Stephanie Thompson

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Stephanie Thompson has a broad commercial chancery practice, with a focus on civil fraud, offshore and domestic trusts and probate litigation. She has a particular interest in cases with foreign law elements and has experience in overseas jurisdictions including Bermuda, The Bahamas, the BVI, Jersey, Guernsey and New Zealand.

Stephanie is regularly instructed as sole counsel in the English High Court, most recently appearing unled for the Claimants in a four-week fraud trial, and is equally comfortable working as part of a larger team. She also advises and appears as specialist Chancery counsel in financial remedy proceedings. She has a developing arbitration practice, particularly in the field of trust arbitration, and has appeared in or advised on proceedings under the UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC and LCIA Rules.

Stephanie was admitted to the British Virgin Islands bar in 2022.

Prior to joining Serle Court, Stephanie was a barrister in New Zealand for three years. She also completed an LLM at the University of Cambridge, where she received the BRD Clarke Prize for coming first in her year and prizes for coming first in each of her four subjects.

Areas of Expertise

Civil Fraud

Recent Cases

Equity Real Estate (Bracknell) Ltd & Ors v Capstan Capital Partners LLP & Ors (ongoing) – Acting (with Justin Higgo KC) for five SPVs who are the victims of a complex property fraud. Stephanie obtained extensive disclosure from third parties under the Bankers Trust, Norwich Pharmacal and pre-action disclosure jurisdictions (BL-2020-001104, 17 November 2020).
SMPI Bordeaux SPV 3 Ltd & Ors v Burton & Ors (ongoing) – Acting (led out of chambers) for 136 claimant victims of a fraudulent wine-lending scheme. The claimants recently obtained judgment without trial following strike-out and default judgment in the sum of over £52 million (including declaratory relief as to their beneficial interest in monies paid to the defendants), avoiding the need for a lengthy and expensive trial.
Russell v Cartwright & Ors [2020] EWHC 41 (Ch) – Acted (with Dan McCourt Fritz KC) for three defendants in the trial of a claim for fraudulent non-disclosure and unlawful means conspiracy brought by their former business partner. The defendants were wholly successful at trial and entitled to their costs on the indemnity basis, with the Court finding that they did not owe fiduciary duties or duties of disclosure and that they had been honest in their dealings with the claimant.
Instant Access Properties Ltd v Rosser [2018] EWHC 756 (Ch) – Assisted Lance Ashworth KC and Matthew Morrison KC in acting for one of the defendants in the trial of claims alleging fraudulent breach of fiduciary duties, shadow directorship, tax evasion and fraudulent trading.
Barley v Muir [2018] EWHC 619 (QB) – Assisted Ruth den Besten in a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation arising out of an investment in a pharmaceutical company. Assisted in a separate application for disclosure by the police of documents acquired during their parallel criminal investigation for use in the civil trial.
Willmont v Elm International Ltd – Assisted Justin Higgo KC acting for respondents to a worldwide freezing order and ancillary disclosure order.

Commercial Litigation

Recent Cases

Deripaska v Chernukhin [2019] EWHC 173 (Comm) – Acted (with John Machell KC and James Weale KC) in a substantial commercial court action involving a property development in central Moscow (instructed by Clifford Chance). Stephanie was instructed to deal with a number of urgent and difficult privilege and disclosure issues immediately prior to the five-week trial.
Christoforou v Christoforou – Acted (with Daniel Lightman KC) for the claimant in proceedings concerning a valuable London property held pursuant to a common intention constructive trust. Brought a successful application to strike out allegations of dishonesty, fraud and illegality from the defendants’ Amended Defence and to exclude those allegations from consideration and cross-examination at trial, on the grounds that they amounted to similar fact evidence which was of peripheral value to determining the claim and would have increased the cost (and risked adjournment) of the trial.
Freshasia Foods Ltd v Lu (unled) – Successfully defended Mr Lu both at the interim injunction stage ([2018] EWHC 3644 (Ch)) and at trial ([2019] EWHC 638 (Ch)) from claims (i) that he had breached restrictive covenants and should be injuncted from working for his new employer, (ii) in copyright infringement and (ii) in breach of confidence. Arnold J found that the restrictive covenants were both void for uncertainty and unenforceable for being in breach of public policy and awarded indemnity costs to Mr Lu. The case also raised important questions of severance and the interim injunction judgment was discussed in the recent Supreme Court decision Egon Zehnder v Tillman.
Spokane v CMS – Acted (with Justin Higgo KC) for a private equity fund in proceedings for breach of fiduciary duty against its former solicitor. The Lawyer listed it as one of the Top 20 Cases of 2019.
Rapid Home Warranties Ltd v Farooq (unled) – Represented the respondent in a High Court claim concerning ownership of a website, including on an interim injunction application.
Russell v Cartwright & Ors [2020] EWHC 41 (Ch) – Acted (with Dan McCourt Fritz) for three defendants in the trial of a claim for fraudulent non-disclosure and unlawful means conspiracy brought by their former business partner. The defendants were wholly successful at trial and entitled to their costs on the indemnity basis, with the Court finding that they did not owe fiduciary duties or duties of disclosure and that they had been honest in their dealings with the claimant.
Equity Real Estate (Bracknell) Ltd & Ors v Capstan Capital Partners LLP & Ors (ongoing) – Acting (with Justin Higgo KC) for five SPVs who are the victims of a substantial property fraud. Stephanie obtained extensive disclosure from third parties under the Bankers Trust, Norwich Pharmacal and pre-action disclosure jurisdictions (BL-2020-001104, 17 November 2020).
SMPI Bordeaux SPV 3 Ltd & Ors v Burton & Ors (ongoing) – Acting (led out of chambers) for 136 claimant victims of a fraudulent scheme in which substantial loans were made against the purported security of valuable wine collections. The claimants recently obtained judgment without trial following strike-out pursuant to CPR r 3.5(5) and default judgment in the sum of over £52 million (including declaratory relief as to their beneficial interest in monies paid to the defendants), avoiding the need for a lengthy and expensive trial.

International

Recent Cases

Wong v Grand View Private Trust Co & Ors (ongoing) – Acting (with Dakis Hagen KC and Emma Hargreaves) for the Plaintiff in Bermudian proceedings concerning very substantial purpose trusts. The six-month trial has just concluded and judgment is awaited. In 2020 and 2021, the Bermuda Supreme Court handed down decisions on issues including the iniquity exception to legal professional privilege ([2020] SC (Bda) 33 Com, 5 August 2020), purging contempt for breach of the implied undertaking ([2020] SC (Bda) 52 Civ, 10 December 2020), specific discovery based on “practical control” and joint interest privilege ([2020] SC (Bda) 57 Com, 30 December 2020), pleading amendments ([2021] SC (Bda) 21 Com (11 March 2021) and the admission of statements of important witnesses without cross-examination ([2021] SC (Bda) 46 Com (9 June 2021)).
Wong v & Anor v Grand View Private Trust Co (ongoing) – Acting (with Dakis Hagen KC and Emma Hargreaves) for the Plaintiffs in Bermudian proceedings in which the Plaintiffs obtained summary judgment on the grounds that powers of addition and exclusion in a trust deed cannot be exercised in a manner which changes the substratum of the trust ([2019] SC (Bda) 37 Com). The Defendant was successful on appeal (Civil Appeal No. 5A of 2019, 20 April 2020) and the case is due to be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in early 2022.
UNCITRAL arbitration (ongoing) and related subsequent Bahamian litigation – Acting (with Dakis Hagen KC) for the trustee of a suite of Bahamian trusts in proceedings concerning the trustee’s decision to distribute the trusts’ assets to the settlor and primary beneficiary of those trusts.
Crociani (appeals) – Acted (with Dakis Hagen KC) for one of the appellants following breach of trust litigation in Jersey.
Re X & Y Trusts (2018-2021) – Acted (with Paul Adams) for the trustee of two trusts. Successful in obtaining a variety of directions, declarations and Benjamin orders.
Stephanie is also acting for the trustees of several substantial New Zealand trusts and is well placed to do so given she is also qualified in New Zealand.

Trusts & Probate

Recent Cases

Wong v Grand View Private Trust Co & Ors (ongoing) – Acting (with Dakis Hagen KC and Emma Hargreaves) for the Plaintiff in Bermudian proceedings concerning very substantial purpose trusts. The six-month trial has just concluded and judgment is awaited. In 2020 and 2021, the Bermuda Supreme Court handed down decisions on issues including the iniquity exception to legal professional privilege ([2020] SC (Bda) 33 Com, 5 August 2020), purging contempt for breach of the implied undertaking ([2020] SC (Bda) 52 Civ, 10 December 2020), specific discovery based on “practical control” and joint interest privilege ([2020] SC (Bda) 57 Com, 30 December 2020), pleading amendments ([2021] SC (Bda) 21 Com, 11 March 2021) and the admission of statements of important witnesses without cross-examination ([2021] SC (Bda) 46 Com, 9 June 2021).
Wong v & Anor v Grand View Private Trust Co (ongoing) – Acting (with Dakis Hagen KC and Emma Hargreaves) for the Plaintiffs in Bermudian proceedings in which the Plaintiffs obtained summary judgment on the grounds that powers of addition and exclusion in a trust deed cannot be exercised in a manner which changes the substratum of the trust ([2019] SC (Bda) 37 Com). The Defendant was successful on appeal (Civil Appeal No. 5A of 2019, 20 April 2020) and the case is due to be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in early 2022.
UNCITRAL arbitration (ongoing) and related subsequent Bahamian litigation – Acting (with Dakis Hagen KC) for the trustee of a suite of Bahamian trusts in proceedings concerning the trustee’s decision to distribute the trusts’ assets to the settlor and primary beneficiary of those trusts.
Crociani (appeals) – Acted (with Dakis Hagen KC) for one of the appellants following breach of trust litigation in Jersey.
Re X & Y Trusts (2018-2021) – Acted (with Paul Adams) for the trustee of two trusts. Successful in obtaining a variety of directions, declarations and Benjamin orders.
Gupta v Gupta [2018] EWHC 135 (Ch) – Assisted Constance McDonnell KC in successfully defending claims to pronounce against the deceased’s will for want of knowledge and approval.
Stephanie regularly advises and acts as sole counsel in private client disputes. Recent cases have included a Strong v Bird claim concerning the alleged gift of a substantial property, a claim for delivery up of confidential information by former trustees, claims for removal of executors, Beddoe applications, claims for breach of duty by trustees and claims under the 1975 Act.
Stephanie is also acting for the trustees of several substantial New Zealand trusts and is well placed to do so given she is also qualified in New Zealand.

Company

Recent Cases

s 994 petitions – Stephanie is presently acting on two unfair prejudice petitions and related claims for breach of fiduciary duties and for an account.
Instant Access Properties Ltd v Rosser [2018] EWHC 756 (Ch) – Assisted Lance Ashworth KC and Matthew Morrison KC in defending allegations that one of the parties was a shadow director and had acted in breach of fiduciary duties.
First Subsea Ltd v Balltec Ltd – Assisted Andrew Moran KC in an appeal to the Supreme Court concerning the application of s 21 of the Limitation Act 1980 to breaches of fiduciary duty by company directors.

Partnership

Recent Cases

In re Infund LLP [2018] EWHC 1306 (Ch) – Assisted John Machell KC and Dan McCourt Fritz KC in representing the defendants to a claim brought by Grupo Mexico seeking to avoid the restoration of an LLP to the Register of Companies.

Intellectual Property

Recent Cases

Freshasia Foods Ltd v Lu (unled) – Successfully defended Mr Lu both at the interim injunction stage ([2018] EWHC 3644 (Ch)) and at trial ([2019] EWHC 638 (Ch)) from claims (i) that he had breached restrictive covenants and should be injuncted from working for his new employer, (ii) in copyright infringement and (ii) in breach of confidence. Arnold J found that the restrictive covenants were both void for uncertainty and unenforceable for being in breach of public policy and awarded indemnity costs to Mr Lu. The case also raised important questions of severance and the interim injunction judgment was discussed in the recent Supreme Court decision Egon Zehnder v Tillman.
Rapid Home Warranties Ltd v Farooq (unled) – Represented the respondent on an interim injunction application in the High Court concerning ownership of a website.

Matrimonial Finance: Trusts & Company Law

Stephanie acts as specialist chancery counsel in matrimonial proceedings in the Family Division.

Testimonials

“Stephanie is super bright and has a really clear drafting style. She is a responsive and really smart barrister.”

Chambers & Partner 2026

“Stephanie is unbelievably good. She's a massive workhorse who produces highly complex opinions to tight deadlines and knows how to pitch to clients at the right level.”

Chambers & Partner 2026

“Stephanie Thompson at Serle Court is brilliant. She performs so far above her call.”

Chambers & Partner 2026

“I definitely would instruct her again. She is really everything you need in a barrister - a star of the future.”

Chambers & Partner 2026

View all quotes

Latest

Recent Cases

FP Redhill Ltd v Patel & Others

Stephanie Thompson and Andrew Gurr have secured a decisive victory for the Claimants, who invested £20 million in UK property development projects, in FP Redhill Ltd v Patel & Others.

Recent News

: Email Stephanie
: +44 (0)20 7242 6105
: Contact Practice Managers
: vCard
: Download CV
: Shortlist

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

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

Appointments

Called to the British Virgin Islands Bar (2022)
Called to the New Zealand Bar (2013)

Recommendations

Rising Leader, Private Client (Global Elite 2022 & 2023)
Chancery: Traditional (Up & Coming) (Chambers High Net Worth 2023)
Chancery: Traditional (Up & Coming) (Chambers UK Bar 2023)
Private Client: Trusts & Probate (Band 4) (Legal 500)

Publications

S Thompson “When is it appropriate to withhold a trust deed from a beneficiary? Disclosure of trust documents in the New Zealand Supreme Court” (Trusts & Trustees, OUP 2019)
K Davenport QC and S Thompson “Piercing the Trust Structure at a Relationship’s End: Interesting Developments from the New Zealand Supreme Court” (Trusts & Trustees, OUP 2016)
DAR Williams QC and Stephanie Thompson “Interim Measures in New Zealand”, a chapter in Interim Measures in International Arbitration (Juris Publishing, 2014)

Education, Qualifications and Awards

BRD Clarke Prize for Best Overall Performance in the LLM, Cambridge
Goff & Jones Prize for the Law of Restitution, Cambridge
3 Verulam Buildings Prize for International Commercial Litigation, Cambridge
Travers Smith Prize for International Commercial Tax, Cambridge
Volterra Fietta Prize for International Investment Law, Cambridge
Glanville Williams Prize for the LLM, Jesus College, Cambridge
Russell Vick Prize for Law, Jesus College, Cambridge
New Zealand Law Foundation Ethel Benjamin Scholarship, Gordon Watson Scholarship, Spencer Mason Scholarship and LB Wood Scholarship (2016)
Prizes for Company Law & Agency Law, University of Auckland
LLM (Distinction), University of Cambridge
BA, University of Auckland
LLB (Hons), University of Auckland

BSB Registration

Stephanie Margaret Thompson

VAT Number

308325911

Areas of Expertise

Civil Fraud

Recent Cases

Commercial Litigation

Recent Cases

International

Recent Cases

Trusts & Probate

Recent Cases

Company

Recent Cases

Partnership

Recent Cases

Intellectual Property

Recent Cases

Matrimonial Finance: Trusts & Company Law

Testimonials

Latest

Recent Cases

FP Redhill Ltd v Patel & Others

Recent News

Serle Court Recognised in The Legal 500 Caribbean 2026: The English Bar Offshore

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

Serle Court Excels in Chambers Global Guide 2025

Serle Court Achieves Top Tier Ranking in The Legal 500 Caribbean 2025: The English Bar Offshore

Appointments

Recommendations

Publications

Education, Qualifications and Awards

BSB Registration

VAT Number