Christopher Snell

Acting for well known businessman Andy Ruhan defending a claim brought by liquidators to recover an alleged share of a MENA data centre business to enforce a judgment of c.£160m.

Acting for an administrator seeking a retrospective extension of an administration order following procedural irregularity.

Acting for a Russian national resisting insolvency proceedings in England and Wales.

Acting for the liquidator (Mazars) of a company seeking to recover c.£1m from a Company director arising out of misfeasant transactions; freezing injunction obtained.

Acting for respondents to claims brought by a trustee in bankruptcy seeking to recover 12 properties alleged beneficially owned by the bankrupt.

Acting for the lender in a claim to enforce securities that were provided by the Defendants whilst subject to an unlawful means conspiracy.

Representing the joint trustees in bankruptcy in High Court proceedings, and on appeal, in claims brought by the bankrupt to set aside his bankruptcy on the basis that it was obtained by fraud.

Representing a subsidiary of a major Hong Kong corporation seeking the appointment of administrators over an entity in which it is the majority shareholder.

Acting for an offshore holding company in its claim to recover c$12m following its sale of intellectual property in the PONY brand.

Acting for lenders in the recovery of significant sums owed (£10m) where enforcement required recovery by fixed charge receivers of unregistered land.

Fraud claim arising from inflated construction invoices (loss between £1.6m - £2m).

Representing the joint liquidators of SP Commodities in a claim for misfeasance and to reverse other antecedent transactions; including obtaining freezing injunctions.

Representing an individual seeking to enforce a Swiss judgment in England and Wales against a senior officer of Credit Suisse.

Acting in a claim against a subsidiary of Sports Direct for trademark infringement following the sale by a Swiss liquidator of intellectual property in the SKINS brand.

Acting for the Claimant in a claim for an account of profits arising out of an agreement to place large bets on sporting fixtures.

Claim in fraud brought by a number of Chinese nationals for the recovery of £5m+ in relation to a failed investment project. There are related s994 Companies Act proceedings brought by a further group of investors in relation to the same Defendants.

Representing Christopher Connell in his successful appeal against debarring orders – and in the ongoing litigation – in a claim concerning alleged fraudulent invoicing during the course of a major construction project in the Southwest of England. Claim valued at c.£2m.

Acting for lenders in the recovery of significant sums owed (£10m) where enforcement required recovery by fixed charge receivers of unregistered land.

Acting for the Claimant in a claim for, amongst other things, accounts of profit and damages for breach of trust arising out of a solicitor’s misuse of funds held for clients.

Defending the Portuguese arm of Santander’s investment bank in a claim arising out of a series of fraudulent transactions. The claim involved allegations of breach of duty, breach of mandate, breach of the Quincecare Duty and breach of Payment Services Regulations.

Representing the third Defendant, Ms Lan, in a s423 Insolvency Act 1986 claim for the recovery of over £200m. Litigation in multiple jurisdictions, including: (i) judgments in Hong Kong; (ii) enforcement proceedings in Switzerland; (iii) potential litigation in the BVI. Involves issues of Chinese Law and their application to a s423 claim in England and Wales.

(17 November 2021)

Claim for recovery of £7.5m+ arising out of alleged introducer agreement in the sports betting arena. The main Defendant is the well-known businessman and owner of Brighton FC, Mr Tony Bloom. Involves contractual disputes; issues of estoppel and bets placed offshore in cryptocurrency via the accounts of well-known third parties (such as the ex-footballer Michael Owen).

Representing the successful appellant in a cryptocurrency dispute relating to a loan given in Ethereum. The appeal judgment considers the correct date for the valuation of loss where a loan has been advanced in cryptocurrency as opposed to fiat currency.

Claim to recover a number of cryptocurrency tokens said to have been advanced by the Claimant by way of loan to the Defendant. Gave rise to questions of: (i) whether a repayment obligation in a cryptocurrency loan was in the cryptocurrency advanced or in fiat currency; and (ii) how the Court should value the Claimant’s loss given the ever-changing value of cryptocurrency.

Acting for the founders of the Litecoin cryptocurrency in a claim to prevent a Company registered in England and Wales from passing off the goodwill associated with the ‘Litecoin’ mark.

Claim under unfair relationship provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in relation to the sale of c.£40,000,000 loan for purchase of Heron House, Manchester.

Acting for Kroll as fixed charge receiver and tertiary lender seeking to recover possession of commercial assets following termination of a £10m finance facility.

Acting for two individuals seeking to recover sums paid under a mortgage contract allegedly made in breach of the general prohibition.

Acting for the successful Claimant in a 5-day trial to recover possession of “sale and rent back” property where the Claimant was not authorised by the FCA (appeal pending).

Acting for partners in a Doctor’s surgery in relation to alleged mis-selling of loans to the GPs’ practice by Aviva.

Advising Manchester City Football Club on its costs position following claims relating to the Barry Bennell abuse litigation.

Successfully obtaining a non-party costs order against a sole director who had used a company to run a dishonest claim against an insurance company.

Advising Aviva on its position as a funder of litigation following the collapse of a significant construction site developer in Cardiff.

Representing an Isle of Man domicile hedge fund before the Supreme Court of Bermuda in recovering costs following a wrongfully obtained freezing order.