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Catherine Addy KC

Call: 1998 | Silk: 2017

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Overview

Catherine has a busy and varied commercial and chancery litigation practice and has long been highly recommended by the various legal directories in a number of different fields, regularly receiving and being shortlisted for various awards. Catherine was recently named Company/ Insolvency Silk of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022 and Insolvency Silk of the Year by Legal 500 (2020). She is currently described by Chambers UK and Chambers Global (2021 - Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery), as "one of the cleverest people at the Bar” and as someone who "has a brilliant, encyclopedic knowledge of the law and is great to work with”. 

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 has regularly advised and acted for a number of government departments and public bodies as well as for a wide variety of private and commercial interests (including banks, retailers, service providers, shareholders, directors and other office-holders).  She is an experienced advocate in a number of different courts and tribunals as well as being willing to accept instructions in relation to offshore litigation and arbitration. 

Catherine was appointed as a Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge in 2016 and is currently recommended by Chambers Global in the fields of Restructuring/Insolvency and Dispute Resolution (Commercial Chancery), by Chambers UK in relation to Company, Chancery: Commercial and Restructuring/Insolvency and by Legal 500 for Insolvency and Company & Partnership.

 

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 was a long-standing 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.

Terms of Business 

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 2020 (as updated from time to time) referred to in the BSB Handbook. 

“Rising in prominence as a silk in the cross-over space between insolvency, fraud and commercial disputes. Catherine is a superb team player, who is responsive and misses no detail in a case. She also has a great courtroom manner.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Commercial Dispute Resolution

“An excellent insolvency and chancery lawyer. She is incredibly clever.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“Undoubtedly someone to have on your side in any complex insolvency case.” (2022)

Legal 500 UK
Insolvency

“A dream to work with: hard working, responsive and alive to commercial considerations of lay clients.” (2022)

Legal 500 UK
Company

Expertise

Insolvency & Restructuring  

Overview

Catherine has a particular interest in insolvency related work, both corporate and personal, having been appointed as a Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge in 2016 and been a member of the Insolvency Rules Committee since 2013 (appointed pursuant to s413 of the Insolvency Act 1986 following an open competition).

In 2020, Catherine was named Insolvency Silk of the Year by Legal 500 and shortlisted by Chambers UK for Company/Insolvency Silk of the Year.  Described by Legal 500 as an “insolvency powerhouse”, she is also recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a ‘thought leader’ in Restructuring & Insolvency. 

Catherine has been instructed to advise and appear for a variety of different interests (including officeholders and various government departments) in relation to numerous high profile insolvencies, including Barings, Spectrum Plus, Northern Rock (advising HM Treasury and the Bank of England), Lehman Brothers, Farepak, ‘Blockbusters’, GAME, Cambridge Analytica, Regis, Debenhams, Topshop and Carillion.  

She has also acted for the Secretary of State and Official Receiver in a number of director disqualification claims concerning companies in the public eye. 

In addition, she is an ongoing contributor to Gore Browne on Companies and continues to be an appointed member of the Bankruptcy and Companies Court Users’ Committee

Commercial Disputes  

Overview

Catherine is regularly instructed in relation to all manner of contentious business disputes.

She has much experience of a wide range of commercial litigation (including financial services and other disputed contractual claims, company law disputes, property and trust law matters, breach of director’s duties claims, civil fraud and other asset recovery claims, shareholder disputes and conflicts of laws issues). 

Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery  

Overview

Catherine frequently acts, for claimants and defendants, in relation to civil fraud and asset recovery work and has particularly relevant experience in the insolvency arena.

Company, Partnerships & LLPs 

Overview

Catherine regularly advises and appears in relation to a wide range of contentious company, partnership and shareholder disputes. 

She is also a contributor to Gore Browne on Companies and a long-standing member of the Bankruptcy and Companies Court Users Committee.

She was notably instructed by HMRC in relation to the Ingenious LLP film finance tax litigation.  In addition, she has frequently been instructed in relation to high profile claims under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 including the first such claim by the Competition and Markets Authority to reach trial.  

Banking & Financial Services 

Overview

Catherine has much experience of acting for domestic and international banks as well as having been instructed by the FCA in relation to a variety of commercial banking disputes.  

International & Offshore 

Overview

Catherine has considerable experience of acting for international and offshore clients across a broad spectrum of commercial and insolvency disputes.  She has spoken at a variety of international conferences and, where appropriate, is willing to accept instructions in respect of offshore litigation.

Professional Negligence 

Overview

Catherine has acted for claimants and defendants in relation to professional negligence and regulatory proceedings concerning insolvency officeholders.   

Tax 

Overview

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.  As such she was regularly instructed by HMRC in relation to a wide variety of tax recovery work and recently acted for HMRC in the dispute with the Joint Administrators of Lehman Bros which reached the Supreme Court as well as for HMRC in the Ingenious Film Finance litigation.

Real Estate  

Overview

Catherine has particular experience in property law matters arising in the context of insolvency and was instructed by the landlords in the seminal case of GAME concerning rental obligations as administration expenses. 

As former Junior Counsel to the Crown she has also been instructed in relation to a number of bona vacantia matters.

Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Overview

Inevitably, Catherine’s contentious disputes’ practice often involves different forms of ADR and she is happy to accept instructions for such purposes, including arbitration.

Notable Cases 

Overview

Catherine's notable cases include:

Directory quotes

Chambers UK
Commercial Dispute Resolution

“Rising in prominence as a silk in the cross-over space between insolvency, fraud and commercial disputes. Catherine is a superb team player, who is responsive and misses no detail in a case. She also has a great courtroom manner.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“An excellent insolvency and chancery lawyer. She is incredibly clever.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial/Treasury Counsel

“One of the cleverest people at the Bar - she is extremely hard-working and has incredible attention to detail." "She has a brilliant, encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and is great to work with.” (2021)

 

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)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial/Treasury Counsel

“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)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial/Treasury Counsel

“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)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial/Treasury Counsel

“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)

Chambers UK
Company

“Clever, responsive, articulate and all over the detail when handling cases” (2022)

Chambers UK
Company

“Technical, extremely knowledgeable and great to work with. She gives you a lot of confidence.” (2021)

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)

Chambers UK
Company

“Catherine is fantastic. She's an institution." "Very smart, very straightforward, very hard-working, and very easy to work with.” (2019)

Chambers UK
Company

“She's incredibly knowledgeable and practical, and is trusted by the bench.” (2018)

Chambers UK
Company

“She is very analytical, very strong on her feet and very focused and realistic in her advice.” (2017)

Chambers UK
Restructuring/Insolvency

“Catherine is very good - impressive, calm and unflappable." "An excellent barrister and a very good advocate.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Insolvency/Corporate Recovery

“Technical, extremely knowledgeable and great to work with. She gives you a lot of confidence.” (2021)

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)

Chambers UK
Insolvency/Corporate Recovery

“Her attention detail is excellent." "She is very well prepared, knowledgeable and calm.” (2019)

Chambers UK
Insolvency/Corporate Recovery

“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)

Chambers UK
Insolvency/Corporate Recovery

“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)

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)

Chambers Global
Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery

“She is very good technically and very good with clients in conference. In court she is thorough and measured.” (2017)

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)

Chambers Global
Restructuring/Insolvency

“She is always very clear and good in court; the judges really listen to her.” (2017)

Legal 500 UK
Insolvency

“Undoubtedly someone to have on your side in any complex insolvency case.” (2022)

Legal 500 UK
Insolvency

“A go-to insolvency silk.” (2021)

Legal 500 UK
Insolvency

“On her feet she is measured and assured, and clearly has the confidence of the bench.” (2020)

Legal 500 UK
Insolvency

“An experienced insolvency litigator.” (2019)

Legal 500 UK
Company

“A dream to work with: hard working, responsive and alive to commercial considerations of lay clients.” (2022)

Legal 500 UK
Company & Partnership

“She gives advice that is concise, clear and commercial.” (2021)

Legal 500 UK
Company & Partnership

“She is a brilliant technical lawyer who adds in a huge dollop of practical judgement and persuasive advocacy.” (2020)

Legal 500 UK
Company & Partnership

“An experienced company litigator.” (2019)

Awards

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022

'Company/ Insolvency Silk of the Year'

Legal 500 UK Awards 2020
'Insolvency Silk of the Year’

CJA-L500-2020-Winner.png

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2015
'Company/Insolvency Junior of the Year' 

BarAwards_winner2015-for-CJA-AJ.jpg

Articles 

Publications 

Memberships

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

Qualifications

  • MA, LLM (Cantab)

 clerks@maitlandchambers.com                                                                  

  +44 (0)20 7406 1200

Catherine Addy KC

Call: 1998 | Silk: 2017

“Rising in prominence as a silk in the cross-over space between insolvency, fraud and commercial disputes. Catherine is a superb team player, who is responsive and misses no detail in a case. She also has a great courtroom manner.” (2022)

Chambers UK

Commercial Dispute Resolution

Overview

Catherine has a busy and varied commercial and chancery litigation practice and has long been highly recommended by the various legal directories in a number of different fields, regularly receiving and being shortlisted for various awards. Catherine was recently named Company/ Insolvency Silk of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022 and Insolvency Silk of the Year by Legal 500 (2020). She is currently described by Chambers UK and Chambers Global (2021 - Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery), as "one of the cleverest people at the Bar” and as someone who "has a brilliant, encyclopedic knowledge of the law and is great to work with”. 

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 has regularly advised and acted for a number of government departments and public bodies as well as for a wide variety of private and commercial interests (including banks, retailers, service providers, shareholders, directors and other office-holders).  She is an experienced advocate in a number of different courts and tribunals as well as being willing to accept instructions in relation to offshore litigation and arbitration. 

Catherine was appointed as a Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge in 2016 and is currently recommended by Chambers Global in the fields of Restructuring/Insolvency and Dispute Resolution (Commercial Chancery), by Chambers UK in relation to Company, Chancery: Commercial and Restructuring/Insolvency and by Legal 500 for Insolvency and Company & Partnership.

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 was a long-standing 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.

Terms of Business 

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 2020 (as updated from time to time) referred to in the BSB Handbook. 

Awards

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022

'Company/ Insolvency Silk of the Year'

Legal 500 UK Awards 2020
'Insolvency Silk of the Year’

CJA-L500-2020-Winner.png

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2015
'Company/Insolvency Junior of the Year' 

BarAwards_winner2015-for-CJA-AJ.jpg

Articles 

Publications 

Memberships

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

Qualifications

  • MA, LLM (Cantab)

Insolvency & Restructuring

Catherine has a particular interest in insolvency related work, both corporate and personal, having been appointed as a Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge in 2016 and been a member of the Insolvency Rules Committee since 2013 (appointed pursuant to s413 of the Insolvency Act 1986 following an open competition).

In 2020, Catherine was named Insolvency Silk of the Year by Legal 500 and shortlisted by Chambers UK for Company/Insolvency Silk of the Year.  Described by Legal 500 as an “insolvency powerhouse”, she is also recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a ‘thought leader’ in Restructuring & Insolvency. 

Catherine has been instructed to advise and appear for a variety of different interests (including officeholders and various government departments) in relation to numerous high profile insolvencies, including Barings, Spectrum Plus, Northern Rock (advising HM Treasury and the Bank of England), Lehman Brothers, Farepak, ‘Blockbusters’, GAME, Cambridge Analytica, Regis, Debenhams, Topshop and Carillion.  

She has also acted for the Secretary of State and Official Receiver in a number of director disqualification claims concerning companies in the public eye. 

In addition, she is an ongoing contributor to Gore Browne on Companies and continues to be an appointed member of the Bankruptcy and Companies Court Users’ Committee

Commercial Disputes

Catherine is regularly instructed in relation to all manner of contentious business disputes.

She has much experience of a wide range of commercial litigation (including financial services and other disputed contractual claims, company law disputes, property and trust law matters, breach of director’s duties claims, civil fraud and other asset recovery claims, shareholder disputes and conflicts of laws issues). 

Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery

Catherine frequently acts, for claimants and defendants, in relation to civil fraud and asset recovery work and has particularly relevant experience in the insolvency arena.

Company, Partnerships & LLPs

Catherine regularly advises and appears in relation to a wide range of contentious company, partnership and shareholder disputes. 

She is also a contributor to Gore Browne on Companies and a long-standing member of the Bankruptcy and Companies Court Users Committee.

She was notably instructed by HMRC in relation to the Ingenious LLP film finance tax litigation.  In addition, she has frequently been instructed in relation to high profile claims under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 including the first such claim by the Competition and Markets Authority to reach trial.  

Banking & Financial Services

Catherine has much experience of acting for domestic and international banks as well as having been instructed by the FCA in relation to a variety of commercial banking disputes.  

International & Offshore

Catherine has considerable experience of acting for international and offshore clients across a broad spectrum of commercial and insolvency disputes.  She has spoken at a variety of international conferences and, where appropriate, is willing to accept instructions in respect of offshore litigation.

Professional Negligence

Catherine has acted for claimants and defendants in relation to professional negligence and regulatory proceedings concerning insolvency officeholders.   

Tax

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.  As such she was regularly instructed by HMRC in relation to a wide variety of tax recovery work and recently acted for HMRC in the dispute with the Joint Administrators of Lehman Bros which reached the Supreme Court as well as for HMRC in the Ingenious Film Finance litigation.

Real Estate

Catherine has particular experience in property law matters arising in the context of insolvency and was instructed by the landlords in the seminal case of GAME concerning rental obligations as administration expenses. 

As former Junior Counsel to the Crown she has also been instructed in relation to a number of bona vacantia matters.

Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution

Inevitably, Catherine’s contentious disputes’ practice often involves different forms of ADR and she is happy to accept instructions for such purposes, including arbitration.

Notable Cases

Catherine's notable cases include:

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