Arnold Ayoo

Arnold has extensive experience of handling heavy civil fraud cases, representing clients in both domestic and international matters. He is well-versed in advising on and securing critical interim remedies, including in support of foreign proceedings, and is adept at advising on all key fraud remedies, both personal and proprietary.

Notable cases include:

• B&C v A [2025] (ChD) (unled) - Arnold acts against a two silk and three junior team, representing a data scientist at a hedge fund accused of exfiltrating proprietary trading code. C alleges breach of confidence and seeks springboard relief; including interim applications for imaging, passport and non-complete injunctions.
• BSADE v Kam [2025] (Comm) (unled) - Arnold obtained a £30m freezing order (under s.25 CJJA) (Knowles J) to aid enforcement of a HK$220m judgment, arising out of an underlying fraud. Arnold successfully defeated a discharge application made by D (Butcher J), represented by a silk and junior, and continues to act in the enforcement/asset tracing, which includes a jurisdiction challenge and an appeal to the Court of Appeal (where he will act unled).
  
• Gupta v Shah [2025] (ChD) (unled) - Arnold represents D4 and D6 in a $14m unlawful means conspiracy, dishonest assistance and deceit claim. Arnold successfully resisted C's application for a debarring order ([2024] EWHC 1189 (Ch)) and has made a reverse summary judgment application (heard in June 2025 - judgment awaited). 
• Landmark v Chilambe [2024] (KB) (unled) - Arnold successfully acted (unled) for the defendant before Griffiths J, against a leading silk, in committal proceedings ([2024] EWHC 987 (KB)). C was applying for permission to make a contempt application against D, in order to commit her to prison, on the grounds that D had knowingly made a false statement in an affidavit during massive breach of confidence proceedings which followed a data breach.
  
• Larsson APP fraud [2024] (ChD) - Arnold acted (initially unled) for C in an APP fraud case. C had been defrauded by a fictitious investment scam concerning Elon Musk's 'starlink' business. On the asset tracing side, he obtained BTOs and NPOs against various banks (before Miles J and Leech J). The consequential proceedings (led by Patrick Green KC) against Revolut resulted in a key judgment ([2024] EWHC 1287 (Ch)) on the role and liability of receiving banks.   
• Argyle Rose Ltd v Naaz [2023] (ChD) (unled) - Arnold acted for C in this cross-border breach of confidence/fraud claim. The court granted a £2m freezing order and proprietary and restraining injunctions ([2023] 3 WLUK 835)) in favour of companies which alleged that a former contractor had misused confidential information to divert business to entities under her control, one of which was based in Bulgaria. It also granted permission to serve out of the jurisdiction and by alternative means (WhatsApp). 
• AR & Ors v Loizou [2022] (ChD) (unled) - Represented a lateral flow testing business, which alleged that D fraudulently hacked their websites/email accounts and manipulated software to divert online payments to his own bank account. Cs claimed a fraudulent breach of confidence, passing off various economic torts and damages (estimated over £1m). Arnold successfully obtained interim injunctions (before Johnson J and James Pickering QC as a Deputy HCJ) to return the websites to Cs' control and prevent further breaches of confidence.
  
• Manetta v De Filippo [2020] (ChD) (unled) - Acted as sole counsel for the applicant who applied to adapt an Italian freezing order into an English freezing order for the purpose of its enforcement in this jurisdiction ([2020] EWHC 3460 (QB)). A novel application brought for an ‘adaptation order’ under CPR 74.11A and Article 53 of the Recast Brussels Regulation.

Commercial Litigation

Arnold has extensive experience in heavy commercial litigation, often appearing in cases with an international element. He is shortlisted by the Legal 500 for Commercial Litigation Junior of the Year 2025 and is ranked as a leader in this field by both Chambers UK and Legal 500. His practice covers the spectrum of claims arising from commercial business arrangements. 

Notable cases include:

• Barton v Gwyn-Jones [2023] UKSC 3 (led by Brad Pomfret KC) - Acted for the respondent in a landmark appeal on contract/unjust enrichment before the Supreme Court ([2023] UKSC 3). It concerned the contractual allocation of risk, implied terms, the sanctity of contracts principle, and the limits of unjust enrichment where a contract subsists.
• SW v OR [2025] (Comm) (leading Kate Gardiner and William Moody) - Instructed by the liquidator of a Tanzanian Oil Company in a $90m breach of contract, unjust enrichment, unlawful means conspiracy, and breach of fiduciary duty dispute in relation to interlinking oil and gas development agreements. 
  
• Alphier v Blyvoor Gold [2025](ChD) (leading Kate Gardiner) - Acts for C in a $2.7m commission claim arising out of a broker's procurement of a $60m investment into a South African gold mine. Case has included the defeat of D's security for costs and strike out application ([2024] EWHC 2649 (Ch)). Arnold will act in a 3-day trial in October 2025. 
• Jewkes v Watson [2025] (ChD) (unled) - Arnold is instructed by C in a $700,000 debt claim relating to unpaid instalments under a deed of assignment, defended on grounds of undue influence. In November 2023, Arnold appeared in the ChD and was successful in striking out three (out of four) strands of the defence – non est factum, duress and frustration ([2023] EWHC 2993 (Ch)). He will act in a four-day trial in 2026.
• Damoco (Bermuda) Limited  Atlanta Bidco [2023] (Comm) (unled) - Acted for 8 claimants (including the liquidator of a Bermudan company) who sought $20m in deferred consideration following the $104m sale of their shares to D (represented by a silk and a junior). Ds disputed the enforceability of the accountant's expert determination which crystallised the 'deferred consideration' figure.

Commercial Arbitration

Arnold’s international arbitration work has encompassed contractual disputes involving interpretation, termination and breach; fraud claims; allegations of repudiatory breach and estoppel; claims for specific performance and other mandatory remedies; quantification of loss requiring complex modelling; admissibility of documents and disclosure in the arbitral context; proof and application of foreign law by expert evidence; and assistance with and presentation of other expert evidence.

Notable cases include:

• MM v HZ [2025] (ICC – London Seat) (unled) - Acted in a $2m ICC arbitration concerning a multinational franchise agreement – breach of contract.
• AZ v UL [2024] (ICC - London Seat) (unled) - Acted in an ICC arbitration between an Eastern European government owned oil company and its pipeline supplier in a breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breach of trust claim.
• SO v IP [2020] (ICC - London Seat) - a $6m ICC arbitration between a government appointed oil exploration company (for whom Arnold acted, as sole counsel) and its production sharing partner. The breach of contract case involved the interpretation of interlinking production sharing, joint operating, and farmout agreements between an African State, the oil exploration company and its relevant partners.

Arnold is recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior in this field (Tier 1). He has a breadth of experience in insolvency and restructuring proceedings, and is at home in complex, contested disputes. His practice covers contentious and non-contentious, personal and corporate insolvency and restructuring – including administrations, voluntary arrangements, liquidations, bankruptcy and claims under the Insolvency Act 1986, especially wrongful and fraudulent trading, misfeasance, preferences, transactions at an undervalue and transactions to defraud creditors.

Notable cases include:

• Doran v County Rentals Limited [2022] (ChD/Court of Appeal) (unled) - Appeared for the petitioner in the High Court ([2021] EWHC 3478 (Ch)) and Court of Appeal ([2022] EWCA Civ 1376). The case concerned the interaction between insolvency and coronavirus. The CA clarified the proper construction of the provisions of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 in place until October 2021, which placed restrictions on the winding up of companies affected by coronavirus. 
• LW v C & others [2023] (ChD) (unled) - Acted in a £4m claim under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (intention to defraud creditors). C averred that the third defendant, whom Arnold represents, conspired with D1/D2 to sell commercial developments at massive undervalues, depriving the claimant of the true value of its security.
• Re Daman National Limited [2025] (ChD) (unled) - Arnold represented (and continues to represent) the Joint Liquidators in various applications in a complex liquidation in relation to a company suspected of fraudulent activity, including: (i) an application pursuant to s.236 Insolvency Act 1986 for an order that the respondents provide information in relation to the company (ii) an allied application for an arrest warrant against a delinquent s.236 respondent, resulting in his detention at Gatwick Airport (and subsequent examination) and (iii) an application for a validation order, dismissed by ICC Judge Prentis on the ground that the continued trade would be illegal.
• Scandico v Tronic [2025] (ChD) (unled) - Validation order application and joint liquidators’ cross application for a declaration that six figure payments are void, pursuant to s.127 Insolvency Act 1986. Arnold is continuing to represent the joint liquidators.
• Re Company A [2025] (ChD) (Insolvency & Companies Court) (unled) - Advising and acting for the joint liquidators dispute concerning a series of seven figure payments made by the Company amounting to 1) a transaction at an undervalue; (2) s.423 claim (transaction defrauding creditors) and (3) unjust enrichment.
• Reputation Exchange PLC v Paneleven [2022] (ChD) (unled) - Appeared for the respondent in an injunction to prevent the presentation of a winding up petition. The judgment ([2022] EWHC 3627 (Ch) concerned the proper standard of proof in substantial dispute allegations, cross-claims and counterclaims.
• Wolf Rock (Cornwall) Limited v Langhelle [2021] (ChD) (unled) - Successfully acted for the petitioner at trial and appeal. At trial, Arnold obtained a compulsory winding up order and resisted attempts to bring cross claims of £7m. At appeal ([2021] B.C.C.67), HHJ Matthews decided key questions on insolvency procedure and the jurisdiction to make a winding up order where the sum is ‘unliquidated’ or concerns damages. It appears in Sealy & Milman 24th Ed (2021) in the commentary to both IR 7.16 and s.124(1) Insolvency Act 1986.
• Charlton v Funding Circle [2019] (ChD) (unled) - Acted for the Trustee in Bankruptcy in an appeal before the Vice Chancellor following an application to annul a bankruptcy ([2019] EWHC 2701 (Ch)). The VC decided the proper interpretation of s.265(2) of the 1986 Act (in respect of domicile, residence and carrying on business).

Arnold is as a Tier 1 leading junior in company law (Legal 500 2025) and acts in partnership and shareholder disputes, including unfair prejudice petitions and derivative actions.

Notable cases include:

• Re DTSN Limited [2025] (ChD) (unled) - s.994 petition (share value of c£3m) concerning two Michelin starred restaurants. Allegations of misappropriation of company property and diversion of business. Arnold is instructed to trial (against a leading silk).
• Re C&A Assets Limited [2024] (ChD) (unled) - s.994 Petition / just and equitable winding up – allegations of fraudulent breach of trust and breach of fiduciary duty. 
• Re Willowbank Homes Limited [2024] (ChD) (unled) - s.994 Petition concerning a property development company (share value £2m) – various economic torts alleged.
• G50 & Lemos v Burnard [2017] (ChD) (unled) - widely reported dispute concerning the ownership of Morecamb Football Club. Arnold acted for C who alleged that D, without the authority of the Company, purported to appoint himself as a director; terminate C’s directorship; attempt to allot shares to himself and sell the club. C sought to rectify the Register of Companies (pursuant to section 1096 CA) and an interim injunction preventing the sale of the club.