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Corporate disputes

We have a wealth of experience in complex corporate disputes and investigations, particularly with a cross-border element, arising from corporate acquisitions, investments and reorganisations, joint ventures and shareholder arrangements.

Working closely with our specialist corporate lawyers, we advise leading businesses and business leaders, ranging from investment banks and financial institutions to UK and international corporations, private equity houses, private companies, family offices and individuals.

  • We advise on highly sensitive, commercial issues which call for a smart strategy to achieve our clients’ commercial objectives, often in the context of regulatory and reputational concerns.
  • We know how to protect investments and shareholders’ rights, whether through private or activist means.
  • We understand what drives an investment or an exit decision and the importance of preserving investment value.
  • We have the breadth of experience in both the High Court and International Arbitration to be pro-active and one step ahead of our opponents as a dispute develops.
  • We act for clients facing criminal prosecutions. This includes advising on compliance, pre-investigations, investigations and prosecutions.
  • We also have wide ranging experience with alternative dispute resolution ensuring that our clients are fully advised on all of their options to achieve the best resolution.

Recent work

Salford Capital Partners

Acting for Salford Capital Partners, a private equity firm, in dealing with a range of claims arising out of disputes with Boris Berezovsky, leading to our involvement in the Commercial Court trial between Boris Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich.

Listed companies, institutions and private equity investors

Acting for listed companies, institutions and private equity investors on issues arising out of contested public takeovers and minority shareholder disputes, regularly involving dealing with issues arising in a number of jurisdictions.

A principal lender

Advising the majority shareholders and directors of a principal lender in an unfair prejudice complaint, commencing with a freezing injunction and involving allegations of mismanagement, excessive remuneration and unlawful loans to directors.

A number of UK and foreign defendants

Advising a number of UK and foreign defendants in a claim concerning allegations of breach of warranty and indemnity, constructive trust, breach of fiduciary duty under various different laws and fraud arising out of the operation of a global business.

Private equity client

Advising a private equity client on a complex Part 8 declaratory claim concerning a dispute over the implied and express terms of an intercreditor deed, with ancillary advice on insolvency issues.

Asia Resource Minerals

Advising Asia Resource Minerals plc (formerly known as Bumi plc) in respect of a series of complex and multi-jurisdictional claims involving former directors and shareholders, including an extensive internal investigation into allegations of fraud and successfully conducting an arbitration in Singapore to recover substantial sums for a former director.

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Contact

See all contacts

Iain Mackie

 Partner
+44 (0)20 7849 2299 Email Iain

Lois Horne

 Partner
+44 (0)20 7849 2956 Email Lois

What we think

Unfair prejudice petitions: the court flexing its discretion on remedy

Lois Horne 07 Mar 2018
The High Court has given further insight into the breadth of remedies available to the court when considering unfair prejudice petitions.
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An overview of important cases and developments in 2017

Jonathan Pratt 09 Feb 2018
This note considers ten of the most important cases from 2017. It includes a number of high profile decisions, including three Supreme Court judgments and the latest in the recent line of important developments on privilege. It also includes some cases which have received less publicity but which highlight important issues which can arise in disputes of any kind.
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Supreme Court rules in favour of FCA on third party rights

Dan Lavender, Laura Strickland-Palmer 20 Apr 2017
Financial Conduct Authority v Macris [2017] UKSC 19 Individuals (including senior managers) concerned about their identification in regulatory enforcement action against their employer should be aware of an important Supreme Court decision.
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What people are saying

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"The 'excellent practice is a class act when conducting litigation and it is a pleasure to work with'. The group is highly rated for particularly complex or sensitive issues and is well known for applying its skills in corporate private wealth and tax to contentious matters."

The UK Legal 500 2017

"The practice acts for a range of financial services institutions and investment and asset-management firms in high-profile disputes; it also assists clients from the oil and gas, mining, aviation, construction, travel IT, and media sectors, as well as high-net-worth individuals."

The UK Legal 500 2017

"Macfarlanes LLP’ clients rate its ability to ‘produce astonishing results’."

The Legal 500 UK 2016

"Clients say: 'They are very solutions-focused and provide practical legal advice that can be applied' and 'They are very pragmatic. They tell me how it is, rather than what I like to hear. They have that personal touch that works well'."

Chambers UK 2016

"Macfarlanes LLP 'understands what clients want'."

The UK Legal 500 2015