Commercial Litigation
Proceedings before the courts of England and Wales (and, in particular, the High Court) are at the heart of our commercial litigation practice. Our team is experienced in bringing and defending claims before the English courts on a wide range of subject matters including:
Contractual, shareholder and director liability disputes
Our commercial litigation team are experts in advising on both the substance and strategy of a wide range of contractual, shareholder and director disputes, particularly those of a complex multi-jurisdictional nature, across a range of sectors, from extractive industries to cryptocurrency.
Freezing orders
Businesses can find themselves becoming the subject of freezing orders (including worldwide freezing orders) granted by the courts, often without notice. The restrictions and requirements imposed by such orders can be extremely complex to navigate, and there are often short deadlines set by the court for compliance. At Gherson we have vast experience dealing with freezing orders (including worldwide freezing orders).
We usually work with a team of expert barristers from within our extensive network to ensure the best conduct of the litigation.
Where there is a criminal, sanctions or white-collar component or context, we work together with our teams specialising in these matters to deliver a cohesive and cost-efficient service.
Frozen and closed bank accounts
As the legal and regulatory landscape becomes increasingly complex, individuals and businesses can find themselves having their accounts closed or frozen, sometimes without notice or any proper reason being given. As a result, clients can find themselves without the means to go about their daily lives, and can face real difficulties in trying to recover their funds from banks.
The team at Gherson is adept in dealing with such situations, carrying a proven track record in obtaining the return of funds for our clients. Where appropriate, we can pursue the banks for compensation, whether by way of negotiation, the Financial Ombudsman Service, or – as a last resort – the courts.
Over the past year we have assisted our clients in recovering millions in frozen funds and from closed accounts. Where necessary, our disputes team works closely with our Business Crime and Regulatory and Economic Sanctions teams to develop effective strategies where more complex issues, such as licensing, come into play.
Our recent experience in commercial litigation includes:
- Representing a foreign commodities company in a multi-million-dollar complex claim before the High Court;
- Successfully acting for corporates and individuals in the recovery of millions of pounds over the last year from accounts frozen or closed by major banks;
- Successfully acting for the defendant dismissing a $300-million fraud claim in its entirety before the High Court;
- Representing a global shipping company in a $190-million claim for breach of Contract of Affreightment;
- Representing claimants against foreign billionaires in several multimillion-dollar fraud claims before the UK and BVI courts, including Jurisdiction challenges across Ukraine, the BVI and UK;
- Representing a CIS bank in a $25-million banking matter across Switzerland, the UK and Russia;
- Representing an international association in a multimillion-dollar matter before the Competition Appeal Tribunal, involving markets across Africa, the EU and UK;
