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Catherine Newman

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Catherine Newman QC

Call 1979
Silk 1995

cnewman@maitlandchambers.com

Catherine is a leading silk at the chancery and commercial bar. Clients rate her as ‘a standout figure’, ‘fantastically clever, intellectually very agile and someone who really adds value as a silk.’  ‘Technically perfect’  ‘ takes a robust, calm and measured approach.’

She is one of the best cross examiners in practice today: ‘A fine exponent of trial advocacy and cross-examination.’ ‘Extremely clever and excellent at cross-examination.’

Her ‘formidable intellect’ ‘grasps complex financial situations easily.’  She relishes getting a deep understanding of the client’s business, and couples that with an astute understanding of human nature which enables her to get to the bottom of issues quickly. She is ‘great with clients, reliable, and very confident in her advice.’ ‘She can make complicated principles understandable to a lay party. She's also extremely impressive in terms of the volume that she can get on top of in a short space of time.’ ‘She really thinks very deeply. Her judgement and identification of the issues in a case really make a difference.’

She has never lost her commitment to being on top of the evidence and issues in a case herself: ‘A class act and a pleasure to work with, she displays great attention to detail and is extremely knowledgeable.’ ‘She's extremely responsive, gets to grip with the issues in minutes’

Well regarded by the judiciary, ‘Catherine's a superstar in the courtroom. She's incredibly well prepared.’ ‘Catherine has the ability to take the temperature of the situation and read the court. She is well regarded by the judiciary and easy to get on with. Clients really like her.  She really is a tour de force.’ She is not ‘arrogant. She also takes an inclusive approach and feels like part of the team.’

She has considerable experience of business disputes particularly those which may have equity aspects (contracts, warranties, tort, agency, fiduciary duties, restitution etc), civil fraud, insolvency, asset tracing, trusts, JVs,  partnership, LLPs, corporate and shareholder and investor disputes in many fields (including commodities, mining and many types of chemical and industrial processes), banking, hedge fund and private equity fund investments, foreign exchange and derivatives. Her work has included: acting for the successful Appellants in Smith and Others v Molyneux [2016] UKPC; acting for Shell Pension Fund in BVI litigation (ending in the Privy Council) brought by the Liquidators of a Madoff feeder, advising the UK arm of a US monoline insurer on its rights in relation to a suite of lending and bonds issued by a state owned utility in a failing Eurozone jurisdiction; litigation on behalf of an investor in Russian assets purchased from a Dutch bank alleged to be part of the insolvent estate of Mr Ablyazov; acting for an Italian commune claiming to have been mis-sold derivatives by international banks;  the first reported case on the duties of partners in a LLP ; disputes concerning trading in metals and the ownership of residues, and their quality, from the smelting of copper ores;  litigation by a group of siblings in relation to the dividend policy of an investment company holding assets for charitable trusts and numerous disputes concerning the conduct of trustees and the construction of trusts and contracts.

She has acted in many well-known disputes including the UK local authority swaps litigation, BCCI, Maxwell and Madoff. She was Leading Counsel advising the Inspectors inquiring into the flotation of Mirror Group Newspapers.  In November 2005 she led the team acting for the English Creditors’ Committee of BCCI SA in the private application to the Chancellor which immediately preceded the discontinuance of the Liquidators’ litigation against the Bank of England.

She has appeared in all the divisions and levels of the UK courts, and is a member of the BVI bar. She has appeared in the courts of the Cayman Islands on several occasions.

Catherine has appeared as an advocate in several arbitrations, including those governed by ICC and LCIA rules, and is currently appointed as an ICC co-arbitrator in a Latin American dispute.

Catherine also takes appropriate pro bono work and is a Trustee of a major development charity.

She graduated from University College London with First Class Honours in Law, winning the Andrews Medal and Prize for the most outstanding performance in the final Law examinations in 1978.  A former scholar of the Middle Temple , she has chaired their Scholarship Fund Appeal.

Catherine is ranked as a Leading Silk in several categories in both the Chambers Directory and the Legal 500.

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.

Judicial Appointments

Deputy High Court Judge (QB & Chancery Divisions), Recorder of the Crown Court (authorised to hear appeals and serious sex cases), Lieutenant-Bailiff of the Royal Court of Guernsey (2001-10th June 2014)

Notable Cases

Trilogy Management Ltd v Harcus Sinclair (2017)

R (On the Application of Sustainable Development Capital LLP) (Claimant) v Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy & ors (2017)

In the Matter of TPD Investments Ltd Sub Nom Destiny Investments (1993) Ltd v TH Holdings Ltd (2017)

Smith and Others v Molyneux [2016] UKPC 35

Rawlinson & Hunter Trustees SA v Director of the Serious Fraud Office & Ors (2015)

Robert Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office & Ors (Dec 2014)

Stichting Shell Pensioenfonds v Krys & Anor (2014)

Robert Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office & Ors (Nov 2014)

Robert Tchenguiz & Ors v Serious Fraud Office & Ors (Oct 2014)

Robert Tchenguiz & Ors v Serious Fraud Office & Ors (2014)

Robert Tchenguiz & Ors v Serious Fraud Office & Ors (16 July 2014)

JSC BTA Bank v Mukhtar Ablyazov & Ors (2014)

Intesa Sanpaolo SPA v Regione Piemonte (2013)

JD Wetherspoon PLC v Jason Harris & Ors (2013)

Sycamore Bidco v Breslin & Dawson No. 1 (2012)

Shiraz Boghani v Bashir Nathoo (2011)

F&C Alternative Investments (Holdings) Ltd v Francois Barthelemy & Anthony Culligan (2011)

Revenue & Customs Commissioners v Noorasa Begum (Rep. Of The Estate Of Mohammed Uddin) (No 2) (2010)

Liquidators of Madoff Securities International v Yacht Bull Corp & Financier Meeschaert SA (2010)

Howell & Ors (Trustees of the Joicey Settlements) v Marcus Lees-Millais & Ors (2009)

JD Wetherspoon PLC v Van de Berg & Co Ltd [2009]

John David Curtis v Lockheed Martin UK Holdings Ltd (2008)

Mission Capital PLC v Sinclair (2008)

Gamlestaden Fastigheter AB v Baltic Partners Limited & Ors (2007)

J D Wetherspoon PLC v Van De Berg & Co Ltd (2007)

Apex Frozen Foods Ltd (In Liquidation) v Abdul Ali (2007)

Hill (As Trustee In Bankruptcy Of Nurkowski) v Spread Trustee Company Ltd & Anor (2006)

Mahme Trust v Lloyds TSB Bank PLC (2004)

GE Capital Commercial Finance Ltd v Sutton (2004)

Somerset-Leeke & Anor v Kay Trustees & Anor (2004)

Mahme Trust v Tayeb (2002)

Michael Bernand Worwood & Paul Edward Pike v Leisure Merchandising Services Ltd & 8 Ors (2001)

Profinance Trust SA v Gladstone (2001)

Duer v Frazer (2000)

Lindstrom v Lewis (2000)

Mahomed v Morris (2000)

Satnam Investments Ltd v Dunlop Heywood & Ors (1998)

Re Hamlet International PLC (1998)

Richbell Strategic Holdings Ltd v Harpur Group (1997)

McMahon & Smith as Liquidators of NEMGIA Ltd v AGF Holdings (UK) Ltd & Others (1996)

Transit Casualty Co v The Policyholders’ Protection Board (1991)

Hazell v Hammersmith & Fulham LBC (1991)

Barclays Bank PLC v Hammersmith LBC (1991)

Memberships

Catherine is a member of the Chancery Bar Association, COMBAR, ACTAPS and the Professional Negligence Bar Association.

Qualifications

LLB Hons (Lond) First Class

Testimonials

Legal 500 UK Awards 2020

Shortlisted for 'Commercial - Silk of the Year'

Legal 500 UK Awards 2018

Shortlisted for 'Commercial - Silk of the Year'
Shortlisted for 'Private client - Silk of the Year'

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2017

Shortlisted for 'Chancery - Silk of the Year'

Chambers UK

Chancery: Commercial
"I think she is a very clever, tactical lawyer who's very experienced. Her ability is to cut through a case, right down to the nub of the facts, and she's really great with clients." (2020)
"Has considerable presence, knows her stuff and is more than comfortable handling big cases." "She is just fantastically reliable and confident in her advice, without being arrogant. She also takes an inclusive approach and feels like part of the team." (2019)
"One of the first women at the Chancery Bar to take silk, she's clever, she's tough and judges listen to her." "Extremely affable and great with clients, she's got a lot of experience, and it shows." (2018)
"Catherine is incredibly sharp. She's very good with clients and can make complicated principles understandable to a lay party. She's also extremely impressive in terms of the volume that she can get on top of in a short space of time - in a document-heavy case, she's able to understand and absorb information very quickly." "I always think that for a difficult case she's very good." (2017)

"She is a formidable opponent, and a strong battler in court." (2016)

"A standout figure at the Chancery Bar."

"She is a joy to work with and always delivers."

"She is fantastically clever, intellectually very agile and someone who really adds value as a silk." (2015)

"A leading silk at the commercial Chancery Bar who has a strong practice both domestically and internationally."

"She is technically perfect and takes a robust, calm and measured approach."

"She has a certain grace in court which is very effective. Although absolutely charming, she terrifies her opponents." (2014)

"She is extremely good at managing client expectations and relationships," (2013)

"Diplomatic and thoughtful."

"Fierce commitment to the causes of her clients." (2011)

"A thorough and extremely commanding courtroom advocate." (2010)

Chambers UK

Chancery: Traditional
"She's incredibly quick, with a first-class mind." "She gets on top of huge volumes of documents and gives very measured advice. In terms of advice to clients, how she prepared the case, and on her feet, she’s a force to be reckoned with." (2020)
"Everyone knows her. She is a punchy and tenacious litigator who is brilliant on the bigger dispute." "She has considerable presence and the ear of the judge." (2019)
"She is very immersed in the world of both offshore and onshore trusts. She is extremely good in court and I've seen her make some very impressive and able arguments." "She is a very punchy advocate; she is very efficient and really on the ball. She really knows how to fight a case and you are wary of being against her as an opponent." (2018)

"She is a very effective advocate" who "knows her stuff and doesn't make life difficult for those that instruct her." (2016)

"A bright, forceful litigator."

"She's able to very quickly digest a lot of complex information and give us a roadmap for the case." (2015)

"A widely applauded trial advocate, she boasts considerable experience in both traditional and commercial chancery matters, and has built a sterling reputation for handling commercial trusts work."

"She is a very effective advocate, who is super intelligent and great to work with."

"She is a very strong litigator." (2014)

"Client skills and impressive depth of knowledge." (2013)

"A very effective advocate," who is "super-intelligent and great to work with." (2012)

Chambers UK

Fraud: Civil
"A formidable force in court." "She's a clear thinker and is incredibly quick at getting on top of complex cases." (2020)
"She has got very good judgement." (2019)
"Fights very hard for her clients." (2018)
"Catherine's a superstar in the courtroom. She's incredibly well prepared." "Catherine has the ability to take the temperature of the situation and read the court. She is well regarded by the judiciary and easy to get on with. Clients really like her and she's extremely bright. She really is a tour de force." (2017)

"A preferred choice of City and offshore firms for a range of commercial chancery matters."

"She is a real voice of authority, who gives very clear advice and direction and is willing to stick her neck out and take a bit of a risk." (2016)

"Extraordinarily sensible and clever."

"An excellent advocate who has the gritty determination to fight her client's cause." (2015)

"Has distinguished herself in the field of civil fraud." (2014)

"Is a noted presence at the Civil Fraud Bar." (2013)

"A confident performer who does not yield easily to intimidation." (2012)

Chambers UK

Company
"Catherine is delightful and incredibly smart. Her oral advocacy and cross-examination skills are among her greatest strengths. She is not easily intimidated and is very confident." (2020)
"She really thinks very deeply. Her judgement and identification of the issues in a case really make a difference." (2019)
"She's as bright as a button and an effective strategist. A very effective advocate who's like a steel hand in a velvet glove." (2018)
"I was very impressed with her ability to get on top of the details quickly." "Totally on top of the material and very good at cross-examining." (2017)

"She is an extremely robust litigator, well known for her determination. She grabs the case and pursues it right through."

"Robust in cross-examination and very interested in what solicitors have to say." (2016)

"She gives good, pragmatic advice."

"Exceptional advocacy." (2015)

"Displays notable expertise in private equity and hedge fund investments."

"She has a razor-sharp mind and is a great tactician."

"Her preparation and attention to detail are incredible." (2014)

"A team player, who is extremely bright, and bloody hard-working."

"Very thorough and capable in her cross-examination," (2013)

"Formidable advocate, who has sound judgement and a creative approach to problem solving." (2012)

Chambers UK

Offshore
"She's extremely approachable, very thorough, very good at strategy and very commercially minded." (2020)
"Responsive, accessible, commercial and someone who knows how to put up a fight." (2019)
"A class act and a pleasure to work with, she displays great attention to detail and is extremely knowledgeable." "She's extremely responsive, gets to grip with the issues in minutes, and is extremely good on her feet and in cross-examinations." (2018)
"A great cross-examiner and an absolute delight." (2017)

"She is phenomenally bright and capable."

"An impressive silk with a strong commercial litigation and chancery practice." (2016)

"Extremely effective, she truly is the master of her brief."

"She is a genuine commercial litigation and traditional chancery all-rounder, with a vast amount of international experience, both in the traditional offshore jurisdictions and elsewhere." (2015)

"She has a reputation as a very good barrister." (2014)

Chambers UK

Partnership
"A very determined and, when the need arises, a very aggressive advocate." "A formidable force in court." (2020)
"Charmingly formidable, fun to work with, and a real fighter." "As a top silk, she cuts through the issues. What you get from someone like Catherine is a clear view on issues without prevarication." (2019)
"Very knowledgeable in this area of the law. She's clear, authoritative and decisive in her advice on partnership and LLP issues and is a strong trial advocate." (2018)
"An excellent, very diligent advocate and cross-examiner who's also able to speak to clients in plain English, which is very helpful in the throes of a trial." "An absolute delight and a great cross-examiner." (2017)

"She is a lateral thinker who offers very tactical advice and is a very effective advocate. She has the ability to take the fight to the other side." (2014)

"A fine exponent of trial advocacy and cross-examination." (2013)

"Works extremely hard and gives first-class advice." (2012)

Chambers UK

Restructuring/ Insolvency

"A very good lawyer who is technically very good." (2013)

""Excellent at assimilating information quickly" and is "not afraid to take a novel approach to an issue.""(2012)

Chambers Global

Company

"Wins over the court with her unswerving belief in the merits of her case."

Chambers Global

Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery
"Has considerable presence, knows her stuff and is more than comfortable handling big cases." "She is just fantastically reliable and confident in her advice, without being arrogant. She also takes an inclusive approach and feels like part of the team." (2018-19)
"Catherine is incredibly sharp. She's very good with clients and can make complicated principles understandable to a lay party. She's also extremely impressive in terms of the volume that she can get on top of in a short space of time - in a document-heavy case, she's able to understand and absorb information very quickly." "I always think that for a difficult case she's very good." (2017)

"She is technically perfect and takes a robust, calm and measured approach."

"She has a certain grace in court which is very effective."

"Measured delivery wins her many supporters." (2014)

Chambers Global

Offshore
"Responsive, accessible, commercial and someone who knows how to put up a fight." (2018-19)
"A great cross-examiner and an absolute delight." (2017)

"She has a reputation as a very good barrister." (2014)

Chambers Global

Insolvency/Corporate Recovery

"Recommended."

Legal 500 UK

Banking and Finance
"She’s forthright, hardworking, able, and great fun to work with." (2020)

Legal 500 UK

Commercial Litigation
"Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and one of the best oral advocates at the Bar." (2020)
"A go-to silk – great with clients, reliable, and very confident in her advice." (2018/19)
"A lovely barrister to instruct, her hunger is as evident as ever." (2017)

"A grand dame of litigation; she is a major star and has an air of authority." (2016)

"A hard-fighting advocate, who is great fun and a great asset to any big litigation." (2015)

Legal 500 UK

Company & Partnership
"She gives clear, decisive and authoritative advice." (Company & Partnership 2020)
"She excels in Chancery cases." (Company, 2018/19)
"A highly respected senior silk." (Partnership, 2018/19)
"She is very authoritative and clients really like her." (Company, 2017)
"She is extremely clever and excellent at cross-examination." (Partnership, 2017)

"Recommended for her tactical skills." (Company, 2016)

"An astute lawyer and confident advocate, who really adds value and is a great team player." (Partnership, 2016)

"A leader in her field, who is meticulous in her approach and an inspiration to work with." (Company, 2015)

"Great with clients in consultation with a quelling, punchy and effective manner." (Partnership, 2015)

"Professional, responsive and clear in her advice. Just what is needed." (Company, 2014)

"A highly versatile barrister with plenty of experience in partnership and LLP disputes." (Partnership, 2014)

"Is a top-class performer." (2012)

"Stands head and shoulders above the rest’ and ‘is a quality practitioner and advocate." (2011)

Legal 500 UK

Insolvency
"She is a leader in her field and is very talented." (2020)
"A responsive insolvency expert." (2018/19)
"She is great on her feet and excellent at cross-examination." (2017)

"An astute lawyer and confident advocate, who really adds value." (2016)

"She has expertise in both domestic and international insolvency matters." (2015)

"She has a broad practice that encompasses insolvency." (2014)

"Experienced." (2013)

"Wonderfully calm and incredibly precise." (2012)

"Provides sound, common-sense advice." (2010)

Legal 500 UK

Offshore
"Superb on her feet" (2020)
"She has a track record of offshore company disputes." (2018/19)
"She is incredibly bright and extremely easy to work with." (2017)

Legal 500 UK

Private Client: Trusts & Probate
"A very clever silk" (2020)
"She is very clever." (2018/19)
"She provides strong strategic guidance, and is polite and courteous." (2017)

"A confident advocate and a great team player." (2016)

"Experienced in both domestic Chancery issues and international matters." (2015)

"A leading practitioner in this field and a superb advocate." (2014)

"Grasps complex financial situations easily." (2013)

"Formidable intellect." (2012)