Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
"A genius with the incredible ability to absorb lots of complicated information and see the wood from the trees. A very eloquent and skilled advocate who makes his points with a devastating combination of politeness and force." (Legal 500, 2025)
"Incredibly intelligent" "... a very forensic and strong cross-examiner and a great guy to have on one’s side." (Legal 500, 2024)
Adam's cases frequently involve allegations of fraud, the breakdown of shareholder relationships, or difficult questions of contractual construction. He also has significant experience in disputes resulting from the sale of specialist machinery and technology. He is equally comfortable litigating in the courts or in arbitration, and has extensive experience of leading large teams on complex, high-value matters, often in the public eye and with an international element.
Adam is regularly instructed on urgent applications including for multi-party freezing and/or search and related relief (including Bankers Trust orders, orders for cross-examination, and Bench Warrants), Norwich Pharmacal orders, orders for delivery up, and orders in support of arbitration. He acts for claimants and respondents, obtaining novel and wide-ranging relief (eg [2020] EWHC 2114 (Ch)). He has recent experience of applications and claims in respect of cryptocurrency and of cyber-attacks/hacking, and regularly trains law firms on legal issues relating to cryptoassets and attacks.
He is the Chair of the London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association (LCLCBA), and sits on the Bar Council's General Management Committee as well as on the The Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) sub-committee responsible for Mentoring for Underrepresented Groups.
Adam is ranked in the latest editions of Legal 500 for Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration (Counsel), and Civil Fraud. Recent comments include:
Adam acts in a broad range of commercial disputes, both in court and in arbitration.
Whilst at Skadden, Adam was a member of the Legal Business Award “Dispute Resolution Team of the Year” in both 2012 and 2013.
“A genius with the incredible ability to absorb lots of complicated information and see the wood from the trees. A very eloquent and skilled advocate who makes his points with a devastating combination of politeness and force.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Incredibly intelligent, can get to grips with the most complicated legal and factual issues. An encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Very knowledgeable and clever. Knows the law extremely well and can comprehend highly complex issues very quickly. Tremendous attention to detail.”
Legal 500, 2023
Acting (leading Sanjay Patel (4 Pump Court, Daniel Cashman, and John Eldridge (Serle Court)) for 5 directors in defence of a 9-figure claim alleging breach of directors' duties in the context of a massive alleged fraud. Listed for a 22-week trial in 2024.
Acting (leading Tom Lowenthal) for a medical supplier in respect of various claims (amounting tens of millions of pounds) relating to the supply of medical equipment during the COVID pandemic.
Acting for one of the world's largest chemicals companies in a multi-million pound dispute over licensing fees.
Acting for the successful second defendant (leading Barnaby Lowe) on its application to set aside service out on the basis that the ‘necessary or proper party’ jurisdictional gateway (CPR PD6B, paragraph 3.1(3)) cannot be used to bring a foreign defendant into the jurisdiction where the anchor defendant could have contested jurisdiction but voluntarily accepted service of the claim form.
£2.4 billion freezing injunction. Acting unled for a third party impacted by a search order and related fraud proceedings. At a series of hearings, the Court ordered (amongst other things) as a condition of continuation that the Claimant must undertake to pay his client’s costs of compliance on the indemnity basis, other far-reaching orders for the protection of Adam's clients ([2020] EWHC 2114 (Ch)), and subsequently that the review of documents should cease ([2021] EWHC 1360 (Ch)).
Acting for the Defendant to a c$50m claim under a loan for development of infrastructure in Africa, in a case considering the novel remedy of appropriation.
Acted (with Nick de Marco QC) for the Premier League club in contempt of court proceedings brought against a former employee, Craig Kline, with respect to certain tweets and other posts made by Mr Kline in breach of the Court’s orders. Following the hearing of the applications (which Fulham secured be heard in private), Butcher J sitting in the Commercial Court upheld Fulham’s two committal applications on 25 November 2020 and fined Mr Kline £25,000 following a sanctions’ hearing on 12 January 2021.
Acting for the successful Claimant in a dispute over leave to enforce an arbitral award, resulting in a judgment considering (amongst other things) the Court's jurisdiction under s.66 Arbitration Act 1996, oral contracts, and the effect of consent awards.
Acting for a leading real estate development group in its $3bn claim for breach of trust and breach of contract against its former joint venture partner (leading David Lowe, Carmine Conte, Barnaby Lowe, and Indian counsel).
Acting for an investment group in a large infrastructure lending dispute involving actions in the Commercial Court and other jurisdictions.
Acting (unled) for the Defendant in a claim for alleged breach of a consultancy agreement in respect of fundraising in the cannabis industry which engages (amongst other things) questions as to the scope of a duty of good faith.
Acting (unled) for the Respondent bank in a claim alleging political interference in the judicial process of two CIS companies, in breach of contract.
Acting (unled) for the Respondent in a substantial claim for damages and other relief arising out of written and unwritten contracts, engaging amongst other things issues of Russian law and novel points on agency.
Acting (unled) for the Defendant in a claim for alleged breach of a contract relating to Russian/Estonian freight forwarding.
Acting with Robert Anderson QC for the claimant in a dispute concerning an African national telecoms operator and Chinese supplier.
Acting with Ian Mill QC on a $80m+ claim for fraudulent misrepresentation inducing a significant investment in an African infrastructure asset. London arbitration under the LCIA Rules.
Acting unled for the claimant in a case scrutinising the Google AdSense terms.
Acting (unled) for the second defendant in an 8-figure fraud claim engaging novel trust issues, s.423 claims, and allegations of sham.
Acting (leading Daniel Cashman) for 6 claimants in claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and other grounds in respect of 10 investment schemes, amounting to approximately £15 million. Obtaining freezing orders including under the Chabra jurisdiction against 14 respondent parties, together with ancillary relief including a passport order and orders for alternative service.
Acting (led by Tom Croxford QC) in conjoined unfair prejudice petitions brought by one brother against another in respect of their holdings in businesses with a combined annual turnover of approximately £640 million.
Acting (leading Hollie Higgins) on the successful appeal of a decision on the construction of an entire agreement clause.
Acting (unled) for the claimant in claims brought for undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, breach of trust, fraudulent misrepresentation and in restitution in respect of a series of investments in motorcars, property and financial instruments.
Acting (led by Alan Maclean QC) for the defendant businessman in a series of claims totalling more than £134m.
Acting for the Claimant in this €70m+ fraud claim arising in the context of a joint venture (with Andrew Green QC and George Molyneaux).
Acting (unled) for the defendant owners of an Eastern-block bank in a dispute over an alleged agreement for its sale. (London seated arbitration under the LCIA Rules (2014))
Acting (with Andrew Hunter QC, Harry Adamson and Tom Coates) for the Defendants in a £165m claim involving allegations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and contract.
Acting (with Harish Salve SC and Monica Carss-Frisk QC) for an international industrialist in a $500m dispute resulting from an oral contract and related claims in respect of breach of contract and allegedly dishonest conduct.
Acting (with Harish Salve) for a well-known industrialist in a $125m+ dispute relating to an investment in India alleging various breaches of warranty
Acting (unled) for the defendant manufacturer in a £7m+ claim resulting from the failure of cooling water pumps at a power station. (Zurich seated arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration)
Acting (with Robert Howe QC) for the applicant seeking declaratory relief in respect of the interpretation of a consent order.
Acting (unled) for a service provider in a £16m dispute relating to the termination of a long-term outsourcing/agency agreement.
Acting (unled) for the defendant in a claim for breach of contract and counterclaim alleging a photocopier fraud.
Acting (unled) for the defendant in a dispute relating to a contract for bonds allegedly concluded on the Bloomberg network.
Acting (unled) for the defendants in a shareholder dispute taking the form of conjoined claims for (amongst other things) declaratory relief, statutory compensation, damages, and rectification of a company’s register of members.
Adam has extensive experience of fraud claims in a wide range of contexts including cryptocurrency. He frequently appears in all divisions of the High Court for both claimants and defendants on urgent appeals for interim relief, including search orders, freezing injunctions and related orders.
“He is very receptive, strategic and knowledgeable.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Very knowledgeable and clever. Knows the law extremely well and can comprehend highly complex issues very quickly. Tremendous attention to detail.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Strong analysis – quickly identifies key points, good grasp of the evidence. Writes clearly and persuasively.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Thorough, meticulous and impressively committed to the case.”
Legal 500, 2022
“An extremely good advocate.”
Legal 500, 2021
“prepared for anything the judge could throw at him - incredibly thorough with good strategic sense.”
Legal 500, 2021
Acting (leading Sanjay Patel (4 Pump Court, Daniel Cashman, and John Eldridge (Serle Court)) for 5 directors in defence of a 9-figure claim alleging breach of directors' duties in the context of a massive alleged fraud. Listed for a 22-week trial in 2024.
Securing freezing, proprietary freezing and related relief for a successful musician against a professional adviser.
Acting (leading Mark Galtrey of Falcon Chambers) for alleged Chabra defendants in a multi-million pound fraud claim.
Acting (leading Tom Lowenthal) for a medical supplier in respect of various claims (amounting tens of millions of pounds) relating to the supply of medical equipment during the COVID pandemic.
Successfully resisting an application for a freezing injunction, proprietary injunction and related relief in respect of cryptocurrency.
Successfully obtaining interim non-disclosure orders and other relief against a hacker for a financial institution.
£2.4 billion freezing injunction. Acting unled for a third party impacted by a search order and related fraud proceedings. At a series of hearings, the Court ordered (amongst other things) as a condition of continuation that the Claimant must undertake to pay his client’s costs of compliance on the indemnity basis, other far-reaching orders for the protection of Adam's clients ([2020] EWHC 2114 (Ch)), and subsequently that the review of documents should cease ([2021] EWHC 1360 (Ch)).
Acting (leading Daniel Cashman) for 6 claimants in claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and other grounds in respect of 10 investment schemes, amounting to approximately £15 million. Obtaining freezing orders including under the Chabra jurisdiction against 14 respondent parties, together with ancillary relief including a passport order and orders for alternative service.
Obtaining a search order and related relief (leading Kerenza Davis).
Acting for the claimant in this fraud claim which involved the grant of unusual relief over a series of ex parte applications: obtaining a freezing injunction, bankers trust relief, Norwich pharmacal relief, order for cross-examination as to assets, Bench Warrant. Judgment in default obtained in 2017.
Acting with Ian Mill QC on a $80m+ claim for fraudulent misrepresentation inducing a significant investment in an African infrastructure asset. London arbitration under the LCIA Rules.
Acting (unled) for the second defendant in an 8-figure fraud claim engaging novel trust issues, s.423 claims, and allegations of sham.
Acting (unled) for the claimant in claims brought for undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, breach of trust, fraudulent misrepresentation and in restitution in respect of a series of investments in motorcars, property and financial instruments.
Acting for the Claimant in this €70m+ fraud claim arising in the context of a joint venture (with Andrew Green QC and George Molyneaux).
Acting (with Andrew Hunter QC, Harry Adamson and Tom Coates) for the Defendants in a £165m claim involving allegations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and contract.
Obtaining (unled) freezing and proprietary injunctions, and orders for the provision of information, against a senior manager who conducted a fraud on her employer.
Acting (unled) for the defendant in a claim for breach of contract and counterclaim alleging a photocopier fraud.
Obtaining (unled) a freezing injunction for a government agency following a tax assessment under POCA powers.
Acting (unled) for a policyholder in a claim which was denied on the grounds of fraud.
Acting (unled) for partners in a professional firm in a £4m coverage dispute involving allegations of fraud
Adam frequently acts in a wide range of international commercial arbitrations, both ad hoc and institutional, and in related applications to court
“Adam - a go to silk for civil fraud and injunctions. Very bright and a pleasure to work with. Very good on strategy.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Adam is a senior advocate who can take some very difficult instructions and lead. He is a very forensic and strong cross-examiner and a great guy to have on one’s side.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Adam is a senior advocate who can take some very difficult instructions and lead. He is a very forensic and strong cross-examiner and a great guy to have on one’s side.”
Legal 500, 2023
Acting for the successful Claimant in a dispute over leave to enforce an arbitral award, resulting in a judgment considering (amongst other things) the Court's jurisdiction under s.66 Arbitration Act 1996, oral contracts, and the effect of consent awards.
Acting for a leading real estate development group in its $3bn claim for breach of trust and breach of contract against its former joint venture partner (leading David Lowe, Carmine Conte, Barnaby Lowe, and Indian counsel).
Acting (unled) for the Respondent in a substantial claim for damages and other relief arising out of written and unwritten contracts, engaging amongst other things issues of Russian law and novel points on agency.
Acting with Robert Anderson QC for the claimant in a dispute concerning an African national telecoms operator and Chinese supplier.
Acting (unled) for the Respondent bank in a claim alleging political interference in the judicial process of two CIS companies, in breach of contract.
Acting (with Nick de Marco QC) for the Defendants on a section 9 Arbitration Act application.
Acting (unled) for a one of the former partners in a dispute resulting from the breakdown of a partnership amidst allegations of fraud. London, ad hoc, arbitration.
Acting with Ian Mill QC on a $80m+ claim for fraudulent misrepresentation inducing a significant investment in an African infrastructure asset. London arbitration under the LCIA Rules.
Acting (led by Nick de Marco QC) for a Premiership football club in a dispute with a former senior employee, including obtaining High Court relief in support of the arbitration.
Acting (unled) for the defendant owners of an Eastern-block bank in a dispute over an alleged agreement for its sale. (London seated arbitration under the LCIA Rules (2014))
Acting (with Harish Salve) for a well-known industrialist in a $125m+ dispute relating to an investment in India alleging various breaches of warranty
Acting (with Harish Salve SC and Monica Carss-Frisk QC) for an international industrialist in a $500m dispute resulting from an oral contract and related claims in respect of breach of contract and allegedly dishonest conduct.
Acting (unled) for the defendant manufacturer in a £7m+ claim resulting from the failure of cooling water pumps at a power station. (Zurich seated arbitration under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration)
Acting for the defendant (re)insurer in a $50m coverage dispute on the Bermuda Form.
Acting for the claimant pharmaceutical company in a series of claims through a tower of insurance on various Bermuda Forms.
Adam has extensive experience in applications and claims in respect of cryptocurrency and in respect of cyber-attacks/hacking. He has both obtained and resisted injunctions, and successfully taken claims against persons unknown to judgment.
He is currently instructed for Tulip Trading Limited and Craig Wright.
He regularly trains law firms on legal issues relating to cryptoassets and attacks.
Bar Vocational Course, BPP Law School, 2006; GDL, BPP Law School, 2005; BA, University of Nottingham, 2002 (First Class Honours)
VAT registration number: 156085601
Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board
Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Derek Sutton
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7327
Adam Sloane
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7326
Dean Tolman
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7331
Billy Brian
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7339
Marc Armstrong
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7330
Adam Fuschillo
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7329
Danny Compton
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7338
Sophie Reeve
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7324
Toby Dennison
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7328
Daniel Higgins
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7322
Lilly-Grace Hilliard
Clerk
+44 (0)20 7822 7234