Dispute resolution
RPC is ‘top tier for banking litigation’, with expertise spanning disputes linked to debt and equity markets, funds, and structured products. Sanctions work is another strength of the practice headed by Simon Hart, who is ’clever, hard-working, and has great judgement’. Tom Hibbert specialises in investment banking litigation and has a focus on capital markets, fund management, and restructuring work, while Simon Hart is skilled at financial markets litigation. Jonathan Cary is noted for his contentious regulatory expertise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Commercial disputes.
Position
Simon's litigation practice has seen him guide clients through a number of complex financial markets disputes, often acting against the largest investment banks. He has acted in claims involving derivatives, structured products, and hedging arrangements. He regularly advises on disputes arising out of loan facilities, commercial agreements and financial restructurings, as well as fraud and asset recovery. He has acted for a wide variety of clients including funds, high net worth investors, financial institutions and insolvency office holders.
Career
Recent work highlights
Acting for a Luxembourg fund, instructed by a French asset manager, in disputes with nine investment banks concerning the close-out of various derivative trades.
Acting for an English corporate in a dispute with a US investment bank concerning a margin call relating to equity options.
Acting for two directors in claims made against them personally in connection with their acquisition of a company pursuant to a management buyout.
Memberships
Officer, Litigation Committee of the International Bar Association
Member of the Financial Services Lawyers Association
Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Broad-based commercial practice; huge strength in depth.'
‘Tom Hibbert: absolutely brilliant.'
'Simon Hart: hugely experienced; unflappable; cross-border issues are a particular area of expertise.' 'Jake Hardy: pugnacious; hugely experienced; very tech-savvy.' 'Emma West: star in the making.’‘Simon Hart is a superb and market leading banking litigator. Involved in the biggest and most demanding banking cases. A class act. Takes charge and drives a case to a successful conclusion.’
‘They are not afraid to take on the magic circle, and fight their client's corner.’
‘Simon Hart is always available for his clients and works extremely hard for the client's goals.’
‘Worked with Jake Hardy on a substantial banking dispute recently. Highly committed and puts real energy into case. Worked with wider team of associates: generally able team.’
'Simon Hart - highly experienced partner and financial services lead. Extremely nice to work with. Clever, hard-working and with great judgment.'
Key clients
- Various holders of Credit Swiss AT1 Bonds Frasers Group plc Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited Adderstone Group Limited Premia UK Holdings Essar entities IIFL Wealth K1 Chambers LLP Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited Kostyantin Zhevago
Work highlights
Acting for Essar Group defendants in a claim brought by The Argo Fund (TAF) concerning US$20m of defaulted bonds issued by a former Essar entity. TAF pleaded a case alleging fraud and unlawful means conspiracy in relation to a noteholder meeting in which a resolution to approve the trustee taking enforcement action under the bonds failed to meet the requisite majority, and so failed to pass.