Edward Armitage

A large part of Edward’s practice concerns international and domestic commercial disputes.

Notable cases include:

• Spread Research & Trading Limited v Tech RealFX Limited, led by David Mumford KC. A claim for c.US$100 million for alleged breaches of trust and of contract in connection with a foreign exchange trading platform. Acted for the defendant on its successful jurisdiction challenge.
• An LCIA arbitration, led by Nicholas Peacock KC, concerning the alleged mis-management of an ultra-luxury London hotel’s intellectual property.
• An ICC arbitration, led by Rebecca Page KC, concerning a share sale dispute between German, Cypriot and Irish parties regarding the sale of a European FinTech business alleged to be worth up to c.€400 million.
• Al-Aggad v APIC Ltd, led by David Mumford KC. An application before the BVI Commercial Court for an (apparently unprecedented) injunction to restrain a third-party company from redomiciling to a foreign jurisdiction pending resolution of multi-million dollar claims arising out of the allegedly fraudulent liquidation (and distribution of the assets of) a Bahraini company. Instructed by, among others, the BVI court-appointed provisional liquidator of the now-dissolved Bahraini company.
• Rose Financial Limited Partnership & Ors v Amicorp (BVI) Trustees Ltd & Ors, led by Michael Gibbon KC. A claim against a number of corporate service providers in New Zealand, Cayman, Mexico, BVI and elsewhere, in respect of an alleged fraudulent conspiracy involving issuances of asset-backed loan notes by offshore vehicles held in STAR trust structures. Said to be worth in excess of US$50 million. 
• Khashoggi Holding Company v Molinari, led by Matthew Collings KC and Laurie Scher. Claims and cross-claims between Saudi, English and Italian parties for alleged fraudulent misrepresentations and repudiatory breaches of a share purchase agreement, arising out of the abortive €300m sale of an Italian plant owner and operator.
• Chen v Ma & ors, led by David Mumford KC. A claim alleging a fraudulent conspiracy relating to the financing of a Taiwanese construction project worth potentially in excess of US$2 billion.
• United Company Rusal v Whiteleave Holdings Limited & ors, a dispute between shareholders in one of the world’s largest mining companies, including allegations of negligent mismanagement and the dishonest diversion of assets.
• A dispute by a FinTech company to restrain a digital bank from allegedly breaching non-solicitation obligations.
• Maroil Trading Inc v Cally Shipholdings Inc, led by Thomas Grant KC and James Kinman. Instructed for the Claimants in their claim against the Novoship companies said to be worth tens of millions of pounds. One of The Lawyer' "Top 20 Cases! of 2022.
• Butcher v Alacrity Capital Holdings, a share sale dispute worth in excess of £8m involving allegations of fraudulent breach of warranty and misrepresentation. Led by Olivier Kalfon KC.
• Advising in connection with a dispute between English, BVI and Bahamian parties relating to alleged breaches of a  share purchase agreement worth USD 12 million. Led by Benjamin John.
• Instructed in a dispute between a boutique private equity firm and one of its investors. Led by Olivier Kalfon KC.
• Advising on a contractual dispute between a Saudi company, their commercial agents in England, and a consultancy firm.
• Instructed on behalf of a charity defending a claim to recover referral fees, raising issues of bribery and secret commissions.

Many of Edward’s cases involve allegations of fraud or similarly serious wrongdoing. Notable cases include:

• Despins v Lynch, a claim by the Chapter 11 US trustee in bankruptcy of a former billionaire, made under BVI insolvency legislation and to enforce an alleged trust, for the transfer in specie of shares said to be worth c.US$500 million. The shares are alleged to form part of the bankrupt's estate and to have been disposed of in a scheme to defraud creditors. Led by Robert Weekes KC and Rowena Page
• Al-Aggad v APIC Ltd, led by David Mumford KC. An application before the BVI Commercial Court for an (apparently unprecedented) injunction to restrain a third-party company from redomiciling to a foreign jurisdiction pending resolution of multi-million dollar claims arising out of the allegedly fraudulent liquidation (and distribution of the assets of) a Bahraini company. Instructed by, among others, the BVI court-appointed provisional liquidator of the now-dissolved Bahraini company.
• Rose Financial Limited Partnership & Ors v Amicorp (BVI) Trustees Ltd & Ors, led by Michael Gibbon KC. A claim against a number of corporate service providers in New Zealand, Cayman, Mexico, BVI and elsewhere, in respect of an alleged fraudulent conspiracy involving issuances of asset-backed loan notes by offshore vehicles held in STAR trust structures. Said to be worth in excess of US$50 million. 
• Khashoggi Holding Company v Molinari, led by Matthew Collings KC and Laurie Scher. Claims and cross-claims between Saudi, English and Italian parties for alleged fraudulent misrepresentations and repudiatory breaches of a share purchase agreement, arising out of the abortive €300m sale of an Italian plant owner and operator.
• United Company Rusal v Whiteleave Holdings Limited & ors, a dispute between shareholders in one of the world’s largest mining companies, including allegations of negligent mismanagement and the dishonest diversion of assets.
• Butcher v Alacrity Capital Holdings. Instructed (led by Olivier Kalfon KC) for the sellers in a share sale dispute worth in excess of £8m involving allegations of fraudulent breach of warranty and misrepresentation.
• Instructed for the defendants to a claim and parallel unfair prejudice petition alleging that the claimant has been defrauded out of valuable London property and his stake in a company fraudulently diluted. Led by Benjamin John.

Many of Edward’s cases concern, or raise, issues of company, LLP or partnership law. 

Notable cases include:

• Despins v Lynch, a claim by the Chapter 11 US trustee in bankruptcy of a former billionaire, made under BVI insolvency legislation and to enforce an alleged trust, for the transfer in specie of shares said to be worth c.US$500 million. The shares are alleged to form part of the bankrupt's estate and to have been disposed of in a scheme to defraud creditors. Led by Robert Weekes KC and Rowena Page
• Advising the respondent to an unfair prejudice petition regarding a software business.
• Instructed (led by Benjamin John) for the defendants to a claim (and parallel unfair prejudice petition) alleging that the claimant has been defrauded out of valuable London property and his stake in a company fraudulently diluted.
• An unfair prejudice petition seeking a buyout in connection with the holding company of a group worth tens of millions of pounds.
• Advised the retired partners of a general partnership in connection with a claim raising issues of bribery and secret commissions. Led by David Mumford KC.
• Instructed for a defendant and counter-claimant involved in multi-jurisdictional dispute involving allegations of breach of confidence and wrongful expulsion from English and Guernsey entities.

Edward is routinely instructed in corporate and individual insolvency cases, on behalf of office-holders, creditors and debtors.

Notable cases include:

• Despins v Lynch, a claim by the Chapter 11 US trustee in bankruptcy of a former billionaire, made under BVI insolvency legislation and to enforce an alleged trust, for the transfer in specie of shares said to be worth c.US$500 million. The shares are alleged to form part of the bankrupt's estate and to have been disposed of in a scheme to defraud creditors. Led by Robert Weekes KC and Rowena Page.
• Lloyds Bank Plc v Mertex UK Limited, an application for an administration order in respect of an international commodities trader, arising out of documentary letters of credit and an international trade dispute. Led by Richard Salter KC.
• Instructed (led by Andrew McLeod) for the foreign liquidators of a Jersey company in connection with an urgent freezing injunction to protect potential company assets in England thought to be worth in excess of USD 40 million.

Notable recent instructions include:

• An LCIA arbitration, led by Nicholas Peacock KC, concerning the alleged mis-management of an ultra-luxury London hotel’s intellectual property.
• Instructed for a firm of solicitors defending allegations of negligence said to have caused the loss of three international commercial claims against Russian and Canadian defendants worth in excess of £7m. Led by Thomas Grant KC, later Rebecca Page KC.
• Advised a high-net-worth individual in a dispute against allegedly negligent investment managers.