Offshore (Bar)

Serle Court is highly renowned for its extensive expertise in offshore trust matters, and has comprehensive knowledge of an ensemble of jurisdictions including the Channel Islands, the BVI and the Cayman Islands. The set offers further expertise in Asian jurisdictions. Its barristers are frequently instructed by firms from across the globe. "The set has real strength in depth and at all levels can provide incredibly intelligent and capable barristers who provide a consistently excellent standard of advice," states a source. Members continue to act in some of the most substantial cases in offshore jurisdictions, including Wong v Grand View PTC before Bermuda's Supreme Court and both Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse disputes in the Singapore High Court and Bermudian Supreme Court. An instructing solicitor says: "Serle Court is the best in the field," possessing "excellent silks and juniors."

"I never have to chase the clerks and they're always very positive. Amber Feltwell, junior practice manager, in particular, is doing a great job."

"Serle Court has a very strong clerking team. They are really great and were always renowned for their service. They are incredibly friendly and if there is an issue you can pick up the phone and chat to them to help get it sorted."

"Dan Wheeler, practice director, is great at getting things done. We can phone him up with an urgent issue, and he moves things around and gets things done. He's excellent at matching barristers to clients as well. A standout clerk for me."

Dakis Hagen KC
Dakis Hagen KC has a strong reputation for handling international trust, fraud and asset-tracing matters. He regularly appears in Bermuda and Jersey, as well as the Caribbean jurisdictions. Hagen is highly experienced in regulatory proceedings and is noted for his skill in handling trustee applications and jurisdiction challenges. "Dakis has a massive offshore presence. You always want to see him on your side. He has a very easy manner, and is a very established name in the field." "Dakis is extraordinarily fantastic. He ticks every box; he is marvellous with clients and he gets the balance right between being a lead barrister and when to show due deference to local advocates." "Dakis will never let you down."

Elizabeth Jones KC
Elizabeth Jones KC excels in complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation and has in-depth expertise in company and commercial law generally. Her areas of expertise include financial services, contentious trust matters and civil fraud cases. She regularly advises on disputes in the Channel Islands and is also called to the Bar of the BVI. She has been engaged in significant proceedings in Bermuda and the Bahamas. Elizabeth is head of chambers at Serle Court. "Elizabeth has a mastery of both strategy and detail. She's able to both zoom into the details of documents and zoom out to consider the wider strategy implications as well." "Elizabeth is an incredibly impressive barrister doing high-value work." "One barrister who I think stands out head and shoulders above the rest is Elizabeth Jones KC. She takes no prisoners. If you find yourself in trouble, she's the one you want in your corner."

Jonathan Adkin KC
Jonathan Adkin KC is highly regarded in the area of contentious trust work, with additional experience in civil fraud, insolvency and partnership matters. His expertise is sought after for non-charitable purpose trust and company matters, including shareholder disputes. He is called to the Bar in Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. "Jonathan is very clever and has an impressive ability to distil highly complex legal issues into simple concepts." "Jonathan's brilliant, particularly on his feet."

Philip Jones KC
Philip Jones KC advises on the whole range of offshore matters, including investment fund litigation, trust disputes, fraud and tax avoidance. His clients include high net worth families and company directors. He has been called to the Bar of the BVI, the Cayman Islands and the Isle of Man. "Philip is one of the best there is for offshore work."

Philip Marshall KC
Philip Marshall KC demonstrates strong credentials in asset recovery and civil fraud cases, and has additional strength in restructuring and insolvency disputes. His clients include international banks and high-profile directors. Marshall has appeared or advised in courts in jurisdictions including the Channel Islands, Hong Kong, Bermuda and the BVI. "A bright mind and a persuasive advocate, who's clearly at the top of his field." "Philip Marshall KC is a phenomenal advocate. He has courage in his convictions and is a really good cross-examiner. He's very very powerful in submissions."

Richard Wilson KC
Richard Wilson KC enjoys a strong reputation in traditional and commercial chancery litigation, and has particular expertise in trusts, probate and partnership disputes. His practice also encompasses private international law. Although particularly noted for his presence in the Channel Islands, he has also appeared for clients in Gibraltar, the Cayman Islands and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. "Clients love Richard. He's adept at adapting his style to suit clients, which I think is a real skill. He has an incredible CV, which is easy to sell to clients. He's a very practical thinker and persuasive in court." "Richard Wilson KC is outstanding. He's very analytical and has excellent judgement. He displays very good communication skills with co-counsel and clients." "Richard's a fantastic advocate - a true silk on his feet."

Emma Hargreaves
Emma Hargreaves is frequently instructed by top solicitors in complex offshore trust disputes. She has acted in several high-profile cases, both as sole counsel and led by notable silks across the Channel Islands, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. "Emma is wise beyond her years. Her standout feature is her ability to process vast quantities of information in short period of times and produce high-quality work. Her written work is of a very high standard." "Emma is a silk in junior's clothing." "Emma is very clever and always a pleasure to work with."

Thomas Fletcher
Thomas Fletcher is a junior who specialises in trust disputes, including breach of trust, gross negligence and trustee removal. He has been instructed in commercial and trust litigation in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. He also provides advice on non-contentious trust administration issues. He has experience in contentious probate proceedings.

Giles Richardson KC
Giles Richardson KC is a key player in contentious international trusts cases, who has acted for both trust companies and personal trustees in places as far-flung as the Channel Islands, the BVI and St Kitts & Nevis. He specialises in real estate-focused trust funds and regularly acts for fund liquidators. "Giles is easy to work with and a real team player. He has a great strategic mind." "Giles matches his intellect with good commerciality; he's everything you'd want in a barrister." "Giles is an absolute pleasure to work with. He's brilliant with clients and a brilliant advocate. He's a well-deserved silk."

John Machell KC
John Machell KC has a wide range of offshore expertise, regularly handling major trusts cases as well as general commercial disputes. He has significant experience acting for appellants. He is frequently sought out by clients in Jersey and the Cayman Islands. "John presents material attractively. He has a splendid practice mixing partnership and trust law. A relatively young silk, but a star in the making." "John is very knowledgeable, fearsomely intelligent, but has a client-friendly manner that allows him to present his views in a way that is well received and easy to understand by the client team." "John has complete command and mastery of the subject matter; he's incredibly reassuring to have on your team. He's a real heavyweight in a difficult case. He's a consummate professional, great with clients, and provides superb advice."

Matthew Morrison
Matthew Morrison acts in a range of offshore cases, including fraud, trusts and liquidation disputes. He regularly appears before courts in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. "He understands the offshore jurisdiction and is able to cut through complicated problems to provide clear, pragmatic and sensible advice." "Matthew's user-friendly, super bright and a very cool head in even the most heated of situations."

Nicholas Harrison
Nicholas Harrison has experience of practising in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the BVI, Jersey and the Isle of Man, among other jurisdictions. He has had notable roles in several high-value, cross-jurisdictional disputes. His work in this area predominantly focuses on alleged fraudulent misappropriation and breach of trust litigation. "Nicholas is an exceptional tactician on complex international litigation." "Nicholas is a tremendous lawyer and has amazing stamina."

Ruth Jordan
Ruth Jordan offers noteworthy expertise in a range of offshore commercial work, including investment disputes and litigation arising out of environmental proceedings. She is particularly adept at handling litigation in the Bahamas. "Ruth is an extremely personable and approachable barrister. She's easy to get on with."

Stephanie Thompson
Stephanie Thompson is recognised for her burgeoning international trust litigation practice. She is called to the Bar in the BVI and New Zealand, and has experience assisting on several high-profile cases heard in the Bermudian Supreme Court, the Bahamas and the Channel Islands. "Stephanie is extremely responsive and works tirelessly to help the team reach its shared goals. She displays astonishing resilience under extreme pressure." "Stephanie is amazing. She is hugely hard-working and someone who turns over all the stones to make sure everything gets covered. She's a delight to work with, and has a very bright future ahead of her." "She is very diligent and completely on top of the law and details. Her offshore knowledge is vast and impressive."

Dan McCourt Fritz KC
Dan McCourt Fritz KC advises clients on complex, high-value trust matters, civil fraud-related disputes, and commercial litigation. He represents parties in high courts across the gamut of traditional offshore jurisdictions, including the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the BVI. "Dan is definitely someone to watch in the space." "Dan has a very good reputation in the market."