3VB Members Featured in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2026
3 Verulam Buildings has been recognised in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2026, which highlights the most significant and high-profile disputes expected to come before the courts in the year ahead.
Ten members of 3VB are instructed across six of the cases selected for the list, underlining the set’s continued involvement in landmark litigation across a broad range of practice areas. The full list can be found on The Lawyer’s website.
David Hamon and others v University College London
This group action, described as a “David versus Goliath” dispute, is brought by more than 5,000 former students of University College London (UCL). The claim arises from industrial action and pandemic-related measures between 2018 and 2021, during which in-person teaching was replaced with online provision, access to campus facilities was restricted, and some teaching was cancelled.
The claimants allege breach of contract and seek damages reflecting the difference between the teaching and services promised and those delivered, together with compensation for distress and disappointment. The trial, expected to begin later this year following unsuccessful settlement attempts, will proceed initially by way of nine test claims. The case is widely regarded as potentially precedent-setting, with other UK universities facing similar threatened claims.
Adam Kramer KC, Charlotte Eborall and Chloë Bell act for the defendant, UCL, instructed by Pinsent Masons.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government v Urban Splash and others
In a major test case under the Building Safety Act 2022, the Government seeks a remediation contribution order of almost £50 million in respect of seven prominent buildings in Manchester. The claim follows the substantial public expenditure incurred in remediating alleged building safety defects after the Grenfell Tower fire and is the largest case of its kind to date.
The respondents challenge both the factual basis of the alleged safety defects and the compatibility of the Government’s retrospective legislative powers with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Catherine Gibaud KC acts for Urban Splash Residential and Urban Splash UK Residential, alongside Robert Bowker of Tanfield Chambers, instructed by Charles Russell Speechlys.
Ashton and others v TSE Malta LP and Flutter Entertainment
This High Court claim places the online gambling industry under renewed scrutiny and raises novel questions concerning duty of care, gambling addiction and suicide. The claimants are the estate and dependants of a man who took his own life after extensive online betting on the Betfair Exchange platform.
The court will consider whether betting operators owe a duty to prevent customers from developing gambling disorders, what protective measures might be required, and issues of causation. The defendants deny that such duties are owed and contest the claims in full.
James Potts acts for the defendants with Jonathan Hough KC of 4 New Square, instructed by Keystone Law.
Crane Bank v DFCU Bank
This substantial Commercial Court dispute concerns allegations of unlawful means conspiracy, bribery and dishonest assistance arising from the 2017 sale of Crane Bank’s assets following intervention by the Central Bank of Uganda. The claimants seek approximately US$200 million in damages and allege that the transaction was part of a corrupt scheme carried out at gross undervalue.
The litigation has already produced significant appellate authority on the Foreign Act of State Doctrine, with the Court of Appeal holding that allegations of bribery and corruption may disapply the doctrine.
Georges Chalfoun acts as sole counsel for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 10th defendants, instructed by Morgan Lewis.
Various investors v Glencore and Steven Kalmin
Institutional investors have brought one of the largest active “stock drop” claims in the UK, seeking compensation for losses allegedly caused by disclosures of bribery, corruption and anti-money laundering breaches by Glencore. The claims are brought under sections 90 and 90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act and follow global enforcement action against the company, including settlements exceeding US$1 billion.
The Commercial Court trial later this year will address liability, with quantum to follow if required. The case is being closely watched as a potential landmark in UK securities litigation.
Peter de Verneuil Smith KC acts for the Pallas Partners claimants, instructed by Pallas Partners LLP.
Adam Kramer KC acts for the claimant, Aabar Holdings, instructed by Quinn Emanuel.
Hodge Malek KC and Yash Bheeroo act for the Serious Fraud Office as interested party.
Virgo Marine and Nixie Marine v Reed Smith and Barclays Bank
This Commercial Court case raises important and novel issues concerning international sanctions compliance for UK legal and financial institutions.
The claimants paid more than US$13 million into Reed Smith’s client account in connection with the purchase of an oil tanker. Following the imposition of US Iran sanctions on Virgo Marine before completion, the funds were frozen. Although Reed Smith later concluded that it was not required to comply with the US sanctions, Barclays refused to release the monies. The claimants subsequently brought claims for negligence, breach of contract and breach of trust against Reed Smith, with Barclays joined as a co-defendant.
The case will be the first in which an English court considers the UK/EU blocking regulation and its interaction with US sanctions as applied to non-US persons.
Ravi Jackson acts for the defendant, Barclays Bank, with Craig Morrison KC of Brick Court Chambers, instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.
