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A superb practitioner with vast experience and a reputation matched by few in the market. Chambers and Partners
Corporate
  • Corporate governance
  • Capital markets
  • M&A
  • Takeovers
  • Structured finance
  • Joint ventures
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Corporate reorganisations

Significant cases and transactions include:

Regularly advises on both agreed and hostile Takeovers

Royalty Pharma plc – Large International Pharma group re-organisation involving a scheme of arrangement and subsequent reduction of capital

Moss Bros – Acting for bidder who wished to withdraw its Rule 2.7 announced offer for Moss Bros as a result of Covid business downturn

D P World plc – First Scheme of arrangement in Dubai. Concerning a company within the Dubai World Group, listed on the Dubai Stock Exchange

Re: Inmarsat – Reported decision on a scheme of arrangement arising from its acquisition by four US funds.

Advising London Clearing House Ltd on the potential effect of Brexit on current transactions.

Appearing before the Hearings Committee and Takeover Appeal Board of the Takeover Panel – in relation to Walt Disney’s takeover of 21st Century Fox Inc

Expert Evidence in the Courts of the United States and other jurisdictions in respect of English company law transactions.

Joint opinion with Lord Pannick QC in relation to the Parliamentary committee on Work and Pensions’ investigation into the sale of BHS and dividends paid by BHS in 2003/4

Restructuring & Insolvency
  • Contentious insolvency, including cross-border issues
  • Schemes of arrangement
  • Debt capital markets

Significant cases and transactions include:

Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) – Acting for Joint provisional liquidators of a Bermuda financial services group.

Re Nortel Networks – expert evidence.

Ocean Rig/ Highland Capital Management – advising the dissenting creditor, Highland, in relation to the proposed restructuring of the Ocean Rig group of companies in the Cayman Islands. This was one of the world’s largest ever restructurings.

Litigation & Arbitration
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Joint venture disputes
  • Hostile takeovers
  • Fiduciary obligations
  • Warranty claims
  • Fraud and asset recovery
  • Interim remedies
  • Arbitration

Significant cases and transactions include:

Litigation:

Xstrata / Glencore, Re: Coroin plc, Re: Bumi plc, Nortel, Tyco, Rangers plc v Ticketus, BAT v Winward (asset protection), Pfizer/AstraZeneca, Glencore/Xstrata, / Re: PCCW Ltd (Court of Appeal, Hong Kong; scheme of arrangement), Validus v IPC (Bermuda; hostile scheme).

TPD Investments [2017] EWHC 657 – unfair prejudice proceedings and a linked Part 7 claim in relation to the affairs of a company owning two of the largest hotels in the UK.

Primefuels Holdings Ltd – acting in a shareholder dispute in the BVI Commercial Courts and in Mauritius, between joint venturers in relation to a group of BVI, Mauritius and African companies involved in fuel businesses.

BAT Industries Plc v Windward Prospects Ltd [2013] EWHC 3612 (Comm)  – appointment, at the request of a creditor, of a Receiver to  protect a cause of action which was not being pursued by the debtor.

American Patriot Agency v Mutual Risk Management (2013) (Privy Council, Bermuda) – Insurance  fraud.

Validus Holdings Ltd v. IPC Holdings Ltd and Max Capital Group Ltd [2009] (Supreme Court of Bermuda) – Viability of hostile scheme of arrangement promoted by a member.

Chaston v SWP Group plc [2003] 1 BCLC 675 (Court of Appeal) – leading authority on financial assistance.

Arbitration:

Michael is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. As well as accepting appointments as a sole or joint Arbitrator, He has extensive experience of advising and appearing in arbitrations involving issues of company/commercial law, in the UK and internationally.

He acted in two substantial commercial law arbitrations in the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.

He acted in various LCIA arbitrations

Arbitrations are by nature a confidential form of dispute resolution therefore we cannot give details of clients

Financial Services
  • Financial regulation and enforcement
  • Prospectus liability
  • Financial promotion
  • Collective investment schemes
  • Market abuse / insider dealing
  • Fraud and asset recovery

Michael advises various regulatory bodies including the Financial Conduct Authority, the Channel Islands Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. He also appears before the Takeover Appeal Board. He regularly advises individual clients in relation to HKSFC Regulatory issues.

International & Offshore

Michael has a significant offshore practice. He has been admitted to the Bars of the following jurisdictions for the purpose of appearing in their courts:

– Hong Kong (High Court, Court of Appeal, Court of Final Appeal)

– Bermuda (Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal)

– Cayman Islands (Court of First Instance)

– Dubai (DIFC)

– Isle of Man (Court of First Instance)

– Turks & Caicos Islands (Court of Appeal)

– British Virgin Islands (Court of First Instance, Court of Appeal)

– Northern Ireland (High Court).

Significant cases include:

Re: ETFS Limited (Jersey) – minority oppression of PE funds

Re: Hollysys Ltd (BVI) – claim for misuse of fiduciary power.

D P World plc – First Scheme of arrangement in Dubai. Concerning a company within the Dubai World Group, listed on the Dubai Stock Exchange

St Johns Trust Company Limited Bermuda – Dispute over ownership and control, of trust company in Bermuda.

Chagala – application to the BVI Court to strike out proceedings brought by holders of depository interests.

Walkers (Bermuda) Ltd v Bermuda Bar Council [2019] UKPC 25 – advising on successful appeal to the Privy Council concerning an application for a certificate of recognition from the Bermuda Bar Association for a Bermuda company which acts in association with Walkers Global.

PT Satria Tirtatama Energindo v East Asia Company Ltd – appeal to the Privy Council from the Court of Appeal in Bermuda, challenging the refusal to register a share transfer in favour of the claimant.

Ofo v Didi Chuxing – instructed from Shanghai in relation to potential joint venture litigation in the UK.

Trina Solar –appearing for a minority shareholder in a Cayman Islands exercising its statutory (S 238 Companies Law) appraisal rights in relation to the compulsory acquisition of its shares.

Culross Global SPC Limited v Strategic Turnaround Master Partnership Limited [2010] UKPC 33 – leading authority on power to suspend redemptions of shares in hedge funds

American Patriot Agency v Mutual Risk Management (2013) (Privy Council, on appeal from Bermuda) – Insurance fraud.

Validus Holdings Ltd v IPC Holdings Ltd and Max Capital Group Ltd [2009] (Supreme Court of Bermuda) – viability of hostile scheme of arrangement, promoted by a member.

Memberships & Publications

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Chairman of the Bar of England & Wales (2012, VC 2011); Chairman of Chancery Bar Association (2008 – 2011)

Trustee of the Bar Pro Bono Unit (2013 – 2017)

Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association – former member of the Executive Committee and Council (2014 – 2019)

COMBAR

Chancery Bar Association

Insolvency Lawyers’ Association

Recovery and Insolvency Specialists Association (Cayman)

Financial Services Lawyers’ Association

The Bermuda Society

Recognition

Ranked in Legal 500 (Commercial Litigation, Company & Partnership, Insolvency and Offshore) and Chambers & Partners (Company and Offshore)

“An excellent silk in the offshore sphere.”

“A phenomenal silk and advocate, someone who is easy to work with and a team player.”

“Michael brings gravitas and experience to any case. He’s a great strategist whom judges listen to attentively.”

“No question, the first-choice company law barrister.”

“He is excellent in the offshore sphere.”

“One of the most brilliant legal minds many have come cross in their careers.”

“His advice carries all the clout that one would expect of someone with his experience and expertise, and is delivered in a manner that can be readily understood by clients.”

“He is masterful and strategic in his thinking, and measured and clear in his delivery.”

“A go-to silk for complex company law issues whose opinion will rarely, if ever, be challenged.”

“He is a charming advocate with a very light touch” and is “tremendously experienced.”

“An excellent leader with real gravitas, and a go-to person when a definitive view is needed.”

“He has a comprehensive knowledge of company law. He’s a very good advocate and a completely safe pair of hands. He’s really quite magnificent.”

“He balances deep knowledge and experience with commercial sensitivity and a practical approach.”

‘He is a robust advocate, has a strong courtroom presence, and gives incisive analysis.’

“He is a well-regarded commercial Chancery silk.”

“He stands out as one of the giants at the company law Bar.”

Ranked in

Chambers & Partners –
Company, Offshore

Legal 500 –
Company & Partnership, Insolvency, Commercial Litigation, Offshore

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