Offshore | UK 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. A source highlights: "Serle Court has emerged from the pack. It is one of the first sets I would go to; it has outstanding KCs." Another adds: "Serle Court is a go-to set for big-ticket trust litigation."

South Square offers great capability across a range of areas, with particular strength in offshore insolvency matters as well as trusts, fraud and general commercial disputes. A commenter says that South Square is "a really top-notch set, probably the best set in complex insolvency and financial matters." Members are frequently instructed across the range of both traditional and emerging offshore jurisdictions. One instructing solicitor comments there is "no-one in Cayman who doesn't use and love them." Barristers at the set continue to act in some of the highest-profile matters including the Abraaj Group liquidation matter, the proposed restructuring of Evergrande, and the Primeo Fund v HSBC litigation.

Dylan Playfoot is the senior clerk.

Wilberforce Chambers offers significant strength and depth in all the major offshore jurisdictions, including those in the Channel Islands, the Caribbean and Asia. An instructing solicitor refers to it as "a powerhouse of a set", adding that "everyone at this set is good quality". 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 FamilyMart Holding v Ting Chuan, a highly publicised Privy Council appeal in the Cayman Islands. One source states that "the set as a whole is the pinnacle of the London Bar - a great bench of juniors and KCs".

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 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 continue to appear in high-profile cases including Ivanishvilli v Credit Suisse Life, and the St John’s Trust Company proceedings. A source refers to the set as "market-leading" with a "traditional offshore practice".

3 Verulam Buildings offers noteworthy expertise across a range of offshore work including trusts, insolvency, civil fraud, restructuring and commercial cases. Its barristers are experienced in appearing in high-value disputes, and members are frequently called before the courts in the Caribbean, the Channel Islands, Dubai and Hong Kong. The set continues to appear in high-profile cases, including in Abraaj Investment Management v KPMG Lower Gulf and NMC Healthcare v Dubai Islamic Bank and Noor Bank. One source comments that 3VB is a "strong set of very talented, clever, and dedicated counsel". Another solicitor refers to the set as "top-notch".

4 Stone Buildings is a highly regarded set able to offer particular expertise in the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the Channel Islands, while sustaining praiseworthy capability in the DIFC and the Far East. Members of chambers are frequently instructed to act in a variety of matters including trusts, liquidations and shareholder action fund disputes. This year the set has acted in the matter of Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited, a high-profile, multimillion-dollar appraisal claim. One instructing solicitor says: "4 Stone Buildings is a go-to set for commercial complex matters." Another source highlighted 4 Stone Buildings as a "very good set with a good offshore practice".

Essex Court Chambers offers substantial expertise in a variety of offshore commercial disputes including fraud, shareholder actions, contentious liquidations and complex civil fraud matters. Its barristers continue to act in some of the most high-profile and high-value offshore disputes, including such matters as Barclays Bank v Saad Investment Company and Cowan v Equis Special. When referencing the barristers, an instructing solicitor comments: "Nothing seems to faze Essex Court," going on to state the set has "huge depth of expertise across the board". Members have experience in several key offshore jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, the Channel Islands, Singapore and Dubai, and further jurisdictions such as Belize. One commentator says the set has an array of "top barristers" who do the "biggest offshore work".

Maitland Chambers is well respected for its broad offshore practice and has significant capability in the Caribbean, the Channel Islands and East Asia. Members have particular expertise in trust matters, contentious liquidations and general commercial litigation. Clients include trustees, financial institutions and other corporate entities. An instructing solicitor says: "Maitland has become my go-to set; it has strength in depth," and adds the set has "lots of people for me to use across fraud, commercial litigation, chancery, insolvency and trust disputes".

Brick Court Chambers offers a broad range of international commercial expertise, with notable prowess in the fields of shareholder disputes and appraisal rights matters. Its barristers practise across the gamut of traditional offshore jurisdictions, most notably in the BVI and the Cayman Islands. Certain members offer additional expertise in offshore locales further afield, such as Mauritius and Hong Kong. The bench is frequently called to act in many high-profile commercial disputes. In the past year, the barristers have appeared in the Jardine Strategic Holdings Bermudian appraisal dispute and the Grand View Private Trust Company v Winston Wong litigation. One client praises the set's "excellent and deep bench of clever, knowledgeable and client-friendly public law specialists". Another source highlights the set's "quality barristers", who do "top-quality work".

Paul Dennison and Tony Burgess are the senior clerks.

Members of Erskine Chambers frequently appear before courts in the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the DIFC, Hong Kong and the Channel Islands. Its practitioners regularly act in shareholder disputes, civil fraud, banking matters and insolvencies. A solicitor highlights that the set "contains some of the most respected barristers in London". Members continue to represent clients in prominent cases such as Nam Tai Property v West Ridge Investment, and the NorthStar Financial Services (Bermuda) liquidation. One interviewee comments: "The team at Erskine is an exceptional group of barristers. They provide fantastic depth and breadth, and there is a true sense of a collegiate organisation between them."

New Square Chambers is sought after for its work in a variety of offshore matters such as contentious insolvencies, fraud, general commercial disputes, trusts litigation and asset tracing claims. Members are regularly seen in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Caribbean, and have appeared in significant matters recently including the Montpelier Services high-profile liquidation case and Kazzaz v Standard Chartered Trust (Guernsey). One instructing solicitor says: "You can’t go wrong if you choose New Square Chambers - great legal services are provided whether advocacy or advisory."

Michelle Green is the senior clerk.