Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227325
Tony Peto QC has been joint Head of Chambers since 2012.
Tony's main area of practice is commercial litigation with his single largest specialist practice area being international fraud. He has also acted in a wide range of Public Law and Human Rights matters. He has also represented Government bodies in commercial and public law cases.
Prior to his appointment to Silk, Tony was counsel to the Crown on the Attorney General's 'A' Panel.
Tony is recognised by both the leading independent legal directories, Chambers UK 2019 and Legal 500 2018, for his expertise in commercial litigation, civil fraud and POCA.
Tony acts as Lead Counsel in complex, high value fraud cases in the Commercial Court, Chancery and Queen’s Bench Divisions involving civil fraud, abuse of intellectual property, theft of confidential information or similar forms of commercial dishonesty, often leading multi-disciplinary teams of barristers, solicitors, investigators, foreign lawyers, computer experts and forensic accountants and involving world wide freezing orders, search orders, disclosure orders and committal.
“He has a wealth of experience in civil fraud.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“A brave advocate who is very confident in the face of a challenge.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“He is very good at coming up with creative asset recovery strategies.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“A standout barrister”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Very pragmatic and creative in relation to the nature of the relief/remedies being sought, particularly in relation to interim injunction orders.”
Legal 500, 2021
“A leading figure in civil fraud.”
Legal 500, 2019
“A fantastic advocate who is very client-friendly.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“He has so much experience in dealing with fraud cases.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Highly recommended for civil fraud.”
Legal 500, 2018
“A great advocate with real presence and stature.”
Chambers and Partners, 2018
“A fantastic strategist with an astounding ability to identify the key issues and assess the options.”
Chambers and Partners, 2018
“He's incredibly courteous and he's got a very good sense for tactics”
Chambers and Partners, 2017
“An impressive operator who can change the fortunes of a case”
Legal 500, 2016
US $100m dispute between Russian industrialist in relation to the ownership of a Russian textile factory and enforcement of arbitral award and allegations of international fraudulent conspiracy.
Defending allegations of bribery in relation to Korean contracts.
Multi-jurisdictional action between Russian oligarchs in a claim worth over US$2bn involving Russia, Cyprus, BVI and Ireland, Switzerland the UK. Case involves unlawful conspiracies to misappropriate a major industry in the Russian Federation. Tony coordinated legal experts from 6 jurisdictions as part of his role as lead counsel.
Advising in multi-million dollar claim for fraudulent conspiracy re a mining company in central Africa
Advising foreign government department as to corruption in an infrastructure contract.
Advising foreign state owned natural resources organisation in $12bn case of international corruption involving multi-jurisdictional injunctions.
Acting for a high net worth individual and his off-shore companies in their action for the fraudulent misappropriation of over US$700m worth of assets. Highly complex issues of foreign and private international law.
Multi-million pound claim for fraudulent misappropriation of algorithmic investment strategies from city financial institution. Complex injunctive remedies required from Chancery Division interrelating with judicial review and proceedings in Hong Kong and conducting trial for contempt of court.
Acting for the Claimant in a case of alleged international conspiracy to defraud dispute worth over US$500m in relation to interests in a multi-national middle eastern construction company (the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure company) with a capitalisation of several billion Us dollars. Complex issues of jurisdiction, EU law and Private International Law, involving the co-ordination of multi-national teams of lawyers.
High value joint venture dispute in the Commercial Court involving the Reignwood Group of companies. Associated proceedings in Luxembourg and the U.S. Instructed by the Reignwood Group, a very substantial group of companies headquartered in China (which owns Wentworth Golf Club, amongst other assets in the UK). The claim is brought by a senior former employee who claims to have had a joint venture with the billionaire owner of the Reignwood Group. The claims are very complex in factual terms, and largely governed by Chinese law.
High value commercial fraud proceedings in the Commercial Court relating to underlying allegations of bribery. Associated investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. The claim raises novel issues surrounding the interplay of warranty claims made by a purchaser of a company arising out of alleged bribery and claims by the company itself in relation to the same subject matter. There are also substantial third-party claims for contribution and in deceit. Raises issues of US and other foreign law.
Acting for Hewlett Packard in an alleged multi-million international fraud over a number of jurisdictions including Pakistan and the Gulf and involving the supply of several thousand servers allegedly in violation of discount schemes. Execution of Freezing Orders, Search Orders and Committal for alleged Contempt of Court.
£45M claim concerning an alleged fraudulent conspiracy against twelve defendants including a former director of the Claimant logistics company..
Acting for a high net worth individual and his off-shore companies in their action for the fraudulent misappropriation of over US$700m worth of assets. Highly complex issues of foreign and private international law.
Acting for Brazilian based mining companies in multi-million dollar dispute involving misappropriation of company assets and dispute over shares. Multiple applications for domestic and foreign freezing orders.
Lead Counsel for the Defence for over 6 Defendants in a 12 week Commercial Court trial in a claim for over US$170m in an alleged Russian banking fraud attracting international media interest. Issues of private international law, foreign law, privilege and public policy. Over 120 files to digest and over a dozen witnesses to cross-examine.
Lead Counsel for Claimants in multi-jurisdictional US$70m fraud case against the Deputy Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament and alleged associates of the Moldovan Mafia. Obtaining Norwich Pharmacal orders and “doorstep raiding” orders to assist civil and criminal proceedings in Moldova, Germany and Scotland and to assist Human Rights proceedings in the ECHR, Strasbourg. Involved complex issues of jurisdiction and private international law.
Lead Counsel for the Defendant against a Bahraini Bank in a US$500m claim arising out of alleged fraudulent “connected party” transactions. Defending allegations of conspiracy to injure, misappropriation of confidential banking information and malicious falsehood.
Acted for SOCA in a civil recovery claim worth over £100m in relation to an alleged international pension and insurance fraud involving two Court of Appeal appearances on questions of international jurisdiction.
Acted for the Bank of Ireland against allegedly corrupt and fraudulent conspirators who had taken bribes in exchange for multi-million pound loans.
Tony practises extensively in commercial litigation and examples of his current and recent work in this area can be found below.
“He is fantastic in court and his judgement is superb.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Excellent analytical skills, particularly in drawing together the evidence which is often inferential, and extremely effective in cross examination.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Excellent for commercial and fraud disputes.”
Legal 500, 2019
“He's tremendously charismatic, confident and intelligent, and is both able to grasp complex issues quickly and impressively committed to clients.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“A marvellous advocate with great breadth of experience.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“A top choice for major disputes, particularly with a fraud angle.”
Legal 500, 2018
“Tremendously charismatic, confident and intelligent.”
Chambers and Partners, 2018
“Very impressive and intelligent, loved by his solicitor team and the clients too”
Legal 500, 2016
“He has an extraordinary legal brain and thinks his way around complex legal problems with ease.”
Legal 500, 2015
Claim for enforcement of foreign arbitral award worth in excess of US$1bn involving applications for search, freezing and information orders in England and various foreign jurisdictions, including Cayman Islands, Mauritius, USA and India, in dispute between two multi-national companies. Leading large team of lawyers from four jurisdictions.
Advising in relation to a the recovery of a multi-million pound judgment against government officials of a Middle Eastern state.
Multi-million pound claim for fraudulent misappropriation of algorithmic investment strategies from city financial institution. Complex injunctive remedies required from Chancery Division interrelating with judicial review and proceedings in Hong Kong and conducting trial for contempt of court.
Acting for the Claimant in a case of alleged international conspiracy to defraud dispute worth over US$500m in relation to interests in a multi-national middle eastern construction company (the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure company) with a capitalisation of several billion Us dollars. Complex issues of jurisdiction, EU law and Private International Law, involving the co-ordination of multi-national teams of lawyers.
£45M claim concerning an alleged fraudulent conspiracy against twelve defendants including a former director of the Claimant logistics company..
Multi-million pound dispute over rights in proprietary software for video streaming platform.
Multi-million pound dispute over rights in software used by Tesco to provide banking services to over 6 million customers.
Lead Counsel for an American Insurance Company in an unfair prejudice petition.
Lead Counsel in multi-million dollar international arbitration involving a share valuation dispute between Norwegian suppliers and Pakistani distributors.
Lead Counsel for the Defendant in a trial arising out of an alleged joint venture relating to a £100m property in Belgravia.
Tony’s commercial and fraud work often overlaps with public law and human rights.
Acting for a number of ex patriates from a foreign human rights abusive regime in a “right to life” and Article 6 application against the foreign government to prevent them from naming the clients in public High Court proceedings. Successfully obtaining orders and indemnity costs against the foreign government in question.
Acting for the Claimants in their claim against the Liberal Democrat Party and Lord Rennard in a claim that they had suffered sexual harassment and discrimination and that the Party had not properly investigated their complaints.
Advising Members of Parliament and Peers on the APPG on Extraordinary Rendition as to the Human Rights and Civil Libertarian consequences of the provisions relating to Closed Material Proceedings in the Bill; drafting amendments for Peers to put before the House of Lords and advising as to Parliamentary procedure.
Lead Counsel for Claimants in multi-jurisdictional US$70m fraud case against the Deputy Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament and alleged associates of the Moldovan Mafia. Obtaining Norwich Pharmacal orders and “doorstep raiding” orders to assist civil and criminal proceedings in Moldova, Germany and Scotland and to assist Human Rights proceedings in the ECHR, Strasbourg. Involved complex issues of jurisdiction and private international law.
Lead Counsel for the Defendant against a Bahraini Bank in a US$500m claim arising out of alleged fraudulent “connected party” transactions. Defending allegations of conspiracy to injure, misappropriation of confidential banking information and malicious falsehood.
Tony has had considerable experience in providing continuing education courses approved by The Law Society, especially courses on pre-emptive remedies, fraud law and practice, human rights in civil fraud cases and in advanced advocacy. He was also a part-time tutor at Churchill College, Cambridge 1984-7.
VAT registration number: 447006074
Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board
Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227325
Derek Sutton
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227327
Adam Sloane
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227326
Dean Tolman
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227331
Lewis Walker
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227323
Billy Brian
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227339
Marc Armstrong
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227330
Adam Fuschillo
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227329
Danny Compton
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227338
Sophie Floydd
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 8227324