset tracing and fraud cases. He operates across several jurisdictions, including Singapore, Dubai and the Caribbean. "Stephen's a brilliant strategist, who never loses his cool. He makes the exceptionally difficult art of advocacy look easy. When it comes to multi-jurisdictional battles, Stephen's your man."