Private International Law Overview

Serle Court is able to offer outstanding expertise in the field of Private International Law. Its members have appeared in many of the leading cases in this area. Prof Jonathan Harris QC (Hon.) is a pre-eminent expert in all aspects of Private International Law, and joint general editor (with Lord Collins of Mapesbury) of the foremost practitioner work, Dicey, Morris and Collins, The Conflict of Laws.

Members of chambers regularly deal with all aspects of the rules of jurisdiction. This includes the Brussels I Regulation, applications for service out of the jurisdiction and forum non conveniens challenges; as well as such matters as service of process overseas, obtaining evidence abroad, freezing injunctions and anti-suit injunctions. The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, both in England and in offshore jurisdictions, is a key aspect of Serle Court’s work.

Serle Court also offers expertise in all aspects of choice of law, including the choice of law rules in contract in the "Rome I" Regulation and the "Rome II" Regulation on choice of law for non-contractual obligations. Professor Jonathan Harris QC (Hon.) is the author of the leading text on the Hague Trusts Convention/ Recognition of Trusts Act 1987. Members of chambers are also expert on issues relating to international trusts, succession and wills, and choice of law issues arising in matrimonial matters and ancillary relief applications.

Members routinely appear in and advise on Private International Law litigation issues in jurisdictions around the world, including Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, The British Virgin Islands, The Cayman Islands, Cyprus, DIFC, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong,  The Isle of Man, Jersey, St Kitts & Nevis and The Turks & Caicos Islands. They also provide expert opinions on aspects of English Private International Law in foreign proceedings.

• print page
• email page

Barristers with this expertise

• Conor Quigley QC
• Philip Jones QC
• David Casement QC
• Richard Wilson QC
• Prof Jonathan Harris QC
• William Henderson
• David Drake
• Jennifer Haywood
• Matthew Morrison
• Paul Adams
• Amy Proferes
• Geraldine Clark