David Peters KC

Professional practice

According to the legal directories “an exceptional barrister” who is “highly imaginative, very clever, totally on top of his papers and fearless”. David has a broad commercial practice, focusing on large-scale international litigation.

Chambers UK recommends David as a leading barrister for Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud and Commercial Chancery work. The Legal 500 also recommends David for Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration, Civil Fraud and Insurance and Reinsurance.

Fraud is one of David’s core practice areas, and one for which he is highly ranked in both Chambers & Partners (Tier 2) and the Legal 500 (Tier 1). His experience encompasses all aspects of heavy, international fraud litigation, including disputes of jurisdiction and applicable law, interim relief (such as freezing orders, Norwich Pharmacal orders, and search orders) and enforcement (including via insolvency proceedings). David has extensive experience of obtaining, and resisting, urgent interim relief (both as leading and junior counsel).

Recent examples include the following:

Magomedov v TPG Group Holdings & Others [2023] EWHC 2655 (Comm): Acting (with Nathan Pillow KC) for a Defendant to an $8.8bn fraud claim arising out of the alleged appropriation of assets by the Russian State. Successfully resisted an application for a Worldwide Freezing Order.
Trafigura v Gupa & Others [2023] EWHC 3184 (Comm): Acting (with Nathan Pillow KC, Felix Wardle and Andrew Dinsmore) for the Claimants in a claim arising out of an alleged $600m nickel trading fraud.
NMC v Shetty & Others (ADGM): Acting (with Huw Davies KC and Sophia Hirst) for a Defendant to multi-billion proceedings before the Abu Dhabi Global Markets Court arising out of the collapse of the NMC Healthcare Group.
Chen v Lion Best Global Ltd & Others (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court): Acting (with David Mumford KC and Edward Armitage) for certain Defendants to a conspiracy claim for c.$300m arising out of the financing of a skyscraper development project in Taiwan.
Ventura Capital v DNA Nudge [2023] EWHC 1631: Acting (as sole counsel) for the Defendants to a £40m claim for fraudulent misrepresentation relating to an investment in a medical technology company.
Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat [2023] EWHC: Acting (with Lorraine Aboagye) as lead counsel for the successful claim in proceedings under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

David acts as junior counsel, and as a sole advocate and advisor, in relation to substantial litigation in the Commercial Court, Chancery Division, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court/Privy Council, as well as in International Arbitrations. He also has experience of litigation in a variety of offshore jurisdictions, including acting in the Court of Appeal in the Cayman Islands for the Defendants to a claim for Norwich Pharmacal relief in support of foreign proceedings.

What others say

“Highly imaginative, very clever, totally on top of his papers and fearless. He’s always willing to push the boundaries in a case.” “A very smooth advocate, who’s good with the court.” “An exceptionally hard worker who provides excellent, inventive advocacy.” (Chambers 2024 – Chancery: Commercial)

“David’s written advocacy is superb – his submissions are extremely punchy and well written. He is also robust and prepared to make difficult arguments.” (Chambers 2024 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

“David’s work is truly first-rate, demonstrating a deep understanding of the law and a remarkable ability to navigate complex legal issues with skill and precision.” “He has superb written advocacy with extremely punchy submissions, together with robust, strong oral advocacy and a creative outlook.” (Chambers 2024 – Fraud: Civil)

“An exceptional barrister whose advocacy skills are truly commendable. His ability to present complex legal arguments in a clear and persuasive manner is remarkable.” (Legal 500 2024 – Fraud: Civil)

“His advice and legal submissions combine cleverness, creativity and commerciality wrapped up in compelling concision. His oral advocacy style is measured and very effective with judges” (Legal 500 2023 – Commercial Litigation)

“He is the star at the Bar for this kind of work. An extremely good advocate, and any solicitor would be happy to have him on their client’s side on any case – he holds his own against silks with decades more experience. On top of that, he knows the area of law inside out, has impeccable judgement – and is a delight to work with to boot.” (Legal 500 2023 – Fraud: Civil)

“He has nothing but strengths. He is an incredibly brave advocate and stands his own against senior silks (and wins while he’s at it.)” (Legal 500 2023 – International Arbitration)

“He is a highly responsive and effective junior counsel, who has excellent drafting skills.” (Chambers 2023 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

“David is a tremendously good lawyer. He has a lovely manner, lovely presentation style and gives clear advice.” (Chambers 2023 – Fraud: Civil)

“David is a very bright, good lawyer but he is also very practically minded and tactical.” (Chambers 2023 – Fraud: Civil)

“A very sensible advocate whose written work is of the highest standard.” (Chambers 2023 – Chancery: Commercial)

“A great lawyer for fast-moving cases, where you have to live with decisions taken on the fly; he comes up with superb points.” (Chambers 2023 – CDR)

“Incredibly bright, incredibly user-friendly, and willing to pull his weight and get into the details. Also a brave and intelligent advocate capable of getting the better of QCs” (Legal 500 2022 – Commercial Litigation)

“A QC in all but name – Incisive, clever, robust, passionate about law, sees the arguments early and how to deal with them” (Legal 500 2022 – Fraud: Civil)

“Extremely clever and incredibly thorough – he runs rings around opponents. An energetic and resourceful barrister, who is always on top of all issues.” (Legal 500 2022 – Insurance and Reinsurance)

“His drafting style is amazing and succinct.” “He knows his stuff inside out and his advocacy is phenomenal. He’s a brave advocate who stands his ground to the very last minute.” “He’s unflappable and a gritty advocate who will defend his points to the end” (Chambers 2022 – Fraud: Civil)

“His drafting is great and his advice is on the money. He takes strategic points and has the ear of senior QCs in chambers. His level of advocacy is really excellent.” (Chambers 2022: Commercial Dispute Resolution)

“He has very good strategic judgement and an ability to make things appear much more straightforward than they might seem.” (Chambers 2019- Chancery: Commercial)

“A brilliant junior who places an emphasis on fraud within a productive commercial practice. He has appeared as sole counsel in several major matters. He is skilled at requesting and countering injunctive relief” (Chambers 2019- Fraud: Civil)

“Very bright” (Chambers 2019- Fraud: Civil)

“Confident and persuasive. He is ideal for fraud cases with elements of company and insolvency law” (Chambers 2019- Fraud: Civil)

“He has great judgment” (Chambers 2019- Fraud: Civil)

“A very confident advocate who’s very forthright in putting forward views which are invariably right” (Chambers 2019- Commercial Dispute Resolution)

“Great at cutting to the heart of a problem, he provides sensible, commercial advice” (Chambers 2019- Commercial Dispute Resolution)

“Has an incredibly quick mind and a thorough understanding of the applicable law” (Chambers 2019- Chancery: Commercial)

“He can look at difficult legal questions in ten different ways and come up with something extremely clever out of left field.” (Chambers 2019- Chancery: Commercial)

“Confident and forthright, he articulates powerful arguments and inspires confidence” (Legal 500 2019- Commercial Litigation)

“Good on his feet, feisty and to the point” (Legal 500 2019- Fraud: Civil)

“Analytical, incisive and dynamic” (Legal 500 2019- International Arbitration: Counsel)

“Oodles of common sense and the ability to sort the wheat from the chaff” (Legal 500 2019- Insurance and Reinsurance)

“A key member of the team on large fraud cases” (Chambers 2018- Fraud: Civil)

“A good strategic mind” (Chambers 2018- Fraud: Civil)

“Smooth and calm, but also forceful. He’s very forthright and will argue his corner” (Chambers 2018- Chancery: Commercial)

“David Peters is phenomenally bright and incisive. He has perspicacity and slice through mountains of material to get to the point” (Chambers 2017- Fraud: Civil)

“He is very clear in his thinking, very authoritative and very articulate” (Chambers 2017- Chancery: Commercial)

“A rising star” (Legal 500 2016 – Commercial litigation)

“He is very bright and produces excellent written submissions and pleadings” (Legal 500 2016 – Fraud: Civil)

“An up-and-coming star – bright, commercial and understands where clients are coming from” (Legal 500 2016 – International Arbitration: Counsel)

“A very good pleader who gets to grips with the facts and is accessible and commercially minded” (Chambers 2016 – Chancery: Commercial)

“He is very impressive when delivering oral submissions” (Chambers 2016 – Fraud: Civil)

“He is an enormously impressive advocate. Cool and clear in his advice, he has a thorough grasp of the law.” (Chambers 2015 – Chancery: Commercial)

“A rising star whose quality of work is often beyond his level of call. He is able to distil complex facts into clear and concise arguments.” (Chambers 2015 – Chancery: Commercial)

“A bright and commercial lawyer who is creative and effective in the use of his legal knowledge and skills.” (Chambers 2015 – Fraud: Civil)

“Impressive when delivering oral submissions, he regularly outshines his opponents.” (Chambers 2015 – Fraud: Civil)

“He rolls up his sleeves and brings a tremendous analytical approach.” (Legal 500 2014 – Fraud: Civil)

“We throw him in at the deep end on large cases and he comes through with flying colours. He rolls his sleeves up, gets on with it and is not afraid to speak his mind on strategic points.” (Chambers 2014 – Chancery: Commercial)

“He is very impressive when delivering oral submissions, and outshines his opponent on every occasion” (Chambers 2014 – Chancery: Commercial)

“Very impressive when delivering oral submissions” (Chambers 2014- Fraud: Civil)

“Very bright and very good on paper” (Chambers 2014 – Civil Fraud)

Examples of notable cases

Hulley Enterprises v Russia [2024] 1 WLR 293 (Commercial Court): Acting for the former Yukos shareholders in their ongoing attempts to enforce a $50bn arbitration award (the largest international arbitral award in history) against the Russian Federation.

The Russian Aviation Litigation (Commercial Court): Acting for Insurers in their Defence of multibillion pound litigation arising out of the alleged loss of Western Aircraft which have not been returned to their owners following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mackie Motors (Brechin) Ltd v RCI Financial Services Ltd [2023] EWCA Civ 476 (Court of Appeal): Acting as sole counsel for the Defendant in its successful application for summary judgment on the Claimant’s multimillion pound contractual claim.

Magomedov v TPG Group Holdings & Others [2023] EWHC 2655 (Comm): Acting (with Nathan Pillow KC) for a Defendant to an $8.8bn fraud claim arising out of the alleged appropriation of assets by the Russian State. Successfully resisted an application for a Worldwide Freezing Order.

Trafigura v Gupa & Others [2023] EWHC 3184 (Comm): Acting (with Nathan Pillow KC, Felix Wardle and Andrew Dinsmore) for the Claimants in a claim arising out of an alleged $600m nickel trading fraud.

NMC v Shetty & Others (ADGM): Acting (with Huw Davies KC and Sophia Hirst) for a Defendant to multi-billion proceedings before the Abu Dhabi Global Markets Court arising out of the collapse of the NMC Healthcare Group.

Chen v Lion Best Global Ltd & Others (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court): Acting (with David Mumford KC and Edward Armitage) for certain Defendants to a conspiracy claim for c.$300m arising out of the financing of a skyscraper development project in Taiwan.

Ventura Capital v DNA Nudge [2023] EWHC 1631: Acting (as sole counsel) for the Defendants to a £40m claim for fraudulent misrepresentation relating to an investment in a medical technology company.

Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat [2023] EWHC: Acting (with Lorraine Aboagye) as lead counsel for the successful claim in proceedings under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

ArcelorMittal USA v Ruia & Others [2020] EWHC 740 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to an ongoing $1.5bn fraud claim arising out of alleged attempts to avoid enforcement of an arbitral award.

ArcelorMittal USA v Essar Global Fund & Another: Acting (in the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands and the Privy Council) for the Defendants to a claim for Norwich Pharmacal relief in support of foreign proceedings

Halliburton v Chubb Bermuda [2020] 3 WLR 1474: Acted for the successful insurers in the Supreme Court in what is now the leading case on arbitral bias

Suppipat v Narondej [2020] EWHC 3191 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to a multi-billion dollar fraud claim arising out of dealings with shares in a Thai-based wind energy business.

Arbitration & related court applications

[2023] Acted as advocate for the successful Defendants to an ICC arbitration

[2022] Acted as advocate for the successful claimant in a reinsurance arbitration conducted under the ARIAS UK Arbitration Rules

Halliburton v Chubb Bermuda [2018] 1 WLR 3361: Acting for the Defendant insurer (in the Commercial Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court) in relation to the Claimant’s application for the removal of the Chair of an Arbitral Tribunal on the ground of apparent bias.

Venture Investment & Yield Management v RIMC International Hotels & Resorts GMBH: Acting for the Claimant in relation to a challenge to the jurisdiction of an Arbitral Tribunal under s.72 of the Arbitration Act 1996.

Acting for Insurers in numerous coverage disputes determined by way of Bermuda Form arbitration.

Acting for Reinsurers in an LCIA Arbitration concerning cover for the destruction of a chemical plant during the Syrian civil war.

Acting for Reinsurers in an ad hoc arbitration arising out of the settlement of a substantial personal injury claim in the USA.

Acting for the Respondent to an LCIA arbitration concerning the financing of a Ukrainian fruit juice producer.

Acting for the Respondent to an LCIA Arbitration concerning oil trading in the Ukraine.

Acting for the Claimant in an LCIA arbitration concerning an agreement for the International supply of pharmaceutical products.

Acting for the Claimant in an LCIA arbitration concerning the acquisition of a construction company operating in Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar.

Acting for insurers (as sole counsel) in a successful Commercial Court application for an anti-suit injunction restraining US proceedings brought in violation of an English Arbitration clause.

Civil Fraud & asset tracing

Magomedov v TPG Group Holdings & Others [2023] EWHC 2655 (Comm): Acting (with Nathan Pillow KC) for a Defendant to an $8.8bn fraud claim arising out of the alleged appropriation of assets by the Russian State. Successfully resisted an application for a Worldwide Freezing Order.

Trafigura v Gupa & Others [2023] EWHC 3184 (Comm): Acting (with Nathan Pillow KC, Felix Wardle and Andrew Dinsmore) for the Claimants in a claim arising out of an alleged $600m nickel trading fraud.

NMC v Shetty & Others (ADGM): Acting (with Huw Davies KC and Sophia Hirst) for a Defendant to multi-billion proceedings before the Abu Dhabi Global Markets Court arising out of the collapse of the NMC Healthcare Group.

Chen v Lion Best Global Ltd & Others (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court): Acting (with David Mumford KC and Edward Armitage) for certain Defendants to a conspiracy claim for c.$300m arising out of the financing of a skyscraper development project in Taiwan.

Ventura Capital v DNA Nudge [2023] EWHC 1631: Acting (as sole counsel) for the Defendants to a £40m claim for fraudulent misrepresentation relating to an investment in a medical technology company.

Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat [2023] EWHC: Acting (with Lorraine Aboagye) as lead counsel for the successful claim in proceedings under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

ArcelorMittal USA v Ruia & Others [2020] EWHC 740 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to an ongoing $1.5bn fraud claim arising out of alleged attempts to avoid enforcement of an arbitral award.

Suppipat v Narondej [2020] EWHC 3191 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to a multi-billion dollar fraud claim arising out of dealings with shares in a Thai-based wind energy business.

Hosking v Apax Partners LLP (Chancery Division): Acting for the Defendants to €900m claims arising out of the collapse of a Greek mobile telecoms company.

Angola v Perfectbit & Others: Acted for the Claimant in relation to a successful application for a $500m freezing order.

Dinglis Properties Ltd v Dinglis Management Ltd & Others [2017] EWHC 2099 (Ch): Acted (as leading counsel) for the Defendant to a substantial fraud claim relating to the affairs of a substantial property investment business.

Dynami v Chiriboga & Others (Commercial Court): Acting for the Claimant in a $35m fraud claim arising out of the acquisition of a power generating barge in Ecuador.

LKB v Antonov (Commercial Court): Acting for the Claimant in a £70m fraud claim arising out of the collapse of one of the largest retail banks in Latvia.

Acting for the Claimant in relation to confidential applications for Norwich Pharmacal (and associated) relief in a dispute relating to an insolvent Bank.

JP SPC4 v Schools & Others (Chancery Division): Acting the Claimant in a £110m fraud claim arising out of the collapse of a Cayman Island Investment fund.

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development v Al-Refai & others: Acting for one of the Defendants to claim for breach of confidence/conspiracy worth in excess of $500m.

VTB Capital v Nutritek & Others [2012] EWCA Civ 808: Appeared for the Claimant in the Court of Appeal in a complex jurisdictional dispute relating to a US$350m fraud claim.

Commercial Chancery Disputes

Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat [2023] EWHC: Acting (with Lorraine Aboagye) as lead counsel for the successful claim in proceedings under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Jassat v Gangat [2021] EWHC 2644(Ch): Acting for the Defendant to a multimillion pound claim for an account arising out of dealings with monies in Swiss Bank accounts and UK Properties.

ArcelorMittal USA v Ruia & Others [2020] EWHC 740 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to an ongoing $1.5bn fraud claim arising out of alleged attempts to avoid enforcement of an arbitral award.

Halliburton v Chubb Bermuda [2020] 3 WLR 1474: Acted for the successfully insurers in the Supreme Court in what is now the leading case on arbitral bias

Suppipat v Narondej [2020] EWHC 3191 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to a multi-billion dollar fraud claim arising out of dealings with shares in a Thai-based wind energy business.

In the matter of Dragon Capital: Instructed in connection with an ongoing BVI shareholder dispute.

Tsiattalou v Tsiattalou (Commercial Court): Acting for the Claimants in a shareholders dispute concerning ownership and control over a very substantial bakery business.

Re: MBRSS Group (Chancery Division): Appearing (as sole counsel) for the successful Claimant in an application to restrain presentation of a winding up petition.

Williams v Blundell (Chancery Division): Appearing (as sole counsel) for the successful Defendant in a three day trial of claims under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

In the matter of Beppler & Jacobson Ltd: Acting for the provisional liquidator (appointed in the context of an ongoing shareholders dispute) of a company responsible for operating a hotel in Montenegro.

Commercial Dispute Resolution

Lopesan Touristik v Apollo [2021] EWHC 2141 (Comm) and [2020] EWHC 2642 (Comm): Acting for the Claimant in respect of €70m dispute over the acquisition of a hotel and Spain (and whether the purchaser could withdraw from the sale by reason of the global pandemic.

Integral Petroleum v Petrogat [2021] EWHC 2092 (Comm): Acting (as leading counsel) for the Claimant in its successful defence of the Defendant’s jurisdiction challenge, and application to set aside a worldwide freezing order.

ArcelorMittal USA v Ruia & Others [2020] EWHC 740 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to an ongoing $1.5bn fraud claim arising out of alleged attempts to avoid enforcement of an arbitral award.

Halliburton v Chubb Bermuda [2020] 3 WLR 1474: Acted for the successfully insurers in the Supreme Court in what is now the leading case on arbitral bias

Suppipat v Narondej [2020] EWHC 3191 (Comm): Acting for Defendants to a multi-billion dollar fraud claim arising out of dealings with shares in a Thai-based wind energy business.

Hosking v Apax Partners LLP (Chancery Division): Acting for the Defendants to €900m claims arising out of the collapse of a Greek mobile telecoms company.

Angola v Perfectbit & Others: Acted for the Claimant in relation to a successful application for a $500m freezing order.

In the matter of the Libyan Investment Authority (Commercial Court) Acting in respect of an ongoing dispute over the control of Libya’s sovereign wealth fund.

Tartsinis v Navona [2015] EWHC 57 (Comm): Appeared as sole counsel for the Claimant in a week long Commercial Court Trial. The case concerned the proper interpretation of an agreement for the sale of shares in a company operating a fleet of ships.

Blue Holdings v Unites States of America [2014] EWCA Civ 1291: Appearing for the Appellants in their successful appeal against a worldwide freezing order obtained by the US Government.

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development v Al-Refai & others: Acting for one of the Defendants to claim for breach of confidence/conspiracy worth in excess of $500m.

BPL Broadcasting v International Broadcasting Convention (Comm): Acting for the Defendant to a claim arising out of the operation of an International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam.

FXCM v Digby [2013] EWHC 762 (Comm): Acted for the Claimant options broker in respect of a claim arising out of trading losses suffered by the Defendant customer.

Company & Insolvency law

Integral Petroleum SA v Petrogat [2023] EWHC: Acting (with Lorraine Aboagye) as lead counsel for the successful claim in proceedings under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Dinglis v Dinglis & Others (Chancery Division): Acting (as sole counsel) for the petitioner in relation to a petition under s.994 of the Companies Act relating to his minority shareholding in a substantial property investment business.

Re Last Lion Holdings Ltd [2018] EWHC 2347: Acting for the successful claimant/petitioner in a shareholder’s dispute concerning a substantial technology company.

David has extensive experience of Civil Fraud and Commercial Chancery Claims (see above). In the course of acting in relation to these claims, he has dealt with a wide range of Company and Insolvency Law issues.

Insurance & Reinsurance

[2022] Acted as advocate for the successful claimant in a reinsurance arbitration conducted under the ARIAS UK Arbitration Rules

Experian v Zurich Insurers & Others: Acting for the Claimant insurer in a claim arising out liability for data breaches.

Halliburton v Chubb Bermuda [2020] 3 WLR 1474: Acted for the successful insurers in the Supreme Court in what is now the leading case on arbitral bias

Acting for Insurers in numerous coverage disputes determined by way of Bermuda Form arbitration.

Acting for Reinsurers in an LCIA Arbitration concerning cover for the destruction of a chemical plant during the Syrian civil war.

Acting for Reinsurers in an ad hoc arbitration arising out of the settlement of a substantial personal injury claim in the USA.

Acting for insurers (as sole counsel) in a successful Commercial Court application for an anti-suit injunction restraining US proceedings brought in violation of an English Arbitration clause.

Off Shore Litigation

Ting Chuan v FamilyMart China: Acting (in the Privy Council) for the appellant in an appeal concerning the extent to which, under Cayman Islands Law, a just and equitable winding up petition

In the matter of Dragon Capital: Instructed in connection with an ongoing BVI shareholder dispute.

Doraville v AG of Jersey: Instructed by the applicant in relation to an application to discharge a $300m freezing order obtained by the Attorney General of Jersey pursuant to Jersey anti money laundering legislation.

In the matter of Axiom Legal Financing Fund: Advising the receivers of a Cayman Island investment fund in relation to a number of issues/claims arising out of the fund’s collapse into Insolvency.

Advising the liquidators of a Cayman Island Hedge Fund on the effect of the liquidation on options granted over the fund’s assets.

Education

2005 Called to the Bar (Middle Temple) BVC (Very Competent)
2004 BA (Law) (Trinity Hall, Cambridge) Semi Finalist- World Universities’ Debating Championships
2003 Elected Scholar of Trinity Hall, Cambridge

Barrister at Essex Court Chambers

Professional practice