Louise Hutton KC

Professional practice

Louise’s practice covers commercial and commercial/chancery litigation and arbitration, including banking and finance litigation, fraud, and insolvency.

She is recommended in Chambers and Partners for Chancery: Commercial, for Fraud: Civil, for Banking & Finance and for Restructuring & Insolvency. She is described as a “phenomenal silk”, “excellent”, “on top of the detail”, “good at thinking commercially about the case from the client’s perspective” and “a real team player”. She is recommended for Banking & Finance, for Fraud: Civil and for Insolvency in the Legal 500, where she is described as “exceptionally bright” and a “Super smart and user-friendly, impactful advocate”.

Louise’s recent work has included:

Anti-suit injunctions in support of arbitration agreements and exclusive jurisdiction clauses in the context of sanctions, including:

JP Morgan Securities plc & Ors v VTB Bank PJSC [2025] EWHC 1386 (Comm) (permission given by Foxton J for appeal to the Court of Appeal),
Airbus Canada v Joint Stock Company Ilyushin Finance Co [2024] EWHC 790 (Comm), and
Barclays Bank plc v Sovcombank [2024] EWHC 1338 (Comm).

Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Limited: acting for the Plaintiffs in a dispute arising out of a long-running fraud committed by an employee of Credit Suisse. The Plaintiffs’ claims succeeded following trial in Bermuda from October to December 2021 and judgment in the sum of over USD600m was upheld after an appeal heard by the Bermuda Court of Appeal over 5 days in December The Defendant’s appeal, and the Plaintiffs’ cross-appeal (on an implied misrepresentation claim which succeeded at first instance), were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council over 4 days in June 2025.

Okuashvili v Ivanishvili & Ors; Allied Global Tobacco Ltd v JSC Tbilisi Tobacco & Ors [2025] EWHC 829 (Ch): acting for a defendant in successful 5 day Chancery Division jurisdiction challenge to two claims in conspiracy (and other torts) and in unjust enrichment arising out of alleged acts in Georgia.

Louise acted for HSBC in Stanford International Bank Limited (in liquidation) v HSBC Bank plc, defending claims for breach of the Quincecare duty and in dishonest assistance, arising from the Ponzi scheme of Allen Stanford. The trial was due to be one of the Lawyer’s Top Trials of 2021. HSBC successfully applied to strike out the vast majority of the claims: Court of Appeal decision at [2021] 1 WLR 3507, and Supreme Court at [2023] AC 761.

Louise acted for LBHI2 (one of the two shareholders of Lehman Brothers International (Europe)) throughout the Lehman “Waterfall I” litigation, which included the issue of currency conversion claims (on which LBHI2 succeeded in the Supreme Court [2017] UKSC 38) as well as issues of the construction of subordinated debt agreements, statutory interest entitlement, the extent of the s.74 liability of members, and the application of insolvency set-off. She also acted for LBHI2 in the “Waterfall III” application and LBIE scheme of arrangement.

Louise has been called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI).

What Others Say

Louise is recommended in four areas across Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500: Banking and Finance, Fraud: Civil, Chancery: Commercial, and Restructuring and Insolvency.

Comments in the 2025 editions include:

“Super smart and user-friendly, impactful advocate.”
“Louise is a phenomenal silk. She is such a bright, able and hardworking character, and incredibly knowledgeable and articulate.”
“Louise is excellent. She’s on top of the detail and good at thinking commercially about the case from the client’s perspective.”
“She is a pleasure to work with.”

Comments in the 2024 editions include:

“Absolutely outstanding. Louise Hutton has such a great manner.”
“Very good, very hard-working and very personable.”
“Louise is exceptional. She produces excellent paperwork and is an extremely effective advocate.”
“She produces absolutely first-rate legal arguments.”
“Judges like her, and she’s a joy to work with.”

Banking & financial services

Louise is recommended for Banking and Finance work in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.

She is described as “an accomplished advocate” with “a fiercely analytical mind”, “Calm and clear under pressure. Totally unflappable” and with “a track record of coming up with the winning point others have missed”. She is said to be “A very polished and a strong performer”, who has “been involved in some of the most interesting work around”; “her combination of expertise in insolvency, banking litigation and fraud is invaluable.”

Louise has wide-ranging experience of work in this area, her instructions having included:

Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Limited: acting for the Plaintiffs in a dispute arising out of a long-running fraud committed by an employee of Credit Suisse. The Plaintiffs’ claims succeeded following trial in Bermuda from October to December 2021 and judgment in the sum of over USD600m was upheld after an appeal heard by the Bermuda Court of Appeal over 5 days in December 2022. The Defendant’s appeal, and the Plaintiffs’ cross-appeal (on an implied misrepresentation claim which succeeded at first instance), were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council over 4 days in June 2025.

Claims for misrepresentation and negligence against a bank brought by an investor in notes linked to the performance of a fund offering exposure to trade receivables.

Various applications for anti-suit injunctions in support of arbitration agreements and exclusive jurisdiction clauses in the context of sanctions, including:

JPMorgan Securities plc & Ors v VTB Bank PJSC [2025] EWHC 1368 (Comm) (permission given by Foxton J for appeal to the Court of Appeal)
Airbus Canada v Joint Stock Company Ilyushin Finance Co [2024] EWHC 790 (Comm)
Barclays Bank plc v Sovcombank [2024] EWHC 1338 (Comm).

Invest Bank PSC v EL-Husseini [2022] EWHC 894 (Comm), acting for a defendant to claims under s.423 Insolvency Act 1986.

Stanford International Bank Limited (in liquidation) v HSBC Bank plc: acting for HSBC defending claims for breach of the Quincecare duty and in dishonest assistance, arising from the Ponzi scheme of Allen Stanford. The trial was due to be one of the Lawyer’s Top Trials of 2021. HSBC successfully applied to strike out the vast majority of the claims: Court of Appeal decision at [2021] 1 WLR 3507, and Supreme Court at [2023] AC 761.

Madison Pacific Trust Ltd v Shakoor Capital: application by bond trustee for directions in relation to arbitration award. Also acted in the underlying LCIA arbitration.

Re Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“Waterfall I”): application for directions, ultimately determined by the Supreme Court, by the administrators of three companies in the Lehman Brothers group seeking the determination of various issues arising from the fact that LBIE had a substantial surplus after the payment of all its unsubordinated proved debts. Issues included construction of subordinated debt agreements.

Lehman Brothers Luxembourg Investments SARL v Lehman Brothers UK Holdings Limited (in administration): claim for declaratory relief in relation to subordinated debt agreements.

Pine River Asia Master Fund Ltd v Castex Technologies Ltd & Ors: claims relating to alleged share price manipulation in relation to convertible bonds, and consequences for a number of Asset Swapped Convertible Option Transactions (ASCOTs).

Sukhoruchkin v Van Bekestein: acting for claimants in claims arising out of the management of an offshore investment fund.

RBS v Highland: applications for anti-suit injunctions to restrain proceedings in Texas and whether a previous judgment (on sums due following termination of a collateralised debt obligation) should be set aside as having been obtained by fraud.

EIIB v AHAB: acting for a syndicate of banks, headed by EIIB, in their claim to recover sums due under an Islamic financing facility from the Algosaibi partnership, defended on grounds of alleged fraud on the part of Maan Al-Sanea.

Interactive Investor v City Index: acting for City Index at first instance and on appeal to the Court of Appeal, defending claims by Interactive Investor for injunctions in relation to the conduct of the “Wind Down Periods” of the white label trading arrangements between Interactive and City Index.

JPMorgan Chase v Wockhardt: Advising and acting for an investment bank in a claim for sums due in respect of range accrual transactions under an ISDA Master Agreement; issues included non reliance clauses. Commercial Court. Claim settled shortly before trial.

HSBC v 5th Avenue and Brown:: acting for HSBC, both on appeal to the Court of Appeal and for the eight week Commercial Court trial (at the time, subject to reporting restrictions). HSBC successfully defended claims arising from the bank fraud perpetrated by Michael Brown, the Liberal Democrat donor convicted for that fraud. The trial was one of The Lawyer’s “Top Trials of 2007”.

Acting for an investment bank in obtaining without notice injunctive relief to restrain misuse of commercially sensitive confidential information. Chancery Division proceedings settled.

Shalson v Russo: Chancery Division trial involving asset tracing and other issues arising from fraud using sham bank accounts.

Civil fraud & asset recovery

Louise has acted and advised for many years in relation to substantial fraud and asset tracing proceedings, involving claims of deceit/misrepresentation, conspiracy, constructive trust, dishonest assistance, knowing receipt and restitution.

She is recommended for Fraud: Civil in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 where she is described as “Very, very bright, ferociously efficient and utterly charming”, “an incredibly clear thinker” with “a great instinct for what will and won’t matter when the chips are down”, “excellent, particularly for cases with an insolvency dimension” and “impressive in court – unflappable, persuasive in her advocacy”.

Her cases include:

Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Limited: acting for the Plaintiffs in a dispute arising out of a long-running fraud committed by an employee of Credit Suisse. The Plaintiffs’ claims succeeded following trial in Bermuda from October to December 2021 and judgment in the sum of over USD600m was upheld after an appeal heard by the Bermuda Court of Appeal over 5 days in December 2022. The Defendant’s appeal, and the Plaintiffs’ cross-appeal (on an implied misrepresentation claim which succeeded at first instance), were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council over 4 days in June 2025.

Zephyros Marine Ltd v Cluster One and Luke Fehon [2024] EWHC 2583 (Comm): acting for the Claimant, in claim relating to the sale of a yacht, to maintain a freezing injunction and on a successful application for summary judgment.

Acting for the Joint Administrators of NMC Health plc in multi-billion pound claim against various defendants.

Guy Carpenter & Co Ltd v Howden Group Holdings Ltd: acting for two respondents to an application to join them to substantial commercial employment proceedings following a team move, including claims in unlawful means conspiracy, breach of contract and theft of confidential information.

Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Azitio Holdings Ltd: 8 week Commercial Court trial involving allegations of misrepresentation, deceit and conspiracy in claims made by three prominent Ukrainian businessmen.

Latin American Investments Ltd v Maroil Trading Inc: freezing injunctions; joint venture companies; reflective loss; shareholders’ agreements.

Yeung v Zhang: proceedings brought by executors of deceased’s estate to recover assets in the possession of the defendant alleged to be held by her on trust for the deceased; alternatively, to have been transferred pursuant to transactions procured by undue influence; freezing and proprietary injunctions.

Sukhoruchkin v Van Bekestein: acting for claimants in claims for dishonest assistance, knowing receipt, unlawful means conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty arising out of the management of an offshore investment fund. Reflective loss issues in context of freezing and proprietary injunctions.

EIIB v AHAB: claims under an Islamic finance facility, defended on grounds of alleged fraud on AHAB.

HSBC v 5th Avenue and Brown: successfully acting for HSBC at eight week Commercial Court trial and on appeal, defending various claims arising from bank fraud (see above).

Shalson v Russo: civil fraud, asset tracing and contempt of court. Chancery Division.

R v Kelly, McGovern and Munday: during 2002 Louise was instructed by the Crown as part of the team prosecuting an eight month investment fraud trial.

Commercial Chancery Litigation

Louise’s practice is centred on Commercial Chancery work, which extends to include banking, civil fraud, asset tracing and insolvency litigation across the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division, as well as shareholder disputes, and her experience in these related areas is reflected in her cases across the range of Commercial Chancery work and in the directories.

She has been recommended in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 for many years for her Commercial Chancery work. Comments include: “Excellent”, “someone with her name on a lot of big cases, she has an incredible appetite for work” and “very impressive at getting to the nub of the issue”.

Louise’s cases in this area include:

Shallan Overseas Investment Limited v Primefuels Investments Limited: unfair prejudice proceedings under s.184I Business Companies Act 2004 in the BVI.

Claims for misrepresentation and negligence against a bank brought by an investor in notes linked to the performance of a fund offering exposure to trade receivables.

Acting for the Joint Administrators of NMC Health plc in multi-billion pound claim against various defendants.

Invest Bank PSC v EL-Husseini [2022] EWHC 894 (Comm), acting for a defendant to claims under s.423 Insolvency Act 1986.

Oscar Trustee Ltd v MBS Software Solutions Ltd: jurisdiction challenge and summary judgment application in the BVI.

Madison Pacific Trust Ltd v Shakoor Capital Ltd: application by bond trustee for directions in relation to arbitration award. Also acted in the underlying LCIA arbitration.

Instructed in relation to a complex arbitration under UNCITRAL rules relating to a shareholders’ dispute involving British, US and Liberian interests.

Instructed to act in an LCIA arbitration concerning a joint venture agreement concerning a real estate development.

Louise’s experience in this area also includes advising in relation to substantial offshore trusts, applications for accounts and inquiries, applications for the removal of executors and administrators, and advising and acting for the litigation friends of minor beneficiaries of substantial trusts. Her cases in this context include:

Griffin v Merrill Lynch Trust Services SA & Ors: acting for minor beneficiary in claim for appointment of judicial trustees; application for without notice injunctive relief.

In the matter of several trusts: advising and acting for the beneficiaries of substantial trusts in relation to issues arising from the failed retirement and appointment of replacement trustees; applications for Beddoes and other relief.

Birley and Anor v Birley and Others: acting for the litigation friend of the late Mark Birley’s grandson in proceedings relating to the validity of his will.

In the matter of a trust: contested confidential application for directions by trustees of a very substantial trust.

Shalson v Russo: leading case on sham trusts.

Also substantial experience (as detailed under other headings above) of litigation involving the application of trusts law in the commercial context, in particular in the context of fraud or insolvency proceedings.

Insolvency/Restructuring

Insolvency litigation has always played a large part in Louise’s practice and she is recommended for this area of work in the directories, where she is described as “supremely clever”, someone who is “approachable, incredibly bright and will always give her best” and who “cuts through and delivers the winning point she has identified”. Louise is also regularly instructed for her relevant experience in banking, civil fraud or general commercial claims with an insolvency element.

Louise’s insolvency cases include:

Acting for the Joint Administrators of NMC Health plc in multi-billion pound claim against various defendants.

Acting for well-known New York law firm in BVI Insolvency Act 2003 proceedings in relation to a dispute over their fees for New York litigation due from BVI insolvency practitioners.

Re Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (in administration): application for directions by the administrators of LBIE concerning the distribution of surplus funds to LBIE’s sole shareholder.

Re Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (in administration) (“Waterfall I”): application for directions, ultimately determined by the Supreme Court, by the administrators of three companies in the Lehman Brothers group seeking the determination of various issues arising from the fact that LBIE is likely to have a substantial surplus after the payment of all its unsubordinated proved debts. Issues included (i) construction of subordinated debt agreements, (ii) currency conversion claims, (iii) statutory interest entitlement, (iv) extent of s.74 liability of members, (v) provability of s.74 liability while company is in administration, (vi) application of insolvency set-off and (vii) application of the Contributory Rule.

Lehman Brothers Luxembourg Investments SARL v Lehman Brothers UK Holdings Limited (in administration): claim for declaratory relief in relation to subordinated debt agreements.

BLV Realty Ltd v Batten: application to remove administrators on ground of breach of duty to perform their function in interests of company’s creditors as a whole and causing unfair harm to interests of applicant creditor.

Mills v Fielding & Others: acted (for claimant trustee in bankruptcy of a law firm partner convicted of stealing from the firm’s client account) in successfully opposing challenge to English court’s jurisdiction over claim for repayment of loan made by bankrupt. Proceedings subsequently settled shortly before trial.

Air and General Finance Ltd v RYB Marine Ltd & Others: instructed by the administrative receivers of companies operating a marina to defend proprietary claims brought by finance company to the proceeds of sale of certain yachts (Chancery Division and Admiralty Court claims listed to be heard together; proceedings subsequently settled).

Law Society v Balendran: attempt to relitigate issues decided in bankruptcy proceedings by way of annulment application an abuse of process.

Re BRAC Rent-A-Car International Inc: leading case on EC Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings 2000, company incorporated in USA.

Arbitration & related court applications

Louise advises and acts in arbitral proceedings and has particular experience of court applications relating to arbitration proceedings, including applications for anti-suit injunctions to uphold arbitration agreements and applications for freezing orders in support of claims pursued, or to be pursued, in arbitration.

Her experience includes:

Acting for bondholders in an LCIA arbitration involving allegations of fraud.

Advising in relation to a complex arbitration under UNCITRAL rules relating to a shareholders’ dispute involving British, US and Liberian interests.

Acting in an LCIA arbitration concerning a joint venture agreement in respect of a real estate development.

Arbitration-related court applications include:

JPMorgan Securities plc & Ors v VTB Bank PJSC [2025] EWHC 1368 (Comm): anti-suit injunctions including in favour of affiliated companies not party to the arbitration agreements on the grounds of vexation and oppression. Permission to appeal granted by Foxton J.

Airbus Canada v Joint Stock Company Ilyushin Finance Co [2024] EWHC 790 (Comm): anti-suit and anti-enforcement relief in context of Russian sanctions.

Madison Pacific Trust Ltd v Shakoor Capital Ltd [2020] EWHC 610: application by bond trustee for directions in relation to arbitration award. Also acted in the underlying LCIA arbitration.

Memberships

Chancery Bar Association, COMBAR, ILA (Insolvency Lawyers Association), and the Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association

Education

BA (Oxon)

Barrister at Essex Court Chambers

Professional practice