Region Area

Barristers

William Willson

William Willson

South Square, London

Position

William specialises in insolvency and restructuring, banking and finance and commercial litigation. His busy practice also includes civil fraud, company law, financial services, professional negligence, shipping, insurance and real property. Many of his cases have an international element, and he is particularly interested/experienced in cases involving Russia/the CIS. In the last 12 months he has been instructed in relation to many of the major insolvencies/restructurings, including Virgin, Debenhams, Arcadia, British Steel and Lehman Brothers.

In recent years William has appeared successfully in several high-profile trials, both at home and abroad, including the ongoing dispute about the ranking/priority of $10 billion of Lehman Brothers’ subordinated debt, and the $2 billion professional negligence claim by Primeo (a Madoff ‘feeder fund’) against HSBC. In the next 12 months he is instructed to appear in the Privy Council and the Court of Appeal, as well as trials in both the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division.

William has appeared as sole Counsel in the Court of Appeal, the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands and the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. He has been called to the Bar of Gibraltar (2013), the Cayman Islands (2014) and the British Virgin Islands (2016).

Before practicing at the Bar, William was a journalist/documentary producer, specialising in the former Soviet Union, terrorism and the intelligence services. His credits include the triple-BAFTA winning The Government Inspector.

Career

Called 2006: called to the Bar of Gibraltar 2013: called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands 2014.

Memberships

Chancery Bar Association, Commercial Bar Association, Insolvency Lawyers’ Association, INSOL International.

Education

Oxford University (2000 MA Classics, First Class); City University (2005 CPE, Distinction); Inns Court School of Law (2006 BVC).

Mentions

London Bar

Banking and finance (including consumer credit)

LEADING JUNIORS2
William Willson –South Square ‘William's strengths are his prodigious output and legal acumen. He is a master of detail and has an incredible memory. He knows a winning argument.'
London Bar

Commercial litigation

LEADING JUNIORS5
William Willson  – South Square ‘William is a go-to senior junior. He has seen everything and cuts through the chaff like few others can. William is a master client-handler, giving surefooted advice even under the most challenging of circumstances.’
London Bar

Company

LEADING JUNIORS4
William Willson – South Square ‘William is a great operator – he has the confidence and skills of a KC, and a great commercial sense without compromising his pure legal knowledge.’
London Bar

Fraud: civil

LEADING JUNIORS4
William Willson –South Square
London Bar

Insolvency

LEADING JUNIORS1
William Willson –South Square ‘William is a great operator – he has the confidence and skills of a KC, and a great commercial sense without compromising his pure legal knowledge. Clients are very comfortable with him advising unled and doing the advocacy at big hearings. He has a great connection with judges.’