Defamation proceedings in the High Court. Acted on behalf of a subsidiary of a listed Indian company in defamation proceedings issued against The Sunday Times in relation to the development of a new city in India.

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The Sunday Times issued a written apology to the client following commencement of proceedings against News International in the High Court in London.

Acted on behalf of a substantial overseas corporate leaseholder in enfranchisement litigation with Grosvenor Estate, in relation to whether the property in question was a ‘house’ within the meaning of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967. The subject property was a substantial property in Mayfair, London.

At first instance, our client was successful in obtaining a declaration that the subject property was a ‘house’ within the meaning of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 which enabled the client to purchase the freehold of the Mayfair property at a substantial discount to the open market value of the freehold.

Grosvenor Estate appealed to the Court of Appeal and our client was again successful in defending the appeal. 

Following the dismissed appeal, we assisted our client in successfully negotiating and concluding the purchase of the freehold title of the property which included the airspace above the property from Grosvenor Estate.

Acted on behalf of a substantial client in relation to alleged tracing claims made against the client’s property investment in Mayfair, London, originating from a failed property development involving a convicted fraudster in South West England. 

The case was complex, far reaching and involved matters relating to, civil fraud, property dispute, insolvency, priority of secured and unsecured creditors, tracing claims, equitable proprietary rights, contribution claims under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 by the liquidators of the defrauded company as well as complex issues in securing vacant possession of the property against a fraudster and his affiliates during the Covid Pandemic when the Government issued  emergency legislation to limit commencement of possession proceedings and defending claims made by the landlord in relation to alleged breaches of the lease and advising on potential claims of professional negligence against the client’s former solicitors.

Notwithstanding the above complexities, we successfully assisted the client in refinancing the property where the client was discharging monthly interest repayments being paid to a short-term bridge financier.

Acted for a commercial leaseholder of a substantial office building in Mayfair, London, who was served with forfeiture proceedings for breach of various leasehold covenants.

Successfully defended the Estate landlord’s claims and negotiated a settlement of the dispute. Following settlement of the dispute the property was let to a single occupier resulting in the creation of a substantial investment for the client.

Acted for a claimant in the High Court, London who sought a declaration as to one-half interest in UK joint venture investment property company pursuant to a declaration of trust which the defendant resiled from.

After successfully obtaining an order for specific disclosure against the defendants, the defendants conceded the claim and discontinued their counterclaims a few weeks before commencement of the trial. 

Acted for a UK family who were respondents to a s.994 Companies Act (Unfair prejudice) petition in a shareholder dispute between two wealthy families.

After obtaining specific disclosure orders against the petitioners in respect of overseas bank accounts, the claim was settled on the opening day of trial with the client successfully taking control of the family business.

Following the settlement, we remained instructed and acted for the client family in restructuring the share buy out in tax efficient manner with external bank funding. 

Acted for a client in relation to a substantial shareholder dispute between two families who owned a hotel in prime central London. We also assisted in negotiating the settlement of family dispute by way of shareholder agreements following the implementation of best auction bids between two rival shareholders.

Acted for a claimant director in the Companies Court against a fellow director who refused access to the books and records of a company. Proceedings were issued under the Conway v Petronius Clothing authority for access to and delivery up of the books and records of the company.

Successfully obtained multiple Court orders against the defendant director including a penal notice order for delivery up of books and records of the company on a continuing basis.

Advising a broker of a nursing home investment scheme selling nursing homes bed to international clients following the developer and operator failing to comply with income rental guarantees offered to investors, including advising the client on how to assist the investors following a substantial dispute having arisen between the developer and the investors.

Acted for a client in the High Court, London in relation to  proceedings to obtain injunctive relief by way of freezing injunction and successfully obtaining a freezing injunction preventing proceeds of sale of a UK development property leaving the UK jurisdiction. 

Successfully protected the claimant’s financial interest in the proceeds of sale of the development property and successfully obtained the freezing injunction with indemnity costs order against a UK solicitor defendant.

The immediate injunctive relief protected our client’s financial position in an aggressive partnership dispute.

Acted for family in relation to a claim against their former solicitors for failure to advise on restrictive covenant which prevented development of the family home.

The matter settled pre-action with the former solicitors insurers and the client received damages and costs.

Acted for client in a professional negligence claim against his former solicitors in relation to a substantial property development where the client had made a substantial investment. 

The claim was settled pre-action and resulted in the client recovering his investment and legal costs.

Acted behalf of client in an aggressive partnership dispute who was threatened with a defamation claim and claim for substantial damage by preventing the claimant from issuing any claim for defamation.

Acted for defendants in relation to claims brought by previous employers in respect of alleged breaches of non-solicitation covenants, derogation from grant and various claimed breaches of employee and consultancy agreement covenants.

The matter settled before trial, after successfully obtaining orders for specific disclosures of the claimant’s bank statement and tax returns. The client successfully continues with his new accountancy business following settlement of the litigation.

Acted for a developer client who contracted to purchase a site in Greater London and assisted him in successfully completing the purchase of the development property by issuing an claim for specific performance of the purchase contract on an expedited basis which prevented the Seller from selling the property to another prospective purchaser at a higher price.

Acted for a client in relation to a substantial service charge dispute in relation to a high value property in Kensington, London. The dispute was concerning the landlord’s failure to properly perform services under the service charge provisions in the lease.

The matter settled pre-action with the landlord conceding and agreeing to waive a considerable amount of service charge previously claimed.

Advising a client in respect of reporting matters to the Serious Fraud Office in relation to irregularities conducted by a UK company relating to elections conducted in an African country and fraudulent activity conducted in another African country where the proceeds of crime had been remitted to Europe and the UK.

Advising a family on a substantial family dispute across 3 continents, including advising on the prospects of enforcing a settlement agreement of assets in 3 jurisdiction. Advised on various ancillary disputes between two group of family shareholders.