Call: 1987 Silk: 2006
“The complete package: clear, concise advice; commercial awareness; responsive and user friendly; and great in court. Watching him dismantle the opposing client in the stand is a joyous experience.”
Legal 500 2026
Lance Ashworth KC is recognised as a leading silk with a commercial and chancery practice, having a particular focus on company law, shareholder disputes and unfair prejudice claims.
He is recommended by Chambers & Partners UK and Global, the Legal 500, Lexology, and The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom.
Additionally, he has substantial expertise in international litigation, civil multi-jurisdictional fraud and insolvency cases. He has a firm grasp of the commercial realities of any litigation and understands clients’ needs and wishes.
Lance’s expertise in company and commercial matters is both at first instance and on appeal including unfair prejudice petitions, having appeared in the Supreme Court in Zedra v THG, the key decision as to limitation periods, and in 2 of the leading Court of Appeal cases in the last few years: Loveridge v Loveridge and The Hut Group (No 1); breach of duty claims include Wickers v Humbles which was heard in 2024 for 7 weeks in the Isle of Man (one of the longest cases in the Isle of Man in recent years), and the appeal in the same matter in March 2026; share warranty claims, hedge fund claims and professional negligence cases.
Lance’s fraud practice is both international and domestic and at present includes acting for the liquidators of the insolvent companies as the victims of the directors’ fraud in a number of Quincecare claims, including the leading case of Arena TV v Bank of Scotland, and Denaro (Uk) Ltd v Barclays Bank. He has acted for a Malian gold mine seeking to set aside a settlement agreement on the grounds of it having been induced by fraud; Hummingbird Resources, for clients alleged to have defeated a claim by the production of forged documents; Taylor v Khodabakhsh. He has dealt with a substantial number of freezing orders, again both domestic and international.
In insolvency matters, Lance deals with both corporate and personal insolvency. In 2022, he undertook the energy suppliers’ failure case: Croxen v GEMA dealing with liabilities of the failed companies for renewables obligations and Suppliers of Last Resort, and was successful in Orca v Dusoruth in establishing that where a bankruptcy order was made on the basis of what turned out to be an unliquidated debt, the Court retained a discretion not to annul the bankruptcy. He acts both for and against insolvency practitioners in claims against former directors, accountants and others, as well as having done a substantial number of cases involving more technical issues that arise under the Insolvency Act 1986.
Lance was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge of the Chancery Division from 2016 and again in 2023 and is authorized in addition to sit in the London Circuit Commercial Court. He has been a Recorder since 2005, sitting in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions.
Lance is, and has been, involved in many commercial disputes, both international and domestic. The matters are generally contractually based but include fraudulent claims. In addition, Lance frequently advises accountants appointed as experts under Share Purchase Agreements on the legal interpretation of such contracts. Key cases of interest over the last few years have involved many multi-million-pound actions.
Lance has advised and appeared in fraud and bribery cases over many years, some of which have had international elements and the majority of which have involved the obtaining of freezing and other injunctive relief.
Having been recommended in the directories for many years for insolvency, Lance continues to act and advise both insolvency practitioners (in contested and non-contested work) and allegedly delinquent directors. He was the original author of the precedents section (volume 3) of Mithani’s Directors Disqualification.
Lance has acted and advised in very many company related matters, including disputes between shareholders and between companies and former directors, and cases involving alleged breaches of statutory provisions.
Lance advises on issues arising out of alleged breaches of the Conduct of Business Rules (“COB”) and Conduct of Business Sourcebook Rules (“COBS”) and the inter-relationship of these rules and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. He has also had involvement in potential group litigation arising out of the purchase by Lloyds TSB of HBOS and issues arising out of the prospectus requirements in FSMA.
Lance has considerable experience of professional negligence claims, particularly involving solicitors, accountants and insurance brokers.
“Lance works incredibly hard; he doesn't just delegate to his juniors, but is always all over the detail.”
Chambers & Partners 2026
“Lance has the relatively rare combination of being a first-class brain and a high-quality advocate. He is very responsive and very aware of the bigger picture in complex matters.”
Chambers & Partners 2026
“If you have a serious problem, Lance is on the shortlist of people you can call to find a solution. ”
Chambers & Partners 2026
“Lance Ashworth KC works incredibly hard. He is across the detail and able to distil all of it down to its essentials.”
Chambers & Partners 2026
“Lance is incredibly well prepared and can be relied upon to find a solution to the problem. He puts in the hours and is available 24/7 to answer questions. It's a fantastic service that he provides.”
Chambers & Partners 2026
“Lance is very hands-on as a silk and was superb on cross-examination.”
Chambers & Partners 2026
“He is excellent on his feet and can make all the difference in a big claim.”
Chambers & Partners 2026
“Lance is the complete package: clear, concise advice; commercial awareness; responsive and user friendly; and great in court.”
Legal 500 2026
“Incredibly well prepared, he is able to hold his own at the highest level. Lance's work ethic is a huge strength.”
Legal 500 2026
“Lance is an outstanding advocate, who manages to be personable and professional in a manner that puts client at ease and inspires confidence.”
Legal 500 2026
By a majority of 4-1 the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal [2024] EWCA Civ 158 and held that there is no limitation period applicable to unfair prejudice petitions under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006.
Lance Ashworth KC acted for Arena Television in a significant Commercial Court decision refusing to strike out a £280 million Quincecare claim.
![THG Plc & Others v Zedra Trust Company (Jersey) Limited [2024] EWCA Civ 158](https://www.serlecourt.co.uk/wp-content/themes/tela_serlecourt/assets/img/default/news-list.jpg)
Lance Ashworth KC and Dan McCourt Fritz KC acted on behalf of the successful appellants, THG plc and others, in this unfair prejudice petition, instructed by Catherine Naylor and Tom Cox at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.
Lance Ashworth KC acted for Arena Television in a significant Commercial Court decision refusing the defendant banks’ application to strike out a £280 million Quincecare claim.
Giselle McGowan and Lara Kuehl, chaired by Lance Ashworth KC, will discuss the practical implications of insolvency for company directors at the final Morning Brief: Insolvency Insights seminar.
Serle Court is launching Morning Brief: Insolvency Insights, a new breakfast seminar series chaired by Lance Ashworth KC, covering the latest developments in insolvency law.
Matthew Morrison KC and Marc Delehanty, chaired by Lance Ashworth KC, will examine key recent cases on section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 at the next Morning Brief: Insolvency Insights session.
Join Rob Mundy KC and Jennifer Meech for the next Morning Brief: Insolvency Insights seminar, examining the Supreme Court’s recent insolvency decisions and their implications for practitioners.
For general enquiries and instruction advice, please contact our Practice Management Team:
Call: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
or email: clerks@serlecourt.co.uk
Lance Dominic Piers Ashworth KC
487181612
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
Contact Us
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Phone: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
Email: clerks@serlecourt.co.uk
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