Privy Council Agents
We adopt a flexible approach to suit the needs of overseas law firms and are committed to providing a seamless service to the underlying client.
BDB Pitmans is one of the few firms that acts as Privy Council Agents in appeals from overseas jurisdictions to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Our specialist team has extensive experience representing both appellants and respondents, and we act for public bodies, companies, and individuals. We regularly act in applications to the Judicial Committee for special leave to appeal as well as appeals for which leave has been granted by the local court.
We are ideally positioned to handle the procedural aspects of the appeal for overseas law firms and their clients. We regularly act as agents for local attorneys, as well as receiving instructions from parties directly.
Our knowledge and experience of the rules and special practices enable us to progress appeals efficiently and cost-effectively. We are committed to maximising cost recovery for successful parties and have an in-house costs specialist to facilitate this process.
Our strong working relationship with the Registry and close links to barristers experienced at appearing before the Board assists with the smooth running of appeals.
Our experience
We have acted in over 50 appeals from a wide range of jurisdictions, including:
- Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v Trinsalvage Enterprises Ltd [2023] UKPC 26
- Carriacou Devcor Ltd v Corion and another [2023] UKPC 1
- Sancus Financial Holdings Ltd and others v Holm and another [2022] UKPC 41
- Ma v Wong and others [2022] UKPC 14
- Convoy Collateral Ltd v Cho Kwai Chee [2021] UKPC 24
- Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v Ayers-Caesar [2019] UKPC 44
- Walkers (Bermuda) Limited v Bermuda Bar Council [2019] UKPC
- The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited v (1) Super Industrial Services Limited (2) Rain Forest Resorts Limited [2018] UKPC 17
- Gany Holdings (PTC) SA and Asif Rangoonwala v Zorin Khan and others [2018] UKPC 21
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