Sanctions

Fountain Court members have been and continue to be involved in numerous sanctions-related cases spanning sectors such as aviation, banking, financial services, insurance and professional services, including advising on then impact of the imposition of sanctions on ongoing litigation.

Our work includes advising on the impact of sanctions on contractual obligations, such as in the context of projects which have failed or have been terminated due to the imposition of sanctions, as well as trade sanctions generally.

Members regularly advise on the criteria to consider in the context of ownership or control of entities which may be subject to sanctions, and the obligations of professionals – including in the legal sector – when dealing with potentially sanctioned entities.

Members also regularly advise and represent designated persons in relation to challenges to their designations, in the UK but also in the EU. Members have also advised on the impact of unlawful sanctions, including in the matter of Bank Mellat v HM Treasury, the first ever Commercial Court damages claim against the UK Government for breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights caused by unlawful sanctions. Members have also been involved in cases where there have been attempts to stay the coming into force of legislation implementing sanctions and, conversely, in relation to the enforcement of arbitral and/or court awards in a sanctions-related context. 

Members have extensive experience of advising and acting in matters connected with sanctions in the aviation sector, including those arising out of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Our work includes cases relating to:

• Aviation & Travel
• Banking & Finance
• Commercial Crime
• Commercial Disputes (including breaches of contract)
• Construction, Energy & Infrastructure
• Financial Services
• Insurance
• Privilege, Confidentiality & Conflicts of Interest
• Professional Discipline
• Professional Negligence