UK Bar London (Bar) Offshore

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. Members continue to act in some of the most substantial cases in offshore jurisdictions, including Wong v Grand View in Bermuda. An instructing solicitor says: "The breadth and depth of knowledge and experience is incredible. From the senior juniors to the KCs, they only seem to get better as experience increases." Another source describes the calibre of barristers as "the cream of the crop in the area of trust disputes. The barristers are dealing with the most complex matters and I thought they were the best of the best."

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."

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 the Middle and Far Eastern jurisdictions. Members appear in high-profile cases including Wong v Grand View. One source highlights: "All the lawyers at the set are brilliant in what they do. Their offshore practitioners are leaders in their field." A solicitor comments: "XXIV Old Buildings have exceptional barristers who we can always match to our particular needs."

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 Hong Kong. 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 appeared in Syndicate Bank v Dansingani, a long-running dispute related to foreclosure and the enforcement of security. One source notes how the set provides "very precise and high-quality advice." A client comments that the barristers are "diligent, professional, courteous and responsive."

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 act in some of the most high-profile and high-value offshore disputes, including such matters as Barclays Bank v Saad Investment Company and Renova Industries v Emerson International. Members have experience in several key offshore jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, the Channel Islands, Singapore and Dubai. An instructing solicitor comments: "The set has strong commercial, constitutional and offshore offerings across all levels, from juniors up to KCs."

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. An instructing solicitor comments: "Maitland Chambers are excellent. They punch above their weight." A peer comments: "Maitland are another strong set and are like other top chambers in terms of expertise."

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. Barristers at the set are acting in some of the highest-profile matters this year including the Abraaj Group liquidation matter, Luckin Coffee restructuring and NMC administration. One instructing solicitor comments: "Their commitment to the case goes beyond a set of instructions and the barristers concerned are approachable and always happy to assist." Another highlights that their "ability to get on top of a complex fact matrix, tackle the legal issues across multiple jurisdictions, plus add clever input on strategy, is second to none."

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 this year in NMC Healthcare v Dubai Islamic Bank, a large-scale insolvency-related dispute. One source comments: "A strong set of chambers." Another peer highlights that the set is "first-rate. They really are the go-to set for commercial disputes."

Members of Erksine Chambers frequently appear before courts in the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, 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. One interviewee says that Erskine Chambers is "a cut above."

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 and the Caribbean and have appeared in significant matters recently including the Montpelier Services high-profile liquidation case.

Ten Old Square is home to notable barristers who are prominent in the offshore world. The set is sought after for its work in sophisticated trust disputes. Members are adept at trust advisory work as well as at acting in contentious commercial matters. Ten Old Square barristers appear in many offshore locations, such as Bermuda, Hong Kong, Jersey, the Bahamas and the Isle of Man. This year, members of the set have appeared in Dawson-Damer v Grampian Trust Company, a $400 million breach of trust claim. An instructing solicitor comments: "The team at Ten Old Square are well practised and first-rate in advising in respect of complex and sophisticated offshore trusts and related litigation." Another interviewee highlights: "Ten Old Square is a leading trust set and I think highly of them."