Disputes and investigations

Our very highly regarded global dispute resolution team advises on the full range of commercial and financial disputes. We represent clients in High Court litigation, international and domestic arbitration and we advise and assist clients with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including mediation.

We have a long-established track record of handling the most significant and complex cases. We have the expertise to deal with cross-jurisdictional matters, to co-ordinate proceedings across multiple jurisdictions and to project manage proceedings in other jurisdictions with local counsel involved.

In the area of regulatory and criminal work, we have an enviable reputation (built up over decades) for acting on many of the highest profile regulatory and criminal matters. Our team of Leading Individuals spans the spectrum of civil, regulatory and criminal work, ensuring that we can protect businesses in as holistic a manner as possible from threats which arise from opponents, regulators and prosecutors. That work is often international in nature given the nature of the threats to our clients.

We work with listed funds, private funds, investment companies, private owners and investors, investment managers, high net worth individuals and family offices providing comprehensive litigation and regulatory advice.

Our clients value our ability to handle any commercial or financial dispute, or regulatory or criminal challenge and to deliver unparalleled service in terms of quality and efficiency.

Medlands

We were instructed by Bermudian company Medlands following its appointment as trustee after the Former Director procured (through a corporate vehicle he controls) the appointment of new directors to the board of the Former Trustee. We also advised Spanish Steps Holdings Limited in relation to the winding up of a Bermudian company, Point Investments Ltd (PIL) which holds $8 billion of assets, and an application to appoint provisional liquidators over PIL, which was issued in late 2020.

Collapse of Arch-Cru funds

Acting for SPL Guernsey ICC Ltd regarding the collapse of the Arch Cru funds and the related litigation both in the UK and Guernsey including claims against the managers, directors, administrators and auditors.

Asset manager

Acting for an asset manager impacted by targeted sanctions and involving negotiations and liaison with HMT, OFAC and other competent authorities in the EU and offshore jurisdictions. Subsequently advising on disputes with certain service providers.

Private equity

Acing for a private equity real estate business resisting claims designed to prevent completion of a US$2.5 billion acquisition.

Acting for a private equity house and its portfolio company resisting a claim for in excess of CHF70m for unpaid fees and management incentives arising from a termination of business relations.

Acting for a wide variety of private equity houses in relation to due diligence in relation to bribery and corruption in the context of acquisitions, and investigations into actual or suspected wrongdoing.

Investment vehicle of sovereign wealth fund

Advising in respect of a large-scale dispute regarding a retail investment, our work involving civil dispute, criminal and regulatory aspects.

Bonds

Acting for a consortium of bondholders in relation to a more than US$4 billion dispute in related US and UK court proceedings arising from Argentine sovereign bonds.

Acting for a security agent, on instruction from a privately held hedge fund, in relation to a contested rectification claim by an issuer in relation to a series of £500+ million publicly-traded bonds.

Hedge fund

Advising a hedge fund in respect of a dispute with a media outlet regarding certain allegations and managing the regulatory implications and interest triggered by that in UK and European jurisdictions.

Major fund investor

Acting for a major fund investor in relation to a dispute with a trustee regarding the construction of waterfall provisions in trust documentation.

Close out

Acting for the liquidators of a hedge fund in relation to the close out by five banks of the fund’s repo positions resulting in a series of disputes with the banks across multiple jurisdictions and a mix of litigation, arbitration and mediation.

Regulatory reports

Advising a UK-based fund in respect of historic concerns as regards the sale of its investments and managing the reports to the regulator as a result.

Fund dispute

Advising an AIM listed fund in a $78 million Commercial Court claim against its investment manager in connection with losses associated with various investments in China.

Anti-money laundering

Acting for a hedge fund in relation to failings in their anti-money laundering procedures, drafting new procedures, and representing the MLRO in disciplinary proceedings.

Libya Investment Authority (LIA)

Acting in relation to the affairs of the Libyan Investment Authority ("LIA") representing one of the persons claiming to be chairman of the LIA in various claims, based on misappropriation of Libyan assets during the Gaddafi era, in different jurisdictions around the world, including the UK, Cayman Islands, the Netherlands and France and including the appointment by the English Commercial Court of receivers and managers in relation to LIA assets and claims.

Asset recovery action

Advising on bringing claims in excess of $1 billion against an oligarch's former business associate and successfully obtaining an injunction against his former financial advisers, freezing sums held in banks in the former CIS and offshore.

Ultra-High Net Worth Individual

Advising a UHNWI in respect of a claim against a leading bank regarding close out of certain investments, including engagements with regulators in respect of aspects of the behaviour of his advisers.

Samuel Tak Lee

Acting for a Hong Kong tycoon defending a claim to his Tokyo commercial property portfolio, and winning on appeal in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

Ultra-High Net Worth Individual

Trusted advisers to an UHNWI dealing with all aspects of the claims and risks associated with their assets and investments.

Anti-money laundering

Advising a private capital firm in respect of concerns under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and their obligations regarding the same.

Acting for one of the former senior executives of the Abraaj Group, the global private equity firm that was founded by Arif Naqvi and based in Dubai. Our client was one of the individuals who was censured and fined by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) following the collapse of Abraaj. We represented our client in proceedings brought against him by the DFSA in the DIFC Courts seeking a worldwide freezing order over his personal assets. This was an extremely sensitive and serious matter for our client, however the parties managed to reach a settlement resulting in the freezing order being discharged and the proceedings discontinued.

Acting for a large Omani investment company in a DIFC-LCIA arbitration against the former owner of a perfume business in which they had invested, for fraudulent misrepresentation and embezzlement of company funds following our client's acquisition of shares in a number of entities owned by the individual. The claims amounts to US$20 million and the proceedings involved obtaining a Worldwide Freezing Order in the UK against the individuals assets.

Advising Atlas Mara Banking Group in the successful defence of a high-value and high stakes DIFC Court of Appeal action brought by its former CEO, which also established important precedents on key aspects of the DIFC Employment and Contract Laws.

Advising and assisting in defending the interests of our client, an international financial service provider, with regard to issues arising from an investigation commenced by the Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority ("FSRA") into the affairs of our client's service provider.

Advised a leading art auction house in relation to a high profile cross-border dispute concerning the misrepresentation of an Islamic manuscript's provenance. This case included cancellation of the sale, pursuing a criminal complaint in the UAE and asset recovery paid to the Sellers before the English Courts.

Directory quotes

"Magic circle quality with the nimbleness of a smaller litigation group and more partner engagement, with a market-leading reputation in banking and financial services litigation from years of having acted for and against leading financial institutions" 
The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Brilliant lawyers, depth of coverage, will stand your corner for you"
The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Top notch City firm. Excellent lawyer cover across the board."
The Legal 500 UK 2022

"The services we received from the firm were exceptional in terms of effectiveness and efficiency."
The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Real legal experts. An excellent inter-generational mix of practitioners bring a broad swath of experience to the practice. One of the preeminent sanctions and financial crimes practices in the City." 
The Legal 500 UK 2022
 

Team
Donna Newman
Donna Newman Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2357
Email Donna Newman | Vcard Office London
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Justin McClelland
Justin McClelland Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2127
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Sue Millar
Sue Millar Partner, disputes and investigations T: + 44 20 7809 2329 M: + 44 7825 625 898
Email Sue Millar | Vcard Office London
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Ben Sigler
Ben Sigler Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2919 M: +44 7584 237 401
Email Ben Sigler | Vcard Office London
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Guy Harper
Guy Harper Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2398
Email Guy Harper | Vcard Office London
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Genevieve Quieren
Genevieve Quieren Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2174
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Richard Garcia
Richard Garcia Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2346 M: +44 7811 409 216
Email Richard Garcia | Vcard Office London
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Dan Smith
Dan Smith Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2369 M: +44 7968 826 433
Email Dan Smith | Vcard Office London
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Ivan Ng
Ivan Ng Partner, disputes and investigations T: +852 2533 2840
Email Ivan Ng | Vcard Office Hong Kong
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Ian Childs
Ian Childs Partner, disputes and investigations T: +852 2533 2884 M: +852 6191 5088
Email Ian Childs | Vcard Office Hong Kong
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Emily Li
Emily Li Partner, disputes and investigations T: +852 2533 2841
Email Emily Li | Vcard Office Hong Kong
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Nicolas Demigneux
Nicolas Demigneux Partner, disputes and investigations T: +33 1 44 15 80 00 M: +33 6 70 08 35 79
Email Nicolas Demigneux | Vcard Office Paris
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Jamie Stranger
Jamie Stranger Partner, disputes and investigations T: +852 2533 2780 M: +852 9354 4481
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Elizabeth Sloane
Elizabeth Sloane Partner, disputes and investigations T: +852 3166 6926
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Sean Jeffrey
Sean Jeffrey Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2034 M: +44 7584 235 262
Email Sean Jeffrey | Vcard Office London
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Alan Ward
Alan Ward Partner, disputes and investigations T: +44 20 7809 2295
Email Alan Ward | Vcard Office London
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Philip Clarke
Philip Clarke Partner, disputes and investigations T: +971 4407 3907 M: +971 50 707 3750
Email Philip Clarke | Vcard Office Dubai
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Philip Clarke
Philip Clarke Partner, disputes and investigations T: +971 4407 3907 M: +971 50 707 3750
Email Philip Clarke | Vcard Office Dubai
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All team members