People

William Skjøtt

William has developed a busy commercial and property practice, with a particular focus on probate and insolvency, since completing his pupillage in 2016.

He appears frequently in the County Court and High Court across his practice in both first instance and appellate work, whether on his own or led by senior counsel. William is experienced in drafting pleadings and other documents across his practice areas on urgent and non-urgent matters.

He accepts instructions at all stages of the litigation process, from early advice and drafting, to written and oral advocacy at trial.

Before coming to the bar, William worked as a consultant and developed an understanding of business needs while running his own company and sitting on the board of a Danish start-up.

William enjoys breaking down complex matters to be able to explain them simply and aims to gain a good understanding of the needs of the individual client to tailor the advice given. He is approachable and understanding of the stresses of litigation for parties and seeks to put both lay and professional clients at ease. He is happy to discuss matters before accepting formal instructions and will consider CFAs on a case—by-case basis.

As not all matters can, or should, be dealt with by litigation, William often assists in mediation with the aim of getting the best result for the client while controlling costs.

In 2019, William was awarded a Pegasus Scholarship and spent 3 months working at Buddle Findlay, a leading law firm in New Zealand, where he assisted in a number of matters including drafting submissions and legal research. A highlight of this experience was assisting a senior partner and drafting submissions in a case which set a new precedent in relation to electoral petitions under the New Zealand Local Electoral Act 2001. 

William has marshalled in the County Court at Central London as well as the High Court in Christchurch. This has given him an understanding of successful persuasive advocacy at both the first instance and appellate levels.

William is authorised to accept instructions on a direct access basis under the Bar Council’s direct public access scheme.

Recent cases 

M v M [2021] – Advised on, and drafted for securing urgent injunction to secure the return of goods under TIGA seized by landlord

P v M [2021] – Appeared in interlocutory application in the high court relating to an anti-suit injunction

Personal

In his free time, William enjoys playing padel and Eton fives as well as shooting competitively. He plays backgammon and enjoys watching sports, especially rugby. He is a keen cook especially attempting Danish cuisine, and enjoys travel, hoping to explore Armenia and Angola in 2022.

Languages

  • Fluent in English & Danish
  • Proficient in Swedish & Norwegian

Qualifications

  • University of St Andrews: MA (Hons)
  • University of St Andrews: M.Litt.
  • Oxford Brookes University: GDL
  • City Law School: Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent)

Memberships:

  • Inner Temple
  • Chancery Bar Association
  • The Contentious Trusts Association
  • London Bar Association
  • R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals
  • Property Bar Association

Awards

  • Pegasus Scholar 2019
  • Winner Inner Temple Inter Varsity Moot 2013

Other

  • Trustee of The Daisy Chain Project
  • Committee Member of the Jesters Club

 

William undertakes general commercial work and regularly acts for businesses and consumers in contractual disputes including under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Credit Act 1974. He is also engaged in debt recovery litigation and matters involving personal and business loans.

He also practices in company law, including preparation of unfair prejudice petitions and providing general advice relating to matters arising under the Companies Act 2006, shareholders rights and directors’ duties.

William acts in contentious and non-contentious probate matters. He has acted in Inheritance Act claims, removal of trustees, as well as claims involving allegations of forgery. Outside court, William has an extensive advisory practice in probate and trust related matters. William also has a developing practice within contentious trust and TOLATA applications.

Recently, William has advised on Inheritance Act claims as well as claims in estates involving mutual wills and trusts arising thereunder. He also advises on the validity of wills and the effect of insolvency on the administration of estates.

William acts in corporate and personal insolvency matters. He appears in winding up petitions as well as applications to set aside statutory demands and applications to use prohibited names. William can advise throughout the insolvency process including in relation to statutory demands as well as final petitions both for creditors and debtors.

Y v S [2021] – successfully resisted the setting aside of a statutory demand in a case involving property development and loans

William regularly acts in residential and commercial property disputes both for landlords and tenants in claims for possession, service charge disputes and repairs. He also undertakes work in TOLATA claims, leasehold renewals and matters pertaining to restrictive covenants and easements. William has also appeared in the First-Tier Tribunal.

He also undertakes work with a construction element for homeowners and businesses.

William is a member of the Property Bar Association.

Recent Cases

T v L [2021] – successfully opposed appeal by tenant under Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

William accepts instructions with an international element and in matters involving Danish and Scandinavian clients or issues. He was seconded to the solicitor for the main Defendant in the matter of Skatteforvaltningen (the Danish Customs and Tax Administration) v Solo Capital Partners LLP (in special administration) and others [2021] EWHC 974 (Comm). During the secondment, William led the disclosure team, liaised with Danish Prosecutors to secure the release of funding, and coordinated with the Supervising Legal Representative appointed by the DIFC.

William has also forged excellent links with law firms in Denmark, wider Scandinavia, and New Zealand.

Notable cases

JSC BM Bank v Kekhman & Ors [2018] EWHC 791 Comm

Christchurch Central Ward Electoral Petition [2019] NZDC 24331

Skatteforvaltningen (the Danish Customs and Tax Administration) v Solo Capital Partners LLP (in special administration) and others [2021] EWHC 974 (Comm)

 

News & Resources

*This barrister is authorised to practice in England & Wales. Click here to search on the Bar Standards Board Barristers’ Register.

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