Commercial litigation

Paul has broad experience acting for clients in a range of high value commercial disputes. Notable recent work includes:

BVI liquidators of Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited

Acting for the BVI liquidators of Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited in ongoing and wide­ranging, multi-jurisdictional litigation with the company’s former solicitors, most recently in the Supreme Court.

High value and complex claim

Acting for the claimants in high value and complex claims brought by the liquidators of Rangers Football Club against the club’s parent company and former solicitors.

The administrators of Toys ‘R’ Us Limited

Acting for the administrators of Toys ‘R’ Us Limited on multi­million pound litigation brought against the company’s secured creditors.

Two large accounting firms

Defending two large accounting firms in substantial tax negligence claims.

Compensation for negligence and misfeasance

Acting for the former administrators of a company in relation to claims brought against them for compensation for negligence and misfeasance.

A PI insurer

Acting for a PI insurer in respect of a number of large, high profile and complex negligence and regulatory cases in the UK and overseas against auditors arising out of large scale frauds and corporate collapses.

Proceedings before the Court of Appeal

Acting for a successful claimant in proceedings before the Court of Appeal, securing a substantial restitution award in respect of goods provided under a contract held to be void.

The German arm of Armstrong World Industries 

Acting for the German arm of Armstrong World Industries in a successful claim to recover property stolen from it by fraudsters in the course of a "phishing" scam.

More: Commercial litigation

Dispute resolution

Paul has broad experience acting for clients in a range of high value commercial disputes. Notable recent work includes:

BVI liquidators of Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited

Acting for the BVI liquidators of Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited in ongoing and wide­ranging, multi-jurisdictional litigation with the company’s former solicitors, most recently in the Supreme Court.

High value and complex claim

Acting for the claimants in high value and complex claims brought by the liquidators of Rangers Football Club against the club’s parent company and former solicitors.

The administrators of Toys ‘R’ Us Limited

Acting for the administrators of Toys ‘R’ Us Limited on multi­million pound litigation brought against the company’s secured creditors.

Two large accounting firms

Defending two large accounting firms in substantial tax negligence claims.

Compensation for negligence and misfeasance

Acting for the former administrators of a company in relation to claims brought against them for compensation for negligence and misfeasance.

A PI insurer

Acting for a PI insurer in respect of a number of large, high profile and complex negligence and regulatory cases in the UK and overseas against auditors arising out of large scale frauds and corporate collapses.

Proceedings before the Court of Appeal

Acting for a successful claimant in proceedings before the Court of Appeal, securing a substantial restitution award in respect of goods provided under a contract held to be void.

The German arm of Armstrong World Industries 

Acting for the German arm of Armstrong World Industries in a successful claim to recover property stolen from it by fraudsters in the course of a "phishing" scam.

Professional and management liability

Paul regularly acts in cases involving professionals and their firms. Paul has also spent time on secondment with the in­house practice protection and risk team of a Big 4 firm, during which time he dealt with a range of litigation, FRC and other regulatory investigations and risk management issues.

Insolvency professionals

Paul has recently acted for the former administrators of a company in relation to multi­million pound claims brought against them for compensation for negligence and misfeasance involving allegations of professional misconduct. Previous highlights include acting for the joint administrators of Angel Group Limited in opposing an application for their removal from office.

Tax advisers

Current and recent work includes defending two large firms in substantial tax negligence claims.   Past highlights include acting for KPMG in the successful defence of a US$50 million negligence claim in respect of VAT advice, which was struck out with the client awarded its costs.

Auditors

Paul currently acts for a PI insurer in respect of a number of large, high profile and complex negligence and regulatory cases in the UK and overseas against auditors arising out of large scale frauds and corporate collapses.

Solicitors

Highlights include acting for the BDO liquidators of Rangers Football Club in high value damages claims against the company's former solicitors.

Regulatory and risk management issues

Advising professional services firms and individual professionals on the successful early resolution of risk management issues with the potential to lead to litigation if not resolved. Examples of work include acting for a Big 4 firm in relation to enquiries received from the ICAEW following complaints concerning the firm's work, advising a professional services firm in relation to threatened defamation proceedings, and advising insolvency practitioners on applications to rectify failures to comply with insolvency rules during an administration.

Document requests

Advising firms in relation to the successful resolution of a range of third party disclosure requests, including under the Civil Procedure Rules, the rules of the First Tier Tribunal (Tax) and section 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and pursuant to letters of request from overseas courts and requests from the Insolvency Service.

More: Professional and management liability

Restructuring and insolvency

Paul has experience of acting for insolvency professionals and creditors in contentious insolvency and insolvency risk matters. During his time on secondment with a Big 4 professional services firm, Paul dealt with a range of claims and regulatory and risk issues facing insolvency professionals and their firms arising from insolvency work.

Claims against insolvency professionals

Acting for insolvency practitioners and their firms in relation to allegations of professional misconduct. Paul’s recent work includes acting for the former administrators of a company in relation to claims brought against them for compensation for negligence and misfeasance under Paragraph 75 to Schedule B1 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Past highlights include acting for the joint administrators of Angel Group Limited in opposing an application for their removal from office.

Liquidators of Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited

Advising the liquidators from Teneo BVI on cross­border proceedings in the English High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court relating to a secured claim brought against the company by its former solicitors. The proceedings involve novel points of insolvency law relating to the avoidance of floating charges under section 245 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and the extent of a solicitor’s lien over funds in the company’s estate.

Regulatory and risk management issues

Recent work includes acting for a Big 4 firm in relation to enquiries received from the ICAEW following complaints concerning the firm's insolvency work. Paul has also recently advised insolvency practitioners at a Big 4 firm on applications seeking to rectify previous failures to comply with insolvency rules during an administration.

Rangers Football Club

Acting for BDO on the liquidation of Rangers Football Club, involving several pieces of high value litigation, including claims for fraud, negligence and breach of trust and litigation relating to multi­ million pound creditor claims,.

Administration of Toys ‘R’ Us Limited

Advising the English administrators in relation to multi­million pound litigation with the company’s secured creditors, including with regard to the validity of its floating charge under section 245 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Bankruptcy

Acting for the trustees in a contentious bankruptcy involving potential litigation.

Document requests

Advising insolvency professionals and their firms in relation to documents requests including pursuant to officeholder powers under section 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and letters of request from overseas courts.

Law firms

Paul has experience of acting in cases involving law firms. Notable work includes:

Former solicitors of Rangers Football Club

Bringing high value damages claims in negligence, fraud and breach of trust against the former solicitors of Rangers Football Club.

BVI liquidators of Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited

Advising the Teneo BVI liquidators of Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited in relation to ongoing, multi-jurisdictional proceedings with the company’s former solicitors, which have involved novel points of law and necessitated three hearings before the Court of Appeal and one hearing recently before the Supreme Court, and a potential appeal to the Privy Council.

International law firm

Advising an international law firm in relation to proceedings against a former partner, settled on confidential terms.

Defending claims for breach of duty

Acting for the former administrators of a company in defending claims for breach of duty against the administrators and a well­known law firm.

Accountancy firms

Paul has experience of acting in cases involving accountancy firms and accountants. Paul has spent time on secondment with the in­house practice protection and risk team of a Big 4 firm, during which time he dealt with a range of litigation, FRC and other regulatory investigations and risk management issues facing the firm.

Insolvency professionals

Paul has recently acted for the former administrators of a company in relation to multi­million pound claims brought against them for compensation for negligence and misfeasance involving allegations of professional misconduct. Previous highlights include acting for the joint administrators of Angel Group Limited in opposing an application for their removal from office.

Tax advisers

Current and recent work includes defending two large firms in substantial tax negligence claims. Past highlights include acting for KPMG in the successful defence of a US$50 million negligence claim in respect of VAT advice, which was struck out with the client awarded its costs.

Auditors

Paul currently acts for a PI insurer in respect of a number of large, high profile and complex negligence and regulatory cases in the UK and overseas against auditors arising out of large scale frauds and corporate collapses.

Regulatory and risk management issues

Advising professional services firms and individual professionals on the successful early resolution of risk management issues with the potential to lead to litigation if not resolved. Examples of work include acting for a Big 4 firm in relation to enquiries received from the ICAEW following complaints concerning the firm's work, advising a professional services firm in relation to threatened defamation proceedings, and advising insolvency practitioners on applications to rectify failures to comply with insolvency rules during an administration.

Document requests

Advising firms in relation to the successful resolution of a range of third party disclosure requests, including under the Civil Procedure Rules, the rules of the First Tier Tribunal (Tax) and section 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and pursuant to letters of request from overseas courts and requests from the Insolvency Service.

Professional services

Paul regularly acts in cases involving professionals and their firms. Paul has also spent time on secondment with the in­house practice protection and risk team of a Big 4 firm, during which time he dealt with a range of litigation, FRC and other regulatory investigations and risk management issues.

Insolvency professionals

Paul has recently acted for the former administrators of a company in relation to multi­million pound claims brought against them for compensation for negligence and misfeasance involving allegations of professional misconduct. Previous highlights include acting for the joint administrators of Angel Group Limited in opposing an application for their removal from office.

Tax advisers

Current and recent work includes defending two large firms in substantial tax negligence claims. Past highlights include acting for KPMG in the successful defence of a US$50 million negligence claim in respect of VAT advice, which was struck out with the client awarded its costs.

Auditors

Paul currently acts for a PI insurer in respect of a number of large, high profile and complex negligence and regulatory cases in the UK and overseas against auditors arising out of large scale frauds and corporate collapses.

Solicitors

Highlights include acting for the BDO liquidators of Rangers Football Club in high value damages claims against the company's former solicitors.

Regulatory and risk management issues

Advising professional services firms and individual professionals on the successful early resolution of risk management issues with the potential to lead to litigation if not resolved. Examples of work include acting for a Big 4 firm in relation to enquiries received from the ICAEW following complaints concerning the firm's work, advising a professional services firm in relation to threatened defamation proceedings, and advising insolvency practitioners on applications to rectify failures to comply with insolvency rules during an administration.

Third party disclosure requests

Advising firms in relation to the successful resolution of a range of third party disclosure requests, including under the Civil Procedure Rules, the rules of the First Tier Tribunal (Tax) and section 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and pursuant to letters of request from overseas courts requests from the Insolvency Service.