Our Barristers
  • Overview

    Jessica “is fast developing a strong commercial chancery practice, with a focus on insolvency, and is certainly a name to note at the junior Bar” (Legal 500 UK 2021).

    Jessica is a “superb advocate” (Legal 500 UK Bar 2022) who is “excellent on her feet” (Legal 500 UK 2021). She appears as sole counsel regularly in the High Court, and was successful in the Court of Appeal in the important case of Bell v Ide. She is well accustomed to conducting cases from pre-action advice through to trial, whilst throughout maintaining a pragmatic and commercial approach.

    During her five-year appointment to the Attorney-General’s C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown (2017-2022), Jessica was frequently instructed by HMRC and the Official Receiver in insolvency cases, and by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in director’s disqualification proceedings.

    In addition to domestic work, Jessica is developing a thriving offshore practice. She has received instructions from the Channel Islands, the UAE and Gibraltar, and has an ongoing consultancy arrangement with the dispute resolution department of a leading offshore firm in Jersey (assisting with trust, company and insolvency matters).

    Jessica has contributed to Atkin’s Court Forms, and has also written for Lexis PSL, the Trusts and Estates Law and Tax Journal, the Corporate Rescue and Insolvency Journal, Insolvency Intelligence, and Estates Gazette.

  • Insolvency

    Jessica accepts instructions from creditors, debtors and companies, and office holders in all areas of corporate and personal insolvency. She has a particular interest and expertise in antecedent recoveries.

    Recent matters include:

    • Re James Court Limited [2023] EWHC 1101 (Ch) – instructed by the liquidator of James Court Limited to recover void payments. The case involved a novel, and ultimately unsuccessful change of position defence.
    • Re Swindon Town Football Company Limited [2022] EWHC 2071 (Ch) – acting on behalf of Swindon Town Football Company Limited (with David Eaton Turner) in opposing a winding-up petition on the basis that the petition debt is genuinely disputed on substantial grounds.
    • Re Djurberg [2022] EWHC 1534 (Ch) – ongoing instructions by Mr Djurberg’s trustees in bankruptcy, involving applying on an urgent, ex parte basis for a search and seizure order pursuant to s. 365 of the Insolvency Act 1986, applications for proprietary freezing injunctions, the substantive application to recover after-acquired property, and an application to suspend Mr Djurberg’s discharge from bankruptcy.
    • Advising a fintech company as to its solvency, and the potential liabilities of its directors were it to be trading
    • insolvently.
    • Re Field [2021] EWHC 2474 (Ch) – acting on behalf of HMRC as petitioning creditor on a bankruptcy petition which was opposed on the basis that trade loss relief claims which had not yet been allowed should be set off against the petition debt.
    • Re High Road 182 Ltd (2021) – obtaining an urgent interim proprietary injunction on behalf of the Official Receiver, acting as liquidator, in respect of the transfer and subsequent mortgage of a commercial property.
    • Re Chester Properties Festival Park Limited and ors (2021) – acting on behalf of the administrators of four companies to extend the period of appointment of the administrators for the fourth time.
    • Re Ide [2020] EWCA Civ 1469; [2021] 1 W.L.R. 1076 and Re Ide [2020] EWHC 230 (Ch); [2020] 4 W.L.R. 48 – being
    • instructed by the Fourth and Fifth Respondents in an application to strike out an originating application by trustees in bankruptcy because of late service of that application at first instance, and on appeal to the Court of Appeal (unled).
    • Re Inspired Asset Management Limited (In Administration) [2019] EWHC 3301 (Ch) – acting on behalf of administrators in an application seeking a power to remove and appoint directors of wholly-owned subsidiary SPVs. Advising on the merits of opposing a winding-up petition founded upon an alleged assignment of a multi-million Euro debt.
    • Re A Company (2019) – successfully applying to strike out a winding up petition presented against an FCA- regulated company.
    • Re Wilson Design Consulting Ltd (2018) – acting for the liquidator in a claim for recovery of the director’s overdrawn
    • DLA.
    • Re Jighand Limited (2018) – being instructed by administrators in an application for their appointment to cease, and for the company to be compulsorily wound up.
    • Advising on a section 110 Insolvency Act 1986 restructuring, including stamp duty issues.
    • Advising a number of London Boroughs on the process and procedure of recovering funds from insolvent estates.
  • Commercial Litigation

    Jessica has acted in numerous contractual disputes concerning the sale of goods and supply of services, including building disputes. She has particular experience and knowledge of consumer protection legislation, having assisted with the update to the Atkins Court Forms Sale and Supply of Goods and Services volume following the coming into force of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

    Jessica is instructed by both lenders and individuals in banking and finance matters. She has advisory and advocacy experience of claims arising out of guarantees, debentures, mortgages, and factoring and invoice discounting arrangements.

    Jessica has extensive experience of making and resisting interim applications, including applications for:

    • Freezing orders;
    • Summary judgment and/or strike out;
    • Specific disclosure; and
    • Relief from sanctions.

    Recent matters include:

    • Al Assam v Tsouvelekakis [2022] EWHC 451 (Ch); [2022] W.T.L.R. 787, Al Assam v Tsouvelekakis [2022] EWHC 2111 (Ch), Al Assamv Tsouvelekakis [2022] EWHC 2137 (Ch) – acting on behalf of the Claimants, with Simon Adamyk, in a complex, multi-million dollar claim arising out of the management of two Cypriot trusts.
    • Advising two purchasers of cryptocurrency as to their contractual rights and remedies.
    • Advising on whether UK companies limited by guarantee, incorporated to act as the registered proprietors of investment properties and resorts in Cape Verde, were alternative investment funds within the meaning of the EU Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers.
    • Advising two investors in a fully segregated sub-fund of a protected cell company registered in Gibraltar in relation to a number of issues arising out of and in the context of ongoing litigation in Gibraltar.
    • Advising on the consequences of termination of a commercial agency agreement governed by German law.
    • Advising on the merits of a professional negligence claim against conveyancing solicitors following the clients’ entry into a failed SDLT avoidance scheme.
    • Sherborne Preparatory School v Makszimenko (2019) – representing the successful Claimant on the Defendant’s
    • appeal in which the Defendant sought to rely on fresh expert evidence.
    • Kinleigh Limited v Kapoor (2019) – acting on behalf of the successful Appellant estate agent in a claim for sales commission.
    • Advising a transport company as to whether its contract with a major oil company contained penalty clauses.
    • BBS Granite Concepts Limited v Direct Transportation Limited (2018) – being instructed by the Defendant in a claim for damages for breach of contract.
    • MKM Skip Hire Ltd v Bridgemarts Ltd (2018) – acting for the Defendant on an application for specific disclosure, and a subsequent application for a declaration that the claim was struck out for non-compliance with the specific disclosure order.
    • Limitless Ltd v Aquapark Developments Ltd (2018) – acting throughout for the Defendant in a defective works claim. Hunterskill Recruitment Limited v Branded Garden Products Limited (2017) – being instructed by the Claimant in the trial of a preliminary issue as to the recoverability of employment agency fees.
    • 1000 Mile Sportswear Limited v Hofler Global Limited (2017) – acting for the Claimant in a claim for damages for
    • defective goods (including an application for specific disclosure).
    • D&G Cars Ltd v Essex Police Authority [2015] EWHC 226 (QB) – being instructed as junior counsel on behalf of the Claimant company in an action for breach of contract and breach of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006.
  • Company & Partnership

    Jessica is instructed in a broad range of company and partnership matters, including shareholder disputes and unfair prejudice petitions, solvent restructurings, and company registration matters. She is also particularly able to assist in matters of company law which overlap with corporate insolvency issues, such as directors’ duties and director’s disqualification matters.

    Recent matters include:

    • Advising the director and minority shareholder of a currency exchange company following his summary dismissal and alleged triggering of “bad leaver” provisions.
    • Advising the director and minority shareholder of a start-up footwear company following termination of his director’s service agreement and alleged triggering of “bad leaver” provisions.
    • Re Genesis Training Group Ltd (2022) – acting on behalf of a director and minority shareholder on an unfair prejudice, and just and equitable winding up petition.
    • Advising a leading distributor of needlecraft products as to competition and restraint of trade issues.
    • Vaughan v Secretary of State for Business and Trade (2023) – advising a director as to proposed disqualification proceedings arising out of an application for a Bounce Back Loan, and an application for permission to act.
    • Re World Lifestyle Business Limited (2021) – obtaining an urgent order to rectify the register pursuant to sections 790V and 1096 of the of the Companies Act 2006, following the submission of false filings by an aggrieved former accountant of the company.
    • Re McFletch Limited and ors (2021) – acting on behalf of the executors of a deceased sole director/shareholder of a number of companies in obtaining an order to rectify the register of members to remove the deceased shareholder and include the executors.
    • Advising a director of a cryptocurrency company as to the process for removal of his fellow directors pursuant to
    • section 168 of the Companies Act 2006.
    • Advising a Jersey company as to whether it was bound by a contract signed by a single director, purportedly for and on behalf of the company, and the available causes of action against that director.
    • Advising two companies on formal reductions of share capital.
    • Advising and acting on behalf of a corporate shareholder and its director in a dispute arising between the shareholders of a specialist engineering company. A favourable settlement was obtained at mediation.
    • Re Peri Chick ‘N’ Grill Ltd (2019) – acting on behalf of the Secretary of State in the trial of a directors’ disqualification claim.
    • Re Free.Zee Ltd (2019) – obtaining a public interest winding-up order on behalf of the Secretary of State.
    • Re Dau Components Limited (2019) – successfully opposing a claim pursuant to s.1096(1) of the Companies Act 2006 to remove material from the register, acting on behalf of the Registrar of Companies.
    • Advising a family company as to whether a change in the shareholding of the company would trigger an obligation under the company’s Articles to redeem certain shares.
    • Khan v Pandya and Pandya (2016) – being instructed by the Claimant, the son of a deceased partner, in the trial of a preliminary issue as to whether the deceased remained a partner to the date of his death.
  • Qualifications / Education

    • BPTC (Very Competent), Kaplan Law School, 2012
    • GDL (Pass with Distinction), Kaplan Law School, 2011
    • English and Related Literature BA (Hons) (First Class), University of York, 2010
  • Awards

    • Diversity & Inclusion: Future Leader, Chambers & Partners Awards, 2023
    • Diversity & Inclusion Rising Star finalist, Women, Influence & Power Awards, 2023
    • BPTC Major Scholarship, Inner Temple, 2011
    • BPTC Advocacy Scholarship, Kaplan Law School, 2011
    • GDL Exhibition Award, Inner Temple, 2010
    • GDL Scholarship, Kaplan Law School, 2010
  • Memberships

    • Chancery Bar Association
    • Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
    • R3 (Associate Member)
    • Insolvency Lawyers Association (Associate Member)
  • ADR

    • Yes
  • What the directories say

    “Jessica is a rising star.” “She has an incredible analytical ability and she is very persuasive on her feet.”
    “She is technically very rigorous, very practical at finding solutions and very on top of the law and its applications.”

    Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024 – Restructuring/Insolvency: Tier 5

    “All-rounder. exceptionally bright and conscientious, very approachable, and highly recommended by all clients.”

    Legal 500 UK Bar 2024 – Commercial Litigation: Tier 5

    “Technically brilliant and bright, very prompt and very likely with judges and clients alike.”

    Legal 500 UK Bar 2024 – Restructuring/Insolvency: Tier 5

    “She is clear and decisive in her advice.”

    Legal 500 UK Bar 2023 – Restructuring/Insolvency: Tier 5

    “Very bright, very thorough and a superb advocate.”

    Legal 500 UK Bar 2022

    “Very quick to get on top of complex material; detail focused, but also down-to-earh and easy to talk to; excellent on her feet.”

    Legal 500 UK Bar 2021

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