Benjamin John

Commercial and chancery litigation and arbitration, often with major international or jurisdictional elements, encompassing general commercial disputes, fraud and asset tracing, banking/finance, company (including insolvency), and claims against fiduciaries & trustees. Particular experience of claims involving sovereign states. Notable cases: Libyan Investment Authority [2019] (Comm) (receiverships; “one voice” doctrine); Tugushev v Orlov [2019] (Comm) (conspiracy; freezing relief and jurisdiction); Brexit Article 50 litigation (Miller) [2017] (UKSC); Nomura International v Banca Monte dei Paschi [2015] (Comm) (€3.5bn dispute re complex derivative transactions); Slocom v Sibir Energy [2014] (EWCA) (fraud & sham; economic torts; s. 423 claims); Panagopoulos v Lloyds Bank [2014] (Comm) (complex swaps mis-selling); Dar al Arkan v Al Refai [2013] (Comm) (conspiracy and blackmail); Re D [2012] (Admin) (global relief freezing; veil-piercing); NML Capital v Argentina [2011] (UKSC) (sovereign immunity); JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2011] (EWCA) (massive fraud claim; acting for Ablyazov); Yukos Capital v Rosneft [2011] (Comm) (Khodorkovsky affair; enforcement of arbitral awards; Act of State).

University College, Oxford (Chemistry, First Class) and City University (CPE, Distinction); Major, then Princess Royal, Scholar of Inner Temple; winner 3VB Prize for best performance (CPE, 2001); winner Barstow Prize Scholarship (Bar School, 2002).