Offshore (Bar)

XXIV Old Buildings maintains a superb reputation for its handling of an array of offshore work, with members frequently appearing in trusts, funds, fraud and restructuring disputes. The "premier offshore" set is able to offer significant expertise in the Channel Islands, the BVI and the Cayman Islands, as well as in Middle and Far Eastern jurisdictions. Members appear in high-profile cases including Wong v Grand View, Ivanishvilli v Credit Suisse Life, and the X Trusts dispute before the Bermudian Supreme Court. A source refers to the set as a "go-to for complex matters." Another calls it a "powerhouse" for offshore trust work.

"The clerks are really user-friendly and reliable. They're easy to get on with, and you can talk straight with them on fees and timings."

"The clerking team are very efficient. They market their barristers well and I've always found them to be honest and open. They make sure we get the right barrister on the matter if our first choice isn't available."

Paul Horsfield is the head clerk.

Elspeth Talbot Rice KC
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is a highly regarded and much sought-after expert who handles a full spectrum of commercial and traditional chancery work. She has experience of acting in jurisdictions spanning the BVI, Bermuda and the UK Crown Dependencies, and acts for both claimants and defendants in significant trust and estates disputes. She has particular experience in cases concerning asset transfers and restructuring. "Elspeth is absolutely excellent. She's very user-friendly and very direct, which is often incredibly helpful. She's an exceptional resource and someone you want on your side." "Elspeth is one of the best advocates around. She presents incredibly well to courts - she gives it everything." "A real presence offshore, and a force to be reckoned with."

David Brownbill KC
David Brownbill KC is a natural choice for the most complex and contentious trusts litigation. He is frequently called upon to handle work in the Channel Islands, the BVI and the Cayman Islands. His specialism lies in multi-jurisdictional and high-value traditional and commercial chancery work. Brownbill is particularly sought after for claims arising out of liquidation and insolvency. "David's as knowledgeable as anyone in the international trust field. He's very well known in the field, and very experienced. He's also a good advocate and I like working with him."

Edward Cumming KC
Edward Cumming KC is highly regarded among peers for his excellent advocacy skills. He frequently appears in trust, company and general commercial litigation. He has a substantial offshore practice and appears in Singapore, South Africa and Mauritius, alongside more traditional jurisdictions in the Caribbean and Channel Islands. Cumming is instructed on behalf of multinational corporates in addition to high net worth private clients. "Edward Cummings KC is phenomenal. He is one of the most user-friendly King's Counsel that I have ever worked with. He involves himself in all aspects. Just such a nice person to work with." "Ed's incredibly impressive. He goes above and beyond what I'd expect from my silk." "Edward has this unbelievable energy around him; he's like a Duracell bunny. He's very bright, gets into the detail, and is very user-friendly."

Stephen Moverley Smith KC
Stephen Moverley Smith KC is well versed in a range of commercial cases, including those concerning restructuring, fraud and insolvency. He also specialises in fraud and corruption cases. "The doyen of the offshore world." "Stephen's consistently cool under pressure. He's resolute and strong. I'm impressed by his intellectual consistency and stamina." "Stephen's one of the main names at the offshore Bar. He knows the courts and the judges. He's an excellent barrister and advocate."

Andrew Holden
Andrew Holden receives consistent praise for his deep level of experience in trust litigation work. He also handles pension and liquidation disputes. His experience extends to Bermuda, the Channel Islands, the BVI and the Cayman Islands, among others. Holden acts on behalf of high net worth families and individuals as well as commercial entities. "Andrew's a very clever barrister and he writes good submissions."

Bajul Shah
Bajul Shah has an enviable offshore practice and handles cases in Dubai, Cyprus, the Caribbean and the Channel Islands. He offers expertise in a broad range of commercial chancery areas, including insolvency, trusts, probate and civil fraud, and is frequently called upon by liquidators and trustees. "Bajul is super good. He's a very impressive junior barrister." "Bajul is reliable and measured. He knows the papers backwards and forward and he's also good with difficult clients." "A phenomenally good junior."

Elizabeth Weaver
Elizabeth Weaver is a deeply experienced junior barrister, well versed in professional negligence and general chancery matters. She is routinely called upon for her expertise in international trusts disputes, high-value commercial litigation and asset recovery, and also frequently acts for ultra high net worth families. She has been called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and has been active in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. "Elizabeth Weaver is great; very technical." "Elizabeth is very strong in the trusts world. She's very experienced."

Francis Tregear KC
Francis Tregear KC is well known for his liquidation work, and he has acted for clients in Bermuda, the BVI and the Cayman Islands. He offers additional expertise in trust disputes and has been active in Jersey. Tregear regularly acts for shareholders and liquidators. "Francis is a very able, intelligent, and clear advocate." "Francis is excellent - very strong in insolvency and very user-friendly." "Francis Tregear KC is a masterful advocate who can get across all the facts quickly and confidently."

Daniel Warents
Daniel Warents is highly regarded for his expertise in handling chancery and commercial cases. He is instructed on a range of issues including fraud, company wind-ups and trust matters. He is called to the BVI Bar and has extensive experience in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. "Daniel's an absolutely brilliant barrister. He's astonishingly good and incredibly quick."

Marcus Staff
Marcus Staff is particularly active in the Caribbean jurisdictions, having appeared in the Cayman Islands and the BVI. He is frequently instructed in contentious trust disputes, handling such issues as the removal of trustees and tax-related matters. He has also been involved in matters relating to investment funds and civil fraud. "Marcus is a dark horse. He's very calm and composed, and impressive with his ability to closely analyse matters and present them persuasively." "My experience of working with Marcus has been first class. He's a calm and collected individual, but has an incredibly steely side to him. He leaves no stone unturned - he wants to know it all inside and out."

Nicole Langlois
Nicole Langlois is a respected junior with considerable credentials in commercial contractual and trust litigation, whose other areas of expertise include insolvency and fraud. She is called to the Bar in both the UK and Jersey. She regularly handles cases with professional negligence and breach of trust allegations. "Nicole has been really excellent to deal with. She's very pragmatic and down to earth and available, even though she is highly busy." "Nicole is our first choice for a barrister. She's truly amazing." "Nicole's very good with clients. She brings a calm reassurance to the table."

Adam Cloherty KC
Adam Cloherty KC impresses sources with his courtroom advocacy skills, and has particular experience of BVI and Cayman Islands cases. His clients, who include beneficiaries and shareholders, benefit from his extensive trust knowledge. He has also handled matters in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar. "Adam's a very bright barrister and very amenable."