Call 2006 | Silk 2022
"Absolutely outstanding, incredibly bright, and a great person to have on your team."
The Legal 500
Mark O’Neill
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3777
Click here to email
Fraser Linning
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3708
Click here to email
Alexander Milner KC has a broad practice covering both commercial litigation and international arbitration.
Described in directories as “brilliant in every respect” and “a Rolls-Royce choice for all cases”, he is recommended in the fields of commercial dispute resolution, international arbitration, aviation, banking and finance and civil fraud. He was named ‘Commercial Litigation Junior of the Year’ at the Chambers Bar Awards in 2021, before being appointed silk the following year.
A Russian speaker, he has appeared in many of the largest disputes to emerge from Russia and other ex-Soviet states, including Berezovsky v Abramovich, BTA Bank v Ablyazov, Mezhprombank v Pugachev and Bank St Petersburg v Arkhangelsky (where the trial judge praised his “very effective” cross-examination). He has also participated in numerous major arbitrations, including claims between Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine where the sums in dispute exceeded $100 billion.
His cases often involve the law of Russia and other post-Soviet countries, and he has extensive experience of conflicts of law and jurisdictional disputes, as well as cases involving economic sanctions. He frequently makes and defends applications for injunctive relief.
His aviation practice includes all types of leasing, aircraft financing and regulatory matters, including those relating to airport slots. He is currently acting for lessors in a $300 million claim against reinsurers arising out of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and for an airline in a complex financing dispute raising novel issues under the Cape Town Convention.
Alexander sits as an arbitrator and has been appointed to numerous tribunals in London, Singapore and Moscow. He is an empanelled arbitrator at the BVI International Arbitration Centre, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board in Seoul and the Asian International Arbitration Centre in Kuala Lumpur, and the Dubai International Arbitration Centre.
He is a registered practitioner at the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Voyager Aviation Holdings v Allianz
Acting for a number of aircraft owners and lessors pursuing claims against reinsurers for the loss of aircraft leased to Russian airlines following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
JSC Privatbank v Kolomoisky
Acting for Igor Kolomoisky in a $2.3 billion claim, brought by a Ukrainian bank under Ukrainian law, alleging fraudulent misappropriation of funds.
FW Aviation (Holdings) 1 Ltd v VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Company
Acting for a Vietnamese airline in a complex aviation finance dispute concerning four Airbus A-321 aircraft leased under a “JOLCO” structure.
Federal Republic of Nigeria v Process & Industrial Developments Ltd [2023] EWHC 2638 (Comm)
Widely publicised case in which the Commercial Court set aside an award worth $11 billion against Nigeria under s.68 of the Arbitration Act, on the ground of fraud and conduct contrary to public policy.
Motorola Solutions Inc v Hytera Communications Corp [2021] 2 WLR 679QB 744
Acted for Hytera, a large Chinese radio manufacturer, in its successful appeal to the Court of Appeal against a $345 million freezing order granted in support of proceedings in the USA alleging theft of trade secrets. The Court of Appeal definitively restated the law relating to the ‘unambiguous impropriety’ exception to without prejudice privilege.
Voyager Aviation Holdings v Allianz
Acting for a number of aircraft owners and lessors pursuing claims against reinsurers for the loss of aircraft leased to Russian airlines following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
FW Aviation v VietJet
Acting for a Vietnamese airline in a complex aviation finance dispute concerning four Airbus A-321 aircraft leased under a “JOLCO” structure.
AerSale 25362 Ltd v Med-View Airline Plc [2018] EWHC 3912 (Comm)
Acting for aircraft lessors in Commercial Court proceedings against a Nigerian lessor to recover sums due under two leases of Boeing 737s.
R (Monarch Airlines Ltd) v Airport Coordination Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 1892
Judicial review proceedings brought by the administrators of an insolvent airline concerning its right to be allocated valuable slots at Gatwick and Luton airports in order to sell the slots to raise money for its creditors.
National Air Services v Creditrade LLP [2016] EWHC 2144 (Comm)
Acting for a lessor in Commercial Court proceedings against a Ukrainian airline following the termination of two leases of Embraer 95 aircraft.
Sheikh Kaki v National Air Services [2015] EWCA Civ 731
Claim for breach of a contract for the sale of an interest in a Gulfstream aircraft.
Virgin Atlantic Airways v K.I. Holdings [2014] EWHC 1671 (Comm)
Acting for one of the defendants to a £40 million claim arising out of the supply of aircraft seats by a fraudulent manufacturer.
Aerotransleasing v Polet Airlines [2014] EWHC 1318 (Comm)
Obtained and successfully defended an injunction under s.25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 in support of Russian proceedings, preventing the removal of a Russian-registered AN-124-100 aircraft from the jurisdiction.
ACG Acquisition XX v Olympic Airlines [2010] 1 CLC 581
Acting for Olympic Airlines in a dispute over a lease of a defective Boeing 737 aircraft, successfully resisted lessor’s application for summary judgment.
Rooney v CSE Bournemouth Ltd [2010] EWCA Civ 1364
Acting for the defendant maintenance organisation in a contractual dispute arising out of an accident to a Cessna Citation aircraft.
BAE Systems v Enimex [2010] EWCA Civ 107
Acting for BAE Systems against an Estonian airline in proceedings arising out of the termination of an aircraft lease.
Natixis v Islas Airways
Acting as sole counsel for a lender in Commercial Court proceedings arising out of the termination of a number of lease agreements. Involved issues of jurisdiction and the effect of an insolvency opened in another Member State on English proceedings.
G.E. Capital v Fell
Acting as sole counsel for a lender in Commercial Court proceedings to enforce a European Enforcement Order against an aircraft temporarily located in the UK. Obtained an emergency out-of-hours injunction restraining the aircraft from leaving the jurisdiction, and successfully resisted an application to set the injunction aside on the ground of material non-disclosure.
Acting for a lessor in an LCIA arbitration against an Asian airline alleging fraud in connection with the leasing of two Airbus 319 aircraft.
Acting for a national airline in an LCIA arbitration against a lessor relating to the early termination of six Airbus aircraft.
Acting for a Russian airline in an LCIA arbitration relating to the leasing of a number of Boeing 737 aircraft.
Acting for a Portuguese airline in Commercial Court proceedings brought by an Italian airline in connection with a wet lease of a Boeing 767 aircraft.
Acting for the Light Aircraft Association in High Court proceedings arising out of a fatal gyroplane accident.
Alexander has substantial experience of claims against airlines and aircraft operators under the Montreal Convention 1999, Regulations EC 261/2004 and 1107/2006, and at common law, and of advising on aviation insurance, leasing/financing and regulatory matters.
JSC Privatbank v Kolomoisky
Acting for a Ukrainian businessman defending a claim by a Ukrainian bank, governed by Ukrainian law, in respect of an alleged misappropriation of approximately $2 billion.
PJSC National Bank Trust v Mints
Acting for two of the Defendants to a $600 million claim brought by two Russian banks in respect of alleged frauds involving the substitution of loans with worthless bonds, and in related arbitration proceedings.
Deutsche Bank AG v Unitech Global Ltd [2019] EWHC 969 (Comm)
Acted for a syndicate of lenders in proceedings to recover a $300 million debt from an Indian property development group (led by Richard Handyside QC).
Quoi v National Westminster Bank plc [2016] EWHC 1351 (QB)
Acted as sole counsel for the bank, successfully defending a multi-million-pound claim for breach of contract arising out of the collapse of a construction business.
Smeaton v Equifax plc [2013] 2 All ER 959
Acting for the defendant credit reference agency in this leading Court of Appeal case on the scope of the duties imposed on CRAs under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Calle Marketing Ltd v Aldbourne Investment Management Ltd
Acted as sole counsel for Russian investors in High Court proceedings against a London-based investment advisory firm for negligence and breach of contract in relation to investments in structured products.
LIC Telecommunications v VTB Capital Plc
Acted for the Claimants in two trials of preliminary issues under Luxembourg law, in the context of a conspiracy claim against a Russian bank said to have misappropriated a substantial Bulgarian telecoms business (led by Stephen Rubin QC).
Ukrsibbank v Polyakov
Acted for a Ukrainian bank in proceedings concerning a worldwide freezing injunction against a Ukrainian politician under s.25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.
A v B
Acted for an investment bank in an arbitration arising out of the underwriting of a failed IPO.
Acting for major banks in numerous High Court cases defending claims by customers alleging breach of contract, breach of duty, fraud and conspiracy, and in claims involving mortgages, guarantees, mistaken payments, credit agreements etc.
Representing both claimants and defendant banks in High Court proceedings alleging mis-selling of interest rate hedging products.
Acting for two investors in proceedings against an asset manager under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 for failing to procure the return of a series of investments in structured products.
JSC Mezhdunarodniy Promyshlenniy Bank v Pugachev
Acted for the Defendant in conjoined appeals to the Court of Appeal in relation to a $2 billion freezing order.
Bank St Petersburg v Arkhangelsky
Acted for a Russian businessman in proceedings involving an alleged fraud by a Russian bank. Obtained a rare anti-enforcement injunction in the Court of Appeal ([2014] 1 WLR 4360), restraining the enforcement of Russian judgments said to have been obtained by fraud, and appeared at the trial to cross-examine the Claimant’s experts and make submissions.
JSC Privatbank v Kolomoisky
Acting for a Ukrainian businessman defending a $2 billion fraud claim governed by Ukrainian law.
Bourlakova v Bourlakov [2024] EWHC 765 (Ch)
Applications for freezing and proprietary relief in a $2 billion dispute over the estate of Mr Oleg Bourlakov, a deceased Russian billionaire.
Republic of Nigeria v Process & Industrial Developments Ltd [2023] EWHC 2638 (Comm)
Challenge to an arbitration award worth $11 billion under s.68 of the Arbitration Act. The Court set aside the award on the ground that it was procured by fraud and conduct contrary to public policy.
PJSC Tatneft v Bogolyubov [2021] EWHC 411 (Comm)
Acted for a Ukrainian oligarch in his successful defence of a $300 million fraud claim brought by a Russian oil company under Russian law.
Fundo Soberano de Angola v Dos Santos [2018] EWHC 2199 (Comm)
Claim by the Angolan sovereign wealth fund against its former chairman and others to recover $3 billion of assets alleged to have been fraudulently misappropriated.
NRC Holding Ltd v Danilitskiy [2017] EWHC 1431 (Ch)
Enforcing a judgment against the beneficial interest in a London property owned through an offshore structure, and obtaining injunctive relief in support of a €120 million fraud claim brought in Cyprus.
Vis Trading Co Ltd v Nazarov [2014] EWCA Civ 313
Appeal in a $30 million fraud claim brought under Russian law. Subsequent committal proceedings reported at [2016] 4 WLR 1.
JSC Mezhdunarodniy Promyshlenniy Bank v Pugachev [2016] 1 WLR 160
Acted for the Defendant in conjoined appeals to the Court of Appeal in relation to a $2 billion freezing order.
Tajik Aluminium Plant v Ermatov
Acted for seven of the defendants and the Part 20 claimant in a $500 million fraud claim concerning the operations of an aluminium smelting plant in Tajikistan.
Bank St Petersburg v Arkhangelsky [2018] EWHC 1077 (Ch)
Acted for a Russian businessman in proceedings involving an alleged fraud by a Russian bank. Obtained a rare anti-enforcement injunction in the Court of Appeal ([2014] 1 WLR 4360), restraining the enforcement of Russian judgments said to have been obtained by fraud, and appeared at the trial to cross-examine the Claimant’s experts and make submissions.
Federal Republic of Nigeria v Process & Industrial Developments Ltd [2023] EWHC 2638 (Comm)
Challenge to an arbitration award worth $11 billion under s.68 of the Arbitration Act. The Court set aside the award on the ground that it was procured by fraud and conduct contrary to public policy.
Motorola Solutions Inc v Hytera Communications Corp [2021] 2 WLR 679
Acted for Hytera, a large Chinese radio manufacturer, in its successful appeal to the Court of Appeal against a $345 million freezing order granted in support of proceedings in the USA alleging theft of trade secrets (led by Charles Béar QC). The Court of Appeal definitively restated the law relating to the ‘unambiguous impropriety’ exception to without prejudice privilege. Subsequently obtained a stay of enforcement proceedings for non-payment of costs orders: [2023] EWHC 1393 (Comm).
Republic of Tatarstan v Ukraine
Instructed by Ukraine in a $400 million investor-state arbitration concerning the alleged expropriation of shares in an oil refinery.
Savchenko v Davletyarov [2019] EWHC 1186 (Comm)
Acted for the successful defendant in a contractual dispute relating to the sale of interests in a Russian bank.
Kazakhstan Kagazy Plc v Zhunus [2019] EWHC 2630 (Comm)
Acted for the respondent to a £14 million non-party costs application, following a $300 million judgment handed down against the principal defendants.
Bank St Petersburg v Arkhangelsky [2018] EWHC 1077 (Ch)
Acted for a Russian businessman in proceedings involving an alleged fraud by a Russian bank. Obtained a rare anti-enforcement injunction in the Court of Appeal ([2014] 1 WLR 4360), restraining the enforcement of Russian judgments said to have been obtained by fraud, and appeared at the trial to cross-examine the Claimant’s experts and make submissions.
Astor Management AG v Atalaya Mining Plc [2018] EWCA Civ 2407; [2017] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 476; [2017] 1 CLC 724
Acting for the Defendants in a €60 million contractual dispute relating to the acquisition and commissioning of a copper mine in Spain (led by Stephen Moriarty QC).
Fundo Soberano de Angola v Dos Santos [2018] EWHC 2199 (Comm)
Claim by the Angolan sovereign wealth fund against its former chairman and others to recover $3 billion of assets alleged to have been fraudulently misappropriated.
LIC Telecommunications Sarl v VTB Capital Plc [2018] EWHC 169 (Comm), [2019] EWHC 1747 (Comm)
Acted for the Claimants in two trials of preliminary issues under Luxembourg law, in the context of a conspiracy claim against a Russian bank said to have misappropriated a substantial Bulgarian telecoms business (led by Stephen Rubin QC).
JSC Mezhdunarodniy Promyshlenniy Bank v Pugachev [2016] 1 WLR 160
Acted for the Defendant in conjoined appeals to the Court of Appeal in relation to a $2 billion freezing order.
Ukrsibbank v Polyakov [2014] EWHC 4292 (Comm)
Acted for a Ukrainian bank in proceedings concerning a worldwide freezing injunction against a Ukrainian politician under s.25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982.
Cuccolini Srl v Elcan Industries, Inc [2013] EWHC 2994 (QB)
Jurisdictional dispute in proceedings arising out of the termination of a distribution agreement.
Berezovsky v Abramovich [2012] EWHC 2463 (Comm)
Acted for Boris Berezovsky in his well publicised $5 billion claim against Roman Abramovich in relation to the ownership of Russian oil and aluminium assets.
Instructed on behalf of two groups of banks in ICSID arbitrations against an EU Member State raising defences based on the CJEU’s Achmea judgment.
Gave written and oral expert evidence on EU competition law issues in two ICC arbitrations between major European airlines and a global distribution system operator.
Advising a major financial services company on issues relating to the revisions to the EU Payment Services Directive and regulation of multilateral interchange fees.
Providing legal opinions in connection with proceedings between the EU Commission and a pharmaceutical company regarding the circumstances in which patent settlement agreements infringe the EU competition rules.
Providing written expert evidence in Lithuanian proceedings on the application of Article 101 TFEU to agreements between a number of banks and a provider of cash handling services.
Providing a legal opinion in connection with an action against the EU Commission regarding the lawfulness of a dawn raid.
Advising manufacturers of electronic cigarettes as to the legality of the proposed revisions to the Tobacco Products Directive.
Advising leading European airlines on the interpretation and application of the EU slots regulation.
Advising major drinks and clothing manufacturers on the interpretation of EU regulations concerning the labelling of spirit drinks and textiles.
Advising two non-European investment funds as to whether their shares constituted eligible investments for the purposes of a UCITS scheme within the meaning of Commission Directive 2007/16/EC (the Eligible Assets Directive).
Advising a number of law firms as to the compatibility of the rules of an EU Member State’s Bar Association with the EC Treaty.
Advising a Czech bank as to whether a restructuring plan adopted by the Czech state constituted aid applicable after accession requiring review by the Commission under Article 108 TFEU.
Assisted Sir Francis Jacobs QC in preparing numerous expert reports and opinions on behalf of companies and national governments, in connection with proceedings before arbitral tribunals, national courts and regulators, the EU Commission and courts, and the International Court of Justice.
Acting as sole arbitrator in an expedited arbitration in the Russian Arbitration Centre, Moscow, between a law firm and a former client arising out of a previous LCIA arbitration.
Acting as party-nominated arbitrator in an ICC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to the leasing of commercial passenger aircraft.
Acting as party-nominated arbitrator in two related LCIA arbitrations between Russian parties concerning a financing transaction in the energy field.
Acting as party-nominated arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between Russian and Asian parties relating to the licensing of pharmaceutical products.
Acting as party-nominated arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration brought by a company against a Russian individual under a guarantee.
Acting as party-nominated arbitrator in a $10 million arbitration between two offshore companies in the International Commercial Arbitration Court, Moscow.
Acting as sole arbitrator, appointed by the LCIA, in an UNCITRAL arbitration concerning the provision of legal services to a company in Kazakhstan.
A v B
Currently instructed by a major exporter in a series of international arbitrations arising out of UK and EU sanctions against Russia.
Republic of Tatarstan v Ukraine
Instructed by Ukraine in a $400 million investor-state arbitration concerning the alleged expropriation of shares in an oil refinery.
NJSC Naftogaz v PJSC Gazprom [2019] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 20
Instructed by Naftogaz of Ukraine in proceedings to enforce a $2.5 billion arbitration award, including applications for freezing relief and for a stay under s.103(5) of the Arbitration Act.
Eastern European Engineering Ltd v Vijay Construction (Proprietary) Ltd [2016] EWHC 1450 (Comm)
Application under s.103 of the Arbitration Act 1996 for security for a $20 million award said to have been procured by intimidation/blackmail.
Stemcor UK Ltd v Global Steel Holdings Ltd [2015] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 580
Obtained a stay of proceedings to recover $150 million from two guarantors pending an arbitration between the creditor and the principal debtor.
SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to the manufacture and supply of Covid-19 vaccine products.
$500 million LCIA arbitration concerning an alleged fraud against a Russian bank.
Sole counsel for a Russian airline in an LCIA claim concerning an alleged $200 million fraud.
Acted in an LCIA arbitration between two prominent Russian individuals relating to the ownership and disposal of extremely valuable industrial and real estate assets.
Acted as sole counsel in a $100 million LCIA arbitration brought by a Russian bank to enforce an option agreement.
Acted in an LCIA arbitration arising out of the sale of a Russian supermarket chain.
Acted in an LCIA claim brought by a steel trader to recover a debt of $200 million from an industrial enterprise in Eastern Europe.
Acted for a well-known “oligarch” in LCIA proceedings to recover a loan of $100 million.
Acted in an LCIA arbitration relating to the ownership of shares in a Russian technology company estimated to be worth more than $3 billion.
Acted in an LCIA arbitration concerning the alleged fraudulent disposal of a Russian joint venture asset.
Acted as sole counsel for a Russian manufacturer in an ICC arbitration in Geneva to recover over €5 million from a joint venture partner.
Acted in a €300 million ICC arbitration between joint venture partners relating to the construction of a telecoms network.
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Mark O’Neill
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3777
Click here to email
Fraser Linning
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3708
Click here to email
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