Professional practice

Rising Star 2024

Freddie has a broad commercial practice with particular expertise in employment and shipping disputes.

Unled, she has appeared in the High Court (QBD and Chancery Division) including seeking urgent injunctive relief; in lengthy trials in the employment tribunal; in an LCIA arbitration and in applications in the Circuit Commercial Court.

As part of a team of counsel, she has appeared in the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division, the KBD and in arbitrations (LMAA and LCIA), including in lengthy trials. Her recent work includes:

  • Representing the Man Group in Public Institution for Social Security of Kuwait v Man Group, featured in The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases of 2020”, concerning allegations of large-scale bribery.
  • Acting for Guy Carpenter in High Court team move proceedings against Howden and certain of Guy Carpenter’s employees and / or former employees.
  • Acting in a multi-phase LMAA arbitration claim for damages of c. US$250m following the shipment of a dangerous cargo.
  • Acting on behalf of an insurer defending claims relating to the alleged detention of aircraft in Russia.
  • Acting in a 2-week LCIA arbitration arising out of the decommissioning of oil wells.
  • Representing a global consulting firm in an ongoing LCIA arbitration against a former employee.
  • Krishna v Gowrie and others – a 6-week trial, in which Freddie acted for the petitioners / claimants in an unfair prejudice petition involving allegations of asset stripping from a joint venture.
  • Acting for the respondent in a multi-week employment tribunal hearing, successfully defending allegations of discrimination on the grounds of race, sex and perceived disability.

Freddie has a particular interest in scientific and technical disputes given her background in materials science.

Freddie is a co-author of The Encyclopaedia of International Commercial Litigation, Anthony Coleman & Simon Bryan (Ed) and has contributed to Supperstone, Goudie and Walker (ed), Judicial Review (6th edition, 2018), Chapter 15: European Union Law.

 

Commercial dispute resolution

Acting (with Joe Smouha KC; James Collins KC; Leonora Sagan and Felix Wardle) on behalf of the Man Group, defending a large-scale bribery claim brought against more than 30 defendants by the Kuwaiti pension fund.

Acting (led by Louise Hutton KC) in proceedings under which a major bank is seeking anti-suit and related relief in relation to proceedings brought against it in Russia.

Acting (with Nathan Pillow KC and Anton Dudnikov) in a cryptocurrency related dispute in the Commercial Court

Acted as sole counsel in an application for urgent injunctive relief in order to prevent the disposal of a luxury car.

Acted (led by Louise Hutton) in a $2 billion fraud and conspiracy claim in the Commercial Court regarding an alleged fraud in relation to the ownership of Thailand’s leading wind energy firm.

Acted as sole counsel in the London Circuit Commercial Court in a dispute concerning the sale of food-packaging machinery under a contract with a retention of title clause.

Acted as sole counsel in a summary judgment and strike-out application in the County Court in relation to a claim for lost goods.

Instructed as sole counsel in the County Court for a foreign exchange company in relation to a claim for breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Co-author of The Encyclopedia of International Commercial Litigation, Anthony Coleman & Simon Bryan (Ed).

Shipping & admiralty

Freddie’s developing practice in this area draws on her background in materials science which lends itself well to technical and scientific disputes involving expert evidence. Her recent work includes:

Acted (led by Christopher Smith KC and Adam Board) in a 3-week LMAA arbitration claim relating to the construction and repair of two LNG vessels.

Acted (led by David Bailey KC and with David Walsh) in a four-week LMAA arbitration claim for damages of c. US$250m arising out of the shipment of a dangerous cargo.

Acted (led by David Walsh) in an LMAA arbitration concerning seizure of a shipment of oil.

Acted (led by Hugh Mercer KC and with Richard Hoyle) in an LMAA Arbitration involving a dispute between two ferry companies resulting from the collapse of a Share Purchase Agreement.

Acted as sole counsel for cargo interests in various claims arising from damaged cargo.

Acted as sole counsel in an application in the Commercial Court to set aside a default judgment arising out of a cargo claim.

Acted as sole counsel in a summary judgment and strike-out application in the County Court in relation to a claim for lost goods carried under a combined transport bill of lading.

Injunctions

Freddie is regularly instructed to appear, both led and unled, in applications for injunctive relief. Her recent experience includes:

  • Obtaining injunctive and related relief following unlawful team moves;
  • Obtaining anti-suit relief;
  • Obtaining injunctive relief in arbitration proceedings;
  • Acted as sole counsel in an application to prevent the disposal of a luxury car;
  • Obtaining an order restraining a threatened transfer of shares; and
  • Obtaining ex parte interim injunctive relief obliging a bank to remove a restriction placed on a bank account.
Civil fraud & asset recovery

Acting (with Joe Smouha KC; James Collins KC; Leonora Sagan and Felix Wardle) on behalf of the Man Group, defending a large-scale bribery claim brought against more than 30 defendants by the Kuwaiti pension fund.

Acting (led by Iain Quirk KC) in a 6-week trial arising from a joint venture between two major pharmaceutical distribution businesses, involving allegations of asset-stripping and fraudulent misrepresentation.

Acted (led by Louise Hutton) in a $2 billion fraud and conspiracy claim regarding an alleged fraud in relation to the ownership of Thailand’s leading wind energy firm.

Acted (led by Hugh Mercer KC and with Richard Hoyle) in an LMAA Arbitration involving counterclaims based on the alleged mismanagement of a major Greek ferry company.

Instructed (led by David Scorey KC and with Peter Webster) in a Financial List case regarding allegations of dishonest assistance and fraudulent trading (s 213 Insolvency Act) relating to alleged VAT fraud in the carbon credit market.

Commercial chancery disputes

Acting (led by Iain Quirk KC) in an unfair prejudice petition and related Part 7 claim. The underlying dispute relates to a joint venture between two major pharmaceutical distribution businesses and the alleged exclusion of one of the participants from the affairs and profits of the joint venture.

Acting (led by David Joseph KC) in an unfair prejudice petition and related Part 7 claim. The petitioners / claimants allege that they have been unfairly excluded from the affairs and profits of the joint venture business – which is involved in the distribution of sports data rights to gambling operators.

Arbitration & related court applications

Acting (led by David Joseph KC) in a dispute arising out of a software and licensing agreement (including seeking injunctive relief)

Acting (led by Paul Goulding KC and Craig Rajgopaul) in an ongoing LCIA arbitration. Freddie is representing a global consulting firm in a claim against a former employee.

Acted (led by David Bailey KC and David Walsh) in an LMAA arbitration claim for damages of c. US$250m arising out of the shipment of a dangerous cargo. This matter also involved a S.69 application.

Acted (led by Huw Davies KC) in a 12-day LCIA arbitration arising out of the decommissioning of a series of oil wells.

Acted (led by David Walsh) in an LMAA charterparty dispute involving sanctions / requisition issues.

Acted as sole counsel for a provider of tutoring services in an LCIA arbitration.

Acted (led by Paul Key KC and with Adam Woolnough) in an LCIA Arbitration concerning a dispute over the sale of shares in a mining company.

Acted (led by Hugh Mercer KC and with Richard Hoyle) in an LMAA Arbitration resulting from the collapse of a Share Purchase Agreement between two ferry companies. The dispute involved counterclaims based on the alleged mismanagement of the target company, involving a 4 week hearing with an amount in dispute of €90m.

Acted (led by Jeffrey Gruder KC) on behalf of an investment management company in a litigation funding dispute.

Company & Insolvency Law

Acting (led by Iain Quirk KC) in an unfair prejudice petition and related Part 7 claim. The underlying dispute relates to a joint venture between two major pharmaceutical distribution businesses and the alleged exclusion of one of the participants from the affairs and profits of the joint venture.

Acting (led by David Joseph KC) in an unfair prejudice petition and related Part 7 claim. The petitioners / claimants allege that they have been unfairly excluded from the affairs and profits of the joint venture business – which is involved in the distribution of sports data rights to gambling operators.

Insurance & reinsurance

Acting (with Jeffrey Gruder KC, David Peters and Helen Morton) in an aviation insurance claim arising from the alleged detention of aircraft in Russia.

Acted (led by Jeffrey Gruder KC) in a business interruption case arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Banking & financial services

Acting (with Joe Smouha KC; James Collins KC; Leonora Sagan and Felix Wardle) on behalf of the Man Group, defending a large-scale bribery claim brought against more than 30 defendants by the Kuwaiti pension fund.

Applying (led by Louise Hutton KC) for an anti-suit injunction in relation to Russian proceedings brought against a major bank who had frozen funds due to sanctions.

Obtained ex parte interim injunctive relief obliging a bank to remove a restriction placed on a bank account.

Seconded to the litigation team at a major bank, advising on various banking matters, including a dishonest assistance claim and a claim based on the bank’s alleged obligations in respect of cheques.

Acted as sole counsel in the County Court in an application to strike out the defence to a claim for recovery of a mistaken payment made by a foreign exchange company.

Energy & natural resources

Acting (led by Huw Davies KC) in an LCIA arbitration arising out of the decommissioning of a series of oil wells.

Acting (led by Paul Key KC and with Adam Woolnough) in an LCIA Arbitration concerning a dispute over the sale of shares in a mining company.

Conflict of laws & private international law

Freddie has experience both as sole and junior counsel in a range of employment matters, covering discrimination, constructive dismissal and whistle-blowing claims as well as disputes relating to post-termination restrictions. Her recent work includes:

Acted (led by Daniel Oudkerk KC) on behalf of Guy Carpenter in a team move case, with a speedy trial listed for 6 weeks.

Acting (led by David Craig KC) in a multi-week Employment Tribunal claim, defending allegations of sex, race and perceived disability discrimination.

Acting (with Amy Rogers and Rupert Paines) on behalf of Aon in a team move case, involving multiple team moves

Acted (led by Daniel Oudkerk KC) on behalf of a building contractor in relation to their ex-employees’ move to a competitor

Acting (pro bono, with Charles Ciumei KC) on behalf of a claimant in an EAT hearing relating to the imposition of unless orders

Acted (led by Paul Goulding KC and Craig Rajgopaul) in a LCIA arbitration. Freddie represented a global consulting firm in a claim relating to post-termination restrictions against a former employee.

Acted (led by Daniel Oudkerk KC) in a successful application for urgent injunctive relief relating to an employer’s misuse of confidential information

Acted as sole counsel in a 5-day disability discrimination trial in the Employment Tribunal.

Acted as sole counsel in a six-day whistleblowing/constructive dismissal trial in the Employment Tribunal.

Acted as sole counsel for a major charity in a six-day racial discrimination trial.

Acted as sole counsel in a trial concerning the TUPE regulation and collective bargaining.

Advising and acting for an ex-director of a scientific manufacturing business in a disability discrimination claim and a claim for constructive dismissal.

Acting (led by Charles Ciumei KC) in an application for urgent injunctive relief against two former employees of a company in order to restrain them from breaching their post-termination restrictions and their duties in respect of the company’s confidential information.

Advising (led by James Willan) a senior partner of a firm of solicitors in respect of the enforceability of post-termination restrictions.

Acting (led by Daniel Stilitz KC and Jane Russell) for the government in order to restrain prison officers from taking industrial action.

Career

2018 Tenant at Essex Court Chambers

2017-2018 Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers (with Edward Brown)

2017 Called to the Bar (Middle Temple)

Education

2016-2017 BPTC, City Law School (Outstanding)

2015-2016 GDL, City Law School (Distinction)

2011-2015 MEng Materials Science, University of Oxford (1st Class)

Awards

2017 Bar Association for Commerce, Finance and Industry Prize for best performance in the commercial law assessment, City University

Worshipful Company of Arbitrators Prize, City University

2016 Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple

City University Law School Postgraduate Scholarship

2015 Astbury Scholarship, Middle Temple

Worshipful Company of Ironmongers Prize for best Part II presentation, University of Oxford

2014 Gibbs Prize for best overall performance in Part I, University of Oxford

2012 Johnson-Matthey Prize for best overall performance in Prelims, University of Oxford

ATV Scholar, St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford