Called: 2002
Practice Overview
Nicola specialises in civil fraud, insolvency, company law (particularly shareholder disputes) and banking litigation. Nicola's practice has a strong international element; she was called to the Bar of the BVI in 2012, in the Cayman Islands in 2016 (limited admission) and many of her cases raise cross-border and jurisdictional issues. Nicola has a wealth of trial experience both as sole counsel and as part of a team. Notable cases include the Weavering litigation which occupied her throughout most of 2016 and concerned a claim against the Fund’s Cayman auditors arising out of a large-scale fraud perpetrated by the Fund’s founder Magnus Peterson; a 10-week fraud trial Sita v Serruys; a series of matters arising out of the collapse of the Arch Cru Fund; and a long-running shareholder dispute involving the Barclay Brothers and the affairs of Coroin Limited, the owner of Claridges, the Berkeley and the Connaught.
Nicola is recommended as a leading Junior for Commercial Litigation in the Legal 500 UK Bar 2019.
"Very hands-on and user-friendly, she is a real team player and integrates very well."
(Legal 500, 2020)“A decisive and thorough advocate who often has the ear of the court.”
(Legal 500, 2019)Nicola's cases often involve allegations of fraud and dishonesty, ranging from forged instruments to fraudulent misrepresentation and deceit. These allegations commonly go hand in hand with claims arising out of breach of fiduciary duties and in dishonest assistance, knowing receipt and unlawful means conspiracy. Nicola is happy to act as sole counsel or as part of a team. Her work regularly involves asset preservation and she has considerable experience of urgent applications for interim relief, such as freezing injunctions (including those in support of foreign proceedings) and disclosure orders.
Cases include:
Nicola has considerable experience of disputes emanating from commercial contracts and the break-down of business relationships, including joint venture and partnership agreements and she has recently been involved in a series of matters arising from the collapse of the Arch Cru fund. Many of Nicola’s cases involve cross-border and jurisdictional issues.
Nicola is happy to act as sole counsel or as part of a team. She has extensive trial experience and has appeared in all divisions of the High Court and on several occasions before the Court of Appeal. Her work regularly involves asset preservation, in particular, applications for freezing injunctions and disclosure orders.
Cases include:
Nicola is instructed in a wide range of banking/financial services cases, involving the validity and construction of financial instruments, the enforcement of guarantees and other forms of security, performance bonds (and the rarely invoked “fraud exception”) and financial regulation. She also has experience of the doctrine of undue influence in this context.
Cases include:
Acting for an IFA in a case concerning the collapse of the CF Arch Cru fund and the establishment of the compensation scheme by the FCA providing redress to investors.
Nicola’s practice encompasses all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency from voluntary arrangements to liquidations, administrations and bankruptcies.
She advises and represents office-holders, individuals, directors, and insolvent companies. Her insolvency work covers domestic and international cases and she has been retained in a number of high profile liquidations during her career.
Nicola is particularly adept at dealing with complex cases spanning multiple disciplines thanks to her expertise in civil fraud, company law and property law.
Nicola’s specific experience includes:
Cases include:
Nicola is experienced in arbitration arising out of commercial disputes, and challenges to arbitration awards. Recent experience includes:
Nicola was part of the Counsel team that was instructed on behalf of the Respondent to arbitration proceedings (and related litigation in the Commercial Court and Dubai) concerning the sale of oil overseas.
Nicola is instructed in high value litigation and has particular experience of shareholder disputes. Nicola represents clients in unfair prejudice and just and equitable winding up petitions.
Cases include:
Nicola's cases often involve an international element and she has experience of conflict of law points and jurisdiction disputes. She was called to the Bar of the BVI in 2012 and the Cayman Islands in 2016.
Cases include:
“A decisive and thorough advocate who often has the ear of the court.”
(Legal 500 2019)Academic
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