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XXIV Old Buildings - Leading Commercial / Chancery Barristers

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Lyndon Tiller

Senior Practice Manager

+44 (0)20 7400 5780
lyndon.tiller@xxiv.co.uk
image of George Salvage, Practice Manager

George Salvage

Practice Manager

+44(0)20 7419 6244
george.salvage@xxiv.co.uk
image of Ellie Sedgwick, Assistant Practice Manager

Ellie Sedgwick

Assistant Practice Manager

+44 (0)20 7419 6233
ellie.sedgwick@xxiv.co.uk
Contact Niamh’s clerking team
+44 (0)20 7691 2424
niamh.davis@xxiv.co.uk
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Niamh Davis has a broad commercial chancery practice, both domestically and offshore, across all of Chambers’ core practice areas.

She has appeared on behalf of clients before judges of all levels, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Her interests include, insolvency and commercial disputes, civil fraud, probate and estate claims, company law, aviation, and trust litigation.

Recently, Niamh has assisted with significant cases at the highest levels including acting as junior counsel in the Supreme Court decision El-Husseiny v Invest Bank PSC [2025] UKSC 4 (the leading case on the interpretation of s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986) and both the sanction hearing (Thames Water Utilities Holdings Ltd, Re [2025] EWHC 338 (Ch)) and Court of Appeal decision Kingston S.A.R.L. and others -v- Thames Water Utilities Holdings and others [2025] EWCA Civ 475

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Niamh is actively involved in various legal community programmes, including Lincoln’s Inn mentorship scheme and The 10000 Black Interns (10KBI) Programme, as well as speaking at events hosted by The Sutton Trust.

Before coming to the Bar, Niamh worked as a research assistant to William Day and assisted him with his chapter on The Eleftheria (1969) in his book, Landmark Cases in Private International Law. Niamh has maintained this academic interest in the law since starting practice, most recently updating the Retention of Title and Receivership chapters in Tolley’s Insolvency Law Service (alongside Edward Cumming KC).

Niamh graduated with triple first-class honours in Law from Downing College, Cambridge and subsequently completed the BCL at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. During her studies, Niamh received several University and College scholarships. Niamh was awarded a Lord Mansfield Scholarship and a Residential Scholarship from Lincoln’s Inn in respect of her Bar Practice Course, in which she obtained an Outstanding.

Expertise

Niamh has experience of a wide range of commercial disputes involving art, cultural property and luxury assets.

During her secondment to the Art & Luxury Team at Wedlake Bell LLP, her experience included:

  • Advising on claims by artists against art advisers, galleries, and agents for breach of contract, professional negligence, and restitution.
  • Drafting guarantees and contractual agreements for the consignment and sale of valuable artworks.
  • Advising on conflict of law issues as to the appropriate governing law for breach of fiduciary duties and tortious claims and the jurisdiction of the English Courts.

Niamh’s aviation experience includes:

  • GASL Ireland Leasing A-1 Limited v SpiceJet Limited [2023] EWHC 1107 (Comm); Niamh assisted in this dispute concerning an airline’s breach of return conditions under a lease.
  • Acting for the Defendant in relation to a US$8 million claim in respect of the total loss of an engine and the subsequent reduction in sale price of the aircraft (led by Max Archer).
  • Advising a client on the merits of pursuing a claim for repair work conducted on their aircraft (led by Max Archer).
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens with drafting statements of case in a claim against an airline for its breaches of multiple sale purchase agreements.
  • Assisting with an urgent injunction application for the delivery up of an aircraft.
  • Drafting (as sole counsel) statements of case to recover monies from a closed bank account.
  • Acting on behalf of the Defendant bank in response to a claim for the return of monies pursuant to the direct debit guarantee.
  • As junior counsel acting for a group of claimants in respect of fraudulent secret and half-secret commissions paid to financial advisers (led by Edward Cumming KC, Timothy Sherwin, and Alex Peplow).
  • Assisting John Carl Townsend in considering whether an alleged offender, who was the subject of a restraint order made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, was a carrying out a “regulated activity”.

During pupillage Niamh gained experience of the following:

  • Day v FXCM [2023] EWHC 1349 (Comm): assisting Daniel Warents in this matter involving allegations of breaches of contract and statutory duty against a spread-betting firm, arising from losses suffered by the claimant on trades in oil derivatives.
  • Assisting Daniel Warents with drafting statements of case in relation to contractual debt claims under spread betting contracts.
  • Assisting with an application for summary judgment in respect of claims arising from a commercial loan agreement.

Niamh has a flourishing practice in the civil fraud and asset recovery sphere, with particular experience in obtaining interim remedies to preserve assets to assist with the satisfaction of judgment debts.

  • Advising US attorneys on possible remedies available for preserving a Defendant’s assets prior to the conclusion of US proceedings.
  • Acting for a whisky company which had been the subject of a substantial fraud, including obtaining a worldwide freezing injunction against the Defendants (led by John Carl Townsend).
  • Acting for the Claimant, who had lost over £3 million as a result of whisky investment frauds, including obtaining Norwich Pharmacal Relief (led by John Carl Townsend).
  • Lynx Golf Limited and Charles Claire LLP v Kevin Harold Woolgar [2025] EWHC 1802 (Ch): assisting Sam Goodman and Charles Connor (Twenty Essex) in obtaining a freezing injunction and preparing for a trial of claims of deceit, breach of trust, and secret commissions against a golf brand’s former commercial representative.
  • As junior counsel acting in a trial involving allegations of fraud against a director (led by Stuart Adair).
  • As sole counsel, obtaining 14 injunctions restraining the presentation of winding-up petitions against companies registered in England and Guernsey.
  • As junior counsel acting for a group of claimants in respect of fraudulent secret and half-secret commissions paid to financial advisers (led by Edward Cumming KC, Timothy Sherwin, and Alex Peplow).
  • Acting (as junior counsel led by Timothy Sherwin) for a defendant beneficiary in a respect of a fraud claim made against him in relation to advice as to the distribution of an estate comprising classic cars.

During pupillage, Niamh gained experience of the following:

  • Assisting Adam Cloherty KC and Erin Hitchens in making freezing and proprietary injunction applications.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens with drafting statements of case in relation to claims for dishonest assistance, knowing receipt, conspiracy, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duties, deceit, and proprietary remedies in respect of commercial investments.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens with drafting statements of case in relation to claims brought against a fraudulent bank manager.

Niamh is establishing a reputation as a go-to junior for commercial matters, particularly those which raise questions of jurisdiction and other private international law considerations. Her recent experience includes:

  • Destin Trading Inc v Saipem SA [2025] EWHC 668 (Ch): assisting Adam Cloherty KC on behalf of the Claimant, in arguing that a dispute resolution clause in a (subsequent) settlement agreement will generally supersede an earlier and inconsistent dispute resolution clause in a (prior) contract.
  • Successfully setting aside a claim for loan repayments alleged to be due under a number of loan agreements (led by Edward Knight).
  • Lynx Golf Limited and Charles Claire LLP v Kevin Harold Woolgar [2025] EWHC 1802 (Ch): assisting Sam Goodman and Charles Connor (Twenty Essex) in obtaining a freezing injunction and preparing for a trial of claims of deceit, breach of trust, and secret commissions against a golf brand’s former commercial representative.
  • Drafting statements of case for a jewellery brand for a breach of contract claim (as junior counsel led by Timothy Sherwin).
  • Acting for a claimant hotel seeking the recovery of unpaid invoices.
  • Acting to successfully obtain summary judgment in favour of a claimant company in respect of claims for breach of contract.
  • Acting to successfully strike out a claim against a company on the grounds of false imprisonment and harassment.
  • Acting (as sole counsel) for a claimant e-sports company seeking relief in respect of a breach of contract claim.
  • Drafting statements of case for the recovery of unpaid invoices in respect of accountancy services.
  • Acting on behalf of a bank, defending a claim relating to direct debits.
  • Drafting statements of case for the recovery of unpaid invoices pursuant to a licencing agreement.
  • Drafting statements of case for the recovery of misappropriated corporate assets.

During pupillage:

  • Assisting with drafting statements of case in relation to a claim for breach of contract and restitution of unjust enrichment.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens by advising on methods of alternative service and the merits of an application to serve out of the jurisdiction.
  • Assisting with the drafting statements of case in relation to claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty in respect of a pharmaceutical supply agreement.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens by advising on the merits of seeking a freezing injunction and other forms of interim relief in a commercial contractual dispute involving breaches of contract and a breach of fiduciary duty.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens by advising on whether a Norwich Pharmacal Order can be granted where information obtained may be used to support foreign proceedings.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with advising on the law of matrimonial domicile and the jurisdiction of the English courts in relation to a dispute over foreign shares.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with the drafting statements of case for the enforcement of Chinese judgments in England.
  • Assisting with advising on the merits of a claim for damages for misrepresentation in relation to a firm’s financial performance.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall by advising on the operation of contempt of court applications.
  • Assisting Andrew Holden and Alex Peplow with a Part 71 application for the questioning of a judgment debtor.

Niamh has experience of a range of company law matters, including:

  • Regularly appearing in the Companies Winding-up Court on behalf of petitioning creditors, supporting creditors, and companies.
  • As sole counsel, obtaining 14 injunctions restraining the presentation of winding-up petitions against companies registered in England and Guernsey.
  • Assisting David Brownbill KC with a claim concerning the impact of an arbitration clause on derivative action in the Bermudian Court.
  • Acting on behalf of a respondent trustee in the BVI (led by David Brownbill and Catherine Hartson) and in particular considering the principles applicable to summary judgment and new evidence applications following a summary determination.
  • Regularly appearing on behalf of clients applying for an extension of time for the registration of a charge.
  • As sole counsel, advising on a drafting statements of case to restore a company to the register and appoint a personal representative as holder of shares where the articles did not have a mechanism for doing so.

During pupillage:

  • Assisting Daniel Warents and Erin Hitchens with shareholder disputes under s 994 of the Companies Act 2006.
  • Assisting with advising on the merits of and drafting an unfair prejudice petition in relation to director’s removal from management in a quasi-partnership company.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with advising on the operation of a parent company’s step-in powers under its subsidiary’s Articles of Association.
  • Acting as junior counsel, Niamh advised and drafted statements of case for court of protection proceedings in respect of an incapacitated elderly man being taken advantage of (led by Timothy Sherwin).

Insolvency litigation forms the backbone of Niamh’s practice. Her insolvency experience includes:

  • El-Husseiny v Invest Bank PSC [2025] UKSC 4 (the leading case on the interpretation of s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986) – appearing on behalf of the appellants (with Graham Virgo, and led by Daniel Warents).
  • Appearing as junior counsel at both the sanction hearing (Thames Water Utilities Holdings Ltd, Re [2025] EWHC 338 (Ch)) and Court of Appeal decision Kingston S.A.R.L. and others -v- Thames Water Utilities Holdings and others [2025] EWCA Civ 475.
  • Appearing on behalf of a company director being charged with contempt after failing to respond to the official receiver’s requests..
  • Regularly appearing in the Companies Winding-up Court on behalf of petitioning creditors, supporting creditors, and companies.
  • Acting (as sole counsel) for a debtor in a bankruptcy hearing.
  • Acting (as sole counsel) for a debtor in receipt of a statutory demand.

During pupillage:

  • Assisting with a Cayman Islands case involving shareholders’ claims for misrepresentation against a company in liquidation.
  • Assisting in defending a bankruptcy petition.

Niamh’s experience in international and offshore matters, include the jurisdictions of the Channels Islands and the Bahamas.
She presented on the impact of ESG considerations on trustees’ investment powers in The Bahamas and Cayman Islands in 2024.

Her recent experience includes:

  • Al-Thani & anr v Al Thani & ors [2024] UKPC 35: assisting Edward Cumming KC for the respondents in an appeal to the Privy Council as to the impact of section 245 of the BVI Business Companies Act 2014 as to the nature of shares in BVI companies and the law applicable to their transmission upon the death of a shareholder.
  • Acting on behalf of a respondent trustee in the BVI (led by David Brownbill and Catherine Hartson) and in particular considering the principles applicable to summary judgment and new evidence applications following a summary determination.
  • Advising a Jersey trustee on the administration of trust assets as junior counsel (led by Andrew Holden).
  • Assisting David Brownbill KC with a claim concerning the impact of an arbitration clause on a derivative action in the Bermudian Court.
  • As junior counsel acting for a group of claimants in respect of fraudulent secret and half-secret commissions paid to financial advisers (led by Edward Cumming KC, Timothy Sherwin, and Alex Peplow) (claim commenced in the Isle of Man).
  • As junior counsel, acting for a protector seeking to appoint and remove trustee of a Guernsey trust (led by Andrew Holden and James Bradford).

During pupillage:

  • Assisting with a Cayman Islands case involving shareholders’ claims for misrepresentation against a company in liquidation.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with drafting statements of case for the enforcement of Chinese judgments in England.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with a claim to remove the manager and advice on the merits of appointing a receiver over a Cayman Islands trust.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with advice relating to the law of matrimonial domicile and the jurisdiction of the English courts in relation to a dispute over foreign shares.
  • Assisting with seeking the strike out for want of prosecution and abuse of process of a claim in The Bahamas.
  • Appearing as junior counsel (led by John Carl Townsend) in a two-week trial concerning the ownership of land and claims under TOLATA and proprietary estoppel.
  • Sole Counsel acting on behalf of a mortgagor in possession proceedings.
  • Assisting with a claim concerning the operation of an equitable charge and order for sale made in respect of a residential property.
  • Regularly obtains interim possession orders and final possession orders for property owners.
  • Obtaining an order for sale for a property pursuant to a charging order (led by Timothy Sherwin).
  • As sole counsel, successfully setting aside a default judgment obtained against a landlord in respect of an unpaid deposit.
  • As sole counsel, acting on behalf of tenants seeking relief from forfeiture of their leases.

Niamh has a wide range of experience in trusts, probate, and estate litigation. She regularly advises and appears on behalf of trustees, beneficiaries, and personal representatives.

In contentious trusts, Niamh’s experience includes:

  • The Republic of Mozambique v Privinvest Shipbuilding SAL (Holding) & Ors [2025] EWHC 1481 (Comm) : As junior counsel (led by Robert Howe KC and Andrew Holden), acting on behalf of heirs in relation to a judgment obtained against their deceased relative. Conflict of laws questions as to jurisdiction also arose.
  • Al-Thani & anr v Al Thani & ors [2024] UKPC 35: assisting Edward Cumming KC for the respondents in an appeal to the Privy Council as to the impact of section 245 of the BVI Business Companies Act 2014 as to the nature of shares in BVI companies and the law applicable to their transmission upon the death of a shareholder.
  • Advising on the merits of a settlement in respect of a child.
  • Appearing at an approval hearing for the approval of a settlement for a protected party (led by Owen Curry and Elspeth Talbot Rice KC).
  • As junior counsel (led by Andrew Holden and James Bradford), acting for a protector seeking to appoint and remove trustee of a Guernsey trust.
  • Advising a Jersey trustee on the administration of trust assets as junior counsel (led by Andrew Holden).
  • Acting (as junior counsel led by Charles Strachan) on behalf of a claimant charity in relation to a claim for breach of contract and breach of trust.
  • Appearing as junior counsel (led by John Carl Townsend) in a two-week trial concerning the ownership of land and claims under TOLATA and proprietary estoppel.

In contentious probate, Niamh’s experience includes:

  • Acting (as junior counsel led by Adam Cloherty KC) for a residuary beneficiary in a dispute over the ownership of UK and international assets worth £5 million, including participating in a mediation on behalf of that beneficiary.
  • Acting (as sole counsel) on a challenge to a will on the basis of want of knowledge and approval.
  • Acting (as junior counsel led by Timothy Sherwin) for a defendant beneficiary in a respect of a fraud claim made against him in relation to advice as to the distribution of an estate comprising classic cars.
  • Advising (as junior counsel led by Timothy Sherwin) on the validity and interpretation of gifts in a will.

In non-contentious trusts, Niamh’s experience includes:

 

During pupillage, Niamh gained the following trusts, probate, and estates experience:

  • Assisting Andrew Holden by advising on the courts’ approach to interpretation of express indemnity clauses for protectors in trust deeds.
  • Assisting Daniel Warents with advice on a claim in relation to the administration of and succession to an estate, involving questions of governing law, domicile, and the application of the non-contentious probate rules.
  • Assisting Edward Cumming KC with advising on the effect of letters of wishes and ‘no contest clauses’ in a trust.
  • Assisting with drafting statements of case in respect of a grant of administration in relation to foreign property and a foreign domiciled deceased.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens with advising on the operation of charitable trusts.
  • Assisting on a dispute concerning the entitlement to a grant of letters of administration over an English estate.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens with drafting statements of case in relation to claims for the rescission of transactions on the basis of undue influence and declarations as to the beneficial ownership of various properties.
  • Assisting with a matter involving the administration of the insolvent estate of a deceased person.
  • Assisting Erin Hitchens in drafting statements of case in relation to claims arising from the distribution of an estate, on the bases of knowing receipt, unjust enrichment, and conspiracy, and seeking proprietary remedies.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with advice on the law of matrimonial domicile and the jurisdiction of the English courts in relation to a dispute over foreign shares.
  • Assisting Hugh Miall with advice on the operation of a common intention constructive trusts in respect of foreign shares.
  • Assisting Owen Curry with an application for orders and directions in respect of the administration of an estate pursuant to CPR Rule 64(2).
+44 (0)20 7691 2424
niamh.davis@xxiv.co.uk
Contact clerks
Add to portfolio
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  • Research Assistant to William Day on his book: Landmark Cases in Private International Law
  • Contributing editor to Retention of Title and Receiverships chapters in Tolley’s Insolvency Law Service
  • Research Assistant to William Day
  • BPC (Outstanding), University of Law, Bloomsbury (2021-2022)
  • BCL (with merit) (Commercial Remedies, Restitution of Unjust Enrichment, Corporate Insolvency, and Legal Concepts in Financial Law), St Catherine’s College, Oxford (2020-2021)
  • BA Law (Triple First Class), Downing College, Cambridge (2017-2020)
  • ChBA (The Chancery Bar Association)
  • COMBAR (The Commercial Bar Association)
  • Junior Chancery Bar Association Committee (2024- present)
  • Lord Mansfield Scholarship (the ‘most prestigious’ merit-based award from Lincoln’s Inn for students undertaking the Bar Practice Course, 2021)
  • Residential Scholarship (providing students with accommodation within Lincoln’s Inn during their Bar Practice Course year, 2021)
  • Senior Harris Scholarship (for achieving a First in all three parts of the Law Tripos, Downing College, Cambridge, 2020)
  • Title of Foundation Scholar (for achieving a First in Law Tripos Part II after having been awarded a first in Tripos Parts IA and IB, Downing College, Cambridge, 2020)
  • John H. Morrison OBE Scholarship (for achieving a First in Law Tripos Part IB, Downing College, Cambridge, 2019)
  • Rebecca Flower Squire Scholarship (for achieving a First in Law Tripos Part IB and intending to become a barrister, Cambridge University Faculty of Law, 2019)
  • John H. Morrison OBE Scholarship (for achieving a First in Law Tripos Part IA, Downing College, Cambridge, 2018)

Business Details

VAT number:
448519660
Registered name:
Niamh Eireann Davis

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