From disputes involving large multi-jurisdictional business claims, to contractual, shareholder and insolvency disputes and fraud litigation, our specialist team is experienced in advising on all aspects of commercial disputes, domestically and internationally. We act for claimants and defendants in high-value, complex conflicts and contentious issues, often involving an international element.
Working alongside our specialist sanctions, criminal and regulatory teams, our Commercial Disputes team is experienced in resolving disputes in court and arbitration tribunals, but also in devising creative strategies to succeed in negotiation, mediation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
We always strive for pragmatic and commercial solutions carefully tailored to each client’s circumstances. We work in close partnership with our clients and treat every case individually and sensitively. We study our clients’ businesses in order to understand their objectives and deliver practical results. We know how stressful and costly disputes can be, and our aim is to protect and promote your interests in the most cost-effective manner possible.
Our clients include international corporates, SMEs, and individuals, directors, FCA-registered entities, public figures and high-profile HNWs.
Our experience
Civil Fraud
- Acting in highly publicised proceedings brought by the Indian government against a prominent businessman accused of operating a $2bn fraud
- Acting for UAE-based clients in their defence to the enforcement of a foreign judgment in a £120m fraud claim
- Successfully defending a conspiracy claim against a prestigious sports betting brand, and recovering substantial costs after the claim was dismissed after a two-week Commercial Court trial
- Acting for a solicitor defending a £3m fraud claim. We successfully applied for a summary judgment application and all claims against our client were dismissed
- Acting for victims of “Push Payment” frauds, obtaining injunctions against defendants and securing recoveries for our clients
- Acted for the former spouse of a wealthy sanctioned individual in a potential claim in fraud against private advisors including a claim for delivery up of a €20m yacht.
Commercial Litigation
- Acted for an Ultra-High-Net-Worth sanctioned individual in a claim defending winding up proceedings of an Isle of Man investment structure worth $85 m; successfully applied for an appointment of alternative Receivers.
- Acting for client facing £14m claim arising out of failed property investment
- Settlement of litigation against our client arising out of the collapse of Cambridge Analytica
- Acted for a major construction company in an action seeking recovery of £2.2 m from a company subject to sanctions; successfully applied for an appointment of an administrator
- Expertise in pursuing enforcement (in UK and internationally) of costs orders made following failed private prosecutions
- Acting for a Swiss company in relation to a claim against a Brazilian energy company for failure to pay $1m due under a bond
Insolvency
- Obtaining discharge of freezing order obtained against our client by a liquidator on the basis of inadequate cross-undertaking and disclosure.
- Defending claims by special administrators arising out of €13m paid out of FCA-registered company
- Assisting clients in obtaining bankruptcy orders, and pursuing winding up proceedings and obtaining liquidation orders
- Arbitration
- Acting for international clients in multimillion pound arbitrations in the LCIA, ICC and other arbitration centres
- Multi-jurisdictional enforcement of arbitration awards for national governments, corporates and individuals
Personal Disputes
We have acted for several ultra-high-net-worth individuals in reaching satisfactory settlements of sensitive and highly confidential disputes of a personal nature against former employees. These cases frequently involve criminal activity by former employees, and we work discreetly and effectively with our criminal law specialist colleagues in investigating conduct, and creating an appropriate strategy to ensure that funds are recovered and our clients’ reputations are protected.
