The ‘knowledgeable, energetic and ambitious’ banking litigation team at Clifford Chance LLP remains at the forefront of high-profile banking disputes in both the UK and global markets. It boasts specialist knowledge of complex financial products and contentious regulatory expertise, working in tandem with the corporate crime and financial regulatory teams to provide financial institutions with a full-service offering. Ian Moulding heads the banking litigation practice and is praised by clients as a ’great strategist and team leader’, and Helen Carty leads the London litigation and dispute resolution team. Global head of litigation and dispute resolution Matthew Newick represents a diverse roster of financial sector clients in cross-border disputes and investigations. Kelwin Nicholls is a key contact for major banks and Christopher Yates and Lindsay Bickerton are also names to note. An expert in fintech disputes, Kate Scott’s clientele includes payment firms and crypto exchanges, as well as banks and financial services firms. Michael Gorrie is a go-to representative for investment banks, while Jason Epstein focuses his practice on group litigation, including shareholder claims. Guy Burkitt is an active member of the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Ian Moulding: great strategist and team leader. Highly experienced in running teams for major litigation. Lindsay Bickerton: very reliable junior partner, will be a star of the future.’

  • ‘Clifford Chance's banking litigation capability is second to none. Hugely knowledgeable, energetic and ambitious, CC's banking litigation team offers a Rolls-Royce service but delivered in a modern, client-focused, fleet-footed, value-for-money way. Outstanding.’

  • ‘Christopher Yates is hands-on, sleeves-rolled up, client-focused, outcome-driven. He is everything a client could hope for in a top city firm partner: the experience and intellect combined with client-empathy, team management skills and an unshakeable desire to win. A class act.’

  • ‘Ian Moulding is respected across the market. Lindsay Bickerton has exceptional legal knowledge and eye for detail. Guy Birkett is a standout Senior Associate.’

  • ‘The junior associates are well trained and bright. The senior associates are well organised and brilliant, the partners are extremely impressive. The people to note are Senior Associate: Guy Burkitt (one of the best litigators I've worked with) and Sam Brown (another excellent senior associate).’

  • ‘The team at Clifford Chance is first-class. What really sets them apart from other firms is their incredible bench strength from Associates to Partners, many of whom I have worked with. The team's experience advising clients on high-value, complex, cross-jurisdictional matters means that they regularly act for clients in "bet the business" disputes.'

  • ‘Helen Carty's judgement is second to none. She is a legal firebrand: analytically superb, tenacious, perceptive, incisive, and infinitely calm. Kelwin Nicholls is a force to reckon with. His knowledge of banking law is encyclopaedic.'

  • 'Kate Scott is active in Fintech and LIBOR transition work. Experienced in leading the heaviest litigation, with heavy technical aspects. Guy Burkitt is a star associate who performs at partner level. Clever, hard-working to a fault and capable of managing a large number of cases at once, while remaining charming at all times.’

Work highlights

  • Defending two financial institution clients in an action brought by the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver for 19 closed US banks against a number of USD LIBOR panel banks.
  • Acing for Link Fund Solutions Limited in its capacity as authorised corporate director of the Woodford Equity Income Fund in relation to group litigation brought by retail investors under s.138D FSMA following the fund's suspension and subsequent winding-up.
  • Advising a group of note-holders on potential avenues to challenge a bank's decision to transfer certain notes (with a combined notional value of €2bn) from one bank to another.

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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ian Moulding

Other key lawyers

Helen Carty, Matthew Newick, Kelwin Nicholls, Christopher Yates, Lindsay Bickerton, Kate Scott, Michael Gorrie, Jason Epstein, Guy Burkitt, Sam Harris, Melissa Oppenheim, Ben Jasper, Philip Cox