Fielding a team of 'real experts in commercial litigation' chaired by Anthony Riem, PCB Byrne is increasingly engaged in big-ticket disputes across a range of sectors, including natural resources, industrials, real estate, and finance. The 'hugely knowledgeable' Trevor Mascarenhas' recent engagements have covered aircraft leasing and banking matters, while the 'thorough' Olga Bischof is especially noted for her experience in cross-border work.  Other key figures include the 'calm and knowledgeable' Nick Ractliff and the formidable Catherine Eason.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘PCB have been leaders in this field for over two decades. They created much of what we know as the premium market - not just the usual offering. Highly regarded.’

  • ‘Trevor Mascarenhas - knows everyone and everything. Nick Ractliff - exactly the person you need - calm and knowledgeable.’

  • ‘PCB is an exceptional boutique firm with a particular emphasis on civil fraud disputes.’

  • ‘Trevor Mascarenhas is hugely knowledgeable when it comes to civil fraud disputes.’

  • ‘An outstanding defendant fraud practice – always able to expose a weakness in a claimant’s case. I have worked with the firm for over 15 years in a wide range of difficult fraud-related cases.’

  • ‘Neil Micklethwaite – inspires confidence in his clients and understands the tactics of his cases.'

  • 'Olga Bischof – a thoughtful and thorough lawyer who has particular expertise in dealing with foreign clients.'
  • 'Cath Eason – a formidable organiser of cases and trials.'
  • ‘PCB Byrne has a very strong partner team. They are real experts in commercial litigation and fraud in particular. They are able to build incredibly strong relationships with their clients.’

Key clients

  • IPJSC United Company Rusal
  • Veetee Rice Limited
  • South Bank Hotel Management Company
  • Andrey Guriev
  • Banco Sabadell
  • CargoLogicAir Ltd
  • Verum Plus AG
  • Elizabeth Orbell and Andrew Green
  • LLC Eurochem North-West 2
  • Blake Clough Consulting Limited
  • Banco Nacional de Cuba and the Republic of Cuba
  • Banco Nacional de Cuba
  • Admintrust Verwaltungs Anstalt and Cato Trust Reg. as Trustees of the Lake Cauma Trust.
  • Custos Group Limited
  • ABFA Commodities Trading Ltd (formerly VTB Commodities Trading Designated Activity Company)

Work highlights

Acted for Rusal against Vladimir Potanin and his company, Whiteleave, in claims worth c. $3-5 billion under an agreement for the management of Norilsk Nickel, the Russian nickel and palladium producer.
Acted for Andrey Guriev in the defence of the high-profile claim brought by Alexander Gorbachev in relation to PhosAgro, one of the world’s largest fertiliser companies.
Acted for Banco Nacional de Cuba in defending Commercial Court debt claims totalling in excess of EUR 1.4 billion, brought by ICBC Standard Bank.

Practice head

Anthony Riem

Other key lawyers

Trevor Mascarenhas; Nick Ractliff; Neil Micklethwaite; Olga Bischof; Cath Eason; Tom McKernan; Andrew McLeod