George Berry

• Acted for individuals in relation to enforcement action by the FCA with regard to alleged breaches of listing rules and subsequent appeal to the Upper Tribunal, a significant case for the regulated banking industry and for directors of listed entities in interpreting directors' duties under the Listing Rules, particularly in circumstances of reliance on legal advice.

• Acted for a financial institution in obtaining interim anti-suit relief against a Russian petrochemical company that had brought proceedings in Russia in breach of an arbitration agreement between the parties. This matter is one of a collection of three associated proceedings in which authority was developed as to whether antisuit injunctive relief is available for English law governed arbitration agreements providing for foreign seated arbitration.

• Acted for a manufacturer of automobile components in applying for and successfully obtaining an anti-suit injunction against proceedings in India brought by a JV partner's parent, in breach of an exclusive jurisdiction clause.

• Advising an ultra-high-net-worth individual on a long-running, multibillion-dollar family trusts dispute, seeking to set aside Bermudian purpose trusts in order to return assets to the family heirs and pursuing related claims in a number of other jurisdictions. The main action involved an 80 day trial in the Supreme Court of Bermuda from April to September 2021 and was held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. The total value of the client's claim was in excess of US $20 billion and is thought to be the largest value claim brought by an individual globally in 2021 and one of the most significant and lengthy trials in Bermudian history. Other ancillary proceedings have involved appeals to the Court of Appeal in Bermuda and to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

• A client secondment to a technology conglomerate, which involved managing significant competition litigation (including class actions), regulatory investigations, as well as data protection, privacy and defamation litigation & advice.

• Acted for a tech platform in relation to investigation and enforcement proceedings concerning breaches of data protection legislation.

• Advised a tech platform in relation to regulatory inquiries with regards to DSA compliance.

• Acted for a news publisher in relation to a construction dispute involving complex expert evidence.

• Acted for a prominent Middle Eastern businessman in relation to high-value fraud proceedings brought against another Middle Eastern businessman and his offshore vehicles.

• Acting for Middle Eastern public sector bodies in relation to wide ranging civil fraud actions, principally in the Financial Services Division of the Grand Cayman Courts, arising out of investments in a Cayman fund focussed on port related assets.

• Acted for a manufacturer of automobile components in relation to proceedings brought against the company by a JV partner, which sought to challenge an appropriation of shares under the Financial Collateral Arrangements (No 2) Regulations 2003. The case went to trial in July 2022 and marks one of the first cases in the English courts in relation to the regulations.

• Advising a legacy energy supplier in relation to the potential challenge of a government department decisions.

• Acted for the security agent in an expedited challenge to a CVA agreed by its creditors.

• Acted for a multinational networking and communications company in relation to an investigation into corporate governance practices.

• Acted for a Fortune 500 company in relation to investigations by the SFO and CMA following allegations of anti-competitive conduct such as price-fixing and bribery in the construction sector.

• Pro bono matters including assisting a charity with providing free advice to parents and carers in relation to employment rights.

George has worked on a number of pro bono matters, advising clients on a broad range of issues from exploring contractual claims to assisting with witness statements in relation to a coroner's inquest.

George has also participated in a number of the Firm's CSR programmes, including the PRIME initiative, for which the Firm regularly hosts work experience and events focused on broadening social mobility within the legal profession.