Signature Litigation LLP

Ioannis Alexopoulos

Ioannis specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration, including banking disputes, particularly those involving financial products, investment banking and derivatives. He also focusses on commercial and business disputes with an emphasis on joint venture and shareholder disputes, shareholder protection, business break-ups and fraud. His key industry sectors are financial services, energy/oil & gas, shipping/international trade, telecoms, IT and infrastructure projects. The main geographies for Ioannis’ practice are Greece, the Balkans, Russia, the Middle East, Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa. Ioannis also has considerable experience of regulatory and internal investigations. His cases often involve an overseas element, usually with competing multiple jurisdictions and laws. His clients include banks or their clients, insurers, intermediaries, venture capitalists and equity investors and large corporates in England and internationally. Ioannis has extensive expertise representing clients in arbitrations under the ICC and LCIA rules, as well as others including SCC and UNCITRAL, and his cases often involve an international element, usually with competing multiple jurisdictions and laws. His clients include banks or their clients, insurers, intermediaries, venture capitalists and equity investors, and large corporates in England and internationally. Ioannis also advises in connection with investor state disputes.

Deborah Azerraf

Deborah is a Senior Associate at Signature's Paris office, specialising in national and international disputes in Insurance law. With seven years of experience in Insurance law, Deborah has strong expertise on analysing both French and international Insurance policies, handling subrogation disputes for Property Damage insurers, and managing cases related to civil liability and directors' and officers' liability ("D&O" and "E&O") including fraud. Deborah has managed large-scale claims, including those arising from the Covid-19 crisis, and she represents clients in high-stakes litigation involving Insurance law, such as industrial risks, product liability and financial lines. Deborah’s clients benefit from her in-depth knowledge of Insurance law, combined with her experience in handling disputes across various sectors, including heavy industries, service industries, the luxury sector, the energy sector, construction and life science industry. Deborah's clients include insurers, manufacturers, hotels, luxury brands based both in France and worldwide. Deborah has been part of the Signature adventure since the opening in 2019.

Counsel Ela Barda is a litigator specialising in commercial litigation, digital platform law, civil fraud and enforcement matters at Signature Litigation’s Paris office. Ela represents both claimants and defendants before the French civil and commercial courts at all stages of litigation with a particular focus on high-profile cross border disputes. She has developed specific expertise in digital platform law and regularly represents French and international online platforms and media tech companies in civil and commercial litigation against individuals, companies and local authorities. Ela also has extensive experience in investigating, initiating and defending civil fraud claims. She regularly acts for international clients on asset-tracing and asset recovery proceedings. She has in-depth experience in pre-action proceedings on a wide range of interim applications. In addition, Ela has developed a strong expertise in the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards. Ela also represents manufacturers in commercial and product liability disputes in the aviation field, as well as company directors in personal liability cases before commercial courts in the scope of insolvency proceedings.

Paul has extensive experience in complex multi-jurisdictional commercial, banking, tax and insolvency related disputes. With nearly 30 years’ experience, he has acted in some of the largest and highest profile insolvencies of recent times. Paul’s practice focuses on both claimant and defendant mandates, and often has a heavy investigative bias. His clients include many of the leading accountancy firms and their officeholders, as well as individuals and corporates across a wide spectrum of specialist sectors, ranging from telecoms to insurance. Prior to joining Signature, Paul was a partner in the commercial litigation team at Stewarts for 10 years and before that he was at PwC Legal where he led the Commercial Litigation team. Previously Paul was at Simmons & Simmons and SJ Berwin.

Natalia has 20 years of litigation and arbitration experience in complex and high value international disputes often involving several jurisdictions and multiple parties. Her legal career has a strong historic foundation in acting for clients from former Soviet Republics (Ukraine, Russia, Central Asian states). Natalia has extensive experience in a variety of commercial disputes including contractual disputes arising out of SPAs and related contractual documentation, shareholders’ agreements, investment agreements, option agreements, debt finance agreements and related security documentation, personal guarantees, partnership disputes (in relation to offshore private equity structures). Natalia also has extensive experience in disputes concerning asset valuation, oral high level agreements between international high net worth individuals in relation to joint investments, fraud claims and related asset tracing actions, claims arising out of liquidation of investment funds. Natalia has significant experience in both applying for and opposing the grant of freezing orders and other interim relief, jurisdictional challenges, enforcement of arbitral awards in offshore jurisdictions and related insolvency proceedings. Natalia’s experience spans across many industry sectors including oil and gas, water, aluminium, metallurgical, banking, electricity/infrastructure, argotrading, construction, aviation, automobile, railway, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, plastic manufacturing and others. Natalia has been a regular contributor to a variety of UK and overseas legal publications.

Julian Connerty

Julian has over 30 years of experience in handling the litigation, arbitration and mediation of international large scale commercial disputes, with particular expertise in international fraud, insurance industry disputes and regulatory investigations. In the area of commercial disputes Julian specialises in fraud and asset recovery actions. He has acted for and against governments, banks, insurers and individuals, and against the police and the Serious Fraud Office in matters arising out of bribery and corruption, theft, fraud, dishonesty, money laundering, and insider dealing. He has obtained and resisted freezing and restraint orders, and acted in extradition cases and requests for mutual judicial assistance. In the area of financial regulation, he has acted for regulated firms and individuals, and for and against the regulators, including the FCA and the PRA. Cases handled include breaches of the FCA principles, market abuse, perimeter breaches, fit and proper persons investigations, and disciplinary and authorisation cases, both before the High Court and the FCA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee.

With over 30 years’ experience, Philip’s extensive practice covers both commercial and investment treaty arbitrations spanning several international jurisdictions, including regularly acting for or against States. He is an acknowledged expert in advising in relation to construction and engineering, oil and gas, telecoms, aviation, defence & security, pharma, shareholder, agent and joint venture disputes, and regularly acts both for and against states and state-owned entities. He has represented clients in a number of high-value global disputes, with a particular focus on the Balkans, MENA, Latin America and South East-Asia. He acts both as counsel and arbitrator handling a broad range of disputes conducted under ICC, LCIA, SCC, DIAC, BCDR, HKIAC, UNCITRAL and ICSID rules.

Simon has more than 20 years' experience across a wide range of commercial and financial litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on complex banking and structured finance matters. Recent cases include a high profile professional negligence claim brought on behalf of a major international bank against a magic circle law firm; a case against Credit Suisse arising from derivative notes related to Greensill exposures which would have challenged prevailing case law on the "no look through" principle in the context of bearer notes; and a multi-million pound dispute concerning the collapse of a joint venture in the energy sector. Simon's experience encompasses a broad spectrum of industries and subject areas including banking, structured finance, derivatives (particularly in the ISDA form) commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset financing, leasing, insurance and reinsurance, infrastructure, energy, private equity, private credit and funds.

Jérémie Fierville

Jérémie is a highly experienced litigator, specialising in complex corporate and financial disputes. Jérémie’s practice focuses on shareholders, governance and M&A disputes, as well as general commercial and civil litigation. Having practised in both Paris and London, Jérémie acts for a broad range of French and international companies. He represents his clients in strategic pre-litigations and litigations, as well as mediation proceedings. Jérémie has also lectured for several years at Paris Panthéon-Assas University, where he teaches courses relating to mediation, corporate law and complex dispute resolution clauses. He has authored numerous publications including Corporate Internal Investigations, An International Guide (Oxford University Press), and Swap Contracts and Insolvency Law (Cahiers de droit de l’entreprise). He has interviewed on various topics, including Private Equity-related issues, Mediation and ESG-related disputes. He regularly organises events on cutting edge legal topics, including General Meetings of Listed Companies and Shareholder Democracy, Financing of the Defence Sector, Duty of Vigilance, International Arbitration and Blocking Statutes, Enforcement of Arbitration Awards through Seizure by Garnishment, The Hague Rules on Business and Human Rights Arbitration, and New Developments in Space Law.

Sylvie Gallage-Alwis

After 10 years practicing in a major international law firm, Sylvie became one of the founding partners of the Paris office of Signature Litigation and has headed its products litigation practice since 2019. Sylvie has almost 20 years of experience in all ranges of product-related litigation: commercial litigation, product liability, product safety, product life-cycle investigations, ESG & climate change litigation. She is involved in some of the largest industrial accident cases that happened in France and regularly assists clients in the scope of investigations launched by the French or EU regulators. As such, she works on cases with innovative legal issues being debated: planned obsolescence, dieselgate, greenwashing, Covid-19 vaccine cases, PFAS liability, anxiety damage in toxic tort cases, consumer mass litigation, use of alleged war minerals, batteries' technology cases and marketplaces' legal status. She is further known in the French market as a leading toxic tort / mass litigation lawyer. She represents a variety of globally recognised manufacturers from industries such as automotive, electronic products, life sciences, cosmetics, new technologies/marketplaces, steel, energy, food, toys, consumer goods, etc. Sylvie is both an Avocat à la Cour in France and a Solicitor in England & Wales.

Kate specialises in complex, high value, multijurisdictional disputes, including civil fraud, insolvency, asset tracing and enforcement. With 15 years’ experience, Kate regularly represents domestic and international companies, insolvency practitioners and high net worth individuals both as claimant and as defendant. She has a particular focus in disputes involving allegations of civil fraud and in matters requiring global asset recovery or enforcement. Additionally, Kate has a special interest and expertise in digital assets and tech disputes. Kate has advised on all stages of litigation, from pre-action through to fully contested trials and post-judgment enforcement. She also has experience of a wide range of interim applications, including applications for summary judgment, stays and adjournments, specific and third-party disclosure, security for costs, freezing injunctions, committal for contempt of court and applications for cross-examination on evidence. In 2018, Kate co-founded ACROSS Fraud, a global network for fraud lawyers in London and worldwide. Kate also co-chairs a quarterly fraud breakfast forum for civil fraud professionals in London.

Mathilde Gérot

With over 10 years’ experience, Counsel Mathilde specialises in commercial and regulatory litigation, representing a wide range of clients in commercial proceedings before French courts. In particular, Mathilde works extensively on a multi-jurisdiction product liability case and its cross-border coordination. Mathilde also has extensive experience in assisting French and international clients on major data protection and cybersecurity issues, advising on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Her work includes Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) investigations and litigations and more generally all GDPR-related topics. She has also developed a specific expertise on commercial and consumer law, contract drafting and negotiation. Mathilde’s clients come from various sectors, spanning from the automotive, mass retail, logistics, e-commerce and technology industries.

Ritwick has represented corporates and individuals in various sectors including banking, asset management, insurance, other professional services, energy and logistics. He has also advised governments and other public bodies in commercial matters and in relation to law reform. Ritwick has acted for clients in a broad range of contentious situations including court proceedings across a number of jurisdictions, in commercial arbitrations and in response to regulatory enforcement action.

Alasdair has over 10 years’ experience in complex, high value commercial litigation and he has represented clients at all stages of the litigation life cycle from inception to appeals in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. His clients include banks, investment firms and high net worth individuals, as well as other international corporates. Alasdair has significant experience in disputes concerning complex financial products, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud and bribery and contractual issues. His expertise lies primarily in the corporate (including banking and private equity), technology and energy sectors. Alasdair has acted on some of the most high-profile cases in the London disputes market, including multiple cases featured In The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases of the Year”. Most of Alasdair’s cases have an international component, spanning many geographical regions including Europe (in particular the CIS), North America, Africa and the Middle East. Alasdair regularly contributes to the legal press and was one of the previous editors of the Chambers & Partners UK Litigation Global Practice Guide.

Paul is a Senior Associate at Signature Litigation’s Gibraltar office. He has extensive experience in complex disputes, advising a diverse range of clients across a broad spectrum of contentious matters. Paul’s main focus is on contentious trusts and estates litigation, as well as company and commercial disputes. He represents trustees, personal representatives, beneficiaries, and other parties in high-value private client cases. His expertise spans a wide range of trust and estate conflicts, including intricate cross-border trust disputes, contested wills, intestacy claims, and allegations of undue influence. Paul has acted in Gibraltar proceedings concerning claims against alleged de facto and shadow directors for breaches of fiduciary duty, contractual obligations, and duty of care. He has also been instructed in commercial matters involving claims against directors for similar breaches, including derivative proceedings brought by shareholders alleging unlawful means conspiracy and misconduct by both de jure and shadow directors. Beyond his core practice, Paul has broad litigation experience across construction, insurance, clinical negligence, defamation and privacy, and landlord and tenant disputes. He has advised banks on regulatory matters and has been instructed in relation to inquests and public inquiries. Notably, he represented Gibfibre Limited in a landmark competition law claim under the (Gibraltar) Competition Act 2020 against Gibtelecom Limited. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2017 and to the Gibraltar Bar in 2019.

Pietro is a Counsel at Signature Litigation with significant experience in public international law, investor-State arbitration, and international commercial arbitration. He has advised and represented corporations, individuals, and States on matters of public international law before national and international courts and tribunals, as well as arbitral tribunals constituted under major arbitration rules (e.g., ICC, ICSID, LCIA, SCC, and UNCITRAL). He is also often engaged in pro bono litigation involving human rights issues. Highlights of his career so far include securing US$455 million for a US-based bottle maker in an ICSID claim against a Latin American State, and successfully obtaining provisional measurers for a politically prosecuted South American individual proceedings before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Pietro is admitted to practice in both Brazil and Portugal, and he is a Registered Foreign Lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in England and Wales.

Colin is a Senior Associate at Signature Litigation’s Gibraltar office with a broad depth of experience, having advised clients in a wide array of contentious and non-contentious matters. Whilst Colin’s main focus is on dispute resolution, his non-contentious work has involved large scale corporate and transactional matters. He has previously advised on complex trust and company structures, multi-jurisdictional corporate finance transactions, having acted on both sides for clients involved in large lending facility agreements, and also provides general corporate and commercial advice to local businesses in Gibraltar. Colin’s contentious practice has previously involved many areas, including criminal work, where he was able to gain ample court experience, corporate (including unfair prejudice petitions, breach of fiduciary claims against directors and disputes between shareholders), commercial (including breaches of joint venture agreements, disputes concerning private equity funds and he has previously advised one of the largest air-conditioning manufacturers in Europe in relation to an ongoing dispute with a national supplier), construction, landlord and tenant, employment (acting for both employer and employee), contract, trade licencing and distributed ledger technology. More recently, his practice has shifted to high-value commercial litigation with a focus on corporate and commercial disputes and insolvency litigation. He has also been instructed in admiralty matters, which include high value ship arrests (he continues to be instructed by the previous owner of a multi-million pound oil tanker that was arrested in Gibraltar due to issues with Russian sanctions). He frequently advises clients in a broad spectrum of financial services disputes which will often include elements of regulatory work. Colin also has experience in arbitrations, both commercial and international, having acted for clients in arbitrations under the LCIA Rules and in a very large investor-State arbitration under ICSID rules (acting for the investor). Colin also has a growing insolvency practice, having successfully acted for the cell liquidator of a private cell company against a regulated trust administrator in Gibraltar. This was the first time in the jurisdiction that an administration order (and subsequently a liquidation order) was granted by the Supreme Court against a regulated trust administrator. Colin’s contentious work has seen him regularly appear before the Supreme Court of Gibraltar (unled) and before the Gibraltar Court of Appeal (led). Colin was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2010 and was subsequently called to the Gibraltar Bar in 2011.

Duncan is a Partner at Signature Litigation with deep experience in leading cross-border investigations involving issues in foreign jurisdictions, acting for corporates, boards and individual clients, and has advised on many of the major multinational investigations of the last 15 years. He has market-leading experience in conducting investigations involving Brazil, Portugal and Lusophone Africa and has also handled major matters involving Russia, China, India, South Africa, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Greece, Romania, the Czech Republic, Canada and Japan. A fluent Portuguese speaker, Duncan spent two years in Brazil advising clients in investigations stemming from Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash), including the negotiation of novel leniency agreements with Brazilian prosecuting authorities and regulatory agencies. Duncan represents individuals subject to internal, regulatory and criminal investigation. He advises on all sensitivities and risks arising from such matters including legal, reputational and privacy issues and is attuned to the need to maintain relationships with government and regulatory authorities. Duncan also advises on financial sanctions and trade embargoes. He provides counsel to clients on the application of UK sanctions across a range of sectors and assists clients to comply with reporting obligations to the UK authorities, as well as handling investigations into potential sanctions breaches. He provides expert support to General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officers and boards in relation to broader compliance issues. He leads major integrity initiatives, for example, conducting a global compliance integration for a multinational manufacturing conglomerate following a $5.1 billion acquisition. He regularly handles pre-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence in relation to investments into foreign jurisdictions.

Becca specialises in high‑value, complex commercial disputes, with a particular focus on banking and financial services, securities litigation and group actions. She also advises on contentious regulatory matters, including FCA investigations. Her recent work includes representing a group of institutional investors pursuing claims exceeding £560m against Barclays Plc under FSMA s.90A, arising from alleged fraud and misconduct linked to Barclays’ liquidity dark pool. She has a long track record in securities litigation, notably acting for a large institutional and retail claimant group in the groundbreaking s.90 proceedings against the Royal Bank of Scotland and its former directors. Becca is a lead partner at Signature defending Renault in the unprecedented NOx Diesel Emissions Group Litigation. In 2024, a Group Litigation Order was made in respect of Renault—one of 14 GLOs in the Pan‑NOx Emissions Litigation, which encompasses claims by more than 1.5 million claimants against multiple manufacturers. A 10‑week technical trial is listed from October 2025. The case involves highly complex issues regarding diesel engine design and operation and requires close collaboration between Signature’s London and Paris teams. She has also acted in substantial fraud and conspiracy matters, including defending the former management of a Thai renewable energy company in a US$2bn dispute over a 19‑week trial.

Graham is a founding partner of Signature Litigation, and a senior specialist commercial and banking litigator. With his time at Signature and previously as a partner in a major international law firm, Graham has over 40 years’ experience in commercial litigation, with an emphasis on civil fraud. Graham has consistently been identified as one of the UK’s highest ranked commercial and banking litigators, and has been involved in some of the most significant cases in his field. Graham works on disputes involving banks, fund managers and life assurers including in relation to M&A, shareholder and joint venture disputes as well as regulatory disputes and a range of economic tort claims. Graham has extensive experience of warranty claims and professional indemnity work for a range of corporate and financial institutions as well as for professionals. He also has long-term experience of group actions, in particular the financial services field. Graham's experience of ADR includes three of the UK’s most significant mediations involving financial institutions. Graham is a past Trustee and President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association and has served as a member of several judicial and professional working parties. He has rights of audience in the Higher Courts in England and Wales. Graham has developed a long-standing commitment to pro-bono work and has held several directorships in the not-for-profit sector.

Abdulali Jiwaji

Abdul has over 25 years of experience in litigation, arbitration and contentious regulatory matters. He regularly handles disputes relating to investment funds, shareholder agreements, joint ventures and M&A transactions. He also advises on a broad range of commercial disputes, including in the insolvency and insurance context, such as warranty and indemnity claims. On the financial markets side, he has advised on disputes relating to financial products and mis-selling, regulatory investigations and compliance issues, drawing on time spent on secondment to the compliance team of a wholesale bank. Abdul is a member of the Financial Services Lawyers Association and is on the Committee of the London Solicitors Litigation Association.

Lucy is a counsel in the Gibraltar office of Signature Litigation specialising in international arbitration and commercial litigation. Lucy’s commercial litigation experience includes crypto disputes; shareholder disputes; insolvency; commercial contracts; international trade and shipping; construction disputes; product liability; professional negligence and regulation and disputes in the energy sector. Lucy is also experienced in fraud and asset tracing/proceeds of crime applications and is often called on to give sanctions advice. She has extensive advocacy experience and has appeared in courts at all levels in the UK and in Gibraltar. Lucy is qualified in five jurisdictions – Scotland (Advocate); New York (Attorney at Law); England & Wales (Barrister, Inner Temple); Ireland (Barrister); and Gibraltar (Barrister). She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). She was recently appointed by the European Commission to its List of Arbitrators in Bilateral Trade Disputes with Third Countries.

Philipp specialises in international arbitration, with a practice evenly split between investor-state and commercial disputes. He represents clients in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations worldwide, combining strategic legal insight with commercial acumen. Investment Arbitration: Philipp has extensive experience acting for investors in high-value treaty disputes, particularly under the ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules. His mandates have spanned industries including energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, technology, real estate, financial services, health care, and aerospace. He has represented clients in claims against states across Central and South America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and is recognised for his ability to navigate the intersection of public international law and complex commercial realities. Commercial Arbitration: In parallel, Philipp regularly acts in high-stakes commercial arbitrations under all major institutional rules. His practice covers disputes arising from joint ventures, shareholder agreements, finance, private equity/M&A transactions, licensing, pharma and life sciences, and regulatory issues, as well as broader contractual and non-contractual claims. He is known for guiding clients through cross-border disputes with a focus on strategy, efficiency, and outcome.

Tsegaye Laurendeau

With over 15 years’ experience in international arbitrations as counsel, Tsegaye represents international corporates, States and State-owned entities in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations conducted pursuant to the arbitration rules of many of the major arbitration institutions including the LCIA, ICC, ICSID, CRCICA, HKIAC AND UNCITRAL. Tsegaye has a particular focus in disputes involving complex corporate structures, financial products, accounting and tax issues and matters relating to quantum. He has significant experience in disputes concerning joint ventures, M&A, investment funds and international financing disputes. His expertise primarily lies in the energy sector (oil and gas, nuclear), commodities, infrastructure, mining, technology and telecoms industries. Tsegaye is particularly known for his expertise in Africa, although his experience over the years spans many geographical regions including MENA, South America and Eastern Europe (former Soviet Bloc). Tsegaye also acts for sovereign states and corporations in multilateral and bilateral investment treaty disputes. He has developed an expertise in arbitrations involving complex corporate structures, financial products, accounting and tax issues and matters related to quantum. He is listed on the Panel of Recognised International Market Experts in Finance. Tsegaye’s international arbitration practice increasingly includes appointments as arbitrator, both as sole and co-arbitrator. In January 2024, Tsegaye was appointed to the P.R.I.M.E. Finance (Panel of Recognised International Market Experts in Finance) Panel of experts/arbitrators, an innovative international collaborative organisation with the aim of assisting with the resolution of disputes concerning complex financial products. In July 2024, Tsegaye was elected as a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court for the 2024-2027 mandate. Tsegaye is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and the Paris Bar.

Kathleen Leslie

Kathleen is a commercial litigator who specialises in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes. Kathleen’s experience covers day-to-day handling of litigation in the English courts and supervision of foreign proceedings. She acts in a wide range of commercial disputes, including banking, contractual and partnership disputes. She also advises on international property and casualty losses, fraudulent claims and professional negligence claims.

Emmanuèle Lutfalla

After more than 30 years practicing in both major international law firms and top tier French law firms, Emmanuèle is one of the founding partners of the Paris office of Signature Litigation. She heads its French Insurance/Reinsurance practice. Emmanuèle's Insurance and Reinsurance litigation practice focuses on highly complex claims for their clients. She intervenes in various domains at national and international levels both for the Insurer’s accounts and their Insureds in order to advise them throughout their litigation’s lifespan. Emmanuèle has been involved in some of the most cutting-edge issues that have arisen so far in France, such as COVID-related cases, pollution cases and nuclear issues. She has been involved in some of the most important product liability cases for instance in the life sciences (medical devices) industry. In this respect, she has developed a specific experience in complex expert-appraisal proceedings and industrial risks investigations. She has advised a leading French engineering company, sub-contractor in charge of the geotechnical studies for the French main contractor following land subsistence in China in a shopping centre with escalators. She has also advised a company based in New Caledonia in the implementation of a “Terrorism” and “Vandalism” policy, following the occurrence of destructive popular riots. Additionally, Emmanuèle has assisted a French Insurer in US court proceedings related to the coverage of clean-up of soil and water at a site in New Jersey. Emmanuèle also advises on cutting-edge issues involving fraud, cyber, D&O and W&I. She assists her clients with pre-litigation and litigation procedures, Court ordered expert proceedings and enforcement actions. She is also involved in ADR.

Bernhard specialises in commercial and investment treaty arbitration, with a particular focus on the technology, energy and extractive industries. He also represents clients in contentious and non-contentious public international law matters and sits as an arbitrator. Additionally, Bernhard is a Visiting Professor at King’s College London. He is regularly invited to speak at leading industry conferences. Bernhard has acted for claimant and respondent parties in a wide range of investment treaty and commercial arbitration matters (including under the Energy Charter Treaty and ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, VIAC, ASA, DIS and AAA Rules), as well as related cross-border litigation and enforcement issues. Recent highlights of Bernhard’s practice include acting for the claimants in a US$250 million shareholders’ dispute pertaining to a leading financial technology (fintech) company in Asia, securing a win for a publicly listed Scandinavian life sciences company in a €300m LCIA arbitration and acting for the claimants in an investment treaty arbitration arising out of an expropriation of a mining investment by a West African State.

Neil is an international arbitration lawyer and commercial litigator with particular experience in managing high value cross-border arbitration (both commercial and investor-State) and litigation disputes, many of which involve multiple parties and multiple jurisdictions. His practice has a particular focus on the energy sector and oil and gas disputes. Neil has extensive experience in international commercial arbitration and investor-State arbitration, including LCIA, ICC, ICSID, CIETAC, SIAC, SCC, UNCITRAL, and ad hoc arbitration proceedings, as well as ancillary or enforcement proceedings before the English Courts, and cases concerning State entities and state immunity. Neil also has experience acting as advocate in arbitration hearings. Neil represents clients across all sectors but has particular expertise in the energy sector and oil and gas disputes and has acted in matters involving: exploration and production, joint ventures, oilfield services, pipeline transportation, investment treaty claims and disputes concerning carbon emissions. Neil also has considerable experience in natural resources and mining disputes, corporate and finance disputes (particularly relating to M&A transactions and shareholders' agreements) and technology, media and telecoms disputes. He is co-author of “International Arbitration: A Practical Guide”, published by Globe Law and Business.

Michaël Perche

Michaël is a Counsel at Signature Litigation’s Paris office, specialising in public law and administrative litigation. Michaël has over ten years’ experience in advising public and private clients in various aspects of public law, including public procurement law, urban planning law, civil service law and public property law. He also handles regulatory issues in a wide range of sectors, including energy and transport. In these various fields, Michaël advises public and private clients and represents them before the judicial and administrative courts. Michaël also has significant experience in handling French and EU export controls (dual-use and military products) and international sanctions matters.

Elliott Phillips

Elliott is an internationally recognised barrister (qualifying in England and Gibraltar in 2002) and specialises in global commercial litigation, offshore contentious trusts, estates and private wealth disputes. His practice also includes civil fraud, asset tracing, insolvency (including insurance), and shareholder disputes. Uniquely, Elliott is also able to accept instructions to appear before all Courts in England and Wales. Primarily based in Gibraltar, Elliott is regularly instructed by leading international firms in which Gibraltar proceedings are issued or where there is a strong Gibraltar connection to the litigation. Elliott has considerable experience in trust disputes and appears regularly before the Chancery Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council. . Elliott’s cases involve, directions applications, removal of trustees, protectors and executors, challenging trustees’ decisions, breach of trust, advising trustees and beneficiaries on freezing order and Norwich Pharmacal applications in both domestic and in support of foreign proceedings, as well as advising on trusts in the divorce context. Beyond his chancery/commercial work, Elliott led a team in Gibraltar’s first ever abuse of dominate position claim under the Competition Act 2020 and related regulatory appeals up to Gibraltar final appellate level before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Elliott is also a proponent of pro-bono and has led the advocacy on behalf of many families in the context of inquests involving, health authorities, the Ministry of Defence, the Royal Navy, the Prison Service and law enforcement agencies including successfully securing a verdict of unlawful killing. Elliott is recognised in the Private Client Global Elite, a global directory of elite lawyers advising UHNW clients. In 2020 he was also recognised by Citywealth's Leaders List as on of the Top 100 Trust Litigators and Top 35 Private Client Litigators (Europe). In 2015, Elliott was elected as a Member of Parliament in Gibraltar and served as the Shadow Minister for Justice between November 2015 and November 2017 and as HM Leader of the Opposition from 4 December 2017 to 19 October 2019. Elliott was re-elected in 2019 for a further four years and served as Shadow Minister for Health during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Elliott retired from front line politics in November 2023 after 10 years in public life.

Flore is an international arbitration partner based in Paris. She has significant experience representing parties in international mediation and arbitration proceedings. She also sits as an arbitrator. She regularly acts in shareholder or post-acquisition disputes for private-equity firms and more generally in the scope of the termination of agreements related to changes in economic (e.g. force majeure allegations) or legal (in particular, sanctions) circumstances for industrial clients. She has notable experience in the defence and energy sectors (LNG and nuclear) and has recently assisted several companies in disputes resulting from the termination of agreements related to major IT projects (ERP deployment, IT outsourcing). Flore has a very pragmatic approach to arbitration as she has spent 18 months on secondment with a client’s litigation and claim management team in the defence sector, and is a business and finance graduate on top of her law degree. Flore’s procedural management skills are a valuable asset in expedited proceedings, as well as in time-sensitive disputes where a quick resolution is desired. She has solid experience in the enforcement of arbitral awards in France including seizing assets. Flore is ranked as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ for international arbitration in The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 Guide, where she is praised as “a fantastic arbitration expert” who “delivers high quality work product and great client service.” She is further described as “sharp, focused and thorough in her work”, and a referee notes Flore is “definitively an international arbitration star.” Flore is also recognised in the Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) for arbitration, in which she is highlighted as “very responsive, efficient and thorough,” as well as “a dynamic and fierce advocate.” Flore is also commended as “not only very bright but also very dedicated to the client’s success – she is a fighter who does not give up.” Flore is a very active member of the arbitration community; she co-founded Paris Very Young Arbitration Practitioners in 2012 and was a co-chair of the LCIA-YIAG (Young International Arbitration Group of the London Court of International Arbitration) from 2017 to 2021. She has also taught at the Paris Bar School and at various universities and schools (Paris X, Paris XII, Paris-Saclay (MACI) and ESCP Europe). She was admitted to the Paris bar in 2008.

Thomas Rouhette

With over 30 years of litigation experience, Thomas is a founding partner of the Paris office of Signature Litigation and is a leading commercial and international litigator. Thomas focuses on complex, bet the company litigation and has a seasoned, wide and multifaceted practice, spanning from contract litigation to corporate and banking disputes. He has extensive experience in international, cross-border litigation and has a market leading reputation for this. Thomas has acted in some of the most high-profile litigations before the French courts. Thomas is also highly regarded for his litigation practice in relation to the aviation, automotive and pharma industries, and act for global companies in litigations, which often have a multi-jurisdictional element.

For nearly 25 years, Tom has been helping clients navigate some of the most complex and business critical disputes. His clients benefit from the fact that Tom has done so in a broad cross section of business sectors and across multiple jurisdictions. Tom is well-known in particular for managing high value, commercial disputes in the consumer products and retail sector. This reflects his genuine interest in his clients’ businesses and loved brands that have changed the world. Since joining Signature Litigation in 2020, Tom has harnessed its disputes-only platform to deliver cutting-edge client work. Tom is currently acting on two of the most high-value and complex mandates before the English High Court: he heads the team for one of the five Lead Defendants in the NOx diesel emissions litigation (with a London trial of liability issues starting in October 2025) and in the Mozambique 'tuna bonds' dispute (which has a three-day appeal hearing is listed in June 2026). These two cases demonstrate Tom’s leading practice positioning him at the forefront of the commercial litigation and civil fraud markets. Recent feedback Tom’s strengths are reflected in the following feedback from clients and others involved in these cases. These comments reflect the innovative way in which Tom harnesses technology to keep costs in check and to deliver value to clients, and his charismatic and empathetic leadership style. Tom is a clear favourite among clients and his team, who enjoy his open and empowering approach. “Tom has navigated a complex multi-party multi-jurisdictional legal dispute with unwavering professional, dedication and dynamism.” “Tom is an extremely intelligent, strategic, proactive, forward-thinking litigator. His dedication and availability coupled with his ability to communicate clearly and concisely has enabled an extremely successful working relationship.” “Tom's strategic insights and innovative problem-solving skills have at times been instrumental. His understanding of the legal landscape is impressive. Tom possesses a breadth of legal knowledge and expertise that has enabled him to tackle even the most challenging legal issues with precision.” “He has the ability to delve into even the most complex of details swiftly and effectively.” “Tom has run a team of litigators at Signature Litigation seamlessly during this time, clearly inspiring loyalty and respect.” A “hands on and good fun lawyer who built and led a team through… some mammoth litigation.” “Throughout the process we were impressed by his team spirit and ability to explain complex legal issues in simple terms such that the end client… got comfortable with disclosure duties and the other areas of English law which were previously alien.” “Tom maintained good humour and professionalism throughout working on the case and shepherded us through some truly testing times.” “Tom was personable, professional, always ready…” “Tom's strategic acumen, legal expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence make him a standout litigator. Tom's ability to think innovatively and his unwavering dedication to achieving success make him a valuable asset to have on your side.” Pro bono Tom balances his 'mega cases' with a longstanding commitment to pro bono work. He has represented: Save the Children; someone seriously injured in the London 7/7 bombings; and the family of one of the Manchester Arena bombing victims. Tom has also brought a successful intervention in the UK Supreme Court on behalf of both the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.

Daniel Spendlove

With over 20 year’s experience, Daniel specialises in complex and high value commercial litigation, often with an international focus. He represents both claimants and defendants in the High Court English litigation and international arbitrations. Danie’s clients include corporations, investment banks, investment funds, bondholders, industrial groups and high / ultra high net worth clients. Daniel has particular experience in M&A disputes, litigation involving funds and other investments, joint venture and shareholder disputes, and professional negligence claims. He is particularly experienced in disputes emanating from the CEE region and the USA. Daniel has been, and continues to be, involved in some of the most significant and high profile ‘bet the company’ cases in the London litigation market, several of which have been featured in The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases of the Year”. In recent years, he has handled a number of prominent group claims, and he is well versed in bringing and defending claims backed by litigation funders. Daniel has published articles and delivered talks on a number of topical issues, and regularly comments in the trade and legal press. He is a Contributing Editor of “Getting the Deal Through: Complex Commercial Litigation”.

Rory specialises in commercial and corporate litigation, banking and financial markets litigation, as well as regulatory investigations and white-collar crime. He has significant experience in representing large numbers of claimants in group claims against financial institutions, including claims pursuant to s.90 and 90A Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. With over 12 years’ experience, Rory represents institutions, corporates, private equity firms, high net worth individuals and financial entities from varying jurisdictions, focussing on complex and high value commercial, banking and financial markets disputes. Rory represents clients in the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Rory is currently advising a group of c. 230 institutions with respect to a claim against Standard Chartered Bank PLC pursuant to s. 90 and 90A FSMA, which has included the Court of Appeal handing down its first judgment in a claim under those provisions. His experience also includes FCA investigations and interviews, Upper Tribunal proceedings, and advising individuals with respect to FCA investigations into them and their employers. This includes advising and working with legal teams in other jurisdictions (including the US) in the wider context of multi-jurisdictional regulatory, criminal and civil investigations, including SEC and DOJ proceedings. In 2024, Rory was appointed to the committee of The Collective Redress Lawyers Association, providing a forum to gather specialist legal practitioners in the field of collective redress in order to advocate for reform.

Josh is a highly experienced commercial and corporate litigation and international arbitration lawyer, with a particular focus in shareholder disputes, security, asset tracing and enforcement actions which involve multiple jurisdictions. He also has a strong State Aid and Public Procurement practice and regularly defends corporates against Industrial Disease and Toxic Tort claims. Josh acts for a broad range of clients including in the financial services, insurance, manufacturing and retail sectors and regularly acts for and against Chinese-based organisations, utilising his in-depth knowledge and experience of practicing in both China and Hong Kong. He has extensive expertise representing clients in ad hoc arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SCC and UNCITRAL rules. Josh is native Chinese and regularly speaks on issues relating to China at events organised by the China Britain Business Council, UK Trade and Investment and China Britain Law Institute.