Andrew Westwood KC

Andrew has wide experience in all aspects of commercial chancery work, including business disputes (both contractual and non-contractual), partnership, fiduciary obligations and equitable remedies.   He has been described by Chambers  & Partners as maintaining “an exceptional commercial chancery practice”.  Notable cases include:

• ACON Equity Management Ltd v Apple BIDCO Ltd [2019] EWHC 2750 (Comm)
• Caldero Trading Ltd v Beppler & Jacobson Ltd [2012] EWHC 1609 (Ch)

Bringing and defending claims based on fraud, conspiracy and dishonesty, often involving applications for interim relief, including freezing orders, search orders and Norwich Pharmacal relief. Andrew was instructed by the liquidators of a number of Madoff feeder funds in connection with various pieces of litigation arising out of the largest Ponzi scheme in history. He has recently acted for the liquidators of a number of companies in their multi-million pound claim against accessories based on dishonest assistance, conspiracy and fraudulent trading.  He has also acted for H.M. Revenue & Customs in connection with a substantial number of matters concerning Missing Trader Intra-Community Fraud.  Notable cases include:

• Tradition Financial Services Ltd v Bilta (UK) Ltd [2023] EWCA Civ 112
• Bilta (UK) Ltd (In Liquidation) v Tradition Financial Services Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 221
• Bilta (UK) Ltd (In Liquidation) v SVS Securities Plc [2021] EWHC 36 (Ch)
• Bilta (UK) Ltd (In Liquidation) v SVS Securities Plc & Ors [2017] EWHC 135 (Ch)
• MFT Communications Ltd v HMRC [2014] UKFTT 248 (TC)
• HMRC v Purple Telecom Ltd [2013] UKUT 49 (TC), [2013] STC 1276
• Ixes (UK) Ltd v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 586 (TC)
• Business Management Concepts Ltd v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 520 (TC)
• HMRC v Begum [2010] EWHC 1799 (Ch)
• Procomm Ltd v HMRC [2010] UKFTT 561 (TC)
• Emblaze Mobility Solutions Ltd v HMRC [2010] UKFTT 410 (TC)
• Life Enterprises Ltd v HMRC [2009] UKFTT 340 (TC)

Andrew advises and acts in a wide range of company law matters, including shareholders’ rights and the duties of directors. He has particular expertise in the field of directors’ disqualification and has appeared in many contested cases, including those arising out of a number of high-profile corporate failures. Andrew was a contributor to Mithani on Directors’ Disqualification for many years and is now Advisory Editor. Notable cases include:

• OR v Atkinson [2020] EWHC 2839 (Ch)
• Re Keeping Kids Company [2021] EWHC 175 (Ch)
• Maria Puzitskaya & Ors v St Paul's Mews [2017] EWHC 905 (Ch)
• Caldero Trading Ltd v Beppler Jacobson Ltd [2012] EWHC 1609 (Ch)
• Re Luton Town Football Club Limited [2011] (acted for the Secretary of State in disqualifying four former directors of Luton Town FC)
• Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform v Aaron [2009] Bus LR 809, [2009] 1 BCLC 55
• Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform v Amway (UK) Ltd [2009]
• Re Mea Corporation Ltd [2007] 1 BCLC 618
• Re Vintage Hallmark plc [2007] 1 BCLC 788
• Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Goldberg [2004] 1 BCLC 597 (disqualification in relation to Crystal Palace Football Club)
• Re J A Chapman & Co Ltd [2003] 2 BCLC 206
• Re Promwalk Services Ltd [2003] 2 BCLC 305
• Re Phoneer Ltd [2002] 2 BCLC 241
• Re Britannia Home Centres Ltd [2001] 2 BCLC 63

All aspects of both corporate and personal insolvency, including technical issues under the insolvency legislation, transaction avoidance claims, proceedings by and against insolvency practitioners and cross-border issues. Andrew was instructed by the Official Receiver in relation to various aspects of the insolvency of the Carillion group. Notable cases include:

• Mond v Insolvency Practitioners Association [2023] EWHC 477 (Ch)
• Re Sovereign Hospitals Services Ltd [2018] EWHC 815 (Ch)
• Stichting Shell Pensioenfonds v Krys [2014] UKPC 41, The Times, 1 January 2015
• Re Metrocab Ltd [2010] EWHC 1317 (Ch), [2010] 2 BCLC 603
• Official Receiver v Pyman [2007] All ER (D) 25 (Mar)
• Barca v Mears [2005] 2 FLR 1, [2005] BPIR 15
• Chauhan v Inland Revenue [2004] BPIR 862
• Egleton v Commissioners of Inland Revenue [2004] BPIR 476
• O’Brien v Commissioners of Inland Revenue [2000] BPIR 306

Andrew is called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands) and has appeared before both the High Court and the Court of Appeal there on numerous occasions in relation to insolvency and commercial matters. He has also advised in relation to such matters in the Cayman Islands and the Channel Islands. In particular, Andrew has considerable experience of investment funds and has been instructed by the liquidators of a number of feeder funds in connection with various aspects of the fallout from the Madoff fraud and the conduct of the liquidations. He appeared in the Privy Council in appeals concerned with clawback claims against redeeming investors and anti-suit injunctions. Notable cases include:

• Sancus Financial Holdings Ltd v Holm [2022] UKPC 41, [2022] 1 WLR 5181
• Stichting Shell Pensioenfonds v Krys [2014] UKPC 41, The Times, 1 January 2015 (anti-suit injunctions in insolvency)
• Fairfield Sentry Ltd v Migani [2014] UKPC 9, The Times, 1 May 2014 (clawback claims against redeeming investors)
• Fairfield Sentry Ltd v Farnum Place LLC (litigation arising out of the sale by liquidators of a claim under the US Securities Investor Protection Act)

Andrew has been recommended in the legal directories for many years for his expertise in charity law. He has been described in Chambers UK as having “an outstanding grasp of charity law and corporate know-how” and as being “extremely practical and clear-thinking”. As well as advising and acting for individual charities and charity trustees on a whole range of issues, both contentious and non-contentious, Andrew has also acted for the Attorney General and the Charity Commission on charity matters. In addition, he has lectured and spoken on aspects of charity law and is a member of the Charity Law Association. Notable cases include:

• Human Dignity Trust v Charity Commission for England and Wales (acting for charities interested in Human Dignity Trust’s appeal against the Commission’s refusal to enter it on the register of charities)
• Attorney General v Charity Commission for England and Wales [2012] UKUT 420 (acting for a number of charities in relation to the Attorney General’s Reference relating to charities for the relief of poverty)
• Dunsfold Church of England School Trust, (proceedings in the Charity Tribunal relating to a scheme made by the Commission)

Andrew has substantial experience in connection with all aspects of contentious trusts and estates, including offshore trusts. His experience in this field includes trusts in a commercial setting (both express and remedial/ constructive), particularly in the context of fraud and/ or insolvency.

Andrew has substantial experience in connection with all aspects of contentious trusts and estates, including offshore trusts. His experience in this field includes trusts in a commercial setting (both express and remedial/ constructive), particularly in the context of fraud and/ or insolvency.