The banking litigation practice at Dentons is ‘highly impressive, with deep sectoral experience across the whole range of banking matters’. Derivatives disputes, capital markets disputes, and securitisation cases are all strengths of the practice, which is also skilled at handling retail issues and group actions. Felicity Ewing stands out due to the ’consistently high quality of everything she produces’, and leads the practice with Louisa Caswell. Thomas Leyland has ‘very sound strategic sense’, while Craig Neilson specialises in complex fintech matters. Tom Hanson is noted, particularly for his group litigation expertise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Felicity and team are super responsive and always provide the highest quality advice and support. They always show exceptional expertise and are incredibly easy to deal with.’
‘Felicity's responsiveness and the consistently high quality of everything she produces really makes her stand out amongst her peers. She is a real problem solver and one of the most personable partners we have had the pleasure to deal with, too.’
‘This team provides very clear, timely, pragmatic advice. They are approachable and helpful.’
‘We have worked mostly with Felicity Ewing who has provided excellent support on a complex intra-group claim. She is able to quickly distil large amounts of information and get to the root of the key issues. Her advice is always clear and concise.’
‘The Dentons banking litigation team is highly impressive, with deep sectoral experience across the whole range of banking matters. Teams are well led by calm and experienced partners, assisted by a deep field of talented and hardworking associates. They field lean but highly effective teams which command the confidence of clients and are more than a match for many of their rivals.’
‘Stand out partners are Felicity Ewing and Tom Leyland, both of whom have vast experience of retail, corporate and investment banking matters. Tom Leyland in particular is very cool and collected under pressure, with very sound strategic sense. He really understands his clients' needs and how to respond to them. Tom Hanson is another noteworthy talent.’
Key clients
- Capita
- Currency Index
- DEPFA Bank
- Dye & Durham Corporation
- Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA")
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme ("FSCS")
- HSBC
- IG Index
- JSC TBC Bank
- Lek Securities UK
- Liontrust Asset Management
- Morgan Stanley
Work highlights
Representing the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") on a judicial review brought by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Business Banking a cross-party collection of 117 MPs.
Acting for one of Tanzania's largest retail banks, on a software licensing dispute, which is set down for a four-day trial in April 2025.
Represented FSCS in defending high-profile judicial reviews, including Manchikalapati & Ors v FSCS [2023] EWCA Civ 1006, which clarified FSCS coverage for East West Insurance Company policyholders.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Tom Hanson
Practice head
Felicity Ewing; Louisa Caswell
Other key lawyers
Thomas Leyland; Craig Neilson; Tom Hanson