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  1. Commercial litigation
  2. Leading individuals

Leading individuals

Clifford Chance has been active across a range of high-profile commercial disputes and regulatory investigations. The practice represented Citi in its settlement with the European arm of Lehman Brothers to release over $2.5bn-worth of assets held in its custody business. Jeremy Sandelson is global litigation head; Elizabeth Morony is a ‘creative lawyer’; Simon Davis is a ‘thought leader’; and Luke Tolaini ‘works tirelessly for clients’. Julian Acratopulo, Roger Leese, Iain Roxborough, Ian Moulding, and Jeremy Sandelson are highly rated.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP increasingly leveraged its international practice when handling cases in the English courts, and was involved in several high-profile investigations globally. The practice advised Vasily Anisimov, a significant shareholder in Metalloinvest, in relation to Boris Berezovsky’s claim for billions of dollars against the estate of the late Georgian oligarch, Badri Patarkatsishvili, fund management firm Salford, and Anisimov. Department head Geoff Nicholas’ ‘attention to detail is impressive’, Christopher Pugh is the global practice group leader, and Paul Lomas is widely praised. Matthew Bruce was promoted to partner.

Herbert Smith LLP has been busy acting for Russian and CIS clients, including shareholder disputes for FSU oligarchs. Highlights included acting for FGIC and FGIC UK in their headline $200m fraud claim against German bank IKB; and representing the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in relation to large-scale recoveries work associated with the collapse of Keydata Investment Services in 2009. The practice’s ‘expertise is sound’. Sonya Leydecker is an ‘exceptional team head’; and Ted Greeno, Phillip Carrington, Kevin Lloyd and Robert Hunter are also recommended.

Hogan Lovells International LLP ‘combines good communication ability with excellent legal representation’. It has been representing JSC BTA Bank in relation to one of the largest alleged fraud cases currently in the English courts, and continues to act for the Trustee of the BT Pension Scheme in proceedings brought to clarify the extent and scope of the Crown’s guarantee of BT’s liabilities to the scheme in the event of BT’s insolvency. Patrick Sherrington is department head; and Neil Mirchandani and Chris Hardman are also highly rated.

‘Excellent for strategic advice’, Allen & Overy LLP’s team is ‘top class’. It represented the principal defendants in a $500m High Court claim in relation to the sale of LSE-listed company Kazakhgold, and its subsidiary gold mining operation in Kazakhstan. John O’Conor is managing partner of the London litigation department; and Calum Burnett heads banking, finance and regulatory litigation. Peter Watson ‘adds lustre to all litigation he is involved in’; Jonathan Hitchin is ‘someone to have on your side of your table’; and Richard Farnhill has a ‘good grasp of tactics’. Arnondo Chakrabarti and Tim House are also recommended.

Ashurst’s ‘well-managed team has quality people’. The practice advised United Company Rusal in a $1bn-plus shareholder dispute regarding the world’s largest producer of nickel. Edward Sparrow is team head; and Ronnie King is another key litigator. Ben Tidswell ‘tackles complex issues head on’. David Capps joined from UBS.

Recently merged with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP, Clyde & Co LLP’s core sectors are insurance, transportation, energy, infrastructure, trade and finance. It is also increasingly active in multi-jurisdictional banking and financial institutions litigation. The practice advised a German bank in a case connected with the sub-prime crisis and complex securitisation structures. Paul Friedman, Neil Jamieson, Conrad Walker and Andrew Horrocks are all recommended.

Linklaters LLP’s national practice head Michael Bennett is ‘impressive’. The team advised News Corporation’s independent Management and Standards Committee in relation to all relevant investigations and enquiries into the News of the World phone hacking case, police payments and other connected issues. Euan Clarke, Satindar Dogra, Kathryn Ludlow, Nick Porter, Christopher Style QC and John Turnbull are key figures.

Simmons & Simmons LLP’s team head Ian Hammond provides ‘commercially realistic advice’. The team advised the representative respondents for the unsegregated class of LBIE client money creditors, successfully defending a judgement at Supreme Court level. The firm is active across corporate crime matters, IP disputes, and insurance and professional risk litigation, and is noted for contentious anti-trust matters. Colin Passmore, Robert Turner, Nick Benwell, Philip Vaughan, Christopher Braithwaite, Richard Bunce, Caroline Hunter-Yeats and Marc Thorley are experienced litigators. Ed Crosse, who ‘quickly creates relationships with clients’, joined from Osborne Clarke.

Although smaller than its Magic Circle competitors, Slaughter and May attracts very high-calibre work. The practice represented Telegraph Media Group in relation to the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press. Richard Clark is disputes head; and Jonathan Cotton, Richard Swallow, Nick Archer, Deborah Finkler, Nick Gray and Sarah Lee are other key contacts. The firm has a renowned competition litigation practice.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP ‘puts the client first’. The practice led two of the largest actions brought by individuals in the English Courts, acting for Boris Berezovsky and Mukhtar Ablyazov. Richard Leedham is litigation head; Ian Hargreaves is ‘calm under fire’; and Mark Hastings provides ‘rock-solid advice’. John Kelleher, Jamie Harrison, Jon Tweedale are also recommended. Mark Deem joined Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP ‘pleases with the quality of its service’. The practice acted in a securitisation market and balance sheet insolvency case, set to be considered by the Supreme Court. Nathan Willmott heads the group; and Oliver Glynn-Jones ‘focuses on results rather than the process’. Graham Shear’s ‘judgement is excellent’; Joby Davie is experienced in media and sports litigation; Segun Osuntokun is Africa group head; and David Hughes regularly represents Turkish clients. Head of advocacy Stuart Isaacs QC joined from South Square.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s practice is highly rated by peers. Tim Hardy is litigation head, and deals primarily with disputes concerning finance, commerce, professional negligence, and product and corporate reputations. Hardy’s experience includes advising a UK services organisation in relation to the collapse of a joint venture of three European corporations. Guy Pendell is also recommended.

DLA Piper UK LLP has a ‘roster of Russian clients that most City firms would kill for’. The practice represented the owner of one of Russia’s largest supermarket chains in a $150m fraud and conspiracy High Court claim. Litigation head Matthew Saunders and Philip Chong specialise in energy-related disputes; ‘brilliant litigation lawyer’ Nick Marsh is noted for Russia/CIS and Eastern Europe cases; and Lee Gluyas is ‘versatile and experienced’. Mark Franklin, Ioannis Alexopoulos, Jeremy Andrews, Janet Legrand, and Charles Gordon are well-regarded practitioners. Jeremy Andrews, Jamie Curle and Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry joined from Lawrence Graham LLP.

Norton Rose LLP continues to act for the Trustee of Lehman Brothers in relation to issues arising from Lehman’s liquidation. Deirdre Walker is group head; and Sam Eastwood, Michael Godden, Radford Goodman, and Charles Evans are other principal contacts. Shipping disputes expert Patrick Foss joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP; while Antony Dutton left for Dechert LLP.

Pinsent Masons LLP acts for governments and global companies in complex disputes, and is a go-to firm for IT litigation. Nigel Kissack is litigation head; David Barker and David McIlwaine are ‘incredibly hardworking litigators’. Stefan Paciorek - Richard Slaven and Rob McCallough are also rated. Formerly at McGrigors LLP, Katharine Davies is a ‘formidable litigator’; Michael Fenn is a ‘superb team leader’; Yuri Botiuk is an ‘inspirational partner’; and Ben Fairhead is an ‘unflappable star in the making’.

Reed Smith gives ‘tremendous attention to clients ’ needs’. The practice secured a victory for HSBC and HSBC Bank Middle East in a case arising from default under certain facility agreements. Richard Spafford is commercial disputes head, while Charles Hewetson leads the firm’s UK global regulatory enforcement team. Belinda Paisley is also recommended.

SJ Berwin LLP’s team is ‘well informed, and experienced’. It acted for Qantas in its dispute with Rolls-Royce over Qantas’ losses after an engine manufactured by Rolls-Royce exploded on an aircraft. Craig Pollack is litigation head. The ‘pragmatic’ Alex Leitch is known for corporate and media related litigation, and Tim Beale, Nick Brocklesby, Nicola Bridge and Rachel Couter are other well-regarded practitioners.

Stephenson Harwood ‘manages complex litigation effectively’. The practice represented Rawlinson & Hunter Trustees in claims against Kaupthing arising from the granting of security to Kaupthing for certain liabilities, marking a landmark case involving novel points of international law. John Fordham is commercial litigation head; and Richard Gwynne, Louis Flannery, and Sue Millar are also highly rated. Sunil Gadhia joined Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.

The widely respected team at Travers Smith LLP represented Rosneft Oil Company in Commercial Court proceedings to enforce four Russian arbitration awards, amounting to approximately £425m. Stephen Paget-Brown is active in the banking and financial services sectors; and Jonathan Leslie, Andrew King, Rob Fell, Toby Robinson and Caroline Edwards are other key practitioners.

Key matters for White & Case LLP included representing a Turkish conglomerate in a long-running dispute with Russia’s Alfa Group, concerning the ownership of a controlling shareholding in Turkey’s largest mobile phone company. John Reynolds has a ‘firm hand on each and every client matter’; and John Higham QC, Charlie Lightfoot and Jason Yardley are also recommended. Charlie Monteith, former head of legal and operational policy at the SFO, joined as counsel.

Baker & McKenzie LLP is known for large, international, complex cases. The team advised Bank St Petersburg in multi-jurisdictional litigation with Vitaly Arkhangelsky, who made allegations of fraud and conspiracy against the bank. Practice head John Leadley is an ‘experienced, canny litigator’, and Andrew Keltie is also recommended.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s Lord Peter Goldsmith QC is an ‘exceptional advocate who gets to the root of any dispute’. The group represented wholly owned indirect subsidiaries of Russian mining company OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel in successfully applying to have an injunction discharged that related to Rusal and the Interros Group’s multi-jurisdictional dispute over their Norilsk shareholdings. Karolos Seeger ‘manages complex litigation with ease’. John Missing focuses on internal investigations; and Sophie Lamb is also recommended.

Dechert LLP’s highlights included acting for Michael Cherney in claims against Oleg Deripaska over a multibillion-dollar equity interest in international aluminium company UC Rusal. Bernard Caulfield and Andrew Hearn are recommended. Antony Dutton arrived from Norton Rose LLP.

Eversheds LLP’s instructions are increasingly international, though at no cost to its ‘fast-thinking’ City practice. The team acted for the claimants in proceedings against a private Swiss bank in relation to the mis-selling of structured investment products. Practice head Mark Davenport is ‘truly excellent’; John Heaps is ‘commercially oriented’; and Neville Byford is ‘highly tactical’. Richard Little and Stuart Dutson are also highly rated.

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP is particularly strong in the commodities, construction, maritime, banking and natural resources sectors, The practice represented Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSE in relation to the default of the Saad and Al-Gosaibi Groups, a matter involving some 118 banks. Damian Honey is department head. Noel Campbell, Charles Caney, and Richard Brown are also recommended.

Ince & Co acts in disputes across sectors such as shipping, insurance and reinsurance, international trade, finance, energy, and aviation. The practice assisted Russia’s largest shipowner in one of the Commercial Court’s biggest-ever fraud cases. Team head Ben Ogden is ‘practical’; Stuart Shepherd is a ‘brilliant litigator’; and Jeremy Biggs is ‘not afraid to fight hard cases’. Paul Herring and Joe O’Keefe are well-respected litigators.

Jones Day is recognised for its capabilities in high-stakes litigation. The practice represented Wael Khoury in relation to what is reportedly the Commercial Court’s largest-ever contempt of court application. Craig Shuttleworth is London litigation head; and Stephen Brown and Sion Richards are other key contacts.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s practice is widely praised by peers, and stands out for its geographic platform. The team represented Indorama International Finance in respect of Egypt’s alleged expropriation of its investment. Philip Clifford is a key contact.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s team ‘works in an efficient manner’. It advised the liquidators of Lehman Brothers Commercial Corporation Asia and Lehman Brothers Asia Holdings in a headline dispute regarding the ownership of certain securities. Group head Ian McDonald is ‘clear thinking’; Miles Robinson ‘stands out’; and David Allen is also recommended. Mark Compton joined from BP, while Andrew Legg and Clare Canning left for Eversheds LLP and Ernst & Young respectively.

Nabarro LLP has a focus on financial services, asset tracing, and regulatory cases. The practice acted for the special administrators of a UK building society on finance and enforcement issues. Commercial and banking dispute resolution head Jonathan Warne is a ‘strategic litigator’; Peter Fitzpatrick is ‘experienced’; George Maling ‘gives extremely useful advice’; Tom Dane is ‘good to have on your side’; and George Lubega ‘always has an eye on commercial objectives’. Peter Fitzpatick and George Maling are now at Enyo Law.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s team grew with the hire of Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP’s former commercial disputes head Julian Randall, its financial services head Tim Strong, and Andrew Howell. The team acted for the trustee in bankruptcy and joint liquidators of Bernard Madoff’s former companies, in relation to litigation to recover the billions of pounds lost under Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Group head Richard Marsh ‘sees the big picture’.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is ‘perfect for complex cases’. Its recent work includes advising the joint special administrators to MF Global UK in respect of MFG UK’s special administration, likely to become one of the largest UK insolvencies in the last decade. Juliet Blanch is a ‘highly respected practitioner’; Matthew Shankland is well respected; and Jamie Maples is ‘one to watch’.

Bird & Bird saw the departure of Jane Player and Sarah Walker to King & Spalding International LLP, but was joined by the ‘excellent’ Steven Baker, Olswang’s former commercial dispute resolution head. The practice targets disputes in technology, communications and life sciences. It recently advised in Commercial Court proceedings concerning losses arising from a securities lending programme. A ‘shrewd and popular client pleaser’, Ludovic de Walden heads the London group, and Jeremy Sharman is also recommended.

‘Competent and knowledgeable firm’ Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP welcomed Sunil Gadhia from Stephenson Harwood. Jonathan Kelly is noted for banking and financial services disputes, and regulatory investigations; and Jonathan Blackman and David Sabel are also highly rated. The practice recently advised a joint venture in a shareholder dispute over control of a Russian retail group.

The team at DAC Beachcroft LLP is a strong choice for contentious insurance, construction and engineering matters, and has a growing reputation for commercial litigation. It regularly acts for European-based banks, including a Moscow-based bank. Team head John Bramhall is ‘calm under pressure’; Jonathan Brogden is a ‘pleasure to work with’; and Ken Forsyth ‘performs excellently’. Richard Highley, Philip Davis, Matthew Wescott and Campbell Dye are all experienced practitioners.

Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP acted for the family trusts of Bernie Ecclestone in the defence of proceedings relating to the 2005 sale of the Formula 1 racing rights. Kevin Perry and Laurence Harris are recommended.

Conflict-free firm Enyo Law LLP was established by former Addleshaw Goddard LLP partners Simon Twigden, Pietro Marino and Michael Green. Twigden ‘focuses 100% on clients ’ needs’; and Marino has ‘reliable judgement’. The practice acted in the Innovator case, involving a £50m claim by 550 investors in 19 tax-advantaged technology investment schemes, which they alleged constituted an investment fraud.

Farrer & Co’s ‘litigators are superb tacticians’. The team recently acted in a case involving allegations of a secret profit made by a purchasing consortium of a prestigious hotel. Jeremy Gordon is practice head; Gavin Bacon is an ‘excellent commercial litigator’, James Price is an ‘exceptional lawyer’; and Adrian Parkhouse ‘comes up with creative solutions’.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s ‘attention to detail is top-notch’. Key matters included acting for a trading company in dispute with a counterparty over the funding for a vessel valued at $800m. Peter Stewart heads the group, and Natalia Chumak and Simon Moore are noted for their specialism in CIS-related cases. Kit Jarvis offers ‘sound advice’; and Tony Lewis has ‘exceptional judgement’.

Specialising in complex international disputes, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP extended its capability to high-profile administrative law matters with its hire of former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP senior associate Patrick Doris as a partner, who has particular expertise in the financial and gaming sectors. The practice is also increasingly active in international white-collar crime investigations. Philip Rocher is recommended.

Lawrence Graham LLP’s ‘professionalism cannot be faulted’. The team advised the Federal Republic of Brazil and the Municipality of São Paulo in relation to fraud-related claims brought against BVI companies associated with São Paulo’s former mayor. The team includes Andrew Dobson, who specialises in commercial and trust disputes; the ‘clear-thinking’ Andrew Witts; and Catherine Naylor, who is singled out for particular praise. Jeremy Andrews, Jamie Curle and Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry joined DLA Piper UK LLP.

Macfarlanes LLP ‘understands the client’s commercial needs’. The group acted for Salford Capital Partners in defending high-value claims brought by Boris Berezovsky. Team head Iain Mackie has a ‘good grasp of the legal niceties, as well as the tactics’. Willie Manners and Geoff Steward are also well regarded.

Mishcon de Reya’s practice is driven by fraud cases. The team successfully represented Bain Capital and the Ideal Standard group in declaratory proceedings brought by Strategic Master Fund, arising from Bain’s $2bn acquisition of Ideal. Kasra Nouroozi heads the group, which includes well-respected litigators Gary Miller, Jeremy Hertzog and Rowena Herdman-Smith. James Oldnall joined from Clyde & Co LLP .

Olswang’s team is ‘commercially pragmatic’. It was appointed by the Management and Standards Committee established by News Corporation to advise News Group Newspapers on the resolution of civil claims relating to voicemail interception. Richard Bamforth is commercial litigation head. Ian Felstead is an ‘effective strategist’; and Andrew Aglionby, Steven Corney and Jeremy Mash are also recommended. Ashley Hurst was promoted to partner, and Steven Baker joined Bird & Bird.

Osborne Clarke ‘increasingly makes its presence felt’. The firm has a strategic focus on financial services, real estate, digital business, and energy and natural resources. CIS specialist Adrian Lifely is ‘hands-on and insightful’; and senior associate David Kendell also attracts praise. Edward Butler joined from Howard Kennedy, while Ed Crosse left for Simmons & Simmons LLP.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is highlighted for its ‘superb, strategic thought processes’. It represented Oleg Deripaska in High Court litigation against Michael Cherney, who alleges that he is entitled to an interest in Rusal, representing a claim of several billion dollars. Richard East and Sue Prevezer QC are joint department heads. East ‘gets things done’; and Martin Davies is ‘highly recommended’. Matthew Bunting, Alex Gerbi, Marc Becker and Robert Hickmott are all well respected.

RPC offers ‘quality advice and business knowledge’. The practice recently acted for the claimants in a confidential information and breach of fiduciary duty case. Geraldine Elliott is team head, and Jaron Lewis, Rupert Boswall and Tim Brown are also recommended. Simon Hart joined from Reed Smith.

Transatlantic firm SNR Denton picks up cases across areas including energy, construction and engineering, banking, insolvency, IP, real estate and planning, commodities trade disputes, and transportation. Elizabeth Tout heads the team, and Richard Caird is also recommended.

Litigation-only firm Stewarts Law LLP has ‘absolutely first-class lawyers’, and is conflict free. The team advised in a £1.5bn dispute involving allegations of fraud. Department head Clive Zietman ‘moves cases forward by sheer force of personality’; Andrew Shaw ‘stays calm when the going gets tough’; Sean Upson is ‘always on top of the detail’; and Jane Colston ‘works tirelessly for her clients’.

Watson, Farley & Williams LLP has a ‘small but powerful practice’. The team acted for HSH Nordbank in a claim against an Italian bank relating to interest rate swaps. Andrew Savage is recommended.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld stands out for the strength of its Russian practice, and has seen increased emerging market disputes work in the energy and telecoms sectors. Justin Williams is recommended.

Boodle Hatfield LLP is a ‘West End firm that can beat the City firms at their own game’. It has acted for a large number of Russian clients, and stands out for its art-related litigation experience. Simon Fitzpatrick is a ‘star in the London litigation sky’.

Known for technology and financial disputes, Bristows has recently made significant client gains from Russia/CIS and Germany. It acted for a leading German bank in a loan facility agreement dispute. Kevin Appleton’s ‘easy-going style masks his thorough approach to litigation’.

Brown Rudnick LLP ‘satisfies demanding clients’. The practice represented a foreign entity and its subsidiary in relation to claims for damages against a large international financial institution, pursuant to a multi-part loan facility. Neil Micklethwaite is ‘outstanding’, and Steven Friel and Stephen Hallam also attract praise.

Specialist litigation firm Byrne and Partners LLP has historically focused on defence work, but now takes on a significant flow of claimant cases. The team was instructed in the defence of nine companies in response to a $75m worldwide freezing injunction. Nicola Boulton is recommended; Yvonne Jefferies is ‘flexible and loyal’; and managing partner Bernard O’Sullivan is ‘hardworking and commercial’. Elizabeth Seborg is also well regarded.

Charles Russell LLP is ‘good at interpreting client needs’. The practice advised in an action to recover multimillion-pound damages resulting from a fraudulent letter of credit scheme. John Sykes is department head; and Patrick Russell, Stewart Hey, Edward Craig and Jonathan Ellis are other key figures.

Conflict-free firm Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP defended various funds managed by a Texas hedge fund in a financing facility dispute. Gerald Cooke ‘inspires confidence’; Marc Keidan’s ‘approach is driven by the end objective’; and Sinead O’Callaghan ‘comes up with good ideas’.

Covington & Burling LLP’s caseload includes complex disputes flowing from corporate transactions and commercial contracts, and insurance coverage, administrative law, competition law, IP, and product liability cases. Team head Roger Enock and John Rupp are recommended, and Richard Mattick ‘deals with urgent matters in a clear-headed way’.

Edwin Coe LLP demonstrates a ‘a go-getting attitude’. The practice represented around 500 claimants in proceedings arising from the fraudulent selling of timeshare products. David Greene is known for his class action practice; Nick Neocleous has a ‘sharp tactical mind’; and Vivien Davies is ‘not afraid to give firm advice when required’. Christopher Berry also attracts praise.

Fasken Martineau LLP’s ‘diligent and competent’ team is led by Robert Paydon. The ‘competent and commercial’ Adrian Jones focuses on natural resources sector cases; and the ‘impressive and strategic’ Chris Gooding continues to lead the $1bn-plus Kuwait Airways litigation, relating to the taking of the Kuwait Airways fleet during the 1990 invasion, the case making new law almost 20 years after it started. Sukhi Kaler is noted for aviation and general cross-border matters. Alex Ferrari is ‘wholeheartedly recommended’.

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP ‘captures client confidence’. The practice has a particular emphasis on financial services and civil fraud matters. Philip Rubens is commercial dispute resolution head; litigation head Sue Thackeray has an ‘eye for detail’; and Tim Bignell is a multi-jurisdictional insolvency litigator. Andrew Wigston and Steve McCann have joined the FSA.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP’s team offers deep barrister experience and a track record in Russia-related disputes. It successfully acted for Malaysian Airlines in High Court litigation following an EC investigation. James Kitching is ‘responsive and sharp’, and Nick Cherryman is ‘commercially aware’.

Fulbright & Jaworski International LLP’s practice encompasses property, M&A, aviation, energy and mining, and financial services disputes. Lista Cannon, Chris Warren-Smith and Melanie Ryan are highly esteemed litigators.

Known for its work for media, entertainment and communications clients, Harbottle & Lewis LLP increasingly acts in commercial litigation cases. The practice represented Al-Sanea in the English litigation side of the headline dispute with Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi and Brothers Company.

Irwin Mitchell advises a range of companies in relation to internal investigations and corporate misconduct matters. The practice also acts in professional negligence matters and shareholder litigation. Jeremy Marshall is highly rated.

K&L Gates LLP’s lawyers are ‘excellent strategists’. The practice advised investment manager Proteus in a High Court claim over fees due under an investment management agreement. John Magnin ‘articulates ideas well’; and Anne McCarthy has ‘strong client-handling skills’. Robert Hadley is also recommended.

Manches LLP’s team is led by the ‘commercial and available’ Alex Fox and includes John Doherty, Siobhan Jones, Richard Marshall and Margaret Tofalides. The team recently acted in a multibillion-pound class action.

McGuireWoods London LLP is ‘devoted to clients ’ interests’. It acted for Energy Venture Partners in the Commercial Court in a case concerning a $1.3bn transaction relating to Nigeria’s largest offshore oilfield. Michael Tackley has ‘great understanding of multi-jurisdictional cases’; Hardeep Nahal is ‘quick to react’; and Adam Greaves ‘speedily identifies the strengths and weaknesses of cases’. Vivian Robinson QC arrived from the SFO.

Memery Crystal LLP is a ‘cut above similar-sized firms’. The practice acted for the former owners of a Kazakhstan retail bank in a £1.1bn claim against its chairman, top management and former shareholders for alleged fraud, which is likely to be a leading case on jurisdiction. Department head Bree Taylor is ‘commercially astute’; Harvey Rands ‘demystifies legal issues’; and Jane Marsden is well regarded.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP is an ‘excellent litigation shop that gives the feel of a boutique law firm’. The practice represented AstraZeneca UK in successful High Court proceedings that arose out of the termination of a $1.5bn global IT infrastructure contract. Julian Stait is ‘well versed in the details’, and Tom Canning is an ‘all-round great lawyer’.

Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP’s focus is on clients in the technology and financial services sectors. The group represented the liquidators of Saad Investments Company in connection with its $9.2bn liquidation. Practice head Jonathan Wheeler is ‘great for strategy’; and Kevin Roberts ‘stands out’. Alan Owens is also recommended.

PCB Litigation LLP is known for commercial fraud litigation, and increasingly for multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes. The practice acted for the defendant in a £140m High Court claim for damages for alleged conversion of a share certificate. Steven Philippsohn leads the team, which includes Anthony Riem and Trevor Mascarenhas.

Paul Hastings LLP’s team features the ‘particularly amazing’ Michelle Duncan and ‘up-and-coming’ Stephen Parker. The practice acted for the defendants in a claim for $400m shares in Telephone Systems International, which operates a mobile phone network in Afghanistan.

Payne Hicks Beach is noted for complex litigation, particularly trusts and estates matters and banking and financial disputes. Richard Butcher heads the team, which includes Stephen King, Andrew Tugwell and Sarah Webb.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s profile has grown with its mergers with Wedlake Saint and Dawsons Solicitors. The practice continues to act for a majority shareholder of Sunrise Radio in unfair prejudice litigation, and regularly acts for Indian law firms and other Indian clients. Rustam Dubash heads the team, and David Niven, Noel McMichael, and Stephen Ralph are also key figures.

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP’s Keith Oliver specialises in heavyweight trust litigation, and international asset freezing, tracing and recovery matters. The practice represented the former deputy chairman of the management board of a state-owned Kazakhstan bank in relation to €1.4bn claims brought in the High Court, involving allegations that substantial sums were misappropriated by the bank’s former management. Jonathan Tickner and Sarah Gabriel are recommended.

Russell-Cooke LLP is known for Chancery disputes, financial services litigation, fraud and asset tracing claims, and professional negligence cases. Department head Francesca Kaye is ‘technically strong’; John Gould is ‘good with clients’; and Paolo Sidoli ‘cuts to the key issues’.

Also present in the BVI, SC Andrew LLP is a ‘first-rate’ dispute resolution firm. The practice successfully defended a derivative claim relating to assets worth over $800m. Managing partner Seamus Andrew ‘possesses excellent strategic skills’; and Steven Mash ‘finds solutions’. Paul Ferguson is also highly rated.

Salans experienced an upturn in banking and financial disputes, and growth in professional negligence claims. The practice acted in claims for the transfer of shares by one shareholder in a Russian energy company to another, following an alleged breach of contract. Lionel Rosenblatt is a ‘master of negotiation’, and Smeetesh Kakkad and Adrian Giles also attract praise.

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s recent instructions include High Court litigation and regulatory investigations. The practice represented Liverpool FC’s purchaser in proceedings relating to the club’s sale. Jo Rickard heads the London litigation group, which includes Richard Kelly.

Speechly Bircham LLP is noted for technology, corporate, professional negligence, corporate corruption and regulatory disputes. Stephen Dobson ‘takes care of his clients’, and Rhys Novak and Alexander Carter-Silk are also recommended.

Squire Sanders LLP’s Laurence Winston is known for finance litigation. Commercial disputes are led by Paul Oxnard, who is ‘strategically creative’.

Steptoe & Johnson is noted for disputes involving telecoms and technology, energy, insurance and reinsurance, and international trade and distribution. Ray Werbicki is international dispute resolution head.

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Legal Developments in London for Commercial litigation

  • Supreme Court provides guidance 
on forum conveniens and piercing the corporate veil


    Macfarlanes LLP currently authors the Litigation & Dispute Resolution section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here . This article considers the Supreme Court decision in VTB Capital plc v Nutritek International Corp & or s [2013]. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the case is that it casts doubt on the notion that the Court has the power to pierce the corporate veil. The Supreme Court also held that, even if the power to pierce the corporate veil does exist, it does not enable a claimant to hold parties that control a company jointly and severally liable under contracts entered into by that company. 

    - Macfarlanes

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