Olivia Ward

Olivia is a Paralegal at Signature Litigation’s London office with experience in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration matters.

Prior to joining Signature, Olivia worked as a Paralegal at Dentons, primarily supporting the Dispute Resolution and Banking and Finance teams. She also completed an internship with Globalteer as an NGO Assistant in Cambodia, where she implemented a children’s education programme on human rights. Olivia has also gained experience in mini pupillages at various chambers.

Outside of work, Olivia has volunteered with charities including Free Representation Unit, Amicus, National Centre for Domestic Violence and StreetLaw.

Olivia is a member of Gray’s Inn and was called to the Bar in 2023. She received a 2.1 in her LLB from Lancaster University, and a Merit/Very Competent from ICCA for the Bar Course, Olivia is a native English speaker.

Representing a large group of institutional and retail claimants in complex group litigation against a UK bank and its former directors in relation to allegations of breach of statutory obligations under s.90 FSMA with respect to alleged omissions and/or misleading statements in a prospectus relating to GBP12bn rights issue in 2008. The areas of complaint included liquidity, capital, credit market exposures, risk management, VAR and LIBOR. Following this group claim a large number of other s.90 and 90A FSMA claims have since been issued in this ever growing and developing area of litigation.
Representing Renault in the NOx Diesel Emissions Group Litigation in London, proceedings of an unprecedented scale (with around 1.8 million claims issued against car manufacturers) and complexity. In an extensive liability ruling in July, the High Court rejected all claims against Renault.
Representing over 200 institutional claimants with respect to over 1,000 different funds/portfolios in a c.GBP 1.5bn group claim against Standard Chartered Bank regarding allegations of breach of statutory obligations under s.90 and s.90A FSMA 2000. The claim relates to alleged omissions and/or misleading statements in published information arising from alleged misconduct, including breaches of Iranian sanctions. The matter generated significant Court rulings, including from the Court of Appeal, and has settled.
Representing the beneficiaries of a Panamanian Foundation in claims for losses up to USD 500m incurred due to the fraudulent mismanagement of the offshore trust structure by rogue fiduciaries. The claim included applications for interim relief (including worldwide freezing orders, asset disclosure orders and information orders) in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, in support of an ICC arbitration seated in Panama.
Representing one of the world’s largest mining companies in a USD 500m investment treaty UNCITRAL claim against Liberia relating to a lucrative iron ore mining project and involving issues of expropriations and allegations of conspiracy between the state and another mining conglomerate.
Managed over 200 pre-action financial mis-selling claims for a large commercial bank, taking responsibility for the tracking, assessment, and settlement of each claim.
Advising a group of institutional investors, in their capacity as both minority noteholders and shareholders in a private group holding company, in relation to potential claims, including unfair prejudice, arising from the conduct of the company and its majority shareholders and noteholders.
Reviewed Finance Agreements, Intercreditor Agreements, Security Agreement and Guarantees from multiple jurisdictions (including UK, Hong Kong and the USA) in preparation for the transition from LIBOR.