Active in multi-jurisdictional disputes, ‘premier boutique litigation firm’ PCB Byrne represents banking clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The team boasts a proven track record in asset recovery, as well as an increasingly active sanctions practice. Anthony Riem is ’vastly experienced’ in the representation of financial institutions and leads the team. Nick Ractliff acts both for and against banks in multi-jurisdictional disputes, while Ben Davies is a civil fraud expert.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘PCB Byrne is a premier boutique litigation firm in London. The team is highly motivated and organised. Capable of responding rapidly to crises and getting on the front foot in a dispute.’
‘Trevor Mascarenhas is probably one of the cleverest lawyers in London today and also a brilliant litigator. Anthony Riem is vastly experienced in major disputes particularly involving dishonesty and highly effective. Catherine Eason already has significant experience of disputes, in particular those involving dishonesty.’
‘PCB Byrne have a big name - deservedly - in this field. They are particularly well known for acting for defendants, and for knowing the tricks that can defeat a case which on first inspection looks watertight. Their partners are amongst the best I have ever worked with; they have a pool of talented and hard-working associates; and they run lean teams’
‘Nicola Boulton is the senior partner here with huge personality, insight and acumen. She knows just how things are likely to play out and can spot the weak points in a claimant's claim. I'd also recommend Ben Davies and Tom McKernan. They are both lovely, bright, hard-working and just 'get it'.’
‘I have worked for many years with Trevor Mascarenhas and Anthony Riem, as well as Nick Ractliff. They are all exceptional practitioners, Trevor and Tony being market leaders in the field where banking law and civil fraud intersect.’
‘Really strong on banking disputes work. One of the City's most powerful teams. Trevor Mascarenhas and Anthony Riem have legendary powers to get superb results for clients.’
‘Trevor Mascarenhas is the best of the best. He has superb technical skills and tactical nous. He is great to work with whether as a client or another boutique disputes law firm.’
‘Anthony Riem (partner) is seriously talented. Tactically astute, using his enormous experience to great strategic advantage, Elizabeth Seborg (partner) is completely top of her game. A real fighter who any client would be delighted to have on its team. Nick Ractlff is exactly who you want on your team when the going gets tough. Calmness personified. Clear-headed and makes the right judgement calls.’
Key clients
- Banco de Sabadell S.A.
- Invest Bank PSC
- Banco Nacional de Cuba
- Republic of Cuba
- Mikail Shishkhanov
- Andrey Guryev and Evgenia Guryeva
- Shushary Holding LLC
- Senior Executives of JSC Gazprombank and GazpromExport
- VTB Bank PJSC
Work highlights
- Acted for Banco de Sabadell, S.A. in its Commercial Court claim to recover €350m from various corporate entities associated with the Cerberus investment fund, by way of enforcement of guarantees.
- Acted for Invest Bank PSC in its $30m claim to recover monies from guarantors of corporate loans, including winning a trial of preliminary issues as to the effect of new UAE legislation on guarantees.
- Acted for Banco Nacional de Cuba in defending Commercial Court debt claims totalling in excess of €1.4bn, brought by ICBC Standard Bank.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Anthony Riem