Call 1978 | Silk 1994
"A stellar performer, with unsurpassed positive energy. He is a clear-sighted thinker who is fabulous with clients."
The Legal 500
Alex Taylor
Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3706
Click here to email
Luke Diebelius
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3711
Click here to email
Matthew Evans
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3707
Click here to email
Richard Lissack KC is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in the fields of international banking and financial services, anticorruption legislation, financial crime, commercial fraud, health and safety, public inquiries and regulatory breaches.
He represents organisations, their directors and other High Net Worth individuals.
His recent experience includes leading teams on several landmark banking cases, including defending a multi-billion-pound claim brought against Credit Suisse and Privinvest by Mozambique, arising from a notorious US$2 billion loan scandal, and acting for a number of UK financial entities in the Man Group amongst over 30 parties sued by the Kuwaiti Pension Fund for losses sustained over a 30-year period. His commercial practice includes numerous multi-faceted, high-profile cases including the long-running Autonomy proceedings and the commercial, regulatory and enforcement proceedings against Barclays Bank arising out of its capital raising in 2008 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Other previous matters include The JP Morgan “London Whale” litigation, litigation arising out of LIBOR and FOREX, and the serial litigation between ENRC and Dechert LLP.
Richard has been called to the Bar, or is a licensed practitioner in, London, New York, Northern Ireland, Eastern Caribbean and Dubai International Financial Centre Courts. He is consulting editor of the Financial Services Handbook by Butterworths, co-author of Lissack & Horlick on Bribery and editor of Public Inquiries by OUP.
Barclays Bank Qatar Capital Raising Litigation
Acting as Lead Silk on a series of landmark cases arising out of the raising of many billions of pounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in 2008. The resultant litigation spanned an SFO prosecution, a Commercial Court claim and overseas and UK regulatory action.
Mozambique v Privinvest
Representing Privinvest Group and its UBO Iskander Safa in this multi-billion-pound claim brought by Mozambique, involving allegations of fraud across multiple jurisdictions.
Kuwait Pension Fund v The Man Group & Ors
Acting for The Man Group in this billion-pound claim against 30 plus corporations and individual defendants for alleged bribery and corruption spanning 30 years.
1 MDB
Advising the key individual in multi-jurisdictional proceedings arising from worldwide litigation into what the US Department of Justice alleges to be the largest fraud it has ever investigated with issues spanning the full gamut of civil and criminal action around the world and collaborating with lawyers in several different regions and legal systems.
Autonomy litigation
Acting for the CFO of Autonomy in the Commercial Court proceedings and in relation to allegations of breaches of regulatory and disciplinary law brought by the FRC, all arising from the US $8 billion sale of Autonomy to HP.
Richard has appeared in and advised in connection with almost every significant public inquiry of recent times and is consulting editor of Public Inquiries (OUP). His record in health and safety and public inquiries work is unsurpassed. Building on significant matters such as Jimmy Saville Estate Trusts, Shipman, Southall Rail Inquiry, Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Ladbroke Grove and Potters Bar Rail Crashes, Richard’s practice features the most significant recent Public Inquiries such as Grenfell Tower and the Didcot Power Station explosion.
Representing two separate parties at the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Re Harold Shipman
Leading the team of five counsel representing the families of over 240 patients murdered by Dr Harold Shipman throughout the Public Inquiry into his conduct, chaired by Dame Janet Smith. The Inquiry was seminal in changing the regulation of medicine (and general practice in particular) across the UK, and beyond.
Re Southall, Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield Rail and Potters Bar rail crashes
Appearing at the Public Inquiries into each of these rail disasters, chaired by Lord Cullen and Professor Sir John Uff KC, representing the Police and other allied law enforcement agencies concerned with each crash and its aftermath and investigation.
Bristol Royal Infirmary Public Inquiry
Acting for the Bristol Heart Children Action Group at the Bristol Royal Infirmary Public Inquiry, handling related fatal and acute brain damage claims for bereaved and injured.
Trustees of Jimmy Saville Estate Trusts
Acting in the investigation into the status of Saville Trusts following police investigations.
Acting for a power company in relation to the Didcot Power station explosion inquests.
Haug v Acting Coroner & Attorney General of Cayman Islands
Acting in a successful Judicial Review granted for a case against an acting Coroner to change the Inquest verdict from ‘open’ to ‘suicide’.
Acting for the owners of a significant property in connection with a number of linked deaths arising from Legionnaires disease and subsequent inquests.
Richard’s civil liberties practice remains effervescent.
Acting in a major case concerning a luxury brand in allegations of modern slavery and exploitation.
Advising an African state’s most senior elected official politician as to the illegality or otherwise of his impeachment before his national parliament.
Acting for a Middle Eastern communications company in a £30 billion claim against a Middle Eastern state involving contractual theft, civil fraud and elements of human rights abuses.
Acting for the directors of a Swedish company in a series of linked proceedings arising out of the company’s alleged involvement in genocide in South Sudan block 5A.
Richard is an adroit silk who is sought out to advise companies as well as individuals and employees on matters such as rate rigging, corporate transactional fraud and false accounting allegations. He works on the most significant UK and international banking cases, most of which have expanded to cover related crime, regulatory and employment issues.
Mozambique v Credit Suisse and Privinvest
Representing Privinvest Group and its UBO Iskander Safa in this multi-billion-pound claim brought against Credit Suisse and Privinvest group by Mozambique, involving allegations of fraud across multiple jurisdictions.
ECU Plc v HSBC Plc
Acting for ECU concerning a £200 million foreign exchange fraud.
Barclays Bank Qatar Capital Raising
Acting as Lead Silk on a case involving multiple billions of dollars.
Barclays Bank v PCP Capital
Acting in a disputed £800 million claim by Amanda Staveley’s investment consultancy services company, PCP Capital, relating to Barclays’capital raising in Qatar.
JP Morgan London Whale
Acting in the London Whale case involving the billion-dollar hole in the bank’s accounts, including the first ever Judicial Review granted against the FCA for refusal to continue and complete their investigation. Linked matters include the issuing of a Corporate Warning Notice and US criminal proceedings, the Macris appeal by the FCA before the Supreme Court and co-parties lawsuits against the FCA for damage to reputations.
In re Bank
Acting as Lead Silk for the bank in the case of allegations of manipulation of LIBOR banking system.
In re 'A' Bank
Providing regulatory and compliance advice for a new Bank operating in UK, Africa and USA.
UBS Bank Forex Manipulation case
Acting as Lead Silk in a forex manipulation case brought in New York, London and Zurich.
A UAE Bank
Advising a UAE bank in connection with proceedings in several jurisdictions including UK, USA and Abu Dhabi arising from the collapse of the Abraaj Group following allegations of fraud and fund mismanagement.
Richard’s civil fraud practice is significant, both nationally and internationally, and is consistently packed with high-profile and complex matters. He is regularly sought out to advise companies as well as individuals and employees on matters such as rate rigging, corporate transactional fraud and false accounting allegations. His civil fraud matters often expand to encompass related crime, regulatory and employment issues.
Acting for the administrators of a renowned Middle Eastern healthcare group following the discovery of accounting irregularities.
1 MDB
Acting as the sole KC providing lead counsel and coordinating across all jurisdictions in a worldwide investigation into what the US Department of Justice alleges to be the largest fraud it has ever investigated.
Acting for Barclays Bank in a £1 billion claim against Barclays Bank arising out of capital raising in 2008 by Abu Dhabi.
Kuwait Pension Fund v The Man Group & Ors
Acting for The Man Group in this billion-pound claim against 38 corporations and individual defendants for bribery and corruption spanning 30 years.
Michael Ashley & St James Holdings Limited v Tony Michael Jimenez
Acting in a significant commercial fraud claim in London and Dubai arising out of high-profile investments in sporting and leisure complexes world-wide, involving elements of forgery and deception.
For several years Richard has been recommended as a leader in Commercial Crime in the legal directories and has led on some of the most significant commercial and regulatory cases. He remains one of the most sought-after silks in the area, representing organisations, their directors and other High Net Worth individuals.
HP & Autonomy
Acting for the CFO of Autonomy in several allegations of corporate fraud both by the SFO in the UK and the FRC in the USA in relation to $8 billion sale of Autonomy to HP.
Acting as expert witness in relation to a number of substantial international arbitrations concerning the sale of a large number of aircraft in the Middle East, Africa and China, which gave rise to complex issues of bribery, corruption and compliance with the international anti-corruption standards.
In Re Innospec
Advising in the first US-UK joint corporate monitorship under $40 million settlement, following a bribery case.
JP Morgan London Whale
Acting in the London Whale case involving the billion-dollar hole in the bank’s accounts, including the first ever Judicial Review granted against the FCA for refusal to continue and complete their investigation. Linked matters include the issuing of a Corporate Warning Notice and US criminal proceedings, the Macris appeal by the FCA before the Supreme Court and co-parties lawsuits against the FCA for damage to reputations.
ENRC
Advising and acting for Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation investigation by the SFO.
For several years Richard has been recommended as a leader in Commercial Crime in the legal directories and has led on some of the most significant commercial and regulatory cases. He remains one of the most sought-after silks in the area, representing organisations, their directors and other High Net Worth individuals.
FCA v (1) Estelle Croft (2) Tim Coleman (3) Fraser Fisher (Redcentric LLC)
Acting for Fraser Fisher, the former CEO of Redcentric Plc, in the prosecution by the FCA for false and misleading statements to the market.
Oleg Deripaska v Vladimir Chernukhin (DPP intervening)
Acting for Vladimir Chernukhin in the, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Commercial Court, Southwark Crown Court and Administrative Court, in proceedings arising out of a $1 billion Commercial Court judgment in the client’s favour.
Acting for a well-known high-profile family in various proceedings relating to investigations in multiple jurisdictions including the UK, USA, Cyprus and arbitration in Paris, arising out of alleged Russian corruption and money laundering.
Acting for a private equity firm, in an FCA is investigation for possible fraud to the market as well as serious internal cultural failings.
Acting in a $4 billion transatlantic insurance commercial claim and investigation in the UK and USA involving the SFO, FCC and FCA.
For several years Richard has been recommended as a leader in Commercial Crime in the legal directories and has led on some of the most significant commercial and regulatory cases. He remains one of the most sought-after silks in the area, representing organisations, their directors and other High Net Worth individuals.
Barclays Bank Qatar Capital Raising
Acting as Lead Silk on a case involving multiple billions of dollars.
Serco v SFO
Representing Serco in this long-running multi-million-pound investigation into public procurement services provided by Serco to the UK Government.
X v SFO
Acting for a very well-known FTSE 100 entity, under investigation by the Crown Office of Scotland and the Serious Fraud Office in London for institutionalised corruption.
Representing the Chief Executive of an investment management company, in high profile regulatory proceedings arising out of a series of whistle-blower complaints.
Acting for a high-street chain in a multi-disciplinary investigation into COVID-19 management at one of their warehouses which employs 4,500 people, following allegations that COVID-19 safety standards had been ignored.
Richard’s commercial disputes practice is significant, both nationally and internationally, and is consistently packed with high-value and multi-faceted matters, spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Mozambique v Privinvest
Representing Privinvest Group and its UBO Iskander Safa in this multi-billion-pound claim brought against Privinvest group by Mozambique involving allegations of fraud across multiple jurisdictions.
Kuwait Pension Fund v The Man Group & Ors
Acting for The Man Group in this billion-pound claim against 38 corporations and individual defendants for bribery and corruption spanning 30 years.
Avonwick Holdings v Sergiy Taruta & Ors
Acting for the claimant in a $1 billion commercial claim relating to the sale of a controlling interest in the Ukraine steel industry to a Russian government entity.
Acting in a commercial claim by a Middle Eastern telecoms company regarding the contractual theft of around £30 billion. The claim touches on civil fraud and elements of Human Rights issues.
Acting in a high-value commercial court claim regarding a significant civil fraud and a conspiracy between four Californian businessmen to defraud client of Intellectual property.
For many years, Richard has been rated as a leading Individual in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for health and safety work, and he has worked with the legal directory’s highest rated solicitors. His practice includes very high-profile and complex cases such as those involving the Didcot power station explosion and the Grenfell Tower tragedy. He is sought out to undertake high-profile cases of the utmost severity.
Buncefield Oil Refinery Explosion
Advising on regulatory liabilities and Health & Safety aspects of Europe’s biggest peacetime explosion.
Conoco Phillips North Sea Oil & Gas
Advising in connection with an incident arising from a leak of gas at a landing station.
Advising corporate entities regarding Health & Safety aspects of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Advising a power company regarding Health & Safety aspects of the Didcot Power Station explosion.
Representing organisations in relation to a prosecution by local authorities into linked series of breaches of Health & Safety and Environmental Laws.
Acting for a company regarding the installation of fire doors in public buildings post Grenfell.
Successfully representing a company in a multi-disciplinary investigation into COVID-19 management at a site which employs 4,500 people, following allegations that COVID-19 safety standards had been ignored inside the warehouse.
A major power supplier
Defending a company investigated for Corporate Manslaughter following the death of a linesman working in a Devon valley.
Hanson Products
Advising in connection with an alleged breach of Health and Safety Law after an employee fatality at work.
Re Sevenoaks District Council
Acting in an HSE investigation into an employee fatality at work.
Hanson Environment
Acting in a test case on air pollution.
For several years, Richard has been recommended in the legal directories for his financial services work, including as a Star Individual within Chambers & Partners. His practice is possibly one of the strongest in the Bar.
Attorney General of Isle of Man v PrivatBank & Ors
Acting in a matter regarding world-wide freezing orders.
Barclays Bank Qatar Capital Raising
Acting as Lead Silk on a case involving multiple billions of dollars which now includes a separate case relating to a claim by PCP Capital for investment advice for capital raising.
JP Morgan London Whale
Acting in the London Whale case involving the billion-dollar hole in the bank’s accounts, including the first ever Judicial Review granted against the FCA for refusal to continue and complete their investigation. Linked matters include the issuing of a Corporate Warning Notice and US criminal proceedings, the Macris appeal by the FCA before the Supreme Court and co-parties lawsuits against the FCA for damage to reputations.
FCA v (1) Estelle Croft (2) Tim Coleman (3) Fraser Fisher (Redcentric LLC)
Acting in the first ever prosecution under section 89 of the Financial Services Act 2012 (for the offence of making false or misleading statements), brought by the FCA against three individual defendants and former employees and directors of Redcentric Plc.
In A Pay-day Lender (confidential) v FCA & Financial Ombudsman Service
Acting in a matter regarding key issues in the regulation of home collected credit (HCC).
In Re 'K'
Acting in a regulatory matter arising out of a $4 billion investment in an oil and gas company.
In Re 'A' Bank
Advising on regulatory and compliance issues regarding an African banking venture in UK, USA and Africa, by senior US and UK banking figures.
In Re CT Capital
Advising on a Financial Conduct Authority investigation of an alleged £70 million loss associated with mishandling PPI claims.
Representing a bank as lead KC in multi-jurisdictional FCA proceedings worth multiple billions of pounds, relating to a breach of regulatory requirements.
Representing a franchisee of a Big Four accountancy firm in internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
Acting for a private equity firm in an FCA investigation regarding possible fraud to the market as well as serious internal cultural failings which may have led to serial breaches of the Principles.
Acting in a Commodities and Futures Trading Commission far-reaching probe into the activities of an oil and metals trading house.
Richard has extensive current and past experience of LCIA, ICSID and ad hoc arbitrations of maximum complexity. They span banking, the commercial and military air industry and oil and gas and other contractual issues.
His practice is cross jurisdictional and he is currently or has recently been involved with matters that involve the UK, US, Europe, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Latvia, Kazakhstan, West Africa, Thailand, India and offshore jurisdictions.
Three of Richard’s great strengths that informs his popularity in arbitrations are:
Richard is currently instructed in three major arbitrations.
Sports Direct International v Financial Reporting Council [2020] EWCA Civ 177, [2020] 2 WLR 1256
Acting for Sports Direct in an important appeal concerning legal professional privilege in the context of professional regulatory investigations in which the Court of Appeal confirmed the absolute nature of legal professional privilege and rejected the existence of a so-called “no infringement” exception.
For many years, Richard has been a leading Silk for disciplinary and regulatory law in relation to banking, financial services and business crime. He has a large number of ongoing cases, including complex matters of which many are multi-jurisdictional.
Sports Direct International v Financial Reporting Council [2020] EWCA Civ 177, [2020] 2 WLR 1256
Acting for Sports Direct in an important appeal concerning legal professional privilege in the context of professional regulatory investigations in which the Court of Appeal confirmed the absolute nature of legal professional privilege and rejected the existence of a so-called “no infringement” exception.
JP Morgan London Whale
Acting in the London Whale case involving the billion-dollar hole in the bank’s accounts, including the first ever Judicial Review granted against the FCA for refusal to continue and complete their investigation. Linked matters include the issuing of a Corporate Warning Notice and US criminal proceedings, the Macris appeal by the FCA before the Supreme Court and co-parties lawsuits against the FCA for damage to reputations.
Advising a prominent Russian in connection with contempt and injunctive non-disclosure proceedings in Jersey in relation to a solicitor’s breach of duties.
Acting for the CFO of Autonomy in response to allegations of breaches of regulatory and disciplinary law for accountants brought by the FRC in relation to the US $8 billion sale of Autonomy to HP.
Acting in a major financial markets investigation by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission arising from the Arch Cru investment collapse, representing three individuals in defence of disciplinary proceedings.
Acting for one of the Big Four accountancy firms in an internal investigation conducted by the Firm’s Global Oversight Body regarding a franchisee accused of multiple severe professional, regulatory failings and criminal conduct.
Southern & Scottish Gas Networks
Advising on gas network liabilities and public safety.
In Re 'K'
Acting in a regulatory matter arising out of a $4 billion investment in an oil and gas company.
In Re 'A' Bank
Advising on regulatory and compliance issues regarding an African banking venture in UK, USA and Africa, by senior US and UK banking figures.
In Re CT Capital
Advising in a Financial Conduct Authority investigation of an alleged £70 million loss associated with PPI miss selling for a confidential client.
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Alex Taylor
Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3706
Click here to email
Luke Diebelius
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3711
Click here to email
Matthew Evans
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3707
Click here to email
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