Edward’s practice spans the range of Chambers’ expertise in commercial litigation and international arbitration, with particular expertise in civil fraud, banking, international trade and energy disputes, typically with an international element. Edward is admitted to the bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, BVI. Edward is comfortable working as part of counsel teams of different sizes and is regularly instructed as sole counsel. He has appeared unled in the Commercial Court, Chancery Division and County Court.
Edward is currently instructed by the Republic in The Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others; Commercial Court proceedings worth at least US$2 billion concerning, inter alia, the enforceability of sovereign guarantees in the wake of the ‘Tuna Bond’ scandal, claims in conspiracy, bribery, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt, and a number of state immunity issues.
From January to April 2020, Edward worked as a judicial assistant in the Commercial Court to Mr Justice Andrew Baker and Mr Justice Foxton. He worked on a variety of interlocutory and injunctive hearings as well as applications under the Arbitration Act and a full trial (e.g. Pipia v BGEO Group [2020] 1 WLR 2582; Mohamed v Breish [2020] EWHC 696 (Comm), School Facility Management Ltd v Governing Body of Christ the King College [2020] PTSR 1913). He has also spent six months on secondment at a leading City litigation boutique.
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Example cases
- Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others (2020-): (Commercial Court) acting for Republic in ongoing US$2 billion civil fraud dispute concerning the enforceability of sovereign guarantees, issues of state immunity and claims in conspiracy, bribery, deceit, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt.
- Alfa-Bank v Kipford Ventures (2021-22): for the claimant bank in US$180 million fraudulent conspiracy claim relating to the financing of the acquisition of a Siberian coal mine (EC Court of Appeal and BVI Commercial Division).
- Country Gold v Farm Investments Corporation SA (2021): (Commercial Court) instructed as sole counsel on behalf of the successful applicant for default judgment, raising novel issues as to the proper construction of a jurisdiction clause in favour of “Great Britain” (a case note on the decision can be found here).
- LCIA Arbitration (2021): acted for successful buyers in US$40 million claim for undelivered quantities of crude oil against state- owned oil producer.
- SCMA Arbitration (2021): acted for successful claimant in wrongful termination of a long-term bareboat charter in three-week trial worth- over US$27 million.
Banking and financial services
- Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others (2020-): (Commercial Court) acting for Republic in ongoing US$2 billion civil fraud dispute concerning the enforceability of sovereign guarantees, issues of state immunity and claims in conspiracy, bribery, deceit, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt.
- Alfa-Bank v Kipford Ventures (2020-22): for the claimant bank in this US$180 million fraudulent conspiracy claim relating to the financing of the acquisition of a Siberian coal mine (EC Court of Appeal and BVI Commercial Division).
- Acting on behalf of Citigroup defending various County Court consumer claims over alleged PPI mis-selling, including issues concerning deliberate concealment and reliance on section 32 of the Limitation Act 1980.
- Assisted in Chancery Division dispute concerning an allegedly fraudulent alteration of loan and interest-rate swap transaction documents.
Civil fraud and asset tracing
- Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others (2020-): (Commercial Court) acting for the Republic in ongoing US$2 billion civil fraud dispute concerning the enforceability of sovereign guarantees, issues of state immunity and claims in conspiracy, bribery, deceit, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt.
- Alfa-Bank v Kipford Ventures (2021-22): for the claimant bank in this US$180 million fraudulent conspiracy claim relating to the financing of the acquisition of a Siberian coal mine (EC Court of Appeal and BVI Commercial Division).
- A v B (2022-): (Commercial Court) letter of request application brought by Silicon Valley billionaire hedge fund manager for evidence in support of Californian proceedings.
- A v B (2021-): (Commercial Court) acting for US investment fund in Norwich Pharmacal and pre-action disclosure application brought in the Commercial Court against blue-chip insurance brokerage concerning its role in a fraudulent scheme conducted against the applicant.
- Equity Real Estate and others v Verdi Construction (in liquidation) (2020-2021): acted for successful applicants in application under s. 130(2) of the Insolvency Act and Norwich Pharmacal application against insolvent defendant for disclosure in relation to substantial fraud conducted against applicants.
- A v B (2020-): ongoing billion-dollar joint venture dispute in BVI relating to Russian businessmen.
- Advised on liability of and extradition of Singapore resident for contempt of court, following breaches of Commercial Court orders by company of which he is a director.
- Advised on and drafted the settlement agreement for a complex multi-million-pound dispute involving seven parties and four separate proceedings involving claims in contract, for breaches of fiduciary and directors’ duties and common intention constructive trust.
- Assisted in Commercial Court application seeking an inquiry into damages following the successful discharge of a US$3 billion worldwide freezing and proprietary injunction.
- Assisted in LCIA-MIAC arbitration acting on behalf of a number of African private equity funds in a dispute raising issues of fraud and partnership law.
Commercial dispute resolution
- Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse and others (2020-): (Commercial Court) acting for Republic in ongoing US$2 billion civil fraud dispute concerning the enforceability of sovereign guarantees, issues of state immunity and claims in conspiracy, bribery, deceit, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt.
- Alfa-Bank v Kipford Ventures (2021-22): for the claimant bank in this US$180 million fraudulent conspiracy claim relating to the financing of the acquisition of a Siberian coal mine (EC Court of Appeal and BVI Commercial Division).
- A v B (2022-): (Commercial Court) letter of request application brought by Silicon Valley billionaire hedge fund manager for evidence in support of Californian proceedings.
- A v B (2021-): (Commercial Court) acting for US investment fund in Norwich Pharmacal and pre-action disclosure application brought in the Commercial Court against blue-chip insurance brokerage concerning its role in a fraudulent scheme conducted against the applicant.
- Country Gold v Farm Investments Corporation SA (2021): (Commercial Court) Instructed as sole counsel acting on behalf of the successful applicant for default judgment in claim worth over US$1.8million, raising novel issues as to the proper construction of a jurisdiction clause in favour of “Great Britain” (a case note on the decision can be found here).
- A v B (2021): Sole counsel in London Circuit Commercial Court claim worth c. £500,000 for breach of contract and negligence against blue-chip security company for failure to prevent damage to cars stored at the Claimant’s vehicle storage facility.
Energy and natural resources
- Alfa-Bank v Kipford Ventures (2020-22): for the claimant bank in this US$180 million fraudulent conspiracy claim relating to the financing of the acquisition of a Siberian coal mine, raising complex factual and expert issues as to the viability of the mine’s coal production (EC Court of Appeal and BVI Commercial Division).
- Advised on alleged wrongful termination of joint venture agreement for the supply of renewable energy to the UK retail market.
- Assisted in advising on termination of long-term joint venture agreement for the on-shore and off-shore exploration and development of hydrocarbons.
- Assisted in advising hull & machinery underwriters in relation to the accidental sinking of an oil rig off the coast of India.
International arbitration
- LCIA Arbitration (2020-2021): acted for successful buyers in US$40 million claim for undelivered quantities of crude oil against state-owned oil producer.
- LMAA Arbitrations (2019-2022): Advised on a number of issues in arbitration claims brought against state defendants worth €4.5 billion arising out of major oil spill, including issues of State Immunity.
- SCMA Arbitration (2019-2020): acted for successful claimant in wrongful termination of a bareboat charter in three-week trial worth over US$27 million.
- Assisted in LCIA-MIAC arbitration acting on behalf of a number of African private equity funds in a dispute raising issues of fraud and partnership law.
- Assisted in dispute concerning the enforcement of a £100 million BIT arbitration award against a state raising issues of public policy, issue estoppel and state immunity, as well as the application of the CJEU’s significant decision in Slovak Republic v Achmea BV (Case C-284/16).
Offshore litigation
Edward is admitted to the bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, BVI and has a significant offshore practice. Recent instructions include:
- Alfa-Bank v Kipford Ventures (2020-22): for the claimant bank in this US$180 million fraudulent conspiracy claim relating to the financing of the acquisition of a Siberian coal mine (EC Court of Appeal and BVI Commercial Division).
- A v B (2020-): ongoing billion-dollar joint venture dispute in BVI between Russian businessmen.
Shipping and Commodities
Edward has substantial experience advising and acting in a variety of shipbuilding, charterparty, bill of lading and cargo disputes. Notable recent and ongoing experience includes:
- The Histria Giada (2020-2022): (Commercial Court) acting for owners in claim against charterers for repayment of a customs fine and for time and expenses incurred on a voyage.
- LCIA Arbitration (2021-2022): acted for successful buyers in US$40 million claim for undelivered quantities of crude oil against state- owned oil producer.
- SCMA Arbitration (2019-2020): acted for successful claimant in wrongful termination of a bareboat charter in three-week trial worth over US$27 million.