Trevor Mascarenhas
Senior Partner

It has been said of Trevor that he is “a superstar, displaying excellence across the entire skill set: strategic and tactical judgment along with all the legal technical knowledge of a King's Counsel. Whether it's discussions about broader case strategy or about more detailed points concerning evidence or the like, everything benefits immensely from his input.” (The Legal 500 2027) 

Trevor is a hugely experienced disputes lawyers, having been a partner of the firm for over 20 years. He has received numerous accolades in commercial litigation, arbitration, civil fraud, asset recovery and banking litigation. He is known for his expertise in cross-border disputes, and his track record includes getting results for his clients in many ground-breaking cases.

The Directories Say

Legal 500

• Trevor is consistently ranked as a Leading Partner for Civil Fraud, and in the 2027 edition was described as “cerebral, probing, and highly experienced, … respected across the city.”
• Trevor is also in the Hall of Fame for commercial litigation and recommended for banking litigation and asset tracing and recovery. Testimonials include that he is “frighteningly clever” with an “extraordinary breadth of legal knowledge”. Trevor is described as a titan in the field of banking litigation who is widely respected. 

Chambers and Partners

• In the 2026 guide for global asset recovery, it was said of Trevor that he “is highly academically gifted, a real legal expert and thinks deeply about cases. He is impressive.” One satisfied client explains: "Trevor is exceptionally clever and has great judgement. I recommend him for big ticket commercial disputes."
• Trevor is consistently ranked in band 1 for Civil Fraud, and is described in the 2027 edition as “a top litigator with a wealth of experience running the big, complex multijurisdictional fraud cases”, “exceptionally clever” with “great judgment.”
• Trevor is also ranked for Commercial and Corporate Litigation. Plaudits include: “Trevor has very deep legal knowledge. He is reflective and thoughtful, and he brings a lot of calm in difficult situations with clients.”

Lexology Index

• Trevor has been identified as a Global Elite Thought Leader in Asset Recovery and a Thought Leader in Commercial Litigation in 2026, as well as being highly recommended for investigations. ‘Noted by peers as "the godfather of asset recovery", he has earned a spectacular reputation as a go-to name for complex, high-value matters.’
• 'With a reputation for handling intricate investigations, Trevor Mascarenhas is lauded for his "incredible mind" underscoring his reputation as a sought-after adviser for clients facing multifaceted regulatory challenges.’ It is said that he ' is a great technician who is knowledgeable about asset recovery’, and ‘a longstanding leader and extremely intelligent.'

Client Choice

• Trevor is a former winner of the Client Choice Award for Arbitration and ADR in the UK. Surveying senior corporate counsel only, this award recognised Trevor's exemplary client service and his ability to add real value to clients' businesses - above and beyond other players in the market.

Notable Experience

• Acting for defendants to a US$300m+ fraud claim, whose previous solicitor was the subject of a “sting operation” that deceived him into revealing sensitive information about litigation and settlement strategy. Trevor obtained the discharge of the Claimants’ worldwide freezing order by the Court of Appeal who described the sting operation as a serious abuse of process.
• Acting for a Middle Eastern bank in numerous successful applications in a multi-jurisdictional asset recovery case, including succeeding in the UK Supreme Court on whether legislation to prevent frauds on creditors could be circumvented by use of companies; establishing that foreign judgments can be enforced under English common law even if not enforceable in the foreign jurisdiction; and satisfying the English Court that its costs orders could be enforced in the UAE.
• Acting for two of the principal defendants in successfully challenging jurisdiction to a USD $1 billion fraud claim brought by a UAE bank alleging deceit and conspiracy to injure.
• Successfully challenging jurisdiction for a defendant to a successive claims brought by the Libyan Investment Authority in respect of hundreds of millions of dollars of investments with major financial institutions alleged to have been procured through bribery.
• Acting for one of the world's largest private equity funds in the successful defence at trial of a €1 billion claim brought by liquidators of a Greek telecoms company under UK insolvency legislation.
• Acting for a Kuwaiti businessman in the successful defence at trial of a USD $1 billion claim alleging conspiracy to injure.
• Acting in a USD $2 billion LCIA Arbitration in the mining sector and related injunctive proceedings.
• Acting in successful appeals to the Supreme Court, House of Lords and Privy Council.
• Acting for a company listed on the main board of the London Stock Exchange in a USD $500 million claim against its former owners, obtaining freezing orders in four jurisdictions and search orders at three premises.
• Acting in a USD $450 million SCC arbitration in the oil and gas sector and related court proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.
• Representing a television channel in the successful defence of a USD $70 million breach of contract claim.
• Acting for a businessman in the successful pursuit of a multi-million-dollar professional negligence claim against a prominent city firm of solicitors.

• Providing expert evidence on English law for foreign arbitral and court proceedings.

Background

Trevor graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in mathematics before obtaining a law degree from London University. He has authored numerous articles for publications such as the Journal of International Banking Law and Regulation, Trust Law International, International Company and Commercial Law Review, European Lawyer, New Law Journal, Legal Business and the E-Commerce Law Reports. Trevor is also a founding member of the Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association.n.

Contact Trevor