Mark, special counsel in the Litigation and Arbitration Group, specialises in the resolution of complex international disputes in the information technology, energy/infrastructure and finance sectors, with a particular focus on competition litigation. He has acted for clients in litigation before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Competition Appeal Tribunal, and in arbitrations under the major institutional rules (including as counsel and advocate). Having spent 3 years practicing in Dubai, Mark has acted for clients before the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts. Mark also advises clients in relation to economic sanctions and is a member of the firm’s Global Risk & National Security Practice.
Contact
London
Primary Focus & Experience
Key experience includes:
Competition and financial services litigation
- Acting for Visa in multiple sets of proceedings in the High Court (and subsequent appeals up to the Supreme Court), and ongoing “umbrella” proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, in relation to alleged infringements of competition law relating to the setting and implementation of multilateral interchange fees associated with the use of debit and credit cards.
- Acting for a leading international bank in defending a High Court claim brought by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on behalf of several failed US banks in relation to alleged infringements of competition law and misrepresentations arising out of the setting of USD LIBOR.
- Acting for Visa in relation to “opt-out” and “opt-in” collective proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal in relation to multilateral interchange fees.
- Acting for a leading investment bank and an alternative investment fund in a High Court claim relating to the restructuring of a Portuguese company.
International arbitration
- Acting for a Greek corporate in relation to ICAC arbitration proceedings concerning an English-law restructuring and international sanctions.
- Acting for a South Asian government in ICC arbitration proceedings relating to claims arising from a power purchase agreement.
- Acting for a developer in a DIAC arbitration and Dubai World Tribunal proceedings relating to claims brought by investors in multiple islands in the World Islands development.
Global risk, fraud and sanctions
- Acting for two alternative investment funds in High Court proceedings relating to a shipping fraud, including obtaining a worldwide freezing order.
- Advising aerospace and space clients in relation to UK and EU sanctions against Russia and Libya and related licensing.
- Advising corporate and financial institution clients in relation to UK and EU sanctions against Russia, including in relation to transferable securities, imports / exports, and asset freezes against designated persons.
- Investigating suspected bribery and corruption offences for a global telecoms equipment manufacturer.
Recognition & Accomplishments
Mark is recognized as a “Key Lawyer” in The Legal 500 UK for Competition Litigation, Commercial Litigation: Premium and Banking Litigation. Clients describe Mark as “a real star in the making”, “an outstanding lawyer with a very strategic outlook” and “consistently excellent”. He is “always alive to the relevant issues in a case, no matter how complex” and a “pleasure to work with”.
Mark has written on various legal topics including collective actions, the English Arbitration Act, international sanctions, and disclosure. He co-authored the UK Chapter in “Lexology in Depth: Private Competition Enforcement” and “Common Pitfalls of Arbitration in the UAE – Interference and Enforcement” published in the Kluwer Journal of International Arbitration.
Additional Details
Education
- University of Cambridge, M.A.
- The University of Law, LLB
- The University of Law, L.P.C.
Admissions
- England and Wales
