Felix Wardle

Professional practice

Felix has a broad practice in line with Chambers’ profile. He has a particular interest in commercial litigation and arbitration, civil fraud, employment, insurance and investment treaty disputes. He has acted in various commercial disputes in the Commercial Court, ranging from short applications to high-profile multi-week trials, as well as in arbitrations conducted under a range of arbitral rules.

Many of Felix’s cases have an international focus, involving foreign applicable law and conflicts of law issues. His recent cases have involved the laws of Russia, Ukraine, Jersey, Sweden and the United States, among others. He has experience representing States in court proceedings and arbitration, and has worked on offshore cases, including before the Royal Court of Jersey and Jersey Court of Appeal.

Felix graduated with a first-class degree from the University of Oxford and went on to obtain a distinction on the BCL. He was then awarded a Kennedy scholarship to study for the LLM at Harvard University.

Examples of Recent Cases

UCP Plc v Nectrus Limited [2019] EWHC 1732 (Comm) Instructed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (led by Huw Davis KC). Successfully represented the claimant, an Isle of Man company, in a multimillion-pound claim arising out investments in Indian real estate.
Filatona Trading Ltd v Navigator Equities Ltd; Danilina v Chernukhin [2019] EWHC 173 (Comm) Instructed by Byrne and Partners (led by Graham Chapman KC and Tom Ford) in this high-profile five-week trial. The case also involved multiple interlocutory applications, including numerous disclosure applications.
Carpatsky Petroleum Corp v PJSC Ukrnafta [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 296 (led by Huw Davies KC). Successfully represented the claimant in an application to strike out allegations of fraud in the defendant’s statement of case.
[2019] Instructed by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (led by David Scorey KC) in an application under s.42 of the Arbitration Act 1996 for an order requiring the defendant to comply with an arbitrator’s order.
Bakkali v Greater Manchester Buses (South) Ltd (t/a Stage Coach Manchester) [2018] I.C.R. 1481. Instructed by the Bar Pro Bono Unit (led by Charles Ciumei KC) in an appeal by the claimant against the dismissal of his complaint of harassment.
UCP Plc v Nectrus Ltd [2018] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 418. Instructed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (led by Huw Davis KC). Successfully resisted the defendant’s application inviting the Court to decline jurisdiction or stay proceedings on grounds of forum non conveniens.
[2018] Led by Paul Key KC in a high-value two-week LCIA arbitration involving the exploration and development of Kazakh oilfields.
[2018-2019] Involved (with John Lockey KC) in a high value D&O insurance arbitration.
Albaniabeg v Albania (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/26) [2017]. Led by Siddharth Dhar in a €440-million Energy Charter Treaty arbitration relating to a failed energy project in Albania.
Hydro & Ors. v Republic of Albania (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/28) [2017]. Led by Siddharth Dhar and Peter Webster in a c.€700-million ICSID arbitration relating to hydroelectric and TV projects.

What Others Say

Chambers & Partners 2024, Commercial Dispute Resolution:

“Felix Wardle is a highly capable junior with excellent written and oral advocacy skills. He delivers technically excellent and pragmatic work that is commercially astute.”

“A superb junior – he’s technically excellent, a good team player and excellent with clients.”

“Felix Wardle is really impressive. He can take a huge workload on his shoulders and deliver well.”

Legal 500 2023, Fraud: Civil:

“Felix is a superb team player – adds value at ever level due to his enormous intellect and warm manner.”

Legal 500 2022, Commercial Litigation

“Extremely bright and adds tremendous value to cases. Particularly good with intellectually challenging matters such as complex foreign law. A creative and deep thinker.”

Legal 500 2022, Fraud: Civil:

“A great team player. Felix has superb black letter knowledge. Very smart and great work ethic. A star of the future.”

Arbitration & related court applications

Felix has acted in arbitrations under various institutional rules as well in ancillary court proceedings, including claims to enforce arbitration awards.

Investor-State arbitrations

Albaniabeg v Albania (ICSID Case No. ARB/13/26) [2017]. Led by Siddharth Dhar in a €440-million Energy Charter Treaty arbitration relating to a failed energy project in Albania.
Hydro & Ors. v Republic of Albania (ICSID Case No. ARB/15/28) [2017]. Led by Siddharth Dhar & Peter Webster in a c.€700-million ICSID arbitration relating to hydroelectric and TV projects.

Commercial arbitrations

[2018] Led by Paul Key KC in a high-value two-week LCIA arbitration involving the exploration and development of Kazakh oil fields.
[2018-2019] Involved (with John Lockey KC) in a high-value D&O insurance arbitration.
[2017] Led by Joe Smouha KC and James Willan KC in respect of an application to amend the terms of an LCIA request for arbitration.
[2017] Led by Joe Smouha KC and James Willan KC in resisting an application by the respondent to clarify an award pursuant to Article 27 of the LCIA Rules 2014 and s.57 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
[2016] Assisted David Scorey KC with drafting the pleadings in three related ‘Bermuda form’ arbitrations.

Court applications

Currently instructed by Bird and Bird (led by Huw Davies KC) in an application to enforce a c.US$145-million arbitration award. Listed for a ten-day hearing in early 2020.
Carpatsky Petroleum Corp v PJSC Ukrnafta [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 296 (led by Huw Davies KC). Successfully represented the claimant in an application to strike out allegations of fraud in the defendant’s statement of case seeking to resist enforcement of an arbitration award.
[2019] Instructed by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (led by David Scorey KC) in an application under s.42 of the Arbitration Act 1996 for an order requiring the defendant to comply with an arbitrator’s order.
[2017] Led by Joe Smouha KC and James Willan KC in respect of various applications under s.67 and s.68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 challenging an award.
[2017] Led by Joe Smouha KC and James Willan KC in respect of two applications under s.12 of the Arbitration Act 1996 to extend the time limit for submitting claims to arbitration.
[2016] Led by David Scorey KC in respect of an application for an anti-suit injunction to restrain proceedings brought in the United States in breach of an arbitration agreement.
[2016] Assisted Stephen Houseman KC with an application challenging the jurisdiction of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands on the basis that proceedings were brought in breach of an LCIA arbitration clause.

Civil fraud & asset recovery

Felix has a particular interest in civil fraud work. He has acted or is acting in various different types of civil fraud cases, including:

Filatona Trading Ltd v Navigator Equities Ltd; Danilina v Chernukhin [2019] EWHC 173 (Comm). Instructed by Byrne and Partners (led by Graham Chapman KC and Tom Ford) in this high-profile Russian oligarch dispute. The case involved various allegations of fraud, dishonesty, breach of fiduciary duty, as well as of manipulating evidence.
Currently instructed (led by Huw Davies KC) in a high-value Ukrainian oligarch dispute.
National Bank Trust v Yurov & Ors [2017]. Assisted James Willan in drafting the amended defence for one of the three former directors of National Bank Trust. The case involves claims of over USD$1 billion arising out of allegedly dishonest management of the bank.

Commercial dispute resolution

Commercial dispute resolution, in both litigation and arbitration, lies at the heart of Felix’s practice. In addition to trial experience, Felix has worked on a range of interim applications, including applications for strike out and summary judgment, specific disclosure, security for costs, as well as challenges to jurisdiction.

UCP Plc v Nectrus Limited [2019] EWHC 1732 (Comm) Instructed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (led by Huw Davis KC). Successfully represented the claimant, an Isle of Man company, in a multimillion-pound claim arising out investments in Indian real estate.
Currently instructed (led by Huw Davies KC) in a high-value Ukrainian oligarch dispute.
Filatona Trading Ltd v Navigator Equities Ltd; Danilina v Chernukhin [2019] EWHC 173 (Comm). Instructed by Byrne and Partners (led by Graham Chapman KC and Tom Ford) in a high-profile five-week trial. The case also involved multiple interlocutory applications, including numerous disclosure applications.
Carpatsky Petroleum Corp v PJSC Ukrnafta [2019] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 296 (led by Huw Davies KC). Successfully represented the claimant in an application to strike out allegations of fraud in the defendant’s statement of case.
UCP Plc v Nectrus Ltd [2018] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 418. Instructed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (led by Huw Davis KC). Successfully resisted the defendant’s application inviting the Court to decline jurisdiction or stay proceedings on grounds of forum non conveniens.
[2018] Led by Paul Key KC in a high-value two-week LCIA arbitration involving the exploration and development of Kazakh oil fields.
National Bank Trust v Yurov & Ors [2017] instructed as sole counsel in a substantial application for security for costs in the Commercial Court.
Various county court matters.

Conflict of laws & private international law

Felix’s practice has an international focus and he is regularly called on to advise on conflicts of law issues. He has been involved in a number of cases with a foreign governing law, including the laws of the Jersey, Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, the United States and Albania. He has experience of litigating issues relating to jurisdiction, including jurisdiction challenges.

He has also represented States in court proceedings and in arbitration.

Employment

Felix assisted with a wide range of employment matters during pupillage (sitting with Diya Sen Gupta KC) and has continued to act on employment matters in practice.

Bakkali v Greater Manchester Buses (South) Ltd (t/a Stage Coach Manchester) [2018] I.C.R. 1481. Instructed by the Bar Pro Bono Unit (led by Charles Ciumei KC) in an appeal by the claimant against the dismissal of his complaint of harassment.
[2018] Led by Daniel Oudkerk KC in a substantial claim for unpaid bonus payments.

Energy & natural resources

Felix’s practice often involves the energy and natural resources sector. For example:

– Renewables: Led by Siddharth Dhar in a €700 million ICSID arbitration relating (in part) to a failed hydroelectric project (Hydro & Ors v Republic of Albania (ICSID, September 2017).

– Renewables: Led by Siddharth Dhar in a two-week €440 million Energy Charter Treaty claim relating to a failed waste-to-energy project (Albaniabeg v Albania (ICSID, April 2017).

– Gas: Currently representing the claimant (led by Huw Davies KC), which is resisting an application to set aside an order granting the claimant permission to enforce a c.US$148-million arbitration award. The award relates to breaches of a joint activity agreement to develop a gas field in Ukraine (Carpatsky Petroleum Corp v PJSC Ukrnafta; listed for a ten-day hearing in early 2020).

– Oil: Led by Paul Key KC in a high-value two-week LCIA arbitration involving the exploration and development of Kazakh oilfields [2018].

Human rights & civil liberties

Felix has a strong academic background in public and human rights law. As a pupil, he assisted with a number of public law and human rights matters.

Insurance & reinsurance

Felix was David Scorey KC’s pupil and accordingly assisted with a range of insurance matters during pupillage. In practice, he has acted in a number of insurance disputes.

[2018-2019] Involved (with John Lockey KC) in a high-value D&O insurance arbitration.
[2016] Led by David Scorey KC in respect of an application for an anti-suit injunction to restrain proceedings brought in the United States in breach of an arbitration agreement contained in a ‘Bermuda form’ insurance policy.
[2016] Assisted David Scorey KC with drafting pleadings in three related ‘Bermuda form’ arbitrations.

Public & administrative law

Felix has a strong academic background in public and human rights law. As a pupil, he assisted with a number of public law and human rights matters.

Public international law

Felix has a strong academic background in public international law. During his time in practice, he has advised and acted on behalf of State entities and has been involved in a number of investor state treaty disputes.

Unjust enrichment & restitution claims

Felix’s practice requires him to advise on and litigate unjust enrichment issues. An example of a recent case where such matters arose is Filatona Trading Ltd v. Navigator Equities Ltd; Danilina v Chernukhin [2019] EWHC 173 (Comm).

Education

2013-2014 BPTC, BPP Law School

2012-2013 LLM, Harvard University

2009-2010 BCL, Merton College, Oxford (Distinction)

2005-2008 BA in Jurisprudence, Merton College, Oxford

Career

2016 Tenant at Essex Court Chambers, following completion of pupillage with David Scorey Q.C.

2015-2016 Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers

2014-2014 Pupillage at Blackstone Chambers

2014 Called to the Bar, Lincoln’s Inn

2012 Researcher for the Constitution Society

Awards