• Civil Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery

  Kira is frequently instructed on cases raising allegations of fraud and has built on her experience as a solicitor working on high profile fraud cases. Kira has extensive experience of applying for and responding to applications for freezing injunctions.

  • In Baxter v McGill – Kira successfully obtained a freezing/mareva injunction and a proprietary injunction in the Chancery Division in support of a fraud claim (brought as a derivative claim) for more than £1.5m.
  • In Skelwith v Armstrong – Kira was instructed in the Chancery Division on a case where it was alleged that the mortgagees in possession of a multimillion pound property had wrongfully exercised their power of sale in order to sell the property at a substantial undervalue.  Kira acted as sole Counsel in this matter.
  • In Mansfield v Innovate Baits – Kira successfully obtained a without notice freezing injunction in the Queen’s Bench Division, High Court in circumstances where there had been substantial delay in bringing proceedings.
  • In Barnett v Barber-Hughes – Kira represented the Respondent to a freezing injunction in the Queen’s Bench Division.  Kira succeeded in having the freezing injunction discharged on the basis that there had been a breach of the duty of full and frank disclosure.

  Kira is frequently instructed on cases raising allegations of fraud and has built on her experience as a solicitor working on high profile fraud cases. Kira has extensive experience of applying for and responding to applications for freezing injunctions.

  • In Baxter v McGill – Kira successfully obtained a freezing/mareva injunction and a proprietary injunction in the Chancery Division in support of a fraud claim (brought as a derivative claim) for more than £1.5m.
  • In Skelwith v Armstrong – Kira was instructed in the Chancery Division on a case where it was alleged that the mortgagees in possession of a multimillion pound property had wrongfully exercised their power of sale in order to sell the property at a substantial undervalue.  Kira acted as sole Counsel in this matter.
  • In Mansfield v Innovate Baits – Kira successfully obtained a without notice freezing injunction in the Queen’s Bench Division, High Court in circumstances where there had been substantial delay in bringing proceedings.
  • In Barnett v Barber-Hughes – Kira represented the Respondent to a freezing injunction in the Queen’s Bench Division.  Kira succeeded in having the freezing injunction discharged on the basis that there had been a breach of the duty of full and frank disclosure.
• Commercial Litigation

  Kira acts in and advises on a wide variety of commercial disputes including jurisdictional disputes, contractual and/or restitutionary disputes and claims for professional negligence. Kira is also regularly instructed in relation to injunctive relief proceedings, including obtaining and resisting freezing injunctions, both in the UK and various offshore jurisdictions.

  Kira’s recent experience includes:

  • Ted Baker Plc v Bluefin Insurance Services – Kira is currently instructed with Stephen Cogley QC on a high value dispute in the Commercial Division against an insurance broker where it is alleged that the insurance broker negligently failed to obtain an insurance policy which covered employee theft
  • Teutonic  Energy Services T.E.S. Limited v  Vana- Viru – Kira is currently instructed on a jurisdictional challenge relating to a dispute between a Cypriot and an Estonian company in the Commercial Division.
  • Rreef European Value Added Fund I L.P v Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited – a claim for damages of at least €158 million by an investment fund against its investment manager for breach of contract and/or negligence in relation to the decision in 2008 to cause the fund to invest in a German real estate transaction.
  • Andrew Green v Albert Edwards – instructed as sole advocate on a multi-million pound breach of contract claim in the Queen’s Bench Division.

  Kira is Chair of Junior COMBAR.

  Kira acts in and advises on a wide variety of commercial disputes including jurisdictional disputes, contractual and/or restitutionary disputes and claims for professional negligence. Kira is also regularly instructed in relation to injunctive relief proceedings, including obtaining and resisting freezing injunctions, both in the UK and various offshore jurisdictions.

  Kira’s recent experience includes:

  • Ted Baker Plc v Bluefin Insurance Services – Kira is currently instructed with Stephen Cogley QC on a high value dispute in the Commercial Division against an insurance broker where it is alleged that the insurance broker negligently failed to obtain an insurance policy which covered employee theft
  • Teutonic  Energy Services T.E.S. Limited v  Vana- Viru – Kira is currently instructed on a jurisdictional challenge relating to a dispute between a Cypriot and an Estonian company in the Commercial Division.
  • Rreef European Value Added Fund I L.P v Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited – a claim for damages of at least €158 million by an investment fund against its investment manager for breach of contract and/or negligence in relation to the decision in 2008 to cause the fund to invest in a German real estate transaction.
  • Andrew Green v Albert Edwards – instructed as sole advocate on a multi-million pound breach of contract claim in the Queen’s Bench Division.

  Kira is Chair of Junior COMBAR.

• Company

  Kira is frequently instructed to represent directors and shareholders in company law disputes.  She is also frequently instructed on applications pursuant to the Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007.  Her recent experience includes:

  • Fronting the Challenge Limited v Caroline Bird – (Chancery Division) advised on the prospects of success of unfair prejudice proceedings against the majority shareholder
  • Ellis v Blunham Properties – (Chancery Division) instructed to advise a minority shareholder as to his options for redress of alleged unfairly prejudicial conduct pursuant to section 994 of the Companies Act 2006.
  • Sarrington Limited – advised holders of bearer share warrants as to the implications of Schedule 4 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 and successfully obtained a suspended cancellation order in the Chancery Division, High Court.

  Kira is also experienced in numerous aspects of company law, including litigation and advice in relation to the following:

  • Shareholders’ disputes and minority shareholders’ remedies
  • Shareholders’ agreements
  • Directors’ duties, including directors’ disqualification proceedings
  • Wrongful trading claims
  • Schemes of Arrangement

  Kira is frequently instructed to represent directors and shareholders in company law disputes.  She is also frequently instructed on applications pursuant to the Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007.  Her recent experience includes:

  • Fronting the Challenge Limited v Caroline Bird – (Chancery Division) advised on the prospects of success of unfair prejudice proceedings against the majority shareholder
  • Ellis v Blunham Properties – (Chancery Division) instructed to advise a minority shareholder as to his options for redress of alleged unfairly prejudicial conduct pursuant to section 994 of the Companies Act 2006.
  • Sarrington Limited – advised holders of bearer share warrants as to the implications of Schedule 4 of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 and successfully obtained a suspended cancellation order in the Chancery Division, High Court.

  Kira is also experienced in numerous aspects of company law, including litigation and advice in relation to the following:

  • Shareholders’ disputes and minority shareholders’ remedies
  • Shareholders’ agreements
  • Directors’ duties, including directors’ disqualification proceedings
  • Wrongful trading claims
  • Schemes of Arrangement
• Insolvency

  A significant proportion of Kira’s practice is insolvency focused and she is frequently instructed by Liquidators and Trustees in Bankruptcy in contested applications under the Insolvency Act/Rules.

  Her recent experience includes:

  • Birdi v Petitt [2017] EWHC 1859 (Ch) – Kira successfully represented Trustee in Bankruptcy in a 2.5 day hearing before Newey J as to the proper construction of section 283 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
  • Mubarik v Najam – Kira successfully represented a Trustee in Bankruptcy in a three day trial consisting of a challenge to his administration of the bankrupt’s estate under sections 303 and 304 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
  • Mubarik v Malima – Kira successfully represented a Trustee in Bankruptcy in a series of applications under the Insolvency Act 1986 including multiple applications for an annulment of the bankruptcy pursuant to section 282(1)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986, a challenge to the Trustees remuneration and expenses pursuant to Rule 6.142 of the Insolvency Rules and an application to suspend and/or vary an income payments order.
  • Stephen Evans v Dexter Christopher Gaul – Kira successfully represented the Supervisor of a failed Individual Voluntary Agreement in a two day trial regarding the validity of that individual voluntary arrangement.
  • McCollin Bryan Limited v Wolfson – Kira successfully obtained an injunction to restrain presentation of a winding up petition in the Chancery Division.
  • Hi-Street Digital Media Limited v Digivan Limited – Kira successfully resisted an application for an injunction to prevent advertisement of a winding up petition in the Chancery Division.

  A significant proportion of Kira’s practice is insolvency focused and she is frequently instructed by Liquidators and Trustees in Bankruptcy in contested applications under the Insolvency Act/Rules.

  Her recent experience includes:

  • Birdi v Petitt [2017] EWHC 1859 (Ch) – Kira successfully represented Trustee in Bankruptcy in a 2.5 day hearing before Newey J as to the proper construction of section 283 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
  • Mubarik v Najam – Kira successfully represented a Trustee in Bankruptcy in a three day trial consisting of a challenge to his administration of the bankrupt’s estate under sections 303 and 304 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
  • Mubarik v Malima – Kira successfully represented a Trustee in Bankruptcy in a series of applications under the Insolvency Act 1986 including multiple applications for an annulment of the bankruptcy pursuant to section 282(1)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986, a challenge to the Trustees remuneration and expenses pursuant to Rule 6.142 of the Insolvency Rules and an application to suspend and/or vary an income payments order.
  • Stephen Evans v Dexter Christopher Gaul – Kira successfully represented the Supervisor of a failed Individual Voluntary Agreement in a two day trial regarding the validity of that individual voluntary arrangement.
  • McCollin Bryan Limited v Wolfson – Kira successfully obtained an injunction to restrain presentation of a winding up petition in the Chancery Division.
  • Hi-Street Digital Media Limited v Digivan Limited – Kira successfully resisted an application for an injunction to prevent advertisement of a winding up petition in the Chancery Division.
• International & Offshore

  Kira has substantial offshore experience having been called to Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI) and the Gibraltar Bar (on an ad-hoc basis) and in addition has been instructed on cases in the Cayman Islands,  Dubai, Guernsey, and Jersey

  Kira’s recent experience includes:

  • Line Trust Corporation Limited (as Trustee of the Aziz Continuation Trust) v Omar Aziz & others (Gibraltar) – represented the minor and unborn beneficiaries in a case in which the wife of the settlor of the trust in question sought ancillary relief in the sum of £350 million and argued that the trust was a nuptial settlement.
  • Consolidated Resources Armenia v Global Gold Consolidated Resources Limited (Jersey) (with James Brightwell) – an application to discharge a freezing injunction in Jersey on the basis of a breach of the duty of full and frank disclosure.
  • Weavering Macro Fixed Income Fund Limited (in liquidation) v Ernst v Young – instructed as a junior on a claim in the Grand Court in Cayman by the liquidators of a Cayman fund (which collapsed in 2009 following a major fraud by its founder) against its former auditors, Ernst & Young.

  Kira has substantial offshore experience having been called to Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI) and the Gibraltar Bar (on an ad-hoc basis) and in addition has been instructed on cases in the Cayman Islands,  Dubai, Guernsey, and Jersey

  Kira’s recent experience includes:

  • Line Trust Corporation Limited (as Trustee of the Aziz Continuation Trust) v Omar Aziz & others (Gibraltar) – represented the minor and unborn beneficiaries in a case in which the wife of the settlor of the trust in question sought ancillary relief in the sum of £350 million and argued that the trust was a nuptial settlement.
  • Consolidated Resources Armenia v Global Gold Consolidated Resources Limited (Jersey) (with James Brightwell) – an application to discharge a freezing injunction in Jersey on the basis of a breach of the duty of full and frank disclosure.
  • Weavering Macro Fixed Income Fund Limited (in liquidation) v Ernst v Young – instructed as a junior on a claim in the Grand Court in Cayman by the liquidators of a Cayman fund (which collapsed in 2009 following a major fraud by its founder) against its former auditors, Ernst & Young.
• Trusts, Probate & Estates

  Kira has over ten years experience of contentious trusts matters.  Kira appears in a broad range of contentious trust matters including fraud and tracing claims, claims for relief in relation to breach of trust and/or fiduciary duty and disputes concerning beneficial ownership of property and mistake.​

  She is also regularly instructed in contentious probate and family provision claims. Kira acts in relation to administration disputes including the removal of trustees/personal representatives and claims involving allegations of breach of trust/duty.  Kira also has experience of representing executors in account proceedings. Her recent work includes acting in:

  • Line Trust Corporation Limited (as Trustee of the Aziz Continuation Trust) v Omar Aziz & others (Gibraltar) –  represented the minor and unborn beneficiaries in a case in which the wife of the settlor of the trust in question sought ancillary relief in the sum of £350 million and argued that the trust was a nuptial settlement.
  • Bliss v Humberston an on-going dispute in the Chancery Division regarding the proper construction of a will and the effect of a deed of variation purporting to deprive the intestacy beneficiaries of their entitlement arising out of a failed residuary gift.

  Kira also has experience of applications under the Trustee Act 1925 and is regularly instructed to advise on trust, probate and proprietary estoppel claims.  Kira is an associate member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

  Kira is also an editor of the 20th and 21st editions of Williams, Mortimer and Sunnucks: Executors, Adminstrators and Probate.

  Kira is a committee member of ConTrA (Contentious Trusts Associates).

  Kira has over ten years experience of contentious trusts matters.  Kira appears in a broad range of contentious trust matters including fraud and tracing claims, claims for relief in relation to breach of trust and/or fiduciary duty and disputes concerning beneficial ownership of property and mistake.​

  She is also regularly instructed in contentious probate and family provision claims. Kira acts in relation to administration disputes including the removal of trustees/personal representatives and claims involving allegations of breach of trust/duty.  Kira also has experience of representing executors in account proceedings. Her recent work includes acting in:

  • Line Trust Corporation Limited (as Trustee of the Aziz Continuation Trust) v Omar Aziz & others (Gibraltar) –  represented the minor and unborn beneficiaries in a case in which the wife of the settlor of the trust in question sought ancillary relief in the sum of £350 million and argued that the trust was a nuptial settlement.
  • Bliss v Humberston an on-going dispute in the Chancery Division regarding the proper construction of a will and the effect of a deed of variation purporting to deprive the intestacy beneficiaries of their entitlement arising out of a failed residuary gift.

  Kira also has experience of applications under the Trustee Act 1925 and is regularly instructed to advise on trust, probate and proprietary estoppel claims.  Kira is an associate member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

  Kira is also an editor of the 20th and 21st editions of Williams, Mortimer and Sunnucks: Executors, Adminstrators and Probate.

  Kira is a committee member of ConTrA (Contentious Trusts Associates).

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