Deputy Head of Clerking
Practice Manager
Assistant Practice Manager
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC has strength and depth right across the spectrum of commercial chancery matters. “An exceptional barrister with a stellar reputation” her expertise and experience straddles complex international trust, succession and probate disputes, and business-based litigation and arbitration including fraud, company, partnership, insolvency and contractual disputes.
Elspeth has an extremely loyal client base, she wins the confidence of her clients with her clear, practical and straight forward analysis of issues and their solutions; “Her formidable determination ensures she resolutely champions the client’s position.” She is highly sought after for her incisive legal analysis, the depth of her experience, her ability to present complicated law and facts in a simple and clear way, the energy and zest she brings to the cases with which she deals, her strong court presence and her superb advocacy. Clients praise her as “‘A top barrister, who is extremely analytical, and both straightforward and strategic in her advocacy”, as having “a great court presence, which comes from self-confidence, experience, and thorough preparation” and comment “She’s just outstanding in terms of advocacy and client handling.”
Many of her cases have overseas and international elements. She has been called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean and has appeared in the British Virgin Islands on a number of occasions. She has also been licensed to appear, and has appeared a number of times, as an advocate in the Courts of the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Additionally, she has advised on many matters relating to the jurisdictions of Guernsey, Jersey, the USA, the Bahamas, other islands of the Caribbean, Singapore and Hong Kong.
She is recommended in the major legal directories including Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, was shortlisted as Chancery Silk of the year 2024 at the Legal 500 Bar Awards and won Private Client: Trust and Probate Silk of the Year at The Legal 500 2020 Awards.
Elspeth is particularly well regarded for international trust and succession disputes, Chambers & Partners High Net Worth reporting a solicitor as recording that “It’s a race to get Elspeth when we have any contentious issue”. “She is a phenomenal lawyer, I’ve never met anyone harder working. She is extremely efficient with amazingly good judgement, knows when to take a point, tests every angle before going into court so she knows exactly where she stands. She is just so trusted, and she’d never walk past a stone without turning it over.”
Notable cases include:
Elspeth has considerable arbitration experience in a variety of subject areas, especially trust and partnership disputes.
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC has been involved in many fraud and tracing actions, particularly with international elements. She is recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in this area, with clients commenting “for complex fraud matters [she] is hard to beat“, “Her no-nonsense approach and fearless and combative style is admired by both the court and opponents” and “She is just extremely clever and quick on her feet. She is a no-nonsense barrister who is a good advocate and goes straight to the point. She has the respect of everyone.”
Notable cases include:
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC has significant experience in international commercial litigation, including inter and intra corporate disputes, security arrangements, breach of warranty, financial services, civil fraud, asset recovery and restitution cases and hedge fund litigation.
Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 consistently recommended her for Commercial Dispute Resolution, with market commentators having endorsed her for the breadth of her practice, noting “there is little she doesn’t have experience of” and describing her as “a fantastic all-rounder“. Noting that ‘Elspeth is just the silk you want if you’ve a difficult cross-border dispute” she is “sensible and strategic in her approach”. Chambers & Partners rank her in band 1 for Chancery: Commercial, clients state “she has incredibly good commercial judgement. She knows exactly which points to take and which to avoid.”
Legal 500 also recommends Elspeth in Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud, having described her as “always one step ahead of the game, all over the detail, as well as the bigger picture. She is formidable in court but very approachable outside it”, “who, for complex offshore fraud matters is hard to beat” and “A formidable and powerful advocate, with real gravitas in court. Her no-nonsense approach and fearless and combative style is admired by both the court and opponents”.
Her experience includes:
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC has dealt with various cases arising out of the financial services sector including litigation concerning hedge funds and structured investment vehicles.
Her experience includes:
“A go-to silk for all heavyweight litigation” Elspeth Talbot Rice KC has extensive experience of company and partnership disputes, clients comment “she cuts through the weight of evidence to get to the core issues with apparent ease.” Her expertise extends to shareholders disputes, disputes involving unlawfully paid dividends and breaches of directors’ duties and auditors’ and accountants’ negligence claims. She has advised on many partnership agreements and disputes including in relation to the construction of an automatic accruer clause, the ambit and enforceability of restrictive covenants, partners’ duties of good faith to each other and the proper winding up of partnerships’ affairs.
Notable company experience includes:
Notable partnership experience includes:
Insolvency work has always formed an important part of Elspeth’s practice and she is sought after for matters which involve insolvency as part of her adjacent specialisms in chancery, commercial, company and trust matters. She is well known in this area and is specialised in disputes arising out of insolvent and solvent liquidations, receiverships, administrations and bankruptcies. Chambers & Partners recommended her in this area noting that “She doesn’t take bad points and judges listen to what she says“. Legal 500 recommends her, with peers describing her as “a formidable and powerful advocate with real gravitas in court”.
Many of Elspeth’s cases have overseas and international elements. She has been called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean, and has appeared in the British Virgin Islands on a number of occasions. She has also been licensed to appear, and has appeared a number of times, as an advocate in the Courts of the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Additionally, she has advised on many cases being fought in Guernsey, Jersey, the USA, the Bahamas, other islands of the Caribbean, Singapore and Hong Kong.
She is ranked as a star individual for Offshore in Chambers & Partners UK and Global and Band 1 in Legal 500 Caribbean. Clients comment “Elspeth has got to be one of the stars in offshore, a go-to individual. She is an absolute delight to work with, a real team player and an exceptional advocate.” She is “a top barrister”, “extremely analytical, straightforward, strategic in her advocacy and a pleasure to work with”.
Bermuda
Bahamas
Cayman Islands
British Virgin Islands
Gibraltar
Channel Islands
Isle of Man
Elspeth has experience in liability claims against professionals, particularly accountants and lawyers.
Cases include:
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is “the leading individual in the field, she is a highly respected figure of great authority who has huge gravitas.”. She is frequently sought after for the most complex, high profile and high-value matters, “It’s a race to get Elspeth when we have any contentious issue,” comments a client.
Chambers & Partners High Net Worth ranks her as a star individual, with an interviewee reporting “It’s a race to get Elspeth when we have any contentious issue,” reports a solicitor. “She is a phenomenal lawyer, I’ve never met anyone harder working. She is extremely efficient with amazingly good judgement, knows when to take a point, tests every angle before going into court so she knows exactly where she stands. She is just so trusted, and she’d never walk past a stone without turning it over”.
She is ranked as a star individual in Chancery: Traditional and Offshore for Chambers and Partners and is in band 1 for Trusts. Clients praise he as “a powerful, forceful and persuasive silk who is at the top of her game. It is fair to say that her name is a seal of the highest quality in the trusts world”, and comment “She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of onshore and offshore trust law, and is a strong strategic thinker who really fights for the client”.
Notable experience in this field includes:
Company & Partnership
Chambers & Partners
‘Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is a very competitive silk who has incredibly good commercial judgement. She knows exactly which points to take and which to avoid.’ (2025)
‘She just ticks all the boxes, proving fantastic strategically and good on her feet. Very reassuring, very convincing and utterly fearless.’ ‘She’s a punchy advocate.’ (2024)
‘Elspeth is a very effective advocate.’ ‘Anyone who comes up against her has a real fight on their hands.’ (2023)
‘She’s a fiery, passionate advocate who is super bright: the complete package.’ ‘She is that rare combination of a fine advocate who is good with both clients and instructing solicitors. Elspeth is insightful when it comes to the legal issues and always comes up with commercial answers. She is every instructing solicitor’s dream.’ (2022)
‘Very effective in negotiations and has a powerful presence.’ ‘She comes straight to the point and sticks to it. Her sense of confidence comes across forcefully in court.’ (2021)
Legal 500
‘Elspeth has a great court presence, which comes from self-confidence, experience, and thorough preparation.’ ‘A fearsome advocate, but excellent with clients. A go-to silk for all heavyweight litigation. Elspeth cuts through the weight of evidence to get to the core issues with apparent ease.’ ‘Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is truly excellent. She can carry a court with ease and is equally very good with clients. She is outstanding in terms of her advocacy and client handling.’ (2025)
‘Elspeth is very powerful on paper and on her feet. She effortlessly wins the trust of clients and tribunals.’ ‘A superb advocate who is eloquent, concise, robust, client-friendly and commands the courtroom.’ (2024)
‘Elspeth is a superb all rounder. Very strong advocate, excellent with clients and cuts through complexity to get to the core and then consider a commercial and practical approach.’ (2023)
‘Few stand comparison with Elspeth in the partnership field. She scares opponents and is loved by clients.’ (2022)
‘Quite simply a superb lawyer and a great person to have on your team.’ (2021)
Chancery: Commercial
Elspeth was nominated as ‘Chancery Silk of the Year’ at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024.
Chambers & Partners
‘She is the leading individual in her field for Chancery and trusts. Highly respected, she puts the fear of God into people and just has huge authority in the court.’ ‘Elspeth is exceptional. She is an extremely experienced barrister, who delivers news, good or bad, beautifully.’ ‘She is an exceptional barrister with a stellar reputation.’ (2025)
‘An incredibly impressive character, who is formidable in terms of her oral advocacy and someone who instils fear in her opponents. She is a no nonsense silk with great gravitas, who is one of the biggest names in the trust world.’ ‘Clear and unequivocal in her advice, she slots in with any team she’s on very well’ ‘She gives it everything and presents incredibly well in court.’ (2024 – Global)
‘She provides clear and concise advice and is brilliant with difficult clients.’ ‘Elspeth is exceptional. She commands the room, whether that be the courtroom or the conference room.’ ‘She has the ability to get the best out of everyone around her and has the most incredible work ethic.’ (2023)
‘Of the highest quality, she is bright, hard-working and a good advocate.’ ‘Elspeth has a wonderful manner, is committed to her clients and is a really good adviser and advocate.’ (2022 – UK and Global)
‘She has an extraordinary commitment to her cases and inspires people who work with her.’ ‘She is formidable – razor-sharp in her analysis, really good on strategy and an excellent advocate. She is one of the best out there.’ (2021 – UK and Global)
Commercial litigation
Legal 500
‘Elspeth Talbot Rice KC –XXIV Old Buildings ‘Truly outstanding, one of the best barristers ever.’ (2025)
Fraud: Civil
Chambers & Partners
‘Elspeth is sensible and strategic. Her written advice is very clear.’ ‘She can carry a court with ease and equally is very good with clients. She’s just outstanding in terms of advocacy and client handling.’ ‘She is just extremely clever and quick on her feet. She is a no-nonsense barrister who is a good advocate and goes straight to the point. She has the respect of everyone.’ (2025)
‘Elspeth is very clear, a strong leader and gives direct advice.’ ‘She is a very good advocate, very clever and has great judgement.’ (2024)
‘Elspeth is direct, down to earth and commercial.’ ‘Elspeth is unflappable and a very safe pair of hands.’ (2023)
‘She is forthright in trials and very straightforward. Her advocacy is excellent and she’s very, very impressive on her feet.’ (2022)
‘She is very well regarded, has a good courtroom manner and good litigation instincts.’ ‘A ruthlessly good performer who is able to deal with difficult situations and make the absolute best of it.’ (2021)
Legal 500
‘Her formidable determination ensures she resolutely champions the client’s position. She has an uncanny ability to see round corners and anticipate what the other side will do in the course of a case.’ (2025)
‘Her trial prep is meticulous. Her advocacy is some of the best I have seen: very well prepared, succinct and forceful.’ (2023)
‘Her no-nonsense approach and fearless and combative style is admired by both the court and opponents.’ (2022)
‘A great, robust advocate and definitely one to have on your side.’ (2021)
Chancery: Traditional
Elspeth was nominated as ‘Chancery Silk of the Year’ at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024.
Chambers & Partners
‘Elspeth is a real pleasure to deal with. Clients love her and she gives robust advice.’ ‘Elspeth is terrifyingly clever and a phenomenally hard worker. She’s all over the detail in any case and is very client-friendly.’ ‘A top barrister, who is extremely analytical, and both straightforward and strategic in her advocacy. She’s just a pleasure to work with.’ (2025)
‘The Chancery KC you want in your corner on hard fought and technically difficult matters.’ ‘Elspeth Talbot Rice is top of my list. She has a great combination of good judgment and practicality.’ ‘One of the best and so good to work with, she’s a real team player.’ (2024)
‘I have run out of superlatives for her – she is a brilliant person to have on your team. Her energy is unbelievable and her focus is steadfast. She also has a great rapport with the judge.’ (2023)
‘She is absolutely at the top of the game, due to the strength of her advocacy and decisiveness and her commerciality,‘ reports a commentator, who adds: ‘Myself and the market would agree that she is a star individual.’ A litigator remarks: ‘I have run out of superlatives for her, she is a brilliant person to have on your team. Her energy is unbelievable and her focus is steadfast, she also has a great rapport with the judge.’ (2022 – High Net Worth)
‘Very responsive and very proactive, she has a knack of describing complex legal arguments in terms understandable to lay clients without appearing patronising.’ ‘Thoroughly excellent in all things, she really does know her stuff and is very impressive.’ (2022)
‘It’s a race to get Elspeth when we have any contentious issue,’ reports a solicitor. ‘She is a phenomenal lawyer, I’ve never met anyone harder working. She is extremely efficient with amazingly good judgement, knows when to take a point, tests every angle before going into court so she knows exactly where she stands. She is just so trusted, and she’d never walk past a stone without turning it over’. (2021 – High Net Worth)
‘Outstanding.’ ‘She is the doyenne of the trusts Bar.’ ‘Not a single word is wasted.’ ‘She writes the most extraordinary papers and is a terrific cross-examiner. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and is also a lot of fun. A real star, and brilliant at handling clients.‘ (2021)
‘She is the doyenne of the trusts Bar.’ ‘Not a single word is wasted,’ remarks an interviewee, adding: ‘She writes the most extraordinary papers and is a terrific cross-examiner. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and is also a lot of fun. A real star, and brilliant at handling clients.’ (2020 – High Net Worth)
Offshore
Chambers & Partners
‘Elspeth has got to be one of the stars in offshore, a go-to individual. She is an absolute delight to work with, a real team player and an exceptional advocate.’ ‘Elspeth is a powerful and persuasive silk who is at the top of her game. Fair to say her name is a seal of the highest quality in the trusts world.’ ‘Elspeth is the leading individual in her field for chancery and trusts. She really holds her own and when she speaks you really sit up and listen.’ ‘A top barrister. She is extremely analytical, straightforward, strategic in her advocacy and a pleasure to work with.’ (2025)
‘Elspeth is absolutely excellent. She’s very user-friendly and very direct, which is often incredibly helpful. She’s an exceptional resource and someone you want on your side.’ ‘Elspeth is one of the best advocates around. She presents incredibly well to courts – she gives it everything.’ ‘A real presence offshore, and a force to be reckoned with.’ (2024)
‘Elspeth is absolutely excellent. She’s very user-friendly and very direct, which is often incredibly helpful. She’s an exceptional resource and someone you want on your side.’ ‘Elspeth is one of the best advocates around. She presents incredibly well to courts – she gives it everything.’ ‘A real presence offshore, and a force to be reckoned with.’ (Chambers Global 2024)
‘Her knowledge is second to none. She commands the courtroom and goes the extra mile for her clients every time.’ ‘As a team leader she has an amazing ability to get the best of everyone around her and has the most incredible work ethic. She leads by example.’ ‘She is incredibly sharp in her approach and really thinks about things commercially.’ (2023)
‘Elspeth is great to work with, very responsive and very proactive. She has a knack of describing complex legal arguments in terms understandable to lay clients without appearing patronising.’ ‘She has a calm advocacy style which gives judges comfort.’ ‘She’s first-rate and particularly good in Bermuda cases. She’s a very effective advocate.‘ (2022 – UK and Global)
‘Commercial and good on her feet.’ ‘Very strategic, no-nonsense and instils a lot of confidence.’ ‘Very good at understanding the clients needs.‘ (2021 – UK and Global)
Legal 500
Recommended as a leading silk (2025, 2024)
‘Very direct and to the point. Clear.’ (2023)
‘She provides thoughtful. practical, informed advice and at the same time is personable and sensitive to the need and opinions of the individuals involved in each matter.’ (2022)
‘In a world of waffle, she gives clear advice.’ (2021)
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Chambers & Partners
‘Elspeth is a very competitive silk, who really has incredibly good commercial judgement. She knows exactly which points to take and which to avoid.’ ‘She is always wonderfully supportive of the team and client, and is also rigorous in her preparation.’ ‘Elspeth is just the silk you want if you’ve a difficult cross-border dispute. She is sensible and strategic in her approach.’ (2025)
‘Elspeth is an incredibly impressive character. She has gravitas and a sense of judgement.’ ‘Elspeth Talbot Rice gives clear and unequivocal advice and is a very good advocate.’ (2024)
‘Elspeth is an incredibly impressive character. She has gravitas and a sense of judgement.’ ‘Elspeth Talbot Rice gives clear and unequivocal advice and is a very good advocate.’ (2024 – Global)
‘Elspeth is an incredibly concise, practical and clear barrister.’ (2023)
‘A formidable advocate who is very direct in her views – she calls a spade a spade and clients love her for it.’ (2022 – UK and Global)
‘She is incredibly successful, has razor-sharp analysis and is really good at strategy.’ ‘You can’t throw a situation at Elspeth that she hasn’t seen before, and she is always able to predict how strategies will play out.’ (2021 – UK and Global)
Legal 500
Ranked as a Leading Silk (2024)
‘Elspeth is a superb all-rounder. A very strong advocate, excellent with clients and cuts through complexity to get to the core and then consider a commercial and practical approach.’ (2023)
‘A formidable and powerful advocate, with real gravitas in court. Her no-nonsense approach and fearless and combative style is admired by both the court and opponents.’ (2022)
‘Superb QC to work with – extremely responsive and empathetic whilst setting a clear path forwards’ (2021)
Trusts
Chambers & Partners
‘Elspeth is a powerful, forceful and persuasive silk who is at the top of her game. It is fair to say that her name is a seal of the highest quality in the trusts world.’ ‘The leading individual in the field, she is a highly respected figure of great authority who has huge gravitas. When she speaks, you really sit up and listen.’ ‘Extremely analytical, straightforward and strategic in her advocacy, she’s a pleasure to work with.’ ‘A fierce opponent, who approaches everything she does with great pragmatism.’ (2025)
‘Elspeth is a great all-round advocate who works well in large teams. She’s a force to be reckoned with and very direct and forthcoming in her views.’ (2024 – Global)
‘She is an incredibly concise, practical and clear barrister.’ (2023)
‘She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of onshore and offshore trust law, and is a strong strategic thinker who really fights for the client.’ (2022 – UK and Global)
‘Elspeth Talbot Rice QC has an unquestionable knowledge of the law and the strength of character to inspire confidence in even the most demanding clients.’ ‘She is a formidable advocate with a very bright mind, who never gives up – you really feel that she is fighting for you in court.’ (2021 – UK and Global)
Legal 500
‘Elspeth is a very decisive strategist and best advocates on her feet. She is a go-to barrister.’ (2024)
Ranked as a Leading Silk (2023)
‘Elspeth is highly regarded as at the pinnacle of the Chancery Bar: tough while gracious, with clients, opponents and judges; very good-humoured; always to the point, a model of conciseness – not a word wasted.’ (2022)
‘Is technically exceptional, a great strategic thinker and has excellent client communication skills. One of the leading silks in her field.’ (2021)
Charities
Legal 500
Ranked as a Leading Silk (2024, 2023)
‘Elspeth is a very strong and hardworking advocate.’ (2022)
‘Is fiercely bright, commercial and user friendly. She is tenacious and is certainly someone you would rather have in your corner than your opponent’s.’ (2021)
Insolvency
Legal 500
‘Elspeth really knows her stuff, is clear in her advice, doesn’t overstate the merits and makes herself available at short notice when needed.’ (2025)
‘Her clients are great fans.’ (2024)
‘She has presence and combines intellect, hard work and forcefulness.’ (2023)
‘Elspeth is a formidable and powerful advocate, with real gravitas in court.’ (2022)
‘Fiercely bright, commercial and user friendly.’ (2021)
Private wealth and probate
Legal 500
‘Elspeth is a fearsome advocate and go-to silk for all heavyweight litigation. She cuts through the weight of evidence to get to the core issues.’ (2025)
Private Client – Who’s Who Legal
‘Most highly regarded silk’ Elspeth Talbot Rice KC is widely recognised as a leading private client silk, with peers endorsing her ‘punchy advocacy‘ and ‘prolific experience in the field’. (2022)
2012 Elected as a Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn.
2023 Elected as Keeper of the Walks of Lincoln’s Inn
2024 Elected as Keeper of the Black Books of Lincoln’s Inn
2025 Elected as Keeper of the Library of Lincoln’s Inn
Former Prosecuting Counsel for the Bar Standards Board.
Elspeth is a much sought after speaker at conferences, webinars and seminars both in England and abroad. She speaks regularly at Legal Week’s Trusts and Estates Litigation Forum and their International Private Client Forum, as well as at many STEP conferences and the Transcontinental Trust conferences in Geneva and Bermuda. She has also spoken at White Paper’s Fraud conferences and IBA and Law Society conferences.