Banking, Litigation, Insolvency, Civil Fraud, Arbitration

Principal

Expertise and Practice

Legal 500 Rising Star, Caroline Phipps is a commercial litigator who specialises in multi-jurisdictional, complex disputes. She has particular experience in civil fraud matters, banking litigation and issues arising out of corporate insolvency. Her experience includes all aspects of asset tracing, forgery and enforcement issues.

Caroline’s project management skills when dealing with significant investigations and trials are second to none and clients respect her for her direct, pro-active and organised approach.

She also acts in cases as a Privy Council Agent, is the training lead for the junior lawyers at LK Law and is the Co-Chair of the Associates Committee of the Commercial Litigators Forum.

Project Highlights

Caroline’s experience includes:

Al Gosaibi Family & Group (“AHAB”)

Representing AHAB, a large group of privately owned companies run by the Al Gosaibi family, in their claims against Mr Maan Al Sanea and his Saad Group concerning his role in an alleged fraud resulting in losses of at least US$9 billion.

Caroline’s team has managed litigation in numerous jurisdictions, on behalf of AHAB, including the year-long trial in Grand Cayman, and the 6 week long appeal in 2019 (for which we are still awaiting Judgment). Her knowledge of the case, the individuals involved and the parties is unrivalled; having been working for AHAB extensively for 13 years. In the last few years, Caroline has assisted AHAB in relation to its Financial Restructuring Procedure in Saudi Arabia, including with the preparation of its Proposal (which has now been approved by Creditors and ratified by the Commercial Court in Saudi Arabia), and its implementation.

High Net Worth Individual

Caroline project manages the litigation for an individual client who is involved in disputes in jurisdictions including Taiwan, the Caribbean and Switzerland. Supporting the client and liaising with lawyers all over the world to ensure a consistent approach and strategy.

High Net Worth Investor Clients

Caroline was the lead associate in a class action, assisting with the management of LK Law’s 34 Private Investor clients; against 5 different sets of Defendants.

Our clients brought proceedings in July 2018 in the Commercial Court in London against a banking empire that has two English companies at the head of its structure. The Defendants challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court. A five-day hearing was held before Mr Justice Baker in who determined that the English Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the claim.

Since then, Caroline continues to advise the Investors and has instructed and worked with lawyers in the Netherlands to cross-examine former directors of a Dutch Company in the family’s corporate network.

Banco Santander Totta v Companhia Carris De Ferro de Lisboa SA & Ors

Represented four Portuguese transport companies in a claim brought by a Portuguese bank in relation to nine interest rate “snow ball” swap transactions. The case was worth approximately €1.5 billion and was the first to be heard in the Financial List of the Commercial Court ([2016] EWHC 465 (Comm), [2016] EWCA Civ 1267).

Advising an Indonesian shipping firm in Commercial Court proceedings concerning shares in a joint venture.

Career

Caroline trained and qualified at Withers LLP in London. In 2012, she helped to establish the LK London office with Andrew Ford and Jeremy Scott.

LPC, BPP London (2007) Master of Arts (History of Arts), Edinburgh University (2003)