Region Area

Barristers

Peter De Verneuil Smith KC

Peter De Verneuil Smith KC

Position

Peter is well known for his excellent advocacy and client skills. He is frequently the lead advocate in large and complex litigation (including claimant and defendant GLOs) and arbitration and was the lead counsel in the $350 million claim under s.90A(FSMA) against Tesco which settled in 2020. Between 2016 - 2017 he acted in the RBS Rights Issue litigation. His practice spans pure banking disputes (including derivative, mis-selling, duties of care owed by a bank, and unjust enrichment) and banking related litigation such as shipbuilding finance, performance bonds and guarantees. He has appeared in major fraud cases (including Group Seven Ltd v Nasir, Tatneft v Bogolyubov and NML v Chapman Freeborn) and often seeks urgent injunctive relief to support domestic and foreign proceedings. His commercial work includes company disputes (unfair prejudice, derivative actions, breach of director duty) and breach of trust claims. He is regularly involved in financial services disputes including tax scheme litigation (the GlobalCure scheme), collective investment schemes and FSMA related claims. His cases frequently involve offshore centres and he has worked in Guernsey, the Cayman Islands, BVI, and Bermuda. His arbitration practice is a mix of energy, finance and project disputes with London, Paris, SIAC and DIFC seats.

Career

Called to the Bar in 1998

Memberships

COMBAR, LCIA, fellow of CIARB, and IBA.

Education

Selwyn College Cambridge.

Mentions

London Bar

Banking and finance (including consumer credit)

Leading silk2
Peter De Verneuil Smith KC – 3 Verulam Buildings ‘Hugely experienced in consumer finance group litigation. A fantastic strategist. User friendly and great in conference. A shining star in his field.’
London Bar

Commercial litigation

Leading silk4
Peter De Verneuil Smith KC – 3 Verulam Buildings ‘Peter is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He is superbly clever, and his advice is always well considered, practical and clear.'
London Bar

Fraud: civil

Leading silk3
Peter De Verneuil Smith KC – 3 Verulam Buildings 'He knows the law inside out, is clearly very bright, and brings a real rigour to assessing the merits and case strategy.'
London Bar

Group litigation

Leading silk2
Peter De Verneuil Smith KC – 3 Verulam Buildings ‘He is a great team player, always accessible and is fantastic with clients.'