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. "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."

Wilberforce Chambers offers significant strength and depth in all the major offshore jurisdictions, including those in the Channel Islands, the Caribbean and Asia. Market commentators regard it as a "top class" set, "boasting some of the top names of the offshore Bar." 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 Halabi v Equity Trust (Jersey). The Privy Council handed down a landmark decision regarding the insolvent trust, which will have a significant impact on the wider industry. A particular fan of the set remarked: "I love Wilberforce Chambers. It is by far and away the easiest set to deal with." They continue: "I have no doubt that in the field, it stands out against the other chambers."

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.

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 has appeared in high-profile cases this year, including in Abraaj Investment Management v KPMG Lower Gulf and NMC Healthcare v Dubai Islamic Bank and Noor Bank. One source comments: "3VB is a very strong chambers with good bench strength." Another peer views the set as being "the best across the board."

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 represented Kathryn Ma Wai Fong, as executrix of the estate of Datuk Wong Kie Nai, in significantly high-profile multi-jurisdictional proceedings brought by family members. The barristers "have a good grasp and ability to keep it simple, yet effective," states an interviewee. A second commentator notes that the set "has specialised expertise where complex financial issues are at play."

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 "phenomenally brainy" barristers 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. Clients praise the chambers' ability to handle "large quantities of commercial information and to drill down to targeted strategic advice." Members have experience in several key offshore jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, the Channel Islands, Singapore and Dubai, and further jurisdictions, such as Belize.

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. Members of the set have appeared in significant matters this year including the high-profile Broad Idea v Convoy, Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda), and Wang v Floreat. An instructing solicitor praises the set for being "capable and practical," and "very much attuned to the commercial realities" of their matter.

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. Members are frequently instructed across the range of both traditional and emerging offshore jurisdictions. A commentator comments that "South Square is seen as a leader for offshore matters, and is called upon for many of the complex cases which arise." Barristers at the set are acting in some of the highest-profile matters this year including the Abraaj Group liquidation matter, the Luckin Coffee restructuring, and the proposed restructuring of Evergrande. One instructing solicitor comments: "The set has a great depth and breadth of expertise, particularly in respect of cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters."

Brick Court Chambers offers a broad range of international commercial expertise, with notable prowess in the fields of shareholder disputes and appraisal rights matters. It's "intellectually powerful" members practice 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 Tethyan v Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A source states that the chambers is "first-class, with a high-powered bench of KCs."

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. Members continue to represent clients, including administrators, companies and directors, in prominent cases such as Credorax v Israeli VC Partners, the Jardine Strategic Holdings appraisal dispute, and the Sinovac Biotech company control dispute. One interviewee says that Erskine Chambers is their "go-to for complex commercial matters." In particular, they praise the set's "responsiveness" and ability to provide "clever and practical advice." Another source states members provide "excellent, meticulous legal and strategic reasoning" in addition to "clear and concise written work."

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.