Chinmayi Sharma
Call: Call: 2020; 2022 (India)
Practice Overview
Chinmayi is a commercial barrister who is regularly instructed in high-value and complex litigation and arbitrations (both domestic and internationally). In addition to her core specialism in commercial and banking disputes, Chinmayi undertakes work across 3VB’s main practice areas with a particular interest in civil fraud, international arbitration and matters of public and private international law.
Chinmayi is regularly instructed to appear (both led and unled) in the High Court and the County Court. She also has a broad arbitration practice and has acted in various international arbitrations conducted under major institutional rules, including the LCIA, ICC, DIAC, ICSID and SIAC.
Chinmayi is ranked by Legal 500 as a ‘Rising Star’ in international arbitration and is described by the directories as “absolutely first rate”, “standout”, “a superb junior who gets across the details…and forensically drills down into the issues”, being “very detailed” and as giving “clear and commercial advice”.
Recent highlights of Chinmayi’s experience include:
- URE Energy Limited v. Notting Hill Genesis: a contractual dispute under an electricity-supply contract, which raises issues in respect of waiver by election (and in particular as to when a party has ‘knowledge’ for the purposes of an election), alleged material breaches and the construction of liquidated damages clauses. Chinmayi appeared in a 2-week trial in the Commercial Court ([2024] EWHC 2537) and is due to appear at the appellate stage before the Court of Appeal (led in both instances by Jamie Riley KC).
- Barry Maloney v. Falcon VII: a shareholder dispute relating to the Irish tech unicorn, WorkHuman. The case raises issues of contractual construction, material breach and improper purpose; 8-day trial in the Commercial Court (and one of the Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2025).
- DIAC arbitration: a US$90m London-seated arbitration arising from the buy-out agreement between the shareholders of an energy company in the Middle East. The claim concerns: contractual claims; claims in deceit, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and conspiracy; unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties (led by Yash Bheeroo).
- ICC arbitration: acting for an energy group in a dispute concerning the termination of an agreement for LNG regasification services in a London-seated arbitration (led by Rajesh Pillai KC).
- ICC arbitration: acting for the respondent state in a dispute under the OIC Investment Agreement concerning the alleged expropriation of a pharmaceutical business (led by Christopher Harris KC, Matthew Watson, Mark Wassouf and Cameron Miles).
- ICC arbitration: acting for a F&B unicorn company in a claim arising from a breach of restrictive covenants under an asset purchase agreement (led by Tariq Baloch).
- Horlick & Ors v Cavaco & Ors [2022] EWHC 2935 (KB): successfully acted for the defendants (following a 5-day trial) in a dispute relating to Mozambiquan mines involving contractual claims under various loan and fundraising agreements and for unjust enrichment (led by Matthew Watson).
- ICSID arbitration: involved in an ICSID investor-state arbitration arising out of claims for breach of the Energy Charter Treaty (as Assistant to the Tribunal).
Chinmayi is also admitted to practice in India. In addition, Chinmayi also writes on commercial law topics and is a contributor to Damages, Expert Evidence and Valuation in Commercial Disputers in India (2024, Thomson Reuters) (with Rajesh Pillai KC) and the fifth edition of Banking Litigation (upcoming, with Richard Hanke).
Arbitration and Related Court Applications
- Acting in a US$90m London-seated arbitration arising from the buy-out agreement between the shareholders of an energy company in the Middle East. The claim concerns: contractual claims; claims in deceit, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and conspiracy; unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties (led by Yash Bheeroo).
- Acting for an energy group in a dispute concerning the termination of an agreement for LNG regasification services in a London-seated arbitration (led by Rajesh Pillai KC).
- Acting for a respondent state in a dispute under the OIC Investment Agreement concerning the alleged expropriation of a pharmaceutical business (led by Christopher Harris KC, Matthew Watson, Mark Wassouf and Cameron Miles).
- Acting for a F&B unicorn company in a claim arising from a breach of restrictive covenants under an asset purchase agreement (led by Tariq Baloch).
- An ICC arbitration involving claims in deceit and for fraudulent misrepresentations in relation to the recapitalisation of a major bank through various subscription agreements.
- Involved in an ICSID investor-state arbitration arising out of claims for breach of the Energy Charter Treaty (as Tribunal Assistant).
Banking & Financial Services
- Acted for a Lebanese bank in a claim brought by a middle-eastern businessman seeking a transfer of the funds held with the bank in various US$ and Lebanese-$ denominated currency accounts and arising in the context of the Lebanese financial crisis. Raises jurisdictional questions in respect of a Lebanese law-governed agreement (led by Ian Wilson KC, with Ryan Ferro).
- Acting for a bank in a claim for the recovery of sums under a guarantee (led by William Edwards).
- Regularly acting for financial institutions defending Consumer Credit Act 1974 claims including Marks and Spencer Financial Services PLC, Lloyds Bank, HSBC Bank UK Plc, MBNA Limited, Barclays Bank UK Plc.
Civil Fraud & Asset Tracing
- Acting in a US$90m London-seated arbitration arising from the buy-out agreement between the shareholders of an energy company in the Middle East. The claim concerns: contractual claims; claims in deceit, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and conspiracy; unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties (led by Yash Bheeroo).
- Horlick & Ors v Cavaco & Ors [2022] EWHC 2935 (KB): successfully acted for the defendants in a 5-day commercial trial (led by Matthew Watson) for a multi-million pound dispute involving claims relating to various loan and fundraising agreements (including claims for the alleged payment of secret commissions).
- Taqa Bratani Ltd v Fujairah Oil and Gas UK LLC: acting for the defendants in a dispute arising in the context of a joint venture partnership relating to the operation of various oil and gas fields in the Brae complex in the North Sea and in particular, in relation to the declaration of a dividend of US$84 million. This case raised issues under s.238 and s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and unlawful means conspiracy.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Acting in a US$90m London-seated arbitration arising from the buy-out agreement between the shareholders of an energy company in the Middle East. The claim concerns: contractual claims; claims in deceit, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and conspiracy; unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties (led by Yash Bheeroo).
- Acting for an energy group in a dispute concerning the termination of an agreement for LNG regasification services in a London-seated arbitration (led by Rajesh Pillai KC).
- URE Energy Limited v. Notting Hill Genesis: a contractual dispute under an electricity-supply contract, which raises issues in respect of waiver by election (and in particular as to when a party has ‘knowledge’ for the purposes of an election), alleged material breaches and the construction of liquidated damages clauses. Chinmayi appeared in a 2-week trial in the Commercial Court ([2024] EWHC 2537) and is due to appear at the appellate stage before the Court of Appeal (led in both instances by Jamie Riley KC).
- Acting for the respondent state in a dispute under the OIC Investment Agreement concerning the alleged expropriation of a pharmaceutical business (led by Christopher Harris KC, Matthew Watson, Mark Wassouf and Cameron Miles).
- Acting for a F&B unicorn company in a claim arising from a breach of restrictive covenants under an asset purchase agreement (led by Tariq Baloch).
- Horlick & Ors v Cavaco & Ors [2022] EWHC 2935 (KB): successfully acted for the defendants in a 5-day commercial trial (led by Matthew Watson) for a multi-million pound dispute relating to Mozambiquan mines involving claims under various loan and fundraising agreements, and for unjust enrichment.
- Acting for a bank in a claim for the recovery of sums under a guarantee (led by William Edwards).
- Acted for a Lebanese bank in a claim brought by a middle-eastern businessman seeking a transfer of the funds held with the bank in various US$ and Lebanese-$ denominated currency accounts and arising in the context of the Lebanese financial crisis. Raises jurisdictional questions in respect of a Lebanese law-governed agreement (led by Ian Wilson KC, with Ryan Ferro).
Company & Insolvency Law
- Taqa Bratani Ltd v Fujairah Oil and Gas UK LLC: acting for the defendants in a dispute arising in the context of a joint venture partnership relating to the operation of various oil and gas fields in the Brae complex in the North Sea and in particular, in relation to the declaration of a dividend of US$84 million. This case raised issues under s.238 and s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and unlawful means conspiracy.
Conflict of Laws / Private International Law
- Acted for a Lebanese bank in a claim brought by a middle-eastern businessman seeking a transfer of the funds held with the bank in various US$ and Lebanese-$ denominated currency accounts and arising in the context of the Lebanese financial crisis. Raises jurisdictional questions in respect of a Lebanese law-governed agreement (led by Ian Wilson KC, with Ryan Ferro).
Energy & Natural Resources
- Acting in a US$90m London-seated arbitration arising from the buy-out agreement between the shareholders of an energy company in the Middle East. The claim concerns: contractual claims; claims in deceit, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and conspiracy; unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties (led by Yash Bheeroo).
- Acting for an energy group in a dispute concerning the termination of an agreement for LNG regasification services in a London-seated arbitration (led by Rajesh Pillai KC).
- URE Energy Limited v. Notting Hill Genesis: a contractual dispute under an electricity-supply contract, which raises issues in respect of waiver by election (and in particular as to when a party has ‘knowledge’ for the purposes of an election), alleged material breaches and the construction of liquidated damages clauses. Chinmayi appeared in a 2-week trial in the Commercial Court ([2024] EWHC 2537) and is due to appear at the appellate stage before the Court of Appeal (led in both instances by Jamie Riley KC).
- Horlick & Ors v Cavaco & Ors [2022] EWHC 2935 (KB): successfully acted for the defendants in a 5-day commercial trial (led by Matthew Watson) for a multi-million pound dispute relating to Mozambiquan mines involving claims under various loan and fundraising agreements, and for unjust enrichment.
- Taqa Bratani Ltd v Fujairah Oil and Gas UK LLC: acting for the defendants in a dispute arising in the context of a joint venture partnership relating to the operation of various oil and gas fields in the Brae complex in the North Sea and in particular, in relation to the declaration of a dividend of US$84 million. This case raised issues under s.238 and s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and unlawful means conspiracy.
- Involved in an ICSID investor-state arbitration arising out of claims for breach of the Energy Charter Treaty (as Tribunal Assistant).
Public International Law
- Acting for the respondent state in a dispute under the OIC Investment Agreement concerning the alleged expropriation of a pharmaceutical business (led by Christopher Harris KC, Matthew Watson, Mark Wassouf and Cameron Miles).
- Involved in an ICSID investor-state arbitration arising out of claims for breach of the Energy Charter Treaty (as Tribunal Assistant).
Unjust Enrichment & Restitution Claims
- Acting in a US$90m London-seated arbitration arising from the buy-out agreement between the shareholders of an energy company in the Middle East. The claim concerns: contractual claims; claims in deceit, knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and conspiracy; unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties (led by Yash Bheeroo).
- Acting for a F&B unicorn company in a claim arising from a breach of restrictive covenants under an asset purchase agreement (led by Tariq Baloch).
- Horlick & Ors v Cavaco & Ors [2022] EWHC 2935 (KB): successfully acted for the defendants in a 5-day commercial trial (led by Matthew Watson) for a multi-million pound dispute relating to Mozambiquan mines involving claims under various loan and fundraising agreements, and for unjust enrichment.
Languages
- Hindi (fluent)
- Kannada (fluent)
