KC Surgery: Asset Recovery

Mary is a dispute resolution partner at Kingsley Napley.  She is a commercial litigator with a specialism in civil fraud and asset tracing.  She acts for individuals, companies, insolvency practitioners and other law firms. Mary can supervise your search order, loves a freezing injunction and in recent years has developed expertise in cases involving bribery.  People say nice things about her in the directories including one comment which compared her to a dog.  Mary really needs a new photo as she has much more grey hair now.

Rob Armstrong is a managing director in the Restructuring Advisory practice, based in the London office. He has more than 15 years of experience assisting clients with allegations of fraud, misfeasance, other financial misconduct or improper behavior.

Prior to joining Kroll (Duff & Phelps rebranded as Kroll in 2021), Rob was an appointment taking director at RSM in the Special Investigations team. In this role, Rob dealt with a portfolio of cases which involved either asset tracing, high-net-worth individuals or complex insolvency litigation.

Rob specializes in contentious insolvency litigation, providing solutions to creditors and other stakeholders to recover assets both in the UK and globally. He leads complex insolvency appointments, including provisional liquidations, high-profile bankruptcies, corporate and personal fraud investigations, and pursuing directors for misfeasance.

Previous insolvency appointments include:

Trustee in bankruptcy to a previously high net worth individual with creditors in excess of £800 million. The estate included ongoing litigation in three separate jurisdictions, with a combined value in excess of £1 billion.

Liquidator of a group of 23 companies which were involved in an alleged fraudulent investment scheme using carbon credits. The group of companies was set up in a complex structure both in the UK and offshore to make recoveries for investors difficult. This appointment required working closely with many government agencies. 

Trustee in bankruptcy to an Indian steel magnate. The case involved investigating assets held in trusts and offshore corporate entities not originally disclosed. 

Rob received a bachelor’s degree with honors in management studies, specializing in finance, from the University of Leicester. He received a Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency (CPI) and is a qualified insolvency practitioner with the Joint Insolvency Exam Board (JIEB).

Philippa Hill, Partner, Forensic & Investigation Services, has specialised in accounting disputes and investigations since 2001, prior to which she was an auditor.

She leads the Accounting Integrity and Conduct cross-disciplinary group focusing on suspected financial irregularities and associated claims and enquiries. She supports subject matter experts e.g. audit partners to act as expert witness on breach and acts as expert on accounting and quantum matters, including audit negligence or other misstatement or financial misrepresentation claims. She has led major enquiries into the collapse of public interest entities and the associated conduct of finance officers and professionals.

She has testified in High Court, arbitration, regulatory and criminal proceedings.

Philippa is ranked as a Global Leader in Who’s Who Legal 2023 for expert witnesses. Her entry in ‘Who’s Who Legal’ 2021 for expert witnesses notes: “Philippa is very thorough and possesses an impressive depth of expertise in professional negligence matters”.

Caroline acts for corporate and individual clients in relation to a variety of disputes involving breaches of contract and misrepresentations, civil fraud and asset tracing, allegations of bribery and corruption, regulatory and health & safety breaches, breaches of restrictive covenants, and Judicial Review Caroline has experience of litigating through the Courts domestically and internationally.

She is also, however, experienced in resolving disputes through arbitration, mediation and other alternative means of resolution. Caroline is currently part of the team defending a multi-billion dollar fraud claim in the Cayman Islands.

Charlotte has a strong reputation in the Business Crime field, with expertise in corporate crime disputes/investigations, complex fraud, corruption and money laundering matters, sanctions, extradition and INTERPOL cases, and private prosecutions.

Since joining the firm in 2010, she has represented clients in some of the most recent high-profile and high-value cases, acting for individuals and corporates in a range of sectors, including government, royalty, entertainment, finance, construction, engineering and retail.

Recognised as a 'Rising Star' in Legal 500 2023, Charlotte was noted for her international practice, with standout involvements sanctions, extradition, and cross-border business crime proceedings.

Charlotte specialises in advising clients facing domestic and international internal, criminal and/or regulatory investigations, including those brought by the SFO, the FCA, the CMA, the City of London Police, the US DOJ and SEC. Her private prosecution experience includes assisting the team that successfully prosecuted what was then the highest-value private prosecution brought by an individual (R (Mirchandani) v Somaia).

Her cases are often international, requiring co-operation with jurisdictions including in the EU, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, and the UAE. She successfully discharged extradition requests from India, Greece, and Russia, including the leading case on the UK’s approach to/treatment of women facing Russian extradition requests.

Charlotte is the President of the International Association of Young Lawyers Commercial Fraud Commission.

"Had a fantastic grasp of both the details of the case and at the same time maintained a good overview, which enabled his advice to be particularly valuable. When conducting the trial, his grasp of the detail was a very important factor in our success"

Legal 500 UK, 2023

James is an experienced disputes lawyer and courtroom advocate. He advises, and represents in court, many of the leading trust companies and financial institutions in Jersey. A seasoned litigator in commercial and chancery matters, James has particular specialisms in contentious cross-border estates work and in cross-border insolvency/restructuring and is part of Ogier's multi-disciplinary Restructuring and Corporate Recovery team. James is one of the UK's and Channel Islands' Top 35 Under 35 (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).

Ranked as a Next Generation Partner in Civil Fraud and Commercial Litigation by The Legal 500, Natalie is a partner specialising in complex multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation including banking and financial services litigation, insolvency, fraud and asset recovery.  She is a “partner who is one to watch”, “personable, professional and user friendly, great to work with, always on top of the detail”. Natalie has expertise in litigation and arbitration involving banking and financial services, insolvency, trust, contractual, partnership, shareholder and commercial disputes.  She has a particular specialism in fraud and asset recovery and has acted on some high profile Russian and CIS cases.  She has worked on multi-jurisdictional asset tracing cases, including obtaining extensive Worldwide Freezing, Search, Disclosure and Passport Surrender Orders in one of Russia’s biggest ever alleged bank frauds.

Rick is Co-Head of the Fraud and Insolvency team. Rick specialises in complex, high value cross-border fraud and insolvency matters, including those which involve claims for breach of contract, fraud and/or breach of fiduciary duties and asset tracing. He has also worked on a number of offshore trust matters in the Caribbean, Gibraltar and elsewhere. He regularly deals with and instructs investigators and offshore lawyers. Rick Brown is based in the London office and is also BVI qualified. Rick has considerable experience in acting for insolvency practitioners, mainly on contentious complex cross-border insolvency matters. He has valuable experience of interlocutory hearings and trials in the Commercial Court in the British Virgin Islands and elsewhere in the Caribbean and has significant experience acting for clients on claims involving parties from China, Russia and the Former Soviet Union, as well as the Middle East.

Syed's great depth of experience in serious fraud, financial crime and multi-jurisdictional investigations has earmarked him as a robust solicitor. He is proficient in both civil and criminal cases, where there is an allegation of corporate wrongdoing. Syed has substantial experience in advising corporate entities and their directors and officers in relation to investigations conducted by all the major enforcement agencies. He has also built an impressive reputation in the field of asset-tracing and recovery, with a respected track record regarding international disputes where urgent relief is required involving freezing orders and recovering misappropriated assets.

Syed is recognised for his sector-leading, pioneering cryptocurrency work, having secured a number of significant legal firsts when representing institutions and individuals. His specialist expertise in civil recovery proceedings under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) has also led to him recording notable successes for clients in national and international cases.

Syed has a dynamic practice involving complex sanctions issues and related litigation. He has notable cases in this area, including representation of public limited companies (PLC’s) trading on the London Stock Exchange in relation to international sanctions on Russia, public joint-stock companies (PJSC’s) trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange regarding UK and EU sanctions on Russia and a major Russian power engineering company headquartered in St Petersburg relating to international sanctions advice. Syed regularly prepares licence applications to release frozen funds or economic resources for designated persons and entities. He is also adept at challenging sanctions designations.

He is known for his abilities in multijurisdictional, worldwide asset recovery cases – including obtaining and defending the full range of injunctions - high-stakes commercial and financial disputes and cross-border investigations involving attacks on clients’ interests by numerous governments or agencies. His skill in defending high-profile corruption, fraud and regulatory allegations and his ability to negotiate with investigators have ensured his clients receive the strongest representation.

The Chambers UK Guide regularly ranks Syed as an elite solicitor. It has called him “a very technically gifted lawyer’’ and has said he “gets on top of all the facts in complex cases’’. Chambers has described him as “very committed to the work he does’’ and said he “leaves no stone unturned and has a passion for what he does’’. It has repeatedly highlighted his expertise in POCA work and asset recovery proceedings. The 2023 edition of Chambers praises his ability to “forge ground in fast-developing areas’’ and his cryptocurrency case skills.

Syed’s clients include corporates and their directors, financial institutions, hedge funds, high net worth individuals and international private clients around the world. Syed has a particular interest in litigation arising from mergers and acquisitions, derivatives and securities offerings (IPO’s, SPAC IPO’s and debt offerings) and works with private equity funds and private sponsors for public companies.

He is adept at advising corporate entities and their directors and officers on their regulatory and compliance obligations and in investigations conducted by agencies such as the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency and HM Revenue & Customs. His ability to assess complex issues, establish the facts and analyse challenging sets of circumstances have seen him excel on internal investigations carried out for Rahman Ravelli’s corporate clients.

Syed routinely advises clients in FCA investigations into alleged market abuse, breaches of regulated activities and unauthorised trading. He is sought by asset management firms and chief investment officers at hedge funds facing enforcement proceedings and financial services litigation.

The Legal 500 has called Syed “a creative thinker’’, “a master of detail’’ and someone who “entirely devotes himself to his cases’’. It has drawn attention to the wide variety of global corporate wrongdoing and multi-jurisdictional bribery and corruption investigations he has worked on. It has praised his “incredible depth of experience when it comes to fraud matters, and in particular those with an international element or where the National Crime Agency are involved.’’ The 2023 edition calls him “one of the most well-respected names’’ in the legal world and emphasises his abilities in emerging areas such as SPACs and cryptocurrency fraud.

Syed is also in demand to work on cases where there is the possibility of securing a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) for clients. The Legal 500 has noted Rahman Ravelli’s expertise in advising on DPAs and recognised that Syed “goes the extra mile to get the best results for his clients in leading on a multi-jurisdictional matter concerning this area”.

His recent work has involved global energy sector corruption allegations, major financial services cases, fintech companies and many of the most complex worldwide asset recovery cases.

Henry Farris is a partner in the litigation and arbitration team at Withersworldwide.

He has a broad commercial litigation practice, working on complex disputes in the financial services, banking and corporate sectors, often with an international or multi-jurisdictional element.

He has particular expertise in (i) disputes arising out of the private equity and investment fund sectors; (ii) brokerage and capital markets disputes (iii) disputes relating to banking services and (iv) shareholder and company claims.  He also has significant recent experience advising on disputes relating to cryptoassets and digital payment services.

Recognised as one of the leading dispute resolution lawyers of his generation, Trevor brings his extensive legal knowledge and shrewd analysis to bear for clients in highly-complex matters across various jurisdictions.

A thought leader and a ‘distinguished name in the English litigation market’, Trevor was awarded 2019’s Client Choice Award for Arbitration and ADR in the UK. Surveying senior corporate council only, this award recognised Trevor’s exemplary client service and his ability to add real value to clients’ businesses – above and beyond other players in the market.

He has been lauded by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal for commercial litigation, banking litigation, civil fraud, asset recovery and his experience in co-ordinating proceedings in several jurisdictions, particularly in relation to injunctive relief.

Described recently by Chambers & Partners as "superlative and top of the tree" and as a "renowned trial advocate", Liz is widely recognized as a first class litigator, noted for her intellectual rigour, hands-on approach and team work. In addition to general commercial/contract/company disputes, she has particular expertise in civil fraud and asset tracing, banking and financial services (including regulatory work), contentious trust and probate, and has nearly 30 years' experience in the music business. Most of her cases are complex, multi-party and often cross-jurisdictional disputes. Liz is noted by clients and directories for her highly persuasive advocacy and her ability to master and control very large scale and often cross jurisdictional litigation. She regularly works in the Channel Islands and is called to the Bar in the BVI. Liz is Head of Chambers.

Liz also has significant regulatory and disciplinary experience, having been Complaints Ombudsman for LIFFE between 2000 and 2008. Liz is a well known mediator, and this forms a small but significant part of her practice. She also sits as a deputy High Court Judge in the Chancery Division.

Liz has fought several cases in different jurisdictions where the governing law of the dispute was Saudi law, in particular in the areas of contract law, agency, tort, and commercial distribution within Saudi Arabia.

Sarah is a specialist Commercial and Insurance practitioner with particular expertise in Construction and Engineering, Property Damage and Professional Negligence and Indemnity work both in the construction and non-construction field. Sarah also carries out a significant amount of insolvency work in those areas and has specific expertise in the insolvency of insurers and the cross-border effects of such insolvency.

Sarah has a wealth of experience in high value, technically and legally complex cases in all forums: litigation, arbitration (both domestic and international), adjudication and mediation.  Sarah is also an active TECBAR accredited adjudicator and a CEDR accredited mediator.

Sarah is recommended as a leading junior for her construction and professional negligence work in The Legal 500 and Chambers UK as well as for commercial litigation and insurance in Legal 500. A “clear orator, who is extremely knowledgeable and approachable”, she is noted for her “tenacious” advocacy and negotiating skills (Chambers UK) and her “analytical”, “pragmatic and commercial” approach (The Legal 500).

Sarah is the author of the leading textbook, Construction Insolvency, published by Sweet & Maxwell in 2022.

Jessica specialises in commercial chancery litigation, with a particular focus on insolvency, property and commercial disputes. She is an experienced advocate who appears regularly in the High Court, and is frequently instructed in matters which are of a complex or urgent nature. Before coming to the Bar Jessica read Jurisprudence at Brasenose College, Oxford, and obtained an LLM in Corporate Law from University College London.

Thomas practises mainly in the Chancery Division and Commercial Court, as well as in the BVI and Cayman Islands, and has particular experience in heavy multi-party disputes. Regarded as one of the leading advocates at the commercial chancery Bar Thomas was awarded Chancery Silk of the Year 2021 by Chambers and Partners. He spends a good part of his professional life in the courtroom and has appeared in a very large number of reported decisions (over the last four years alone Thomas has appeared in over 40 reported cases). Thomas also has a substantial international arbitration practice.

He is recommended for civil fraud, commercial chancery (band 1), real estate litigation and professional negligence in Chambers UK Bar 2022, and for commercial dispute resolution in Chambers Global (band 1). He is also recommended for civil fraud, commercial litigation, banking and finance, property litigation, professional negligence, and company in The Legal 500 UK 2023.

Thomas has a particular interest in fraud claims and is well known for his expertise in obtaining and defending freezing and related interim orders, including Norwich Pharmacal orders. He is also well known for his experience in committal applications arising out of fraud claims, having appeared in some of the most significant cases in this area over the last 10 years. He is also instructed to provide chancery and company law input in very high value matrimonial disputes and has appeared on a number of occasions in leading cases in the Family Division.

His advocacy has been commended by the Court of Appeal as “lucid and compelling” (Zinda v BOS) and as “engaging and very able” (Platform Home Loans v BOS).

He is the author and editor of many leading textbooks, including Civil Fraud: Law, Practice and Procedure, details of which can be found under ‘Publications’. Thomas’ book on the life and work of Sir Sydney Kentridge KC, The Mandela Brief,  was published in Summer 2022.

Dan McCourt Fritz has a broad commercial chancery practice with a particular focus on domestic and international commercial and commercial fraud disputes often involving alleged defaults by trustees or other fiduciaries. Dan has also developed specialist interests in civil contempt proceedings and breach of confidence claims.

Dan is recognised by the main directories as a leading junior in civil fraud, chancery commercial, and company and partnership law; Chambers & Partners 2021 describes him as “A rising star” and “brilliant at what he does”. The directories also emphasise Dan’s excellence in handling clients – “Clients absolutely love him” (Chambers & Partners, 2021); “he is superb with clients, which really marks him out” (Legal 500, 2021) – and his strengths as a team player (“an absolute pleasure to work with” (Chambers & Partners, 2021); “A collaborative team player who is great on detail” (Legal 500, 2021); “Fantastic to lead and work with” (Who’s Who Legal, 2020)).

Dan has substantial experience handling trials and heavy applications in both the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court as sole or lead counsel, complemented by a growing arbitration practice. He is also very comfortable as part of a larger counsel team and is currently working with a wide range of leaders, including in matters in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Elizabeth has a very broad commercial chancery practice. She frequently appears   in the High Court, County Court and tribunals, both in led teams and in her own right. She is often instructed in complex commercial matters with an international element.

Recent work has involved jurisdictions including the Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Mauritius, Andorra, Switzerland, Italy, Russia and the Marshall Islands.

Elizabeth’s work frequently involves asset tracing across a number of jurisdictions and working closely with insolvency practitioners, litigation funders and other professionals.

Tim has a strong commercial and chancery litigation practice, specialising in the areas of commercial fraud, shareholder disputes, court-appointed receiverships, financial services related claims and breach of confidence, ‘soft’ intellectual property and sports disciplinary disputes.

Tim has a particular expertise in worldwide freezing orders and search orders, and much of his work involves injunctions and/or complex jurisdiction and conflicts of laws issues in England and Wales as well as in a variety of common law jurisdictions. He has been instructed to advise and act in many high profile commercial cases, including acting for a number of the defendants in National Trust Bank v Yurov, and for the wife the high value divorce case Akhmedova v Akhmedov. He has been involved in a number of important recent cases in the developing area of receiverships by way of equitable execution and cross-border recognition of court appointed receivers, and he is the author of the chapter of Kerr and Hunter on Receivers and Administrators on Recognition of Foreign Court-Appointed Receivers (2020) dealing with cross-border recognition. He has also been involved in the leading recent cases on collective investment schemes in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Most recently, during 2020 he has completed a course on Cryptocurrency and Disruption at LSE, has delivered a lecture on litigation involving cryptocurrencies and is currently instructed on a fraud claim involving the misappropriation of cryptocurrency.

Tim is called to the Bar in the BVI, and is currently instructed in various high value cases in the BVI, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands.

Simon has a broad general commercial and chancery practice, with particular experience of litigation involving civil fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, banking and finance disputes, regulatory and disciplinary proceedings (in particular those related to financial services) and trusts litigation. He is regularly instructed in significant cases in these areas and is comfortable either as sole counsel or as part of a team. He was part of the team acting for the Defendants in the RBS Right issue litigation in the Chancery Division.

Simon has been recommended for a number of years in Chambers UK as a leading junior in the fields of Banking and Finance, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud, Commercial Chancery, and Financial Services and in The Legal 500 for Banking and Finance, Commercial Litigation, Civil Fraud, and Financial Services Regulation.  He is ranked in the top tier for Banking and Finance (both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners), Commercial Litigation (The Legal 500) and Civil Fraud (The Legal 500).

Dean Armstrong KC is a very experienced litigator who is widely recognised as one of the leading cyber and data lawyers in the country. Dean is ranked Band 1 in Chambers & Partners for his crypto work.

Dean is currently instructed in several of the highest profile cases in the cyber/crypto world some of which have strong insolvency links. Dean is also instructed in one of the most groundbreaking actions involving the use of athletes personal data. Dean has a background in fraud matters with extensive experience in this area.

Dean is a published author on cryptocurrency, blockchain, cyber security, cyber litigation and cyber insurance. Dean was the only silk involved in drafting COMBAR response to the Law Commission consultation paper on Digital Assets and was the only UK barrister involved in drafting the Virtual Asset Service Provider Travel Rules.

Lance has a commercial and chancery practice, with a particular focus on international litigation, civil multi-jurisdictional fraud, company and insolvency cases.  He has a firm grasp of the commercial realities of any litigation and understands clients’ needs and wishes.

Lance has recently been involved in cases involving allegations of fraud and/or bribery said to have happened in Ethiopia, United States of America, Canada, France, Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Malaysia as well as in England, many involving freezing injunctions and other injunctive relief.  He also has expertise in company and commercial matters including unfair prejudice petitions, share warranty claims, hedge fund claims and professional negligence cases.

In insolvency matters, Lance acts both for and against insolvency practitioners in claims against former directors, accountants and others, as well as having done a substantial number of cases involving more technical issues that arise under the Insolvency Act 1986.

Lance was appointed a Recorder in 2005 and a Deputy High Court Judge of the Chancery Division from 2016 to 2022 and sits in both the criminal and civil jurisdictions.

PJ has enjoyed a long and successful career at the Bar having previously been a partner in a Holborn firm of solicitors. He took silk in 2013 – the only costs specialist to do so that year.

PJ’s practice covers costs litigation, commercial dispute resolution and professional negligence. Recommended by the legal directories for his "great knowledge in relation to complex,cross-border, multi-party-funded litigation", he is instructed by a wide range of solicitors from City firms to High Street practitioners. As well as cases in England & Wales PJ has appeared in the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal in relation to the legality of CFAs and in the DIFC in Dubai and much of his work has an international dimension.

PJ is recognised as an expert in the field of costs and is often instructed on appeals in relation to problems over retainers, CFAs etc. He is also often instructed to draft bespoke DBAs, CFAs or CCFAs for firms of solicitors.

PJ sits as a Deputy District Judge and is a Bar Council appointed High Court costs assessor. PJ is also an ADR group accredited mediator and is on the Costs ADR (CADR) panel of mediators.

David Berkley KC has been advising and representing clients in business disputes for more than 30 years and enjoys a substantial practice in London and across the UK. David has a busy practice assisting in the resolution of complex disputes in the fields of commercial litigation, banking disputes, and employment.

David became 3PB’s Head of Chambers in 2019 and is a senior member of 3PB’s Commercial and Chancery Groups. David is a qualified mediator (College of Law accredited) and is willing to act as arbitrator in commercial disputes. He is also a popular choice for direct access instructions.

David's legal expertise includes:

•  Business and Commercial
•  Property
•  Employment
•  Professional Negligence
•  Regulatory and Professional Ethics
•  Entertainment law.

He adopts a practical approach working closely with clients and their solicitors, and business clients direct.

David is also a frequent lecturer having conducted many seminars in-house at Herbert Smith Freehills, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and other leading City and UK regional law firms.

Outside the office, David was a founder, and remains a member, of the Executive Council of the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester. He has an interest in academic and vocational training including a long association with Nottingham Law School and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and was formerly an Honorary Teaching Fellow at Manchester Law School. He is currently acting as consulting editor for Halsbury’s Law.

Jeffery Onions undertakes a wide range of complex commercial and company law disputes work both as an advocate and in an advisory context.  He has particular expertise in banking and finance, company and insolvency, commercial litigation, civil fraud, energy/oil and gas, insurance and reinsurance, shareholder disputes and international arbitration. He is also accepts appointments as an arbitrator and expert.

Chris is a leading company and commercial KC, who is known as an astute strategist, strong advocate and valued team player. He has long been sought after as an expert in complex insolvency and fraud disputes, and has an established general commercial and banking litigation practice in silk. Much of his work raises international issues and conflict of law disputes. Chris has extensive experience in multi-national and disciplinary teams, and enjoys working with closely with professional and lay clients to understand their objectives and achieve the best possible outcome. He is called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI and SVG).”

Jennifer has a wide-ranging commercial chancery practice with a particular emphasis on business disputes. These frequently involve company law, breach of fiduciary duties, joint ventures, partnerships, insolvency and real property issues. She is particularly adept at assisting in cases where these practice areas intersect. She has been involved in a number of group claims in recent years that involved professional negligence, cross-border, fraud and insolvency issues.

Jennifer has appeared as sole counsel in a number of leading cases and is well placed to deal with complex legal issues. She has appeared both led and alone in appeals to the Court of Appeal, High Court and County Court. Jennifer also has significant trial experience and is a skilful cross examiner.

Seb Oram is a Commercial and Construction Law barrister. He is recommended counsel in Who’s Who Legal 2023, Chambers UK 2023 and Legal 500 2023.

Seb advises parties on resolving commercial disputes, particularly for clients in the construction and property sectors. He represents them in the Courts of England and Wales, and in international arbitrations. He is a member of the organising committee of the UK chapter of the Spanish and Latin American Arbitration Society (el Club Español e Iberoamericano del Arbitraje).

Richard has an extensive commercial practice that covers all types of business and commercial disputes, with a particular emphasis on contract, misrepresentation, partnership and director disputes. He regularly advises and represents businesses in both the County Court and High Court.

From his time working as a Solicitor-Advocate, Richard has significant experience of alternative dispute resolution and, in particular, representing clients at mediations.

Catherine specialises in insolvency and property law. She advises individuals, companies and office holders, and has extensive High Court experience. Catherine is ranked as a leading junior for insolvency by Legal 500. Having previously been Junior Counsel to the Crown, she has a particular expertise in directors’ disqualification. Catherine has experience from the County Court to the Court of Appeal acting for landlords and tenants in cases involving forfeiture, nuisance, dilapidations and service charges.

Maria has a busy commercial chancery litigation practice with a particular emphasis on commercial disputes (domestic and international), civil fraud, joint venture disputes, all aspects of company and partnership law (particular emphasis on shareholder remedies, director duties, and derivative claims), and corporate and personal insolvency.

Maria is registered in Part II of the Dubai International Financial Centre’s Register of Legal Practitioners and is presently instructed on several high value matters proceeding in the DIFC.

Maria is appreciated for her robust clear advice and strong advocacy in Court.