Hermione Williams

Hermione’s trusts and estates experience is both domestic and international, on account of her spending three years working offshore in first Hong Kong and then the British Virgin Islands. Her practice focuses on the following areas: 

  • Probate and the administration of estates.
  • Civil fraud and asset-tracing claims, typically where there is an offshore element. 
  • Contentious and non-contentious trusts litigation.
  • Property litigation – landlord and tenant; beneficial ownership of property/TOLATA; residential and commercial; planning.
  • Private international law – forum issues/jurisdiction; choice of law; service out; cross-border insolvency.

Asset-tracing claims are by definition time-critical and require an unshakable, strategic and hard-working barrister. Hermione understands the needs of clients in such contexts and is used and enjoys working under these conditions.

My approach

Hermione has an excellent eye for detail and has a strategic, meticulous and sensitive approach to the detail of a case. She is described as an articulate and effective advocate who is able to present her arguments cogently and think on her feet. As a natural problem solver, Hermione systematically identifies solutions for the benefit and for the protection of her client’s best interests in order to secure their objectives. Though able to work alone, she thoroughly enjoys working hard as part of a team to do this.

My work

Hermione has a multi-faceted chancery commercial practice. Her areas of practice comprise commercial litigation, company, insolvency, property, trusts and estates. Prior to joining New Square Chambers, Hermione worked for offshore firms in both the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Hong Kong where she focused on shareholder disputes, claims against directors, cross-border fraud and asset-tracing claims. She obtained invaluable experience of working at the “coal face” as well as directly with clients and worked with law firms, banks and fiduciary service providers throughout the world with respect to large multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes.

Professional & academic

  • Qualifications/Education

    • Caribbean Supreme Court of the Territory of the Virgin Islands (2014)

      Called to the Bar of England and Wales (Middle Temple) (2008)

      Middle Temple Scholar

      College of Law, London - Bar Vocational Course, Very competent.

      University College London - LLB in Law with Advanced Studies degree (2:1)

  • Awards

      • Heathcoat Trust Bursary (Merit-based award in East Devon locality for university tuition)
      • Benefactors Scholarship, Middle Temple 
  • Memberships

      • Chancery Bar Association
      • Property Bar Association
      • International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation    
      • INSOL
      • COMBAR
      • Inter-pacific Bar Association
      • Attendee at various C5 Fraud and Asset Tracing Recovery forums