Year of Call: 1983 Year of Silk: 2002
Dominic Dowley KC is a highly-regarded commercial and contentious chancery silk with a wide and lengthy experience (both as a silk and formerly as a junior) of chancery and commercial litigation, including extensive experience of civil fraud litigation, contentious trusts, banking and financial services (including regulation), commercial litigation/arbitration, insurance and reinsurance, ancillary proceedings, asset-tracing and recovery. He has conducted lengthy trials both in England and abroad. His experience in foreign jurisdictions includes disputes concerning Guernsey, Jersey, Bermuda, the Bahamas, St Christopher & Nevis, the Isle of Man, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and various of the United States.
Re Citco (claims by the Madoff liquidator against administrators) (instructed by Macfarlanes LLP)
Salem v Rothschild (claims arising from allegations of partnership relating to large commercial enterprises) (instructed by Clifford Chance LLP)
Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office (instructed by Slaughter and May)
Zayed Charitable Foundation v Union National Bank (Abu Dhabi arbitration concerning banking security documents) (instructed by Clyde & Co)
Chambal Ltd v French Arab Union Bank (letter of credit/UCP) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Novoship UK Ltd v Mikhaylyuk (international commercial fraud) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Fiona Trust litigation (international commercial and shipping fraud) (instructed by Ince & Co)
NOUK Ltd v Mirador Shipping (international shipping fraud) (instructed by Ince & Co)
SCAL v Beech (Supreme Court of Bermuda; dispute over hedge fund management and remuneration) (instructed by Goodman Derrick)
Omega Group Holdings Inc v Kozeny & Ors (international financial fraud covering privatization of state property in Azerbaijan) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Houston Casualty v Danish Re (Texas: reinsurance dispute) (instructed by Elborne Mitchell)
Profilati Italia SrL v PaineWebber Inc [2001] 1 Lloyd's Rep 715 (London Metal Exchange arbitration) (instructed by Richards Butler)
Re Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IT dispute; software performance; hardware performance)
Avon Insurance plc v Swire Fraser Limited [2000] Lloyd's Rep IR 535 (personal stop loss reinsurance; misrepresentation in relation to underwriting) (instructed by Elborne Mitchell)
Axa Insurance Co Ltd v Swire Fraser Ltd The Times 19 January 2000, Court of Appeal (instructed by Elborne Mitchell)
Wire TV Ltd v Cabletel (UK) Ltd 30 July 1997, Court of Appeal (instructed by Lewis Silkin)
Amstrad plc v Seagate Technology Inc 9 May 1997 (computer hardware breach of warranties claim) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Vijaya Bank v Solo Industries Ltd (bank guarantee obtained by fraud; injunction) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Three Rivers District Council v Bank of England [1996] QB 292 Court of Appeal (equitable assignment of right of action) (instructed by Lovells)
Alliance & Leicester Building Society v Edgestop and others [1994] 2 All ER 38; [1993] 1 WLR 1462 (vicarious liability for deceit by valuer/surveyor; contributory negligence) (instructed by Davies Arnold Cooper)
British and Commonwealth Holdings Plc v Quadrex Holdings Inc The Times 8 December 1988 (commercial contract; sale of shares; whether time of the essence; interim payment and summary judgment) (instructed by Herbert Smith)
Dayco Corporation v Trachem Co Ltd 27 November 1984 (international fraud; freezing orders) (instructed by Herbert Smith)
Novoship UK Ltd v Mikhaylyuk (international commercial fraud; offshore asset tracing and disputes concerning trust structures in various jurisdictions, including St Christopher & Nevis, Guernsey, Jersey, New York and Florida) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Fiona Trust litigation (international commercial and shipping fraud; offshore asset tracing including in Switzerland and British Virgin Islands: disputes concerning ownership and status of assets etc) (instructed by Ince & Co)
NOUK Ltd v Mirador Shipping (international shipping fraud; St Christopher & Nevis: offshore companies and trusts disputes) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Omega Group Holdings Inc v Kozeny & Ors (international financial fraud covering privatization of state property in Azerbaijan; proceedings in the Bahamas, Colorado, the Cayman Islands (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Vijaya Bank v Solo Industries Ltd (bank guarantee obtained by fraud; injunction) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Alliance & Leicester Building Society v Edgestop and others [1994] 2 All ER 38; [1993] 1 WLR 1462 (vicarious liability for deceit by valuer/surveyor; contributory negligence) (instructed by Davies Arnold Cooper)
Dayco Corporation v Trachem Co Ltd 27 November 1984 (international fraud; freezing orders) (instructed by Herbert Smith)
Re Juffali (instructed by Farrers LLP)
Re Salem (instructed by Clifford Chance LLP)
The Earl of Durham v Lambton and others (instructed by Withers)
Novoship UK Ltd v Mikhaylyuk (international commercial fraud; offshore asset tracing and disputes concerning trust structures in various jurisdictions, including St Christopher & Nevis, Guernsey, Jersey, New York and Florida) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Fiona Trust litigation (international commercial and shipping fraud; offshore asset tracing including in Switzerland and British Virgin Islands: disputes concerning ownership and status of assets etc) (instructed by Ince & Co)
NOUK Ltd v Mirador Shipping (St Christopher & Nevis: offshore companies and trusts disputes) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Re M's Trusts (international trusts disputes; Jersey and Isle of Man; terms of trusts, duties of trustees, entitlements of beneficiaries, jurisdiction) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Re A's Trusts (International trusts disputes; beneficiaries' entitlements; asset management strategies; England/Jersey) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
RCB Trustees (Guernsey; discretionary management of trust investments) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Re Dragon Trust (Bermuda: discretionary trust, availability of trust assets, liability of trustees) (instructed by Macfarlanes)
Rolls-Royce v Marsh (broker’s liabilities) (instructed by Seymours)
Avon Insurance plc v Swire Fraser Limited [2000] Lloyd's Rep IR 535 (personal stop loss reinsurance; misrepresentation in relation to underwriting) (instructed by Elborne Mitchell)
Axa Insurance Co Ltd v Swire Fraser Ltd The Times 19 January 2000, Court of Appeal (instructed by Elborne Mitchell)
Houston Casualty v Danish Re (Texas: reinsurance dispute) (instructed by Elborne Mitchell)
Zayed Charitable Foundation v Union National Bank (arbitration concerning banking security documents in Abu Dhabi) (instructed by Clyde & Co)
Chambal Ltd v French Arab Union Bank (letter of credit/UCP) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Three Rivers District Council v Bank of England (No 3) [2002] 2 WLR 1220 House of Lords; [2001] 2 All ER 513 House of Lords (banking regulation in various jurisdiction including Luxembourg, New York, Abu Dhabi and the Cayman Islands; misfeasance in public office; European Community law; rights under European Directives) (instructed by Lovells)
Re Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (Qatar: banking regulation) (instructed by the authority)
Reg v LAUTRO, ex parte Ross [1993] QB 17 (administrative law; financial services; self-regulatory organisation) (instructed by Boodle Hatfield)
Zayed Charitable Foundation v Union National Bank (arbitration concerning banking security documents in Abu Dhabi) (instructed by Clyde & Co)
Chambal Ltd v French Arab Union Bank (letter of credit/UCP) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Three Rivers District Council v Bank of England (No 3) [2002] 2 WLR 1220 House of Lords; [2001] 2 All ER 513 House of Lords (banking regulation in various jurisdiction including Luxembourg, New York, Abu Dhabi and the Cayman Islands; misfeasance in public office; European Community law; rights under European Directives) (instructed by Lovells)
Re Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (Qatar: banking regulation) (instructed by the authority)
Reg v LAUTRO, ex parte Ross [1993] QB 17 (administrative law; financial services; self-regulatory organisation) (instructed by Boodle Hatfield)
Zayed Charitable Foundation v Union National Bank (arbitration concerning banking security documents in Abu Dhabi) (instructed by Clyde & Co)
Chambal Ltd v French Arab Union Bank (letter of credit/UCP) (instructed by Ince & Co)
Three Rivers District Council v Bank of England (No 3) [2002] 2 WLR 1220 House of Lords; [2001] 2 All ER 513 House of Lords (banking regulation in various jurisdiction including Luxembourg, New York, Abu Dhabi and the Cayman Islands; misfeasance in public office; European Community law; rights under European Directives) (instructed by Lovells)
Re Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (Qatar: banking regulation) (instructed by the authority)
Reg v LAUTRO, ex parte Ross [1993] QB 17 (administrative law; financial services; self-regulatory organisation) (instructed by Boodle Hatfield)
Dominic has sat as an arbitrator on LCIA and ad hoc arbitrations in a variety of commercial disputes. He has also acted as counsel in numerous arbitrations and has a wide knowledge of the rules and practices of the major arbitration providers.
Private Client (Who's Who Legal: UK Bar, 2019)
Fraud: Civil, Chancery: Commercial (Chambers & Partners, 2019)
Private Client Global Elite (Legal Week, 2018)
Chancery: Commercial, Fraud: Civil, Offshore (Chambers & Partners, 2017 & 2018)
Fraud: Civil, Offshore, Private Client: Trusts & Probate (The Legal 500, 2017)
Contentious Trusts: (Citywealth Leaders List 2016)
"Dominic is highly capable and a very good advocate. He's quick and sharp-witted, and can absorb a huge amount of detail incredibly quickly." (Chambers & Partners, 2025)
"Dominic is a really skilled tactician and an impressive advocate." (Chambers & Partners, 2025)
"Dominic is an absolute stickler for details, who is one of a kind. He's a lawyer of fierce intellect." (Chambers & Partners, 2025)
"A fantastic advocate who can absorb a lot of detail." (Chambers & Partners, 2024)
"A great opponent, who is even-handed and extremely fair minded." (Chambers & Partners, 2024)
"A really skilled tactician and an impressive advocate." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar, 2023)
"One of a kind, he has a fierce intellect and is an absolute stickler for detail." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar, 2023)
"He has a great bedside manner and is a quietly effective advocate." "He is superb. He's very authoritative and so masterful at explaining difficult concepts to a client." (Chambers & Partners, 2020)
"Approachable and diligent." "Very persuasive in court." (Chambers & Partners, 2020)
“Extremely responsive and helpful in a time-pressured case.” (The Legal 500, 2020)
“Charming, always available, and gets the issues quickly.” (The Legal 500, 2020)
“A hardworking silk of note.” (The Legal 500, 2020)
"Serle Court is a market leader and a go-to set for contentious trust and offshore work. Over the years, we have worked with a number of different silks and juniors on both litigation and arbitration matters, often with a cross jurisdiction aspect. This has included Alan Boyle KC, Dominic Dowley KC, John Machell KC, Richard Wilson KC, Dakis Hagen KC, Sophie Holcombe, and Oliver Jones. The quality of their work has been consistently excellent, and their commercial nous and practical advice certainly sets them out from the pack. Head Clerk, Steve Whitaker, runs a tight ship and is always a pleasure to deal with."
Jeremy Kosky and Maxine Mossman (Clifford Chance LLP)
"Dominic is highly capable and a very good advocate. He's quick and sharp-witted, and can absorb a huge amount of detail incredibly quickly."
"Dominic is a really skilled tactician and an impressive advocate."
"Dominic is an absolute stickler for details, who is one of a kind. He's a lawyer of fierce intellect."
“A great team player, probably the easiest silk to work with.”
MA (Hons) New College, Oxford
Diploma in Law (with Distinction), City University, London
Bacon Scholar of Gray’s Inn
Barstow Law Scholar
Commercial Bar Association
ACIArb
Dominic Myles Dowley KC
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