Professional practice

C&P 2024Leading Junior 2024

Ciaran is ranked in the latest editions of the Legal Directories in seven practice areas, including top-rankings in: Commercial Dispute Resolution/Commercial Litigation; Chancery: Commercial; Civil Fraud; and Partnership.

  • Commercial Dispute Resolution (Chambers UK 2025; Chambers Global 2024; Legal 500 2025);
  • Chancery Commercial (Chambers UK 2025; Chambers Global 2024);
  • Banking and Finance (Chambers UK 2025; Legal 500 2024);
  • Civil Fraud (Chambers UK 2025; Legal 500 2025; Who’s Who Legal: UK Bar 2024);
  • Energy (Legal 500 2025);
  • Offshore (Chambers UK 2025; Chambers Global 2024; Legal 500 2025); and
  • Partnership (Chambers UK 2025; Legal 500 2025).

Ciaran was nominated as the Legal 500 Junior of the Year for 2024 and was the Chambers and Partners Commercial Dispute Resolution Junior of the Year for 2023.

Commentators endorse him as “a superstar”; “outstanding”, “absolutely phenomenal” and “sublime”. He is described as “the complete package”, “everything you could ask for in counsel”, and as being  “one of the very best juniors at the commercial Bar”, who is “destined for greatness”.

He has “razor sharp intellect” and “incredible mind”, which “cuts to the heart of the case”. He is “a fantastic strategist” with “a great feel for how a Court will react to an argument”, and is a “creative and innovative problem solver” who develops “very effective case winning legal strategies”.

He is noted as “a really formidable courtroom performer” whose “ability to take complex and intricate arguments and present them compellingly is extraordinary”. He is “a superb cross-examiner” and “an exceptional advocate who will get the result     the client wants”.

He is also known as being “super responsive” and “a charming, low-maintenance barrister” who is “practical and commercial”, “a team player”, and “a pleasure to work with”.

Ciaran’s practice encompasses the range of commercial and commercial chancery disputes, civil fraud, banking and financial services related litigation, company and shareholder disputes and insolvency matters, energy and minerals, fiduciaries, partnership and professional     negligence. He is regularly instructed in complex, large-scale international disputes (including enforcing and challenging arbitral awards, international debt recovery and obtaining and resisting freezing  orders) and cases involving questions as to the appropriate choice of law or jurisdiction.

He has also acted in a number of claims for and against states and state entities (for which he has been  described as “the foremost junior on questions of sovereign immunity at the Bar”).

Ciaran recently appeared in BTI v PricewaterhouseCoopers (8-week trial of €800m auditor negligence claims in connection with environmental liabilities in the US; The Lawyer Top 20 Cases of 2024), The Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse & Ors (12-week trial of $3 billion bribery and fraud claims brought by the Republic of Mozambique in connection with the “tuna bond” debt crisis; The Lawyer Top 20 Cases of 2023), and Suppipat v Narongdej (21-week trial of $2 billion claims in conspiracy, fraud and transactions defrauding creditors in connection with Thailand’s leading wind energy firm; The Lawyer Top 20 cases of 2022), as well as the landmark Supreme Court case BTI v Sequana on directors’ duties

Ciaran has a notable offshore practice, having been instructed on disputes in, among others, Jersey, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man and Hong Kong. He has been admitted as a member of the Bar of the British Virgin Islands.

Ciaran has acted in arbitrations under various institutional rules, including LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL, DIFC-LCIA, as well as ad hoc, and seated in various different jurisdictions in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He also sits as an arbitrator.

Ciaran was formerly a fast-stream diplomat in HM Diplomatic Service, serving at the United  Nations in New York and the British Embassy, Lisbon.

Memberships: Commercial Bar Association; Chancery Bar Association; LCIA; ICCA; Association of Partnership Practitioners; LexisNexis Expert Panel on Arbitration.

 

 

What Others Say

Commercial Dispute Resolution/Commercial Litigation

“Ciaran is one of the best. He is absolutely outstanding and a superb cross-examiner.”  (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“He’s absolutely excellent, probably one of the best juniors working at the commercial Bar. He’s super responsive, very smart, works well in a team, extremely efficient and very good on his feet.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“One of the cleverest and easiest to work with barristers around.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Ciaran is one of best senior juniors in London. He has an enormous work ethic and an incredible mind.” (Legal 500 2025)

“Ciaran Keller is absolutely phenomenal and has excellent judgment” (Chambers Global 2024)

“A really formidable courtroom performer who also produces absolutely top-draw paperwork” (Chambers & Partners 2023)

“Ciaran is a superstar. He cuts to the heart of the case and provides clear, precise advise. He is a fantastic strategist and has a great feel for how a Court will react to an argument.” (Legal 500 2023)

“Ciaran is one of my “go-to” barristers for commercial disputes, I would readily engage him   rather than involving a silk on all of my matters.” (Legal 500 2021)

Chancery: Commercial

“Ciaran is absolutely excellent and one of the best juniors working at the Commercial Bar. Super responsive and very smart, he works well in a team and is extremely efficient.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Exceptionally bright and able to break down complex legal arguments into digestible, compelling arguments. He can weave difficult concepts into his submissions and impress the court.” (Chambers Global 2024)

“A really smooth and efficient lawyer” (Chambers Global 2024)

“A barrister of great reason and judgment, he is absolutely phenomenal. He’s also very humble and is just a pleasure to work with.” (Chambers Global 2024)

“A big player in the market” (Chambers & Partners 2023)

“He’s very clever and really good at dissecting factually and legally complicated issues” (Chambers & Partners 2023)

“Super smart, very efficient, and someone with excellent strategic judgement. He is excellent technically and a real star.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)

“A very, very hard-working and thorough barrister.” (Chambers & Partners 2021)

“A great person to work with. He’s super smart and has a really good way with the clients.”

(Chambers Global 2020)

Energy

“Ciaran’s ability to present complex and intricate arguments compellingly is extraordinary” (Legal 500 2025)

“He cuts to the heart of the case and provides clear, precise advice, and he is a fantastic strategist with a great feel for how a Court will react to an argument.” (Legal 500 2023)

“Ciaran has a sharp mind, responds quickly to new facts and is skilled at rigorously putting the client’s best case” (The Legal 500 2022)

“Extremely efficient, highly responsive and insightful, he is one of the very best juniors at the commercial bar” (The Legal 500 2021)

Fraud: Civil

“A rigorous barrister with the ability to develop persuasive legal arguments in the face of challenging facts. His advocacy is precise and effective.” (Legal 500 2025)

“He is one of the top juniors working at the Bar and is first choice for any meaty fraud dispute. He is destined for greatness. He is also a pleasure to deal with.” (Legal 500 2023)

“Ciaran is enormously hard working with great tactical awareness” (Chambers & Partners 2023)

“Ciaran Keller is a real expert in claims involving fraud and fraudulent misrepresentation in the context of the misuse of corporate funds” (Who’s Who Legal, UK Bar 2022)

“He’s super smart, very efficient and has excellent strategic judgement.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)

“He’s always available, very considered in his advice and excellent at handling clients.”  (Chambers & Partners 2022)

“an outstanding junior, one of the very best at the commercial bar.” (Legal 500 2021)

Banking & Finance

“Ciaran Keller is absolutely excellent. He’s super responsive and very smart, works well in a team and is extremely efficient.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“He’s excellent, he is one of the best juniors out there. He’s super smart, very practical, and very efficient. He gets things done quickly and smoothly on time.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“[His] ability take complex and intricate arguments and present them compellingly and in a straightforward manner is extraordinary” (Legal 500 2025)

“Excellent technical ability and very responsive, he provides clear pragmatic and timely advice.” (Legal 500 2023)

“Excellent in the banking and finance arena.” (Legal 500 2022)

“He is a complete all-rounder: super bright, all over the detail, calm under pressure, clear and confident with clients, very easy to work with and forms an integral part of our team.” (Legal 500 2021)

Offshore

“He’s absolutely excellent, probably one of the best juniors working at the commercial Bar. Ciaran is super responsive, works well in a team, is extremely efficient and is very good on his feet.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Ciaran is everything you could ask for in counsel. He is super smart and hard-working, but also very practical and commercial, and focused on getting the right result for the client.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Ciaran is bright, responsive and sharp. He has experience, insight and is very incisive, which is helpful when you’re under pressure.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Ciaran is an excellent advocate and a joy to work with” (Chambers Global 2024)

“He’s a dogged fighter for his clients, very smart, unbelievably efficient, and super-responsive. He’s all in all a super impressive performer.” (Chambers Global 2024)

“He is extremely sharp and easy to work with, and he is an excellent draftsman.” “He’s very  bright and a good advocate – he’s the complete package.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)

“A deep thinker with an enormous brain and capacity for cutting through complex legal issues to provide clear and effective advice.” (Legal 500 2022)

Partnership 

“Ciaran Keller is probably one of the best juniors working at the commercial Bar. He is super responsive, he works well in a team and he is extremely efficient.” (Chambers & Partners 2025) “Ciaran Keller is everything you could ask for in counsel. He is hard-working but also very practical and commercial. He focuses on getting the right result for the client.” (Chambers & Partners 2025)

“Ciaran is a very creating and innovative problem solver; he is a master of the detail and this area of the law and combines these abilities to develop very effective case winning legal strategies. He is unflappable and a calm presence on any team and a real asset” (Legal 500 2025)

“Ciaran is a superstar. He cuts to the heart of the case and provides clear, precise advise” (Legal 500 2023)

“Absolutely superb: he gets through material quickly and gets to the point in a very impressive way.” (Chambers & Partners UK 2022)

“Clients absolutely love him because he has such clarity of thought and speed of  response.” (Chambers & Partners 2021)

 

Arbitration & related court applications

Ciaran has experience in a wide range of arbitral proceedings conducted both domestically and internationally across a wide range of commercial and chancery disputes under various institutional rules as well ad hoc  arbitrations. He also has expertise in claims to enforce or resist enforcement of foreign awards (including against states and state entities) in England and multi-jurisdictional litigation     to enforce English awards overseas.

Ciaran also sits as an arbitrator.

Notable cases include:

  • Republic of Mozambique v Privinvest Shipbuilding & Ors. Acting for a state on successful applications in the Commercial Court to enforce four Swiss SIAC and ICC arbitral awards.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for the claimant in seven consolidated LCIA arbitrations in relation to a multi-million dollar dispute regarding the ownership and control of a power plant in Uganda. (ongoing)
  • DIFC LCIA arbitration. Acting for the claimant bringing unfair prejudice and other claims in relation to an online delivery business in Saudi Arabia worth over US$1 billion.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for the claimant on claims relating to the ownership and control of a Cypriot company and Russian financing business.
  • SCC arbitration. Advising on enforcement in England of an SCC award.
  • SIAC arbitration. Acting for the respondent to a multi-million dollar claim in relation to the ownership of a global media content creator, producer and distributor.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for various companies defending claims for more than $300 million in relation to a copper mine in Armenia.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for an individual in relation to $150 million claims and counterclaims for alleged breach of an option agreement
  • UNCITRAL arbitration. Acting for an Egyptian company in relation to $150 million claims relating to the sale and distribution of ammonium nitrate.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for a minority shareholder in claims for breaches of a shareholders’ agreement, articles of association and the Companies Act 2006, and for relief from unfair prejudice, in connection with management of an internet services provider.
  • Ad hoc arbitration. Acting for the claimant on claims in relation to a long-term contract for the maintenance of harbour infrastructure.
  • Maximov v Novolipetsk Steel [2017] EWHC 1911 (Comm). Acting for NLMK, one of the largest steel companies in Russia, successfully defending claims by a Russian billionaire for the enforcement in England of a c.US$150 million arbitration award set aside by the Russian courts.
  • RCB v Bakay. Acting for a Cypriot bank seeking to enforce an LCIA award in various jurisdictions, including successful applications for freezing orders and the appointment of a receiver over shares in a company beneficially owned by the award debtor.
  • LCIA arbitration. Successful claims for damages for breach of an agreement relating to the ownership of a Ukrainian automotive business, and successfully resisting a s.68 challenge.
  • Ad hoc arbitration. Acting for the defendant to claims for alleged breaches of a partnership agreement and duties owed as a partner in two traditional accountancy partnerships.
  • Yukos Capital Sarl v OJSC Rosneft Oil Company [2014] EWHC 2188; [2012] EWCA Civ 855; [2011] EWHC 1461 (Comm). Acting for the defendant resisting enforcement of annulled Russian arbitral awards.
  • LCIA arbitration. Successful claims to recover loans to a BVI company, defended on the basis that they were shams or had been waived or varied.
  • IPCO (Nigeria) Ltd v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [2008] EWCA Civ 1157; [2008] EWHC 797 (Comm). Acting for the Claimant on the successfully part-enforcement of a New York Convention arbitration award.
  • Pertamina litigation. Resisting the enforcement of an award against the Indonesian state oil company in the Cayman Islands.
Banking & financial services

Ciaran is ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2025 and the Legal 500 2025 for Banking and Finance.

He is frequently instructed on high-profile cases, for and against banks, FTSE 100 companies, hedge funds, private equity houses, the big four accountancy firms and high net worth individuals. He has acted on the full range of financial services disputes, including claims arising out of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Hellas II litigation, the collapse of the world’s largest private equity group, the German cum-ex trading scandal and the mis-selling of financial products, as well as consumer credit claims. In addition to more mainstream disputes, he has acted for hedge funds seeking to enforce judgments against states, and for states seeking to resist claims by banks and hedge funds, and on claims opposing the restructuring of bonds by the Bank of Ireland and Greece.

Notable cases include:

  • Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse. Acting for the Republic of Mozambique on its successful $2 billion claims arising out of the “tuna bond” scandal, which drove Mozambique into a debt crisis. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023.
  • TP ICAP plc v Nex Group Limited. Acting for the defendant to multi-million pound claims in relation to swaps trading and the German cum-ex trading scandal.
  • Abraaj Holdings (in liquidation) v Neomia Private Equity Fund IV LP. Acting on behalf of an investment fund in proceedings arising out of the collapse with debts of over $1 billion of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm.
  • Agarwal v Standard Chartered Bank. Acting for the defendant bank on claims in relation to an alleged breach of the “Quincecare duty”.
  • LCIA arbitration. Defending US$300 million claims by a bank on a guarantee.
  • Orchard (Clinics 1) Ltd v National Westminster Bank. Acting for the bank defending substantial claims in relation to the operation of index linked loans and breakage costs arising on default.
  • LCIA arbitration. Defending US$40 million claims by a bank for an alleged breach of an option agreement.
  • Williams v Capitalbond Limited. Acting for the defendant lender resisting claims by the borrower to discharge or avoid debts pursuant to s.140B of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  • Orchard (Development) Holdings plc v National Westminster Bank plc. Acting for the bank on the successful strike out of claims of c.£50 million interest rate swap mis-selling claims, and related claims concerning index linked loans.
  • Hosking v Apax Partners LLP & Others (Hellas II). Acting for the claimant on $1 billion claims against three global private equity firms and Deutsche Bank in connection with the refinancing and subsequent insolvency of a Greek telecommunications group.
  • Mitchell v PricewaterhouseCoopers. Acting for PricewaterhouseCoopers defending claims for damages in contract, tort and under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 for investment advice in connection with the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
  • Standard Bank plc v Winsome Diamonds. Successfully obtained anti-suit injunctions restraining the defendant from continuing proceedings in India to enforce letters of credit, in breach of an exclusive jurisdiction clause.
  • KPMG v Ernst & Young. Defending claims by KPMG global in connection with the merger between the Danish KPMG entity with its Danish Ernst & Young counterpart.
  • Palomino Funds Ltd v The Bank of Ireland. Acting for bondholders seeking declarations that their contractual rights against the Bank of Ireland could not be overridden by the Irish Government passing threatened legislation to reduce the value of the bonds.
  • NML Capital v The Republic of Argentina. Acting for Argentina resisting $300 million claims by a “vulture fund” to enforce a foreign judgment against Argentina, in proceedings that went to the Supreme Court.
  • Northern v Greece. Acting for bondholders seeking to restrain Greece from restructuring the bonds by issuing new bonds diluting the votes of the existing bondholders.
  • Donegal International Ltd v Zambia. Successful claims on distressed sovereign debt against Zambia.
  • Langston Group Corporation v Cardiff City Football Club. Acting on claims by the holder of loan notes issued by Cardiff City Football Club.
Civil fraud & asset recovery

Ciaran is ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2025, the Legal 500 2025 and Who’s Who Legal: UK  Bar 2024 for Civil Fraud.

He is frequently instructed on complex, large-scale, high- value civil fraud litigation, involving allegations of dishonesty, fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy, breach of duty and the misappropriation of assets. His cases often involve an offshore or international element, asset-tracing and recovery and freezing and disclosure orders.

Notable cases include:

  • Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse. Acting for the Republic of Mozambique on its successful US$2 billion claims in bribery arising out of the “tuna bond” scandal that pushed Mozambique into a debt crisis. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023.
  • Fishman v Mangazeev. Acting for a respondent to a freezing order on claims in connection with a loan agreement.
  • Excalibur Almaz v Horie. Acting in relation to US$50 million claims in deceit in connection with an investment and settlement agreement.
  • Suppipat v Narongdej. Acting for defendants to a high-profile $2 billion fraud and conspiracy claim regarding an alleged fraud in relation to the ownership of Thailand’s leading wind energy firm. The 20-week trial is one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022.
  • Jafar v Abraaj Holdings. Acting for a defendant to claims in conspiracy and deceit arising out of the collapse with debts of over $1 billion of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm.
  • Enigma Diagnostics Limited v Harvey Boulter, Charles Cook and DLA Piper. Acting for a law firm and its Head of Corporate defending multi-million dollar claims in dishonest assistance and fraudulent trading in connection with the collapse of a medical diagnostics business.
  • LCIA arbitration. Defending multi-million dollar claims in fraud in relation to an investment in a power plant in Uganda.
  • Gulfvin v TPC. Acting for Egyptian and US defendants to claims in deceit and unjust enrichment against Egyptian and US parties.
  • Mousavi v Abrishamchi. Acting for an Iranian individual and company on successful applications to set aside freezing orders.
  • Auden McKenzie (Pharma Division) Ltd v Patel. Acting for a defendant to £250 million claims for dishonest breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent misrepresentation arising out of the sale of a major pharmaceuticals group.
  • British American Tobacco v Sequana. Acting for BAT on its successful claim to claw back from a French conglomerate €135 million in dividends as a transaction defrauding creditors.
  • Kuwait Oil Tanker Company v Al Mutawa. Acting for the successful claimant oil company in relation to high-profile claims in Jersey for fraudulent breach of trust by the defendant in connection with the notorious $100 million Al-Bader fraud, and on applications in England for freezing orders in support of that action.
  • Hosking v Apax Partners LLP & Others (Hellas II). Acting for the Liquidators of Hellas II, claiming the recovery from 3 global private equity firms of c.US$1 billion misappropriated from a Luxembourg investment vehicle following a refinancing on the basis that the payments were transactions defrauding creditors or a result of fraudulent trading.
  • Salford Capital Partners v Value Discovery Partners (in liquidation). Acting for the defendant to a claim alleging conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the distribution of shares in the course of the liquidation of a BVI limited partnership.
  • Tsiattalos v Charalambous. Acting for the Claimant on £40 million claims for deceit and fraudulent misrepresentation relating to the transfer of the shares in a manufacturing company.
  • Barnsley & Ors v Noble. Successfully defending multi-million pound claims in deceit in relation to the demerger of the Noble Organisation.
  • Northland Automation and Services LLC v SBF Global Limited. Defending claims relating to an alleged fraud in connection with a trade finance transaction.
  • POWA (Jersey) Limited v Chater. Acting for the claimant on claims in fraud, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt against a former employee and de facto director for diversion of profits.
  • Favor Easy Management Ltd v Wu. Acting for the claimant on claims relating to the alleged fraudulent transfer of two hotels.
  • Harlequin Property (SVG) Ltd v Floyd. Successfully resisted a claim for freezing and other relief under s. 25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 in support of multi-million dollar claims in fraud relating to a hotel development in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
  • Lindsay v O’Loughnane. Defending claims in deceit and to pierce the corporate veil against the director of a foreign exchange trading company.
  • DDT v Thomson. Successfully defending claims in fraud by liquidators against a company director.
  • Meretz Investments v ACP Limited. Acting for the defendant on a leading case on conspiracy to injure by unlawful means and inducing breach of contract.
Commercial chancery disputes

Ciaran is top-ranked ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2025 and in Chambers & Partners Global 2024 for Commercial Chancery disputes.

He is frequently instructed on heavyweight cases, particularly complex, high-value cases with an international element, including shareholder disputes and claims against directors and by companies in liquidation and administration.

Notable cases include:

  • Excalibur Almaz v Horie. Acting in relation to US$50 million claims in deceit in connection with an investment and settlement agreement.
  • BTI v PricewaterhouseCoopers. Acting for the claimant on multi-million pound auditors’ negligence claims in connection with the audit of a company exposed to substantial indemnity claims arising out of environmental liabilities in the US.
  • BTI v Sequana. Acting for BTI on claims against a French listed conglomerate to claw back US$800 million dividends as unlawful (in breach of Part 23 of the Companies Act 2006), paid in breach of fiduciary duty or a transaction defrauding creditors contrary to 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The Supreme Court described its October 2022 judgment as a “momentous” decision for company law.
  • Suppipat v Narongdej. Acting for defendants to a $2 billion claims in fraud, conspiracy and under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 in relation to the ownership of Thailand’s leading wind energy firm. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2022.
  • Hinduja v Hinduja. Acting in a dispute between members of the Hinduja family in relation to the entitlement to the family’s assets.
  • Enigma Diagnostics Limited v Harvey Boulter, Charles Cook and DLA Piper. Acting for a law firm and its Head of Corporate defending multi-million dollar claims in dishonest assistance and fraudulent trading under s.213 of the Insolvency Act 1986 in connection with the collapse of a medical diagnostics business.
  • Abraaj Holdings (in liquidation) v Neomia Private Equity Fund IV LP. Acting for an investment fund defending clawback claims by liquidators arising out of the demise of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm, which collapsed with debts of over $1 billion.
  • DIFC LCIA arbitration. Acting for a minority shareholder in a DIFC company bringing unfair prejudice claims in relation to an online delivery business worth over US$1 billion.
  • Levine v Ng. Acting for a minority shareholder in a BVI company bringing unfair prejudice proceedings in relation to a Chinese manufacturing business.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for the claimant bringing claims pursuant to an investment, call option, pledge and loan agreements in relation to a power plant in Uganda.
  • Auden McKenzie (Pharma Division) Ltd v Patel. Defending claims against a director of a major pharmaceuticals group for equitable compensation for breach of fiduciary duty.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for a minority shareholder in shareholders’ dispute (involving claims for breaches of a shareholders’ agreement, articles of association and the Companies Act 2006, and for relief from unfair prejudice) in relation to a major internet and cloud services and software provider.
  • Hosking v Apax Partners & Others (Hellas II). US$1 billion claims against three global private equity firms and Deutsche Bank in connection with the refinancing and subsequent insolvency of a Greek telecommunications group.
  • Dalnaya Step LLC v Browder. Successfully setting aside the recognition in England of Russian insolvency proceedings under the Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006, in a case described by the Chancellor as a “long-running, high profile and extremely public dispute”. The first case in which security for costs have been awarded against a foreign office holder applying under the CBIR.
  • Orchard (Development) Holdings plc v National Westminster Bank plc. Acting for the defendant bank on the successful strike out of claims of c.£50 million interest rate swap mis-selling claims, and related claims concerning index linked loans.
  • Salford Capital Partners v Value Discovery Partners (in liquidation). Acting for a defendant to a claim alleging breach of the articles of partnership and of partners’ duties in connection with the distribution of shares in the liquidation of a limited partnership.
  • Krys v KBC Partners. Acting for the successful respondent in the Privy Council on a dispute concerning the entitlement to the c.US$1 billion of a BVI investment vehicle.
  • Phosphorus Holdco (in administration) v BC Partners. Acting on claims against a global private equity house to recover unlawful dividends in connection with the collapse of Phones4U.
  • Shrimpton v International Finance Corporation. Acting for the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank, in connection with high-profile claims against it as a shareholder of a holding company for a group of companies investing in
  • McNaughton v Ashley Banjo and Diversity Live LLP. Acting on a dispute between members of the dance group Diversity in relation to the purported expulsion of and unfairly prejudicial conduct towards members of the group.
  • Lovell v Mercer. Acting for the defendants in a multi-million pound claim for alleged breach of a partnership agreement.
  • Resolution Limited. Acting on a dispute relating to the nature, scope and application of the duties owed by a FTSE 100 life assurance company in its capacity as general partner of a Guernsey Limited.
  • Barnsley v Noble. successfully defending multi-million pound claims in relation to the demerger of the Noble Organisation, and successfully resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal on the scope of a trustee exoneration clause.
  • In re Acorn International, Inc. Successful petitioner for just and equitable winding up in the Cayman Islands courts in relation to the affairs of a New York listed company operating in China.
  • POWA (Jersey) Limited v Chater. Acting for the claimant on claims in fraud, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt against a former employee and de facto director for diversion of profits.
  • Gamlestaden Fastigheter v Baltic Partners Limited. Successful appeal to the Privy Council and a leading case on the scope of the unfair prejudice remedy for company.
  • Favor Easy Management Ltd v Wu. Acting for the claimant on resulting and constructive trust claims relating to the alleged fraudulent transfer of two hotels.
  • Harlequin Property (SVG) Ltd v Floyd. Successfully resisted a claim for freezing and other relief under s. 25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 in support of multi-million dollar claims in fraud relating to a hotel development in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
  • Lindsay v O’Loughnane. Defending claims in deceit and to pierce the corporate veil against the director of a foreign exchange trading company.
  • Meretz Investments v ACP Limited. Acting for the defendant on a leading case on conspiracy to injure by unlawful means and inducing breach of contract.
  • Crossco No 4 Unlimited v Jolan Limited. Acting in the leading Court of Appeal decision on constructive trusts and proprietary estoppel in commercial property disputes.
Commercial dispute resolution

Ciaran is top-ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2025, Chambers & Partners Global 2024 and the Legal 500  2025 for Commercial Dispute Resolution. He was awarded the Chambers & Partners Commercial Dispute Resolution Junior of the Year for 2023 and was nominated for the Legal 500 Junior of the Year for 2024.

Ciaran is frequently instructed on heavyweight commercial disputes, particularly complex, high-value cases with an international element.

Notable cases include:

  • Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse. Acting for the Republic of Mozambique on successful US$2 billion claims arising out of the “tuna bond” scandal that pushed Mozambique into a debt crisis. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023.
  • Suppipat v Narongdej. Acting for defendants to a high-profile $2 billion fraud and conspiracy claim regarding an alleged fraud in relation to the ownership of Thailand’s leading wind energy firm. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022.
  • BTI v PricewaterhouseCoopers. Acting for the claimant on multi-million euro auditors’ negligence claims in connection with the audit of a company exposed to substantial indemnity claims arising out of environmental liabilities in the US.
  • Excalibur Almaz v Horie. Acting in relation to US$50 million claims in deceit in connection with an investment and settlement agreement.
  • Jafar v Abraaj Holdings. Acting for an investment fund defending claims in conspiracy and deceit arising out of the collapse with debts of over $1 billion of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm.
  • Gulfvin v TPC. Acting for Egyptian and US defendants to claims in deceit and unjust enrichment against Egyptian and US parties on a successful challenge to the English court’s jurisdiction.
  • TP ICAP v Nex. Acting for the defendant to multi-million pound claims for breach of warranty arising out of the £1.3 billion merger of two publicly listed voice-broking business in relation to swaps trading and the German cum-ex trading scandal.
  • Enigma Diagnostics Limited v Harvey Boulter, Charles Cook and DLA Piper. Acting for a law firm and its Head of Corporate defending multi-million dollar claims in dishonest assistance and fraudulent trading in connection with the collapse of a medical diagnostics business.
  • British American Tobacco v Sequana. Acting for BAT on claims against a French listed conglomerate in connection with environmental liabilities in the US. The Supreme Court described its decision on directors’ duties as “momentous” and “of considerable practical importance to the management of companies”.
  • Mousavi v Abrishamchi. Acting for an Iranian individual and company on successful applications to challenge jurisdiction and set aside freezing orders and successfully resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
  • Lungowe v Vedanta. Acting for a defendant to claims subject to a Group Litigation Order by over 2,000 individuals in relation to alleged pollution from a mine in Zambia.
  • Auden McKenzie (Pharma Division) Ltd v Patel. Acting for a defendant to £250 million claims for breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation and breach of warranty arising out of the sale of a major pharmaceuticals group.
  • WH Smith v Philex. Acting on claims for breach of contract in relation to the supply of travel products.
  • Maximov v Novolipetsk Steel. Acting for NLMK, one of the largest steel companies in Russia, successfully resisting claims by a Russian billionaire for the enforcement in England of a c.US$150 million arbitration award set aside by the Russian courts.
  • Hosking v Apax Partners LLP & Others (Hellas II). Acting for the liquidators of Hellas II, on its claims against 3 global private equity firms and Deutsche Bank that the refinancing of a Greek telecommunications group was a transaction defrauding creditors or a result of fraudulent trading.
  • Orchard (Development) Holdings plc v National Westminster Bank plc. Acting for the bank on the successful strike out of claims of c.£50 million interest rate swap and collar mis- selling claims, and defending ongoing related claims concerning index linked loans.
  • Krys v KBC Partners LP. Successfully resisted an appeal to the Privy Council about the construction of the articles of association of a limited partnership and the entitlement to its assets estimated at over US$1 billion.
  • Yukos Capital v Rosneft Oil Company. Acting for Rosneft, the Russian oil giant, in the long running Yukos litigation. This aspect addressed the enforceability of annulled arbitral awards and the power to order post-award interest in enforcement actions.
  • KPMG v Ernst & Young. Defending claims by KPMG global in connection with the merger between the Danish KPMG entity with its Danish Ernst & Young counterpart.
  • Standard Bank plc v Winsome Diamonds. Successfully obtaining anti-suit injunctions restraining the defendant from continuing proceedings in India, in breach of an exclusive jurisdiction clause, for declarations that it was not in breach of a facility agreement and to prevent the claimant from enforcing letters of credit
  • Barnsley v Noble. successfully defending multi-million pound claims in relation to the demerger of the Noble Organisation.
  • Congo Mineral Developments v Highwind Properties. Multi-billion dollar claim in relation to the expropriation of a state owned mining concession in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Cifal Groupe v Meridian Securities (UK). Successful jurisdiction challenge and application for reverse summary judgment on multi-million pound claims in connection with a $US 1 billion development in St Petersburg.
  • NML Capital v The Republic of Argentina. Resisting $300 million claims to enforce a foreign judgment against Argentina in the UK courts. Leading Supreme Court decision on state immunity.
  • Crest Nicholson (Londinium) v Akaria Investments. Successful appeal to the Court of Appeal on the correct approach to contractual formation.
  • North Principal Investments v Greenoak Renewable Energy. Successfully defending multi million euro claims in relation to rights to own and develop a wind farm of the German/Danish coast.
  • IPCO (Nigeria) v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Successfully resisting an appeal to the Court of Appeal against the part enforcement of a New York Convention arbitration award.
  • Langston Group Corporation v Cardiff City Football Club. Claim by the holder of loan notes issued by Cardiff City Football Club.
  • Donegal International v Zambia. Successful debt recovery action against a sovereign state, involving jurisdictional disputes and issues as to freezing relief against sovereign states, illegality and bribery.
Company law

Ciaran is frequently instructed by office holders, major corporations and high net worth individuals in high-profile company and commercial disputes, in particular high-value claims in connection with the misappropriation of company assets and shareholder disputes, often with an international or offshore element.

Notable cases include:

  • BTI v PricewaterhouseCoopers. Acting for the claimant on multi-million euro auditors’ negligence claims in connection with the audit of a company exposed to substantial indemnity claims in connection with environmental liabilities in the US..
  • British American Tobacco v Sequana. Acting for BAT on claims against a French listed conglomerate to claw back US$800 million dividends as unlawful, paid in breach of fiduciary duty or as a transaction defrauding creditors contrary to 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The Supreme Court described its decision on directors’ duties as a “momentous” decision for company law and “of considerable practical importance to the management of companies”.
  • Abraaj Holdings (in liquidation) v Neomia Private Equity Fund IV LP. Acting for an investment fund defending clawback claims by liquidators arising out of the demise of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm, which collapsed with debts of over $1 billion.
  • Enigma Diagnostics Limited v Harvey Boulter, Charles Cook and DLA Piper. Acting for the second and third defendants defending multi-million dollar claims in dishonest assistance and fraudulent trading under s.213 of the Insolvency Act 1986 in connection with the collapse of a medical diagnostics business.
  • DIFC LCIA arbitration. Acting for a minority shareholder in a DIFC company bringing unfair prejudice claims in relation to an online delivery business worth over US$1 billion.
  • Levine v Ng. Acting for a minority shareholder in a BVI company bringing unfair prejudice proceedings in relation to a Chinese manufacturing business.
  • LCIA arbitration. Acting for a minority shareholder in shareholders’ dispute (involving claims for breaches of a shareholders’ agreement, articles of association and the Companies Act 2006, and for relief from unfair prejudice) in relation to a major internet and cloud services and software provider.
  • Dalnaya Step LLC v Browder, Cherkasov and Wrench. Successfully setting aside the recognition in England of Russian insolvency proceedings under the Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006, in a case described by the Chancellor as a “long-running, high profile and extremely public dispute”.. The first case in which security for costs have been awarded against a foreign office holder applying under the CBIR, and the Chancellor gave an exceptional public interest judgment on the breach by the foreign office holder of his duties of full and frank disclosure.
  • Hosking v Apax Partners & Others (Hellas II). Acting on US$1 billion claims against three global private equity firms and Deutsche Bank in connection with the refinancing and subsequent insolvency of a Greek telecommunications group.
  • Phosphorus Holdco (in administration) v BC Partners. Acting on claims against a global private equity house to recover unlawful dividends in connection with the collapse of Phones4U.
  • Shrimpton v International Finance Corporation. Acting for the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank, in connection with high-profile claims against it as a shareholder of a holding company for a group of companies investing in
  • McNaughton v Ashley Banjo and Diversity Live LLP. Acting on a dispute between members of the dance group Diversity in relation to the purported expulsion of and unfairly prejudicial conduct towards members of the group.
  • Resolution Limited. Acting on a dispute relating to the nature, scope and application of the duties owed by a FTSE 100 life assurance company in its capacity as general partner of a Guernsey Limited
  • In re Acorn International, Inc. Successful petition for just and equitable winding up (and alternative relief) in the Cayman Islands courts in relation to the affairs of a New York listed company operating in China.
  • Gamlestaden Fastigheter v Baltic Partners Limited. Successful appeal to the Privy Council and a leading case on the scope of the unfair prejudice remedy for company.
Energy & natural resources

Ciaran is ranked in the Legal 500 2025 for Energy.

As well as mainstream commercial energy disputes, Ciaran is experienced in mines and minerals related matters.

Notable cases include:

  • LCIA arbitrations. Acting for the claimant in relation to a multi- million dollar dispute regarding a power plant in Uganda.
  • Suppipat v Narongdej. Acting for defendants to a $2 billion claim regarding wind farm assets in Thailand and the ownership of Thailand’s leading wind energy firm. One of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022.
  • LCIA arbitrations. Acting for the defendants defending multi-million dollar claims in relation to a copper and molybdenum mine in Armenia.
  • Lungowe v Vedanta. Acting for the defendant mine operator in relation to group claims in respect of alleged pollution from the mine.
  • UNCITRAL arbitration. Acting for the defendant in relation to $150 million claims relating to an ammonium nitrate facility in Egypt.
  • Maximov v NLMK. Acting for the Russian steel giant successfully defending $150 million claims relating to the acquisition of a group of steel companies.
  • Yukos Capital v Rosneft. Acting for the Russian oil giant resisting claims arising from the acquisition of the assets of Yukos Oil Company.
  • Ad hoc arbitration. Acting for the claimant on claims in relation to port infrastructure.
  • Caterpillar v Arcelor Mittal. Acting on a claim that the Ebola crisis was an event of force majeure entitling termination of a contract for the construction of a power plant for steel production in Liberia.
  • Congo Mineral Developments Ltd v Highwind Properties Limited. Acting for the claimant on claims that the defendants procured breaches of a joint venture agreement by the Democratic Republic of Congo and its state-owned mining company relating to a copper and cobalt mining concession.
  • Kuwait Oil Tanker Corporation v Al Mutawa . Acting for the claimant oil tanker company in relation to a claim in connection with the long running Al Bader litigation.
  • North Principal Investments v Greenoak Renewable Energy. Successfully defending multi million euro claims in relation to rights to own and develop a wind farm of the German/Danish coast.
  • IPCO v NNPC. Successful claims to part-enforce a Nigerian award worth over US$150 million against the Nigerian state oil company in connection with the construction of a petroleum export terminal.
  • Star Energy v Bocardo. Acting on a claim relating to the use of oil pipelines to access oil beneath the Al Fayad estate, the leading case on trespass at depth, raising important issues under the Petroleum Act 1998, the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966 and the Pipelines Act 1971.
  • Eggborough Power Limited v UK Coal. Acting for the operator of Eggborough Power Station in relation to planned coal mining in the vicinity of the power station, raising issue under the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991, the Coal Industry Act 1994 and the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966.
  • WBB Minerals v Bibbey. Acting for a leading producer of silica sand on an application to the Court for the compulsory grant of mineral and ancillary rights pursuant to the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966.
  • Kear v Coal Authority. Advising in relation to potential claims against the Coal Authority and for compensation under the Coal Industry Act 1994, raising issues relating to the Dean Forest (Mines) Act 1838.
  • Pertamina litigation. Acting for the Indonesian state oil company resisting the enforcement of an arbitral award and cross-claims in the Cayman Islands.
Offshore litigation

Ciaran is ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2025, Chambers & Partners Global 2024 and the  Legal 500 2025 for Offshore litigation.

His offshore practice spans numerous offshore jurisdictions (including the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Cyprus, the DIFC and Hong Kong) and a broad range of high-value commercial disputes, often involving a fraud, company, insolvency or jurisdiction angle. He is frequently instructed on investment fund cases and shareholder disputes.

Ciaran is called to the Bar of the British Virgin Islands and is one of relatively few English juniors who appears there as sole counsel.

Notable cases include:

  • Excalibur Almaz v Horie. Acting in relation to$50m claims in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with a space tourism business. (Isle of Man)
  • Jafar v Abraaj Holdings & Ors. Acting for a defendant to claims in conspiracy and deceit arising out of the collapse with debts of over $1 billion of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm. (Cayman Islands)
  • Abraaj Holdings (in liquidation) v Neomia Private Equity Fund IV LP. Defending clawback claims by liquidators arising out of the demise of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm, which collapsed with debts of over $1 billion.
  • Levine v Ng. Acting for a minority shareholder in a BVI company bringing unfair prejudice proceedings in relation to a Chinese manufacturing business. (BVI)
  • Agarwal v Standard Chartered Bank. Advising the defendant bank on claims in relation to an alleged breach of the “Quincecare duty”. (Jersey)
  • Krys v KBC Partners LP. Acted at all stages of a long-running dispute concerning the entitlement to the cUS$1 billion assets of a BVI limited partnership, culminating in a victory in the Privy Council. (Privy Council; Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal; BVI)
  • Kuwait Oil Tanker Company v Al Mutawa. Acting for the successful claimant oil company on high-profile claims in Jersey for fraudulent breach of trust by the defendant in connection with the $100 million Al-Bader fraud. (Jersey)
  • Shrimpton v International Finance Corporation. Acting for the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank, in connection with high-profile claims against it as a shareholder of a holding company for a group of companies investing in Vietnam. (BVI)
  • In re Acorn International, Inc. Successful petition for just and equitable winding up (and alternative relief) in the Cayman Islands courts in relation to the affairs of a New York listed company operating in China. (Cayman Islands
  • RCB Bank v Bakay. Acting for a Cypriot bank on applications for freezing orders and the appointment of a receiver over shares in a company. (Cyprus)
  • Salford Capital Partners v Value Discovery Partners. Defending claims challenging the distribution of shares in the course of the liquidation of a limited partnership in the British Virgin Islands, including allegations of sabotage, bad faith and conspiracy. (BVI)
  • Re the Estate of Mr Fok Ying Tung Henry. Acting on a long-running dispute in the Hong Kong courts relating to a multi-billion HKD estate and the rights to development options in mainland China. (Hong Kong)
  • Congo Mineral Developments v Highwind Properties. Multi-billion dollar claim in relation to the expropriation of a state-owned mining concession in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (BVI)
  • Advising in relation to a highly complex restructuring of a global offshore law firm, involving a global umbrella partnership and national member partnerships in various offshore jurisdictions, and disputes between the national member firms. (various)
  • Steen v RBS. Defending claims for negligent investment advice. (Jersey)
  • Gamlestaden Fastigheter v Baltic Partners. Successful appeal to the Privy Council on the scope of the unfair prejudice remedy for company shareholders. (Privy Council, on appeal from Jersey)
Partnership

Ciaran is top-ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2024 and the Legal 500 2024 for Partnership.

He  has extensive experience across the range of partnership cases, and particular expertise in complex or high-value partnership cases with an international element. He is a member of the Association of Partnership Practitioners.

Notable cases include:

  • Abraaj Holdings (in liquidation) v Neomia Private Equity Fund IV LP. Acting for a limited partnership which was part of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm, which collapsed with debts of over $1 billion, defending clawback claims by
  • Jafar v Abraaj Holdings & Ors. Acting for a limited partnership which was part of the Abraaj Group, a $14 billion private equity firm, which collapsed with debts of over $1 billion, defending claims in deceit by lenders.
  • Lovell v Mercer & Ors. Acting for the defendants in a multi-million pound claim for alleged breach of a partnership at will in relation to the development of properties for assisted
  • Krys v KBC Partners LP. Acted for the successful respondent before the Privy Council on an appeal concerning the entitlement to the cUS$1 billion assets of a BVI limited
  • Resolution Limited. Advising on a dispute relating to the nature, scope and application of the duties owed by a FTSE 100 life assurance company in its capacity as general partner of a Guernsey Limited Partnership.
  • Salford Capital Partners v Value Discovery Partners (in liquidation). Acting for a defendant to a claim alleging breach of the articles of partnership and of partners’ duties in connection with the distribution of shares in the course of the liquidation of a limited partnership.
  • McNaughton v Ashley Banjo and Diversity Live LLP. Acting on a dispute between members of the dance group Diversity, a limited liability partnership, in relation to the purported expulsion and unfairly prejudicial conduct towards members of the LLP.
  • Project Foxhills. Advising in relation to a highly complex restructuring of an international law firm, involving a global umbrella partnership and national member partnerships, and disputes between the national member firms.
  • KPMG v Ernst & Young. Acting on a major dispute between two of the “big four” accountancy firms, in which the global co-ordinating entity of KPMG sought to delay the merger between the Danish member partnership of the global KPMG network with its Ernst & Young counterpart.
  • Gross v Klein. Acting for the defendant to claims for alleged breaches of a partnership agreement and duties owed as a partner in two traditional accountancy
  • Leonard v Hennigan. Acting for the claimant in relation to claims on the dissolution of a  property development partnership.
Professional negligence

Ciaran regularly acts on professional negligence claims, including for and against auditors; banks; financial and investment advisers; valuers; solicitors; and barristers. He recently appeared in BTI v PricewaterhouseCoopers (8-week trial of €800m auditor negligence claims in connection with environmental liabilities in the US) (The Lawyer Top 20 Cases of 2024)).

Publications

Directors’ duty to consider the interests of creditors

Challenging lawful dividend payment as a transaction defrauding creditors and for breach of directors’ duties 

BAT Industries PLC v Sequana SA – Interests of creditors and remedial discretion 

 

Career

2016 on:             Essex Court Chambers

2004-2016:       Maitland Chambers

2013:                  Admitted as a member of the bar of the British Virgin Islands

1998-2002:       HM Diplomatic Service, fast-stream diplomat, serving at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London                                                                   and overseas at the United Nations in New York and the British Embassy in Lisbon

Education
  • 2004       Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law, Outstanding
  • 2003       Diploma in Law, City University, Distinction
  • 1995-8    Brasenose College, Oxford University BA, MA, First Class
Awards
  • Megarry Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn
  • Sir Louis Gluckstein Advocacy Prize, Lincoln’s Inn
  •  Barstow Scholarship, Inns of Court School of Law
  • Sweet & Maxwell Company Law Prize, Inns of Court School of Law
  •  Lord Haldane Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
  • Maitland Chambers Advocacy Prize Hardwicke Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
  •  Gibbs Prize, Oxford University
  • Shell Prize, Oxford University