Chambers Global 2014

Offshore (Band 1)

SILKS

Brian Green QC
A revered name, who handles major cases both domestically and offshore. He is most commonly instructed in matters arising out of the Caribbean jurisdictions.
Expertise: “Highly approachable, he is measured in his advice and a brilliant advocate.”

Terence Mowschenson QC
Has a thriving commercial chancery practice that takes in commercial and company disputes, joint ventures, partnerships and banking-related matters. He is most frequently instructed in the Bahamas and the BVI, and is also active in the Channel Islands.
Expertise: “He is very clever, a very good advocate and is very well regarded by his peers.”
Recent work: Acted in one of many Madoff-related actions by trustees in bankruptcy against banks which had received redemption monies from Bernard Madoff Investment Securities.

Lawrence Cohen QC
Renowned for the quality of his work handling high-value, complex business disputes and transactions, particularly those involving security transactions and investment funds. He is most commonly instructed to act in the BVI, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Expertise: “He gives extremely good advice and is very capable of organising a team of international lawyers.”
Recent work: Led a team in a series of matters arising out of the liquidation of a national bank in one of the Caribbean territories.

Robert Ham QC
Specialises in litigation and advisory work relating to trust law. Also expert in professional negligence matters with a trusts element. He works primarily in the Caribbean jurisdictions.
Expertise: “The pre-eminent trust QC these days. He has a brilliant mind and a great depth of experience.”
Recent work: Acted for Baroness Thyssen in a high-value dispute.

Thomas Lowe QC
Particularly adept in matters with a multi-jurisdictional element, he focuses his practice on commercial fraud, insolvency and trust litigation. He is regularly instructed in matters in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Jersey.
Expertise: “He is a very clever guy and has a real gift for understanding the commercial realities in a matter. He is very good at presenting a case that makes commercial sense.”

James Ayliffe QC
Has a wealth of experience in a broad range of commercial matters, particularly those with a business or finance element. He has a strong asset tracing and recovery practice, and often appears on behalf of national governments. He is frequently instructed in matters emanating from the BVI and the Channel Islands.
Expertise: “He is very confident in implementing the advice he gives. His advocacy is fantastic and he is able to sway the judge’s mind.”
Recent work: Acted for a Russian businessman in a dispute involving a joint venture for the sale of agricultural machinery in the former Soviet Union.

JUNIORS

Nikki Singla
Renowned for his general commercial litigation and fraud work, particularly in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. His practice also encompasses general commercial chancery, trust and company matters. The quality of his work was confirmed last year when he became the first junior to be called to the Bermuda Bar for 15 years.
Expertise: “He is a very clear thinker, who is very client-focused and intelligent.”
Recent work: Acted in a very large breach of trust matter in Guernsey arising out of a multimillion-pound joint venture.

Jonathan Hilliard
Held in high regard for his work on complex high-value trust and company disputes in Bermuda, the BVI and Jersey, amongst other jurisdictions.
Expertise: “He stands out for specific mention. His knowledge on trust law is second to none for someone of his level and he is prepared to put the work first.”
Recent work: Acted in the high-profile Tchenguiz-Imerman v Imerman GBP100 million divorce case.

Daniel Hochberg
Has developed a fantastic reputation as a specialist trust litigator, but is also active across the gamut of commercial chancery matters. He is most commonly instructed to act in an offshore capacity in Guernsey and Jersey.
Expertise: “He is very solid and has very good technical ability. He also turns things around very quickly.”

Andrew Mold
Particularly well respected for his work in offshore trust litigation, his practice also includes general commercial and traditional chancery work. He has been admitted to the Bar in the Cayman Islands and is frequently engaged in matters in the Isle of Man, Cyprus and the BVI.
Expertise: “He is a rising star. Very bright and clever, he’s a very good draftsman.”
Recent work: Advised in relation to high-value divorce proceedings involving USD12 billion of assets spread across several jurisdictions.

Dispute Resolution: Commercial (Band 3)

Ian Croxford QC 
Has a strong commercial dispute resolution practice, and regularly acts both internationally and domestically. 
Expertise: “First-class and authoritative.” “He is a consummate litigator and excellent cross-examiner, who is a heavyweight and a pleasure to work with.”

Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery (Band 2)

SILKS

Terence Mowschenson QC
A “first-rate” silk, he is renowned for his skill in commercial matters, and has notable expertise in joint venture and partnership disputes, as well as company and finance disputes.
Expertise: “He is a relaxed and effective performer who is at the very top of his game.”
Recent work: He continues to be involved in various complex disputes stemming from the Madoff investment case.

James Ayliffe QC
Boasts a diverse chancery practice which covers company and insolvency cases as well as professional negligence claims and property disputes.
Expertise: One solicitor who instructed him said: “His pleadings and written opinion were extremely well argued and made us rethink our position.”
Recent work: Appeared in HMRC v Ben Nevis, which concerned a high-value tax debt owed to the South African tax authorities.

Ian Croxford QC
Frequently instructed by business clients to advise and represent on a wide range of commercial matters, including professional negligence claims and civil fraud cases.
Expertise: “He is a phenomenal advocate who bonds well with all members of the team.”

John Wardell QC
A well-known player, handling major work both at home and in numerous offshore jurisdictions. He is typically instructed on complex commercial disputes, and handles a number of civil fraud cases.
Expertise: “He is a legal architect who shapes the issues in a case and persuades clients to follow his lead. You really would not want to be cross-examined by him.” “Wonderful on his feet, he has the courage of his convictions and can persuade you of anything, even if you were originally dead set against it.”
Recent work: Defended NatWest in a claim brought against it relating to a Ponzi scheme operated by one of its customers.

Lawrence Cohen QC
Particularly well regarded for the calibre of his overseas work, he enjoys a reputation as a leading expert on disputes relating to investment funds and the financial sector generally.
Expertise: “He gives extremely good advice and is very capable of organising a team of international lawyers.”
Recent work: Acted in Symrise AG v Baker & McKenzie, which concerned alleged failures by the defendant firm to properly structure high-value Mexican subsidies.

JUNIORS

Rupert Reed
He has a strong commercial focus to his practice, and considerable experience in international breach of fiduciary duty and warranty cases. He is also expert at complex fraud matters.
Expertise: “He has a great legal mind; he listens to clients and understands the issues.” “He quickly assimilates complex sets of facts and uses them effectively in legal arguments.”
Recent work: Involved in the significant Berezovsky litigation, concerning an asset protection agreement he entered into to conceal ongoing interests in certain assets.

Andrew Mold
A much-admired junior, with noted expertise in cases involving breach of fiduciary duty and fraud. He is also an authority on offshore trust disputes.
Expertise: “He is exceedingly bright but very applied in terms of his advice; he is a fantastic communicator and brilliant with clients.”
Recent work: Appeared in Ackerman v Ackerman & Thornhill, a case which has been instrumental in shaping the law on overturning expert determinations.

Nikki Singla
His commercial chancery practice is impressively broad, as evidenced by his expertise in breach of trust and fiduciary duty, partnership disputes and fraud cases.
Expertise: “He is a smooth operator, who has a great understanding of the needs of the client and pitches his advice accordingly.” “He is sharp, quick, and gains the respect of both the opposition and the judges.”
Recent work: Active on a large-scale Jersey dispute revolving around a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against a director of a high-profile accounting firm.