Acting in high-stakes fraud claims involving misappropriation, deceit and asset freezing.
How Michael can help
Michael is regularly instructed in civil fraud cases involving allegations of deceit, misappropriation, breach of trust and unlawful diversion of assets. He acts for both claimants and defendants, and has experience in urgent applications for freezing orders and disclosure, often across multiple jurisdictions.
His work frequently involves advising on fraud claims between shareholders, in commercial joint ventures, and in the enforcement of judgments obtained following fraud. He brings particular expertise in strategic litigation where reputational risk, asset recovery or injunctions are key concerns.
Typical instructions include:
- Acting in multi-jurisdictional fraud and misappropriation claims
- Advising on freezing injunctions and post-judgment enforcement
- Representing parties in disputes involving fiduciary breach or fraudulent misrepresentation
- Supporting urgent disclosure and tracing applications
Examples of work
• Instructed in several claims against banks for misselling interest rate swaps including on the basis of alleged fraudulent misrepresentations.
- Handa v Handa & Ors [2024] EWHC 811 (Ch)
Acted for the claimant in a shareholder dispute in a family-owned business, which involved interpretation of a purported expulsion notice, and allegations of misappropriation of company funds, criminal fraud and diversions of commercial opportunities.
- Clutterbuck v Al Amoudi [2014] EWHC 383 (Ch)
Acted for the claimant/appellants in appeal proceedings, in a highly publicised case, involving a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of trust arising from an alleged joint venture agreement for property development. The proceedings also involved allegations that the judgment at first instance had been obtained by fraud. - Terra Firma v Citibank
Assisting Nicholas Strauss KC in providing expert evidence on English law in proceedings in New York arising out of the acquisition of the EMI Group. - Nationwide Building Society v Thompson [2013) EWHC 4515 (Ch)
Acted for Nationwide Building society in the trial of a claim arising out of a mortgage fraud, involving deceit and issues relating to tracing. The claim was successful and the decision was upheld on appeal. - United States Securities & Exchange Commission v Manterfield [2010] 1 W.L.R. 172
Acted, with David Wolfson KC, in a claim arising from an alleged international fraud representing the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC obtained a freezing injunction without the court requiring a cross-undertaking in damages, a decision with was upheld at the Court of Appeal. - ltsalat International Company Lid v Allied TC Pie [2009) EWHC 1265 (Ch)
Acted, with Stephen Auld KC and Hannah Brown KC, in a claim arising from an alleged multi-million US$ international fraud, involving deceit, breach of directors’ fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, misappropriation of company assets, dishonest assistance and receipt, and cross-border jurisdictional issues.