“Highly responsive, dedicated litigators.”

The Legal 500, 2024

Whether dealing with a multi-national corporation or a private client, Simcocks’ Litigation & Dispute Resolution advocates adopt a commercially realistic approach to bring each case to an efficient and practical conclusion.

Our team of skilled advocates can assist with a range of litigation matters:

Mediation

With our specialist knowledge and commercial awareness we have a reputation for finding creative and cost-effective solutions to achieve an early settlement to problems of any size. We understand that our clients are often concerned about the cost of being involved in a dispute so we will explain the likely costs involved in managing your case at each stage.

If you are in a dispute with another person or organisation you may be thinking about taking legal action. Civil litigation is the process by which public and private legal disputes are resolved through negotiation or the courts. Most of these disputes involve money in the form of compensation or require another party to take or not take a specific action.

Please see our Alternative Dispute Resolution section for information on the processes and techniques that can be used for disagreeing parties to resolve their differences as an alternative to going to court.


MEET THE TEAM

“Chris is excellent at managing technical and difficult litigation. – Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2024

Christopher Brooks joined Simcocks in May 2019 as a Consultant to the Litigation & Dispute Resolution department, and is now head of the team.

He is an experienced Advocate specialising primarily in employment and civil and commercial litigation, but also able to advise on a range of non-contentious or semi-contentious matters including corporate, trusts, estates and land issues.

Testimonials from independent directory, the Legal 500, describe Chris as “an outstanding legal mind” and “Has substantial experience in the contentious space and advises on union matters”.  A recent Chambers & Partners testimonial stated: “He understands clients’ commercial needs and is really assiduous and meticulous. He also clearly has the ear of the court.”


“quick thinking, depth of knowledge, practical as well as legal advice. Caroline is forward thinking and will go above and beyond to help” – Legal 500

Caroline Jennings specialises in all aspects of family law including divorce/dissolution and related financial claims, disputes involving children and protective measures such as pre/post nuptial  and cohabitation agreements.

Recommended by The Legal 500 for “heavyweight family litigation,” and named as a “Leading Individual”, Caroline has considerable experience in handling financially complex matters, often with international elements.


Elizabeth

“Elizabeth Simpson is simply outstanding; a great litigator who fights for her clients. Very thorough and highly responsive.” – Legal 500, 2024

Elizabeth Simpson is an Advocate of the Manx Bar, a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and is a Consultant with Simcocks’ Litigation & Dispute Resolution department. Elizabeth specialises in heavyweight commercial litigation and dispute resolution, often involving large multinational companies, multiple jurisdictions and competing laws. Whilst having a particular expertise in dealing with large, factually and legally complex cases, she is equally able to apply a sensible and commercial approach to problems of any size.


“Louise Byrne is the stand out family practitioner on the Isle of Man. She is in a class all by herself.” – Legal 500, 2024

Louise Byrne acts as a consultant advocate to our Family Law team, helping clients with financing and divorce matters, child contact, residence of children, care proceedings and adoption work.

During a career spanning over 30 years, Louise has been a leading Isle of Man litigation practitioner, having acted in a number of major civil and criminal trials. She has worked on particularly complex, high-net-worth financial relief divorce cases, and has considerable experience of appearing at all levels, including the Privy Council, where she acted in a number of appeals.


“Exactly the sort of modern barrister that you would like on your team.” – Legal 500, 2023

Zachary Kell is a London-based consultant to our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team. He is an experienced Commercial Chancery barrister qualified in England and Wales with particular experience in Commercial Law, Civil Fraud, Insolvency & Restructuring, Company Law and Shareholders Disputes. He regularly appears in the High Court in London, often acting in disputes in the Insolvency & Companies List and Business List of the Chancery Division and the Queen’s Bench Division. Zachary has also appeared in the Court of Appeal and has experience drafting in the Supreme Court. The Legal 500 has named Zachary a “Rising Star”.


Winston

Winston Taylor is an Associate Advocate and non-practising English Barrister who enjoys a diverse common law practice. He has unparalleled immigration expertise and is able to offer advice on all aspects of Manx law, including the Island’s immigration rules. He advises on work permits, visas and immigration appeals. He also specialises in personal injury, planning, disputes relating to property and licensing.


Victoria Murphy is a Consultant to our Litigation & Dispute Resolution department.  She has a wealth of experience in many areas of litigation, including:

  • Contract disputes;
  • Trusts issues and litigation;
  • Employment advice;
  • Asset tracing;
  • Shareholder disputes;
  • Directors’ duties matters;
  • Licence issues with the Financial Services Authority;
  • Contested Estate related litigation; and
  • Debt recovery

Adrian Briggs is a consultant to our Litigation & Dispute Resolution department, specialising in legal costs as well as commercial and civil litigation.

He has extensive experience in dealing with high value contentious matters, often working as part of a team. Clients describe Adrian as ‘well prepared’ and he is well regarded for his attention to detail, ability to think on his feet and objectively get to the heart of the matter in order to unlock legal disputes.


View or download our Litigation & Dispute Resolution brochure.

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