Overview

Our 70-strong team of specialist dispute resolution lawyers is a substantial and flexible resource for multi-national organisations and institutions, entrepreneurial businesses and wealthy individuals facing complex challenges in the UK and internationally. Our work ranges from advising on litigation, business critical investigations, regulatory problems and strategic risk situations affecting our international clients and clients of other international law firms, to co-ordinating advice for our clients across multiple jurisdictions (partnering with local firms from our Preferred Firm Network).

Our dispute resolution lawyers combine specialist expertise in litigation and in-depth knowledge of the sectors in which our clients operate. This means that we provide high quality litigation and strategic advice shaped to suit our clients' industries. Our transparent approach to costs enables our clients to manage their expenditure predictably and delivers strong value for money.

The standing of our team is reflected in the quality of our clients and the complexity of the work we undertake. As a result, we represent some of most significant UK and international players in their sectors in the most challenging of situations.

Our independence means that overseas law firms come to us because they know that we have no ambitions to compete in their domestic markets. We also work alongside significant US, European and other law firms with UK offices who benefit from our litigation expertise, sector knowledge and substantial resources.

Areas of focus

Our dispute resolution and litigation expertise includes the following:

  • Complex disputes requiring specialist advice – helping clients with clear, practical analysis in the most complex cases.
  • Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – although experienced trial lawyers, we look to resolve disputes cost effectively via mediation, adjudication and other forms of ADR.
  • Arbitration and specialist tribunals – our cases cross many different tribunals including a growing number of cases being referred to arbitration (in the UK and internationally).
  • Reputation critical investigations and inquiries – extensive specialist expertise in a wide range of criminal and regulatory investigations which present significant challenges to our clients' businesses.
  • Strategic situations and risk resolution – assisting clients to devise strategies to navigate developing situations and manage risk before they reach open dispute.
  • Urgent and emergency situations – our substantial resource allows us to field teams of lawyers to meet the most challenging of time constraints.
Experience

Representing US-based Victoria’s Secret in the English Court of Appeal in major litigation against Thomas Pink concerning use of the “PINK” brand.

Representing a major European multi-national in successfully defending two claims for £225 million and €450 million brought by way of arbitration references concerning international contracting arrangements. These claims also involved satellite litigation in other European jurisdictions and the USA.

Advising Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co on a range of pan-European issues, including on cross-border arbitration proceedings, supply contract disputes and claims arising out of product recalls, working with local European counsel as appropriate.

Acting for US-based Discovery Channel on proceedings in the English High Court in a trade mark dispute with the History Channel. Successful at trial.

Advising a UK-based vehicle manufacturer on an arbitration seated in Singapore concerning its failed joint venture with a major German automotive company to build and operate a factory in India.

Acting for a US-based cosmetics company to manage and then disprove allegations made by a European regulator concerning the alleged presence of asbestos in some of its products.

Advising an ultra-high net worth Swiss family in relation to the breakdown of a UK property joint venture.

Representing US-based Benefit Cosmetics in an English High Court trial over a disputed trade mark

Acting for a South African biscuit manufacturer on a dispute with HM Revenue & Customer in relation to the level of import duties applied to products coming into the UK.

Advising an ultra-high net worth Russian in unfair prejudice proceedings relating to one of his UK investment companies.

Advising New Zealand-based trustees on an application to the English courts to bless a critical decision regarding a Trust which is subject to English law (administered in Jersey) for which the beneficiaries are Italian and the principal investments are Bahamian securities.

Advising a US manufacturer of diving equipment on product liability issues and a dispute arising in connection with a UK/EU distribution agreement.

Complex inter-estate litigation involving property in France held through a French tax structure and disputed ownership of valuable artwork under the laws of Florida.

Advising a UK-based flavouring manufacturer on allergen contamination issues and labelling regulations in UK and EU markets, including working with German lawyers on proceedings issued in the German courts.

Acting for Australian beneficiaries in a US$20m claim against a Swiss trust company regarding an unlawful “loan” to the settlor.

What others say...

'A fantastic choice for high-value national and international disputes' with 'an enviable list of key commercial clients'
Chambers UK 2019

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