Biography
Elliott qualified as a barrister in England and Gibraltar in 2002. Elliott is an internationally recognised barrister and specialises in offshore contentious trusts, estates and private wealth disputes.
His practice also includes commercial litigation, civil fraud, asset tracing, insolvency and shareholder disputes. Uniquely, Elliott is also able to accept instructions to appear before all Courts in England and Wales. Elliott is the founding partner of Signature Litigation LLP’s practice on the Rock.
Primarily based in Gibraltar, Elliott is regularly instructed by leading international firms in which Gibraltar proceedings are issued or where there is a strong Gibraltar connection to the litigation. Elliott has considerable experience in the area of contentious trusts and appears regularly before the Chancery Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council on matters relating to the administration of trusts. Elliott’s cases involve removal of trustees, protectors and executors, challenging trustees’ decisions, breach of trust, advising trustees and beneficiaries on freezing orders, in both domestic and in support of foreign proceedings, as well as advising on trusts in the divorce context.
One of Elliott’s most recent cases includes securing a victory in the Court of Appeal for Gibraltar in GibFibre v Gibraltar Regulatory Authority [2019] GibLR (currently on appeal to the Judicial Committee of Privy Council).
Elliott is ranked in Band 1 in both Chambers Global and Chambers Europe 2023 for General Business Law: Dispute Resolution — Gibraltar. Chambers describes Elliott as “an extremely committed lawyer with a great ability to understand multiple views and generate consensus. Elliott knows how to balance fine details against the broader picture to arrive at the solution”. Chambers also notes “Elliott’s client service is second to none. His level of sophistication and understanding of the key issues makes him a formidable opponent and one that we are glad to have on our side.”
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 Guide recognises Elliott as a ‘Leading Individual’ for dispute resolution in Gibraltar, and notes he “is very responsive, personable and efficient,” as well as “an outstanding practitioner and one of the best lawyers in Gibraltar.” The Guide also highlights Elliott as “simply superb. A brilliant tactician and outstanding advocate, he leads his team with incredible skill and care.”
Elliott is also recognised in Legal Week’s Private Client Global Elite, a directory of the world’s elite lawyers advising UHNW clients. He is also a regular speaker at high profile private client conferences, contributing to discussions centring on UHNW private wealth disputes.
In 2015, Elliott was duly elected as a Member of Parliament in Gibraltar and served as the Shadow Minister for Justice between November 2015 and November 2017 and as HM Leader of the Opposition from 4 December 2017 to 19 October 2019. Elliott was re-elected in 2019 for a further four years and currently serves as Shadow Minister for Health and the Environment.
Experience
- Instructed by a litigation funder in relation to a claim by a multinational energy corporation arising out of a multi-billion dollar Latin American oil litigation matter.
- Advised and led a Gibraltar based team regarding an insurance company’s multi-million pound collapse.
- Advised and led a Gibraltar based team in relation to the collapse of an insurance company and subsequent losses of tens of millions.
- Acted as lead counsel for the Financial Services Commission in a case regarding one of the first instances whereby a regulated Fund was placed under Administration under the Financial Services (Collective Investment Schemes) Act 2005.
- Advised and instructed a Swiss Bank in constructive trust claims by a US trustee in relation to a long-running litigation matter.
- Acted as lead Gibraltar Counsel in a high-profile litigation matter requiring enforcement of a foreign judgement.
- Acted for a Georgian family in a multi-billion dollar trust dispute.
- Represented the family of a late international businessman in relation to a multi-million pound fraud litigation.
- Acted for professional trustees in an application by a party to English matrimonial proceedings and beneficiary seeking the variation of a Gibraltar Asset Protection Trust multi-million pound dispute.
Publications
Gibraltar: Supreme Court grapples with OnePlus Principles in confidentiality ring application – Solicitors Journal – 8 June 2023
Gibraltar: Litigation – The Legal 500 Litigation Country Comparative Guide – 30 June 2022
Gibraltar: Crypto disputes on the Rock – Reports Legal – 21 June 2022
Gibraltar is pioneering cryptocurrency regulation – The Fintech Times – 18 February 2022
Gibraltar is pioneering cryptocurrency regulation – Global Investor – 15 February 2022
Gibraltar: a hub for crypto entrepreneurs – Reports Legal – 26 April 2021
Rules of the rock – STEP Journal – 24 November 2020
Avoiding Intestacy in Gibraltar – Where there’s a Will there’s a Way – Private Banker International – 2 June 2020
Norwich Pharmacal relief in England and Gibraltar: availability of relief for the purposes of domestic and overseas proceedings – Offshore Red – May 2020
Where there’s a Will there’s a Rock – Offshore Red – April 2020
Anti-Bartlett wins the day: Hong Kong Court rules that trustee has no duty to supervise underlying company – Blog – 28 November 2019
Five Points to Consider Regarding the Regulation of Cryptocurrency – Global Banking and Finance Review – 9 May 2019
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain – are hacks highlighting glitches in the industry? – Financial News – 29 June 2018
Time to draw up rules on blockchain technology – Compliance Monitor – 14 February 2018
Areas of Expertise
Latest news

@SignatureLitLLP
We are pleased to announce that Ela Barda has been promoted to Counsel - many congratulations, Ela! Read more here: bit.ly/3XMqd7A #Litigation #CommercialLitigation pic.twitter.com/JxZLKh1qN2
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis and Gaëtan de Robillard assess the impact of the Conseil national de la consommation’s new practical guide in Le Monde du Droit
28 September 2023
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis and Gaëtan de Robillard assess the impact of the Conseil national de la consommation’s new practical guide in Le Monde du Droit
28 September 2023