Macfarlanes LLP

Iain Mackie

Iain specialises in large-scale corporate and financial services litigation and arbitration for a mix of UK and international corporate clients, private equity houses, family offices and financial institutions. Iain is well known in the market for his expertise in handling complex corporate litigation, including large shareholder, joint venture and post-transaction disputes. He also advises on fraud issues; the rights and obligations of directors; derivative actions and unfair prejudice petitions; insolvency issues and restructuring. Much of his work is of a multi-jurisdictional nature and he has particular expertise in matters involving private equity investments and entrepreneurs. He acts for banks, financial institutions and fund managers in relation to disputes concerning fund and asset management, lending/security, complex financial instruments (particularly derivatives), trade finance and internal investigations. He has extensive experience of regulatory investigations by the FCA and other regulators, both in the UK and elsewhere, and advises on market abuse and compliance issues. He is regularly involved in advising non-UK clients involved in English law disputes, particularly in relation to international arbitrations concerning commercial and corporate matters, and in dealing with complex cross-border litigation. Iain was head of the litigation and dispute resolution group for 12 years, and he is now focusing solely on client work.

Lois Horne

Lois advises financial institutions, corporates and entrepreneurs on a broad range of complex, cross-border commercial matters in High Court and international arbitration, with particular experience in corporate and shareholder disputes, contract disputes, banking litigation and financial crime. Lois has broad experience in acting for corporates, or individuals with corporate interests, across a range of sectors, including private equity, financial services, aviation, energy, retail, beverages and commodities. Lois' High Court and arbitration experience includes complex post-deal warranty and indemnity disputes, claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, valuation issues, shareholder rights and unfair prejudice claims, banking disputes concerning complex financial products and breach of commercial agreement claims. She also advises on directors' duties and employment issues with respect to senior officers, team moves and breaches of confidence. As well as advising on the resolution of disputes, Lois advises on the prevention of and investigation into financial crime, including bribery and fraud. Lois is often involved in dealing with highly sensitive matters which go to the heart of a corporate's commercial objectives. She understands the importance of resolving disputes in the context of broader commercial, reputational and often regulatory contexts. Her breadth of experience enables her to deploy a smart strategy to achieve her client's objectives in a pro­active manner. Lois' work is cross-border, often advising a foreign party on English law disputes, including India, Africa, US, and Asia, as well as throughout Europe. She has expertise in High Court and international arbitral trials, as well as expert determination and alternative dispute resolution. She is a qualified solicitor-advocate and a Committee Member of the London Solicitor Litigation Association, City of London Law Society Litigation Committee and the Commercial Litigation Association.

Matt McCahearty

Matt’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, white collar defence, regulatory enforcement and internal investigations. Matt leads the litigation and dispute resolution group. He regularly advises global corporations and financial institutions in relation to some of their most significant and sensitive international disputes, investigations and enforcement matters, working frequently with leading independent firms around the world to provide a comprehensive international strategy. Matt has particular familiarity with litigation, arbitration and regulatory enforcement matters in the US having been seconded to a leading New York law firm and worked extensively on transatlantic cases. Matt is a member of the firm’s International Committee, the International Bar Association’s Litigation Committee and regularly speaks at international conferences. He is also a Solicitor-Advocate.

Christopher Charlton

Chris specialises in complex commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly disputes regarding financial services and products, corporate and shareholder disputes, and insolvency issues. He regularly acts for financial institutions and other corporate clients across a range of sectors, including financial services, technology and construction. Chris has significant experience of advising UK and non-UK clients in relation to cross-border corporate and commercial disputes, including in particular issues of jurisdiction and enforcement.  Through 2019, he was seconded as a Foreign Associate to a leading New York law firm where he worked on a range of US focused matters. Chris is a qualified solicitor-advocate.