Charlotte Pope-Williams
Call
Call
2011
Expertise
Banking & Financial Regulation
Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
International & Offshore
Derivatives & Financial Product Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Insolvency
Professional Negligence
Privy Council
Civil Fraud, Asset Recovery & Enforcement
Administrative, Constitutional & Public
Charlotte is a leading and award-winning barrister, called to the Bar in England and Wales, and in St Vincent and the Grenadines, with a diverse practice spanning commercial and chancery litigation and international arbitration. Charlotte’s varied practice has involved acting for a range of parties from corporates to high-net-worth individuals.
She particularly specialises in financial services disputes, acting for banks, pension funds, asset managers and insurers in commercial litigation and in both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters involving regulators such as the Bank of England, the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA"), the Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. She is ranked as a Leading Junior in Banking and Financial Services (including consumer credit) in Legal 500 2025 and 2026.
Regularly acts as sole counsel and as part of large, multi-disciplinary teams, drawing on her experience as an employed barrister at the Bank of England, the UK's central bank, and at Pinsent Masons LLP, a multinational, award-winning law firm.
Charlotte is proud of her Vincentian heritage. She often works on matters arising from the Caribbean, particularly the Bahamas, Bermuda, Antigua, the Cayman Islands and St Vincent and the Grenadines, notably her Appellate practice before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and she is keen to continue developing her practice in this area.
She is passionate about advocacy, which is why she has taught pupils and new practitioners internationally through the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn and the ICCA for more than half a decade. As part of her broader disciplinary and regulatory practice, she is also an ACCA Legal Adviser and accepts appointments as a mediator and arbitrator.
Charlotte is a Chambers' Pro Bono Champion, in association with Advocate, the Bar's national pro bono charity (https://weareadvocate.org.uk/).
Direct access qualified and accepts instructions on that basis.
Other Language(s)
Other Language(s)
Charlotte Pope-Williams : Experience & Expertise
Charlotte regularly provides advice in respect of Banking & Finance in a variety of matters ranging from the PRA’s, FCA’s and Bank of England’s (in respect of FMIs and Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes) regulatory perimeter; the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (which is being reformed further to consultations in 2025 by the FCA and PRA); regulatory enforcement and investigations including the impact of internal investigations on the same; VREQ, VDir, VVOP, OIREQ, OIDIR and OIVOP i.e., voluntary and own initiative requirements, limitations and directions placed on firms by the PRA and/or FCA; Change in Control; the Bank of England’s Scottish and Northern Ireland banknote regime; the Bank of England’s Financial Markets Infrastructure Regime.
Ranked as a Leading Junior in Banking and Financial Services (including consumer credit) (Legal 500 2025) and (Legal 500 2026).
View Cases
Acting for a Claimant against one of the UK’s major retail banks in a claim about unauthorised payments further to the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and more generally (ongoing).
Advising on a banking business transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the enforcement of English judgments in an offshore jurisdiction.
Advising on various coverage matters in respect of Bermuda captives.
Acting for a Caribbean Bank operating in the region in an appeal about payments due under secured commercial loans.
Acting for the Claimant in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court against an international bank in respect of alleged unlawful attempted seizure of assets through insolvency proceedings and alleged breaches of applicable regulatory standards and the general common law (ongoing).
One of the lead lawyers on the PRA’s cancellation of Lower Iveagh Credit Union Limited’s Part 4a permissions and subsequent winding up
View link
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
Charlotte has substantial knowledge of digital assets which started decade ago when she was working at the Bank of England on the interaction between digital assets and the financial system notably by reference to fiat currency.
She is often instructed to undertake advisory and contentious work.
View Cases
Global Digital Group v B2BTech Solutions LLC
Acting for the Defendant, an international forex, cryptocurrency and CFD liquidity provider in a claim for breach of contract, negligence and regulatory requirements in respect of the alleged unauthorised transfers of cryptocurrency in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court jurisdiction before the Vincentian High Court (ongoing).
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
Hussain v Rezaie & Malhotra
Successfully representing the Claimant in a pro bono cryptocurrency civil fraud case. The claim concerned the tort for deceit, failure of basis and unlawful means conspiracy. Charlotte secured a 5 figure costs order for the Access to Justice Foundation.
International & Offshore
International & Offshore
Charlotte has experience of both personal and corporate insolvency matters acting for creditors, debtors and officeholders in a range of matters and applications under the Insolvency Act 1986 and the corresponding Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016.
View Cases
Wolda Gardner v the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General of Bermuda
Acting for a Caribbean Bank operating in the region in an appeal about payments due under secured commercial loans.
Successfully resisting a winding up petition for a Vincentian International Business Company.
Acting for the Claimant/Applicant seeking an anti-suit injunction in respect of proceedings instituted in California and Israel in breach of contract.
Acting for a UAE HNWI in respect of deviation in bailment in relation to various valuable chattels worth 7 figures (ongoing).
Acting a South African mining company in respect of compliance with UK listing rules and the contractual ramifications of the same.
SM Life Ventures vs Susan Morrice et al Claim No NEVHC 2011/016
Heard in the British Virgin Islands.
Global Digital Group v B2BTech Solutions LLC
Acting for the Defendant, an international forex, cryptocurrency and CFD liquidity provider in a claim for breach of contract, negligence and regulatory requirements in respect of the alleged unauthorised transfers of cryptocurrency in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court jurisdiction before the Vincentian High Court (ongoing).
Successfully acting for the claimant by securing a substantial settlement from a foreign defendant in relation to a claim about a breach of an exclusive distribution agreement.
Acted for a corporate seeking a non-party costs order pursuant to CPR 46.2 in a multi-jurisdictional case.
Advising on a banking business transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the enforcement of English judgments in an offshore jurisdiction.
Acting for a Floridian business with assets in the Bahamas in respect of a US$3M freezing injunction.
Acting for a British national against dual British and French nationals in relation to setting aside a French judgment which has formed the basis of a charging order in the UK and also seeking to set aside said charging order (ongoing).
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Derivatives & Financial Product Litigation
Charlotte has extensive experience of acting for a range of some of the largest financial institutions in the world.
Her work experience encompasses the full gamut of financial services matters including advising about matters relating to retail banking, capital markets and financial markets infrastructure, including but not limited to: GMRAs, ISDA contracts, Risk Free Rates, the CHAPS high value payment system, central bank issued digital currency and access to central bank liquidity facilities.
Charlotte was one of the lead lawyers that set up the Bank of England’s Alternative Liquidity Facility, which was the first of its kind set up by a Western Central Bank and commenced accepting deposits from Islamic banks in 2021.
Charlotte is also one of very few lawyers in private practice that has in-depth and extensive knowledge of the Bank of England’s Note Circulation Scheme and Scottish and Northern Ireland Notes regime.
View Cases
Acting for a claimant against a major national bank in relation to payments made out of the claimant’s bank account whilst the claimant may not have had mental capacity (ongoing).
Successfully acting for a consumer claimant in respect of declinature of insurance cover by Covea and corresponding potential professional negligence on the part of the claimant’s former solicitors.
Acting for a reinsurer in relation to alleged breaches of contracts by insurers worth millions concerning life products giving rise to arbitration.
Acting for a Caribbean Bank operating in the region in an appeal about payments due under secured commercial loans.
She advised and conducted an investigation for an FCA regulated firm into balance discrepancies worth approximately £40 million in just over 1 million customer accounts. Potential issues of fraud, regulatory enforcement by the FCA and other regulators and satellite litigation by customers
Advising a leading insurer on a compensation scheme worth over £250 million relating to the historic miss-selling of defined benefit pension schemes.
Advising on a banking business transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the enforcement of English judgments in an offshore jurisdiction.
Charlotte has been involved in commercial and commercial chancery litigation at an appellate level, in the High Court and in the County Courts.
View Cases
Brambles Administration Limited et Ors v Christine Mary Harvey et Ors [2025] EWHC 290 (Ch)
Acted for the Appellants as sole counsel in a rare appeal pursuant to s.151 of the Pensions Scheme Act 1993
Successfully acted for the Claimant in a claim concerning a breach of a share purchase agreement in respect of a PLC and securing a 7-figure settlement for her client.
Acting for a UAE HNWI in respect of deviation in bailment in relation to various valuable chattels worth 7 figures (ongoing).
Successfully Acted for a company and individual Only Fans content creator with a 7-figure turnover in respect to a former agent allegedly unlawfully taking control of various social media accounts.
Successfully resisting a winding up petition for a Vincentian International Business Company.
Acted for a corporate seeking a non-party costs order pursuant to CPR 46.2 in a multi-jurisdictional case.
Brake & Anor v Guy & Ors (Costs) [2022] EWHC 2907 (Ch) and Brake & Anor v Guy & Ors [2022] EWHC 1911 (Ch)
Acting for a pension trustee and pension administrator in a complex third party debt order.
Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International & Ors [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm)
Acting for Andrew Pearse in a multi-billion dollar civil fraud claim.
Greenwich Village Gallery Limited et Ors v Ponders End Investments Plc et Ors
Acting for a defendant in a multi-million pound case concerning money had and received, breach of a commercial lease and allegations of conversion.
Successfully obtained a freezing injunction for an applicant in the Bahamas in a US$3M claim.
SM Life Ventures vs Susan Morrice et al Claim No NEVHC 2011/016
Heard in the British Virgin Islands.
Acting in a 7-figure n unfair prejudice claim in connection with a business regulated by the Care Quality Commission (ongoing)
Acting for the proposed petitioner in an unfair prejudice action where it is alleged that the respondent has breached restrictive covenants and diverted business to a 9-figure turnover competitor business (ongoing).
Re the Trustees of the Embolden Executive Pensions Scheme
Acting for a director and their company in respect of a referral to the Pensions Ombudsman alleging pensions liberation related fraud (ongoing).
Successfully securing a settlement for an international food and beverage distributor in respect of an alleged breach of an exclusive distribution agreement.
Successfully acting for an international logistics company, securing a substantial settlement, in respect of a former sub-contractor that had diverted business, committed the tort of intimidation and procured a breach of contract further to the Lumley v Gye jurisprudence.
Acting for the Claimant/Applicant seeking an anti-suit injunction in respect of proceedings instituted in California and Israel in breach of contract.
Caitlin Syndicate Ltd v Amec Foster Wheeler USA Corp [2020] EWHC 2530
An anti-suit injunction concerning a PI insurance claim relating to $1.5 billion bet the company lawsuit in the US.
Successfully seeking injunctive relief for a director seeking to prevent their co-director from misappropriating company funds pending the determination of an unfair prejudice petition.
Acting for a corporate respondent resisting a security for costs application in the context of a civil fraud claim worth almost £1m.
Maddox RP LLP v Grey GR Limited Partnershi
A multi-million pound dispute about the acquisition of ground rents as investments by one of the UK’s largest pension funds.
Charlotte has experience of both personal and corporate insolvency matters acting for creditors, debtors and officeholders in a range of matters and applications under the Insolvency Act 1986 and the corresponding Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016.
View Cases
Charlotte is currently acting in an unfair prejudice claim where the solvency of the 3 of the corporate entities involved, and which are owned in a familial Ebrahimi v Westbourne Galleries quasi-partnership, are subject to insolvency concerns resulting in advice and consideration of the s.127 of the Insolvency Act.
Successfully restraining the presentation of a winding up petition in the context of multi-million-pound dispute between two construction businesses.
Civil fraud, financial services and insolvency often go hand in hand as such many of the matters on which Charlotte has worked on including the £1.4 billion SKAT litigation during her time at Pinsent Masons LLP before returning to self-employed practice concern insolvency issues and the improper disposition of property and/or prevention of the same.
Acting for a TopCo and SubCo owned and controlled by a high net worth individual known as ‘Bob the Billionaire Bungalow Buildre’ and resisting the advertisement of a winding up petition for the companies on the basis that it would be an abuse of the Court’s process and would do irreparable harm to the alleged Debtor in connection with debts purportedly worth around £780M.
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
Acting for an individual in respect of bankruptcy petition presented against him that Charlotte assisted him in successfully resisting. There were a number of connecting insolvency matters relating to Charlotte’s client’s companies arising out of dispositions meaning that s.127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 was relevant as was the related s.284 of the Insolvency Act 1986 as it relates to bankrupts dealing with property during the presentation of a petition and the vesting of the bankrupt’s estate in the bankruptcy trustee.
Successfully acted for a director in respect of allegations of misfeasance and directors’ disqualification claims in relation to Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan.
Successfully representing an International Business Company incorporated in St Vincent and Grenadines and its directors in respect of a winding petition and connected bankruptcy proceedings. This work included the initial preparation of an antecedent validation order pursuant to s.127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 which ultimately proved to be unnecessary in the end due to the winding up petition being stayed. Charlotte also fended off arguments from opposing counsel about the avoidance of property dispositions by the company pursuant to s.127 as part of successfully having the winding petition dismissed in respect of a claim worth around £1M.
Charlotte acted in part of the long-running Dr Guy v Brakes dispute which involved consideration of s.127 and s.284 Insolvency Act issues, the impact of mental health crisis and breathing space moratoriums and injunctive relief being sought against a regulated pension fund.
View link
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Professional Negligence
Charlotte’s financial services work has included a heavy diet of professional negligence matters such as acting for a global insurance broker defending a professional negligence claim made by a client in relation to obtaining a death in service benefit scheme for all employees worth approximately £700,000.
View Cases
Blower v GH Canfield LLP [2025] EWCA Civ 1627
Acting for Sandra Blower where Lord Justice Coulson stated that: “I would wish to pay tribute to Ms Pope-Williams’ submissions…”
Acting for a Defendant international forex, cryptocurrency and CFD liquidity provider in a claim for breach of contract, negligence and regulatory requirements in respect of the alleged unauthorised transfers of cryptocurrency in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court jurisdiction (ongoing).
Acting for a claimant against a major national bank in relation to payments negligently made out of the claimant’s bank account whilst the claimant may not have had mental capacity (ongoing).
Acting for the Claimant in a claim against a surveyor for giving contradictory expert witness advice (ongoing).
Acting for a UAE HNWI in respect of deviation in bailment and negligence in relation to various valuable chattels worth 7 figures (ongoing).
Acting for a major care home provider in respect of alleged negligent VAT-related advice provided by a VAT advisory and consultancy service.
Charlotte’s offshore practice includes appearances as junior counsel in appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. She also regularly advises on and produces submissions in respect of permission to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
View Cases
Dixon v the King
Successfully resisting an application for permission to appeal to the Privy Council from the Jamaican Court of Appeal in respect to the Jamaican Court’s approach to sentencing following a criminal trial.
Barrett (Snively) v Charles Jnr (Pearnel) and anor
Privy Council Appeal from the Court of Appeal in Jamaica concerning the validity of an option to purchase land.
E. Anthony Ross vs Bank of Commerce (Saint Kitts Nevis) Trust and Savings Association Ltd (St. Christopher and Nevis) [2012] UKPC 3
Charlotte was part of the legal team for the Claimant.
Wolda Gardner v the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General of Bermuda
Charlotte’s experience in civil fraud matters has included working on the Republic of Mozambique litigation and SKAT litigation where she was part of the team acting the foreign tax authority Claimant in a $2.4billion claim multijurisdictional claim it is bringing against several Defendants for civil fraud, breach of contract and negligence.
View Cases
Re the Trustees of the Embolden Executive Pensions Scheme
Charlotte is currently acting for a director and pension scheme accused of undertaking a pensions liberation scam by way of dishonest assistance of breach of trust.
Hussain v Rezaie & Malhotra
Charlotte successfully acted pro bono for a Claimant in cryptocurrency civil fraud case concerning the tort for deceit, failure of basis and unlawful means conspiracy.
Successfully acted for a director in respect of allegations of misfeasance and directors’ disqualification claims in relation to Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan.
Brambles Administration Limited et Ors v Christine Mary Harvey et Ors [2025] EWHC 290 (Ch)
Acted for the Appellants as sole counsel in a rare appeal pursuant to s.151 of the Pensions Scheme Act 1993 in respect of allegations of fraud and dishonesty.
Skatteforvaltningen v Solo Capital Partners LLP & Ors
Acting as one of the team for the Claimant Danish tax authority in a c.$1.5 billion claim against c.90 defendants. The claim concerns fraudulent applications for refunds of withholding tax. The case was in The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2024, having previously appeared in its list for 2021.
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
International & Offshore
Administrative, Constitutional & Public
Charlotte’s previous work in the public sector means that public law has been a major part of her practice notably advice about engaging with public sector decision-makers and judicial review together with more niche areas such as select committee powers and electoral law such as Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. As regards decision-makers Charlotte worked on setting up the Bank’s Enforcement Decision Making Committee, which was established in August 2018 in response to HM Treasury recommendations.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Public Inquiries and Inquests
Charlotte has experience of significant inquiries, investigations and voluntary and statutory collective redress schemes undertaken in the private and public sector. Charlotte’s public sector work experience means that she has a thorough understanding of public authorities, notably in the context of regulatory action, investigations and disciplinary proceedings undertaken by the financial services regulators both in the UK and internationally.
View Cases
Advised one of the UK’s largest financial institutions about litigation risk and regulatory enforcement risk arising from its interactions with the Work and Pensions Select Committee.
Part of the legal team working on the City of Edinburgh Council’s independent inquiry into how it handled complaints about the conduct of an employee who took his own life after being charged with serious sexual offences.
Advised an African bank regulated in the UK in respect of investigations and regulatory action being undertaken by the FCA and the relevant African regulator.
Appeared for defendant insurers in respect of voluntary confidential redress scheme for protected parties pursuant to CPR Part 21 in of alleged breaches of claimants’ Article 8 right to a private life.
Part of the team that was appointed to administer Manchester City FC’s voluntary redress scheme to compensate victims of historical child sexual abuse.
Advising on the conduct of an investigation for an FCA regulated firm into balance discrepancies worth approximately £40 million in just over 1 million customer accounts. Potential issues of fraud, regulatory enforcement by the FCA and other regulators and satellite litigation by customers. Devised terms of reference for the investigation and organised the review of thousands of documents using the Relativity document review platform.
Charlotte Pope-Williams : Experience & Expertise
Charlotte regularly provides advice in respect of Banking & Finance in a variety of matters ranging from the PRA’s, FCA’s and Bank of England’s (in respect of FMIs and Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes) regulatory perimeter; the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (which is being reformed further to consultations in 2025 by the FCA and PRA); regulatory enforcement and investigations including the impact of internal investigations on the same; VREQ, VDir, VVOP, OIREQ, OIDIR and OIVOP i.e., voluntary and own initiative requirements, limitations and directions placed on firms by the PRA and/or FCA; Change in Control; the Bank of England’s Scottish and Northern Ireland banknote regime; the Bank of England’s Financial Markets Infrastructure Regime.
Ranked as a Leading Junior in Banking and Financial Services (including consumer credit) (Legal 500 2025) and (Legal 500 2026).
View Cases
Acting for a Claimant against one of the UK’s major retail banks in a claim about unauthorised payments further to the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and more generally (ongoing).
Acting for a Caribbean Bank operating in the region in an appeal about payments due under secured commercial loans.
Acting for the Claimant in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court against an international bank in respect of alleged unlawful attempted seizure of assets through insolvency proceedings and alleged breaches of applicable regulatory standards and the general common law (ongoing).
Advising on a banking business transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the enforcement of English judgments in an offshore jurisdiction.
One of the lead lawyers on the PRA’s cancellation of Lower Iveagh Credit Union Limited’s Part 4a permissions and subsequent winding up
View link
Advising on various coverage matters in respect of Bermuda captives.
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
Charlotte has substantial knowledge of digital assets which started decade ago when she was working at the Bank of England on the interaction between digital assets and the financial system notably by reference to fiat currency.
She is often instructed to undertake advisory and contentious work.
View Cases
Global Digital Group v B2BTech Solutions LLC
Acting for the Defendant, an international forex, cryptocurrency and CFD liquidity provider in a claim for breach of contract, negligence and regulatory requirements in respect of the alleged unauthorised transfers of cryptocurrency in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court jurisdiction before the Vincentian High Court (ongoing).
Hussain v Rezaie & Malhotra
Successfully representing the Claimant in a pro bono cryptocurrency civil fraud case. The claim concerned the tort for deceit, failure of basis and unlawful means conspiracy. Charlotte secured a 5 figure costs order for the Access to Justice Foundation.
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
International & Offshore
International & Offshore
Charlotte has experience of both personal and corporate insolvency matters acting for creditors, debtors and officeholders in a range of matters and applications under the Insolvency Act 1986 and the corresponding Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016.
View Cases
Wolda Gardner v the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General of Bermuda
Global Digital Group v B2BTech Solutions LLC
Acting for the Defendant, an international forex, cryptocurrency and CFD liquidity provider in a claim for breach of contract, negligence and regulatory requirements in respect of the alleged unauthorised transfers of cryptocurrency in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court jurisdiction before the Vincentian High Court (ongoing).
Acting for a Caribbean Bank operating in the region in an appeal about payments due under secured commercial loans.
Successfully acting for the claimant by securing a substantial settlement from a foreign defendant in relation to a claim about a breach of an exclusive distribution agreement.
Successfully resisting a winding up petition for a Vincentian International Business Company.
Acted for a corporate seeking a non-party costs order pursuant to CPR 46.2 in a multi-jurisdictional case.
Acting for the Claimant/Applicant seeking an anti-suit injunction in respect of proceedings instituted in California and Israel in breach of contract.
Advising on a banking business transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the enforcement of English judgments in an offshore jurisdiction.
Acting for a UAE HNWI in respect of deviation in bailment in relation to various valuable chattels worth 7 figures (ongoing).
Acting for a Floridian business with assets in the Bahamas in respect of a US$3M freezing injunction.
Acting a South African mining company in respect of compliance with UK listing rules and the contractual ramifications of the same.
Acting for a British national against dual British and French nationals in relation to setting aside a French judgment which has formed the basis of a charging order in the UK and also seeking to set aside said charging order (ongoing).
SM Life Ventures vs Susan Morrice et al Claim No NEVHC 2011/016
Heard in the British Virgin Islands.
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Derivatives & Financial Product Litigation
Charlotte has extensive experience of acting for a range of some of the largest financial institutions in the world.
Her work experience encompasses the full gamut of financial services matters including advising about matters relating to retail banking, capital markets and financial markets infrastructure, including but not limited to: GMRAs, ISDA contracts, Risk Free Rates, the CHAPS high value payment system, central bank issued digital currency and access to central bank liquidity facilities.
Charlotte was one of the lead lawyers that set up the Bank of England’s Alternative Liquidity Facility, which was the first of its kind set up by a Western Central Bank and commenced accepting deposits from Islamic banks in 2021.
Charlotte is also one of very few lawyers in private practice that has in-depth and extensive knowledge of the Bank of England’s Note Circulation Scheme and Scottish and Northern Ireland Notes regime.
View Cases
Acting for a claimant against a major national bank in relation to payments made out of the claimant’s bank account whilst the claimant may not have had mental capacity (ongoing).
She advised and conducted an investigation for an FCA regulated firm into balance discrepancies worth approximately £40 million in just over 1 million customer accounts. Potential issues of fraud, regulatory enforcement by the FCA and other regulators and satellite litigation by customers
Successfully acting for a consumer claimant in respect of declinature of insurance cover by Covea and corresponding potential professional negligence on the part of the claimant’s former solicitors.
Advising a leading insurer on a compensation scheme worth over £250 million relating to the historic miss-selling of defined benefit pension schemes.
Acting for a reinsurer in relation to alleged breaches of contracts by insurers worth millions concerning life products giving rise to arbitration.
Advising on a banking business transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the enforcement of English judgments in an offshore jurisdiction.
Acting for a Caribbean Bank operating in the region in an appeal about payments due under secured commercial loans.
Charlotte has been involved in commercial and commercial chancery litigation at an appellate level, in the High Court and in the County Courts.
View Cases
Brambles Administration Limited et Ors v Christine Mary Harvey et Ors [2025] EWHC 290 (Ch)
Acted for the Appellants as sole counsel in a rare appeal pursuant to s.151 of the Pensions Scheme Act 1993
Acting in a 7-figure n unfair prejudice claim in connection with a business regulated by the Care Quality Commission (ongoing)
Successfully acted for the Claimant in a claim concerning a breach of a share purchase agreement in respect of a PLC and securing a 7-figure settlement for her client.
Acting for the proposed petitioner in an unfair prejudice action where it is alleged that the respondent has breached restrictive covenants and diverted business to a 9-figure turnover competitor business (ongoing).
Acting for a UAE HNWI in respect of deviation in bailment in relation to various valuable chattels worth 7 figures (ongoing).
Re the Trustees of the Embolden Executive Pensions Scheme
Acting for a director and their company in respect of a referral to the Pensions Ombudsman alleging pensions liberation related fraud (ongoing).
Successfully Acted for a company and individual Only Fans content creator with a 7-figure turnover in respect to a former agent allegedly unlawfully taking control of various social media accounts.
Successfully securing a settlement for an international food and beverage distributor in respect of an alleged breach of an exclusive distribution agreement.
Successfully resisting a winding up petition for a Vincentian International Business Company.
Successfully acting for an international logistics company, securing a substantial settlement, in respect of a former sub-contractor that had diverted business, committed the tort of intimidation and procured a breach of contract further to the Lumley v Gye jurisprudence.
Acted for a corporate seeking a non-party costs order pursuant to CPR 46.2 in a multi-jurisdictional case.
Acting for the Claimant/Applicant seeking an anti-suit injunction in respect of proceedings instituted in California and Israel in breach of contract.
Brake & Anor v Guy & Ors (Costs) [2022] EWHC 2907 (Ch) and Brake & Anor v Guy & Ors [2022] EWHC 1911 (Ch)
Acting for a pension trustee and pension administrator in a complex third party debt order.
Caitlin Syndicate Ltd v Amec Foster Wheeler USA Corp [2020] EWHC 2530
An anti-suit injunction concerning a PI insurance claim relating to $1.5 billion bet the company lawsuit in the US.
Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International & Ors [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm)
Acting for Andrew Pearse in a multi-billion dollar civil fraud claim.
Successfully seeking injunctive relief for a director seeking to prevent their co-director from misappropriating company funds pending the determination of an unfair prejudice petition.
Greenwich Village Gallery Limited et Ors v Ponders End Investments Plc et Ors
Acting for a defendant in a multi-million pound case concerning money had and received, breach of a commercial lease and allegations of conversion.
Acting for a corporate respondent resisting a security for costs application in the context of a civil fraud claim worth almost £1m.
Successfully obtained a freezing injunction for an applicant in the Bahamas in a US$3M claim.
Maddox RP LLP v Grey GR Limited Partnershi
A multi-million pound dispute about the acquisition of ground rents as investments by one of the UK’s largest pension funds.
SM Life Ventures vs Susan Morrice et al Claim No NEVHC 2011/016
Heard in the British Virgin Islands.
Charlotte has experience of both personal and corporate insolvency matters acting for creditors, debtors and officeholders in a range of matters and applications under the Insolvency Act 1986 and the corresponding Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016.
View Cases
Charlotte is currently acting in an unfair prejudice claim where the solvency of the 3 of the corporate entities involved, and which are owned in a familial Ebrahimi v Westbourne Galleries quasi-partnership, are subject to insolvency concerns resulting in advice and consideration of the s.127 of the Insolvency Act.
Acting for an individual in respect of bankruptcy petition presented against him that Charlotte assisted him in successfully resisting. There were a number of connecting insolvency matters relating to Charlotte’s client’s companies arising out of dispositions meaning that s.127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 was relevant as was the related s.284 of the Insolvency Act 1986 as it relates to bankrupts dealing with property during the presentation of a petition and the vesting of the bankrupt’s estate in the bankruptcy trustee.
Successfully restraining the presentation of a winding up petition in the context of multi-million-pound dispute between two construction businesses.
Successfully acted for a director in respect of allegations of misfeasance and directors’ disqualification claims in relation to Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan.
Civil fraud, financial services and insolvency often go hand in hand as such many of the matters on which Charlotte has worked on including the £1.4 billion SKAT litigation during her time at Pinsent Masons LLP before returning to self-employed practice concern insolvency issues and the improper disposition of property and/or prevention of the same.
Successfully representing an International Business Company incorporated in St Vincent and Grenadines and its directors in respect of a winding petition and connected bankruptcy proceedings. This work included the initial preparation of an antecedent validation order pursuant to s.127 of the Insolvency Act 1986 which ultimately proved to be unnecessary in the end due to the winding up petition being stayed. Charlotte also fended off arguments from opposing counsel about the avoidance of property dispositions by the company pursuant to s.127 as part of successfully having the winding petition dismissed in respect of a claim worth around £1M.
Acting for a TopCo and SubCo owned and controlled by a high net worth individual known as ‘Bob the Billionaire Bungalow Buildre’ and resisting the advertisement of a winding up petition for the companies on the basis that it would be an abuse of the Court’s process and would do irreparable harm to the alleged Debtor in connection with debts purportedly worth around £780M.
Charlotte acted in part of the long-running Dr Guy v Brakes dispute which involved consideration of s.127 and s.284 Insolvency Act issues, the impact of mental health crisis and breathing space moratoriums and injunctive relief being sought against a regulated pension fund.
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Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Professional Negligence
Charlotte’s financial services work has included a heavy diet of professional negligence matters such as acting for a global insurance broker defending a professional negligence claim made by a client in relation to obtaining a death in service benefit scheme for all employees worth approximately £700,000.
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Blower v GH Canfield LLP [2025] EWCA Civ 1627
Acting for Sandra Blower where Lord Justice Coulson stated that: “I would wish to pay tribute to Ms Pope-Williams’ submissions…”
Acting for the Claimant in a claim against a surveyor for giving contradictory expert witness advice (ongoing).
Acting for a Defendant international forex, cryptocurrency and CFD liquidity provider in a claim for breach of contract, negligence and regulatory requirements in respect of the alleged unauthorised transfers of cryptocurrency in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court jurisdiction (ongoing).
Acting for a UAE HNWI in respect of deviation in bailment and negligence in relation to various valuable chattels worth 7 figures (ongoing).
Acting for a claimant against a major national bank in relation to payments negligently made out of the claimant’s bank account whilst the claimant may not have had mental capacity (ongoing).
Acting for a major care home provider in respect of alleged negligent VAT-related advice provided by a VAT advisory and consultancy service.
Charlotte’s offshore practice includes appearances as junior counsel in appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. She also regularly advises on and produces submissions in respect of permission to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
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Dixon v the King
Successfully resisting an application for permission to appeal to the Privy Council from the Jamaican Court of Appeal in respect to the Jamaican Court’s approach to sentencing following a criminal trial.
E. Anthony Ross vs Bank of Commerce (Saint Kitts Nevis) Trust and Savings Association Ltd (St. Christopher and Nevis) [2012] UKPC 3
Charlotte was part of the legal team for the Claimant.
Barrett (Snively) v Charles Jnr (Pearnel) and anor
Privy Council Appeal from the Court of Appeal in Jamaica concerning the validity of an option to purchase land.
Wolda Gardner v the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General of Bermuda
Charlotte’s experience in civil fraud matters has included working on the Republic of Mozambique litigation and SKAT litigation where she was part of the team acting the foreign tax authority Claimant in a $2.4billion claim multijurisdictional claim it is bringing against several Defendants for civil fraud, breach of contract and negligence.
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Re the Trustees of the Embolden Executive Pensions Scheme
Charlotte is currently acting for a director and pension scheme accused of undertaking a pensions liberation scam by way of dishonest assistance of breach of trust.
Brambles Administration Limited et Ors v Christine Mary Harvey et Ors [2025] EWHC 290 (Ch)
Acted for the Appellants as sole counsel in a rare appeal pursuant to s.151 of the Pensions Scheme Act 1993 in respect of allegations of fraud and dishonesty.
Hussain v Rezaie & Malhotra
Charlotte successfully acted pro bono for a Claimant in cryptocurrency civil fraud case concerning the tort for deceit, failure of basis and unlawful means conspiracy.
Skatteforvaltningen v Solo Capital Partners LLP & Ors
Acting as one of the team for the Claimant Danish tax authority in a c.$1.5 billion claim against c.90 defendants. The claim concerns fraudulent applications for refunds of withholding tax. The case was in The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2024, having previously appeared in its list for 2021.
Successfully acted for a director in respect of allegations of misfeasance and directors’ disqualification claims in relation to Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan.
Garden House Software Ltd v Timothy Marsh et Ors
Acting for four defendants in a multimillion pound international civil fraud and insolvency claim relating to the ownership of software which integrates blockchains to facilitate capital markets transactions. Led by Charlotte Pope-Williams.
International & Offshore
Administrative, Constitutional & Public
Charlotte’s previous work in the public sector means that public law has been a major part of her practice notably advice about engaging with public sector decision-makers and judicial review together with more niche areas such as select committee powers and electoral law such as Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. As regards decision-makers Charlotte worked on setting up the Bank’s Enforcement Decision Making Committee, which was established in August 2018 in response to HM Treasury recommendations.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Public Inquiries and Inquests
Charlotte has experience of significant inquiries, investigations and voluntary and statutory collective redress schemes undertaken in the private and public sector. Charlotte’s public sector work experience means that she has a thorough understanding of public authorities, notably in the context of regulatory action, investigations and disciplinary proceedings undertaken by the financial services regulators both in the UK and internationally.
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Advised one of the UK’s largest financial institutions about litigation risk and regulatory enforcement risk arising from its interactions with the Work and Pensions Select Committee.
Appeared for defendant insurers in respect of voluntary confidential redress scheme for protected parties pursuant to CPR Part 21 in of alleged breaches of claimants’ Article 8 right to a private life.
Part of the legal team working on the City of Edinburgh Council’s independent inquiry into how it handled complaints about the conduct of an employee who took his own life after being charged with serious sexual offences.
Part of the team that was appointed to administer Manchester City FC’s voluntary redress scheme to compensate victims of historical child sexual abuse.
Advised an African bank regulated in the UK in respect of investigations and regulatory action being undertaken by the FCA and the relevant African regulator.
Advising on the conduct of an investigation for an FCA regulated firm into balance discrepancies worth approximately £40 million in just over 1 million customer accounts. Potential issues of fraud, regulatory enforcement by the FCA and other regulators and satellite litigation by customers. Devised terms of reference for the investigation and organised the review of thousands of documents using the Relativity document review platform.
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
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For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
Address
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
Address