We represent individuals and businesses in all types of commercial litigation, mediation and arbitration.
We are a diverse team who recognise that through regulation and litigation, corporate power can be challenged or used to further social and environmental objectives and to promote human rights.
Our team is committed to challenging unfair business practices, representing shareholders in petitions or actions against individual directors and providing robust advocacy in all aspects of commercial litigation.
Members of our team benefit from broad practices and work closely with our employment, professional regulation and property teams. We also assist our litigation teams and clients with expertise in areas such as obtaining interim relief, including urgent injunctions and freezing orders; recovering costs; and enforcement of judgments.
Areas of Expertise
- Breach of contract
- Civil and commercial fraud
- Confidential information
- Contractual performance during Covid-19
- Construction
- Consumer rights
- Corporate insolvency including undervalued transactions
- EU cross-border mergers
- Force majeure and frustration
- Partnership disputes
- Personal insolvency
- Professional negligence
- Restraint of trade
- Sale of Goods
- Shareholders and directors
Past Notable Cases
Sanpya Shwe Ngar Company LTD v Sasco Foods UK Limited (2019).
Successfully obtaining summary judgment in the High Court for a Burmese importer, despite the Court’s initial scepticism (see paras 21 and 22), and successfully resisting defendant’s appeal.
Catalyst Managerial Services v Libya Africa Investment Portfolio* (2018).
Summary judgment obtained in the High Court on the first $15 million of the claim after a 4-day hearing and then representation at the Court of Appeal. *see para 26
ERDC Group Ltd v Brunel University
Successfully representing a contractor claiming payment for construction of state-of-the-art athletics facilities)
Multiplex Constructions (UK) Ltd v West India Quay Development company (Eastern) Ltd
Enforcement of an adjudicator's award for a major contractor in relation to a 5-star hotel development.
Representing an oil consultant on her US$11 million arbitration claim under the LCIA rules for breach of contract for unpaid bonuses against a UK-based international oil company in relation to hydrocarbon exploration in West Africa.
Representing a claimant in a breach of a contract claim involving the sale of gold bonds for damages in excess of US$7 billion, including seeking enforcement of the English judgment in Switzerland under the Lugano Convention.
An application in the High Court, Chancery Division, for a third party to claim payment of €78,000 from the Respondent, an internet gaming and betting money-processing company, which were frozen under a separate ongoing dispute concerning the beneficial ownership of the Respondent.
C v B [2016] EWHC 3567 (QB): appeal against the striking out, on limitation grounds, of a counterclaim to a possession claim for knowing assistance to a breach of trust involving secured loans used to invest in a Ponzi scheme.
Contact team
The Team
Marc Willers KC
Year of Call: 1987
Year of Silk: 2014
Leslie Thomas KC
Year of Call: 1988
Year of Silk: 2014
Abigail Holt
Year of Call: 1993
Louise Hooper
Year of Call: 1997
Courtenay Barklem
Year of Call: 2016
Paul Powlesland
Year of Call: 2009
Oscar Davies
Year of Call: 2018
