Chris McDuff

Chris McDuff has extensive experience in insolvency (acting for creditors and liquidators) and complex commercial disputes involving contract disputes and Companies Act claims.

Chris has been fortunate to practice in Australia, the Cayman Islands, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and for the second time in his career is currently (and forever from now on!) practising in England and Wales with berg, as its Insolvency Partner (berg.co.uk).

During the global financial crisis (2008 – 2012), Chris was involved in many large multi-million dollar cross-border insolvencies (value generally ranged from USD 20 million to USD 500 million) and disputes in the Cayman Islands where the tentacles of the Cayman incorporated hedge fund extended to many parts of the world or shareholders wanted to receive their money invested in the hedge fund.Chris has also represented large listed corporate clients and the British and Australian government departments in many commercial disputes. Chris has also appeared in two Royal Commission in Australia.  Firstly as Counsel for the then largest Construction project in Australia – The Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry..  Secondly, as Lead Partner for the law firm in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse.

Chris has also advised the British Government in what was then the world’s largest class action involving its obligation to over 600,000 Claimants which it had indemnified workers for the former British Coal.

Chris has a can do attitude and will advise his client from the start as to its chances of success in either bringing the action or defending it.  He is always minded as to fees and keeps his client informed as to the progress of the matter from a legal standpoint and from a costs standpoint.  He has the ability to distil very complex cases and issues so that all can understand so that Boards/Committees/Creditors/Liquidators/Administrators can make informed and considered decisions.In 1996, Chris was awarded his LL.B from the University of Otago in New Zealand. In 2006 Chris attended Harvard Law School and completed a Negotiation and Mediation programme there. In 2008, Chris was awarded the prestigious qualification of INSOL Fellow in the inaugural year. In 2010, Chris was awarded his Masters of Law from the University of Melbourne, Australia.Chris is admitted to the Honourable High Court of England & Wales, High Court of Australia, The Supreme Court of Western Australia, The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, the Supreme Court of New South Wales , the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, as an Advocate in the DIFC and the High Court of New Zealand.