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 specialising in insurance disputes, product liability and mass toxic and consumer litigation. She is used to working in large-scale litigation and has developed an online tool for claims management in this respect. Deborah is a litigator handling EU-wide disputes related to commercial and product liability, for both manufacturers and insurers. In this respect, she advises clients from a range of industry sectors including automotive, energy, consumer goods and cosmetics both on regulatory aspects and in Court. She has further developed a specific expertise in toxic tort, trying cases relating to alleged risks linked to exposure to chemical substances, including disease-related litigation, environment, successive owners’ disputes, etc. Deborah also takes an active interest in advising online platforms and new technologies developers in the launch of their business in France and any related disputes with the authorities and consumers.

Ela Barda

Ela Barda is a Partner at Signature Litigation’s Paris office specialising in commercial litigation, digital platform law, civil fraud and enforcement matters. Ela has over 10 years’ experience in commercial litigation. She 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 sector, as well as company directors in personal liability cases before commercial courts in the scope of insolvency proceedings.

Paul Brehony

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 Chumak

Natalia is a partner at Signature’s London office. Having joined Signature in 2013, shortly after its inception, Natalia’s current role is centred on strategic development of the firm’s international arbitration practice across all its offices, as well as on strategic legal innovations including AI. Natalia adds increased focus, depth and coordination to Signature’s international arbitration practice, whilst continuing to act as a senior adviser on selected matters where her sectorial or geographical experience provide valuable input into the case. Known for her forward thinking, she is actively involved in integrating tech and non-tech legal innovations to increase clients’ gains from legal services. With over 20 years of arbitration and litigation experience in complex and high value international disputes often involving a multijurisdictional element, Natalia has significant experience in handling arbitration disputes under the most major arbitration institutions with the primary focus on the LCIA and SCC. Natalia’s experience spans across many industry sectors including energy (oil and gas upstream, electricity/infrastructure), water, mining & natural resources, metallurgical, banking, agrotrading, construction, aviation, automobile, railway, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, manufacturing (plastics) and others. 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, memoranda of understanding, option agreements, debt finance agreements and related security documentation, personal guarantees, partnerships (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 and corruption 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 energy (oil and gas upstream, electricity/infrastructure), water, mining & natural resources, metallurgical, banking, argo-trading, construction, aviation, automobile, railway, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, manufacturing (plastics) and others.

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.

Philip Dunham

Philip is an international arbitration Partner at Signature’s Paris office with over 30 years’ experience, representing clients (including regularly acting for or against states) across a broad range of sectors and jurisdictions. Philip’s practice covers both commercial and investment treaty arbitrations spanning several international jurisdictions. He is an acknowledged expert in advising in relation to construction and engineering, oil and gas, telecoms, 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 Fawell

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 Partner at Signature Litigation’s Paris office specialising in complex, financial and commercial litigation. Jérémie’s practice is primarily focused on M&A litigation, shareholder disputes and corporate governance matters. Having practised in both Paris and London, Jérémie advises a broad range of French and international companies. He represents clients across all stages of a dispute, from pre-litigation strategic advice, litigation, arbitration and mediation. 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 often interviewed on various topics, including Mediation, Corporate Governance and Geopolitics, ESG-related disputes and Private Equity-related issues. He regularly organises events on cutting edge legal topics, including the Impact of Geopolitics on General Meetings of Listed Companies, Shareholder Dialogue, International Arbitration and Blocking Statutes, The Hague Rules on Business and Human Rights Arbitration.

Sylvie Gallage-Alwis

Sylvie is a Founding Partner of Signature Litigation’s Paris office. She specialises in product liability, toxic tort, ESG and group litigation disputes. With almost 20 years’ experience, Sylvie represents manufacturers doing business in France in complex product-related disputes, including product liability, industrial risk, product safety, toxic tort, mass litigation/class actions, regulatory compliance and environment/climate change matters. Sylvie represents a variety of globally recognised manufacturers from industries including automotive, electronics, life sciences, cosmetics, new technologies, steel, energy, food, toys and consumer goods. She manages one of the largest product litigation teams in the French market. She is involved in several high-profile French industrial disaster cases, including large-scale fires, planned obsolescence allegations, use of conflict minerals, ‘dieselgate’, maritime engine accidents, marketplace liability and COVID-19 vaccine cases. She defends clients against claims from consumers, NGOs, business partners and competitors, and also handles investigations by French market surveillance authorities such as the DGCCRF, ANFR and ANSM. She has also coordinated product safety corrective measures across the European Union. Sylvie also assists her manufacturing clients with commercial litigation (e.g., sudden termination of contracts, unfair competition, significant imbalance cases) and the review of contracts and Terms & Conditions. Sylvie is a leading defence counsel in France for manufacturers facing mass toxic tort claims and consumer group actions. Her work in this area began with asbestos-exposure claims, where she established rare, company-favourable case law. Some of these cases are cited in the French Civil and Social Security Codes due to the significant legal precedents they set. Her practice now includes cases involving various chemical and hazardous substances, as well as claims based on anxiety over developing future diseases. Sylvie is a go-to lawyer for class actions in France. She has conducted a study for a client on class action systems in over one hundred jurisdictions and is one of the few defence counsel invited to participate in the Cambridge Forum’s working group on class actions in the EU. Sylvie is admitted as an Avocat à la Cour in France and a Solicitor in England & Wales.

Kate Gee

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.

Ritwick Ghosh

Ritwick is a Counsel at Signature Litigation specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration. He 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. He has advised clients in response to regulatory enforcement action as well as acting for clients in cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings.

Alasdair Glass

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.

Pietro Grassi

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 Grech

Colin is a Senior Associate at Signature Litigation 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 involves 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 involved admiralty work including ship arrests, criminal work (where he has gained ample court experience) and he has advised on disputes in the following practice areas: 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 continues to advise 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. 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 was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2010 and was subsequently called to the Gibraltar Bar in 2011.

Duncan Grieve

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.

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.

Becca Hogan

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 Huntley

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.

Philipp Kurek

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.

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.

Neil Newing

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 the Founding Partner of Signature’s Gibraltar office. He is an internationally recognised barrister and specialises in offshore contentious trusts, estates and private wealth disputes. His practice also includes commercial litigation, civil fraud, asset tracing, insolvency and shareholder disputes. His dual qualification as a barrister in England and Gibraltar places him in a unique position, enabling him 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 the area of contentious trusts and appears regularly before the Chancery Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council on matters relating to the administration of trusts. Elliott’s cases involve removal of trustees, protectors and executors, challenging trustees’ decisions, breach of trust, advising trustees and beneficiaries on freezing orders, 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. In 2015, Elliott was duly 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 currently serves as Shadow Minister for Health and the Environment. Elliott retired from front line politics in October 2023. Elliott is a Barrister at Law in Gibraltar and admitted as a regulated foreign lawyer in the UK.

Thomas Rouhette

With over 30 years’ experience in litigation, Thomas is a Founding Partner of the Paris office of Signature Litigation and specialises in international and commercial litigation. Thomas represents French and international corporates and financial institutions in international commercial disputes. He has a particular focus in high-stakes disputes involving complex legal issues. His multi-faceted expertise encompasses several industry sectors including automotive, aviation, banking and technology industries. Thomas is particularly known for his expertise in cross-border litigation, having coordinated many large-scale international disputes and conducted numerous international enforcement proceedings. Thomas is also involved in civil fraud and asset tracing, corporate, unfair competition and product liability disputes.

Tom Snelling

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. \t“Tom has navigated a complex multi-party multi-jurisdictional legal dispute with unwavering professional, dedication and dynamism.” \t“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.” \t“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.” \t“He has the ability to delve into even the most complex of details swiftly and effectively.” \t“Tom has run a team of litigators at Signature Litigation seamlessly during this time, clearly inspiring loyalty and respect.” \tA “hands on and good fun lawyer who built and led a team through… some mammoth litigation.” \t“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.” \t“Tom maintained good humour and professionalism throughout working on the case and shepherded us through some truly testing times.” \t“Tom was personable, professional, always ready…” \t“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. Daniel’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 Spillman

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 Wong

Josh is a highly experienced commercial and corporate litigation and international arbitration lawyer, with a particular focus on professional negligence cases, international joint venture disputes, asset tracing and enforcement actions that involve multiple jurisdictions. He also has a successful record in toxic tort/industrial disease cases, and a strong public procurement and judicial review practice. Josh acts for a broad range of clients, including organisations active in China and South East Asia, utilising his in-depth knowledge and experience of practicing in both China and Hong Kong. He regularly acts for clients in the financial services, energy and extractive, insurance, manufacturing and retail sectors. He has extensive expertise representing clients in ad hoc arbitrations and arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SCC and UNCITRAL rules, and also specialises in security, asset tracing and enforcement actions involving the CIS, India, China and offshore jurisdictions such as BVI, Cayman and Belize. 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.