Adrian Beltrami KC

Adrian Beltrami KC

Call: 1989 | Silk: 2008

 "A goliath for banking litigation work. Huge depth of experience, great intellect and outstanding tactical judgement."

- Chambers & Partners UK Bar (2022)

"A standout individual, who has a fabulous practice and a great reputation."

- Chambers & Partners UK Bar (2022)

"Adrian is meticulous in his approach, always well prepared and all over the facts and the law."

- Chambers & Partners UK Bar (2022)

"Simply an exceptional senior silk and one of the leaders of the commercial Bar."

- Legal 500 UK Bar (2022)

"One of the foremost silks at the banking litigation Bar. Hugely respected by judges."

- Legal 500 UK Bar (2022)

Practice Overview

Adrian Beltrami KC was a Joint Head of Chambers at 3VB from 2016 to 2022. He specialises in commercial litigation and advisory work, both domestic and multinational. His litigation practice includes banking and financial services, commercial disputes, corporate insolvency and restructuring, professional negligence involving solicitors, accountants and valuers, civil fraud and asset tracing, restitution, off-shore trusts, forum disputes, injunctions, freezing and search orders and other interim remedies. He is also instructed in arbitrations in the same fields.

Adrian has wide advocacy experience and has acted in a number of complex financial cases, in England and in commonwealth jurisdictions, including JPMorgan Chase v Springwell, Real Estate Opportunities v Aberdeen Asset Managers, BCCI, Polly Peck, Grupo Torras, Thyssen and TXU. He acted in a string of trials involving financial institutions arising out of the 2008 financial crisis, such as Titan Steel Wheels v RBS, Camerata v Credit Suisse, Zaki v Credit Suisse, SNCB v UBS, Al Sulaiman v Credit Suisse and Torre v RBS.  He recently acted as Leading Counsel in the major cases of The Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale and Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton.  Having been instructed in Graiseley Properties v Barclays Bank plc and Marme v RBS, he remains involved in a number of cases concerning LIBOR and other benchmarks. He continues to be instructed across a broad commercial range but in particular in cases involving structured notes, funds and other investment products, asset allocation strategies, interest rate and other swaps, securitisations, loan syndications and valuations.

In 2018, he was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge. He sits in the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court.

In February 2016, he was appointed (together with Sir Bernard Rix and Mark Hapgood KC) as a member of the first External Review Panel of the ISDA EMEA Determinations Committee, determining whether a Credit Event had occurred in respect of Novo Banco SA.

In 2017, he was invited to join the P.R.I.M.E Finance panel of experts.

Adrian was awarded Banking and Finance Silk of the Year in 2013 and Banking Silk of the Year in 2019 at the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards. He was nominated on the shortlists for Commercial Silk in 2016 (Legal 500), for Banking and Finance Silk in 2017 (Chambers & Partners) and for Insolvency Silk in 2017 (Legal 500). He was also included by Chambers 2014 as one of the Top 100 Silks at the Bar. In 2018, he was named amongst The Lawyer’s “Hot 100”. Adrian is regularly listed in the Directories as a Leading Silk in the fields of Banking and Finance, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud, Chancery Commercial and Restructuring/Insolvency.

Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2019

Banking & Finance:                     Star individual

Chancery/Commercial:                Band 1

Civil Fraud:                                  Band 1

Commercial Dispute Resolution: Band 1

Restructuring/Insolvency:             Band 5

“A very smooth, stylish and elegant advocate.” “He is really insightful, utterly reliable in terms of his judgement and very user-friendly.”

“Genuinely excellent.” “A brilliant silk.”

“A very talented advocate who is able to distil years of case history into a few hours of advocacy.” “He has impeccable judgement.”

“A top tactician in complex cases, he offers incisive thought, calming interpersonal skills and the ability to focus on key issues.” “Beltrami is phenomenally bright and charming with it.”

 “He’s superb – he has a huge intellect and is tremendously hard-working.” “He is very knowledgeable about this area of law, is always calm and courteous, and is very good to work with.”

Legal 500 2019

Banking & finance:                Band 1

Commercial Litigation:           Band 2

Civil Fraud:                            Band 2

Insolvency:                             Band 2

“He is first class – incredibly clear-minded, highly responsive and a great advocate.”

“A first-rate senior silk, he has exceptional analytical skills and commands attention in court.”

“A great silk.”

 “Tremendously clear mind; highly responsive; a great advocate.”

  • BNP Paribas SA v Trattamento Rifiuti Metropolitani SpA [2019] EWCA Civ 768 (banking, ISDA Master, jurisdiction, swaps)
  • Arcelormittal USA LLC v Essar Steel (2019) (banking, freezing orders, subordination)
  • Re LB Holdings Intermediate 2 and Lehman Brothers Holdings plc [2018] EWHC 2017 (banking, insolvency, subordination)
  • Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
  • Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale SA [2017] EWHC 2631, [2017] EWHC 1155, [2016] EWHC 2773 (banking, fraud, bribery, structured products, disclosure)
  • Marme Inversiones 2007 SL v RBS plc [2016] EWHC 1920, [2016] EWHC 1570, [2015] EWHC 173 (banking, swaps, Euribor, jurisdiction, disclosure)
  • Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2013] EWHC 67, [2012] EWHC 3093 (banking, swaps, Libor)
  • Gestmin v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] EWHC 3560 (banking, sale of listed investments)
  • Torre Asset Funding Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2013] EWHC 2670 (banking, syndicated lending, securitisation, role of agent bank, events of default)
  • Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2012] EWHC 3093, [2013] EWHC 37 (banking, Libor, sale of interest rate swaps)
  • Al Sulaiman v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2013] 1 All ER (Comm) 1105 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
  • Zaki v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] 1 BCLC 640 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
  • SNCB Holding v UBS AG [2012] EWHC 2044 (banking, construction, structured derivatives)
  • Camerata Property Inc v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2011] 2 BCLC 54 (banking, duties of care, structured derivatives)
  • Titan Steel Wheels Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2010] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 92 (banking, duties of care, foreign exchange, structured derivatives)
  • Pell Frischmann Engineering Ltd v Bow Valley Iran Ltd [2010] BLR 73 (assessment of negotiating damages on breach of joint venture agreement)
  • Benedetti v Sawiris [2009] EWHC 1330, [2010] EWCA Civ 1427 (commercial dispute following leveraged buyout of telecommunications company, restitution for unjust enrichment)
  • JP Morgan Chase Bank v Springwell Navigation  [2010] EWCA Civ 1221, [2008] EWHC 1186, [2008] EWHC 1793, [2 (banking/duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
  • Real Estate Opportunities Ltd v Aberdeen Asset Managers [2007] Bus LR 971, [2007] 2 All ER 791 (financial services/disclosure of information/ duties of care in investment banking)
  • Pfizer Ltd v Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co [2006] EWHC 1424 (forum)
  • Diamantis Diamantides v JP Morgan Chase Bank [2005] EWCA Civ 1612 (banking/ duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
  • Royal & Sun Alliance v Retail Brand [2004] EWHC 2139 (Comm) (insurance/forum)
  • DP Mann v Coutts [2004] 1 All ER Comm 1 (banking/ Lloyd’s underwriters)
  • The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple v Lloyds Bank [1999] 1 All ER Comm 193 (banking/cheque collection)
  • Box v Barclays Bank [1998] Lloyds Rep Bank 185 (banking/restitution for unjust enrichment)
  • Arcelormittal USA LLC v Essar Steel (2019) (banking, freezing orders, subordination)
  • Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
  • Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale SA [2017] EWHC 2631, [2017] EWHC 1155, [2016] EWHC 2773 (banking, fraud, bribery, structured products, disclosure)
  • Nomihold Securities v Mobile Telesystems Finance SA [2012] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 442 (appointment of receiver, arbitration)
  • Teyseer Contracting Co v Masri [2011] CA (Bda) 2 Civ (enforcement, freezing orders, third party challenges)
  • Sita UK Group Holdings v Serruys [2009] EWHC 1959, [2009] EWHC 869 (deceit, breach of warranty on share sale transaction)
  • Grupo Torras v Al – Sabah [2002] JLR 243, [2003] JLR 188, [2005] 2 AC 333, [2005] 2 WLR 904 (fraud/restitution for unjust enrichment/insolvency/trusts)
  • Burberry v Kaye (2004) (fraud/freezing and disclosure orders)
  • Paicolex v Bachar (2001-2003) (fraud/breach of fiduciary duty)
  • Oil & Minerals Development Corp v Sajjad [2002] EWHC 1258 (Comm) (fraud/breach of fiduciary duty)
  • BNP Paribas SA v Trattamento Rifiuti Metropolitani SpA [2019] EWCA Civ 768 (banking, ISDA Master, jurisdiction, swaps)
  • Arcelormittal USA LLC v Essar Steel (2019) (banking, freezing orders, subordination)
  • Re LB Holdings Intermediate 2 and Lehman Brothers Holdings plc [2018] EWHC 2017 (banking, insolvency, subordination)
  • Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
  • Libyan Investment Authority v Societe Generale SA [2017] EWHC 2631, [2017] EWHC 1155, [2016] EWHC 2773 (banking, fraud, bribery, structured products, disclosure)
  • Marme Inversiones 2007 SL v RBS plc [2016] EWHC 1920, [2016] EWHC 1570, [2015] EWHC 173 (banking, swaps, Euribor, jurisdiction, disclosure)
  • Kingate Global Fund v Pwc (2012-2015) (fraud, insolvency auditors’ negligence)
  • Kingate Global Fund v Kingate Management Ltd (2010-2015) (fraud, insolvency, restitution for unjust enrichment, professional negligence)
  • Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2013] EWHC 67, [2012] EWHC 3093 (banking, swaps, Libor)
  • Gestmin v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] EWHC 3560 (banking, sale of listed investments)
  • Torre Asset Funding Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2013] EWHC 2670 (banking, syndicated lending, securitisation, role of agent bank, events of default)
  • Graiseley Properties Ltd v Barclays Bank plc [2012] EWHC 3093, [2013] EWHC 37 (banking, Libor, sale of interest rate swaps)
  • Al Sulaiman v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2013] 1 All ER (Comm) 1105 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
  • Zaki v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd [2013] 1 BCLC 640 (banking, sale of structured derivatives)
  • SNCB Holding v UBS AG [2012] EWHC 2044 (banking, construction, structured derivatives)
  • Camerata Property Inc v Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd [2011] 2 BCLC 54 (banking, duties of care, structured derivatives)
  • Titan Steel Wheels Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2010] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 92 (banking, duties of care, foreign exchange, structured derivatives)
  • Pell Frischmann Engineering Ltd v Bow Valley Iran Ltd [2010] BLR 73 (assessment of negotiating damages on breach of joint venture agreement)
  • Benedetti v Sawiris [2009] EWHC 1330, [2010] EWCA Civ 1427 (commercial dispute following leveraged buyout of telecommunications company, restitution for unjust enrichment)
  • JP Morgan Chase Bank v Springwell Navigation  [2010] EWCA Civ 1221, [2008] EWHC 1186, [2008] EWHC 1793, [2 (banking/duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
  • Real Estate Opportunities Ltd v Aberdeen Asset Managers [2007] Bus LR 971, [2007] 2 All ER 791 (financial services/disclosure of information/ duties of care in investment banking)
  • Pfizer Ltd v Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co [2006] EWHC 1424 (forum)
  • Diamantis Diamantides v JP Morgan Chase Bank [2005] EWCA Civ 1612 (banking/ duties of care in capital markets selling, negligence, structured derivatives)
  • Royal & Sun Alliance v Retail Brand [2004] EWHC 2139 (Comm) (insurance/forum)
  • DP Mann v Coutts [2004] 1 All ER Comm 1 (banking/ Lloyd’s underwriters)
  • Re LB Holdings Intermediate 2 and Lehman Brothers Holdings plc [2018] EWHC 2017 (banking, insolvency, subordination)
  • Kingate Global Fund v Pwc (2012-2015) (fraud, insolvency auditors’ negligence)
  • Kingate Global Fund v Kingate Management Ltd (2010-2015) (fraud, insolvency, restitution for unjust enrichment, professional negligence)
  • Attorney General of the Cayman Islands v Cleaver [2006] 1 WLR 2245 (court control over liquidators’ fees/role of Attorney General)
  • Re Pegasus Insurance Co [2004-2005] CILR 138 (removal of liquidator)
  • Re TXU (2004-2005) (administration/CVAs)
  • BCCI v Bank of America (2004-2005) (banking/fraudulent trading)
  • Arthur Chirkinian v Larcom Trustees [2006] BPIR 1363 (conduct of trustee)
  • Grupo Torras v Al – Sabah [2002] JLR 243, [2003] JLR 188, [2005] 2 AC 333, [2005] 2 WLR 904 (fraud/restitution/insolvency/trusts)
  • Thyssen v Thyssen (1999-2002) (undue influence/trusts)
  • Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton LLP [2017] EWHC 2644, [2018] QB 695, [2017] EWCA Civ 172 (banking, fraud, disclosure)
  • Kingate Global Fund v Pwc (2012-2015) (fraud, insolvency auditors’ negligence)
  • Kingate Global Fund v Kingate Management Ltd (2010-2015) (fraud, insolvency, restitution for unjust enrichment, professional negligence)
  • Re Finelist (2001-2003) (auditors’ negligence)
  • Electra Private Equity Partners v KPMG [1998] PNLR 135, [1999] Lloyds Rep PN 670 (auditors’ negligence)
  • BCCI v Price Waterhouse [1999] BCC 351, [1998] Ch 84, [1997] 4 All ER 108, [1997] BCC 584 (banking, auditors’ negligence)
Winner: UK Bar Awards 2023
The Lawyer Awards 2022: Chambers of the Year