For one client, Macfarlanes LLP is ‘unsurpassed in the depth and breadth of its quality’, with an established practice acting for leading banks, funds, and corporates on the full range of commercial disputes. Post M&A disputes, fraud, shareholder disputes, and complex negligence matters are all strengths of the practice, headed up by ’superb leader’ Matt McCahearty. Lois Horne is ‘technically brilliant’, and specialises in disputes, particularly in the private equity, financial services, and crypto sectors. Christopher Charlton stands out for his ’first-rate legal mind’, while Iain Mackie is regarded as ‘hugely experienced, has excellent judgement and utterly unflappable’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Iain Mackie: hugely experienced, excellent judgement and utterly unflappable.'
‘Chris Charlton is a stellar, go-to lawyer. The very best that London has to offer. He is the perfect combination of legal excellence, procedural nous and strategic skill. I would place Chris in the top echelon of Partners in commercial dispute resolution.
‘Macfarlanes' Commercial Litigation Department is unsurpassed in the depth and breadth of its quality: there are a number of superb partners and senior associates. I believe that it outclasses many of the supposed magic circle firms.’
‘Matt McCahearty is a superb leader, with a very good feel for the overall shape of a case, strategy and tactics, and how it will play out. Exactly what one needs in a partner. Lois Horne is fantastic: all over the details, extremely thorough, and very, very bright. Fred Snowball is impressively tenacious in advancing his client's interests.’
‘Very professional and tough litigation team, led by the exceptional and responsive Lois Horne.’
‘Lois Horne is technically brilliant.’
Key clients
- Thirteen Bitcoin Developers
- NatWest (formerly Royal Bank of Scotland)
- Abzena
- CFE Finance Group
- Sucden Financial Limited
- Eternity Sky Investments Limited
- Raven Ventures International Limited
- Bank J. Safra Sarasin AG
Work highlights
Acting for a number of core Bitcoin Developers in the highly publicised claim by Dr Craig Wright, who claimed to have created Bitcoin and released it publicly in 2009 under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto.
Continuing to defend NatWest in multi £billion collective proceedings relating to alleged FX manipulation. This includes successfully applying to the UK Supreme Court for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s November 2023 judgment regarding the test of certifying collective proceedings on an opt-in or opt-out basis.
Advising Abzena (a pharmaceutical company) in successfully resolving its dispute against Epsilogen Limited in relation to the development and manufacture of a novel antibody for use in an early phase clinical trial.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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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.
Practice head
Matt McCahearty
Other key lawyers
Lois Horne; Christopher Charlton; Iain Mackie; Fred Snwoball; Laura Bridgewater