Medlands
We were instructed by Bermudian company Medlands following its appointment as trustee after the Former Director procured (through a corporate vehicle he controls) the appointment of new directors to the board of the Former Trustee. We also advised Spanish Steps Holdings Limited in relation to the winding up of a Bermudian company, Point Investments Ltd (PIL) which holds $8 billion of assets, and an application to appoint provisional liquidators over PIL, which was issued in late 2020.
Collapse of Arch-Cru funds
Acting for SPL Guernsey ICC Ltd regarding the collapse of the Arch Cru funds and the related litigation both in the UK and Guernsey including claims against the managers, directors, administrators and auditors.
Asset manager
Acting for an asset manager impacted by targeted sanctions and involving negotiations and liaison with HMT, OFAC and other competent authorities in the EU and offshore jurisdictions. Subsequently advising on disputes with certain service providers.
Private equity
Acing for a private equity real estate business resisting claims designed to prevent completion of a US$2.5 billion acquisition.
Acting for a private equity house and its portfolio company resisting a claim for in excess of CHF70m for unpaid fees and management incentives arising from a termination of business relations.
Acting for a wide variety of private equity houses in relation to due diligence in relation to bribery and corruption in the context of acquisitions, and investigations into actual or suspected wrongdoing.
Investment vehicle of sovereign wealth fund
Advising in respect of a large-scale dispute regarding a retail investment, our work involving civil dispute, criminal and regulatory aspects.
Bonds
Acting for a consortium of bondholders in relation to a more than US$4 billion dispute in related US and UK court proceedings arising from Argentine sovereign bonds.
Acting for a security agent, on instruction from a privately held hedge fund, in relation to a contested rectification claim by an issuer in relation to a series of £500+ million publicly-traded bonds.
Hedge fund
Advising a hedge fund in respect of a dispute with a media outlet regarding certain allegations and managing the regulatory implications and interest triggered by that in UK and European jurisdictions.
Major fund investor
Acting for a major fund investor in relation to a dispute with a trustee regarding the construction of waterfall provisions in trust documentation.
Close out
Acting for the liquidators of a hedge fund in relation to the close out by five banks of the fund’s repo positions resulting in a series of disputes with the banks across multiple jurisdictions and a mix of litigation, arbitration and mediation.
Regulatory reports
Advising a UK-based fund in respect of historic concerns as regards the sale of its investments and managing the reports to the regulator as a result.
Fund dispute
Advising an AIM listed fund in a $78 million Commercial Court claim against its investment manager in connection with losses associated with various investments in China.
Anti-money laundering
Acting for a hedge fund in relation to failings in their anti-money laundering procedures, drafting new procedures, and representing the MLRO in disciplinary proceedings.
Libya Investment Authority (LIA)
Acting in relation to the affairs of the Libyan Investment Authority ("LIA") representing one of the persons claiming to be chairman of the LIA in various claims, based on misappropriation of Libyan assets during the Gaddafi era, in different jurisdictions around the world, including the UK, Cayman Islands, the Netherlands and France and including the appointment by the English Commercial Court of receivers and managers in relation to LIA assets and claims.
Asset recovery action
Advising on bringing claims in excess of $1 billion against an oligarch's former business associate and successfully obtaining an injunction against his former financial advisers, freezing sums held in banks in the former CIS and offshore.
Ultra-High Net Worth Individual
Advising a UHNWI in respect of a claim against a leading bank regarding close out of certain investments, including engagements with regulators in respect of aspects of the behaviour of his advisers.
Samuel Tak Lee
Acting for a Hong Kong tycoon defending a claim to his Tokyo commercial property portfolio, and winning on appeal in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.
Ultra-High Net Worth Individual
Trusted advisers to an UHNWI dealing with all aspects of the claims and risks associated with their assets and investments.
Anti-money laundering
Advising a private capital firm in respect of concerns under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and their obligations regarding the same.
Acting for one of the former senior executives of the Abraaj Group, the global private equity firm that was founded by Arif Naqvi and based in Dubai. Our client was one of the individuals who was censured and fined by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) following the collapse of Abraaj. We represented our client in proceedings brought against him by the DFSA in the DIFC Courts seeking a worldwide freezing order over his personal assets. This was an extremely sensitive and serious matter for our client, however the parties managed to reach a settlement resulting in the freezing order being discharged and the proceedings discontinued.
Acting for a large Omani investment company in a DIFC-LCIA arbitration against the former owner of a perfume business in which they had invested, for fraudulent misrepresentation and embezzlement of company funds following our client's acquisition of shares in a number of entities owned by the individual. The claims amounts to US$20 million and the proceedings involved obtaining a Worldwide Freezing Order in the UK against the individuals assets.
Advising Atlas Mara Banking Group in the successful defence of a high-value and high stakes DIFC Court of Appeal action brought by its former CEO, which also established important precedents on key aspects of the DIFC Employment and Contract Laws.
Advising and assisting in defending the interests of our client, an international financial service provider, with regard to issues arising from an investigation commenced by the Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority ("FSRA") into the affairs of our client's service provider.
Advised a leading art auction house in relation to a high profile cross-border dispute concerning the misrepresentation of an Islamic manuscript's provenance. This case included cancellation of the sale, pursuing a criminal complaint in the UAE and asset recovery paid to the Sellers before the English Courts.
Directory quotes
"Magic circle quality with the nimbleness of a smaller litigation group and more partner engagement, with a market-leading reputation in banking and financial services litigation from years of having acted for and against leading financial institutions"
The Legal 500 UK 2022
"Brilliant lawyers, depth of coverage, will stand your corner for you"
The Legal 500 UK 2022
"Top notch City firm. Excellent lawyer cover across the board."
The Legal 500 UK 2022
"The services we received from the firm were exceptional in terms of effectiveness and efficiency."
The Legal 500 UK 2022
"Real legal experts. An excellent inter-generational mix of practitioners bring a broad swath of experience to the practice. One of the preeminent sanctions and financial crimes practices in the City."
The Legal 500 UK 2022
