Bridget Lucas
Call date
1989
Practice Areas
Bridget has a broad chancery and commercial practice with considerable court and trial experience in hostile litigation and arbitration.
She is currently recommended in the Legal 500 for Commercial Litigation.
She has particular expertise (and is also recommended in the Legal 500) in the following areas:
- Commercial Litigation
- Insolvency and Restructuring (“the impressive Bridget Lucas”; “a team player and experienced advocate”)
- Company Law
- Energy
Her recent work includes complex fraud and asset recovery cases.
Recent Practice:
By way of example, she is presently involved in the Cayman Islands litigation between Ahmad Hamad Algsaibi and Brothers Company v Al Sanea (and others) advising a number of companies in liquidation in connection with various claims made against them arising out of an alleged US$9.2 billion fraud. She has advised in relation to an injunction obtained in the context of a substantial dispute between Latvian entities relating to ship building contracts. She has also recently advised in relation to the effect of various agreements signed in connection with a substantial oil and gas field in Algeria, and advised on the interpreation of various agreements common in the energy industry. She also acted in the Clydesdale Financial Services Limited v Jiva insolvency litigation.
Commercial Litigation
Bridget has represented clients in a wide range of commercial disputes. For example, she has advised in a substantial dispute between Russian entities relating to a share option and management agreement concerning African mining entities. She has also been involved in litigation relating to the quality of animation in the production of the Mr Bean series. She was also retained in connection with a multi-million pound dispute arising out of completion accounts prepared following the acquisition of a telecoms business.
Insolvency and Restructuring
She has been retained in various complex disputes arising from competing claims to assets in the context of restructuring, and following corporate collapse. By way of example, she iadvised various entities in the wake of the Icelandic Bank collapse. She also acted in the Clydesdale Financial Services Limited v Jiva litigation concerning pre-pack administrations in the context of Limited Liability Partnerships. She is presently advising in connection with various claims made in the Cayman Islands litigation between AHAB v Al Sanea against companies in liquidation alleged to have received part of the proceeds of an alleged US$9.2 billion fraud.
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].
She is recommended in Legal 500 for her work in this area, and has been described as “impressive” and a “team player and experienced advocate”.
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. By way of example, she acted in the litigation between KPN Mobile NV –v- Hutchison Whampoa Ltd (a dispute involving proceedings in both the Commercial and Companies Court), and in connection with a substantial joint venture involving private equity funds and facing deadlock. She has also advised in the context of joint venture disputes between the participants in various energy projects.
She also advises on applications under the Companies (Cross Border Mergers) Regulations.
Bridget is recommended in the Legal 500 for her work in this area.
Energy
Bridget has provided advice in a number of cases relating to the construction and interpretation of various agreements common in the industry, and in the context of joint venture deadlock. She recently acted in an arbitration arising out of the conduct of drilling operations and the application of various default provisions.
Bridget is recommended in the energy section of Legal 500.
Arbitration
Bridget has advised and appeared in substantial international arbitrations in particular in the context of insurance and energy disputes. In the domestic context, she advised a number of farmers in their compensation claims against DEFRA arising out of the cessation of mink farming in the UK. She has also acted on applications for interim relief under section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
Bridget has been recommended as “first rate” for her arbitration work.
Insurance and 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. She was also instructed to advise on coverage in a number of substantial claims arising out of the collapse of Enron.
Financial Services
Bridget has advised in relation to a number of FSA matters including regulatory proceedings commenced by the Financial Services Authority. She has also represented various applicants in business transfer schemes under Part VII FSMA including the Scottish Provident Fund reorganisation, the Hamilton Scheme, the M&S Life/ HSBC Life Scheme, and the Royal Scottish Assurance/ NatWest Life Assurance Scheme.
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 tracing and restitution, and seeking urgent interim relief both pre and post judgment. The substantial AHAB v Al Sanea litigation is a recent example of her work in this complicated area.
Other Experience:
Bridget has presented a number of lectures and seminars on a range of subjects connected with her practice.
Other Qualifications / Professional Associations:
CEDR Accredited Mediator. Member of the Chancery Bar Association, ComBar and BILA.
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.