Claire van Overdijk, counsel in the Bermuda office of international law firm Carey Olsen, has been appointed King's Counsel following her successful application in the 2022 KC competition.

The firm said KC status is awarded to practising advocates who have demonstrated considerable skill and excellence in advocacy in difficult cases in the higher courts of England and Wales, or in tribunals or arbitrations.

The new members of the King's Counsel will be sworn in by the Lord Chancellor in March at London’s Westminster Hall, the oldest building on the Parliamentary estate, when Ms van Overdijk will join Carey Olsen partner Alex Hall Taylor KC, who was originally appointed as Queen's Counsel in 2020.

Ms van Overdijk said: "Taking silk is a huge privilege and this recognition is one of the highest honours a lawyer can receive.

“Following the ascension of the King, the 2022 competition marks the first time in over 70 years that King's Counsel have been appointed and I am truly honoured to have been part of this cohort.

“Thank you to all my clients and colleagues who have contributed to this achievement."

Ms van Overdijk joined Carey Olsen in Bermuda from London’s Outer Temple Chambers in 2021 and is a member of the firm's dispute resolution and litigation and trusts and private wealth teams.

The firm said she is an expert in cross border disputes and private international law with extensive experience in private client practice including contentious trust and estates work.

In the public law field, Ms van Overdijk has represented individuals and government departments on a wide range of public law issues, particularly those that interface with chancery/commercial law.

Keith Robinson, partner and head of Carey Olsen's dispute resolution team in Bermuda, said: "On behalf of the entire firm, I would like to congratulate Claire on her appointment to King's Counsel.

“This is a tremendous achievement and one that reflects her career and significant expertise in advising on a wide range of private client and public law matters.

“Our clients and staff have benefited greatly since Claire joined us, and we look forward to her ongoing contributions in 2023 and beyond."