Call 2005 | Silk 2023
"An absolute star; he is thorough, incredibly bright and drafts beautifully."
The Legal 500
Mark O’Neill
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3777
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Fraser Linning
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3708
Click here to email
Simon Atrill KC is “an absolute star”, a “phenomenal” and “remarkable” advocate who is “incredibly bright and drafts beautifully” (Chambers & Partners).
Prior to taking silk, he was the Chambers & Partners ‘Banking Junior of the Year’ and was shortlisted for that award a further three times; he was also named a “Star of the Bar” by Legal Week.
He has been involved in some of the largest scale commercial litigation in recent years, both domestically and overseas. Although widely recognised for his banking and civil fraud expertise, his practice encompasses all aspects of commercial work. For example, during the last 12 months alone he has been instructed for Ukraine in its successful appeal to the Supreme Court in respect of a USD5 billion Eurobonds dispute, for war risks insurers in the ongoing claims in the Commercial Court brought by Western lessors of aircraft located in Russia (believed to be the largest aviation insurance dispute since the 9/11 claims), for Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot-Citroen in the so-called “Dieselgate” claims, and in obtaining judgment for a member of the Saudi Royal Family in claims against his former advisor alleging the misappropriation of assets. He has also continued to act in a range of banking and fraud claims including a multi-billion dollar claim alleging manipulation of foreign exchange rates, multiple disputes relating to oligarchs in CIS jurisdictions, and a substantial arbitration arising from alleged breaches of a Share Purchase Agreement.
Simon is regularly instructed to act as lead advocate, as sole counsel and as part of a wider team, in both Court proceedings and arbitrations. He has also acted as an English law advisor or expert in cases in half a dozen jurisdictions. In recent years, he has been instructed by sovereign states, several FTSE 100 companies, investment banks, pharmaceutical companies and various high net worth individuals, both as an advocate and advisor.
Acting for Ukraine (led by Bankim Thanki KC) in defending a claim for more than US$5 billion, brought by Law Debenture on behalf of the Russian Federation arising from a Eurobond issue in 2013. The Supreme Court’s decision is now the leading case relating to (1) the capacity of sovereign states (2) ostensible/usual authority (3) duress and countermeasures under public international law, and associated issues of justiciability/foreign act of state.
HRH Prince Khaled Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud v Gibbs [2024] EWHC 356 (Comm); [2022] EWHC 1052; (Comm); [2022] EWHC 742 (Comm); [2022] 1 WLR 3082
Acting for Prince Khaled and Princess Deema of Saudi Arabia (leading Sam Rabinowitz) in obtaining judgment for USD40m (and freezing order relief, amongst other interlocutory relief) arising from claims against Princess Deema’s former investment advisor for misappropriation of assets.
Madison Pacific Trust Co v Shakoor Capital & Privatbank [2020] EWHC 610 (Ch)
Substantial LCIA arbitration (for $400 million) and subsequent High Court litigation relating to Awards, raising novel issues concerning partial illegality arising from fraud in the context of Notes (led by David Wolfson KC).
Group Seven v Nasir & Others [2019] EWCA Civ 614; [2019] PNLR 22 and [2017] EWHC 1928 (Comm); [2018] PNLR 6 and Group Seven v Sultana & Others [2013] EWHC 1509 (Ch); [2014] 1 W.L.R. 735 (now the leading case on the effect of freezing injunctions against one-man companies) and [2014] EWHC 2046 (Ch) (three-month trial) and [2015] EWCA Civ 631
Acting for a high net worth individual (led by Jeff Chapman KC) in two successful claims, after separate three-month trials (and subsequent appeals), in dishonest assistance against accountants, solicitors, Swiss bankers and intermediaries alleged to have facilitated an elaborate multi-jurisdiction fraud.
Sandoz v Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd (settled after full trial, June 2019)
Acting for a major pharmaceutical company (led by Jeffrey Chapman KC) in the largest ever claim for damages on a cross-undertaking under a wrongly granted injunction for patent infringement.
Kodric v Bitstamp Holdings NV [2022] EWHC 210 (Ch)
Acting for Bitstamp in successfully defending claims by a co-founder of the cryptocurrency exchange business relating to call options over shares (led by Richard Handyside KC).
Advising provider of data services infrastructure in relation to contractual disputes (led by David Railton KC).
Acting (with Richard Handyside KC) in relation to a multi-million pound arbitration involving a major auction house.
Acting as sole counsel in relation to a substantial contractual dispute worth £1 million relating to antique motorcycles (seven-day High Court trial settled immediately before trial).
Dubai Aerospace Ltd and others v Lloyd’s Insurance Company SA and others (trial October 2024)
Acting for war risks insurers in claims brought by Western lessors of aircraft located in Russia at the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Believed to be the largest aviation insurance event since 9/11.
Acting for a Star Alliance carrier in relation to the distribution of Heathrow slots and hearing before the Civil Aviation Authority.
Acting in relation to an insurance dispute relating to the cause of a helicopter crash (details confidential).
Chambers & Partners ‘Banking Junior of the Year’ (and shortlisted for that award a further three times). Simon has extensive experience of all areas of investment and retail banking disputes, acting in some of the largest banking disputes in recent years involving all aspects of noteholder litigation, derivatives disputes, mis-selling, breach of mandate and large-scale investor/consumer litigation.
Law Debenture Trust Corp Plc v Ukraine [2023] UKSC 11; [2023] 2 WLR 699 [2018] EWCA Civ 2026; [2019] 2 WLR 655 & [2017] EWHC 655 (Comm); [2017] QB 1249 & [2017] EWHC 1902 (Comm)
Acting for Ukraine (led by Bankim Thanki KC) in defending a claim for more than US$5 billion, brought by Law Debenture on behalf of the Russian Federation arising from a Eurobond issue in 2013. The Supreme Court’s decision is now the leading case relating to (1) the capacity of sovereign states (2) ostensible/usual authority (3) duress and countermeasures under public international law, and associated issues of justiciability/foreign act of state.
Allianz Global Investors GmbH and others v Goldman Sachs and others
Acting for Goldman Sachs (led by Tom de la Mare KC) in multi-billion dollar claims in the CAT alleging foreign exchange manipulation by investment banks.
Libyan Investment Authority v Credit Suisse International [2021] EWHC 2684 (Comm)
Acting for Credit Suisse (led by Tim Howe KC) in successfully defending claims of bribery; the claims were struck out on limitation grounds.
Madison Pacific Trust Co v Shakoor Capital & Privatbank [2020] EWHC 610 (Ch)
Substantial LCIA arbitration (for $400 million) and subsequent High Court litigation relating to Awards, raising novel issues concerning partial illegality arising from fraud in the context of Notes (led by David Wolfson KC, later as lead advocate).
Global Defense Technology Limited v Salamanca Capital Investments & Another (2019)
Acting as sole counsel for the Claimant in a three-week Commercial Court trial for fraudulent misrepresentation arising from statements made to investors. Settled during trial.
Substantial LCIA arbitration (for $800 million) relating to CIS lending respectively (led by Ben Valentin KC).
Acting for an investment bank in connection with allegations of fraud relating to the issuance of Notes (details confidential).
Acting for a private equity fund in multi-jurisdictional dispute (including jurisdictional dispute and injunctive relief in two jurisdictions) worth more than €1 billion.
FSCS v Firstplus & Others
Acting for Firstplus (led by Tim Dutton KC) in relation to multi-million pound claims brought by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme arising from the purported assignment of consumer claims arising from PPI sold by Firstplus.
Marme Inversiones v RBS [2015] EWHC 173 (Comm); [2016] EWHC 1570 (Comm)
Jurisdiction dispute under the Judgments Regulation (related insolvency proceedings in Spain) in the context of a claim for €800 million under derivatives; claim dismissed at trial (led by Tim Howe KC).
National Bank Trust v Yurov [2016] EWHC 1913 (Comm) & [2016] EWHC 1991 (Comm)
Setting aside of freezing injunction for culpable but not deliberate non-disclosure.
JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov & Others [2013] EWHC 510 (Comm)
Acting for Mr Khazhaev (led by Jeffrey Chapman KC) in this four-month trial of allegations of fraudulent misappropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars by Mr Ablyazov and others from BTA Bank in Kazakhstan, allegedly achieved with assistance of multiple parties and through a complex web of companies.
Commission of Enquiry into the failure of CL Financial Ltd
Instructed by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (led by Bankim Thanki KC with Henry King KC) in relation to an Enquiry, led by Sir Anthony Colman, into the collapse of and subsequent State intervention in, the CLF Group resulting in billions of dollars in losses. Simon has been instructed in relation to multiple evidential hearings in Port of Spain during 2011 and 2012.
Credit Suisse Asset Management v Titan Europe 2006-1 [2016] EWHC 969 (Ch); [2016] EWCA Civ 1293
Acting for Credit Suisse in relation to a dispute arising from Notes issues with a value of €1 billion (led by Tim Howe KC).
Acting for a well-known investment bank in defending close-out methodology adopted in relation to emerging market derivatives in the context of the financial crisis (led by Richard Handyside KC).
Acting for Nationwide Building Society (led by Patrick Goodall KC) in claims brought against it arising from a contractual dispute.
Molton Street Capital LLP v Shooters Hill Capital Partners LLP [2015] EWHC 3419 (Comm)
Acting as sole counsel for the Claimant in the Commercial Court trial of a contractual dispute arising from the sale of bonds, giving rise to numerous issues of US securities law and regulation.
Acting for Barclays Bank, HBOS, Lloyds Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland in connection with interest rate swap mis-selling claims, including claims arising from alleged LIBOR manipulation.
Acting for an investment fund in relation to litigation concerning the enforcement of distressed property-related debt in Ireland (led by Robin Dicker QC with Ben Valentin KC).
QOGT Inc v International Oil & Gas Technology Fund Limited
Instructed by QOGT (led by Alain Choo Choy KC and Lance Ashworth KC) in relation to claims by a Canadian Investment Manager against a Fund relating to management fees, and counterclaims regarding investment performance.
Commerzbank v Credit Agricole
Instructed by Commerzbank (led by David Railton KC and Adam Zellick KC) in Commercial Court litigation relating to the proper construction of credit default swaps arising from the financial crisis in Ecuador.
OFT v Barclays Bank & 7 Other Financial Institutions [2009] UKSC 6; [2010] 1 AC 696; [2009] EWCA Civ 116; [2009] 2 W.L.R. 1286; [2008] EWHC 2325 (Comm); [2009] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 717; [2008] EWHC 875 (Comm); [2008] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 625
Acting for Barclays Bank plc (led by Iain Milligan KC/Jonathan Sumption KC and Andrew Mitchell) in the high-profile test case brought by the OFT against eight financial institutions in respect of the legality of current account charges. That has included acting for Barclays Bank in relation to the various trials in the Commercial Court and the appellate stage, as well as in the mercantile and county courts.
Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) and interest rate swaps/derivatives litigation
Acting for Barclays Bank plc in the High Court and county courts, and advising in relation to issues arising from claims relating to sale of PPI, interest rate swaps and derivatives.
Instructed (led by Ray Cox KC) in relation to an arbitration involving claims concerning derivative products totalling $150 million.
ICB v Akingbola
Instructed (led by Michael Bloch KC) in relation to the defence of various claims in excess of £80 million with associated multi-jurisdictional freezing orders, arising from the alleged misappropriation of assets from a major Nigerian bank.
Dhanani v Crasnianski [2011] EWHC 926; [2011] 2 All ER (Comm) 799
Acting (led by Marcus Smith KC/Robert Miles KC) in this two-week Commercial Court trial and subsequent appeal concerning a multi-million pound dispute about the establishment of a private equity fund.
National Westminster Bank Plc v Rabobank Nederland [2007] EWHC 3163 (Comm); [2008] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 266; [2008] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 16; [2007] EWHC 1742 (Comm); [2008] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 243; [2007] EWHC 1056 (Comm); [2006] EWHC 2959 (Comm); [2007] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 975
During 2006-07, Simon acted for Rabobank Nederland (in a team led by Ali Malek KC and including Jeffrey Chapman KC) in the interlocutory, trial and appellate stages of this international commercial litigation. Rabobank’s claims for misrepresentation (including fraud) and breach of fiduciary duty, amounting to more than US$200 million, were tried in the Commercial Court before Colman J for twelve weeks in the autumn of 2006.
Acting in relation to several multi-million dollar test cases in Hong Kong relating to alleged misselling of investments and derivatives.
Acting in relation to the administration of a Middle Eastern bank and issues arising from unwinding of complex financial instruments (led by Marcus Smith KC).
Acting for a lender in connection with alleged fraud relating to sub-prime mortgage lending (led by Michael Brindle KC and with Nik Yeo).
Acting for a prominent Middle Eastern company in relation to multiple claims in the High Court concerning various credit facilities (including jurisdictional and substantive issues).
Acting for a high street bank in relation to a multi-million pound claim brought against it.
Advising in relation to multi-million pound claims against an investment advisor involving breaches of fiduciary duty and negligence.
Acting (with Richard Handyside KC) in relation to a multi-million pound arbitration.
Acting for a high street bank in relation to a negligence claim brought against it.
Acting for an American bank in relation to claims brought against it in the English High Court.
Acting in a claim brought by receivers of Heritable Bank plc after the credit crunch.
Acting for the Royal Bank of Scotland in relation to the recovery of losses arising from an alleged fraudulent money-laundering scheme.
Acting for a customer in a claim against a major high street bank involving issues of misrepresentation, negligence and undue influence.
Advising major retail banks in connection with compliance with freezing orders and ancillary orders, including their international effect.
Various claims in relation to the enforcement of loans and their security (in particular, mortgages and guarantees).
Acting in numerous cases involving Consumer Credit Act issues (including PPI and other products).
Simon is frequently instructed in disputes arising from complex frauds, both for claimants and defendants, and has been involved in some of the most significant cases relating to developments in the law of deceit, dishonest assistance and conspiracy. Simon has particular experience in seeking, and seeking to discharge, freezing and other interlocutory injunctions.
HRH Prince Khaled Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud v Gibbs [2024] EWHC 356 (Comm); [2022] EWHC 1052; (Comm); [2022] EWHC 742 (Comm); [2022] 1 WLR 3082
Acting for Prince Khaled and Princess Deema of Saudi Arabia (leading Sam Rabinowitz) in obtaining judgment for USD40m (and freezing order relief, amongst other interlocutory relief) arising from claims against Princess Deema’s former investment advisor for misappropriation of assets.
Allianz Global Investors GmbH and others v Goldman Sachs and others
Acting for Goldman Sachs (led by Tom de la Mare KC) in multi-billion dollar claims in the CAT alleging foreign exchange manipulation by investment banks.
Group Seven v Nasir and others [2019] EWCA Civ 614; [2019] PNLR 22 and [2017] EWHC 1928 (Comm); [2018] PNLR 6 (led by Jeff Chapman KC)
Acting for the Claimant in a successful claim after a three-month trial (and subsequent appeal) of claims in dishonest assistance against accountants, solicitors and Swiss bankers alleged to have facilitated an elaborate multi-jurisdiction fraud.
Auden McKenzie v Patel
Instructed in relation to claims for approximately £300 million arising from the purchase of a pharmaceutical company. Settled before liability trial (February 2020).
Advising a Central European bank in relation to claims against former officers for alleged dishonesty.
Barclay Pharmaceuticals Ltd v Mekni
Acting for Claimant in enforcement of judgment against assets purportedly held by shell companies and family members.
Iranian Offshore Engineering & Construction Company v Dean Investment Holdings SA [2018] EWHC 2759 (Comm)
Acting for defendant accused of dishonest assistance in relation $80 million fraud.
Marme Inversiones v RBS [2015] EWHC 173 (Comm); [2016] EWHC 1570 (Comm)
Jurisdiction dispute under the Judgments Regulation (related insolvency proceedings in Spain) in the context of a claim for €800 million under derivatives; claim dismissed at trial (led by Tim Howe KC).
National Bank Trust v Yurov [2016] EWHC 1913 (Comm) and [2016] EWHC 1991 (Comm)
Setting aside of freezing injunction for culpable but not deliberate non-disclosure.
Group Seven v Sultana & Others [2013] EWHC 1509 (Ch); [2014] 1 W.L.R. 735 & [2014] EWHC 2046 (Ch) & [2015] EWCA Civ 631
Instructed in various interlocutory applications and a three-month trial (led by Jeffrey Chapman KC) of claims arising from an international fraud totalling €100 million. Succeeded at trial and in the CA.
JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov & Others [2013] EWHC 510 (Comm)
Acting for Mr Khazhaev (led by Jeffrey Chapman KC) in this four-month trial of allegations of fraudulent misappropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars by Mr Ablyazov and others from BTA Bank in Kazakhstan, allegedly achieved with assistance of multiple parties and through a complex web of companies.
National Westminster Bank Plc v Rabobank Nederland [2007] EWHC 3163 (Comm); [2008] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 266; [2008] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 16; [2007] EWHC 1742 (Comm); [2008] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 243; [2007] EWHC 1056 (Comm); [2006] EWHC 2959 (Comm); [2007] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 975
During 2006-07, Simon acted for Rabobank Nederland (in a team led by Ali Malek KC and including Jeffrey Chapman KC) in the interlocutory, trial and appellate stages of this international commercial litigation. Rabobank’s claims for misrepresentation (including fraud) and breach of fiduciary duty, amounting to more than US$200 million, were tried in the Commercial Court before Colman J for twelve weeks in the autumn of 2006 (described as one of the top ten trials of 2006 in The Lawyer 9/1/06, see also The Lawyer 4/9/06).
ICB v Akingbola
Instructed (led by Michael Bloch KC) in relation to the defence of various claims in excess of £80 million with associated multi-jurisdictional freezing orders, arising from the alleged misappropriation of assets from a major Nigerian bank.
Simon is involved in a wide range of commercial disputes, acting for sovereign states, international institutions and high net worth individuals. He is frequently instructed both for large-scale trials and also interlocutory disputes, such as jurisdictional disputes, questions of non-justiciability and sovereign immunity, and interlocutory injunctive relief.
Law Debenture Trust Corp Plc v Ukraine [2023] UKSC 11; [2023] 2 WLR 699Supreme Court; and [2018] EWCA Civ 2026; [2019] 2 WLR 655 and [2017] EWHC 655 (Comm); [2017] QB 1249 & [2017] EWHC 1902 (Comm)
Acting for Ukraine (led by Bankim Thanki KC) in defending a claim for more than US$3 billion, brought by Law Debenture on behalf of the Russian Federation arising from a Eurobond issue in 2013. The Supreme Court’s decision is now the leading case relating to (1) the capacity of sovereign states, (2) ostensible/usual authority, (3) duress and countermeasures under public international law, and associated issues of justiciability/foreign act of state.
Pakistan International Airline Corp v Times Travel (UK) Ltd [2021] UKSC 40; [2023] AC 101
Acting for Ukraine (led by Bankim Thanki KC) intervening in the Supreme Court’s decision as to the scope of economic duress in English law.
“Dieselgate” claims
Acting for Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot-Citroen (led by Leigh-Ann Mulcahy KC) in relation to group litigation brought by purchasers of diesel vehicles concerning alleged breaches of EU and UK legislation arising from nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions. The claims are part of one of the largest group litigation processes ever litigated in England, with more than one million Claimants.
Wilmington Trust National Association v Su [2022] EWHC 1051 (Comm)
Acting for the Claimant judgment creditor in recognising and enforcing a US judgment.
Advising a Russian oligarch in relation to jurisdictional issues (led by Sonia Tolaney KC).
Sandoz v Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Acting (led by Jeffrey Chapman KC) for a major pharmaceutical company in the largest ever claim for damages on a cross-undertaking under a wrongly granted injunction for patent infringement. Settled after full trial, June 2019.
Jeffrey Blue v Mike Ashley [2017] EWHC 1928 (Comm)
Acting for Mr Blue in the trial of his claim for £14 million against Mike Ashley arising from an alleged oral agreement reached in a pub.
Advising CIS entity in relation to potential duress arising in relation to entry into SPA.
Advising member of an LLP in relation to dispute with other members and expulsion from LLP.
Acting for a private equity fund in multi-jurisdictional dispute (including jurisdictional dispute and injunctive relief in two jurisdictions) worth more than €1 billion (led by Robin Dicker QC).
Advising a Ukrainian bank in relation to numerous jurisdictional issues in English and foreign litigation.
Molton Street Capital LLP v Shooters Hill Capital Partners LLP [2015] EWHC 3419
Acting as sole counsel for the Claimant in the Commercial Court trial of a contractual dispute arising from the sale of bonds, giving rise to numerous issues of US securities law and regulation.
Credit Suisse Asset Management v Titan Europe 2006-1 [2016] EWHC 969 (Ch); [2016] EWCA Civ 1293
Acting for Credit Suisse in relation to a dispute arising from Notes issues with a value of €1 billion (led by Tim Howe KC).
BAT v Windward Prospects Limited [2014] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 559 (jurisdiction) & [2013] EWHC 3612 (Comm) (receivers)
Acting (led by Robert Miles KC and Stuart Ritchie KC) in relation to indemnity claims in the Commercial Court arising out of pollution of a river in Wisconsin. The litigation forms a part of wider ongoing litigation in the USA involving regulatory and commercial proceedings between numerous parties concerning the clean-up costs that total hundreds of millions of dollars.
Acting (led by Bankim Thanki KC and with Andrew Kinnier) for a UK mining company and African subsidiary concerning claims arising from mining operations in Africa.
Acting (led by Bankim Thanki KC) in relation to a major dispute between Russian oligarchs concerning ownership of valuable Russian energy assets.
Acting (led by Tim Howe KC and Nik Yeo) in relation to a US$1 billion Russian oil and gas dispute.
Acting for a prominent Middle Eastern company in relation to multiple claims in relation to various credit facilities (including jurisdictional and substantive issues).
Acting (led by Michael Brindle KC) for one of the world’s richest men in a claim in the Cayman Islands for more than US$200 million concerning a shareholder dispute regarding a mobile telecommunications project in the Middle East.
Internet Broadcasting Ltd v Managed Accounts Reports LLC [2009] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 295
Led by Anthony Boswood QC, defending a claim for £6 million arising from a dispute arising from an internet TV channel; case settled before CA hearing.
OFT v Barclays Bank Plc & Others [2009] UKSC 6; [2010] 1 AC 696; [2009] EWCA Civ 116; [2009] 2 W.L.R. 1286; [2008] EWHC 2325 (Comm); [2009] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 717; [2008] EWHC 875 (Comm); [2008] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 625
Acting for Barclays Bank plc (led by Iain Milligan KC/Jonathan Sumption KC and Andrew Mitchell KC) in the high-profile test case brought by the OFT against eight financial institutions in respect of the legality of current account charges. That has included acting for Barclays Bank in relation to the various trials in the Commercial Court and the appellate stage, as well as in the mercantile and county courts.
ICB v Akingbola
Instructed (led by Michael Bloch KC) in relation to the defence of various claims in excess of £80 million with associated multi-jurisdictional freezing orders, arising from the alleged misappropriation of assets from a major Nigerian bank.
National Westminster Bank Plc v Rabobank Nederland [2007] EWHC 3163 (Comm); [2008] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 266; [2008] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 16; [2007] EWHC 1742 (Comm); [2008] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 243; [2007] EWHC 1056 (Comm); [2006] EWHC 2959 (Comm); [2007] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 97
During 2006-07, Simon acted for Rabobank Nederland (in a team led by Ali Malek KC and including Jeffrey Chapman KC) in the interlocutory, trial and appellate stages of this international commercial litigation. Rabobank’s claims for misrepresentation (including fraud) and breach of fiduciary duty, amounting to more than US$200m, were tried in the Commercial Court before Colman J for twelve weeks in the autumn of 2006. (Described as one of the top ten trials of 2006 in The Lawyer 9/1/06, see also The Lawyer 4/9/06).
Advising (led by Brian Doctor KC and Jeffrey Chapman KC) in relation to shareholder disputes concerning two FTSE 100 companies.
Acting in relation to a substantial contractual dispute worth £1 million relating to antique motorcycles (seven-day High Court trial settled immediately before trial).
Frequently instructed in relation to seeking, resisting or advising on the effects of injunctive relief in the High Court (both freezing orders and other forms of injunction); acting (as appellant and respondent respectively) in several appeals in relation to decisions of High Court Masters.
Instructed as an expert witness in proceedings in the Netherlands concerning various disputes arising from shareholder agreements.
Allianz Global Investors GmbH and others v Goldman Sachs and others
Acting for Goldman Sachs (led by Tom de la Mare KC) in multi-billion dollar claims in the CAT alleging foreign exchange manipulation by investment banks.
Auden McKenzie v Patel
Acting for the vendor of a pharmaceutical company sued for (amongst other claims) breaches of warranties arising from alleged breaches of competition law prior to sale, with parallel competition law investigations (led by Camilla Bingham KC and with Ian Bergson). Settled before liability trial due February 2020.
Acting for a Star Alliance carrier in relation to the distribution of Heathrow slots and hearing before the Civil Aviation Authority (led by Bankim Thanki KC).
Instructed by insurers in relation to a coverage dispute in Trinidad and Tobago regarding cover for failure of major electrical plant.
QOGT Inc v International Oil & Gas Technology Fund Limited
Instructed by QOGT (led by Alain Choo Choy KC and Lance Ashworth KC) in relation to claims by a Canadian Investment Manager against a Fund relating to management fees, and counterclaims regarding investment performance arising from oil and gas exploration investments.
Commission of Enquiry into the failure of CL Financial Ltd
Instructed by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (led by Bankim Thanki KC with Henry King KC) in relation to an Enquiry, led by Sir Anthony Colman, into the collapse of and subsequent State intervention in, the CLF Group resulting in billions of dollars in losses.
Simon has extensive experience of insurance and reinsurance disputes of varying sizes and complexity, both on his own account and also as part of a counsel team.
Dubai Aerospace Ltd and others v Lloyd’s Insurance Company SA and others (trial October 2024)
Acting for war risks insurers in claims brought by Western lessors of aircraft located in Russia at the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Believed to be the largest aviation insurance event since 9/11.
Instructed in a reinsurance arbitration (led by Michael Crane KC and Marcus Smith KC), with a value of approximately $100 million, that settled shortly before the ten-week trial.
Instructed (led by Michael Crane KC) in relation to substantial reinsurance arbitration.
Instructed as sole counsel in relation to insurance dispute relating to duties of placing brokers regarding retention of documents (trial February 2016).
Instructed as sole counsel in relation to a Commercial Court reinsurance dispute.
Instructed by insurers in relation to a coverage dispute in Trinidad and Tobago regarding cover for failure of major electrical plant.
Regularly instructed in connection with professional indemnity insurance disputes. In the last few years, he was led in several multi-million pound disputes of that kind, in particular relating to professional indemnity insurers for solicitors (including the insurers of a leading City law firm; led by Stephen Rubin KC) and accountants (led by Patricia Robertson KC).
Instructed in relation to various insurance disputes relating to coverage and non-disclosure.
Instructed in a multi-million pound claim raising issues of double insurance and coverage issues (led by Mark Simpson KC).
Instructed by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (led by Bankim Thanki KC with Henry King KC) in relation to an Enquiry, led by Sir Anthony Colman, into the collapse of and subsequent State intervention in, the CLF Group and its insurance companies resulting in billions of dollars in losses, raising various insurance issues and questions of regulatory supervision of insurance products. Simon has been instructed in relation to multiple evidential hearings in Port of Spain.
In addition to work in connection with such larger disputes, he is frequently involved as sole counsel in relation to smaller scale disputes, across a range of insurance products and for a range of insurers (including being regularly and frequently instructed by Barclays Bank plc in relation to certain retail insurance products), and both in the provision of advice and as an advocate.
Simon has been instructed in a number of high-value commercial arbitrations.
Madison Pacific Trust Co v Shakoor Capital & Privatbank [2020] EWHC 610 (Ch)
Acting in a substantial LCIA arbitration (for $400 million) and subsequent High Court litigation relating to Awards, raising novel issues concerning partial illegality arising from fraud in the context of Notes (led by David Wolfson KC, later as lead advocate).
Acting (led by Bankim Thanki KC) in a substantial arbitration relating to alleged breaches of a Share Purchase Agreement. Claims exceed $1 billion.
Acting in a substantial LCIA arbitration relating to CIS-related lending (led by Ben Valentin KC).
Acting in a reinsurance arbitration (led by Michael Crane KC) and associated dispute regarding stay of US proceedings for arbitration.
Acting in a mining dispute (led by Marcus Smith KC).
Acting in a derivatives dispute (led by Ray Cox KC).
Acting in a reinsurance arbitration (led by Michael Crane KC and Marcus Smith KC) with a value of approximately $100 million that settled shortly before the ten-week trial.
Acting in a substantial LCIA arbitration (led by Richard Handyside KC).
Acting in an aviation dispute (led by Bankim Thanki KC).
Instructed (as sole counsel) in Privy Council appeal from Trinidad & Tobago (permission to appeal pending).
Commission of Enquiry into the failure of CL Financial Ltd
Instructed by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (led by Bankim Thanki KC with Henry King KC) in relation to an Enquiry, led by Sir Anthony Colman, into the collapse of and subsequent State intervention in, the CLF Group resulting in billions of dollars in losses.
Acting (led by Michael Brindle KC) for one of the world’s richest men in a claim in the Cayman Islands for more than US$200 million concerning a shareholder dispute regarding a mobile telecommunications project in the Middle East.
Acting as English law advisor to CIS entity in relation to litigation in England, Cyprus, Israel and elsewhere.
Acting in relation to several multi-million dollar test cases in Hong Kong relating to alleged misselling of investments.
Advising (with Simon Salzedo KC) in relation to multi-billion dollar auditor negligence/breach of duty claim.
Acting (with Mark Simpson KC) in defending a professional negligence claim against a prominent firm of offshore solicitors for £100 million.
Acting (with Richard Handyside KC) in relation to a multi-million pound arbitration.
Acting in relation to several multi-million dollar test cases in Hong Kong relating to alleged misselling of investments.
Advising (with Patricia Robertson KC) in relation to a substantial accountant’s professional negligence case.
Advising in relation to multi-million pound claims against an investment advisor involving breaches of fiduciary duty and negligence.
Instructed by a Premiership football club in relation to claims concerning a football agent.
Instructed by a Premiership football club in relation to claims concerning a disputed transfer.
Civil Procedure
International Commercial Litigation / Conflict of Laws
Regulatory / Public Law / Human Rights
The trial of multi-billion dollar aviation insurance claims commenced today in the…
On 21 February 2024, Mr Justice Calver in the Commercial Court handed…
23 Fountain Court members are instructed in five of The Lawyer’s ‘Top…
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
Civil Procedure
International Commercial Litigation / Conflict of Laws
Regulatory / Public Law / Human Rights
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