HFW
Client SatisfactionActive in the Commercial Court, HFW specialises in the aerospace, commodities, construction, energy, insurance and shipping sectors. The team ‘punches well above its weight’, adept at obtaining freezing injunctions and boasting experience in proceedings before the High Court and the Supreme Court. Practice head Andrew Williams brings particular expertise in financial and crypto disputes to the team. Damian Honey fields particular experience in the Middle East, while Rick Brown handles breach of contract, fraud and asset-tracing claims. Other key figures include David Chalcraft, who focuses his cross-border disputes practice on insolvency, fraud and asset-tracing, and Gordon Rieck, who is active in multijurisdictional disputes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Strong and hardworking team that punches well above its weight. Excellent value and high-quality support to clients in the commercial disputes and fraud sectors. Present in high-value disputes in the Commercial Court and offshore courts.’
‘Damian Honey is a consummate disputes partner with deep international arbitration experience. Andrew Williams is an excellent strategist and leader of a commercial disputes team that operates at premium end of the disputes market. Gordon Rieck is an energetic senior associate who drives a case forward. Frazer Watts, Roxanne Johnson and Joshua Prest are clever up-and-coming associates.’
‘Damian Honey is commercial, flexible, and has the ear of general counsel. Andrew Williams is a skilled supervisor of large team on an enormous piece of litigation. Gordon Rieck is a future partner. Outstanding attention to detail and ability to get through a volume of work.’
‘Damian Honey and Mike Buffham are very well-versed in all things commodities.’
‘Richard Brown is a highly regarded litigator. Richard is supported by David Chalcraft, who I have found to be diligent and attentive. I have worked with the wider team which includes Neil Chauhan.’
‘The team is thorough in its approach to the disputes we bring to them. They are responsive and provide commercially astute advice. They also understand our business and the sectors we operate in.’
‘Andrew Williams -is an excellent litigator who balances fighting a position against the commercial realities of a dispute. Very responsive and a clear communicator.’
‘Rick Brown is exceptionally good with clients and has excellent instincts. David Chalcraft is fantastic - leaves no stone unturned and is entirely reliable.’
Key clients
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
- Uniserve Limited
- Macquarie Bank Limited
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
- OMV Supply & Trading Limited
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- Financiere AFG
- Quantuma Advisory Limited
- Chinese Leasing Co.
Work highlights
- Advising Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) in a $2bn claim against the previous Deputy Chief Financial Officer of NMC Health plc.
- Advising Uniserve on the alleged breach of a contract during the Covid pandemic for the supply of PPE, which Uniserve agreed to purchase from Advanced Multi-Technology for Medical Industry (Hitex), the first claimant.
- Advising Macquarie, who commenced a claim in the Swiss Courts against a Swiss issuing bank which had failed to honour its payment obligations under two standby letters of credit (SBLCs).
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
David Chalcraft
HFWPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andrew Williams