
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
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Neil Micklethwaite – inspires confidence in his clients and understands the tactics of his cases.'
- ‘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.’
- ‘Trevor Mascarenhas is hugely knowledgeable when it comes to civil fraud disputes.’
- ‘PCB is an exceptional boutique firm with a particular emphasis on civil fraud disputes.’
- ‘Trevor Mascarenhas - knows everyone and everything. Nick Ractliff - exactly the person you need - calm and knowledgeable.’
- ‘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.’
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.
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.

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Matthew Wescott
Matthew Wescott
Practice head
Anthony Riem
Other key lawyers
Trevor Mascarenhas; Nick Ractliff; Neil Micklethwaite; Olga Bischof; Cath Eason; Tom McKernan; Andrew McLeod; Matthew Wescott
