Two new Silks for Serle Court Chambers

Serle Court Chambers is delighted to announce that, following the outcome of the 2025 King’s Counsel competition, Jonathan Upton and James Weale have been informed that they will be appointed King’s Counsel.

Jonathan Upton has a leading commercial disputes practice including litigation relating to commercial fraud and asset recovery. He has particular expertise in property related work but his practice also encompasses company and partnership disputes, problems involving trusts, banking and professional negligence claims. Chambers 2026 described him as “responsive, persuasive and commercial.” Whilst ironically Legal 500 in 2025 identified that he is “a silk in waiting”.

James Weale has a very busy commercial chancery practice with a focus on domestic and international commercial and trusts disputes. He is continually recognised as a leading practitioner in those fields in the legal directories who describe him as “fiercely intelligent and incredibly versatile … His strategic vision is second to none.”

The appointment of Jonathan and James is a significant achievement for both individuals and for Chambers. We offer them our warmest congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Related Barristers

Jonathan Upton KC is recognised for his work in high-value commercial disputes, real estate litigation and asset recovery. His expertise across these interconnected fields makes him “the perfect package for complex and hard-fought” litigation.

His work is both domestic and international, with many cases involving fraud and trusts. Jonathan is regularly instructed in complex, high-value and urgent applications, including freezing injunctions, proprietary injunctions and asset disclosure orders. Commentators note that “he has an unwavering ability to get to the commercial crux of a matter extremely quickly” and that “Jonathan is both technically brilliant and a creative advocate.”

Recent instructions include acting in a substantial Commercial Court group action involving over 200 claimants and allegations of fraud, conspiracy and non est factum; advising on the recovery of debts in the context of the Russian sanctions and OFSI licensing regime; and challenging a Letter of Request issued by the Supreme Court of New York to the Royal Court of Jersey in connection with the Williams F1 Racing Team v Schwarz litigation in the US.

Jonathan is noted for being “incredibly approachable and helpful. You can just pick up the phone and talk to him” and “an absolute pleasure to work with.”

Jonathan Upton KC

Call: 2004
Silk: 2026

James Weale KC has a very busy commercial chancery practice with a focus on domestic and international commercial and trusts disputes.

He is recognised as a leading practitioner in those fields by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Chambers Global, Chambers High Net Worth, and Who’s Who Legal, where they describe him as a “brilliant lawyer” and a “Superstar”. He was Chambers & Partners’ Chancery Junior of the Year in 2023.

He regularly appears (both as sole and junior counsel) in the English High Court and has appeared several times in the Court of Appeal. He also has considerable experience in overseas jurisdictions (including as sole counsel), including Bermuda, the DIFC, the BVI, Cayman, Jersey, Guernsey, Gibraltar and Panama.