We act for a wide variety of claimants in bringing professional negligence actions and for accountants, financial institutions and other professionals in defending them. We have been involved in several major cases, including the landmark decision in Caparo, and advising on claims as a result of the Paramount decision. We also advise professional clients on risk management to avoid litigation.

Recent work includes acting for:

  • Dubai Aluminium Company in proceedings against the company’s former auditors and solicitors for around $344m, plus interest;
  • a US investment bank in defending an allegation of professional negligence in connection with the purchase of a business by a US corporation from one of the bank’s clients;
  • a major US bank in a claim against a London City firm of solicitors over a receivables purchasing transaction;
  • an Asian telecoms company on a negligence claim against a Hong Kong law firm;
  • a Chinese corporate on a professional negligence claim against a Hong Kong firm of solicitors arising out of negligent advice on security documentation;
  • the administrators of Polly Peck in a £200m claim against the company’s former auditors, Stoy Hayward; and
  • Bank Austria in its £150m claim against Price Waterhouse arising from Bank Austria’s acquisition of a majority stake in Sovereign Leasing.

News

Freshfields advises Barclays on acquisition of £2bn UK credit card business from Discover View

Freshfields' global dispute resolution practice appoints four new partners View

Briefings

A new collective action, English-style?  View

China’s draft Labour Contract Law Implementing Regulations  View

Awards

Commercial Arbitration Law Firm of the Year - Who's Who Legal (2008)

Competition/Regulatory Team of the Year - Lawyer Awards (2008)

View all awards