Dispute resolution

Advice on inadequate due diligence

Acting for Armstrong DLW GmbH in its successful claim against Winnington Networks which established that inadequate due diligence on its counterparty by an otherwise innocent purchaser could lead to liability to the victim of a "phishing" fraud.

Banking insolvency

Acting for the liquidators of Bank of Credit and Commerce Gibraltar on a range of claims arising out of the insolvency of the bank.

High profile investigations

Representing the executive counsel of the joint disciplinary scheme on a number of high profile issues involving his investigations into Polly Peck and Equitable Life.

Finance litigation

Negligence and breach of investment

Acting for a major pension fund in a claim against a global fund manager for negligence and breach of investment mandate arising as a result of the over-exposure of the fund to risky financial instruments.

Financial services boutique firm

Acting for a financial services boutique in a claim against a global bank for fees in respect of a project side-lined following the 2008 financial crisis.

Investment trusts

Advising a large group of investment trusts in claims against HMRC arising from the ECJ's decision that supplies of management services should be treated as exempt from VAT rather than standard rated.

Consumer Credit Act claims

Representing a private bank in defence of claims brought by a firm of solicitors in connection with allegedly unenforceable Consumer Credit Act agreements entered into between the bank and the solicitors' clients.

International arbitration

LCIA arbitration

Obtaining a freezing injunction in the Commercial Court on behalf of a leading agribusiness client, restraining the disposal of shares in a Russian company in aid of a London seat LCIA arbitration in which we also acted.

ICC arbitration

Leading and coordinating a team of Swiss, New York and London lawyers representing a defendant in a Geneva seat ICC arbitration.

GCC arbitration

Acting for a financial services boutique in a Bahrain seat GCC arbitration pursuing a claim against a global bank for fees in respect of a project cancelled following the 2008 financial crisis.

Professional and management liability

KPMG LLP

Acting for KPMG LLP in a case on the protection of confidential information and information barriers brought by Prince Jefri of Brunei. The House of Lords decision remains the leading authority on this subject.

KPMG LLP

Acting for KPMG LLP in obtaining summary dismissal of a claim for over $50 million in respect of lending to a mobile telephone trader denied VAT repayments by HMRC on the grounds of suspected carousel fraud.

Professional negligence claim - accountants

Acting against a global firm of accountants on a negligence claim in relation to a capital gains tax saving scheme which did not work and was anyway defectively implemented.

Professional negligence claim - solicitors

Acting on a claim against London solicitors for negligent advice and drafting in connection with transactions for the acquisition and subsequent disposal of a valuable painting.

Professional negligence claim – art auctioneers and valuers

Acting for auctioneers and valuers defending a claim alleging the negligent attribution of an Old Master painting and its consequent sale at a undervalue price.

Partnership

US law firm

Advising a US law firm in London in its dealings with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and on issues arising from the departure of a partner including the protection of confidential information.

Partnership dispute

Acting for a departing partner in a partnership dispute involving issues as to the existence and validity of a partnership agreement, dissolution and the applicability of restrictive covenants.

Restrictive covenants advice

Acting for the London partners of an international law firm in resisting the attempted introduction of aggressive restrictive covenants into the member's agreement.

Accountancy firms

KPMG LLP

Acting for KPMG LLP in a case on the protection of confidential information and information barriers brought by Prince Jefri of Brunei. The House of Lords decision remains the leading authority on this subject.

KPMG LLP

Acting for KPMG LLP in obtaining summary dismissal of a claim for over $50 million in respect of lending to a mobile telephone trader denied VAT repayments by HMRC on the grounds of suspected carousel fraud.

Professional negligence claim - accountants

Acting against a global firm of accountants on a negligence claim in relation to a capital gains tax saving scheme which did not work and was anyway defectively implemented.

More: Accountancy firms

Art and cultural property

Roland has been actively advising in the fine art sector for almost 30 years. He has accumulated significant experience in that time, acting for Christie's as well as a whole range of other clients in the sector such as dealers, brokers, collectors, artists and institutions.

Christie's auction house

Acted for Christie's in the successful defence of a claim challenging the enforceability of aspects of their conditions of sale.

Auction bidding dispute

Representing a collector in a bidding dispute with an auction house.

Negligent misattribution claim

Representing an owner alleging the negligent misattribution of an important Old Master by an auction house.

Defective title and breach of warranty claim

Defending a major dealer on a claim by a purchaser alleging defective title and breach of warranty in respect of an Impressionist masterpiece.

Dealer commission advice

Advising a dealer in the defence of claims in respect of commissions arising from a transaction involving an Old Master drawing.

Collectors

Acting for collectors on the acquisition and disposal of Old Master, Impressionist and Contemporary paintings, classic cars, antique manuscripts and other objets d'art.

High profile collector

Acting for the original purchaser in a high value multi-jurisdictional dispute arising out of a breach of a contract for sale of a sculpture by a prominent artist. This dispute involves proceedings in three jurisdictions in  Europe and America.

Auction house

Providing a range of services including drafting standard terms for shipping services, to cover the collection, storage, packing and delivery of artworks, and addressing issues such as responsibility for insurance and liability for loss and damage.

Auction house

Advising on the cancellation rights of a consumer who bids in an online auction, which is a key concern for auction houses given the rising popularity of online sales.

Professional services

KPMG LLP

Represented KPMG in the leading Court of Appeal decision on issues of causation and loss in accountant negligence cases, Sasea Finance Limited.

KPMG LLP

Represented KPMG in the claim against it by Prince Jefri of Brunei in relation to the protection of confidential information and information barriers. The House of Lords decision remains the leading case on the subject today.

KPMG LLP

Acted for KPMG in successfully applying for summary dismissal of a claim for over $50 million in respect of lending to a mobile telephone trader denied VAT repayments by HMRC on the grounds of suspected carousel fraud.

Professional negligence claim – pension funds

Acted for a major pension fund in a claim against a global fund manager for negligence and breach of an investment mandate arising as a result of the over-exposure of the fund to risky financial instruments.

Professional negligence claim – accountants

Acting against a global firm of accountants on a negligence claim in relation to a capital gains tax saving scheme which did not work and was anyway defectively implemented.

North America

Complex art dispute

Acting for a dealer in defending a claim in arbitration alleging failure to pass title with significant ancillary actions in New York brought by competing claimants to title.

High profile art dispute

Acting in a high profile art dispute concerning an attempt to enforce a contract for the sale of a high value artwork. The matter included proceedings in the New York courts for evidence in support of the main claim brought elsewhere and proceedings in the New York courts brought by and against a subsequent purchaser.

Import and export issues

Advising various clients on a range of import and export issues, including in relation to import VAT and on export licence applications for pre-eminent works under the Waverley criteria.

American proceedings

Roland's work has a substantial international element and he is very experienced in co-ordinating litigation and ancillary proceedings in America, amongst other jurisdictions.

Dealer title advice

Advising a dealer in the defence of claims in respect of title arising from a transaction involving an Old Master painting with claims in multiple jurisdictions including the US.

More: North America

CIS and CEE

Debt recovery

Advising a Jersey incorporated company on a claim against a Russian entity in respect of repayment of a loan of US$4 million plus interest.

LCIA proceedings

Acting for a major Ukrainian agri-business in arbitral proceedings following the acquisition of two businesses by our client.

Enforcement in Russia

Advised on litigation which saw the recognition of an English court judgment by a Russian court in proceedings which followed a default under a loan agreement.

Art dispute

Representing an art dealer in a dispute with a Russian oligarch regarding the sale of a valuable painting.

More: CIS and CEE