Dominic Howells

Acting for the defendant, HSBC, in a £1.3bn legal challenge brought by a group of over 300 investors in a series of filming financing schemes known as the Eclipse Partnerships, which HMRC ruled were unlawful tax avoidance vehicles. The claim was first brought in 2020 and is continuing. (Led by Andrew Green QC and Simon Pritchard)

Acted for the private equity buyers of a European bank in relation to a dispute about the terms and operation of an SPA indemnity. Led by Andrew Green KC in a case which settled immediately prior to the final hearing.

Instructed with Andrew Green KC in ongoing LCIA Arbitration where claims worth approximately US$300 million have been brought concerning the ownership of Russian media assets.

Acted for the  claimant importer in a damages claim against the MMO for fishery products wrongfully detained at port in purported reliance on EU law powers. A positive judgment for the claimant following a two-day hearing of preliminary issues was dispositive on all liability issues. (Led by Tom de la Mare QC)

Instructed for the defendant, a former senior employee and founder of the claimant company in proceedings concerning alleged misuse of confidential information, unlawful competition, breach of covenants and conspiracy. The case involved an application for the delivery of documents and computers and an application for permission to bring committal proceedings.

Acted for the defendant lottery operator, successfully resisting an application for Norwich Pharmacal relief to require disclosure of the identity of the lottery winner.

Acted for the successful claimant in a claim arising out of his participation in a property development joint venture. The claimant recovered over £1.2 million representing his unpaid share of the fees generated by the joint venture and the reimbursement of fees wrongly charged on his own investment. Led by Andrew Green QC at trial; appeared unled in various hearings for interim applications and consequential matters.

Acted for the defendant, a sports manager and agent in relation to a claim brought by a tennis player client. The claimant sought a declaration that the contract engaging the defendant was an unenforceable restraint of trade. Led by Nick de Marco QC in a case which settled on the first day of trial; appeared unled in various hearings for interim applications and case management.

Advised the sellers of an online gambling business in relation to an arbitral claim against the buyers for earn-out consideration in which counterclaims were asserted for alleged breaches of warranties. Led by Andrew Green QC in a case which settled at mediation.

Instructed by the second defendant (a booking agent) in a claim brought by a hotelier alleging fraud, breach of competition law and unfair contract terms. Appeared for the second defendant in a successful strike out application.

Acted in an arbitration at the CIArb in relation to a commercial vehicle rental agreement. 

Acted for Economy Energy in relation to a claim for damages for breach of an agency contract and compensation pursuant to the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993. The Claimant's claim was for approximately £21 million, of which it recovered £1 million. (Led by Andrew Green QC)

Advised on jurisdiction, the enforceability of an arbitration agreement and the availability of anti-suit relief in relation to a dispute arising out of film financing arrangements (with Nick de Marco).

Appeared for the appellant hauliers in their challenge to a seizure decision by the Border Force.

Appeared for the second interested party in support of the respondent to an application for interim relief in the Administrative Court. The dispute concerned the implementation of CMP264/265 changes to regulated charges for electricity transmission.

Acted for the successful claimant in High Court proceedings to recover a sum lent to finance a property development venture. The defendant was subject to a freezing order to prevent the dissipation of his assets.

Instructed with Andrew Green KC in ongoing LCIA Arbitration where claims worth approximately US$300 million have been brought concerning the ownership of Russian media assets.

Instructed for the defendant, a former senior employee and founder of the claimant company in proceedings concerning alleged misuse of confidential information, unlawful competition, breach of covenants and conspiracy. The case involved an application for the delivery of documents and computers and an application for permission to bring committal proceedings.

Acted for the successful claimant in High Court proceedings to recover a sum lent to finance a property development venture. The defendant was subject to a freezing order to prevent the dissipation of his assets.

Acted for the private equity buyers of a European bank in relation to a dispute about the terms and operation of an SPA indemnity. Led by Andrew Green KC in a case which settled immediately prior to the final hearing.

Instructed with Andrew Green KC in ongoing LCIA Arbitration where claims worth approximately US$300 million have been brought concerning the ownership of Russian media assets.

Advised the sellers of an online gambling business in relation to an arbitral claim against the buyers for earn-out consideration in which counterclaims were asserted for alleged breaches of warranties. Led by Andrew Green QC in a case which settled at mediation.

Advised on jurisdiction, the enforceability of an arbitration agreement and the availability of anti-suit relief in relation to a dispute arising out of film financing arrangements (with Nick de Marco).

Acted in an arbitration at the CIArb in relation to a commercial vehicle rental agreement. 

Acted for the Secretary of State in relation to an appeal brought by an independent school against its removal from the register of schools. The appeal before the FTT, which took the form of a de novo hearing of evidence on disputed issues of fact, was dismissed on the third day of a trial originally listed for five days, following half-time submissions.

Acted for HMRC in proceedings brought in the Magistrates Court to enforce a Labour Market Enforcement Undertaking in relation to payment of the minimum wage.

Acted for the  claimant importer in a damages claim against the MMO for fishery products wrongfully detained at port in purported reliance on EU law powers. A positive judgment for the claimant following a two-day hearing of preliminary issues was dispositive on all liability issues. (Led by Tom de la Mare QC)

Acted for the defendant Government department in relation to a claim for alleged interference with the claimant’s rights under Article 1 Protocol 1 of the ECHR, arising out of a proposed change to the feed-in tariff for solar electricity. The defendant brought a successful application for summary judgment on limitation grounds and resisted an appeal to the Court of Appeal. Led by Tom Weisselberg QC.

Appeared for the second interested party in support of the respondent to an application for interim relief in the Administrative Court. The dispute concerned the implementation of CMP264/265 changes to regulated charges for electricity transmission.

Acted for EDF and SSE in an appeal to the CMA under section 173 of the Energy Act 2004. The case concerned the interpretation of an EU Regulation on charges for electricity transmission and the application of public law principles of regulatory consistency (with Kieron Beal QC).

Seconded to the Financial Conduct Authority to work on the transfer of claims management regulation from the Ministry of Justice to the FCA.

Appeared for the appellant hauliers in their challenge to a seizure decision by the Border Force.

Acted for the defendant, a sports manager and agent in relation to a claim brought by a tennis player client. The claimant sought a declaration that the contract engaging the defendant was an unenforceable restraint of trade. Led by Nick de Marco QC in a case which settled on the first day of trial; appeared unled in various hearings for interim applications and case management.

Acted for the sports governing body, prosecuting two players for bringing the game into disrepute by their conduct off the field of play.

Advice in relation to sanctions for breaches of anti-doping rules under the Word Anti-Doping Agency Code.

Appeared for a boxer in misconduct proceedings under Regulation 25 of the British British Boxing Board of Control, heard before the Southern Area Council.

Acted for the respondent employer in a one-day unfair dismissal hearing in which partial defences of contribution and Polkey reduction succeeded.

Acted pro bono for the respondent charity in a seven-day trial, successfully defending claims of discrimination, whistleblowing detriment and unfair dismissal. 

Appeared for the successful claimants at a six-day trial and subsequent remedy and costs hearing in relation to claims for sex and religious discrimination, sexual harassment and whistleblowing detriment. 

Acted for the successful respondent employer in a complex unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing case with a cross-border element. The case involved a two-day preliminary hearing on jurisdiction and a four-day substantive final hearing.

Instructed for the defendant, a former senior employee and founder of the claimant company in proceedings concerning alleged misuse of confidential information, unlawful competition, breach of covenants and conspiracy. The case involved an application for the delivery of documents and computers and an application for permission to bring committal proceedings.

Appeared for the respondent employer at a three-day trial, successfully defending claims of whistleblowing detriment and unfair dismissal in relation to alleged health-and-safety protected disclosures in the construction industry.

Appeared for the claimant in a four-day trial of claims for discrimination, sexual harassment and whistleblowing arising out of her employment. The case was made subject to anonymity orders in view of the content of the allegations.

Advice in relation to unlawful competition by a number of former employees including breaches of post-termination restrictive covenants, misuse of confidential information and conspiracy.

Advised on a case involving a complex set of claims made by and against a former employee which raised contractual, breach of confidence and statutory employment issues (Led by Robert Howe QC).

Acted for the private equity buyers of a European bank in relation to a dispute about the terms and operation of an SPA indemnity. Led by Andrew Green KC in a case which settled immediately prior to the final hearing.

Instructed by the respondent company in enforcement proceedings brought by the FCA over a stock exchange announcement concerning the company’s preference shares. Led by Javan Herberg QC in proceedings before the RDC.

Seconded to the Financial Conduct Authority to work on the transfer of claims management regulation from the Ministry of Justice to the FCA.

Acted for the defendant Government department in relation to a claim for alleged interference with the claimant’s rights under Article 1 Protocol 1 of the ECHR, arising out of a proposed change to the feed-in tariff for solar electricity. The defendant brought a successful application for summary judgment on limitation grounds and resisted an appeal to the Court of Appeal. Led by Tom Weisselberg QC.