William Day

William is regularly instructed led and unled to act in a range of high value and hard fought commercial disputes in the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division, the Commercial Circuit Court, in LCIA, ICC, SIAC and ICSID arbitrations, and offshore. He was highlighted as a leading commercial junior in Chambers and Partners’ ‘up-and-coming’ feature for the UK Bar Guide 2024 (see here).

William’s commercial practice encompasses banking & finance, insurance, civil fraud and insolvency as set out in later sections. General commercial litigation experience also includes:

• Massa v Ecclestone, F1 and the FIA (King’s Bench Division, ongoing) – acting for Bernie Ecclestone defending £64m claim over the circumstances of Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 F1 title win.
• Middle East Real Estate v Lipton Rogers [2023] EWHC 1104 (Ch) – acting for defendant in £11m commission claim for the financing and development of 22 Bishopsgate (the tallest building in the City of London). Claim discontinued after a successful application for £1m in security for costs, with costs of the action awarded on the indemnity basis.
• ICC Arbitration (2021-2023) – acting for leading Central European food manufacturer in €37m breach of tax warranty claim under share purchase agreement.
• ICSID Arbitration (2020-2023) – acting for investor in Romania’s largest insurance company in claim against the Romanian state in connection with its special administration and liquidation.
• LCIA Arbitration (2020) – acting for shareholder in well-known beverage company in private equity dispute arising from exercise of £15m put option.
• Winlink v Liverpool FC [2020] EWHC 2271 (Comm) – acting for sports intermediary in dispute over commission in respect of £15m shirt sponsorship of Liverpool FC.
• Davis & Co v Alam and Alam [2020] EWHC 3284 (Comm) – acting for claimant seeking injunctive relief and damages arising from acquisition of accountancy business.
• Medenta Finance v Hitachi Capital [2019] EWHC 323 (Comm) and [2019] EWHC 516 (Comm) – expedited Commercial Court trial raising issues of interpretation, implication and rectification of restrictive covenants in financial brokerage agreement.
• ICC Arbitration (2019) – acting for claimant in £4m gas field project dispute raising issues of termination, frustration, damages, and restitution for total failure of consideration.

William acts for policyholders in a variety of complex and market leading financial line insurance claims, and has become a go-to junior for business interruption insurance claims following the COVID-19 pandemic. He was shortlisted as Financial Services and Insurance Junior of the Year for the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023.

Instructions include:

• Greensill Bank v Zurich & Ors (Commercial Court, ongoing) – acting for Liberty Steel in a $400m credit insurance coverage dispute arising out of the collapse of Greensill Bank.
• Liberty Retail & Ors v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe & Ors [2024] EWHC 124 (Comm) – acting for Regent Street department store in £18m Covid-19 business interruption insurance claim. Appeal to be heard in January 2024 and second stage trial to be heard in May 2024.
• Bath Racecourse & Ors v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe & Ors [2024] EWHC 124 (Comm) – acting for 16 racecourses in a £22m Covid-19 business interruption insurance claim. Appeal to be heard in January 2024 and second stage trial to be heard in May 2024.
• London International Exhibition Centre plc v RSA & Ors [2023] EWHC 1481 (Comm) – acting for major London conference and exhibition centre in £16m Covid-19 business interruption insurance claim. Appeal heard in June 2024.
• Kaleidoscope & Ors v AIG (Commercial Court, ongoing) – acting in group action for policyholders seeking to recover Covid-19 business interruption losses under ‘bomb hoax, bomb scare’ wording.
• Stonegate v MS Amlin & Ors [2022] EWHC 2548 (Comm) – acting for UK’s largest pub owner in expedited £1.1bn Covid-19 business interruption insurance test case. Settled shortly before hearing in the Court of Appeal.
• Re Mediterranean Insurance and Reinsurance Ltd (Companies Court, 2019-2021) – acting for administrators of an insolvent insurance undertaking with long tail liabilities seeking court directions to make distributions to creditors and move into liquidation.

Before transferring to the bar, William was a specialist in banking and finance litigation, and financial services disputes as a solicitor at Allen & Overy. Since transferring to the bar, he has appeared for numerous banks including Deutsche Bank, RBS, NatWest, Lloyds, Barclays, Santander and HSBC in retail and commercial banking cases. He is also instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority on contentious financial services matters.

Experience includes:

• Hopcraft v Close Brothers (Court of Appeal, ongoing) – acting for Close Brothers in expedited test case on fiduciary duties owed by credit brokers. Appeal heard in July 2024.
• Fiesta Hotels and Resorts v Deutsche Bank [2024] EWHC 1340 (Comm) and [2024] EWHC 1340 (Comm) – acting Deutsche Bank in a €500m foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives dispute (settled before 10 week trial listed for 2025).
• Gurinov & Ors v Shaw & Ors (Chancery Division, ongoing) – acting for mezzanine lender in £7m leveraged property finance dispute. Listed for 9 day trial in February 2025.
• Litasco v Banque El Amana (London Circuit Commercial Court) – acting for beneficiary under letter of credit securing a $13m project financing in Africa.
• NMC Healthcare v Dubai Islamic Bank [2023] ADGMCFI 0017 and [2023] ADGMCFI 0020 – acting for Dubai Islamic Bank in a $400m Islamic financing dispute in the Abu Dhabi Global Markets Court arising from the NMC Healthcare fraud.
• Frasers v Saxo Bank and Morgan Stanley (Commercial Court, settled) – acting for first defendant bank in margin call dispute over Hugo Boss shares.
• Investors in Eclipse v HSBC [2022] EWHC 227 (Comm), [2022] Costs LR 325 and [2022] EWHC 1843 (Comm) – acting for claimant group in a £1.3bn mis-selling claim against HSBC in connection with the Eclipse / Disney film finance schemes.
• LCIA Arbitration (2022-2023) – acting for two leading Middle Eastern banks in a $500m dispute concerning security arrangements for sharia-compliant financings.
• Financial Conduct Authority v Synergy Land Group [2023] EWHC 1130 (Ch) – acting for the FCA seeking directions for distribution of proceeds of enforcement action taken in respect of unauthorised collective investment scheme.
• Heytex v Unity Trade Capital [2022] EWHC 2488 (Ch) – acting for claimant in dispute over international letter of credit arrangements and alleged exclusion of UCP 600 terms.
• Tillman v Lloyds Bank and Better Capital (Commercial Court, settled) – defending Lloyds Banks in £150m claim by the former owner of the high street chain Jaeger arising from the circumstances of its administration.
• AB Insolvency v Deutsche Bank (Central London County Court, settled before appeal to Chancery Division) – appeared for Deutsche Bank at trial in commission claim arising from hire of senior executive (unreported but see here).
• Bankserve v Deutsche Bank (London Circuit Commercial Court, settled) – acting for Deutsche Bank defending claim from insurer broker seeking commission from role in settlement of dispute under asset finance agreements with prominent Greek shipowner.
• Cyan Finance v Wilton Group (London Circuit Commercial Court, settled) – acting for claimant in £9m claim relating to defaults under in respect of advances under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
• Banco San Juan v Petroleos de Venezuela [2020] EWHC 2937 (Comm), [2021] 2 All ER (Comm) 590 and [2021] EWCA Civ 610 – acting for Venezuela’s state-owned oil giant in $80 million dispute under credit agreements affected by US sanctions.
• Financial Conduct Authority v 24HR Trading Academy [2020] EWHC 1455 (Ch), [2021] EWHC 648 (Ch) and [2023] EWHC 1130 (Ch) – acting for the FCA in claim for breach of the general prohibition based on unauthorised investment advice and investment arrangements, including obtaining ex parte a freezing order, and directions for distribution of proceeds of enforcement action.
• Credit Suisse Asset Management v Titan 2006-1 [2016] EWHC 969 (Ch) and [2016] EWCA 1293 – at Allen & Overy, acting for defendant cash manager and agent bank in securitisation note dispute.
• Metlife v JP Morgan Chase Bank [2015] EWHC 463 (Comm) and [2016] EWCA Civ 1248 – at Allen & Overy, acting for the defendant bank in dispute over inflation-linked bonds.

Much of William’s practice involves disputes at the cross-over between finance, fraud and insolvency. He has a wide-ranging experience of commercial fraud cases, including acting led and unled in a number of applications for freezing and prohibitory injunctions and search orders.

Experience includes:

• Re Arena Television (Commercial Court, ongoing) – acting for the liquidators in a £265m claim in connection with a major asset based lending fraud perpetrated by the former directors of the Arena TV group.
• Joyvio Group & Ors v Moreno & Ors (Commercial Court, ongoing) – acting for Chinese food conglomerate in $1bn fraud claim arising from acquisition of Chilean salmon farm business.
• Boettcher v Xio & Ors [2023] EWHC 801 (Comm) and [2023] EWHC 1163 (Comm) – acting for former global head of value creation in claim against a fund and its partners for alleged misrepresentations as to the nature of the fund and its investor base.
• Manek v 360 One WAM & Ors [2023] EWHC 710 (Comm) and [2023] EWHC 985 (Comm)– acting for Indian financial services company defending £50 million claim relating to sale of Indian payments company Hermes to Wirecard.
• Harrington & Charles & Ors v Mehta & Ors [2022] EWHC 2960 (Ch) and [2023] EWHC 2420 (Ch) – acting for liquidators in a US$1bn asset tracing exercise from an alleged fraudulent default under precious metals facilities.
• Guy v Foster (Chancery Division, ongoing) – acting for purchaser of rural estate and wedding business in Dorset in £18m deceit claim against seller.
• Banque Havilland v Mazurier & Ors (Supreme Court of the Bahamas, settled) – $10m fraud claim to rescind various business introducer agreements allegedly entered into in breach of fiduciary duty.
• Aggreko v Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp & Ors (Commercial Court, 2020, unreported, but see press here) – acting for claimant in $37 million claim against a Yemeni electricity company. Injunctive relief obtained preventing payment out under fraudulent call on performance bonds in support of DIFC-LCIA arbitral proceedings.
• CMOC Sales and Marketing v Persons Unknown [2018] EWHC 2230 (Comm) – as a pupil assisting Philip Hinks, in claim in conspiracy and knowing receipt claim by corporate victim of $10million cyber fraud against persons unknown.

William’s experience encompasses liquidations, administrations and bankruptcies, including not only bankruptcy and winding up petitions, but also applications to challenge officeholder decisions, to reverse transactions at an undervalue, to restore companies to the register at Companies House, and to access a company’s register of members. William also has been instructed in restructuring matters, including schemes of arrangement.

Experience includes:

• Re NMC Healthcare (ADGM Court, settled) – defending major Middle Eastern bank in $2bn fraudulent trading claim arising from the NMC Healthcare insolvency.
• Re Millenium Nails (Chancery Division, ongoing) – acting for Manolete in assigned applications seeking relief for transaction at an undervalue and preference against former directors and shareholders of company in liquidation
• Re Insect Technologies Group (2023) – acting for liquidators in respect of adjudication of disputed proofs of debt
• Re Bell Pottinger (2020-2023) – acting for liquidators and latterly Manolete in claims against former partners of well known PR firm for excess drawings
• Brake v The Chedington Court Estate [2023] UKSC 29, [2023] 1 WLR 3035; [2022] EWCA Civ 1302, [2022] EWCA Civ 235 and [2020] EWCA Civ 1491, [2021] BusLR 577; see also [2020] EWHC 1810 (Ch), [2020] 4 WLR 113; [2021] EWHC 670, [2021] 4 WLR 71 and [2021] EWHC 671; [2021] EWHC 2308 (Ch); and [2023] EWHC 1560 (Ch) – acting in related bankruptcy and partnership liquidation proceedings, now leading authorities on standing to make insolvency applications, on section 283A of the Insolvency Act 1986, on unfair prejudice in the context of standalone moratoriums, and on rights of confidence/privacy in the insolvency context.
• Patley Wood Farm v Kicks [2023] EWCA Civ 901, [2022] EWHC 2973 (Ch), [2022] EWHC 3118 (Ch) and [2022] EWHC 3257 (Ch) – acting for creditors challenging trustee in bankruptcy decision-making as perverse.
• Re Morses Club [2023] EWHC 705 (Ch) – acting for customer advocate at directions hearing in scheme of arrangement of doorstep loans provider.
• Re ALL Scheme [2022] EWHC 549 (Ch) and [2022] EWHC 1318 (Ch) – acting for customer advocate at directions and sanctions hearing in £112m scheme of arrangement of consumer finance group, Amigo.
• Re Harrington & Charles Trading Co [2021] EWHC 1566 (Ch) – acting for an investment bank in a US $1bn multi-jurisdictional asset tracing exercise through UK shell companies in liquidation/dissolution.
• Re Core VCT [2020] EWCA Civ 1207, [2021] PNLR 10 and [2019] EWHC 540 (Ch) and [2019] EWHC 701 (Ch) – acting for liquidators of private equity funds resisting an application for removal from office, and obtaining information and documents from third parties under section 234 to 236 of the Insolvency Act 198. Now the leading authority on members’ voluntary liquidations.
• Re Mediterranean Insurance and Reinsurance (2019-2021) – acting for administrators of an insolvent insurance undertaking long tail liabilities seeking court directions to make distributions to creditors, and move into liquidation.
• Re Asia Resource Minerals (PS/2015/15) – at Allen & Overy, acting for an investment bank in respect of Takeover Panel proceedings over a concert party reverse takeover.

William has a particular interest in the conflict of laws, and receives regular instructions on complex jurisdictional and choice of law matters. He won the John Morris Prize for best performance in the subject in his postgraduate studies at Oxford, and has also published on topical jurisdiction and choice of law issues.

Experience includes:

• Joyvio Group & Ors v Moreno & Ors (Commercial Court, ongoing) – acting for Chinese food conglomerate in $1bn fraud claim arising from acquisition of Chilean salmon farm business. Jurisdiction challenge to be heard in June 2024.
• Litasco v Banque El Amana (London Circuit Commercial Court) – acting for beneficiary under letter of credit dispute raising issues about recognition of foreign judgments and the effect of foreign law illegality at common law (the ‘Ralli Bros’ rule).
• Boettcher v Xio & Ors [2023] EWHC 801 (Comm) and [2023] EWHC 1163 (Comm) – acting for claimant in jurisdiction challenge in litigation against a fund and its partners for alleged misrepresentations as to the nature of the fund and its investor base.
• Manek v 360 One WAM & Ors [2023] EWHC 710 (Comm) and [2023] EWHC 985 (Comm)– acting for Indian financial services company in jurisdiction challenge to £50 million claim relating to sale of Indian payments company Hermes to Wirecard.
• Harrington & Charles & Ors v Mehta & Ors [2023] EWHC 307 (Ch) acting for liquidators in jurisdiction challenge to continuation of fraud claim in England against the Mehta family arising from the Winsome default in India.
• RBS v Schommer (London Circuit Commercial Court, settled) – acting for claimant in jurisdiction challenge in litigation arising out of default under loan agreement.
• Banco San Juan v Petroleos de Venezuela [2020] EWHC 2937 (Comm), [2021] 2 All ER (Comm) 590 and [2021] EWCA Civ 610 – acting for Venezuela’s state-owned oil giant in $80 million dispute about the effect of foreign law illegality at common law (the ‘Ralli Bros’ rule) and under the Rome I Regulation on English law credit agreements.
• Anon (2020) – advising international auction house on potential liability regarding artwork allegedly stolen by the Nazis in the Second World War, raising issues of applicable law for liability and limitation for conversion, negligence and breach of contractual terms.
• SIAC Arbitration (2018) – acting on an arbitration concerning issues of proof of foreign law and recognition of foreign judgments.
• Marme Inversiones v RBS & Ors [2016] EWHC 1570 (Comm) – at Allen & Overy, acting for the second to fifth defendants in jurisdiction challenge involving lis pendens and interface between the Brussels Regulation and the Insolvency Regulation.
• Plaza v Law Debenture [2015] EWHC 43 (Ch) – as judicial assistant to Proudman J, a jurisdiction challenge involving reflexive effect of provisions of the Brussels Regulation.