In a judgment delivered on 24^th July 2025, HHJ Hodge KC ordered an expedited trial in a dispute between a hedge fund (“A”) and a data scientist (“B”) alleged to have stolen its trade secrets. Arnold Ayoo will represent the data scientist at a two week trial in February 2026.

B is alleged to have stolen confidential information pertaining to A’s quantitative trading strategies. A’s claims include breach of confidence, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of the Trade Secrets Regulations and it has obtained interim imaging and passport orders against B.

Expedition was pursued by A in the present case because it argued that B was due to take up employment at a competitor in April 2026, and that there was a risk of B making illegitimate use of its confidential information, which posed an existential threat to its business.

The judgment contains a useful reminder of the four stage test for expedition and serves as an example of the circumstances in which a court will expedite a trial.

Arnold leads Benn Sheridan of Henderson Chambers and is instructed by Rakasons. 

View the full judgment: A & Anor v B [2025] EWHC 1934 (Ch)