Olivia has developed a strong commercial chancery practice which frequently dovetails with insolvency matters. She is recognised as a good communicator, not only as an advocate but also in conference with solicitors and clients. She has sound commercial understanding and has been commended for her down to earth and pragmatic approach to both people and their disputes.
She regularly provides advice, advocacy and drafting in the following areas of corporate insolvency: allegations of misfeasance, fraudulent and wrongful trading, company administrations, corporate and individual voluntary arrangements, voluntary and compulsory liquidations, statutory demands, insolvent partnerships, receiverships and administrative receiverships, transactions at an undervalue, substitution of petitioning creditors and supervening applications for administration orders. Clients include banks, lending institutions, accountants, major companies, and bond holders.
In her capacity as Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional Panel) she frequently acts for the Secretary of State in insolvency matters including company directors’ disqualification proceedings, BROs and in public interest winding up petitions. She is fully conversant with the substantial changes to bankruptcy law brought in by the Enterprise Act 2002.
Olivia also acts in matters of personal insolvency. She has acted for trustees in bankruptcy, supervisors/nominees in IVAs, as well as insolvency practitioners, debtors, creditors and bankrupts. She has extensive experience of contested statutory demands, bankruptcy petitions, contested annulment of bankruptcy proceedings, transactions at an undervalue and transaction avoidance and applications by trustees in bankruptcy and those concerning IVAs and CVAs.
Recommendations
“Olivia is highly intelligent and a quick thinker. She doesn't shy away from a firm opinion and is accessible, responsive and incredibly easy to work with.”
Legal 500 2024 – Commercial Litigation
“Olivia Chaffin-Laird impresses with her performance in cases concerning contractual disputes, professional negligence, construction and finance. She is praised for her breadth of expertise and business-minded approach. Her diverse clientele includes investors, bankers and company directors, among others.”
Chambers UK 2024 – Commercial Dispute Resolution
"Olivia is extremely well prepared. She is a formidable opponent."
Chambers UK 2023 - Commercial Dispute Resolution
"Olivia is thorough and ensures no page is unturned. Clients trust her as a reliable barrister. She has extensive knowledge and expertise in insolvency and director disputes."
Legal 500 2023 - Commercial Litigation
"She provided very good written advice in which she considered all the angles. She really gave us and the clients confidence in where we stood."
Chambers UK 2022 - Commercial Dispute Resolution
"On the matters I have worked with Olivia on, I have been impressed by her technical ability and firm grasp of the law."
Legal 500 2022 - Commercial Litigation
“She is incredibly approachable and goes beyond her instructions. She thinks outside the box and is a passionate advocate.”
Chambers UK 2021 - Commercial Dispute Resolution
“A commendable advocate who is able to manage client expectations and secure positive outcomes.”
Legal 500 2021- Commercial Litigation
“She has the ear of the judges – they know that she is reliable and trustworthy.”
Chambers UK 2020
Impresses with her performance in cases concerning contractual disputes, professional negligence, construction and finance. She is praised for her breadth of expertise and business-minded approach. Her diverse clientele includes investors, bankers and company directors, among others. “She is very technical and very thorough.”
Chambers UK 2019
“Highly experienced in financial disputes.”
Legal 500 2019
Appointments
January 2013: Junior Counsel to the Crown Chancery, Commercial, Insolvency
January 2008: Treasury Counsel in the Midlands Chancery, Commercial, Insolvency, Property
Memberships
Midlands Chancery and Commercial Bar Association [MCCBA]
Commercial Bar Association [COMBAR]
Technology and Construction Bar Association [TECBAR]
Qualifications
LLB Europe with French
Universite de Montpellier – Diplome de droit francais fondamentale
