Adil Mohamedbhai

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Adil Mohamedbhai is a leading Junior at the Chancery and Commercial Bar. He has particular expertise in high-value, multi-jurisdictional commercial, civil fraud, company, offshore and trust disputes.

In the main directories (Chambers UK Bar, Chambers Global, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal), Adil holds rankings in commercial chancery, civil fraud, commercial, offshore, trust and private client work. He has been described in the directories as “a fantastic advocate” who is “outstanding in every respect“. His high-profile commercial chancery practice holds a “Band 1” ranking in Chambers UK. Adil was named Chancery Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2024. In 2023, he won Lexology’s inaugural Client Choice Award for Civil Fraud. Adil has previously twice been selected by Legal 500 as one of the top ten commercial barristers under eight years’ call and has also been ranked by Who’s Who Legal as one of the three most highly regarded juniors for civil fraud work.

Adil acts both as sole counsel and junior counsel as part of a team of barristers. In addition to regular appearances in both the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court, Adil has appeared in the Court of Appeal, the UK Supreme Court and the Privy Council. He also has substantial experience appearing in, or assisting with, arbitrations and cases in other jurisdictions, including Bermuda, the BVI, Jersey, Guernsey, the Bahamas, Singapore, the DIFC, Mauritius and Malta.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Adil was a solicitor at Freshfields, where he was involved in a broad range of transactional and contentious work (including M&A deals, IPOs and corporate restructurings). He is therefore familiar with “City” work. During 2009 – 2010, Adil was appointed as one of the first judicial assistants to the Justices of the UK Supreme Court, where he worked for Lords Rodger and Brown.

Areas of Expertise

Civil Fraud

Adil has substantial experience in civil fraud matters and is equally well-versed when acting for claimants who seek to make recoveries from fraudsters and defendants who have become mixed up with potential wrongdoing. He has been involved in some of the most high-profile civil fraud disputes in the English courts. He has an established reputation acting for claimants and defendants in connection with interim relief applications (including freezing orders and disclosure orders).

Recent Cases

Global Sparkle Holdings IV Limited v Ge – Acting (unled) for the claimants in relation to the enforcement of judgments worth in excess of US$230 million against two Chinese businessmen who ultimately owned a property business and related parties to whom assets have been dissipated and who have sought to defend the claims by relying on documents said to have been forged. Adil secured two freezing orders as well as a novel disclosure order against a law firm.
Acting (unled) for one of the defendants to a major claim (said to be in excess of US$160 million) for fraudulent and wrongful trading in connection with the collapse of a well-known crypto platform.
Acting (led by Matthew Morrison KC) for three claimants who indirectly invested in an Indian Premier League cricket franchise and seek to rescind the transactions by which they sold their shares on the basis that they were induced to do so by alleged fraudulent misrepresentations.
Acting (unled) for the defendant in an application for a freezing order, a proprietary injunction and a disclosure order. This was in the context of a dispute concerning the setting up of an investment vehicle which has raised funds in excess of US$100 million. The case was settled on confidential terms shortly before a hearing before Sir Anthony Mann in the High Court in July 2025.
Acting for the claimants (which included a wealthy Middle Eastern client) in the Lutfi v Choudhury litigation, a substantial breach of fiduciary duty and fraud claim against certain of their former advisers in connection with their management of various extremely valuable assets located in the UK.
Acting (led by Jonathan Adkin KC) for the successful defendant in Magdeev v Tsvetkov & Ors, a high-profile piece of civil fraud and commercial litigation involving various Russian individuals who had invested in a jewellery business in the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus. The trial lasted three weeks, with significant media coverage. Cockerill J’s judgment ([2020] EWHC 887 (Comm) contains a detailed analysis of the law on foreign illegality and is also a leading authority on the drawing of adverse inferences.
Advising (unled) a potential defendant who was being threatened to be sued for professional negligence in the context of the 1MDB fraud, a very high-profile fraud which has generated substantial global press coverage. The threatened claim was in excess of US$1 billion.
Foglia v Cerri – Acting (led by Paul Lowenstein KC) in an audacious fraud involving the theft of millions of euros from a bank account in the Cayman Islands where the monies were then routed via England. Adil appeared as a junior in a series of interim applications designed to unravel the fraud, including Norwich Pharmacal, freezing injunction and disclosure applications. The case gave rise to issues concerning the developing “persons unknown” jurisdiction of the English courts in the context of commercial and civil fraud claims.
Advising (led by Philip Marshall KC) a European bank in connection with its involvement in certain tax-driven transactions generating liabilities of some EUR 300 million being imposed on it. The advice covered jurisdictional and choice of law issues, together with advice on the potential availability of section 25 CJJA relief.
Advising (unled) in a potential claim which, if it had proceeded, would have been brought by the French victims of an audacious fraud pursuant to which they were duped to invest in a fake “investment platform”. This fraud has already been the subject of extensive French criminal proceedings which were brought due to the sheer scale of the fraud and the number of victims affected. The case gave rise to interesting issues regarding the scope of, dishonest assistance, knowing receipt and unjust enrichment claims.
Motortrak Ltd v FCA Australia Pty Ltd – Acting (led by Hugh Norbury KC) for the claimant. This was a dispute involving a provider of online marketing solutions for the motor industry. The claimant brought a claim of over AUS$30 million for unpaid fees and loss of profits against the Australian arm of a car manufacturer. In its defence, the manufacturer made serious allegations of bribery, contending that various contracts were obtained through corruption. A 3- week trial took place in the Commercial Court in early 2018: see [2018] EWHC 990 (Comm). This is now an important authority on the law of bribery at civil law.
Dubai Islamic Bank v Oiax Ltd – Acting (led by Hugh Norbury KC) for a corporate guarantor in the latest instalment of the long-running saga of the attempts by Dubai Islamic Bank to recover over US$400 million arising out of the settlement of a fraud against the bank. The case raises novel issues of the effect of foreign illegality on an English law contract. It was due for trial in the first half of 2019 in the Commercial Court.
Mahdavi v Sterling Avram & Healys LLP – Acting (led by Daniel Lightman KC) for the claimant, the victim of a fraudulent property sale in which the purchase monies were misappropriated by being paid out to third parties by a fraudster working as a consultant at the purported purchaser’s law firm. Claims were brought against the purported vendor’s and the purchaser’s solicitors for breach of duty.
National Crime Agency v Perry & Others – Acting (led by Philip Jones KC and Daniel Lightman KC) for the defendants in a complex multi-million pound civil recovery claim (believed to be the largest ever). The case raised questions of fraud, tracing, foreign law, insurance, limitation and contractual construction (amongst many others). It also raised complex procedural and disclosure issues (National Crime Agency v Perry [2014] EWHC 3759 (QB)). The case started as a very substantial civil recovery claim brought against an Israeli citizen convicted of having stolen hundreds of millions of Deutschemarks from Israelis. The proceedings were discontinued by the NCA and resulted in the NCA having to pay indemnity costs (National Crime Agency v Perry (November 2014, unreported)). The Perry entities then sued the NCA for the loss of investment opportunities, including an opportunity to purchase Camden Markets. The claim, which was eventually settled out of court, was in excess of £200 million.
LMAA arbitration proceedings – Acting (led by Paul Girolami KC) for the defendants concerning a complex dispute relating to the construction of superyachts. Various serious allegations of fraud were made in the course of the proceedings, including an allegation that evidence had been manufactured by the claimant for the purposes of misleading the tribunal in the defendants’ successful security for costs application. Adil also assisted with the related defamation proceedings (Ontulmus v Collett [2014] EWHC 294 (security for costs); Ontulmus v Collett [2014] EWHC 4117 (costs)). Adil is also advising (unled) in relation to related proceedings brought by a Maltese national in the courts of Malta. The claim raises potential issues of fraud and ultimately arises out of what may have been a Ponzi-type scheme implemented by a Turkish national in relation to the construction of super-yachts.
FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino & Others – Acting (led by Hugh Norbury KC) for the principal defendant in a high-value dispute relating to alleged breaches of duty relating to investments made by a Libyan sovereign wealth fund.

Commercial Litigation

Adil has an established reputation in the field of commercial litigation, particularly in cases that are multi-jurisdictional in nature or which have an international element. He has been involved in a wide range of commercial disputes in a wide range of fields.

Recent Cases

Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) for the dissenting petitioners in one of the largest appraisal actions in Bermuda following the amalgamation of two holding companies in the Jardine group of companies (a Fortune 500 group with revenue in excess of US$100 billion in 2021).
Acting (led by Hugh Norbury KC) for the claimant in a substantial arbitration in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. The case concerns a claim for breach of NDAs and breach of confidence. It has resulted in the Tribunal ordering Indian energy giant Tata Power to pay US$490.32 million in damages to Adil’s client.
Global Sparkle Holdings IV Limited v Ge – Acting (unled) for the claimants in relation to the enforcement of judgments worth in excess of US$230 million against two Chinese businessmen who ultimately owned a property business and related parties to whom assets have been dissipated and who have sought to defend the claims by relying on documents said to have been forged. Adil secured two freezing orders as well as a novel disclosure order against a law firm.
Acting (unled) for one of the defendants to a major claim (said to be in excess of US$160 million) for fraudulent and wrongful trading in connection with the collapse of a well-known crypto platform.
Acting (led by Matthew Morrison KC) for three claimants who indirectly invested in an Indian Premier League cricket franchise and seek to rescind the transactions by which they sold their shares on the basis that they were induced to do so by alleged fraudulent misrepresentations.
Acting (unled) for the defendant in an application for a freezing order, a proprietary injunction and a disclosure order. This was in the context of a dispute concerning the setting up of an investment vehicle which has raised funds in excess of US$100 million. The case was settled on confidential terms shortly before a hearing before Sir Anthony Mann in the High Court in July 2025.
BRG NOAL GP S.a.r.l v Kowski [2022] EWHC 867 (Ch) – Acting (led by Philip Marshall KC) for the claimants, a private equity fund with investment commitments in excess of EUR 1 billion and its current general partner. They sought to enforce, by way of interim and final injunctions, certain undertakings given by the founders of the fund. The case gave rise to novel and complex issues concerning the application of Article 4 of the Rome I Regulation, forum non conveniens, the proper approach to anti-suit type relief in the context of covenants not to sue and the availability of section 25 CJJA 1982 relief as an alternative to relief in support of extant English proceedings.
Magdeev v Tsvetkov & Ors – Acting (led by Jonathan Adkin KC) for the successful defendant in a high-profile piece of civil fraud and commercial litigation involving various Russian individuals who had invested in a jewellery business in the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus. The trial lasted three weeks, with significant media coverage. Cockerill J’s judgment ([2020] EWHC 887 (Comm) contains a detailed analysis of the law on foreign illegality and is also a leading authority on the drawing of adverse inferences.
Advising (unled) a potential defendant who is being threatened to be sued for professional negligence in the context of the 1MDB fraud, a very high-profile fraud which has generated substantial global press coverage. The threatened claim is in excess of US$1 billion.
Foglia v Cerri – Acting (led by Paul Lowenstein KC) in an audacious fraud involving the theft of millions of euros from a bank account in the Cayman Islands where the monies were then routed via England. Adil appeared as a junior in a series of interim applications designed to unravel the fraud, including Norwich Pharmacal, freezing injunction and disclosure applications. The case gave rise to issues concerning the developing “persons unknown” jurisdiction of the English courts in the context of commercial and civil fraud claims.
Municipality of Mariana v BHP Plc – Acting (led by Professor Jonathan Harris KC) to advise on certain jurisdictional issues arising out of this action brought by about 250,000 or so claimants in connection with the collapse of a dam in Brazil in 2018. The action was thought to be the largest ever brought in the English courts.
Advising (led by Philip Marshall KC) a European bank in connection with its involvement in certain tax-driven transactions generating liabilities of some EUR 300 million being imposed on it. The advice covered jurisdictional and choice of law issues, together with advice on the potential availability of section 25 CJJA relief.
Advising (unled) in a potential claim which, if it had proceeded, would have been brought by the French victims of an audacious fraud pursuant to which they were duped to invest in a fake “investment platform”. This fraud has already been the subject of extensive French criminal proceedings which were brought due to the sheer scale of the fraud and the number of victims affected. The case gave rise to interesting issues regarding the scope of, dishonest assistance, knowing receipt and unjust enrichment claims.
Dubai Islamic Bank v Oiax Ltd – Acting (led by Hugh Norbury KC) for a corporate guarantor in the latest instalment of the long-running saga of the attempts by Dubai Islamic Bank to recover over US$400 million arising out of the settlement of a fraud against the bank. The case raises novel issues of the effect of foreign illegality on an English law contract. It was due for trial in the first half of 2019 in the Commercial Court.
Greenhouse v Paysafe Financial Services Ltd [2018] EWHC 3296 (Comm) – Acting (led by Hugh Norbury KC) in relation to a contractual dispute relating to the proper basis on which an individual with contacts in the gaming industry should be paid commission in respect of his referrals of online poker players to an electronic payments system provider. The liability trial took place in Michaelmas 2018 in the Commercial Court and was heard by Andrew Burrows KC (sitting as a deputy High Court Judge) (now Lord Burrows JSC).
Perry v C Hoare & Co – Acting (with Daniel Lightman) for the claimant in a claim against a private bank for breach of various duties, including duties under FSMA.
FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino & Others – Acting (led by Hugh Norbury KC) for the principal defendant in a high-value dispute relating to alleged breaches of duty relating to investments made by a Libyan sovereign wealth fund. The claim included allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, bribery, dishonest assistance and conspiracy. Adil’s client was the subject of a worldwide freezing order. The quantum of the claim was well in excess of US$50 million.
Acting (unled) for the defendants in related High Court and arbitral proceedings concerning a crude oil sale contract for the sale of crude oil in Nigeria.

Trusts & Probate

Adil has an exceptionally strong private client, trusts and probate practice. He is regularly instructed to act in the most complex and high-value matters in these fields.

Recent Cases

Acting in substantial multi-jurisdictional probate dispute relating to the estate of a wealthy American businessman and collector of art.
Acting (led by Lance Ashworth KC) for the claimant beneficiary in a circa $30 million claim for dishonest breaches of trust. The claim had been listed for a 5-week trial in the High Court commencing in July 2022 and settled shortly before that.
Wong v Grand View PTC & Others – Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) for the five defendant Trustees in what is believed to be the largest claim ever brought before the Bermudian Courts and one of the largest private claims anywhere in the world. The litigation concerned the creation of five trusts worth in excess of US$15 billion. The case raised a wide range of complex legal and factual issues including allegations of lack of authority, mistake, undue influence and forgery. The case will be the first to consider the operation of the non-charitable purpose trust regime in Bermuda, including the requirements of the Trusts (Special Provisions) Act 1989 (as amended). The trial was heard in April 2021 to September 2021 and judgment was handed down in June 2022. A substantial appeal was heard in 2025.
Wong & Anor v Grand View PTC – Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Jonathan Adkin KC), the case raises the issue of whether the appointment of a new beneficiary and the distribution of assets to that new beneficiary amounted to a breach of trust. The case also raises issues of remoteness of vesting. Adil appeared as a called barrister in the first instance decision ([2019] SC (Bda) 37 Com (5 June 2019)) (a rare event for any junior), which was overturned by the Court of Appeal in April 2020 (Civil Appeal No. 5A of 2019, 20 April 2020) (a decision of Clarke P (formerly a Lord Justice of the English Court of Appeal)). The Privy Council allowed the appeal ([2022] UKPC 47).
Hagen v Hagen – Acting (led by Jonathan Adkin KC) in a substantial and much-publicised divorce involving the family behind Viking River Cruises (settled confidentially). Adil acted for a company ultimately partly held by a Cayman Islands trust. Adil successfully opposed the proposed addition of the company to the divorce proceedings.
Trustee 1 & Ors v Attorney General & Ors [2015] SC (Bda) 41 Com (Bermuda) – Acting (led by Alan Boyle KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) in relation to Beddoe proceedings brought by the trustees of very substantial non-charitable purpose trusts in Bermuda containing assets worth billions of pounds. Proprietary claims had been made against the trust funds. Adil assisted Leading Counsel in the first case to consider an application for Beddoe relief made by the trustees of a non-charitable purpose trust. Adil was also involved in all of the interlocutory applications made during the course of those lengthy Beddoe proceedings: (i) whether a particular document was disclosable and whether privilege could be maintained over it (Trustee 1 et al v Respondent 1 et al [2014] SC Bda 24 Com, overturned on appeal by the Court of Appeal for Bermuda [2014] CA (Bda) 3 Civ); (ii) discovery obligations of trustees in Beddoe proceedings (Trustee 1 et al v The Attorney General et al [2014] SC (Bda) 52 Com); (iii) whether a party to Beddoe proceedings should be able to use material disclosed in them to attack the trusts or trustees in the action to which those proceedings relate (Trustee N & Ors v The Attorney General & Ors [2015] SC (Bda) 50 Com); and (iv) the ruling as to the costs of the Beddoe proceedings (Trustee L & Ors v The Attorney General & Ors [2016] SC (Bda) 50 Com).
Advising a Norwegian bank in respect of potential claims against the estate of a Norwegian shipping tycoon who died resident in Guernsey. The issues Adil considered included detailed analysis of how the estate regime in Guernsey worked and the routes through which an estate could be sued in circumstances where it did not have an executor or administrator. The substantive dispute related to substantial unpaid sums under various loans to the deceased and companies related to the deceased.
Advising (with Elizabeth Jones KC) the existing beneficiaries of a discretionary Mauritian trust in relation to the decision of the trustee to add a further beneficiary.

Company

Adil regularly acts in the field of shareholder claims and proceedings involving directors’ breach of duty. He enjoys a strong reputation in unfair prejudice proceedings, in which he regularly acts for both petitioners and respondents.

Recent Cases

Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) for the dissenting petitioners in one of the largest appraisal actions in Bermuda following the amalgamation of two holding companies in the Jardine group of companies (a Fortune 500 group with revenue in excess of US$100 billion in 2021). Adil assisted Leading Counsel in connection with the judgments of the Bermuda Court of Appeal on issues of disclosure and privilege [2024] CA (Bda) 7 Civ, an appeal from which was heard by the Privy Council in March 2025. He also appeared in two substantial hearings, including one raising important issues on the law relating to subpoenas ([2024] SC (Bda) 63 Civ (5 November 2024)).
Acting (led by Jonathan Adkin KC) for the dissenting petitioners in the context of this substantial appraisal action following the merger of Changyou.com. Adil was instructed to appear in the appeal which was heard before the Privy Council concerning the interpretation of Part XVI of the Cayman Islands Companies Act. This resulted in a successful outcome for his clients in the Privy Council in March 2025 ([2025] UKPC 12).
Re G&G Properties Ltd [2020] Bus LR 762; [2020] 1 BCLC 1; [2020] BCC 236 – Acting (led by Daniel Lightman KC) for respondents in three unfair prejudice petitions and derivative claim relating to a substantial hotel business. An important judgment of the Court of Appeal in which the pleading requirements in section 994 petitions were examined. Sir Nicholas Warren’s judgment in Re Bankside Hotels Ltd (No 2) [2019] 2 BCLC 174 is another important judgment in the law of unfair prejudice, in which the Court held that trustees are not automatically responsible for the unfairly prejudicial conduct of the settlor of a trust holding 50% of the shares in the company. There have been other judgments in this litigation in which Adil was involved and which have been reported: [2019] 1 BCLC 434; [2018] BCC 617; [2018] 3 Costs LR 605, [2019] 1 Costs LO 43 and [2019] 1 Costs LO 53.
Lockwood v Rhoades-Brown – Acting (led by John Machell KC) for the defendants to a claim in which the claimants sought (amongst other things) the dissolution of certain companies through which a global business of advertising sales and publishing was run. Adil gave advice on complex points of company law, including the way in which a subscription of shares operates.
Vilsmeier v AI Airports International Limited & Ors [2014] JRC 257 – Advising (led by Nicholas Lavender KC) in relation to very substantial claims and cross-claims brought in Jersey by and against the former Chairman of a group of companies owning very valuable infrastructure assets across Europe. This resulted in a substantial judgment of the Royal Court. Adil acted for the companies. The claims and cross-claims gave rise to complex questions relating to the scope of a director’s fiduciary duties.

Partnership

In conjunction with his substantial company law experience, Adil is also well-versed in partnership and LLP matters.

Recent Cases

Bates van Wilkenhof v Clyde & Co LLP [2014] UKSC 32 – Acting (led by John Machell KC) for the intervener in the Supreme Court appeal concerning whistleblowing and worker status of LLP members.
Lockwood v Rhoades-Brown – Acting (led by John Machell KC) for the defendants to a claim in which the claimants sought (amongst other things) the dissolution of what they alleged to be a partnership.
Campbell v Campbell [2017] EWHC 182 (Ch) – Acting (led by John Machell KC) in a case principally about the extent of a worldwide jewellery partnership. Adil also provided some assistance in relation to the Jersey proceedings in this dispute. Adil appeared before Murray Rosen KC (sitting as a deputy judge) for the claimant in a 9-day trial in the Chancery Division. The court heard complex arguments regarding principles of partnership law, contract, reflective loss, estoppel and limitation. The court also heard arguments on the extent of its winding up powers.

International

Adil is regularly instructed in the most complex and high-profile international and offshore disputes across a number of jurisdictions. He has been the lead junior in what are likely to be the two largest offshore cases in recent times, namely the Wong litigation and the Jardine litigation.

Adil also has substantial experience in assisting with the preparation of expert reports (on English law and the laws of other common law jurisdictions) for use in foreign proceedings.

Recent Cases

Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) for the dissenting petitioners in one of the largest appraisal actions in Bermuda following the amalgamation of two holding companies in the Jardine group of companies (a Fortune 500 group with revenue in excess of US$100 billion in 2021). Adil assisted Leading Counsel in connection with the judgments of the Bermuda Court of Appeal on issues of disclosure and privilege [2024] CA (Bda) 7 Civ, an appeal from which was heard by the Privy Council in March 2025. He also appeared in two substantial hearings, including one raising important issues on the law relating to subpoenas ([2024] SC (Bda) 63 Civ (5 November 2024)).
Acting (led by Jonathan Adkin KC) for the trustees in a trustee removal claim. The trustees hold assets worth billions of dollars. The case is novel in that it will be the first case to consider the question of the removal and appointment of a trustee of a purpose trust. A 3-week trial will be heard by the Bermuda Supreme Court in March 2026.
Lin & Ors v Lin & Ors – Acting (led by Philip Marshall KC) in a substantial piece of commercial litigation in the courts of the BVI, concerning the ownership of BVI companies which ultimately own extremely valuable real assets in China.
Acting (led by Jonathan Adkin KC) for the dissenting petitioners in the context of this substantial appraisal action following the merger of Changyou.com. Adil was instructed to appear in the appeal which was heard before the Privy Council concerning the interpretation of Part XVI of the Cayman Islands Companies Act. This resulted in a successful outcome for his clients in the Privy Council in March 2025 ([2025] UKPC 12).
Wong v Grand View PTC & Others – Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) for the five defendant Trustees in what is believed to be the largest claim ever brought before the Bermudian Courts and one of the largest private claims anywhere in the world. The litigation concerned the creation of five trusts worth in excess of US$15 billion. The case raised a wide range of complex legal and factual issues including allegations of lack of authority, mistake, undue influence and forgery. Serious allegations of dishonesty were made against a number of the witnesses. The trial was heard in April 2021 to September 2021 and judgment was handed down in June 2022 ([2022] SC (Bda) 44 Com). Adil’s clients were largely successful in defending the claims made against them. Consequential issues were determined by a judgment in August 2022 ([2022] SC (Bda) 60 Com). Both judgments are now under appeal to the Bermuda Court of Appeal, with an appeal heard in 2025. As part of the interlocutory and trial process, the Bermuda Supreme Court has handed down decisions on various issues (in relation to all of which Adil was involved), including: (i) general discovery principles and the iniquity exception to legal professional privilege ([2020] SC (Bda) 33 Com, 5 August 2020); (ii) purging contempt for breach of the implied undertaking ([2020] SC (Bda) 52 Civ, 10 December 2020); (iii) specific discovery based on “practical control” and joint interest privilege ([2020] SC (Bda) 57 Com, 30 December 2020); (iv) the withdrawal of non-admissions ([2021] SC Bda Com, 11 March 2021);(v) the approach to obtaining evidence from a third party ([2021] SC (Bda) 22 Com, 22 March 2021); (vi) the application of the open justice principle in relation to a remote hearing ([2021] SC (Bda) 32 Com, 16 April 2021); and (vii) hearsay notices ([2021] SC (Bda) 46 Com, 9 June 2021).
Advising (unled) a Saudi national on a potential claim against a Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) entity and a Saudi entity related to the IPO of a company on the Saudi stock exchange. The claim, if it had been brought, would likely have raised novel issues regarding the scope of the DIFC court’s jurisdiction. It would also have raised complex issues of Sharia law. Very serious allegations of fraud had already been made against Adil’s client by the potential defendants.
Wong & Anor v Grand View PTC – Acting (led by Mark Howard KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) in the case raises the issue of whether the appointment of a new beneficiary and the distribution of assets to that new beneficiary amounted to a breach of trust. The case also raises issues of remoteness of vesting. Adil appeared as a called barrister in the first instance decision ([2019] SC (Bda) 37 Com (5 June 2019)) (a rare event for any junior), which was overturned by the Court of Appeal in April 2020 (Civil Appeal No. 5A of 2019, 20 April 2020) (a decision of Clarke P (formerly a Lord Justice of the English Court of Appeal)). The Privy Council allowed the appeal ([2022] UKPC 47).
Advising (unled) the trustees of a substantial Bermuda trust which had invested large sums of money (several millions of pounds) in a fund which gave exposure to investments in a number of high-risk jurisdictions in Africa and Asia. There was a concern that the fund was in fact run as a Ponzi-type scheme.
Acting (led by Alan Boyle KC and Jonathan Adkin KC) in relation to Beddoe proceedings brought by the trustees of very substantial non-charitable purpose trusts in Bermuda containing assets worth billions of pounds. Proprietary claims had been made against the trust funds. Adil assisted Leading Counsel in Trustee 1 & Ors v Attorney General & Ors [2015] SC (Bda) 41 Com (Bermuda), the first case to consider an application for Beddoe relief made by the trustees of a non-charitable purpose trust. Adil was also involved in all of the interlocutory applications made during the course of those lengthy Beddoe proceedings: (i) whether a particular document was disclosable and whether privilege could be maintained over it (Trustee 1 et al v Respondent 1 et al [2014] SC Bda 24 Com, overturned on appeal by the Court of Appeal for Bermuda [2014] CA (Bda) 3 Civ); (ii) discovery obligations of trustees in Beddoe proceedings (Trustee 1 et al v The Attorney General et al [2014] SC (Bda) 52 Com); (iii) whether a party to Beddoe proceedings should be able to use material disclosed in them to attack the trusts or trustees in the action to which those proceedings relate (Trustee N & Ors v The Attorney General & Ors [2015] SC (Bda) 50 Com); and (iv) the ruling as to the costs of the Beddoe proceedings (Trustee L & Ors v The Attorney General & Ors [2016] SC (Bda) 50 Com).
Advising a Norwegian bank in respect of potential claims against the estate of a Norwegian shipping tycoon who died resident in Guernsey. The issues Adil considered included detailed analysis of how the estate regime in Guernsey worked and the routes through which an estate could be sued in circumstances where it did not have an executor or administrator. The substantive dispute related to substantial unpaid sums under various loans to the deceased and companies related to the deceased.
Advising (with Elizabeth Jones KC) the existing beneficiaries of a discretionary Mauritian trust in relation to the decision of the trustee to add a further beneficiary.
Vilsmeier v AI Airports International Limited & Ors [2014] JRC 257 – Advising (led by Nicholas Lavender KC) in relation to very substantial claims and cross-claims brought in Jersey by and against the former Chairman of a group of companies owning very valuable infrastructure assets across Europe. This resulted in a substantial judgment of the Royal Court. Adil acted for the companies. The claims and cross-claims gave rise to complex questions relating to the scope of a director’s fiduciary duties.

Insolvency & Restructuring

Advising on, and appearing in, a number of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings in the High Court and in County Courts.

Matrimonial Finance: Trusts & Company Law

Adil has experience in this field across a wide range of matters.

Testimonials

“Adil is a brilliant junior in this space, he is hugely admired by everyone who works with him. He has an impressive and growing trusts practice. His advocacy is sublime. A star Silk of the future.”

Legal 500 2026

“Adil is one of the best commercial juniors at the Bar. He is a tenacious advocate, with an extraordinary ability to deliver results. He works incredibly hard. He has superb judgement and clients absolutely love him.”

Legal 500 2026

“Adil is exceptionally hard-working and competent. He can analyze complex legal problems from a wide range of areas of law.”

Legal 500 2026

“Adil is a standout junior…”

Legal 500 2026

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Latest

Recent Cases

Hugh Norbury KC and Adil Mohamedbhai have secured a significant victory for investment company Kleros Capital Partners Limited in an arbitration against Indian energy giant Tata Power

Serle Court is pleased to host its 6th International Trusts & Commercial Litigation Conference in New York, featuring expert speakers and insights into trusts and commercial litigation.

Changyou.com Ltd v Fourworld Global Opportunities Fund Ltd & Ors

In Changyou.com Ltd v Fourworld Global Opportunities Fund Ltd & Ors, the Judicial Committee of […]

Oasis Investments II Master Fund Ltd & Others v Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited [2024] CA (Bda) 7 Civ

Jonathan Adkin KC and Adil Mohamedbhai continue to act for the dissenters in Re Jardine Strategic […]

Recent News

The Law of Limited Liability Partnerships and The Law & Practice of Shareholders’ Agreements Book Launch

Serle Court is excited to host a joint book launch celebrating the publication of The Law of Limited Liability Partnerships, Sixth Edition and The Law and Practice of Shareholders’ Agreements, Sixth Edition.

Serle Court at London International Disputes Week 2026

London International Disputes Week (LIDW) 2026 will return for a seventh year.

English corporate structures and company disputes: the basics for overseas lawyers, and what the English Courts can do for your clients

Serle Court is excited to partner with Pinsent Masons and Interpath to present “English corporate […]

Hugh Norbury KC and Adil Mohamedbhai shortlisted at Global Arbitration Review Awards 2026

Serle Court is proud to announce that Hugh Norbury KC and Adil Mohamedbhai have been shortlisted for ‘Most important decision’ at the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Awards 2026.

View all latest news

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Recommendations

Fraud: Civil (Chambers UK Bar, 2022 -2026)
Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery (Chambers Global, 2021 – 2025)
Chancery: Commercial (Chambers UK Bar, 2021 – 2026)
Offshore (Chambers UK Bar, 2025, 2026)
Commercial Litigation (The Legal 500, 2020-2026)
Offshore (Commercial Disputes; Trusts and Private Wealth) (The Legal 500, 2019- 2026)
Civil Fraud (The Legal 500, 2021-2026)
Private Client Trusts / Private Wealth & Probate (The Legal 500, 2021-2026)
Fraud: Civil (Who’s Who Legal: UK Bar 2018-2025)
Private Client Global Elite Directory (2023-2024 & 2026)
Civil Fraud, Lexology Client Choice Awards (2023)

Publications

Contribution to The Law of Limited Liability Partnerships (4th edition (2016) and 5th edition (2021))
Contribution to Contentious Trade Mark Registry Proceedings (CITMA)

Memberships

Chancery Bar Association
COMBAR

Education, Qualifications and Awards

Joint highest grade in the Competition Law paper in the University of Cambridge LLM (2003-2004)
Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship (2003)
Hauser Global Scholarship (to attend NYU; scholarship committee chaired by the President of the International Court of Justice) (2003)
The Margaret Hastings Prize, Girton College, University of Cambridge (2003)
The Sir Henry Tomkinson Scholarship, Girton College, University of Cambridge (2001-2004)
The Thomas & Elizabeth Walton Award, Girton College, University of Cambridge (2001-2004)
The Squire Scholarship, University of Cambridge (2001-2003)
Legal Practice Course (Distinction)
LLM (First), Girton College, University of Cambridge
MA in Law (Double First), Girton College, University of Cambridge

Languages

French (fluent)
Creole (fluent)
Gujarati (conversational)
Hindi (conversational)
Urdu (conversational)

BSB Registration

Fakhrudin Goolamhussen Mohamedbhai

VAT Number

141632735

Areas of Expertise

Civil Fraud

Recent Cases

Commercial Litigation

Recent Cases

Trusts & Probate

Recent Cases

Company

Recent Cases

Partnership

Recent Cases

International

Recent Cases

Insolvency & Restructuring

Matrimonial Finance: Trusts & Company Law

Testimonials

Latest

Recent Cases

Hugh Norbury KC and Adil Mohamedbhai have secured a significant victory for investment company Kleros Capital Partners Limited in an arbitration against Indian energy giant Tata Power

Changyou.com Ltd v Fourworld Global Opportunities Fund Ltd & Ors

Oasis Investments II Master Fund Ltd & Others v Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited [2024] CA (Bda) 7 Civ

Recent News

The Law of Limited Liability Partnerships and The Law & Practice of Shareholders’ Agreements Book Launch

Serle Court at London International Disputes Week 2026

English corporate structures and company disputes: the basics for overseas lawyers, and what the English Courts can do for your clients

Hugh Norbury KC and Adil Mohamedbhai shortlisted at Global Arbitration Review Awards 2026

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Education, Qualifications and Awards

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