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    Peter has a broad commercial practice which covers commercial fraud claims, insolvency disputes, company law, arbitration, and general commercial and contractual disputes. He has wide experience of claims involving foreign law (including Russian and Chinese law claims), and of jurisdiction disputes. 

    He has been recognised as a leading junior for many years - the latest editions of Chambers UK, Chambers Global and Legal 500 rank him in civil fraud and restructuring and insolvency.

    Experience

    Shortlist

    Commercial

    Peter's commercial practice takes in a wide variety of disputes including claims for and against financial institutions, joint venture disputes, claims for and against commercial agents, professional negligence claims, company law claims, jurisdiction disputes, and a range of general commercial and contractual disputes.  He is frequently instructed in very high value claims as part of a counsel team, and also has considerable advocacy experience as sole counsel.

    Cases

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      Industrial and Commercial Bank of China v Ambani [2019] EWHC 3436 (Comm)

      $657 million claim under a personal guarantee; summary judgment; conditional orders.  Led by Robert Howe Q.C. and Harish Salve S.A.
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      Vneshprombank LLC v Bedzhamov and others Chancery Division, 2019

      £1.3 billion fraud claim by a Russian bank against a former Russian oligarch, including a worldwide freezing order and associated applications.

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      Reignwood Group v Ni Commercial Court, 2017-2018

      Acting for the Reignwood Group in this joint venture dispute governed (in part) by Chinese law. Related proceedings in Luxembourg and the US.
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      Pluczenik Dimaond Company N.V. v Nagel [2018] EWCA Civ 2640

      Appeal in relation to the applicability of the Commercial Agents Regulations and assessment of damages for loss of profits.  Led by Clive Freedman Q.C.
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      Re Idverde Chancery Division, 2018

      Dispute under a Share Purchase Agreement raising pensions/actuarial issues in relation to a defined benefit scheme.
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      Naibu v Daniel Stewart and another Chancery Division, 2018

      £195 million claim arising out of the listing on AIM of a Chinese shoe and leisurewear manufacturer. Led by Andreas Gledhill Q.C.
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      Gruber and others v AIG Inc and others [2018] EWHC 3030 (Comm)

      Acting for various companies in the AIG Group in this $100 million claim by multiple former banker employees.  All claims against AIG Inc have been dismissed.  A trial on causation and loss in relation to the claim against AIGFP is listed for 2020.  Led by Andrew Hunter Q.C.

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      Guralp Systems Ltd and others v Guralp Commercial Court, 2015-2018

      Acting for the defendant in high value claims relating to alleged bribery of a foreign public official.  Parallel investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. Led by Tony Peto Q.C.

    • Read more

      Fannigan Holdings Limited v Doherty [2017] BPIR 980

      Acting for the successful appellant in relation to a £2 million statutory demand. Issues as to the definition of a debt at common law and the meaning of a debt for a liquidated sum under the Insolvency Act 1986.

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      Nagel v Pluczenik Diamond Company N.V. [2017] EWHC 1750 (Comm); [2017] EWHC 2104 (Comm)

      Acting for a De Beers Sightholder in a claim under the Commercial Agents Regulations 1993 and at common law.  Led by Robert Anderson Q.C.

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      CWY International Construction Company Ltd v Bilson Queen's Bench Division, 2017

      Proceedings to recover monies fraudulently procured by a solicitor.

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      Sabbagh v Khoury and ors [2017] EWCA Civ 1120

      Acting for the successful appellant in this US$600 million claim relating to one of the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure companies. Part of a Counsel team led by Laurence Rabinowitz Q.C.

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      Agents' Mutual Limited v Moginie James Limited [2016] EWHC 3384 (Ch)

      Commercial and competition law claims relating to an online property portal. Led by Alan Maclean Q.C.

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      Orb a.r.l. v Ruhan and others Commercial Court, 2016

      Multi-party litigation arising out of an alleged property joint venture.

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      Antigua Power Company Limited v The Attorney General of Antigua and Barbuda and others 2015, High Court of Antigua

      Proceedings relating to the Antigua electricity supply. Led by Michael Bloch Q.C.

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      JSC Bank of Moscow v Kekhman and others [2015] EWHC 3073 (Comm)

      Fraud claim against former Russian oligarch.

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      Rosserlane Consultants Ltd v Credit Suisse International [2015] EWHC 384 (Ch)

      Dispute arising out of the sale of the largest onshore oil and gas field in Azerbaijan (8 week trial in 2014). Led by Jeremy Cousins Q.C. 

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      VTB Bank v Parline Limited and others [2015] EWHC 1135 (Comm)

      Acted for VTB in a Commercial Court claim brought under provisions of the Russian Civil Code. Led by Alan Gourgey Q.C.

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      FBME Bank Ltd v Elwes [2012] EWHC 2209 (QB)

      Acted for a Cypriot bank in a claim under personal guarantees.

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      W Nagel (a firm) v Pluczenik Diamond Company N.V. and others [2019] EWHC 3126 (QB)

      In these enforcement proceedings, the Court held that an order for cross-examination of a judgment debtor could be made under CPR 71 even though the only orders that had been obtained were orders for costs which were yet to be assessed or agreed.  Led by Simon Colton Q.C.
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      Arcelormittal USA LLC v Ruia and others Commercial Court, 2020

      $1.5bn conspiracy claim arising out of an iron ore contract.  Led by Tony Peto Q.C.
    Shortlist

    Civil Fraud, Asset Recovery & Injunctive Relief

    • Peter has wide experience of high value commercial fraud claims, injunctive relief, and associated enforcement issues. Most of his cases have cross-border elements, and often involve related insolvency proceedings. In recent years he has been heavily involved in claims arising out of bribery allegations, and jurisdiction disputes.

    Cases

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      Shanghai Li Hong Investment Centre v XIO Cayman Limited and others Cayman Grand Court, 2019

      Cross-border fraud proceedings and commercial litigation relating to the XIO Private Equity fund, with claims in excess of $1 billion. The case involves multiple proceedings in the Cayman Islands and parallel proceedings in Nevis and St Kitts and Hong Kong.
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      Vneshprombank LLC v Bedzhamov and others Chancery Division, 2019

      £1.3 billion fraud claim by a Russian bank against a former Russian oligarch, including a worldwide freezing order and associated applications.

    • Read more

      EM Solar Limited Queen's Bench Division, 2019

      Claim for injunctive relief and Bankers' Trust relief in relation to a company trading in solar panels.
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      Reignwood Group v Ni Commercial Court, 2017-2018

      Acting for the Reignwood Group in this joint venture dispute governed (in part) by Chinese law. Related proceedings in Luxembourg and the US.
    • Read more

      Guralp Systems Ltd and others v Guralp Commercial Court, 2015-2018

      Acting for the defendant in high value claims relating to alleged bribery of a foreign public official.  Parallel investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. Led by Tony Peto Q.C.

    • Read more

      Property Professionals + Limited v Jackson 2015-2018

      £20m + claim by liquidators arising out of an alleged unlawful return of capital, including claims in conspiracy and deceit. 

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      Sabbagh v Khoury and ors [2017] EWCA Civ 1120

      Acting for the successful appellant in this US$600 million claim relating to one of the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure companies. Part of a Counsel team led by Laurence Rabinowitz Q.C.

    • Read more

      CWY International Construction Company Ltd v Bilson Queen's Bench Division, 2017

      Proceedings to recover monies fraudulently procured by a solicitor.

    • Read more

      BM-Bank JSC v Chernyakov and others 2016

      £195 million claim for enforcement of Russian judgments by way of common law claim and under s.25 of the CJJA 1982. Hardship payment orders; scope of CPR 72.7.

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      JSC Bank of Moscow v Kekhman and others [2015] EWHC 3073 (Comm)

      Fraud claim against former Russian oligarch.

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      JSC Bank of Moscow v Kekhman [2014] EWHC 183 (Comm)

      Committal application in respect of failure to comply with a $150m worldwide freezing order.

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      JSC Bank of Moscow v JFC Group (& Kekhman) [2012] EWHC 2915 (Comm)

      Proceedings by an alleged de facto director seeking his removal from the penal notice to a worldwide freezing order. Led by Alan Gourgey Q.C. 

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      VTB Bank v Skurikhin and others Commercial Court, 2012

      Claim under section 25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982. 

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      Arcelormittal USA LLC v Ruia and others Commercial Court, 2020

      $1.5bn conspiracy claim arising out of an iron ore contract.  Led by Tony Peto Q.C.
    Shortlist

    Restructuring & Insolvency

    Peter acts for office-holders, creditors and debtors across the range of corporate and personal insolvency disputes, both UK and offshore. He is frequently instructed in insolvency cases with a fraud element.

    Cases

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      Doherty v Fannigan Holdings Limited [2018] EWCA Civ 1615

      Court of Appeal decision in relation to whether a claim for a sum due under a Share Purchase Agreement was a liquidated debt. Led by Andreas Gledhill Q.C.
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      Property Professionals + Limited v Jackson 2015-2018

      £20m + claim by liquidators arising out of an alleged unlawful return of capital, including claims in conspiracy and deceit. 

    • Read more

      Fannigan Holdings Limited v Doherty [2017] BPIR 980

      Acting for the successful appellant in relation to a £2 million statutory demand. Issues as to the definition of a debt at common law and the meaning of a debt for a liquidated sum under the Insolvency Act 1986.

    • Read more

      S&A Foods 2017

      Misfeasance claim against a former director.
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      Re London Scottish Group 2016

      £70 million challenge to rejection of proofs. Issues as to the valuation of contingent liabilities.

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      Re Aussie Group Limited 2016

      Acting for the joint liquidators of a removal services company. Misfeasance claim; freezing injunction; limited cross-undertaking for office-holders.

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      PIP Breast Plant litigation 2016

      Acting for the administrators of a provider of cosmetic surgery alleged to have produced defective breast implants. One of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases for 2016.

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      JSC Bank of Moscow v Kekhman 2013-2016

      Bankruptcy proceedings raising issues in relation to non-EU debtors.

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      Wedding TV Limited v Grabiec [2015] EWHC 1548 (Ch)

      Setting aside of statutory demand on the basis of "other grounds"; application of the Ex p. James principle to statutory demand served by a company through its voluntary liquidators.

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      Wrongful trading claims 2015

      Claim against a former company director including claims for wrongful trading, deceit and unlawful means conspiracy.

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      Misfeasance claim 2013-2015

      Misfeasance claim against a former director.

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      Challenge to rejection of proof 2014

      A multi-million pound challenge to a rejection of a proof under r.4.83 of the Insolvency Rules.

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      Michael Jackson concert 2012-2013

      Acting for the administrators of the LLP incorporated to stage the Michael Jackson Forever concert at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

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      Re O'Mahoney 2012

      COMI/bankruptcy tourism.

    Shortlist

    Arbitration

    Peter has extensive experience of arbitrations under LCIA, ICC and UNCITRAL rules, and of related Commercial Court applications.

    Cases

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      Dispute relating to share subscription agreements ICC, 2019

      $1bn dispute relating to share subscription agreements.
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      Dispute relating to pre-emption rights LCIA, 2019

      A dispute arising out of rights of first refusal under a share purchase agreement.
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      Investment dispute LCIA, 2015

      An investment management dispute.

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      Costa Rican dispute LCIA, 2015

      A dispute in relation to a Costa Rican joint venture.

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      Oil and gas dispute UNCITRAL rules, 2013-2014

      A $400 million oil and gas dispute against an African state. Led by Joe Smouha Q.C.

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      Madoff claim ICC, 2012

      A claim by investors arising out of the Madoff fraud. Led by Alan Gourgey Q.C.

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      Claim to set aside enforcement or arbitration award 2012

      A claim seeking to set aside enforcement of a Slovakian arbitration award.

    Shortlist

    Sport

    Peter has experience of claims involving football clubs, registered intermediaries, and sponsors.

    Cases

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      Enterprise Insurance Company plc (in liquidation) v Leeds United Football Club Limited 2017

      Acting for Leeds United Football Club in this claim arising out of an abortive shirt sponsorship arrangement. 

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      Ten10 Football Limited v Niedzwiecki and others Queen's Bench Division, 2017

      Claim arising out of a team move of football agents. Resisting injunctive relief; issues relating to scope of Rule K of the FA Rules.

    Achievements

    Education

    MA (Cantab); LLB (first class)

    Prizes & Scholarships

    • 2008 Buchanan Prize and Eastham Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn 
    • 2008 Lincoln’s Inn Mooting Competition, winner
    • 2007 Mansfield Scholarship and Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lincoln’s Inn

    Memberships

    • COMBAR
    • Chancery Bar Association
    • Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association
    • LCIA

    Selected earlier reported cases

    Civil Fraud, Asset Recovery & Injunctive Relief

    • JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov and others (2011)
    • Jenington and others v Assaubayev and others [2010] EWHC 2351 (Ch)
    • Cadogan Petroleum plc v Tolley and others (2011) 
    • Royal Westminster Investments SA v Nilon Limited (2011) 

    Restructuring & Insolvency

    • Official Receiver v Negus [2011] EWHC 3719 (Ch) 

    Arbitration

    • A dispute relating to a satellite supply contract (LCIA, 2011)
    • A claim by a major telecommunications operator arising out of multi-million dollar construction contract in Kuwait (ICC, 2011)
    • A partnership dispute between solicitors (ad hoc, 2011)
    • A claim by an Indian real estate management company involving connected proceedings in Singapore, Mauritius and India (LCIA, 2010) 

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