Call 2013
"Laurie has an utterly formidable work ethic; for him near enough is never good enough. He combines ever-present strategic thinking with a command over the detail which is second-to-none."
Legal 500
Adam Collins
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3798
Click here to email
Alfie Sweeney
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6855
Click here to email
Laurie Brock has a broad commercial chancery practice, with a focus on complex and high value banking and financial services disputes (acting both for and against financial institutions). His expertise also extends across property disputes, company law and arbitration.
He is “one of the leading junior barristers in the banking and finance world” (Legal 500) who has “a brain the size of a planet” and is “an intellectual heavyweight who excels in all areas” (Chambers and Partners). He combines “brilliant written work” with “excellent advocacy” (Chambers and Partners). He has been described as “absolutely brilliant”, “outstanding”, “super clever” and “incredibly bright”, as well as “astonishingly”, “phenomenally” and “exceptionally” hard working and “a fantastic asset to any team” (Chambers and Partners).”
He has been and continues to be instructed on some of the largest pieces of commercial litigation in the High Court, including in some of the most notable and high-profile cases concerning allegations of civil fraud, derivative mis-selling and/or market manipulation.
Laurie is regularly instructed as part of a large counsel team but is equally at home acting as sole counsel.
Loreley Financing (Jersey) No.30 v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd & ors [2023] EWHC 2759 (Comm)
Acting (with Patrick Goodall KC, Adam Sher and Marcus Field) for the Defendants, Credit Suisse, in successful defence of $160 million claim based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the credit quality of residential mortgage-backed securities. Following a 9-week trial between April and June 2023, the claims were dismissed at every level. Credit Suisse was awarded indemnity costs for the entire proceedings: [2023] EWHC 3359 (Comm). The case was listed as one of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2023.
Riley & Riley v National Westminster Bank Plc [2024] EWCA Civ 833
Acting (with Paul Sinclair KC) for the successful Defendant (and Respondent), National Westminster Bank Plc, in its successful summary defence of c.£100 million claim for fraudulent misrepresentation. Natwest succeeded (both at first instance and on appeal) in obtaining summary dismissal of the claims (and summary judgment on its counterclaim) on the basis that the claims had been compromised and released as part of a prior Settlement Deed. On appeal, the Court of Appeal also unanimously indicated (in disagreement with the Court below) that Natwest would in any event have succeeded on limitation.
Fiesta Hotels and Resorts SL & ors v Deutsche Bank
Acting (with Laurence Rabinowitz KC, Tony Singla KC, Max Evans and Ian Simester) for the Claimants in c.€500 million foreign exchange derivative dispute involving allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of tortious duty and capacity. Laurie was leading junior in these substantial and complex proceedings for four years (for three of which he was sole junior). The proceedings gave rise to three interlocutory hearings in the first half of 2024 alone, and settled in advance of a ten week trial scheduled for January 2025.
Wadhwani & anr v Natwest Markets Plc [2024] EWHC 1103 (Ch)
Acting as sole counsel for Natwest Markets Plc in its successful application to strike out mis-selling claim for c.£2 million. The case is a rare example of a claim being struck out for breach of the Overriding Objective and/or an abuse of process known as ‘warehousing’.
Investcom Global Limited v Plc Investments Limited [2024] EWHC 2505 (Comm)
Acting (with Edward Levey KC) for the Defendants in successful discharge (in part) of anti-suit injunction on the ground that the English Court lacked supervisory jurisdiction over the relevant arbitration. The judgment reaffirmed the critical importance of the seat of the arbitration as founding the basis for such jurisdiction and contained important observations as to the powers of the ICC Court to determine the seat under Article 18 of the ICC Rules (and the ability of the arbitral tribunal to change the seat thereafter).
Property Alliance Group v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
Acting for the successful defendant, the Royal Bank of Scotland (with Richard Handyside KC, Paul Sinclair KC and Adam Sher), in this landmark £30 million claim based on allegations of derivative mis-selling, unfair practice in RBS’s Global Restructuring Group and LIBOR Manipulation. The LIBOR Manipulation claim was the first of its kind to have reached trial before the English Courts and the case was one of The Lawyer’s ‘Top 20 Cases of 2016’. Following a ten-week trial (May-July 2016), judgment was handed down in December 2016 ([2016] EWHC 3342) dismissing all of the claimant’s claims. Laurie was also instructed (with Richard Handyside KC and Adam Sher) on the seven-day appeal heard between Jan-Feb 2018, which was unanimously dismissed ([2018] 1 WLR 3529). The case also involved urgent injunctive proceedings against the solicitors for Property Alliance Group (concerning the obligations on law firms to protect confidential information held by an employee of that firm as the result of his prior employment) in which Laurie was instructed with Patrick Goodall KC and Adam Sher.
Stuart Wall v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
Acting for the Royal Bank of Scotland (with Andrew Mitchell KC, Jeremy Goldring KC, Tamara Oppenheimer KC, James Cutress KC and Adam Sher) in a multi-hundred million pound claim based on the alleged mis-selling of an interest rate swap in the context of a securitisation. The case also involved allegations relating to RBS’s Global Restructuring Group and LIBOR manipulation. The case was one of The Lawyer’s ‘Top 20 cases of 2017’ and settled shortly before a 12-week trial.
Red Kite Management Limited & Ors v Barclays Bank Plc
Acting (with Catherine Newman KC and Alec McCluskey) for the claimants in a multi-hundred-million-pound claim based on alleged mis-use of confidential information (and market manipulation) in the context of London Metal Exchange copper trading.
CJ & LK Perks & ors v Natwest Markets Plc [2022] EWHC 726 (Comm)
Acting (with Paul Sinclair KC) for the successful Defendant, Natwest Markets Plc, in eight-day trial of a c.£28 million claim for derivative mis-selling and unlawful means conspiracy. All claims were dismissed.
Loreley Financing (Jersey) No.30 v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd & ors [2023] EWHC 2759 (Comm)
Acting (with Patrick Goodall KC, Adam Sher and Marcus Field) for the Defendants, Credit Suisse, in successful defence of $160 million claim based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the credit quality of residential mortgage-backed securities. Following a 9-week trial between April and June 2023, the claims were dismissed at every level. The case was listed as one of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2023.
Fiesta Hotels and Resorts SL & ors v Deutsche Bank
Acting (with Laurence Rabinowitz KC and Tony Singla KC) for the Claimants in c.$500 million foreign exchange derivative dispute (ongoing).
Riley & Riley v Natwest Markets Plc [2023] EWHC 2401 (Ch)
Acting (with Paul Sinclair KC) for the Defendant, Natwest Markets Plc, in its successful defence of c.£100 million claim for fraudulent misrepresentation. The claim was struck out and/or summary judgment was granted (and the Defendant also obtained summary judgment on its counterclaim) on the basis that the claim had been compromised and released as part of a prior Settlement Deed.
The FDIC Litigation
Acting (with Robert O’Donoghue KC and Adam Sher) for Natwest Markets Plc in claim against seven major banks (and the British Bankers’ Association) alleging collusive LIBOR manipulation during the global financial crisis.
Longcross Securities Limited v Natwest Markets Plc
Acting as sole counsel for Natwest Markets Plc in its defence of derivative mis-selling claim.
Boyse International Ltd v Natwest Markets Plc
Acting (with Laura John KC) for the successful Respondents in an appeal relating to summary judgment on limitation (section 32 Limitation Act 1980) in a LIBOR manipulation claim (the first such case to be decided).
London Bridge Holdings Ltd & Ors v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
Acting for the Royal Bank of Scotland (with Adrian Beltrami KC and James Cutress KC) in a c.£450 million claim based on allegations of LIBOR manipulation.
Fine Care Homes Ltd v Natwest Markets Plc [2020] EWHC 3233 (Ch)
Acting for the successful defendant, Natwest Markets Plc (with Edward Levey KC), in a seven-day trial of a derivative mis-selling claim: [2020] EWHC 3233 (Ch).
Basalt Holdings Ltd & another v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
Acting for the Royal Bank of Scotland (with James Cutress KC) in a multi-million-pound claim based on alleged derivative mis-selling and LIBOR manipulation.
Lampo v Natwest Markets Plc
Acting for Natwest Markets Plc (with Paul Sinclair KC) in a claim based on alleged derivative mis-selling.
TP Properties LP v (1) National Westminster Bank Plc (2) Natwest Markets Plc
Acting for the defendants (with Paul Sinclair KC) in a multi-million-pound claim based on alleged derivative mis-selling. The case settled shortly before trial.
London Executive Aviation v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
Acting for the Royal Bank of Scotland (with Paul Sinclair KC) at an interlocutory stage in a multi-million-pound claim based on alleged derivative mis-selling, including successfully resisting an application by the claimant for expert evidence: [2017] EWHC 1037 (Ch).
National Algerian Space Agency v Wisscom Aerospace Limited
Acting (with Anneliese Day KC) for National Algerian Space Agency in its claim to enforce a multi-million pound foreign judgment in England.
Riley & Riley v Natwest Markets Plc [2023] EWHC 2401 (Ch)
Acting (with Paul Sinclair KC) for the Defendant, Natwest Markets Plc, in its successful defence of c.£100 million claim for fraudulent misrepresentation. The claim was struck out and/or summary judgment was granted (and the Defendant also obtained summary judgment on its counterclaim) on the basis that the claim had been compromised and released as part of a prior Settlement Deed.
Mars Capital v Hussain & Ors
Acting (with Thomas Grant KC) for the Claimant, Mars Capital in its successful claim (following a five day trial) relating to the enforceability of an assigned multi-hundred-million pound mortgage portfolio. The dispute involved issues of Cypriot law relating to steps taken at the very highest level during the Cypriot financial crisis and the Judgment included a significant (obiter) decision on the formalities for companies entering into land contracts.
CJ & LK Perks & ors v Natwest Markets Plc [2022] EWHC 726 (Comm)
Acting (with Paul Sinclair KC) for the successful Defendant, Natwest Markets Plc, in eight-day trial of a c.£28 million claim for derivative mis-selling and unlawful means conspiracy. All claims were dismissed.
Fiesta Hotels and Resorts SL & ors v Deutsche Bank
Acting (with Laurence Rabinowitz KC and Tony Singla KC) for the Claimants in c.$500 million foreign exchange derivative dispute (ongoing).
Loreley Financing (Jersey) No.30 v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd & ors [2023] EWHC 2759 (Comm)
Acting (with Patrick Goodall KC, Adam Sher and Marcus Field) for the Defendants, Credit Suisse, in successful defence of $160 million claim based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the credit quality of residential mortgage-backed securities. Following a 9-week trial between April and June 2023, the claims were dismissed at every level. The case was listed as one of The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” of 2023.
Mohamed v Breish
Assisting Christopher Pymont KC and Benjamin John (on behalf of the successful applicant, Dr Mohamed) in relation to the hearing and determination of issues relating to a dispute over the chairmanship of the Libyan Investment Authority (see [2020] EWHC 696 (Comm)).
Advised two individual defendants on jurisdictional issues relating to service of the Claim Form in a claim for damages estimated at £150-175 million.
Advising (with Christopher Pymont KC and Siward Atkins) a car dealership on agency issues and equitable remedies arising out of the sale of a number of classic cars.
Acting (with John McGhee KC) for developers in a number of cases involving disputes over rights to light.
Acting (with John McGhee KC) for an investor in a dispute relating to a proposed development in Woolwich.
Acting (with John McGhee KC) for a developer in relation to a trial of the quantum of “negotiation” damages owed to the claimant developer following breach of an overage agreement.
Acting (with John McGhee KC) for a developer in a dispute relating to the lease of a dock.
Acting (with John McGhee KC) for a developer in an expert determination relating to the interpretation of an option agreement.
Acting (with Thomas Grant KC) for a real estate business in an expert determination relating to contractual interpretation and estoppel.
Acting (with Andrew Ayres KC) in unfair prejudice proceedings relating to a group of companies making up an international luxury fashion brand.
Acting (with Mark Cunningham KC) in unfair prejudice/partnership proceedings in Gibraltar relating to two Gibraltarian companies.
Acting (led by Andrew Walker KC) for the defendant in the trial of a claim and counterclaim relating to the ownership and control of two companies.
Advising an incorporated charity in relation to rectification of its register of members.
Investcom Global Limited v Plc Investments Limited [2024] EWHC 2505 (Comm)
Acting (with Edward Levey KC) for the Defendants in successful discharge (in part) of anti-suit injunction on the ground that the English Court lacked supervisory jurisdiction over the relevant arbitration. The judgment reaffirmed the critical importance of the seat of the arbitration as founding the basis for such jurisdiction and contained important observations as to the powers of the ICC Court to determine the seat under Article 18 of the ICC Rules (and the ability of the arbitral tribunal to change the seat thereafter).
Acting as sole counsel in £2 million arbitration proceedings concerning an abortive corporate acquisition.
On 4 October 2024, the Commercial Court (Henshaw J) handed down judgment…
In its judgment handed down on Monday (22 July 2024), the Court…
On 3 November 2023, Mrs Justice Cockerill handed down judgment in Loreley…
Adam Collins
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3798
Click here to email
Alfie Sweeney
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6855
Click here to email
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