Bridget Lucas
Call date
1989
Professional Experience
Bridget commenced practice in Thirteen Old Square Chambers, Lincolns Inn, and moved to Fountain Court Chambers in 1998. Her practice spans both chancery work and commercial litigation and arbitration. She has considerable court and trial experience in hostile litigation and arbitration in particular where effective cross-examination and forceful advocacy are required. She works equally well alone, or as part of a team. She also advises in the context of ADR, with a view to achieving practical and cost-effective resolution of disputes.
She has been instructed in a broad range of disputes including insolvency and restructuring (advising on competing claims to assets, receivership, winding up and asset recovery), company (including joint venture and shareholder disputes, misfeasance proceedings, directors’ duties and disqualification proceedings), insurance, reinsurance, financial services and civil fraud. She has also provided advice on complex questions of contractual construction, for example, in the context of project finance, restructuring arrangements, and asset financing.
Recent Practice
Bridget advised depositors in the wake of the recent collapse of the Icelandic Banks. She has also been advising in connection with a substantial joint venture involving private equity funds and facing deadlock, and in litigation arising from the exercise of loan stock conversion rights (Scottish Equitable Plc v Quintain Estates and Development Plc). She acted in ING Lease (UK) Limited v Philip Ross Harwood [2008] 1 All ER Comm 1150; a case raising complex questions of contractual construction, implied terms, collateral contract and estoppel in the context of a bank guarantee claim. She also acted in SES Contracting Limited v UK Coal Plc [2007] EWHC 161, a contentious application for pre-action disclosure. She has regularly been instructed in applications for injunctions both pre and post judgment.
Insolvency and Restructuring:
She has advised in disputes arising from competing claims to assets in the context of restructuring, and following corporate collapse. She recently advised depositors following the Icelandic Bank collapse. She provided advice during the restructuring of British Energy Plc, and advised a major bank in relation to its claims arising out of the collapse of the Mayflower Group of companies. She has advised in relation to the exercise of investigatory powers and was counsel in Official Receiver v Hay [2001] 1 WLR 730; [2002] 2 WLR 20 CA. She has appeared in a number of bankruptcy cases, disqualification proceedings and winding up petitions (including public interest petitions) involving complicated structures and foreign companies [Re NorthWest Holdings Plc [1999] 1 BCLC 425 CA; Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Backhouse [2001] BCLC 468 CA].
Company Law:
Bridget has advised in a number of joint venture and minority shareholder disputes, and is regularly instructed in cases raising allegations of breach of fiduciary duty. She has, for example, been involved in disputes arising out of Formula 1 Motor Racing. She also acted in the litigation between KPN Mobile NV –v- Hutchison Whampoa Ltd (involving proceedings in both the Commercial and Companies Court, which progressed at great speed, and required acquiring detailed knowledge of the mobile telecommunications industry).
Asset Recovery/ Fraud:
She has acted in cases involving substantial fraud allegations and was, for example, involved in the Grupo Torras litigation. She has also been involved in asset recovery and enforcement exercises in the context of both insolvency and fraud. Her work in this area often involves considering complex questions of restitution, and seeking urgent interim relief both pre and post judgment.
Financial Services:
She has advised in regulatory proceedings commenced by the Financial Services Authority and, for example, acted in FSA –v- Hogarth Underwriting Agencies Limited which involved allegations relating to the conduct of unauthorised insurance business, and aspects of Greek company and insurance law.
Insurance & Reinsurance:
Bridget has been involved in a number of substantial insurance matters, mainly subject to arbitration. The issues arising in these cases include complicated questions of foreign law. She has advised on various matters arising on D&O policies, in particular in the context of US SEC investigations, and on the Bermuda form. She has also acted in cases relating to substantial product liability claims in the US. And recently, she was instructed to advise on coverage in a number of substantial claims arising out of the collapse of Enron.
Arbitration:
Bridget has advised and appeared in substantial international arbitrations in particular in the context of insurance disputes. Recently, in the domestic context, she has been advising a number of farmers in their compensation claims against DEFRA arising out of the cessation of mink farming in the UK.
Non-Contentious:
She has advised on complex questions of contractual and statutory construction and interpretation in substantial project finance, refinancing, restructuring and asset finance arrangements.
Recommendations (Practitioners’ Guides):
Legal 500 for Company, Insolvency and Commercial Arbitration (“first rate”)
Other Experience
Bridget has presented a number of lectures and seminars on a range of subjects connected with her practice. She is also one of the editorial panel for the Encyclopedia of Insurance Law, and contributes to the regulatory section.
Other Qualifications/ Professional Associations:
CEDR Accredited Mediator.
Member of ComBar, Chancery Bar Association and British Insurance Lawyers Association.
Education:
Gordonstoun School, Elgin
Worcester College, Oxford, BA Jurisprudence (First Class Honours), Henry SQ Henriques Prize.
Interests
Bridget spends much of her spare time riding, competing and following her event horses around the country. In the winter, if not riding, she can be found on skis.