Shan Pearson,
Senior Associate
Shan was admitted to the bar in 2010 and has since gained extensive experience advising clients on a broad range of commercial disputes. He graduated from the University of Auckland in 2010 with Bachelor of Laws and Arts degrees.
Shan began his career as a litigator at a top-tier law firm in Auckland, where he spent five years handling a wide range of matters, including in the areas of insolvency, construction contracts, white-collar crime, and general contract and equity claims. He frequently appeared in the High Court as sole or junior counsel.
Prior to joining Wilson Harle in 2021, Shan spent six years living and working in London. For most of that period, Shan worked as a senior in-house counsel for a high-net-worth family as well as related trusts and companies. While in this role, Shan managed some of the highest profile cases arising both in England and in offshore jurisdictions
Shan is well-placed to assist clients resolve a diverse range of contentious issues. Shan’s in-house experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of the pressures that clients face during litigation and he prides himself on providing pragmatic advice tailored to their individual circumstances and objectives.
Shan Pearson,
Senior Associate
Noteworthy
While in London, Shan was given carriage of the following cases as in-house counsel:
Investec Trust (Guernsey) Limited & Anor v Glenalla Properties Limited & Ors
- Commenced in Guernsey in 2010, these proceedings have set precedents on novel trust law issues, including in the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in [2018] UKPC 7. Shan was instrumental in securing the return of significant trust assets previously under the control of former trustees and court-appointed receivers for around 10 years. Shan also worked with Guernsey counsel and top silks at the English bar on a further appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 2020 on the question of the order of priorities to apply to competing claims against assets of an insolvent trust.
Robert Tchenguiz & Anor v Grant Thornton UK LLP & Ors
- An English Commercial Court claim seeking c. £1 billion in damages for malicious prosecution, conspiracy and unlawful interference. The claim arose out of the defendants’ involvement in the highly publicised and ultimately unsuccessful investigation by the Serious Fraud Office of Robert Tchenguiz between 2009 and 2012. The case was ranked by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases in London of 2018. The litigation was ultimately settled on confidential terms a week into a 3 month trial.
Other cases
- Private proceedings in Guernsey by a beneficiary seeking the removal of the trustee. The case culminated in a three day hearing before the Guernsey Royal Court, in which the beneficiary succeeded in obtaining orders removing the incumbent trustee as well as indemnity costs orders despite strong opposition by another beneficiary.
- Long-running proceedings in Guernsey by the trustees of a family trust seeking the delivery up of trust documents withheld by former trustees since their removal in 2010.