Professional practice

C&P 2024Leading Junior 2024

Claudia has a broad and diverse commercial practice spanning domestic and international commercial litigation and arbitration. She is recognized as a leading junior in Art and Cultural Property Law by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 where she is variously described as “extremely client-friendly and keenly astute”; very bright, personable and very, very hard-working”; “fantastic …she gave us a lot of confidence in her knowledge.”; “able to drill down into the detail while distilling her advice in a comprehensible way.” (Chambers & Partners 2025); “extremely user-friendly, she is a complete expert and delivers both precise and practical advice.” (Legal 500 2025); as someone who “mixes forensic skills with an artistic background, which makes a formidable  combination.” (Chambers & Partners 2024); and as an “Art fraud and contractual breach expert…A phenomenal junior, unflappable and extremely hard-working” (Legal 500, 2021).

Claudia is an experienced and confident advocate both orally and on paper. Her written work has been described as “faultless…she has a brilliant writing style” (Legal 500 2023). It has also been said that she “charms judges out of trees” (Legal 500 2019). She is comfortable acting across the spectrum of Chambers’ expertise, including in relation to civil fraud & asset recovery; injunctive relief; insurance; shipping; arbitration and related court proceedings; banking & finance; investment management; jurisdictional issues; art and cultural property; and employment. She acts frequently (including as sole counsel) in Commercial and Circuit Commercial Court proceedings, and in arbitrations under the LCIA, ICC, LMAA rules as well as ad hoc arbitrations. Claudia’s cases frequently involve an international element and she is accustomed to working closely with foreign lawyers in relation to matters of foreign law.

She is uniquely familiar with the DIFC and she has advised the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts on their Arbitration and Court Rules.

Claudia is the author of Those Wild Wyndhams, a biography of the Wyndham sisters (William Collins, HarperCollins, 2014 (UK and worldwide); Knopf 2018 (US)), which won the Slightly Foxed Best  First Biography Prize 2014. She is also co-author of Heroes (Quercus 2007). She is currently working on her next work, a biography of a French revolutionary, also to be published by William Collins. In her previous career as an actress she appeared on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National Theatre, and on television in series for the BBC and ITV. She has four children aged between 2 and 7.

 

Examples of recent cases

Claudia’s current/recent cases, which are typical of the variety of her practice include:

  • Advising (as junior to Richard Millett KC) an offshore company in relation to a complex and wide-ranging piece of offshore insolvency.
  • Arbitration (under the LCIA Rules) (as junior to David Craig KC) concerning a dispute between a company and former employees. Hearing in May 2024.
  • Arbitration under the ICC Rules (as junior to David Joseph KC) in a dispute concerning alleged loan agreements.
  • Acting (as junior to Ruth Den Besten KC) in relation to the securing of a freezing order in the Commercial Court.
  • As sole counsel, representing a company in a claim against a foreign company for sums due under a distribution agreement (Circuit Commercial Court).
  • As sole counsel, representing a company in a claim against a foreign company for sums due under a settlement agreement (Commercial Court).
  • As sole counsel, advising on disputes in relation to a limited partnership deed, including the validity of designations thereunder.
  • Qatar Investments & Projects Development Holding Co and His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah al Thani v John Eskenazi Limited and John Eskenazi [2022] EWHC 3023 (Comm): acted (as junior to Andrew Green KC) for defendant dealer and his company in a high profile authenticity dispute.
What Others Say

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2025, Art & Cultural Property:

“Claudia is very bright, personable and very, very hard-working.”

“She focuses on the issues in dispute and is able to drill down into the detail while distilling her advice in a comprehensible way.”

“Claudia is extremely client-friendly and keenly astute.”

“She gave very good and clear advice and dealt well with the lay client.”

“She was fantastic because she gave us a lot of confidence in her knowledge.”

Legal 500 2025, Art & Cultural Property:

“Claudia is extremely user-friendly, she is a complete expert and delivers both precise and practical advice.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2024, Art & Cultural Property:

“Claudia mixes forensic skills with an artistic background, which makes a formidable combination.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2023, Art & Cultural Property:

“She’s very smart, has got a lot of experience and really does specialise in the art field.”

“Very much all over the detail and will put every effort into a case, pulling out all the stops.”

Legal 500 UK Bar 2023, Media and Entertainment: Art and Cultural Property (Tier 1, Leading Juniors):

“Her written work is faultless. She has a brilliant writing style. She is extremely collaborative – certainly one of her strengths.”

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2022, Art & Cultural Property:

“She is good with clients and her written work is of extremely high quality.”

Legal 500 UK Bar 2022, Media and Entertainment: Art and Cultural Property (Tier 1, Leading Juniors):

“Incredibly diligent, hard-working – a no-nonsense junior.”

Legal 500 UK Bar 2021, Media and Entertainment: Art and Cultural Property (Tier 1, Leading Juniors):

‘Art fraud and contractual breach expert…A phenomenal junior, unflappable and extremely hard-working’

Legal 500 UK Bar 2020 (Media and Entertainment: Art and Cultural Property (Tier 1, Leading Juniors):

‘A phenomenal and unflappable junior with encyclopaedic knowledge.’

Legal 500 UK Bar 2019, Media and Entertainment: Art and Cultural Property (Tier 1, Leading Juniors):

‘She is multi-talented, adaptable and charms judges out of trees.’ 

The Legal 500 UK Bar 2017, Media and Entertainment: Art and Cultural Property (Tier 1, Leading Juniors):

‘She has it all and will go a very long way.’ 

Arbitration & related court applications

Arbitrations include:

  • Arbitration under the ICC Rules (as junior to David Joseph KC) in a dispute concerning alleged loan agreements.
  • Arbitration under the LCIA Rules (as junior to David Craig KC) concerning a dispute between a company and former employees. Hearing in May 2024.
  • Ad hoc arbitration (as junior to Nigel Eaton KC) concerning claims under bills of lading.
  • Expedited arbitration (as junior to Paul Stanley KC) concerning a claim under a PRI policy. Hearing February to May 2021.
  • Ad hoc arbitration (as junior to Paul Stanley KC) concerning a dispute between limited liability partners in an investment management
  • Arbitration under the LMAA Terms (2012) (as junior to David Joseph KC) concerning commission claims under agency and brokerage agreements
  • Arbitration under the LMAA Terms (2012) (as junior to Jern-Fei Ng KC) concerning claims for substantial sums in respect of alleged breach of contract by failure to nominate
  • Related arbitrations under the LMAA Terms (2012) (as junior to David Joseph KC) concerning disputes arising out of the provision of consultancy services in relation to the oil and gas industry.
  • Arbitration under the American Arbitration Association Rules (as junior to Richard Millett KC) concerning disputes arising out of a global distribution Settled in advance of a six week hearing.
  • Arbitration under the ICC Rules (as sole counsel), concerning disputes arising out of a Founders Agreement.
  • Arbitration under the DIAC Arbitration Rules (2007) (on secondment with King & Wood Mallesons in Dubai, led by Stephen Dennison KC, Rupert Reed KC and Riaz Hussain) in respect of construction claims.
  • Arbitration under the ICC Rules (as junior counsel in a team) involving a claim against a conglomerate in the industrial sector.
  • Ad hoc arbitration (as junior to Jeffrey Gruder KC) acting for an oil company in a dispute brought by a major rig company.
  • Arbitration under the LMAA Terms (as junior to Chris Smith KC) involving the management of a specialist support vessel
  • Ad hoc arbitration (as junior to Chris Smith KC) in relation to disputes concerning a luxury yacht upon delivery.

Claudia is very familiar with the issues presented by parallel court/arbitration proceedings. Her experience includes:

  • Advising (as junior to David Joseph KC) on issues in relation to parallel court/arbitral proceedings, including in relation to applications under s. 32, Arbitration Act 1996 (ongoing)
  • Advising (as junior to David Joseph KC) on issues in relation to a stay of court proceedings under 9, Arbitration Act 1996 or the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
  • Bocimar International NV v Emirates Trading Agency LLC CFI 008/2015 [2015]: Acted (as junior to Rupert Reed KC) in a protracted cross-jurisdictional dispute in the Commercial Court and the Dubai International Financial Centre Court seeking the enforcement in Dubai of LMAA arbitral awards rendered in the owner’s favour for sums of over US$ 114 million and subsequently entered as judgments of the Commercial Court under 66, Arbitration Act 1996. Secured a worldwide freezing order in the DIFC Courts in the sum of US$118m.
  • With Lord Saville, Claudia advised the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts on its Arbitration Rules 2015.
Civil fraud & asset recovery

Examples of recent cases include:

  • Acting (as junior to Ruth den Besten KC) for the Receivers of an offshore company against transferees of sums transferred allegedly in breach of a freezing order, including in relation to securing injunctive relief.
  • Acted (as junior to Richard Millett KC) for the Receivers of offshore companies in multi-jurisdictional litigation concerning the disputed ownership of shares.
  • Advised (as junior to Sue Prevezer KC) a foreign investment fund in relation to a multi-million dollar investment fund fraud claim against FCA regulation investment managers, involving allegations of deceit, conspiracy, bribery, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt and questions concerning the proper law of contractual and tortious
  • Acted (as junior to David Joseph KC) in an arbitration under the LMAA Terms (2012) concerning a claim for commission under agency and brokerage agreements in relation to underlying drilling contracts involving allegations of fraud and breach of contract and questions of foreign law.
  • Instructed (as junior to Richard Millett KC) in a substantial arbitration involving cross-claims of alleged breaches of contract in relation to a global distribution agreement, fraudulent misrepresentation, allegations of fraud and conspiracy and breaches of foreign Settled in advance of a six week hearing.
  • Advised (as junior to Paul McGrath KC) a Nigerian bank in relation to injunctive relief, including freezing  injunctions and search orders.

 

Commercial dispute resolution

Current/recent cases include:

  • Representing a company in a dispute concerning whether sums are due under disputed loan and settlement agreements. Large scale proceedings with parallel proceedings in litigation and arbitration.
  • Advising (led by Richard Millett KC) offshore companies in relation to claims under limited partnership deeds in the context of large scale insolvency proceedings.
  • Advising (led by Paul Stanley KC) in respect of regulatory and contractual claims concerning disputes arising out of an asset purchase agreement.
  • Acting (led by David Craig KC) for a company in claims against former employees for breaches of the contract.
  • Advising (led by Hugh Mercer KC) in respect of a draft settlement agreement concerning disputes arising out of a share purchase agreement.
  • As sole counsel, representing a company in a claim against a foreign company for sums due under a distribution agreement (Circuit Commercial Court).
  • As sole counsel, representing a company in a claim against a foreign company for sums due under a settlement agreement (Commercial Court).
  • As sole counsel, advising on disputes in relation to a limited partnership deed, including the validity of designations thereunder.
  • As sole counsel, representing an individual in relation to disputes arising out of a subscription and shareholders agreement, including disputes as to the exercising of share purchase options thereunder (Circuit Commercial Court).

Past cases include:

  • Sotheby’s v Mark Weiss Ltd: instructed (as junior to Joe Smouha KC) by the first defendant, an art gallery and the third defendant, its owner, in a case concerning the sale of an alleged Old Master (said to by Frans Hals) under a private treaty agreement which was then then alleged to be counterfeit. Judgment handed down December 2019. Appeal heard November 2020.
  • ICICI Bank UK plc v Assam Oil Co & Ors [2019] EWHC 50 (Comm): Instructed (as junior to David Joseph KC) by the defendant oil company to resist a summary judgment claim for $70 million under a term loan said to be due.
  • Jamal v Christensen [2018] EWHC 2261 (Ch) Instructed (as sole counsel) to act for the applicant. Successfully applied to set aside a statutory demand, establishing the novel point of law that an action on a foreign judgment of over six years old was time-barred for the purposes of an English claim under the Limitation Act 1980 s. 5.
  • Advised (as junior to Paul Stanley KC), in relation to injunctive relief sought  in relation to the transfer of payment protection insurance (PPI) claims.
  • Acted (as junior to Richard Millett KC) for the Receivers of the shares of offshore companies and the Directors of those companies in multi-jurisdictional litigation concerning the disputed ownership of those shares.
  • Advised (as junior to David Foxton KC (as he then was)) a leading international airline in relation to issues arising out of an agreement for the purchase of an airplane and proceedings in the Singapore Courts.
  • Acted (as junior to Richard Millett KC) for a logistics company in a case involving      allegations of breach of confidence, fraudulent misrepresentation and conspiracy in relation to information allegedly unlawfully procured in advance of a handover from one logistics provider to another. Settled in advance of a six-week hearing in the Chancery Court.
  • Grizzly Business Limited v Stena Drilling Limited and Stena Drillmax I Limited [2014] EWHC 1920 (Comm): Instructed (as junior to Andrew Hochhauser KC) to act for the Respondents at first instance and on appeal (on points of fact) in a case concerning whether there was an oral agreement for a success fee in relation to an underlying drilling contract.

With Lord Hope of Craighead, Claudia advised the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts on its Court Procedure Rules.

Conflict of laws & private international law

Claudia has advised on matters relating to jurisdiction, stays, injunctions and proper law. Cases include:

  • As junior to Sue Prevezer KC, advising a foreign investment fund in relation to a multi-million dollar investment fund fraud claim against FCA regulation investment managers, involving allegations of deceit, conspiracy, bribery, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt and questions concerning the proper law of contractual and tortious claims.
  • As junior to Hugh Mercer KC, advising a foreign fund on claims for the recovery of sums due in respect of global notes issued under a deed of Indenture. The claims involve questions of rights granted under the lex situs and questions of foreign law.
  • As junior to Sara Cockerill KC (as she then was), acting in a one day jurisdictional hearing in the High Court.
Employment

Claudia practices in all areas of employment law, including discrimination, wrongful and unfair dismissal (including redundancy), claims concerning the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (“TUPE”), restrictive covenants and whistleblowing. She acts for claimants and respondents.

Cases include:

  • Arbitration under the LCIA Rules concerning a dispute between a company and former employees (led by David Craig KC). Hearing in May 2024.
  • Guy Carpenter & Co Ltd & ors v Howden Group Holdings Limited & ors (2023) Acted, led by Louise Hutton KC in respect of individuals who were the subject of a joinder application to those proceedings.
  • Willis Ltd & Ors v (1) Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Plc (2) JLT Specialty Ltd (3) David Gordon (4) Barry Vickery QBD [2015]: Acted (led by David Craig KC) for the Third and Fourth Defendants in a substantial case involving the insurance broking industry.
  • Bates van Winkelhof v Clyde & Co LLP [2014] UKSC 32: Acted as junior counsel to Tom Linden KC and David Craig for the successful appellant, a former member of the Respondent The Supreme Court held that the appellant was a worker within the meaning of s.230(3) (b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 and thus entitled to bring a whistleblowing claim against the LLP.

As sole counsel, cases include:

  • Acting for an individual, a former head of an advertising agency, in relation to disputes arising out of a share purchase agreement (Circuit Commercial Court).
  • Acting in relation to claims under a share purchase agreement in a claim for over US$100 m in respect of alleged breaches of contract (including breach of warranty) and claims in deceit in matters relating, inter alia, to historic investments made through third party custodians in accounts managed by Bernard Madoff (Commercial Court).
  • Acting for the successful defendant employer in a three day unfair dismissal and pregnancy discrimination trial in the Employment Tribunal.
  • Acting for the Claimant in a case concerning payments claimed under related sale and purchase and share options agreements and concerning the misappropriation of assets in excess of US$50 million.
  • Negotiating a high value settlement deal for a claimant employee.
Media, art, entertainment

Claudia has been recognized since 2017 by The Legal 500 as a leading junior (Tier 1) for Art & Cultural Property Law, which describes her as an “Art fraud and contractual breach expert… A phenomenal junior, unflappable and extremely hard-working.’ (2021). She is comfortable across the entire range of art-related work and has been described as a “complete expert” in art-related matters.

Her high-profile cases include:

  • Qatar Investments & Projects Development Holding Co and His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah al Thani v John Eskenazi Limited and John Eskenazi [2022] EWHC 3023 (Comm): acted (as junior to Andrew Green KC) for defendant dealer and his company in a high profile authenticity dispute.
  • Sotheby’s v Mark Weiss Ltd: instructed (led by Joe Smouha KC) to act for the first defendant, an art gallery and the third defendant, its owner, in a case concerning the sale of an alleged Old Master (said to be by Frans Hals).

As sole counsel, Claudia’s instructions cover the range of art-related litigation including:

  • Advising in relation to potential claims arising out of damage incurred to a painting during an international gallery tour.
  • Advising in relation to the movement of valuable objects between jurisdictions.
  • Acting for an individual, a former head of an advertising agency, in relation to disputes arising out of a share purchase agreement.
  • Acting and advising in relation to a breach of a settlement agreement concerning the apportionment of works of art under a Tomlin Order
  • Advising in relation to potential claims arising out of the purchase of a work by Andy Warhol
  • Advising in relation to sums allegedly due under contracts for sale in respect of lots at auction.
  • Acting (in a one day expert determination) for a collective management organisation seeking admittance to membership of a body to enable it to collect statutory revenue for its members.
  • Acting for an art collector in respect of claims brought against them by an art dealer (Commercial Court).
  • Acting in relation to a copyright dispute concerning a filmed performance (Mercantile Court).
  • Advising an advertising agency in relation to breach of contract claims.
  • Acting for an opera company in relation to breach of contract claims relating to a cancelled musical event (English National Opera v Speckulation Entertainment Limited)
Public international law

As junior to Ricky Diwan KC, acting for a foreign state resisting the enforcement of a $48 million judgment debt under the State Immunity Act 1978.

Career

2011 – 2012 Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers
2011 Called to the Bar, Gray’s Inn
2003 – 2009 Professional actor and writer

Education

2015                   Attended Keble Advocacy Course
2010 – 2011     BPTC, City University Law School (Outstanding, ranked 8th in year)
2009 – 2010   GDL, City University Law School (Distinction)
2000 – 2003  BA (Hons) in Modern History, Trinity College, Oxford (First class, ranked 4th in year)

Awards

2014 Pegasus Scholar, Inner Temple

2010 Bedingfield Scholarship, Gray’s Inn

2009 Anthony Bessemer Clark Award, Gray’s Inn

2003 Oxford University Gibbs Book Prize for Modern History

2003 Trinity College, Oxford, Finals Prize

2003 Trinity College, Commendation, R.A. Knox Memorial Prize

2001 Ford Exhibition for Modern History (awarded for a First in Honour Moderations)

Other Awards:

2012 Commendation, James Hunt Advocacy Prize (Gray’s Inn)

2010 Runner-up, City University Moot

2014 Those Wild Wyndhams awarded the Slightly Foxed Best First Biography Prize by the Biographers’ Club

2014 Selected by The Observer in capacity as an historian as a ‘rising star’ of 2014

2010 Selected by Vogue magazine in capacity as an historian to be part of the feature ‘Bright Stars’: one of 32 young people from various fields whose careers were identified as worth following (VOGUE, January 2010)

2007 Commendation, Ian Charleson Award (Awarded by the Royal National Theatre and the Sunday Times for ‘outstanding performances by actors under 30 in classical roles’)