Commercial Dispute Lawyers

Complex commercial disputes and international litigation

We act both for and against individuals and companies and have even represented nation-states. Our exclusive focus as a firm on contentious work means we are genuinely conflict-free and can pursue claims against the largest companies, banks and financial institutions with complete independence and without fear or favour.

Our commercial litigation cases are invariably complex and sensitive in nature, frequently involving:

• shareholder, share purchase agreement, M&A and investor disputes;
• claims against directors for breach of fiduciary and contractual duties;
• partnership and joint venture disputes;
• disputes with banks and other financial institutions;
• high-value business protection disputes involving the theft and misuse of confidential information, breach of employee restrictive covenants and injunctions to restrain unlawful employee and competitor conduct;
• bankruptcy and insolvency disputes;
• professional negligence claims against lawyers, accountants, architects and other professional advisors;
• commodity, trade and infrastructure disputes, including disputes over contractual interpretation, non or late delivery of cargo and frustration;
• international arbitrations before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and ICC International Court of Arbitration.

Resolving disputes early, decisively and across borders

Our commercial dispute lawyers are experts in mediation and other forms of ADR, with a strong track record of resolving complex, high-value disputes efficiently and on favourable terms without the need for trial.

We take a strategic and commercially focused approach to ADR, using it as a vital procedural step but also as an opportunity to exert pressure, narrow issues and achieve early, decisive outcomes where possible.

We are also adept at obtaining urgent interim relief. That includes worldwide freezing and ‘Chabra’ injunctions to secure assets before they can be dissipated, ‘Springboard’ injunctions to restrain companies from gaining an unfair business advantage following the theft of trade secrets and Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers’ Trust orders to trace, identify and recover funds. Our ability to move quickly and decisively is often critical to securing an early strategic advantage.

Examples of our recent commercial dispute cases

Many of our disputes are multi-jurisdictional and require swift, coordinated action across legal systems and time zones. Examples of our commercial litigation work include:

• Advising a South African oil trader in multi-million dollar High Court proceedings arising out of a contract for the sale of oil to Mozambique.
• Acting for a Swiss finance house in proceedings to recover $100 million in damages from a South American client under an international supply contract.
• Representing a client in High Court professional negligence proceedings against former solicitors arising from the mishandling of a civil fraud claim.
• Acting for a shareholder-director of a multimillion-pound family business in claims against directors and family members for breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation and misappropriation of assets.
• Representing a US company in a shareholder dispute concerning ownership of a Zambian iron foundry, with related proceedings in Mauritius, Zambia and the UAE.
• Acting for the estate of a deceased HNWI in a professional negligence claim against a law firm involved in transferring over £3m of assets to a Swiss trust following fraud by an investment adviser.
• Acting for overseas and UK clients defrauded of millions by a UK-based FX trader and FCA-regulated currency dealer.

Commercial litigation FAQs