Dominic Dowley KC


Call: 1983 Silk: 2002

“An absolute stickler for details, who is one of a kind... a lawyer of fierce intellect.”

Chambers & Partners 2025

Dominic Dowley KC is a highly regarded commercial and contentious chancery silk with wide and lengthy experience in both fields.

He acts in litigation/arbitration concerning civil fraud, contentious trusts, banking and financial services, commercial disputes, 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 the United States.

Areas of Expertise

Dominic has lengthy experience of hard-fought and protracted commercial litigation both in England and overseas.

Recent Cases

  • 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).
  • BBX Capital Management v Royal Bank of Canada Trust Co – Enforcement of Florida judgment in Cayman (instructed by Maples & Calder).
  • 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 privatisation of state property in Azerbaijan (instructed by Macfarlanes).
  • Three Rivers District Council v Bank of England – (instructed by Lovells).

Dominic has wide experience of fraud litigation, usually involving international criminality and claims for international ancillary relief.

Recent Cases

  • A v B – Substantial arbitration involving allegations that valuable industrial contracts were obtained as a result of bribes paid by the Respondent’s agent (instructed by Arnold & Porter).
  • 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 privatisation of state property in Azerbaijan; proceedings in the Bahamas, Colorado, and the Cayman Islands (instructed by Macfarlanes).

Dominic regularly advises and acts in trust litigation, both in England and in offshore jurisdictions, including Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Recent Cases

  • Wong v Grand View Private Trust Co & Ors – Bermudian proceedings concerning very substantial purpose trusts.
  • Re Juffali – (instructed by Farrers LLP).
  • Re Salem – Lengthy contested applications to the Royal Court of Guernsey in connection with the reorganisation of trusts (instructed by Clifford Chance LLP).
  • The Earl of Durham v Lambton & Others – Contested inheritance involving England and Italy (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).

Dominic acts in disputes concerning banking transactions.

Recent Cases

  • 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).

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 major arbitration providers.

Dominic’s work, both chancery and commercial, mostly involves and concerns offshore jurisdictions.

Recent Cases

  • Re Salem – Lengthy contested applications to the Royal Court of Guernsey in connection with the reorganisation of trusts (instructed by Clifford Chance LLP).
  • Wong v Grand View Private Trust Co & Ors – Bermudian proceedings concerning very substantial purpose trusts.
  • A v B – Substantial arbitration involving allegations that valuable industrial contracts were obtained as a result of bribes paid by the Respondent’s agent (instructed by Arnold & Porter).
  • 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 privatisation of state property in Azerbaijan (instructed by Macfarlanes).
  • Zayed Charitable Foundation v Union National Bank – Arbitration concerning banking security documents in Abu Dhabi (instructed by Clyde & Co).
  • The Earl of Durham v Lambton & Others – Contested inheritance involving England and Italy (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.
  • Re M’s Trusts – International trusts disputes; Jersey and Isle of Man; terms of trusts, duties of trustees, entitlements of beneficiaries, and 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).
  • BBX Capital Management v Royal Bank of Canada Trust Co – Enforcement of Florida judgment in Cayman (instructed by Maples & Calder).

Testimonials


“A fine opponent who is even-handed and extremely fair-minded.”

Chambers & Partners 2026

“A really skilled tactician and an impressive advocate.”

Chambers & Partners 2025

“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 2023

“One of a kind, he has a fierce intellect and is an absolute stickler for detail.”

Chambers & Partners 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.”

Legal 500 2020

“Charming, always available, and gets the issues quickly.”

Legal 500 2020

“A hardworking silk of note.”

Legal 500 2020

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Recent News

Serle Court achieves outstanding results in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026

We are delighted to announce another year of outstanding rankings and testimonials in The Legal 500 UK Bar 2026.

Serle Court Excels in Chambers Global Guide 2025

Serle Court is delighted to have once again achieved top-band recognition in the Chambers & Partners Global Guide 2025.

Chambers Global Guide 2024

Serle Court has once again been recognised in the Chambers Global 2024 rankings, with Band 1 rankings across multiple practice areas and 74 individual barrister rankings.

Who’s Who Legal UK Report

We are pleased to announce that our barristers have been recommended in the Who’s Who Legal UK report across multiple practice areas.

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For general enquiries and instruction advice, please contact our Practice Management Team:

Call: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
or email: clerks@serlecourt.co.uk

Memberships

  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Commercial Bar Association

Education & Qualifications

  • Barstow Law Scholar
  • Bacon Scholar, Gray’s Inn
  • Diploma in Law (Distinction), City University, London
  • MA (Hons) New College, Oxford

BSB Registration

Dominic Myles Dowley KC

VAT Number

397002843

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy (PDF)

LEADING SET:
UK Bar 2026

WINNER:
MENA Awards 2026 - English Bar in the Middle East: Commercial Set of the Year

WINNER:
Best Chambers for Work / Life Balance 2026

SHORTLISTED:
UK Bar Awards 2025 - Chancery Set of the Year

SHORTLISTED:
Bar Awards 2025 - Chancery Set of the Year

SHORTLISTED:
Chambers of the Year Award 2025

WINNER:
Bar Awards 2024 - Chancery Set of the Year

WINNER:
Middle East Awards 2024 - Middle East-Wide Dispute Resolution: Leading UK Barristers' Set

SHORTLISTED:
Bar Awards 2024 - Intellectual Property Set of the Year

SHORTLISTED:
Bar Awards 2024 - Commercial Litigation Set of the Year

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