Andrew Onslow QC

Call 1982; QC 2002; BA (Oxon)
Email: aonslow@3vb.com

"An assiduous, hands-on silk and highly effective advocate"

Andrew Onslow's practice covers commercial litigation, arbitration and advisory work. He specialises in international and domestic banking (including derivatives and syndicated loan litigation and now, especially, "credit crunch" disputes), financial services, commercial fraud (including freezing and search orders and other interim remedies), professional negligence (particularly in the banking and investment management field and in relation to auditors, solicitors and barristers), claims arising from business and asset sale agreements and sale of goods (particularly in the field of auctions and fine art). He is listed as a leading silk for banking, commercial litigation, fraud and professional negligence in Legal 500 and for banking and finance, commercial dispute resolution, professional negligence and fraud in Chambers & Partners. He regularly sits as an arbitrator (he is currently involved in substantial ICC and LCIA arbitrations). He has recently given expert evidence in derivatives/tax litigation in a US Federal Court and provided opinions for use in the Moscow Court of Arbitrazh.

In recent years the legal directories have described him as:

"An extremely persuasive advocate .. to the extent that he put forward a difficult proposition and make it sound entirely reasonable"

An "incredibly effective, concise and impeccable advocate " who "sinks his teeth into cases and comes up with innovative solutions"

An " utterly committed hands-on silk, whose technical knowledge and advice inspire confidence"
"an expert cross-examiner"

A "real class act who provides measured and careful advice and is an excellent cross-examiner"

"Reassuringly good judgment and great quality advocacy"

Notable cases and recent work include:

• The Procter & Gamble Company v Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget [2012] EWHC 498 (Ch) - acting for Defendant in a £10 million claim under business sale agreement - central construction/implication issue as to the Euro/£ exchange rate to be applied where contract silent
• Bieber v Teathers Ltd (In Liquidiation) [2012] EWHC 190 (Ch) [2012] All ER (D) 117- acting for Teathers, sponsors of a series of tax efficient investments schemes in British television and film productions - issue whether Claimants' subscriptions held on trust
• Ackerman v Ackerman [2011] EWHC 3428 (Ch) - acting for defendant expert in claim to set aside expert report dividing family property business - allegations of bias, collusion and deceit dismissed after 3 week trial
• Community Gateway Association v Beha Williams Norman Ltd (2011) - professional negligence litigation arising from the 2005 transfer of Preston's social housing to the Claimant - judgment awaited
• Nahum v Citibank NA (Comm. Ct., settled at trial) - acting for defendant private bank in claim concerning the unwinding of credit default swaps (2010)
• Golden Sunsets Navigation (UK) Ltd v Lloyds Portfolio Leasing Ltd [2010] EWHC (Comm.) 703 - acting for
• Defendant bank in dispute under complex shipping finance lease (2010)
• AHAB v Al Sanea (worldwide, continuing) - acting for major Middle Eastern bank in this multi-jurisdictional fraud litigation (2010-2011)
• Derivatives claims brought by investment banks against Italian municipalities (2010-2011)
• Double G Communications Ltd v News Group International Ltd [2011] EWHC 961 - acting for NGN in a quantum trial arising from NGN's cancellation of a board game contract
• B v J Bank (Hong Kong) - advising major investment bank in claim for specific performance of SpinOut provisions in private equity deal (2010)
• Trew v Oxus Resources Corporation (QBD, settled at trial) - acting for claimant in dispute with listed gold-mining company (2010)
• R v S - acting for life insurance company in claims arising from payments made under the forged signature of the chief executive (Comm Ct, 2010-2011)
• Morgan Stanley & Co International plc v China Haisheng Juice Co Ltd (Comm Ct.) [2009] EWHC 2409 (Comm) - acting for Defendant on application for anti-suit injunction to restrain proceedings in China under interest rate swap (2009)
• NML Ltd v Argentina (Comm Ct) [2009] 2 WLR 1332 - acting for Claimant in enforcement of New York judgment - State Immunity Act issues (2009)

Professional Interests and Associations - Member:

Combar
LCLBA
Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA)
Institute of Art & Law (IAL)
Treasurer and Advisory Board Member FSLA
Member Combar Africa Committee

Education and Qualifications

Lancing College 1970-1974 (Top Scholar)
Corpus Christi College, Oxford 1975-1979 (Open Scholar, 1st class Literae Humaniores)
City University Diploma in Law 1981
Called to the Bar Middle Temple 1982 (Entrance Scholarship, Harmsworth Scholarship, Lechmere Essay Prize 1982)