Gatehouse Chambers

Commercial Dispute Resolution, International

David Lewis KC has very substantial experience in commercial disputes. His broad-based commercial practice spans domestic and international litigation and arbitration as well as other forms of ADR, securities and financial services litigation, contractual disputes, directors and shareholders disputes, joint ventures and partnerships disputes, civil fraud, sales of goods and services, franchising, professional negligence, and agency (in particular commercial agency).

He is recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 for commercial dispute resolution.  They refer to him as "a bright and strategically creative silk" who is “incredibly impressive”.  They note the fact that not only is he “an excellent advocate” but also that he is “highly user-friendly”, “down to earth, very commercial”. “When you have a difficult court case, he’s the guy you want.  He really fights your corner, he’s extremely thorough and he knows his stuff”.

Recent cases:

• Norman v N & CJ Horton Property [2026] EWHC 959 (Ch), before Mr Justice Leech, David successfully resisted an appeal brought against the court’s refusal to permit amendments to add money laundering allegations. Leech J considered the application of the Anwior test to civil proceedings, rejecting the appellant’s submission that the test required modification to the civil standard of proof, and gave guidance on the requirements to properly plead allegations of money laundering.

• APK Communications & Ors v Vodafone Limited [2026] EWHC 811 (Comm). Leading James Shaw in this substantial Commercial Court claim issued by 62 claimants in relation to the Commercial Agents Regulations 1993, exercises of contractual discretions, alleged breaches of good faith duties, and challenges to alleged contractual penalties, the Court approved a split trial with direction for claimant sampling.

• Advanced Multi-Technology for Medical Industry (trading as Hitex), Caramel Sales Ltd, David Popeck v Uniserve Limited [2025] EWCA Civ 1212. Leading Edward Knight in a three day appeal (Males LJ, Phillips LJ, Snowden LJ) following a two-week trial of a $40 million sales of goods claim involving contractual variation, authority of agents, application of s50 SOGA, fraudulent misrepresentation.

• Revedor Malta Ltd v (1) Kazarez (2) Dockmill Capital Ltd [2025] EWHC 640 (Comm): leading Rob Hammond for the successful claimant at trial and consequentials, obtaining specific performance, s.39 SCA relief, and partial indemnity costs. Concerned the €18m sale of a yacht, engaging issues of foreign law, agency, the interaction of sanctions with the Defendant’s restoration to the Isle of Man register, and exceptions to without prejudice privilege.

• SU Consultancy Ltd v Singh & Ors [2025] EWHC 564 (Comm): leading Michael Maris on behalf of the successful party following a multi-week, multi-million pound High Court trial premised on unlawful means conspiracy and constructive trust, at both the trial stage (SU Consultancy Ltd v Singh & Ors [2024] EWHC 1596 (Comm) and at the consequentials stage ([2025] EWHC 564 (Comm)).

• Advanced Multi-Technology For Medical Industry v Uniserve [2024] EWHC 1725 (Ch), leading Edward Knight; acting for the successful party (awarded circa USD 20 million) in a multi-week High Court trial involving breach of contract and claims under s50 of the Sales of Goods Act 1979, and successfully defending the counterclaim alleging allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of contract.

• Norman v Horton Partnership  [2024] EWHC 2994 (Ch), representing the successful claimant in this multi-party action, resisting amendments to add money laundering allegations. The judgment considers whether the test in the criminal case of R v Anwoir [2009] 1 WLR 980  applies to civil proceedings, and the manner in which it is to be applied.

• Patel v (1) Minerva Services Delware Inc, (2) Baxendal-Walker, (3) Slater [2024] EWHC 172 (Ch) leading William Skjott, acting for second and third defendants; a claim involving Abuse of process; Anti-arbitration injunctions; Anti-suit injunction.  The central issue in the application was whether the institution of foreign (Delaware, USA) court and arbitral proceedings could found claims of malicious prosecution and abuse of process. The court refused the claimant permission to advance claims of malicious prosecution and abuse of process extending to foreign arbitral proceedings.

• La Cotte Consulting Ltd v Sovereign Steel Stockholders (A Firm) [2021] EWHC 1517: leading Jack Dillon in three-week High Court claim, conducted remotely, involving breach of confidence; breach of contract; conspiracy; dishonest assistance; joint venture agreements; and loss of profits.

• Acting for a group of institutional investors on a £100m+ claim relating to a major international company.  The claim is based on "dishonest delay" under paragraph 5, Schedule 10A Financial Services & Markets Act 2000.

• £70m cross-border (UK/UAE) dispute involving alleged breach of partnership/joint venture agreement and claims of breach of fiduciary duty and lack of good faith.

• Representing the claimant in an LCIA International arbitration for breach of an investment agreement (£50m plus).

• Representing the defendants and counterclaimants in a multi-party dispute centring around unlawful means conspiracy (£5m plus).

• Representing the defendants responding to a claim in deceit for fraudulent misrepresentation brought against a company and a former director.

• Representing the claimant in secret profit claim involving diversion of a commercial opportunity by malfeasant directors (£10m).

• (1) Nicholas Christy (2) Peter Brewin v (1) Bathroom Brands Holdings Ltd, (2) Cintep development Ltd [2020] EWHC 3210 (Ch): £10m commercial chancery case relating to the breakdown of relationships between the two founders and equal shareholders.

• HH Sheikh Tahnoon Al Nehayna v Ioannis Kent [2018] EWHC 333 (Comm) & [2018] EWHC 614 (Comm), leading a junior member of chambers in a complex €22 million Commercial Court claim.

• A v B [2017] €300 LCIA International Arbitration claim for deceit, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract.

• A v B [2017] €100 million International Arbitration.

• Tube Tech International Limited Ltd v Intertek Investigation Services UK Limited (ongoing) representing the defendants in a contract dispute valued at £10-£15 million involving issues including contractual penalty clauses.

• James Rogers v Andrew Barr acting for the Claimant at trial and in relation to the taking of an account in regard to a partnership dispute [2017] EWHC 1423 (Ch)

• Beavis v ParkingEye - Supreme Court - [2015] UKSC 67 [2015] 3W.L.R 1373, representing (with others) the Appellant in his appeal to the Supreme Court relating to the penalty rule (the law relating to contractual penalties).

David Lewis KC is an accredited mediator.

Call: 1997 | Silk: 2019

• Commercial Bar Association

• London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

• London Court of International Arbitration

• Employment Lawyers Association

• LL.B Hons

• ADR Group Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator

• Registered Legal Practitioner, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)