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Contact with chambers should be made through the Practice Management Team. They are happy to discuss client requirements and provide further information on such matters as the expertise and experience of individual members, fees, working practices and languages spoken. We have members able to work in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Greek and Chinese (Mandarin).

Outside working hours, a member of our team is always available to be contacted on matters of an urgent nature. Contact should be made using the Chambers main number or email.

Visiting Twenty Essex: Our London premises welcome guests at No 23 Essex Street. Step-free access is available via Milford Lane, with elevator access to all floors in No 23.

Singapore office: For client enquiries please contact our Head of BD, Asia Pacific, Katie-Beth Jones, and for all other queries please contact Lynn Quek. Out-of-office-hours calls will automatically be diverted to our practice management team in London.

London

20 Essex Street
London
WC2R 3AL

[email protected]
t: +44 20 7842 1200

Singapore

28 Maxwell Road
#02-03 Maxwell Chambers Suites
Singapore 069120

[email protected]
t: +65 62257230

Contact

Contact with chambers should be made through the Practice Management Team. They are happy to discuss client requirements and provide further information on such matters as the expertise and experience of individual members, fees, working practices and languages spoken. We have members able to work in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Greek and Chinese (Mandarin).

Outside working hours, a member of our team is always available to be contacted on matters of an urgent nature. Contact should be made using the Chambers main number or email.

Visiting Twenty Essex: Our London premises welcome guests at No 23 Essex Street. Step-free access is available via Milford Lane, with elevator access to all floors in No 23.

Singapore office: For client enquiries please contact our Head of BD, Asia Pacific, Katie-Beth Jones, and for all other queries please contact Lynn Quek. Out-of-office-hours calls will automatically be diverted to our practice management team in London.

London

20 Essex Street
London
WC2R 3AL

[email protected]
t: +44 20 7842 1200

Singapore

28 Maxwell Road
#02-03 Maxwell Chambers Suites
Singapore 069120

[email protected]
t: +65 62257230

11/03/2026

High Court strikes out conversion claim in landmark Bitcoin dispute

The High Court has this week handed down its judgment in Yuen v Li & Anor [2026] EWHC 532 (KB). Josephine Davies KC and James Lamming successfully represented the first defendant in an application to strike out a claim in conversion brought in respect of allegedly misappropriated Bitcoin valued at £160–180 million. 

The case raised a question of considerable importance for the developing law of digital assets, namely whether this tort could extend to the new “third category” of personal property of which Bitcoin is an example. Mr Justice Cotter held that Parliament had not legislated to permit this. While the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025 removed uncertainty as to the existence of a third category of property, the decision of the Supreme Court in OBG v Allan [2008] 1 AC 1 remained a clear bar to the extension of conversion to Bitcoin. The claim in conversion was struck out. 

The judgment is of wider significance in confirming that, notwithstanding Parliament’s recognition of digital assets as a third category of property, the tort of conversion remains confined to tangible property under English law. The decision provides important clarity for practitioners and parties involved in disputes over cryptocurrency and other digital assets. 

Josephine Davies KC and James Lamming were instructed by Russell-Cooke LLP. 

Relevant members
Josephine Davies KC James Lamming
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