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Catherine Addy

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Catherine Addy QC

Call 1998
Silk 2017

clerks@maitlandchambers.com

Catherine regularly practises in most areas of chancery and commercial litigation.

She has a particular interest in insolvency related work, both corporate and personal: She has been a member of the statutory Insolvency Rules Committee since 2013 (appointed pursuant to s413 of the Insolvency Act 1986 following an open competition) and was appointed as a Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge in 2016.   She has been instructed in relation to numerous high profile insolvencies, including litigation arising out of the collapse of Barings, appearing for the Crown in Spectrum Plus, advising HM Treasury and the Bank of England in relation to Northern Rock, representing differing interests in various litigation arising out of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, acting for the successful defendant directors in the disqualification proceedings concerning Farepak, for the administrators of the entity trading as ‘Blockbusters’, appearing in the GAME litigation concerning administration expenses as well as regularly for the Secretary of State in a number of successful disqualification claims against former directors of companies in the public eye.  In addition, she is an ongoing contributor to Gore Browne on Companies (Chapter 61: Liquidation – Civil and Criminal Liabilities and Officeholders’ powers of investigation) and continues to be an appointed member of the Bankruptcy and Companies Court Users’ Committee.

In addition to her insolvency related practice, she has much experience of other company and commercial litigation (including financial services, property and trust law matters, other asset recovery claims, shareholder disputes, and conflicts of laws issues).  In recent years she has been acting for LBBW in the long-running Swaps litigation concerning UBS and the Leipzig Water Company and for HMRC in the substantial Ingenious film finance scheme litigation as well as in Lehman Brothers litigation.  She has also previously been instructed by the FCA.

Prior to taking silk, Catherine was a member of the Attorney General’s 'A' Panel, having first been appointed as Junior Counsel to the Crown in 2003, and she has regularly advised and acted for a number of government departments, including HMRC, the now Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the former Treasury Solicitor and the Attorney-General.

In 2015 Catherine won 'Company/Insolvency Junior of the Year' at the Chambers UK Bar Awards having previously been shortlisted for Chancery Junior of the Year (2014) and Insolvency Junior of the Year (2012). She continues to be highly recommended by Chambers UK and Chambers Global for Chancery-Commercial litigation, Restructuring & Insolvency and Company and by Legal 500 for Company & Partnership and Insolvency.  The current edition of Chambers UK describes her as being “a superb advocate, extremely approachable, highly intellectual and pragmatic … she's absolutely superb on her feet, really impressive” whilst noting that she “speaks in a straightforward manner which clients can understand”.  Previous editions have similarly regularly praised her advocacy and analytical skills as well commenting favourably upon her affable nature, with various editions referring to her as “a highly regarded advocate” and an “accomplished chancery litigator” who is “exceptionally bright and quick to identify the real issues” and who “Garners praise from clients and peers alike” as well as offering “excellent input on general commercial matters”.  The 2013 edition particularly reported that “She is, by the account of multiple interviewees, "outstanding."”

Catherine has been elected as a Bencher of the Middle Temple (2014) and is one of the Inn’s Accredited Advocacy Trainers.  She was formerly an elected member of the Bar Council (2001-2007) and the Chancery Bar Association representative on the Bar Council (2010-2012) and she remains a co-opted member of the Bar Council’s Ethics Committee.  She was Chairman of the Young Barristers’ Committee in 2004, the Chairman of the Bar Conference (Human Rights – Taking Liberties) in 2007 and the elected Treasurer of the Chancery Bar Association from 2008-2012.

Catherine read law at Cambridge and went on to read the LLM in which she achieved a first. She was a Queen Mother Scholar and a Harmsworth Entrance Exhibitioner and has been in practice at Maitland Chambers since completing pupillage in 1999.

The clerks are happy to discuss the basis on which Catherine will act in any given matter. In the absence of express written agreement otherwise, the terms under which Catherine accepts instructions are The Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services By Barristers to Authorised Persons 2012 (as updated from time to time) referred to in the BSB Handbook.

Notable Cases

Green & Newman (as Joint Administrators of each of the Respondent companies) v SCL Group Ltd (2019)

Joint Administrators Of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (In Administration) v Revenue & Customs Commissioners (2019)

Commissioners for HMRC v Joint Administrators of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”) (in administration) (2017)

UBS AG v Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GMBH (2017)

In the Matter of Lehman Brothers International v Revenue & Customs (2016)

UBS AG (London Branch) & Ors v Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg & Ors (2014)

Pillar Denton Ltd v GAME Retail Ltd (2014)

Mynt Ltd v Revenue & Customs Commissioners (2013)

John Green & Paul Rowley v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc (2013)

E-Clear (UK) Plc v Elias Elia & Ors (2013)

In the Matter of UKLI Ltd; Secretary of State v Baljinder Chohan (2013)

E-Clear (UK) Plc (In Liquidation) v Elias Elia, Ian Defty (2012)

In the Matter of Instant Access Properties Ltd v Maria Gifford (2011)

In the Matter of Lehman Brothers Int (Europe) (In Admin) (2010)

In The Matter Of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (In Administration) (October 2009)

Revenue & Customs Commissioners v Alan Blackburn Sports Ltd (2008)

Revenue & Customs Commissioners v (1) Shaun Cassells (2) Nicholas Reed (2008)

Halton International Inc & Anor v Guernroy Ltd (2006)

Monks v Revenue & Customs Commissioners (2006)

Halton International Inc (Holding) Sarl and Mohtaram Kaddoura v Guernroy Ltd (2005)

National Westminster Bank Plc v Spectrum Plus Ltd & Ors (2005)

McCullough (HMIT) v Gurcharan Singh Ahluwalia (2004)

National Westminster Bank PLC v Spectrum Plus Ltd (2004)

National Westminster Bank PLC v Spectrum Plus Ltd (In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation) (2004)

Memberships
Chancery Bar Association
COMBAR
Insolvency Lawyers Association (full member)
R3 (full member)
American Bar Association (International Associate)

Qualifications
MA, LLM (Cantab)

Testimonials

The Legal 500 UK Awards, 2020

Insolvency
'Silk of the Year'

L500AwardsWinner2020.png

Chambers UK

Chancery: Commercial/ Treasury Counsel
"The most erudite and sophisticated lawyer I've come across. She has a manner with judges that I've rarely seen with other counsel." "The quality of advice and commitment to service are outstanding and engender absolute confidence in the client and those instructing." (2020)
"When she speaks, judges listen as she has absolute confidence and certainty in what she says. When she says something, she is right. She really knows her stuff, is incredibly well prepared and is incredibly good at the law as well as the facts." (2019)
"Has encyclopaedic knowledge when it comes to company law. She's a very clear drafter, who produces high-quality advocacy, and isn't afraid to put in a long shift and burn the midnight oil if necessary." "Very pleasant to deal with, she's very friendly and enthusiastic without being over the top." (2018)
"She is excellent and highly experienced. A barrister with a broad practice, she keeps plates spinning and speaks in a straightforward manner which clients can understand."  (2017)

"She is very good technically and very good with clients in conference. In court she is thorough and measured." (2016)

"A highly regarded advocate who is particularly involved in insolvency and company disputes in the Chancery Division."

"She is excellent in court and always seems to adopt the right tone with the bench." (2015)

"An accomplished chancery litigator, who is renowned for her prowess in insolvency cases." "She is exceptionally bright and quick to identify the real issues. She is pragmatic in the sense that she identifies what is not possible, and is realistic in her advice."

"She manages to handle complex matters and lead the court through them in a calm and controlled manner." (2014)

"Fabulous and will go far." (2013)

""Bloody hell, she's clever" from one interviewee." "Extremely hard-working, and masters difficult briefs quickly, always displaying superb judgement." (2012)

"Forthright, diligent and ambitious," (2010)

Chambers UK

Company
"Catherine is a very erudite, sophisticated and clever lawyer. She's very reasonable and measured, and gets on the same wavelength as the judge." (2020)
"Catherine is fantastic. She's an institution." "Very smart, very straightforward, very hard-working, and very easy to work with." (2019)
"She's incredibly knowledgeable and practical, and is trusted by the bench." (2018)
"She is very analytical, very strong on her feet and very focused and realistic in her advice." (2017)

"I've never met anyone who is a quicker thinker. When you've got a really complicated matter and look at an issue five or ten times, she will look at it once and get the answer."

"She's a super advocate. She always seems to be one step ahead and anticipates lines of argument and questions from the bench." (2016)

"She's very punchy in her style and always very busy." (2015)

Chambers UK

Insolvency/ Corporate Recovery
"She is really clever and very well respected – a real insolvency guru." "She is a superb advocate, and is very pleasant and approachable as well as highly intellectual and pragmatic." (2020)
"Her attention detail is excellent." "She is very well prepared, knowledgeable and calm." (2019)
"She is the government's go-to person. She has a very calm head and is very impressive." "She's a superb advocate - pleasant and approachable as well as highly intellectual and pragmatic." (2018)
"Catherine is a superb advocate, extremely approachable, highly intellectual and pragmatic." "What she doesn't know about insolvency could be written on a postage stamp. She's absolutely superb on her feet, really impressive." (2017)

"She is always very clear and good in court; the judges really listen to her." (2016)

"She is highly regarded for her courtroom skills and for her tireless analysis of the most thorny cases."

"Thorough, precise and highly practical when on her feet."

"She has superb analytical skills, and a user-friendly manner." (2015)

"Garners praise from clients and peers alike, who highlight her problem-solving nature and analytical approach. A notable favourite amongst government bodies." "Very clever, user-friendly, incredibly effective and solution-focused." "She is happy to get her hands dirty and really get into the paperwork." (2014)

"Her ability to consume and digest huge amounts of information and pick up on every detail." “She is, by the account of multiple interviewees, "outstanding."" (2013)

"Relishes complex matters and is someone who masters difficult briefs very quickly." "A pleasure to work with, she displays superb judgement at all times." (2012)

"Is hugely respected for her accurate and reliable advice." "She is extremely industrious." (2011)

Chambers Global

Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery
"She is excellent and highly experienced. A barrister with a broad practice, she keeps plates spinning and speaks in a straightforward manner which clients can understand." (2018)
"She is very good technically and very good with clients in conference. In court she is thorough and measured." (2017)

"She is exceptionally bright and quick to identify the real issues."

"She is pragmatic in the sense that she identifies what is not possible, and is realistic in her advice."

"She manages to handle complex matters and lead the court through them in a calm and controlled manner." (2014)

Chambers Global

Restructuring/Insolvency
"Catherine is a superb advocate, extremely approachable, highly intellectual and pragmatic." "What she doesn't know about insolvency could be written on a postage stamp. She's absolutely superb on her feet, really impressive." (2018)
"She is always very clear and good in court; the judges really listen to her." (2017)

"Very clever, user-friendly, incredibly effective and solution-focused."

"She is happy to get her hands dirty and really get into the paperwork." (2014)

Legal 500 UK

Insolvency
"On her feet she is measured and assured, and clearly has the confidence of the bench." (2020)
"An experienced insolvency litigator." (2018/19)
"She establishes a good rapport with judges." (2016)

"One of the obvious star juniors of the insolvency Bar." (2015)

"Incredibly erudite, clever and easy to work with." (2014)

"Recommended" (2013)

"A really hard worker." (2012)

"Has great attention to detail." (2011)

"Is a superb advocate." (2010)

Legal 500 UK

Company & Partnership
"She is a brilliant technical lawyer who adds in a huge dollop of practical judgement and persuasive advocacy." (2020)
"An experienced company litigator." (2018/19)
"An expert in disqualification proceedings." (2016)

"Bright, technically very able and a fine advocate." (2015)

"Incredibly erudite, clever and very easy to work with." (2014)

""Exceptionally bright, erudite, and user friendly", and "her legal and commercial judgement is excellent."" (2013)

"Is deemed a ‘ definite rising star’, with appeal and first instance experience alike." (2009)

“Catherine Addy is "increasingly popular with clients" and is singled out as a "real star for the future."”(2008)

Legal 500

Commercial Litigation

"Is also recommended for her insolvency work." (2009)

“One to watch.” (2008)