Katie Longstaff
Call: 2013
Barrister
Katie Longstaff is a commercial barrister specialising in company, fraud, restructuring and insolvency work. She is recognised as a leading junior for restructuring and insolvency work both in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, which describe her as “an excellent advocate”, “incredibly talented” and “one of the very few go-to barristers”, who “is quick to pick up on complex matters”, has “excellent attention to detail”, “works really well under pressure” and has technical ability that “is just second to none”.
She has extensive experience as a trial advocate and in seeking urgent injunctive relief. She regularly appears in the High Court as sole counsel and has appeared successfully as a second junior in the Supreme Court. Her practice covers a broad spectrum of domestic and international commercial disputes, which concern various technical industries and market sectors, including banking, energy, engineering and technology. Katie also has notable expertise in cross-border insolvency litigation.
She is a regular speaker at seminars and contributor to publications. Katie contributed to Insolvency Litigation: A Practical Guide, 3rd Ed and the Personal Insolvency volumes of Atkins Court Forms.
Katie has an impressive restructuring and insolvency practice and is recognised as a leading junior in the field. She is regularly instructed in complex high-profile personal and corporate insolvency matters, both domestic and international.
She has notable expertise in cross-border insolvency litigation and actions involving fraud.
Her recent work includes:
- EasyGroup Limited v (1) ER Travel Services Ltd (Dissolved) and (2) Mr Paul Hanley [2025] EWHC 2970 (Ch) – acting for Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s business, EasyGroup Limited, on its successful petition seeking the restoration and winding up of ER Travel Services Ltd (the ‘Company’). The petition was strongly opposed by a Company director, who contended that (a) EasyGroup had no standing to present the petition as it could not take assignment of an extinguished debt, (b) the restoration application did not fall within the legislative purpose of s.1029 CA06 and (c) the petition was an abuse of process. The Court rejected the director’s argument, notwithstanding that the debt and rights thereto were assigned in equity when the Company was dissolved, and the 20 years of IP litigation between the parties.
- Re Madagascar Oil Limited [2025] EWHC 2129 (Ch) (restructuring plan) – led by Matthew Weaver KC, acting for the creditor at trial of MOL’s restructuring plan. The case was unique in that it involved just 2 creditors and the international effectiveness of the plan was actively contested. The decision follows significant authority (Thames Water, Petrofac) addressing the injection of new money and related fairness considerations.
- Advising a large Chinese Bank on its £800m claim in the bankruptcy of a Hong Kong debtor and on related recognition proceedings (2025)
- Acting for the successful executors of a late bankrupt’s estate in obtaining an Insolvency Administration Order, as well as a trustee appointment order pursuant to the court’s general powers as contemplated in Donaldson v O’Sullivan [2008] BCC 328; [2009] 1 WLR 924 (2024)
- Little v Olympian Homes Ltd [2024] EWHC 1766 (Ch) – acting for Olympian Homes Ltd, responding to an application to set aside a statutory demand on grounds of waiver and promissory estoppel
- Re Project Verona Limited [2024] EWHC 2080 (Ch) (restructuring plan) – led by Matthew Weaver KC, acting for the successful plan company, which assumed liabilities of the businesses operating the ‘Dim T’ and ‘Wildwood’ restaurant chains
- Joseph Ackerman v Michael Thomas Leeds [2024] EWHC 1215 (Ch) – acting for the successful former joint trustees in bankruptcy on their application to strike out a s.303 IA86 application
- Re Boris Becker [2024] EWHC 1001 (Ch) – acting for Mr Becker’s trustee in bankruptcy
- Binyon and another (as joint administrators of VE Global UK Ltd) v Suzerain Investment Holdings Ltd and others [2024] EWHC 749 (Ch), [2024] All ER (D) 17 (Apr) – acting for the successful administrators who obtained a declaration that a debenture was void against them, notwithstanding the existence of a ‘conclusive’ certificate of validity
- Chen Yung Ngai Kenneth v Li Shu Chung [2021] EWHC 3346 (Ch) – led by James Morgan KC, acting for the successful Hong Kong trustees in bankruptcy in resisting an application for security for costs and then obtaining a recognition order under the CBIR
- Lakatamia Shipping Co Ltd v Su [2021] EWHC 1866 (Ch) – acting for the trustees in bankruptcy of Mr Su, whose multi-million pound estate gave rise to significant litigation; this case decided that ‘Place of residence’ for the purposes of the s.263I(2)(b)(i) IA86 should be given its natural meaning
- Yu v Cowley [2020] EWHC 2429 (Ch) – led by Chris Boardman KC, acting for the Hong Kong trustees in bankruptcy, who successfully responded to an appeal of a decision validating service retrospectively of a CBIR recognition application
- BAE Systems Pension Funds Trustees Ltd v Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd [2017] EWHC 1200 (TCC) – acting for a company in administration regarding the lifting of the statutory moratorium
- Advising office-holders on issues concerning the constitution of liquidation committees, subrogation and the FCA, and the Court’s powers in relation to remuneration applications (2020)
- Advising on and drafting an application to determine and realise a trustee’s interest in a substantial property, in a case concerning legal and equitable lifelong leases, s.2 of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989, proprietary estoppel and competing proprietary interests (2020)
- Ardawa v Uppal [2019] EWHC 456 (Ch) – acting for the trustee in bankruptcy in this dispute where Roth J held that the Court did not have power to grant substituted service of a bankruptcy petition retrospectively
- TPS Investments (UK) Limited (In Administration) [2018] EWHC 360 (Ch) – representing the interested parties in insolvency proceedings, who claimed to be creditors of a property investment company in a sum exceeding £40m and to have a proprietary interest in the sale proceeds of properties by virtue of a Quistclose trust
- In the matter of Highbeam Homes (Donnington) Limited (In administration) (2018) – successfully representing administrators seeking to realise the company’s only asset, dealing with a retention of title claim and arguing that JCT terms did not apply (2018)
- Successfully defending a company at a multi-million pound contested winding up petition hearing, which gave rise to issues of limitation and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in the context of bankruptcy (2018)
Katie is an experienced commercial litigator with a busy practice. She regularly deals with urgent applications and complex conspiracy claims. She is adept at handling document-heavy cases and technical matters, including banking, energy, engineering, finance and technology disputes.
Additionally, Katie has significant experience dealing with real estate issues that arise in the commercial context, in particular those affecting banks, and matters with an insolvency element.
Her recent work includes:
- Acting for Dubai-based clients in securing an order discharging a worldwide freezing order and a settlement of the underlying finance dispute on the same day (2025)
- Acting for a defendant to a bribery and unlawful means conspiracy claim in relation to a waste processing business, being led by David Mohyuddin KC (2025)
- Acting for a defendant to an unlawful means conspiracy action concerning an earthworks testing business (2025)
- Acting as part of a large counsel team for defendants to a high value conspiracy action and partnership dispute concerning covid-testing (2024)
- Acting for defendants in relation to undue influence and fraudulent misrepresentation claims concerning complex security documentation (2024)
- Advising a defendant to a commercial garden landscaping dispute in Capri, Italy (2024)
- Advising a Romanian business on issues of jurisdiction concerning a complex renewable energy project (2023)
- Acting for a bio-energy plant owner in relation to a technical contract and negligence dispute (2021)
- Advising and acting for a German manufacturer in its claim pursuant to complex LOC terms, incorporating the ICC Uniform Customs & Practice for Documentary Credits, concerning the supply of machinery to a Bangladeshi purchaser (2021)
- Advising on conspiracy, inducement, and unlawful interference claims concerning a cyber-security business (2020)
- Advising and representing mortgage lenders on a range of matters, including applications for permission to enforce orders pursuant to CPR 83.2.3, Gomba Holding applications and civil restraint order issues
- Regency Villas Title Ltd and others v Diamond Resorts (Europe) Ltd and others [2018] UKSC 57 – appearing in the Supreme Court as second junior for the successful respondents in the leading case concerning recreational easements, which arose from a timeshare dispute
Katie advises on all aspects of company law. She has a wealth of experience in advising and acting in relation to shareholder disputes (including s.994 petitions), breach of directors’ duties claims and restructuring cases.
Her recent work includes:
- Advising in relation to complex s.110 IA86 liquidation schemes and company restoration (2025)
- Acting for a restaurateur in a high-value breach of directors’ duty and unlawful dividend action (2025)
- Acting for the security trustee in the context of a commercial property dispute (2025)
- Advising a hotelier in relation to a bitter shareholder dispute, which involved complex commercial contracts and s.994 relief (2024)
- Binyon and another (as joint administrators of VE Global UK Ltd) v Suzerain Investment Holdings Ltd and others [2024] EWHC 749 (Ch), [2024] All ER (D) 17 (Apr) – acting for the successful administrators who obtained a declaration that a debenture was void against them, notwithstanding the existence of a ‘conclusive’ certificate of validity
- Advising on the validity of a debenture in the context of a professional negligence dispute (2024)
- Advising a record label on the validity of various charges and issues of limitation (2024)
Katie is ranked as a leading junior for restructuring and insolvency by Chambers UK Bar 2020 and a rising star by Legal 500 UK Bar. Her editorial includes:
- “Katie is diligent, hard-working and well prepared. She cares deeply about getting the right results and is very user-friendly and accessible.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2026)
- “Very commercially minded and sensible” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2026)
- “She takes a collegiate approach and is very good with clients. She is commercial, experienced and turns around work promptly.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2025)
- “She is easy to work with, very approachable and knowledgeable.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2025)
- “Katie is incredibly talented, knowledgeable, approachable, an excellent advocate and clients love her. She constantly challenges herself and works really well under pressure – keeps a calm and cool head. She is one of the very few go-to barristers” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2025)
- “She is quick to pick up on complex matters and has excellent attention to detail.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2024)
- “She can handle complex matters and provides useful, practical advice which our clients appreciate.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2024)
- “She is my go-to insolvency barrister. Her technical ability is just second to none.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2024)
- “Katie has great attention to detail, she is a tenacious advocate and very user-friendly.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2023)
- “Extremely bright, superb attention to detail, excellent on her feet and a 100% team player.” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2023)
- “She is approachable, easy to deal with and handles matters in a timely fashion.” and “Katie is very good at getting stuck in and she talks through all the strategies and possibilities – she is always putting her clients’ issues as a priority.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2022)
- “Katie is pragmatic, responsive, technical and commercial – she is a first choice.” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2022)
- “Katie is an extremely knowledgeable insolvency barrister who isn’t afraid to go not just the extra mile, but an extra 100 miles. She is extremely sharp on the law, and that knowledge – combined with her personable nature and clear and succinct advocacy – attracts and wins the confidence of the judiciary.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2021)
- “She holds intellectual clout and commerciality in equal measure.” (Insolvency, Legal 500 UK Bar 2021)
- “She is very approachable, good to work with and takes a commercial and thorough attitude towards her cases.” “She is super bright, clear and hard working.” (Restructuring/Insolvency, Chambers UK Bar 2020)
Katie regularly writes and speaks on her areas of expertise and is happy to deliver training to clients. Her publications include:
- Contributing editor to Insolvency Litigation: A Practical Guide, 3rd edition.
- Contributing editor to the Personal Insolvency volumes of Atkins Court Forms.
Katie graduated from Durham University in 2010 (1st Class, LLB ELS), winning the Commercial Law Prize (having achieved the highest mark in the commercial law module that year). She interned at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and worked for an international technology consultancy firm in the City, before pursuing a career at the Bar. She completed the BPTC at College of Law, London in 2013.
- Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR)
- Chancery Bar Association (ChBA)
- London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
- Read Katie’s Privacy Notice, Data Protection Policy and Disposal Policy
