Biography
Charles is a Partner at Signature’s Gibraltar office, leading the firm’s disputes practice in this jurisdiction.
With approximately 30 years’ experience, his disputes practice is broad and encompasses commercial litigation, civil fraud and asset tracing, insolvency as well as private client disputes, including contentious trusts and family law matters.
Charles has extensive experience acting in cross-border disputes with a particular focus on matters involving Gibraltar. He regularly advises on complex commercial disputes, shareholder and contractual claims, fraud-related matters, asset recovery (including interim remedies) and insolvency proceedings. Additionally, he has significant expertise in contentious trust and private wealth disputes.
Charles is highly regarded across the legal directories, notably in Band 2 in Chambers Europe 2026 and Chambers Global 2026 for General Business Law: Dispute Resolution (Gibraltar). In the Guide, Charles is highlighted for his expertise in commercial litigation and insolvency disputes. Charles has also been recognised in The Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Partner’ for Dispute Resolution and is a leading litigation lawyer in Gibraltar.
He was called to the Bar in England and Wales in 1996 and subsequently in Gibraltar in 1997. In 2003, Charles qualified as an English solicitor. Charles is an Associate Member of Gatehouse Chambers in London.
Charles joined Signature in September 2026.
Experience
- Representing the liquidator of Enterprise Insurance Company Plc in various matters relating to and arising from the liquidation including a substantial claim against former directors.
- Representing the liquidator in relation to the successful striking out of a defamation claim brought by a former director.
- Acting as Lead Solicitor to public inquiry undertaken by Sir Peter Openshaw DL into the retirement of the former Commissioner of Police (coircomp.gi)
- Representing a minority shareholder in relation to unfair prejudice petition.
- Representing the liquidator in relation to a professional negligence claim brought on behalf of an insolvent company against a former auditor.
- Representing two former directors of an insurance company in relation to the defence of proceedings brought against them and others by the appointed administrator.
- Representing the liquidator in relation to the insolvency of a local construction company.
- Representing the defendant in a misfeasance claim brought against him by the liquidator.
- Representing the adult children beneficiaries in relation to a substantial trust dispute.
- Representing various parties in relation to a wide variety of divorce proceedings and consequent financial relief applications. Notable cases include B v B 2016 DDM 066 and T v T.
- Representing an ultra high net worth individual in relation to family office dispute and connected divorce proceedings.
- Representing the managing agent in relation to a substantial dispute with Danish insurer – Gefion Insurance SA v Pukka Insurance Ltd 2020 Gib LR 315.
- Appeared as a junior counsel in Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank v Papadimitriou [2015] UKPC 13 before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, a landmark case on proprietary claims.
- Representing an ultra high net worth individual in relation to a dispute with a multinational oil company.
- Representing a group of investors in a group litigation against a local insolvent financial services company, a product provider and two different banks.
Publications
Press Quote: Specialist litigation firm appoints partner to lead Gibraltar office – EPrivateClient – 11 September 2026
Press Quote: Friday round-up: Beefing up the NZ barrister count – CDR News – 11 September 2026
Press Quote: Signature appoints Charles Simpson as partner – Solicitors Journal – 9 September 2026