
Chambers Review
Wilberforce Chambers offers significant strength and depth in all the major offshore jurisdictions, including those in the Channel Islands, the Caribbean and Asia. Members of the set are instructed to act in matters such as trust litigation, high-value commercial disputes, fraud claims and insolvency matters. Its barristers continue to appear in a number of high-profile cases, such as AHAB v Saad Investments Company Limited, a large fraud case involving over 100 banks. One source highlights their "excellent combination of trust, insolvency and commercial expertise," noting them as "a go-to set." Another details how the "quality of the practitioners is exemplary."
"Wilberforce Chambers certainly have the best clerking team. In particular, Fraser Geddes, senior practice manager, and Stewart Cameron, senior practice manager, are absolutely brilliant. They are incredibly responsive and very commercial."
"Andrew Barnes, senior practice manager, is a standout clerk. He is a great guy and has a lovely way about him."
"Nick Luckman, practice director, has carved out a unique position for himself both within the set and at the Bar in general."
Notable Practitioners
Brian Green KC is a market leader in chancery work who is regularly instructed by solicitors due to his ability to handle the most complex and high-profile litigation. He has a wide-ranging practice but proves particularly adept at cases concerning trusts and pensions. He has handled matters in Bermuda, Hong Kong and Jersey.
"Brian Green is a leading light and very talented trust lawyer. He is very experienced, hard-working, and is at the top of his game in a leading set."
Graeme Halkerston is very well acquainted with the offshore market, having worked for several years as a partner in a leading firm in the Cayman Islands. The bulk of his work is BVI or Cayman Islands based. He maintains a diverse and dynamic commercial litigation practice and has strengths in banking and financial disputes, restructuring proceedings and cross-border fraud.
"Graeme Halkerston is our go-to barrister for unfair prejudice claims. He is much better than many of the silks he appears against."
Robert Ham KC is a very highly regarded practitioner who receives effusive praise for his outstanding efforts in private client work, tax law and pensions. He acts in cases in Guernsey, the Caribbean and the Isle of Man, among other jurisdictions.
"Robert Ham has vast experience and is great to have on your side."
"He is exceptionally experienced in trust matters and has been extremely helpful. He takes instructions well."
"Robert Ham is just legendary in the profession as a trust litigator. His written advocacy is probably the best I have ever seen."
Thomas Lowe KC has a wealth of experience of appearing in the Cayman Islands and the BVI, acting in a wide range of private client disputes and contentious trust matters. He has a particular forte in handling litigation following the collapse of investment structures, and regularly acts in disputes between fund managers. Lowe is frequently called upon by commercial clients including banks and insurance companies. He also provides expertise in matters relating to fraud and insolvency.
"Thomas Lowe is unflappable and is a leading Cayman Islands silk."
"He is excellent; a true offshore specialist. Few other people in the Bar have as much experience in the Cayman Islands than Thomas Lowe."
"He is a leading barrister in the Cayman Islands and is a go-to for the jurisdiction."
Gilead Cooper KC has a great standing in offshore litigation and has noted ability in trusts, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and professional negligence disputes. He also handles property disputes. He has appeared in court proceedings in the BVI, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong.
"Gilead Cooper has a strong estate and trust practice. He is very able and thoughtful."
"He is a fantastic trust lawyer who touches upon fraud and misinterpretation matters."
Michael Furness KC is an impressive silk who is especially knowledgeable in trusts and tax disputes, as well as contentious and non-contentious pension scheme work. His practice regularly leads him to appear in Bermudian trust cases, and he has experience acting in Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal. He also provides counsel on professional negligence claims.
Clare Stanley KC is noted for her commercial and company law practice, encompassing the likes of insolvency and fraud matters. She has further expertise in handling trust dispute cases. Clare is well versed in the intricacies of acting in a number of offshore jurisdictions, including the Cayman Islands.
"Her ability to cut to the chase on offshore trust matters is her particular skill."
"She is a very forceful advocate and a firm opponent."
"She is incredibly confident and robust in her approach. She fills those around her with confidence."
Terence Mowschenson KC is a popular and much-admired chancery silk who has undertaken a range of banking, finance, company and insolvency cases worldwide. His practice also encompasses joint ventures and partnerships. He has appeared in a wide range of jurisdictions, including Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, the Cayman Islands and the BVI. He has additional expertise in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
"Terence Mowschenson is unquestionably our go-to silk on heavyweight and complicated matters."
"He is one of the best senior silks in the market."
"He is extremely senior, sophisticated, polished and is always a voice of common sense."
John Wardell KC has a strong commercial and company law practice and a broad range of expertise, including in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty cases. He is admitted to the Bar in the BVI and has further experience in the Cayman Islands.
"He is a powerful advocate."
Anna Littler has a strong practice in the offshore world. She regularly undertakes trusts litigation, including in Bermuda. She is well equipped to handle a range of issues trusts and trustees may encounter.
Andrew Mold KC adroitly handles a diverse range of traditional and commercial chancery matters, demonstrating considerable strength in cases concerning trusts, professional liability and company law. His practice has led him to litigate or advise on matters in the Cayman Islands, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Bermuda and Singapore. He is experienced in intra-family disputes including high-value divorce proceedings.
"He is very modest, incredibly intelligent, and inspires confidence in clients."
Nikki Singla KC is a highly regarded performer with experience appearing for clients in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Dubai and the Channel Islands. Solicitors turn to him for advice on a wide range of commercial and business cases, and admire him for his specialist trusts expertise. His clients include high net worth families and trustees. He regularly handles shareholder disputes, negligence and joint venture ownership disputes, among others.
"He does an extraordinary job in terms of advocacy, collaboration and strategy."
"Nikki Singla has an excellent grasp of his field of expertise and handles matters with a professionalism that is unmatched."
"His strength is his ability to simplify complex issues before the courts."
Jonathan Hilliard KC has an excellent reputation for trusts and commercial litigation work. His practice has led him to act in the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Channel Islands and the BVI, among other jurisdictions.
"He sticks to the detail and provides very good strategic and technical advice."
"Jonathan Hilliard is a thorough and professional advocate with a comprehensive understanding of the law."
"He is really impressive. He is very commercial and has an approachable manner."