Wilberforce Chambers is a go-to set for offshore contentious trust mandates, and is praised for having some of the ‘leading barristers in the world for international trusts work’. It is home to the reputable Brian Green KC and Robert Ham KC, who regularly handles traditional private client work, as well as cases involving elements of tax and pension schemes. Clare Stanley KC frequently appears before the courts of the Channel Islands, Cayman, and the BVI regarding trust cases. She acted for the claimant in Halabi v Equity Trust (Jersey) Ltd, which is now a leading case regarding the proper distribution of assets when dealing with an insolvent offshore trust. Gilead Cooper KC is particularly skilled in contentious property and trusts matters. Turning to the juniors at the set, Anna Littler is a key name to note, as is Elizabeth Houghton, who represents clients in novel Chancery matters that often have an international element.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'All the clerks are friendly (including to junior instructing lawyers), polite and very eager to help. It is very easy to liaise with Stewart Cameron in particular on any instructions, conferences and general access to counsels.'
  • 'Nicholas Luckman is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable.'
  • 'Nicholas Luckman may be the best in the business.'
  • 'Andrew Barnes is brilliant and is very personable.'
  • 'Very professional and easy to deal with. Nicholas Luckman and Andrew Barnes know the market very well.'

Silks

Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
1
Gilead Cooper KC
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Simply put, Gilead is brilliant, as he has an incredibly quick mind, great intellectual powers and at the same time a wonderful capacity for creative, strategic thinking. He writes beautifully, judges clearly respect him, and he is an excellent courtroom advocate.’
1
Brian Green KC
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Brian is equally brilliant in contentious and non-contentious cases. He always brings unusual, valuable insights, and deploys creative strategies that others would not have imagined.’
1
Robert Ham KC
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Robert is a solid source of knowledge and experience for all trust disputes. He has a good appreciation of clients’ instructions and always provides a good steer and sensible legal arguments.’
1
Clare Stanley KC
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Clare is cool, calm, collected, smart, savvy and strategic. She is the key player in any offshore litigator’s team, and she is a go-to silk whenever a client seeks a smooth operator with gravitas.’
2
Michael Furness KC
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Michael swiftly gets to the heart of the issues and thoroughly and effectively works through the best solutions for any potential pitfalls. He is also a pleasure to work with, and his advocacy style is understated yet all the more compelling for it.’

Juniors

Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
2
Anna Littler
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Anna has an excellent grasp of all the issues and an ability to handle difficult characters in a sensitive and productive way. Good judgement and great forensic skills mean she is destined to do really well.’
3
Elizabeth Houghton
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Elizabeth is a first-class barrister. She is absolutely brilliant and responsive, giving helpful and concise advice on very tricky points of trust law.’
4
Simon Atkinson
Wilberforce Chambers
‘Simon possesses in-depth legal knowledge and expertise in probate and trust matters, and he displays impressive interpersonal skills. He provides thorough and concise advice.'