Department profile
Serle Court

Fraud: Civil

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Serle Court

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Fraud: Civil - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

The experienced commercial barristers at Serle Court are routinely instructed in high-profile fraud cases on both a domestic and international scale. Members offer significant expertise in claims involving allegations of bribery, as well as the tracing, freezing and recovery of assets across a wide range of jurisdictions. Several of the set's instructions involve offshore jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the BVI, while the team is also regularly instructed in disputes arising in Russia and the Middle East. Sources note that "Serle Court is highly capable of handling complex and sophisticated matters, with barristers who are known for providing clear, pragmatic advice and delivering persuasive advocacy in high-stakes disputes." Recent instructions for the set include acting for defendants in İşbilen v Turk and Others, regarding a multimillion dollar international fraud claim involving investment vehicles and companies in jurisdictions including BVI, Cayman, Dubai and the USA.

Nicholas Hockney and Daniel Wheeler are joint practice directors.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The Serle Court clerks are great; they are a friendly team who are very commercial.

    Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • The clerksroom is fantastic. Daniel Wheeler and Nicholas Hockney are really responsive, good to get on with, commercial and sensitive.

    Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Dan Wheeler is very good, and Colin Bunyan is really responsive and lovely.

    Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team at Serle Court are excellent. Nicholas Hockney and Daniel Wheeler who are both very helpful and friendly.

    Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Serle Court clerks are responsive and personable.

    Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1David Drake
    Band 1David Drake

    David Drake

    David Drake advises on complex cases of civil fraud, and is an expert on freezing and document preservation orders. In addition, he appears in criminal proceedings. He has experience advising on disputes involving allegations of dishonesty, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence.

    • He is easy to work with, great as part of a team and very precise on the law.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is so bright; he has a banked up stash of legal knowledge and is the guy to bounce stuff off. He works in a team very easily, and his advocacy is excellent. He feels like a silk.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Adil Mohamedbhai
    Band 2Adil Mohamedbhai

    Adil Mohamedbhai

    Adil Mohamedbhai is regularly called upon to handle complex and high-value disputes involving allegations of bribery, conspiracy, dishonest assistance and breach of fiduciary duty. He offers expertise in securing freezing injunctions and disclosure applications.

    • He is a super brain who goes through most complex matters very quickly with clean and clear analysis.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely intelligent, phenomenally bright and backs that up with excellent advocacy.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Hugh Norbury
    Band 2Hugh Norbury

    Hugh Norbury

    Hugh Norbury KC is an excellent silk with an expansive commercial practice. He is instructed in high-profile and high-value civil fraud cases involving allegations such as breach of fiduciary duty, bribery and conspiracy.

    • He is a really experienced fraud litigator with a knack for finding the killer point.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Jonathan Adkin
    Band 2Jonathan Adkin

    Jonathan Adkin

    Jonathan Adkin KC is an impressive advocate who has acted in a large number of prominent, multi-jurisdictional fraud disputes. He has great experience of cases involving high net worth individuals. He has experience handling cases involving allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty.

    • Jonathan Adkin KC is an extremely effective cross examiner.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is always available, extremely clever and goes for the killer point.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • A great advocate who will bring the judge round on tricky issues.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Elizabeth Jones
    Band 3Elizabeth Jones

    Elizabeth Jones

    Elizabeth Jones KC is an experienced commercial practitioner who is frequently instructed in major fraud matters. Her cases concern the full raft of allegations including forgery, bribery, conspiracy and deceit. She is also a skilled mediator.

    • Elizabeth Jones KC is an outstanding member of the Bar in every respect.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • Her great strength is that she's a master strategist that also has complete command of the detail, so she's able to drive strategy from a rock-solid grounding in the foundations of the case.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3James Mather
    Band 3James Mather

    James Mather

    James Mather is noted for his adroit handling of high-value asset recovery actions and regularly appears in complex multi-jurisdictional litigation. He has experience handling cases involving serious allegations of conspiracy and deceit.

    • He has real intellectual firepower.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • James Mather is a highly skilled barrister with an impressive ability to handle complex legal and factual issues with precision, and his advocacy is both articulate and well-structured.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • His advocacy is persuasive, clear and calm, and his drafting is well written and concise.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Justin Higgo
    Band 3Justin Higgo

    Justin Higgo

    Justin Higgo KC is an admired silk with a broad commercial chancery practice. He receives a steady supply of significant fraud instructions relating to diverse allegations including deceit, breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of funds.

    • Justin Higgo KC has got that nice balance of being really smart and incredibly eloquent.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is prepared to get involved in the detail and is very good on strategy.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Marc Delehanty
    Band 3Marc Delehanty

    Marc Delehanty

    Marc Delehanty has a growing reputation for his handling of complex and high-value fraud disputes, and is often instructed in cases involving an international element. He is noted for his expertise in fraud actions involving asset-freezing issues.

    • He has got a razor sharp mind and a particular gift in unpacking complex commercial information and presenting it in a way that is helpful for the solicitors and court, with a pleasant advocacy style.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is very diligent and thorough.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • Marc Delehanty is incredibly hard-working, and his client handling skills were superb.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Simon Hattan
    Band 3Simon Hattan

    Simon Hattan

    Simon Hattan manages a general commercial and chancery practice and is regularly instructed in fraud matters involving allegations such as breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation and dishonesty.

    • His understanding and advocacy skills are very much at KC level.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • Simon is a thorough and strong junior.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is excellent, very thorough and very good at writing. He is pragmatic and does not miss anything.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Dan McCourt Fritz
    Band 4Dan McCourt Fritz

    Dan McCourt Fritz

    Dan McCourt Fritz KC regularly acts for both claimants and defendants in complex fraud cases. He is experienced in the handling of disputes involving allegations of conspiracy, bribery and breach of fiduciary duty. He is particularly well regarded for his expertise in breach of confidence claims and frequently appears in civil contempt proceedings.

    • He is brilliant and persuasive, and his court craft is excellent.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is really bright, easy to work with and has a very good, calm advocacy manner.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • A high quality junior who has stepped up to KC seamlessly and is very good on his feet.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • His advocacy is superb.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is really strong, punchy and backs himself, which is good.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Gareth Tilley
    Band 5Gareth Tilley

    Gareth Tilley

    Gareth Tilley is a senior junior with nearly 20 years' experience in civil fraud matters. He often acts alone, including against silks, in a broad range of cases involving fraudulent aspects including deceit, breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation.

    • He is good at absorbing information at pace and has real expertise in fraud-related principles, strategies and tactics in litigation involving fraud.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • Gareth Tilley's ability to quickly grasp the core of a problem and propose strategic, well-reasoned approaches was especially valuable.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • He is very hard-working and highly practical.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Paul Adams
    Band 5Paul Adams

    Paul Adams

    Paul Adams has grown a strong civil fraud practice and is comfortable acting as lead counsel in large claims. He has experience acting for defendants on complex, multiparty matters as well as representing claimants before the High Court.

    • He is incredibly bright, cerebral, responsive and easy to work with. He is very good at spotting all the points.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • Paul Adams is thorough and everything you want of a junior. He is highly responsive and provides detailed analyses.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Stephanie Thompson
    Band 5Stephanie Thompson

    Stephanie Thompson

    Stephanie Thompson is qualified in three jurisdictions, including New Zealand and the British Virgin Islands. She has experience in trials as well as interlocutory applications including freezing orders and asset-tracing disclosure. Her background makes her a strong choice for cases involving foreign law and multi-jurisdictional elements.

    • She is super bright and has a real clear drafting style.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • She is technically excellent, good with clients and responsive.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingCharlotte Beynon
    Up and ComingCharlotte Beynon

    Charlotte Beynon

    Charlotte Beynon has a growing fraud practice with a particular interest in fraud claims within the context of fiduciary duties. She acts for corporate and individual clients, whether claimants or defendants, and has experience in applications to the Commercial Court.

    • She has got a strong intellect.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksMatthew Morrison
    New SilksMatthew Morrison

    Matthew Morrison

    Matthew Morrison KC prosecutes and defends high-profile fraud proceedings concerning issues such as unfair prejudice, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy and misappropriated assets. He has acted in cases relating to numerous overseas countries including those in North America and the Middle East.

    • Matthew Morrison is a standout counsel. He goes the extra mile and thinks outside the box.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • His content is excellent, and his client work is excellent, as is his cross-examination in the courtroom.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar
    • Matthew has amazing attention to detail; he has a brilliant sharp mind and is technically excellent.

      Fraud: Civil respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Serle Court (15)

London (Bar)

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