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Signature Litigation is best known as a new model commercial and financial market litigation practice with a unique “all member” economic structure. Signature is a law firm with no transactional practice, and therefore very few conflicts of interest, and none of the distractions which come with a multi-practice law firm with offices across many jurisdictions. The firm: Signature is a law firm founded in 2012 by senior lawyers with many years' experience in leading international practices. As a law firm, Signature specialises in high-value commercial litigation and international arbitration (commercial and investment treaty). Headquartered in London and with offices in Paris, Frankfurt and Gibraltar, the firm was founded to meet the increased demand for advice and support in complex cases from independent and highly experienced litigators, where the dedication of a niche specialist firm yields results. At Signature law is processed without confusion: Signature is a law firm that suffers none of the distractions of much larger, full-service, law firms. Our dedication to litigation and arbitration removes most present and future conflicts from our work. Signature is a law firm distinct from anything else in the market. The firm has effectively transferred economic ownership in the firm away from the traditional model of equity partners towards every member of the practice. Signature Litigation has developed and implemented the first truly transparent, non-discretionary and universally applicable profit-sharing structure in the legal market. Put simply, Signature Litigation is governed effectively by the combined voices of all of its people – with guaranteed rights for everyone to enjoy its success, financial and otherwise, and to ensure that its unique culture remains entirely protected. Signature is a law firm that ensures its clients are at the heart of everything done by all its members and as such, is able to offer clients in the region high quality advice which truly understands their needs, while avoiding the constraints of potential conflict issues. Above all, it has taken advantage of the developments in technology and outsourcing to ensure that its team is dynamic and efficient enough to deliver the very best service and legal outcomes for its clients. Recent matter highlights: The firm has continued its strong growth this year with several high-value cases and an expanding team of high-calibre individuals. By way of example, Signature continues to act for international shipbuilding group, Privinvest, in connection with US$2bn claims brought against it and Credit Suisse by the Republic of Mozambique arising from supply agreements and supporting financial instruments and guarantees alleged to have been entered into by Mozambique due to corruption involving state officials responsible for its international investment into its oil and gas reserves, in what is sometimes known as the “tuna bonds” or “hidden debts” litigation. The substantive trial was held in October 2023 and judgment was handed down in relation to that trial in July 2024. Signature is also acting for investors in shares of Barclays Bank who are pursuing the bank for losses of over £550m following a significant share price drop. The underlying allegations relate to allegations that Barclays misled its customers in connection with its liquidity dark pool. The claims are advanced under sections 90 and 90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) and it is due to go to trial in October 2025. In July 2024, Barclays applied to strike out elements of the Claimants case under s90A and a decision from Leech J is awaited. This was the first time that the Court has considered in detail the statutory test of reliance under s90A and it is likely that the decision in that regard will be breaking new ground. Additionally, Signature Litigation is representing Commission Recovery Limited in a ground-breaking claim for recovery of alleged secret commissions earned from commercial referral arrangements. In February 2023, the High Court ruled that this matter could proceed as a representative action against the Defendants, meeting the hurdle for representative claimants set out by the UK Supreme Court in respect of its 2021 ruling in Lloyd v Google. In January 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Signature’s client, finding that it had successfully met the hurdle to bring a representative claim against the Defendants under CPR 19.8. Later that year in April, the Supreme Court rejected an application by Marks & Clerk for permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s January decision. Trial is now expected to go ahead in January 2025. On the international arbitration side, Signature is representing Discovery Global LLC, a US oil and gas exploration company, in a USD500 million investment treaty ICSID claim against Slovakia in which it alleges that it was prevented from conducting oil and gas exploration drilling operations due to unlawful, systematic and repeated pattern of behaviour by state authorities that left Discovery unable to exercise its rights under oil and gas exploration licences it had been granted, depriving Discovery of the total value of its investment. Recent developments and partner appointments: Signature Litigation’s continued development is evident in recent and significant partner appointments and a strategic office launch. In July 2024, Signature opened its offices in Frankfurt, Germany. This office, led by partners Ulrich Helm and Dr Jan Kraayvanger, advises and represents clients in commercial disputes including mediation, civil court proceedings, as well as national and international commercial arbitrations. Industry sectors of key focus for Signature in Frankfurt include oil & gas and renewable energy – notably offshore wind farms, power plant projects – construction and infrastructure (including, specifically, tunnels and data centres), automotive, financial services, as well as insurance. In October 2023, Kate Gee, a commercial fraud and crypto litigation specialist, was elevated to partner at the firm. Kate joined Signature as a Counsel in November 2020 from an international law firm and has more than 13 years’ experience acting in complex, high value, cross border disputes, including civil fraud and asset tracing claims, commercial litigation and banking litigation. Types of work undertaken: Commercial litigation and international arbitration; complex, multi-party disputes that challenge the commercial and reputational viability of its clients, and regulatory disputes in the banking and financial services sector. Signature Litigation's lawyers have resolved some of the most significant and complex disputes involving financial institutions in recent legal history. The law firm offers services to investment and commercial banks, funds and asset managers, large corporations, private equity and venture capital houses, hedge funds, professional advisers and private clients. Signature Litigation’s International Arbitration team comprises specialist practitioners across all its offices. The team has substantial experience in commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration, acting for clients on high value and complex international arbitrations pursuant to various institutional rules including LCIA, ICC, DIS, ICSID, UNCITRAL, SCC, DIAC, HKIAC, SIAC and CIETAC. Signature Litigation’s insurance and reinsurance law practice focuses on complex international insurance disputes. Combining the expertise in its London, Paris and Frankfurt offices, Signature Litigation has acted for some of the leading insurers and reinsurers on high value disputes, particularly in Europe, Latin America, the Mediterranean basin, Asia and West Africa. Complex international trust arrangements and fund management disputes are at the heart of much of the firm’s work, particularly in London and Gibraltar. Some of those arrangements involve formal trust structures in offshore jurisdictions, whilst others involve disputes arising out of informal trust relationships. The law firm also advises regularly on the applicability of constructive trusts to the proceeds of fraud. Its practitioners have been involved in almost all the high value contentious trusts and estates matters before the Gibraltar Courts at all levels and regularly seeks directions from the Court on behalf of trustees. Signature Litigation’s product liability law practice is led from its Paris office and focuses on assisting major entities with every compliance issue that may arise with regulators, suppliers or consumers. The firm advises clients on all aspects of liability following their products from the day they are designed until they are placed on the market, handling disputes in France and in London. Signature Litigation’s insolvency litigation practice is based on significant experience of representing a wide spectrum of clients – creditors, investors, debtors and officeholders – across a range of complex disputes. The practice also regularly undertakes matters in relation to contentious restructuring, bringing and defending claims before the Courts. Signature Litigation has deep experience in dealing with regulatory disputes in the financial sector and conducting corporate investigations. The firm also advises clients in connection with investigations initiated by the FCA and SFO in the United Kingdom, the Financial Services Commission in Gibraltar and, in France, the anti-corruption agency, the AFA. In Gibraltar the firm has acted for the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission in appeals brought against it by regulated entities in relation to the enforcement powers of the regulator. Signature Litigation’s international construction disputes lawyers have decades of experience advising clients on litigation and arbitration relating to large-scale engineering, infrastructure and construction projects around the world. Signature’s lawyers have considerable experience in out-of-court negotiations, mediation, dispute adjudication board proceedings, as well as in litigation and arbitration. ### Languages - English - French - Turkish - Korean - Swedish - Polish - Amharic - Czech - Slovak - Arabic - Brazilian Portuguese - Spanish - Portuguese - German - Italian - Greek - Russian - Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) - Japanese ### Staffing Figures - 25 Number of Partners - 32 Number of other UK fee-earners

Office locations

London

London

Signature Litigation LLP 138 Fetter Lane London EC4A 1BT

Practice areas

Commercial LitigationFinancial Services LitigationInternational ArbitrationInvestment Treaty ArbitrationShareholder/Investor ClaimsCross-Border Litigation

Lawyers in this office

Abdulali Jiwaji photo

Abdulali Jiwaji

Abdul has over 25 years of experience in litigation, arbitration and contentious regulatory matters. He regularly handles disputes relating to investment funds, shareholder agreements, joint ventures and M&A transactions. He also advises on a broad range of commercial disputes, including in the insolvency and insurance context, such as warranty and indemnity claims. On the financial markets side, he has advised on disputes relating to financial products and mis-selling, regulatory investigations and compliance issues, drawing on time spent on secondment to the compliance team of a wholesale bank. Abdul is a member of the Financial Services Lawyers Association and is on the Committee of the London Solicitors Litigation Association. · Litigation

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Alasdair Glass

Alasdair has over 10 years’ experience in complex, high value commercial litigation and he has represented clients at all stages of the litigation life cycle from inception to appeals in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. His clients include banks, investment firms and high net worth individuals, as well as other international corporates. Alasdair has significant experience in disputes concerning complex financial products, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud and bribery and contractual issues. His expertise lies primarily in the corporate (including banking and private equity), technology and energy sectors. Alasdair has acted on some of the most high-profile cases in the London disputes market, including multiple cases featured In The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases of the Year”. Most of Alasdair’s cases have an international component, spanning many geographical regions including Europe (in particular the CIS), North America, Africa and the Middle East. Alasdair regularly contributes to the legal press and was one of the previous editors of the Chambers & Partners UK Litigation Global Practice Guide. · Litigation

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Becca Hogan

Becca specialises in high‑value, complex commercial disputes, with a particular focus on banking and financial services, securities litigation and group actions. She also advises on contentious regulatory matters, including FCA investigations. Her recent work includes representing a group of institutional investors pursuing claims exceeding £560m against Barclays Plc under FSMA s.90A, arising from alleged fraud and misconduct linked to Barclays’ liquidity dark pool. She has a long track record in securities litigation, notably acting for a large institutional and retail claimant group in the groundbreaking s.90 proceedings against the Royal Bank of Scotland and its former directors. Becca is a lead partner at Signature defending Renault in the unprecedented NOx Diesel Emissions Group Litigation. In 2024, a Group Litigation Order was made in respect of Renault—one of 14 GLOs in the Pan‑NOx Emissions Litigation, which encompasses claims by more than 1.5 million claimants against multiple manufacturers. A 10‑week technical trial is listed from October 2025. The case involves highly complex issues regarding diesel engine design and operation and requires close collaboration between Signature’s London and Paris teams. She has also acted in substantial fraud and conspiracy matters, including defending the former management of a Thai renewable energy company in a US$2bn dispute over a 19‑week trial. · Commercial Litigation

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Catherine Naylor

Partner · Dispute Resolution

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Colin Grech

Colin is a Senior Associate at Signature Litigation with a broad depth of experience, having advised clients in a wide array of contentious and non-contentious matters. Whilst Colin’s main focus is on dispute resolution, his non-contentious work involves large scale corporate and transactional matters. He has previously advised on complex trust and company structures, multi-jurisdictional corporate finance transactions, having acted on both sides for clients involved in large lending facility agreements, and also provides general corporate and commercial advice to local businesses in Gibraltar. Colin’s contentious practice has involved admiralty work including ship arrests, criminal work (where he has gained ample court experience) and he has advised on disputes in the following practice areas: corporate (including unfair prejudice petitions, breach of fiduciary claims against directors and disputes between shareholders), commercial (including breaches of joint venture agreements, disputes concerning private equity funds and he continues to advise one of the largest air-conditioning manufacturers in Europe in relation to an ongoing dispute with a national supplier), construction, landlord and tenant, employment (acting for both employer and employee), contract, trade licencing and distributed ledger technology. He frequently advises clients in a broad spectrum of financial services disputes which will often include elements of regulatory work. Colin also has experience in arbitrations, both commercial and international, having acted for clients in arbitrations under the LCIA Rules and in a very large investor-State arbitration under ICSID rules (acting for the investor). Colin also has a growing insolvency practice, having successfully acted for the cell liquidator of a private cell company against a regulated trust administrator in Gibraltar. This was the first time in the jurisdiction that an administration order (and subsequently a liquidation order) was granted by the Supreme Court against a regulated trust administrator. Colin was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2010 and was subsequently called to the Gibraltar Bar in 2011. · Litigation

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Daniel Spendlove

With over 20 year’s experience, Daniel specialises in complex and high value commercial litigation, often with an international focus. He represents both claimants and defendants in the High Court English litigation and international arbitrations. Daniel’s clients include corporations, investment banks, investment funds, bondholders, industrial groups and high / ultra high net worth clients. Daniel has particular experience in M&A disputes, litigation involving funds and other investments, joint venture and shareholder disputes, and professional negligence claims. He is particularly experienced in disputes emanating from the CEE region and the USA. Daniel has been, and continues to be, involved in some of the most significant and high profile ‘bet the company’ cases in the London litigation market, several of which have been featured in The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases of the Year”. In recent years, he has handled a number of prominent group claims, and he is well versed in bringing and defending claims backed by litigation funders. Daniel has published articles and delivered talks on a number of topical issues, and regularly comments in the trade and legal press. He is a Contributing Editor of “Getting the Deal Through: Complex Commercial Litigation”. · Litigation

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Duncan Grieve

Duncan is a Partner at Signature Litigation with deep experience in leading cross-border investigations involving issues in foreign jurisdictions, acting for corporates, boards and individual clients, and has advised on many of the major multinational investigations of the last 15 years. He has market-leading experience in conducting investigations involving Brazil, Portugal and Lusophone Africa and has also handled major matters involving Russia, China, India, South Africa, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Greece, Romania, the Czech Republic, Canada and Japan. A fluent Portuguese speaker, Duncan spent two years in Brazil advising clients in investigations stemming from Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash), including the negotiation of novel leniency agreements with Brazilian prosecuting authorities and regulatory agencies. Duncan represents individuals subject to internal, regulatory and criminal investigation. He advises on all sensitivities and risks arising from such matters including legal, reputational and privacy issues and is attuned to the need to maintain relationships with government and regulatory authorities. Duncan also advises on financial sanctions and trade embargoes. He provides counsel to clients on the application of UK sanctions across a range of sectors and assists clients to comply with reporting obligations to the UK authorities, as well as handling investigations into potential sanctions breaches. He provides expert support to General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officers and boards in relation to broader compliance issues. He leads major integrity initiatives, for example, conducting a global compliance integration for a multinational manufacturing conglomerate following a $5.1 billion acquisition. He regularly handles pre-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence in relation to investments into foreign jurisdictions. · White Collar Crime & Investigations

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Elliott Phillips

Elliott is the Founding Partner of Signature’s Gibraltar office. He is an internationally recognised barrister and specialises in offshore contentious trusts, estates and private wealth disputes. His practice also includes commercial litigation, civil fraud, asset tracing, insolvency and shareholder disputes. His dual qualification as a barrister in England and Gibraltar places him in a unique position, enabling him to accept instructions to appear before all Courts in England and Wales. Primarily based in Gibraltar, Elliott is regularly instructed by leading international firms in which Gibraltar proceedings are issued or where there is a strong Gibraltar connection to the litigation. Elliott has considerable experience in the area of contentious trusts and appears regularly before the Chancery Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council on matters relating to the administration of trusts. Elliott’s cases involve removal of trustees, protectors and executors, challenging trustees’ decisions, breach of trust, advising trustees and beneficiaries on freezing orders, in both domestic and in support of foreign proceedings, as well as advising on trusts in the divorce context. Beyond his chancery/commercial work, Elliott led a team in Gibraltar’s first ever abuse of dominate position claim under the Competition Act 2020 and related regulatory appeals up to Gibraltar final appellate level before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Elliott is also a proponent of pro-bono and has led the advocacy on behalf of many families in the context of inquests involving, health authorities, the Ministry of Defence, the Royal Navy, the Prison Service and law enforcement agencies including successfully securing a verdict of unlawful killing. In 2015, Elliott was duly elected as a Member of Parliament in Gibraltar and served as the Shadow Minister for Justice between November 2015 and November 2017 and as HM Leader of the Opposition from 4 December 2017 to 19 October 2019. Elliott was re-elected in 2019 for a further four years and currently serves as Shadow Minister for Health and the Environment. Elliott retired from front line politics in October 2023. Elliott is a Barrister at Law in Gibraltar and admitted as a regulated foreign lawyer in the UK. · Private Wealth

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Graham Huntley

Graham is a founding partner of Signature Litigation, and a senior specialist commercial and banking litigator. With his time at Signature and previously as a partner in a major international law firm, Graham has over 40 years’ experience in commercial litigation, with an emphasis on civil fraud. Graham has consistently been identified as one of the UK’s highest ranked commercial and banking litigators, and has been involved in some of the most significant cases in his field. Graham works on disputes involving banks, fund managers and life assurers including in relation to M&A, shareholder and joint venture disputes as well as regulatory disputes and a range of economic tort claims. Graham has extensive experience of warranty claims and professional indemnity work for a range of corporate and financial institutions as well as for professionals. He also has long-term experience of group actions, in particular the financial services field. Graham's experience of ADR includes three of the UK’s most significant mediations involving financial institutions. Graham is a past Trustee and President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association and has served as a member of several judicial and professional working parties. He has rights of audience in the Higher Courts in England and Wales. Graham has developed a long-standing commitment to pro-bono work and has held several directorships in the not-for-profit sector. · Litigation

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Ioannis Alexopoulos

Ioannis specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration, including banking disputes, particularly those involving financial products, investment banking and derivatives. He also focusses on commercial and business disputes with an emphasis on joint venture and shareholder disputes, shareholder protection, business break-ups and fraud. His key industry sectors are financial services, energy/oil & gas, shipping/international trade, telecoms, IT and infrastructure projects. The main geographies for Ioannis’ practice are Greece, the Balkans, Russia, the Middle East, Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa. Ioannis also has considerable experience of regulatory and internal investigations. His cases often involve an overseas element, usually with competing multiple jurisdictions and laws. His clients include banks or their clients, insurers, intermediaries, venture capitalists and equity investors and large corporates in England and internationally. Ioannis has extensive expertise representing clients in arbitrations under the ICC and LCIA rules, as well as others including SCC and UNCITRAL, and his cases often involve an international element, usually with competing multiple jurisdictions and laws. His clients include banks or their clients, insurers, intermediaries, venture capitalists and equity investors, and large corporates in England and internationally. Ioannis also advises in connection with investor state disputes. · Litigation

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Josh Wong

Josh is a highly experienced commercial and corporate litigation and international arbitration lawyer, with a particular focus on professional negligence cases, international joint venture disputes, asset tracing and enforcement actions that involve multiple jurisdictions. He also has a successful record in toxic tort/industrial disease cases, and a strong public procurement and judicial review practice. Josh acts for a broad range of clients, including organisations active in China and South East Asia, utilising his in-depth knowledge and experience of practicing in both China and Hong Kong. He regularly acts for clients in the financial services, energy and extractive, insurance, manufacturing and retail sectors. He has extensive expertise representing clients in ad hoc arbitrations and arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, SCC and UNCITRAL rules, and also specialises in security, asset tracing and enforcement actions involving the CIS, India, China and offshore jurisdictions such as BVI, Cayman and Belize. Josh is native Chinese and regularly speaks on issues relating to China at events organised by the China Britain Business Council, UK Trade and Investment and China Britain Law Institute. · Litigation

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Julian Connerty

Julian has over 30 years of experience in handling the litigation, arbitration and mediation of international large scale commercial disputes, with particular expertise in international fraud, insurance industry disputes and regulatory investigations. In the area of commercial disputes Julian specialises in fraud and asset recovery actions. He has acted for and against governments, banks, insurers and individuals, and against the police and the Serious Fraud Office in matters arising out of bribery and corruption, theft, fraud, dishonesty, money laundering, and insider dealing. He has obtained and resisted freezing and restraint orders, and acted in extradition cases and requests for mutual judicial assistance. In the area of financial regulation, he has acted for regulated firms and individuals, and for and against the regulators, including the FCA and the PRA. Cases handled include breaches of the FCA principles, market abuse, perimeter breaches, fit and proper persons investigations, and disciplinary and authorisation cases, both before the High Court and the FCA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee. · Litigation

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Kate Gee

Kate specialises in complex, high value, multijurisdictional disputes, including civil fraud, insolvency, asset tracing and enforcement. With 15 years’ experience, Kate regularly represents domestic and international companies, insolvency practitioners and high net worth individuals both as claimant and as defendant. She has a particular focus in disputes involving allegations of civil fraud and in matters requiring global asset recovery or enforcement. Additionally, Kate has a special interest and expertise in digital assets and tech disputes. Kate has advised on all stages of litigation, from pre-action through to fully contested trials and post-judgment enforcement. She also has experience of a wide range of interim applications, including applications for summary judgment, stays and adjournments, specific and third-party disclosure, security for costs, freezing injunctions, committal for contempt of court and applications for cross-examination on evidence. In 2018, Kate co-founded ACROSS Fraud, a global network for fraud lawyers in London and worldwide. Kate also co-chairs a quarterly fraud breakfast forum for civil fraud professionals in London. · Litigation

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Mark Beardsworth

Mark specialises in white collar crime and investigations. He holds a 25-year track record of successful representations of individuals and corporates in many major Serious Fraud Office investigations, including IKEA, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, LIBOR/EURIBOR, Forex, Independent Insurance, G4S Serco, Sweett Group, Barclays Qatar and Tysers Integro. He has also advised clients in relation to major prosecutions brought by the Financial Conduct Authority, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Financial Reporting Council. Mark has significant experience in conducting corporate internal investigations for clients that operate across a range of industries including financial services, education, energy and infrastructure and sports and retail. He advises corporates on governance, compliance, management systems and controls, as well as on implementing policies. Mark also advises in relation to risk and governance during key corporate events including M&A and distressed situations. Much of his work involves clients facing scrutiny internationally and in complex “parallel proceedings” involving civil and regulatory litigation. He is also the author and Editor of numerous books and articles including the successful ABA Publication “An International Guide to Corporate Internal Investigations”. · White Collar Crime

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Natalia Chumak

Natalia is a partner at Signature’s London office. Having joined Signature in 2013, shortly after its inception, Natalia’s current role is centred on strategic development of the firm’s international arbitration practice across all its offices, as well as on strategic legal innovations including AI. Natalia adds increased focus, depth and coordination to Signature’s international arbitration practice, whilst continuing to act as a senior adviser on selected matters where her sectorial or geographical experience provide valuable input into the case. Known for her forward thinking, she is actively involved in integrating tech and non-tech legal innovations to increase clients’ gains from legal services. With over 20 years of arbitration and litigation experience in complex and high value international disputes often involving a multijurisdictional element, Natalia has significant experience in handling arbitration disputes under the most major arbitration institutions with the primary focus on the LCIA and SCC. Natalia’s experience spans across many industry sectors including energy (oil and gas upstream, electricity/infrastructure), water, mining & natural resources, metallurgical, banking, agrotrading, construction, aviation, automobile, railway, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, manufacturing (plastics) and others. Her legal career has a strong historic foundation in acting for clients from former Soviet Republics (Ukraine, Russia, Central Asian states). Natalia has extensive experience in a variety of commercial disputes including contractual disputes arising out of SPAs and related contractual documentation, shareholders’ agreements, investment agreements, memoranda of understanding, option agreements, debt finance agreements and related security documentation, personal guarantees, partnerships (in relation to offshore private equity structures). Natalia also has extensive experience in disputes concerning asset valuation, oral high level agreements between international high net worth individuals in relation to joint investments, fraud and corruption claims and related asset tracing actions, claims arising out of liquidation of investment funds. Natalia has significant experience in both applying for and opposing the grant of freezing orders and other interim relief, jurisdictional challenges, enforcement of arbitral awards in offshore jurisdictions and related insolvency proceedings. Natalia’s experience spans across many industry sectors including energy (oil and gas upstream, electricity/infrastructure), water, mining & natural resources, metallurgical, banking, argo-trading, construction, aviation, automobile, railway, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, manufacturing (plastics) and others. · International Arbitration

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Neil Newing

Neil is an international arbitration lawyer and commercial litigator with particular experience in managing high value cross-border arbitration (both commercial and investor-State) and litigation disputes, many of which involve multiple parties and multiple jurisdictions. His practice has a particular focus on the energy sector and oil and gas disputes. Neil has extensive experience in international commercial arbitration and investor-State arbitration, including LCIA, ICC, ICSID, CIETAC, SIAC, SCC, UNCITRAL, and ad hoc arbitration proceedings, as well as ancillary or enforcement proceedings before the English Courts, and cases concerning State entities and state immunity. Neil also has experience acting as advocate in arbitration hearings. Neil represents clients across all sectors but has particular expertise in the energy sector and oil and gas disputes and has acted in matters involving: exploration and production, joint ventures, oilfield services, pipeline transportation, investment treaty claims and disputes concerning carbon emissions. Neil also has considerable experience in natural resources and mining disputes, corporate and finance disputes (particularly relating to M&A transactions and shareholders' agreements) and technology, media and telecoms disputes. He is co-author of “International Arbitration: A Practical Guide”, published by Globe Law and Business. · International Arbitration

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Paul Brehony

Paul has extensive experience in complex multi-jurisdictional commercial, banking, tax and insolvency related disputes. With nearly 30 years’ experience, he has acted in some of the largest and highest profile insolvencies of recent times. Paul’s practice focuses on both claimant and defendant mandates, and often has a heavy investigative bias. His clients include many of the leading accountancy firms and their officeholders, as well as individuals and corporates across a wide spectrum of specialist sectors, ranging from telecoms to insurance. Prior to joining Signature, Paul was a partner in the commercial litigation team at Stewarts for 10 years and before that he was at PwC Legal where he led the Commercial Litigation team. Previously Paul was at Simmons & Simmons and SJ Berwin. · Commercial Litigation

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Paul Grant

Paul is a well-rounded practitioner and has a broad litigation experience having advised clients in a wide range of contentious matters. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2017 and subsequently to the Gibraltar Bar in 2019. Paul has experience in contentious trust matters and has appeared as a junior in the Chancery Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar and the Court of Appeal on matters relating to the administration of trusts and insolvency. Paul has been involved in commercial disputes touching upon construction, insurance and clinical negligence. He has also advised banks on regulatory matters and has been instructed in relation to inquests and public inquiries. Most recently, he represented Gibfibre Limited in a “first of its kind” competition law claim against Gibtelecom Limited under the (Gibraltar) Competition Act 2020. Paul also has also advised clients in relation to defamation and privacy matters, as well as landlord and tenant disputes. · Litigation

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Pietro Grassi

Pietro is a Counsel at Signature Litigation with significant experience in public international law, investor-State arbitration, and international commercial arbitration. He has advised and represented corporations, individuals, and States on matters of public international law before national and international courts and tribunals, as well as arbitral tribunals constituted under major arbitration rules (e.g., ICC, ICSID, LCIA, SCC, and UNCITRAL). He is also often engaged in pro bono litigation involving human rights issues. Highlights of his career so far include securing US$455 million for a US-based bottle maker in an ICSID claim against a Latin American State, and successfully obtaining provisional measurers for a politically prosecuted South American individual proceedings before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Pietro is admitted to practice in both Brazil and Portugal, and he is a Registered Foreign Lawyer with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in England and Wales. · International Arbitration

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Ritwick Ghosh

Ritwick is a Counsel at Signature Litigation specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration. He has represented corporates and individuals in various sectors including banking, asset management, insurance, other professional services, energy and logistics. He has also advised governments and other public bodies. He has advised clients in response to regulatory enforcement action as well as acting for clients in cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings. · Commercial Litigation

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Rory Spillman

Rory specialises in commercial and corporate litigation, banking and financial markets litigation, as well as regulatory investigations and white-collar crime. He has significant experience in representing large numbers of claimants in group claims against financial institutions, including claims pursuant to s.90 and 90A Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. With over 12 years’ experience, Rory represents institutions, corporates, private equity firms, high net worth individuals and financial entities from varying jurisdictions, focussing on complex and high value commercial, banking and financial markets disputes. Rory represents clients in the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Rory is currently advising a group of c. 230 institutions with respect to a claim against Standard Chartered Bank PLC pursuant to s. 90 and 90A FSMA, which has included the Court of Appeal handing down its first judgment in a claim under those provisions. His experience also includes FCA investigations and interviews, Upper Tribunal proceedings, and advising individuals with respect to FCA investigations into them and their employers. This includes advising and working with legal teams in other jurisdictions (including the US) in the wider context of multi-jurisdictional regulatory, criminal and civil investigations, including SEC and DOJ proceedings. In 2024, Rory was appointed to the committee of The Collective Redress Lawyers Association, providing a forum to gather specialist legal practitioners in the field of collective redress in order to advocate for reform. · Commercial Litigation

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Simon Fawell

Simon has more than 20 years' experience across a wide range of commercial and financial litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on complex banking and structured finance matters. Recent cases include a high profile professional negligence claim brought on behalf of a major international bank against a magic circle law firm; a case against Credit Suisse arising from derivative notes related to Greensill exposures which would have challenged prevailing case law on the "no look through" principle in the context of bearer notes; and a multi-million pound dispute concerning the collapse of a joint venture in the energy sector. Simon's experience encompasses a broad spectrum of industries and subject areas including banking, structured finance, derivatives (particularly in the ISDA form) commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset financing, leasing, insurance and reinsurance, infrastructure, energy, private equity, private credit and funds. · Banking & Finance

Tom Snelling photo

Tom Snelling

For nearly 25 years, Tom has been helping clients navigate some of the most complex and business critical disputes. His clients benefit from the fact that Tom has done so in a broad cross section of business sectors and across multiple jurisdictions. Tom is well-known in particular for managing high value, commercial disputes in the consumer products and retail sector. This reflects his genuine interest in his clients’ businesses and loved brands that have changed the world. Since joining Signature Litigation in 2020, Tom has harnessed its disputes-only platform to deliver cutting-edge client work. Tom is currently acting on two of the most high-value and complex mandates before the English High Court: he heads the team for one of the five Lead Defendants in the NOx diesel emissions litigation (with a London trial of liability issues starting in October 2025) and in the Mozambique 'tuna bonds' dispute (which has a three-day appeal hearing is listed in June 2026). These two cases demonstrate Tom’s leading practice positioning him at the forefront of the commercial litigation and civil fraud markets. Recent feedback Tom’s strengths are reflected in the following feedback from clients and others involved in these cases. These comments reflect the innovative way in which Tom harnesses technology to keep costs in check and to deliver value to clients, and his charismatic and empathetic leadership style. Tom is a clear favourite among clients and his team, who enjoy his open and empowering approach. “Tom has navigated a complex multi-party multi-jurisdictional legal dispute with unwavering professional, dedication and dynamism.” “Tom is an extremely intelligent, strategic, proactive, forward-thinking litigator. His dedication and availability coupled with his ability to communicate clearly and concisely has enabled an extremely successful working relationship.” “Tom's strategic insights and innovative problem-solving skills have at times been instrumental. His understanding of the legal landscape is impressive. Tom possesses a breadth of legal knowledge and expertise that has enabled him to tackle even the most challenging legal issues with precision.” “He has the ability to delve into even the most complex of details swiftly and effectively.” “Tom has run a team of litigators at Signature Litigation seamlessly during this time, clearly inspiring loyalty and respect.” A “hands on and good fun lawyer who built and led a team through… some mammoth litigation.” “Throughout the process we were impressed by his team spirit and ability to explain complex legal issues in simple terms such that the end client… got comfortable with disclosure duties and the other areas of English law which were previously alien.” “Tom maintained good humour and professionalism throughout working on the case and shepherded us through some truly testing times.” “Tom was personable, professional, always ready…” “Tom's strategic acumen, legal expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence make him a standout litigator. Tom's ability to think innovatively and his unwavering dedication to achieving success make him a valuable asset to have on your side.” Pro bono Tom balances his 'mega cases' with a longstanding commitment to pro bono work. He has represented: Save the Children; someone seriously injured in the London 7/7 bombings; and the family of one of the Manchester Arena bombing victims. Tom has also brought a successful intervention in the UK Supreme Court on behalf of both the Office of the Children’s Commissioner and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. · Commercial Litigation

Tsegaye Laurendeau photo

Tsegaye Laurendeau

With over 15 years’ experience in international arbitrations as counsel, Tsegaye represents international corporates, States and State-owned entities in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations conducted pursuant to the arbitration rules of many of the major arbitration institutions including the LCIA, ICC, ICSID, CRCICA, HKIAC AND UNCITRAL. Tsegaye has a particular focus in disputes involving complex corporate structures, financial products, accounting and tax issues and matters relating to quantum. He has significant experience in disputes concerning joint ventures, M&A, investment funds and international financing disputes. His expertise primarily lies in the energy sector (oil and gas, nuclear), commodities, infrastructure, mining, technology and telecoms industries. Tsegaye is particularly known for his expertise in Africa, although his experience over the years spans many geographical regions including MENA, South America and Eastern Europe (former Soviet Bloc). Tsegaye also acts for sovereign states and corporations in multilateral and bilateral investment treaty disputes. He has developed an expertise in arbitrations involving complex corporate structures, financial products, accounting and tax issues and matters related to quantum. He is listed on the Panel of Recognised International Market Experts in Finance. Tsegaye’s international arbitration practice increasingly includes appointments as arbitrator, both as sole and co-arbitrator. In January 2024, Tsegaye was appointed to the P.R.I.M.E. Finance (Panel of Recognised International Market Experts in Finance) Panel of experts/arbitrators, an innovative international collaborative organisation with the aim of assisting with the resolution of disputes concerning complex financial products. In July 2024, Tsegaye was elected as a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court for the 2024-2027 mandate. Tsegaye is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and the Paris Bar. · International Arbitration