“I resolve commercial disputes, commercially. To do so, I have to know how to harness the law and dispute procedure; and to understand the economics of disputes and the psychology of the disputants. Without the former, I would fail to resolve disputes commercially. Without the latter, I would fail to resolve disputes at all.”

Ben has resolved complex disputes in a wide range of commercial sectors and fields, with particular emphasis on the firm’s core disciplines of energy and financial services.

The majority of his cases arise from breaches of contract, but they often involve tortious breaches (including professional negligence, interference with goods and economic torts), equitable breaches (such as unjust enrichment, breach of trust or fiduciary duties, knowing receipt, and estoppel) or statutory breaches (embracing judicial reviews, insolvency, companies legislation and FSMA). He has represented clients at every level of the English civil courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation.

Ben’s particular specialism is litigation costs and funding – including contingency funding, third-party funding and litigation insurance. He has successfully advised numerous multinational companies on how to monetise latent ‘dispute’ assets so that their legal functions generate revenue.

Areas of practice include:

Admitted

2007: England and Wales

Relevant experience

In a group arbitration, successfully representing policyholders recovering £6 million losses for business interruption insurance arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Representing an offshore wind developer in successfully defending two separate judicial reviews arising from two connected multibillion-pound projects at first instance, Court of Appeal and the permission stage of Supreme Court proceedings.
Advising executrixes in proceedings challenging the interpretation of the will and administration of the estate, together with an Inheritance Act (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claim.
Enforcing an Estonian judgment for an Estonian company under the Hague Convention.
Representing an immersive experience company in an £8 million dispute arising from a failed layered reality experience.
Advising a PFI company on claims valued in excess of £50 million against a leading building company arising from the construction of two hospitals.
Acting for a Dutch design and manufacturing company in an expedited, €60 million LCIA arbitration arising from the refurbishment of an FPSO.
Advising on a series of claims for a client with aggregate value in excess of £1.8 million against Ghanaian and Cabo Verde hotel development companies.
Advising on and successfully pursuing a claim against a celebrated professional footballer, including on derisking and funding, on behalf of his former agent.
Acting for a large technology company in defending proceedings against an employee for breach of restrictive covenants by his former employer.
Acting for a financial services client in a series of professional negligence claims against valuers claiming in excess of £7m for negligent valuations.
Prosecuting a fraud claim for a UHNW client regarding sculpture valued in excess of £30 million, including obtaining and enforcing a Search Order.

“Hands-on… [his team contains] excellent individuals who build personal rapport with their clients.”

Legal 500 (2022)