Hailed as ‘one of the very best firms for blue-chip, highest value banking and financial services litigation,’ Clifford Chance LLP’s practice is market-leading, representing a raft of high-profile banks and financial institutions. Advising clients on litigation risk is another strength of the practice, commended for handling LIBOR transition and derivatives issues. Team head Ian Moulding boasts ‘a wealth of experience’, and ’has the ear of the largest banks and financial institutions for their highest-value work’. Helen Carty is ‘simply outstanding’, and has specific experience in misselling claims and derivatives transactions-related disputes, while Matthew Newick, Kate Scott, and Kelwin Nicholls are all known for their work on complex, multijurisdictional mandates. Lindsay Bickerton is commended for her expertise in LIBOR manipulation and investment management issues. Michael Gorrie and Guy Burkitt are integral to the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The go-to firm for heavyweight litigation, with strength in depth and all the experience across multiple fields.’
‘Ian Moulding: excellent leader of the team. Lindsay Bickerton: up-and-coming partner with great future.’
‘Helen Carty is simply outstanding. Her knowledge of banking law and command of the field is second to none. She combines exceptional intellect with extremely high emotional intelligence. There is no better team leader for a heavy-duty banking dispute.’
‘One of the very best firms for blue-chip, highest value banking and financial services litigation of all kinds. Serious strength in depth at all levels.'
- 'Advises on emerging risk issues for banks, including "traditional" risks, such as Quincecare and derivatives claims, and emerging litigation risks, including LIBOR transition and greenwashing. The firm is increasingly involved in defending claims arising from new technology, or in the fintech space, including blockchain and crypto-related issues.’
‘Guy Burkitt — Guy was a superstar Senior Associate and will be a superstar partner. Thoughtful, hard-working, superbly capable, highly-experienced. Has been involved in many of the largest banking disputes in recent years and advises on USD LIBOR cartel litigation.'
- 'Kate Scott — heavily involved in tech disputes for financial institutions and fintech disputes. Major focus on institutional disputes for crypto exchanges and crypto market makers.'
- 'Ian Moulding — has the ear of the largest banks and financial institutions for their highest-value work. A wealth of experience. Understands the internal drivers of the large institutions.’
- 'Consistently involved in the highest profile cases in banking litigation. They are each standout individuals - and hugely dedicated to their clients' cause. They are also exceptionally easy people to deal with. Simply stellar.'
- 'Excellent team - real strength in depth in large-scale, commercial litigation. Particularly well-known for securities litigation, where they are one of two market leaders.'
Work highlights
Defending two financial institution clients in an action brought by the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver for 19 closed US banks against a number of USD LIBOR panel banks.
Advising Link Fund Solutions Limited (LFSL) in its capacity as authorised corporate director (ACD) of the Woodford Equity Income Fund (WEIF) in relation to group litigation brought by retail investors under s.138D FSMA following the fund's suspension and subsequent winding-up. To date, more than 18,000 claims have been issued against LFSL, many of which have been settled (as explained further below).
Advised on complex cross-border restructuring litigation, including advising a group of noteholders in respect of potential avenues to challenge a bank's decision to transfer certain notes (with a combined notional value of €2 billion) from one bank to another.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Lindsay Bickerton
Guy Burkitt
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Michael Gorrie
Practice head
Ian Moulding
Other key lawyers
Helen Carty; Matthew Newick; Kate Scott; Kelwin Nicholls; Lindsay Bickerton; Michael Gorrie; Guy Burkitt