PCB Byrne

This leading firm specialises in high value and complex commercial disputes across multiple jurisdictions. We have particular expertise in civil fraud and asset recovery, insolvency, white collar crime and investigations. PCB Byrne has won numerous landmark decisions and has a stellar track record of winning difficult cases.

Clients seek us out for our (i) creativity in solving problems, (ii) expertise and strategic oversight in managing global disputes, (iii) hands-on involvement by partners from start to finish, (iv) strong-minded, commercial approach, (v) complete dedication in fighting their corner, and (vi) legal financing solutions.

The types of work undertaken by the firm include the following:

Banking and financial services litigation: PCB Byrne is a conflict-free firm, which, unlike the majority of prominent City dispute resolution departments, is able to act against all of the major UK banks. At the same time, we are able to draw upon our experience of acting for large foreign banks, for whom we have acted extensively in fraud and global asset recovery cases, leading to us being described by The Times as “solicitors to the banking community”.

Claimant fraud and asset recovery: PCB Byrne provides a world-class team of lawyers with decades of expertise working together in substantial and complex international fraud and asset recovery cases. We come up with creative solutions, and work at the great speed that is required for these cases. Our experience in building cases, and in tackling structures and other hurdles put in the way of enforcement, enables us to obtain recoveries for our clients. We regularly act for financial institutions, state-owned banks, state bodies, multi-national corporations and high-net-worth individuals in tackling some of the most challenging cases. We provide insight, strategy and a seamless cross-border approach.

Commercial litigation: We have a wealth of experience in dealing with high-value, complex and heavily contested commercial litigation cases. A number of our cases have been selected over the years by The Lawyer as being in their top 20. Most of our cases are international in scope, where main or ancillary proceedings may be taking place in other jurisdictions. There may be also issues of jurisdiction or the application of foreign law. Types of claim vary from supply chain disputes, to shareholder and joint venture disputes, and professional negligence claims.

Fraud defence: PCB Byrne is renowned for its expertise in defending clients faced with allegations of deceit, conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duty and other allegations of dishonesty, unjust conduct and unconscionability. We have also acted for numerous defendants faced with allegations of fraud, and who are often also faced with freezing orders and other interim relief and committal proceedings. Those defendants may have been put “on the back foot” early in the process, and often feel that the court is against them in making various, sometimes draconian, orders. We look at how to put the client “on the front foot”.

Insolvency and restructuring: We have dealt with some of the largest insolvency cases in the English courts of recent years. Our experience includes, (i) advising creditors on options available to them in respect of distressed debt, (ii) advising directors and stakeholders on their options in the twilight of an insolvency, (iii) advising insolvency practitioners, directors, creditors and stakeholders in relation to all insolvency processes, (iv) receiverships, (v) mediation in relation to insolvency disputes, and (vi) restoration of dissolved companies.

International arbitration: We act for clients in large-scale arbitrations governed under various arbitration rules and ad hoc commercial arbitrations. Our clients benefit from our in-depth legal analysis, industry knowledge and strategy in building and presenting the facts. We are recognised for our expertise in obtaining interim relief from Courts in support of the arbitrations. PCB Byrne has been instructed in relation to a number of domestic and international arbitrations, both ad hoc arbitrations and arbitrations under various institutional rules. In 2019, one of the firm’s partners received the Client Choice Award for arbitration and ADR.

White-collar crime and investigations: Lawyers to multinational companies, international organisations, financial institutions, senior officers and directors, sovereign states and high-ranking public officials, and in-house counsel, we work across jurisdictions advising on all areas connected with bribery and corruption, economic sanctions, money laundering, terrorist financing and fraud. Our extensive disputes experience allows us to provide clients with strategic advice to address the legal, procedural, operational and reputational aspects of regulatory issues and investigations. We offer services in all areas of financial crime: anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, sanctions, investigations and fraud.