Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Restructuring/Insolvency - UK
What the Team is Known For
Serle Court boasts a strong insolvency and restructuring practice, and is well positioned to handle cases arising in offshore jurisdictions such as the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean. Members are regularly instructed in both contentious and non-contentious matters, and are well versed in corporate and personal insolvencies. Insolvency litigation involving allegations of fraud is also a key area of strength for the Set, drawing on the Set's enviable reputation in civil fraud matters, and its barristers have experience appearing before both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Members have recently appeared in State Bank of India v Mallya, defending bankruptcy proceedings for a claim arising out of banking litigation in India. Sources note that "the range of counsel available and the knowledge from Senior Counsel to Junior counsel is impressive".
Nicholas Hockney and Daniel Wheeler are practice directors.
Strengths
Nicholas Hockney, Daniel Wheeler, Arron Snipe and Charlie Payne, practice manager, are all very good and friendly.
The clerks really are first rate and the set has a huge bank of experts at their disposal.
The clerks are very responsive and personable.
Arron Snipe, senior practice manager, is very helpful and great to work with.
Notable practitioners
Daniel Lightman KC is widely admired for his vast experience and adept representation of all parties in bankruptcy and insolvency cases. He has experience representing litigants in disputes with insolvency office holders and is noted for his expertise advising on cases involving a novel or unusual point of law.
He is a very clear and compelling advocate.
He is excellent in his cross-examination.
An effective advocate who works extremely hard.
Lance Ashworth KC is a respected silk noted for his broad knowledge of restructuring and insolvency matters. He has particular expertise in directors' disqualification cases as well as administrations of failed energy companies.
He is excellent on his feet and can make all the difference in a big claim.
Lance is very hands-on as a silk and was superb on cross-examination.
An excellent KC who is brilliant with clients and is fun to watch in court.
Giselle McGowan is regularly instructed in personal and corporate insolvency proceedings. Formerly employed as a barrister in HMRC's insolvency and VAT teams, she continues to be a trusted choice by government bodies in director disqualification and insolvency matters as well as advising as junior counsel on the Crown B panel.
She is excellent and a master of detail.
Giselle is pragmatic, approachable, technically brilliant and great on her feet.
She is very thorough and you know you will get detailed answers that you can be confident in.
Jennifer Meech is a talented junior with experience appearing both led and unled in a wide range of insolvency disputes. She acts for all manner of clients including banks, corporates and liquidators.
Jennifer is good in court and is confident.
Lara Kuehl attracts praise for her busy and thriving restructuring and insolvency practice, where she acts in a diverse range of claims, including winding-up and bankruptcy petitions, injunctions, liquidations and challenges to office holders. She also acts for both creditors and debtors. Kuehl is frequently instructed as sole counsel and is noted for her effective advocacy.
She really helps to streamline processes and her written work truly stands out.
She gets on well with clients and is clear in court and in her communications.
Lara is personable, really responsive and hugely knowledgeable.
Her written work is first class. She is very responsive and extremely easy to work with.