Commercial Litigation

Signature specialises in advising clients on all aspects of large-scale commercial litigation, with particular expertise in handling multi-party, multi-jurisdictional disputes.

We represent a variety of clients across a range of industry sectors including multi-national corporations, financial institutions, and high net-worth individuals

"Dedicated litigation experts with experience in handling every element of large-scale and highly complex commercial disputes, frequently involving multiple parties and jurisdictions."
Chambers UK 2019
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Our expertise covers both litigation and arbitration. We handle disputes at all levels of the English court system, and our lawyers have experience of handling arbitrations under a variety of institutional rules, including most commonly the LCIA and ICC.

We understand the challenges faced by commercial parties who are involved in disputes. By using our innovative approach to pricing we look to confine the cost of litigation to realistic budgetary constraints, and we aim to give pragmatic and commercially focused advice, using our experience to guide clients through settlement strategies and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms where appropriate.

When a commercial solution cannot be reached, we have an impressive track record of achieving results for our clients through the courts. We vigorously pursue claims on behalf of our clients, taking all necessary steps to protect their interests.

Signature is ranked in The Legal 500 for commercial litigation which describes the firm as “a first-class firm with a positive, collaborative culture of integrity”.

In addition to ranking in The Legal 500, Chambers and Partners ranks Signature’s founding partner, Graham Huntley, in Band 1 for his experience in handling complex commercial litigation, describing him as “an intense and effective solicitor with an incredibly client-focused approach.” Sources have described him as “very bright, very hard-working, a good tactician and he offers very sound advice,” and “extremely tenacious and keeps the client’s interests in mind”. Graham has also been described as “stellar” and as “a great opponent – bright and focused with exemplary analytical skills”.

The Legal 500 notes that Abdulali Jiwaji “has excellent interpersonal skills, is very good with clients and a pleasure to work with”. Chambers Global describes him as being a “technically sound, sensible and robust litigator who always finds practical solutions”.

With over 28 years’ experience in high stakes commercial litigation, Simon Bushell is described by Chambers and Partners as a “hard hitting litigator”, who is the “go-to lawyer when the stakes are exceptionally high”. Simon is also regarded as a ‘Leading Individual’ by The Legal 500 UK 2019 for his extensive expertise in this practice.

Commercial Litigation Team

“Noted expertise in handling cases related to alleged benchmark manipulation and mis-selling, as well as significant shareholder disputes”

Chambers UK 2020

Simon Bushell

Simon is regarded as a ‘Leading Individual’ in The Legal 500 UK 2020 for his civil fraud and commercial litigation expertise, and is recognised as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for his banking litigation work. The Legal 500 notes Simon is “an excellent litigator, constantly striving for ways to improve a case or undermine his opponents”, a “force-field of drive and determination” and he is “highly rated for high-stakes Russian and CIS-related disputes”. Chambers UK describes him as a “truly exceptional lawyer” and he has also been ranked as a Foreign Expert for his Russian dispute resolution work in Chambers Global. Simon became involved in Russian and CIS related disputes nearly two decades ago and continues regularly to handle matters with a connection to the region. Recognised for being “very clear-sighted and capable of identifying clear strategies for his clients to pursue“, Simon has been consistently ranked in Bands 1 and 2 for his civil fraud expertise in Chambers UK over many years.

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Graham Huntley

Graham is consistently recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers as one of the UK’s highest ranked commercial and banking litigators and has been involved in some of the most significant cases of recent years. Chambers UK describes him as “an intense and effective solicitor with an incredibly client-focused approach” and he has previously been described as “very bright, very hard-working, a good tactician” and “very committed and driven”. The Legal 500 recognises Graham for being a “a leading figure in commercial dispute resolution and widely regarded as a rainmaker.”

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Abdulali Jiwaji

The Legal 500 UK has noted that Abdulali is recommended for commercial litigation and financial disputes. The Legal 500 praises him for his ‘ability to analyse difficult issues and provide concise and clear advice’, whilst Chambers Global has described Abdulali as a “technically sound, sensible and robust litigator who always finds practical solutions”.

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Commercial Litigation Experience

Acting on behalf of institutional clients and over 35,000 individual shareholders bringing claims in excess of £1 billion against RBS over its 2008 rights issue following the acquisition of ABN Amro.

Advising a major corporate on claims in excess of $300 million in relation to hundreds of foreign exchange derivative transactions entered into with international banks on the grounds of non-compliance with Shari’a law.

Representing an investment fund in High Court professional negligence proceedings against a major international law firm arising out of French restructuring advice given in respect of a €20 million distressed loan.

Advising a Russian investment bank in a £100 million dispute with an AIM-listed mining and mineral company with operations in Sierra Leone regarding a number of M&A, equity and debt transactions over a period of 4 years.

Acting for two BVI incorporated companies in relation to Georgian law tort/delict claims for damages of approximately $40 million stemming from the misappropriation of Georgian assets.

Advising the family and estate of the late Badri Patarkatsishvili concerning ownership of interests of various assets, in particular an approximately $2 billion shareholding in a metallurgy company.

Acting for a Gibraltar investment vehicle in an ongoing dispute before the British Virgin Island (BVI) Commercial Court, Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, and Privy Council relating to a disputed managerial entitlement of approximately $200 million in relation to a $1 billion investment fund.

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