Adrian Beltrami KC
Call: 1989 | Silk: 2008
Practice Overview
Adrian Beltrami KC was a Joint Head of Chambers at 3VB from 2016 to 2022. He specialises in commercial litigation and advisory work, both domestic and multinational. His litigation practice includes banking and financial services, commercial disputes, corporate insolvency and restructuring, professional negligence involving solicitors, accountants and valuers, civil fraud and asset tracing, restitution, off-shore trusts, forum disputes, injunctions, freezing and search orders and other interim remedies. He is also instructed in arbitrations in the same fields.
Adrian has wide advocacy experience and has acted in a number of complex financial cases, in England and in commonwealth jurisdictions, including JPMorgan Chase v Springwell, Real Estate Opportunities v Aberdeen Asset Managers, BCCI, Polly Peck, Grupo Torras, Thyssen and TXU. He acted in a string of trials involving financial institutions arising out of the 2008 financial crisis, such as Titan Steel Wheels v RBS, Camerata v Credit Suisse, Zaki v Credit Suisse, SNCB v UBS, Al Sulaiman v Credit Suisse and Torre v RBS. He was instructed as Leading Counsel in a number of cases concerning benchmark and foreign exchange manipulation, including Graiseley Properties v Barclays Bank plc, Marme v RBS, Leeds v Barclays Bank plc and FDIC v Barclays Bank plc. He has significant experience in civil fraud, acting in Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale, Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton and Jinxin Inc v Auletta. Other areas of practice include securities litigation (Various v Standard Chartered plc), insolvency (Lehman Bros) and professional negligence (Evergrande v PwC). He has recently been instructed as advocate in a range of other fields including multi-party competition claims (Interchange fee litigation), misuse of private information (Lawrence v Associated Newspapers Ltd) and trade marks (Lifestyle Equities v Sportsdirect.com).
In 2018, Adrian was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge. Until 2024, he sat in the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court.
In February 2016, he was appointed (together with Sir Bernard Rix and Mark Hapgood KC) as a member of the first External Review Panel of the ISDA EMEA Determinations Committee, determining whether a Credit Event had occurred in respect of Novo Banco SA. In December 2025, he was appointed to a second External Review Panel, determining whether a Credit Event occurred in respect of Ardagh Packaging Finance plc.
In 2017, he was invited to join the P.R.I.M.E Finance panel of experts.
Adrian was awarded Banking and Finance Silk of the Year in 2013 and Banking Silk of the Year in 2019 at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards. He was awarded Financial Services and Insurance Silk of the Year in 2024 (Legal 500). He was nominated on the shortlists for Commercial Silk in 2016 (Legal 500), for Banking and Finance Silk in 2017 (Chambers & Partners), for Insolvency Silk in 2017 (Legal 500) and for Commercial Litigation Silk in 2026 (Legal 500). He was also included by Chambers 2014 as one of the Top 100 Silks at the Bar. In 2018, he was named amongst The Lawyer’s “Hot 100”. Adrian is regularly listed in the Directories as a Leading Silk in the fields of Banking and Finance, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud, Chancery Commercial and Restructuring/Insolvency. and Finance, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud, Chancery Commercial and Restructuring/Insolvency.
Directories
Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2026
| Banking & Finance | Star individual |
| Chancery/Commercial | Star Individual |
| Civil Fraud | Band 1 |
| Commercial Dispute Resolution | Band 1 |
| Restructuring/Insolvency | Band 2 |
Legal 500 UK Bar (2026)
| Banking & Finance (including consumer credit) | Band 1 |
| Commercial Litigation | Band 1 |
| Civil Fraud | Band 3 |
| Commercial Disputes | Band 3 |
| Insolvency | Band 3 |
| Professional Negligence | Band 4 |
Banking & Finance
- BNP Paribas SA v Trattamento Rifiuti Metropolitani SpA [2019] EWCA Civ 768 (banking, ISDA Master, jurisdiction, swaps)
- Arcelormittal USA LLC v Essar Steel (2019) (banking, freezing orders, subordination)
- Re LB Holdings Intermediate 2 and Lehman Brothers Holdings plc [2018] EWHC 2017 (banking, insolvency, subordination)
- Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
- Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale SA [2017] EWHC 2631, [2017] EWHC 1155, [2016] EWHC 2773 (banking, fraud, bribery, structured products, disclosure)
- Marme Inversiones 2007 SL v RBS plc [2016] EWHC 1920, [2016] EWHC 1570, [2015] EWHC 173 (banking, swaps, Euribor, jurisdiction, disclosure)
- Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2013] EWHC 67, [2012] EWHC 3093 (banking, swaps, Libor)
- Gestmin v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] EWHC 3560 (banking, sale of listed investments)
- Torre Asset Funding Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2013] EWHC 2670 (banking, syndicated lending, securitisation, role of agent bank, events of default)
- Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2012] EWHC 3093, [2013] EWHC 37 (banking, Libor, sale of interest rate swaps)
- Al Sulaiman v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2013] 1 All ER (Comm) 1105 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
- Zaki v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] 1 BCLC 640 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
- SNCB Holding v UBS AG [2012] EWHC 2044 (banking, construction, structured derivatives)
- Camerata Property Inc v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2011] 2 BCLC 54 (banking, duties of care, structured derivatives)
- Titan Steel Wheels Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2010] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 92 (banking, duties of care, foreign exchange, structured derivatives)
- Pell Frischmann Engineering Ltd v Bow Valley Iran Ltd [2010] BLR 73 (assessment of negotiating damages on breach of joint venture agreement)
- Benedetti v Sawiris [2009] EWHC 1330, [2010] EWCA Civ 1427 (commercial dispute following leveraged buyout of telecommunications company, restitution for unjust enrichment)
- JP Morgan Chase Bank v Springwell Navigation [2010] EWCA Civ 1221, [2008] EWHC 1186, [2008] EWHC 1793, [2 (banking/duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
- Real Estate Opportunities Ltd v Aberdeen Asset Managers [2007] Bus LR 971, [2007] 2 All ER 791 (financial services/disclosure of information/ duties of care in investment banking)
- Pfizer Ltd v Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co [2006] EWHC 1424 (forum)
- Diamantis Diamantides v JP Morgan Chase Bank [2005] EWCA Civ 1612 (banking/ duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
- Royal & Sun Alliance v Retail Brand [2004] EWHC 2139 (Comm) (insurance/forum)
- DP Mann v Coutts [2004] 1 All ER Comm 1 (banking/ Lloyd’s underwriters)
- The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple v Lloyds Bank [1999] 1 All ER Comm 193 (banking/cheque collection)
- Box v Barclays Bank [1998] Lloyds Rep Bank 185 (banking/restitution for unjust enrichment)
Civil Fraud
- Arcelormittal USA LLC v Essar Steel (2019) (banking, freezing orders, subordination)
- Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
- Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale SA [2017] EWHC 2631, [2017] EWHC 1155, [2016] EWHC 2773 (banking, fraud, bribery, structured products, disclosure)
- Nomihold Securities v Mobile Telesystems Finance SA [2012] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 442 (appointment of receiver, arbitration)
- Teyseer Contracting Co v Masri [2011] CA (Bda) 2 Civ (enforcement, freezing orders, third party challenges)
- Sita UK Group Holdings v Serruys [2009] EWHC 1959, [2009] EWHC 869 (deceit, breach of warranty on share sale transaction)
- Grupo Torras v Al – Sabah [2002] JLR 243, [2003] JLR 188, [2005] 2 AC 333, [2005] 2 WLR 904 (fraud/restitution for unjust enrichment/insolvency/trusts)
- Burberry v Kaye (2004) (fraud/freezing and disclosure orders)
- Paicolex v Bachar (2001-2003) (fraud/breach of fiduciary duty)
- Oil & Minerals Development Corp v Sajjad [2002] EWHC 1258 (Comm) (fraud/breach of fiduciary duty)
Commercial Litigation
- BNP Paribas SA v Trattamento Rifiuti Metropolitani SpA [2019] EWCA Civ 768 (banking, ISDA Master, jurisdiction, swaps)
- Arcelormittal USA LLC v Essar Steel (2019) (banking, freezing orders, subordination)
- Re LB Holdings Intermediate 2 and Lehman Brothers Holdings plc [2018] EWHC 2017 (banking, insolvency, subordination)
- Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
- Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale SA [2017] EWHC 2631, [2017] EWHC 1155, [2016] EWHC 2773 (banking, fraud, bribery, structured products, disclosure)
- Marme Inversiones 2007 SL v RBS plc [2016] EWHC 1920, [2016] EWHC 1570, [2015] EWHC 173 (banking, swaps, Euribor, jurisdiction, disclosure)
- Kingate Global Fund v Pwc (2012-2015) (fraud, insolvency auditors’ negligence)
- Kingate Global Fund v Kingate Management Ltd (2010-2015) (fraud, insolvency, restitution for unjust enrichment, professional negligence)
- Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2013] EWHC 67, [2012] EWHC 3093 (banking, swaps, Libor)
- Gestmin v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] EWHC 3560 (banking, sale of listed investments)
- Torre Asset Funding Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2013] EWHC 2670 (banking, syndicated lending, securitisation, role of agent bank, events of default)
- Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2012] EWHC 3093, [2013] EWHC 37 (banking, Libor, sale of interest rate swaps)
- Al Sulaiman v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2013] 1 All ER (Comm) 1105 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
- Zaki v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] 1 BCLC 640 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
- SNCB Holding v UBS AG [2012] EWHC 2044 (banking, construction, structured derivatives)
- Camerata Property Inc v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2011] 2 BCLC 54 (banking, duties of care, structured derivatives)
- Titan Steel Wheels Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2010] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 92 (banking, duties of care, foreign exchange, structured derivatives)
- Pell Frischmann Engineering Ltd v Bow Valley Iran Ltd [2010] BLR 73 (assessment of negotiating damages on breach of joint venture agreement)
- Benedetti v Sawiris [2009] EWHC 1330, [2010] EWCA Civ 1427 (commercial dispute following leveraged buyout of telecommunications company, restitution for unjust enrichment)
- JP Morgan Chase Bank v Springwell Navigation [2010] EWCA Civ 1221, [2008] EWHC 1186, [2008] EWHC 1793, [2 (banking/duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
- Real Estate Opportunities Ltd v Aberdeen Asset Managers [2007] Bus LR 971, [2007] 2 All ER 791 (financial services/disclosure of information/ duties of care in investment banking)
- Pfizer Ltd v Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co [2006] EWHC 1424 (forum)
- Diamantis Diamantides v JP Morgan Chase Bank [2005] EWCA Civ 1612 (banking/ duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
- Royal & Sun Alliance v Retail Brand [2004] EWHC 2139 (Comm) (insurance/forum)
- DP Mann v Coutts [2004] 1 All ER Comm 1 (banking/ Lloyd’s underwriters)
Insolvency & Restructuring
- Re LB Holdings Intermediate 2 and Lehman Brothers Holdings plc [2018] EWHC 2017 (banking, insolvency, subordination)
- Kingate Global Fund v Pwc (2012-2015) (fraud, insolvency auditors’ negligence)
- Kingate Global Fund v Kingate Management Ltd (2010-2015) (fraud, insolvency, restitution for unjust enrichment, professional negligence)
- Attorney General of the Cayman Islands v Cleaver [2006] 1 WLR 2245 (court control over liquidators’ fees/role of Attorney General)
- Re Pegasus Insurance Co [2004-2005] CILR 138 (removal of liquidator)
- Re TXU (2004-2005) (administration/CVAs)
- BCCI v Bank of America (2004-2005) (banking/fraudulent trading)
Off-shore Trusts
- Arthur Chirkinian v Larcom Trustees [2006] BPIR 1363 (conduct of trustee)
- Grupo Torras v Al – Sabah [2002] JLR 243, [2003] JLR 188, [2005] 2 AC 333, [2005] 2 WLR 904 (fraud/restitution/insolvency/trusts)
- Thyssen v Thyssen (1999-2002) (undue influence/trusts)
Professional Negligence
- Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
- Kingate Global Fund v Pwc (2012-2015) (fraud, insolvency auditors’ negligence)
- Kingate Global Fund v Kingate Management Ltd (2010-2015) (fraud, insolvency, restitution for unjust enrichment, professional negligence)
- Re Finelist (2001-2003) (auditors’ negligence)
- Electra Private Equity Partners v KPMG [1998] PNLR 135, [1999] Lloyds Rep PN 670 (auditors’ negligence)
- BCCI v Price Waterhouse [1999] BCC 351, [1998] Ch 84, [1997] 4 All ER 108, [1997] BCC 584 (banking, auditors’ negligence)
