Bio
Laure-Astrid is a Senior Associate within the Dispute Resolution department in the British Virgin Islands. Laure-Astrid has particular experience in insolvency litigation and in complex commercial litigation.
Prior to joining Appleby, Laure-Astrid practised at a common law set at the London Bar. At the Bar, Laure-Astrid’s practice consisted of high profile international litigation as well as commercial, regulatory and personal injury matters. Prior to that, Laure-Astrid spent two years as a County Court Advocate where she represented local Councils, insurance companies, major banks and private individuals in a number of interlocutory hearings.
Laure-Astrid is fluent in French and has a strong command of Spanish.
Bio
Laure-Astrid is a Senior Associate within the Dispute Resolution department in the British Virgin Islands. Laure-Astrid has particular experience in insolvency litigation and in complex commercial litigation.
Prior to joining Appleby, Laure-Astrid practised at a common law set at the London Bar. At the Bar, Laure-Astrid’s practice consisted of high profile international litigation as well as commercial, regulatory and personal injury matters. Prior to that, Laure-Astrid spent two years as a County Court Advocate where she represented local Councils, insurance companies, major banks and private individuals in a number of interlocutory hearings.
Laure-Astrid is fluent in French and has a strong command of Spanish.
Work Highlights
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION:
- Acting in complex commercial litigation concerning claims to ownership by rival claimants to 25% of the shares of very substantial Chinese pharmaceutical corporation held in a BVI company with allegations of fraudulent misappropriation (Kunlun Newcentury & Others v. Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Corp & Others);
- Acting for the Defendant in a substantial commercial dispute concerning the payment of dividends from a Dominican Republic electricity business (Ikana Holdings v. Putney Capital Management & Others);
- Before the Court of Appeal to successfully resist an appeal against an order refusing disclosure of documents belonging to a subsidiary company in litigation against an indirect parent. In that case, the Court of Appeal determined for the first time that the English learning on what constitutes “control” of a document for disclosure purposes applied;
- Appearing for the Fourth Defendant in a twelve-day trial in respect of a derivative claim brought for breach of duty, unjust enrichment, knowing assistance and knowing receipt (Kathryn Fong v. Incredible Power & Others);
- Appearing for the Respondent in an application for the appointment of receivers by way of equitable execution in an attempt to take control of a PRC judgment debtor’s assets (Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co Ltd v. Xing Libin).
FRAUD AND ASSET TRACING:
- Assisted in obtaining injunctive and receivership orders against a BVI and an Anguillan Company in support of LCIA proceedings in London, and securing the transfer of related Anguillan proceedings to be determined in the Commercial Division of the High Court in the BVI, then appearing (unled) upholding those orders in the Court of Appeal (Donna Union v. Koshigi);
INSOLVENCY:
- Acting for the Liquidators of Unicorn Worldwide Holdings Limited and related companies;
- Acting for Liquidators at first instance and on appeal in obtaining sanction to compromise complex multi-party litigation in London (Phoenix v. Jackson);
- Before the Court of Appeal, establishing the principle that a purported creditor did not have standing to challenge steps taken by liquidators where that creditor was acting for an ulterior purpose (Treehouse v. Jackson);
Work Highlights
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION:
- Acting in complex commercial litigation concerning claims to ownership by rival claimants to 25% of the shares of very substantial Chinese pharmaceutical corporation held in a BVI company with allegations of fraudulent misappropriation (Kunlun Newcentury & Others v. Lunan Pharmaceutical Group Corp & Others);
- Acting for the Defendant in a substantial commercial dispute concerning the payment of dividends from a Dominican Republic electricity business (Ikana Holdings v. Putney Capital Management & Others);
- Before the Court of Appeal to successfully resist an appeal against an order refusing disclosure of documents belonging to a subsidiary company in litigation against an indirect parent. In that case, the Court of Appeal determined for the first time that the English learning on what constitutes “control” of a document for disclosure purposes applied;
- Appearing for the Fourth Defendant in a twelve-day trial in respect of a derivative claim brought for breach of duty, unjust enrichment, knowing assistance and knowing receipt (Kathryn Fong v. Incredible Power & Others);
- Appearing for the Respondent in an application for the appointment of receivers by way of equitable execution in an attempt to take control of a PRC judgment debtor’s assets (Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co Ltd v. Xing Libin).
FRAUD AND ASSET TRACING:
- Assisted in obtaining injunctive and receivership orders against a BVI and an Anguillan Company in support of LCIA proceedings in London, and securing the transfer of related Anguillan proceedings to be determined in the Commercial Division of the High Court in the BVI, then appearing (unled) upholding those orders in the Court of Appeal (Donna Union v. Koshigi);
INSOLVENCY:
- Acting for the Liquidators of Unicorn Worldwide Holdings Limited and related companies;
- Acting for Liquidators at first instance and on appeal in obtaining sanction to compromise complex multi-party litigation in London (Phoenix v. Jackson);
- Before the Court of Appeal, establishing the principle that a purported creditor did not have standing to challenge steps taken by liquidators where that creditor was acting for an ulterior purpose (Treehouse v. Jackson);
Recognition
In 2023 Laure was ranked by Legal 500 as a ‘Key Lawyer.’ In 2022 they singled her out for her experience in high-profile international litigation.
Testimonials:
Appleby’s disputes team is extremely experienced and thoughtful. They are a pleasure to work with. I have worked closely with Andrew Willins and Laure-Astrid Wigglesworth.’
‘Andrew Willins is a smart and effective advocate. Laure-Astrid Wigglesworth has been a pleasure to work with as well and has helped ensure that the matter progresses smoothly.’
Recognition
In 2023 Laure was ranked by Legal 500 as a ‘Key Lawyer.’ In 2022 they singled her out for her experience in high-profile international litigation.
Testimonials:
Appleby’s disputes team is extremely experienced and thoughtful. They are a pleasure to work with. I have worked closely with Andrew Willins and Laure-Astrid Wigglesworth.’
‘Andrew Willins is a smart and effective advocate. Laure-Astrid Wigglesworth has been a pleasure to work with as well and has helped ensure that the matter progresses smoothly.’
Qualifications & Education
Laure-Astrid is admitted to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands (2018), England & Wales (2014) and the Turks & Caicos Islands (2018).
- London School of Economics & Political Science (BSc)
- University of Law, London (GDL)
- City Law School, London (BPTC)
Qualifications & Education
Laure-Astrid is admitted to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands (2018), England & Wales (2014) and the Turks & Caicos Islands (2018).
- London School of Economics & Political Science (BSc)
- University of Law, London (GDL)
- City Law School, London (BPTC)
Memberships & Associations
Laure-Astrid is a member of INSOL International, RISA, IWIRC and the Women’s Offshore Network.
Memberships & Associations
Laure-Astrid is a member of INSOL International, RISA, IWIRC and the Women’s Offshore Network.