Philip Beswick

Partner

Philip has extensive experience in a wide range of complex commercial disputes, often with an international element, resolved by litigation (usually before the Commercial Court), arbitration or alternative dispute resolution, including mediation.

He acts for domestic and international clients ranging from high net worth individuals and owner managed businesses to state-owned companies. His experience includes, particularly, breach of contract claims, fraud, partnership and shareholder disputes (including unfair prejudice petitions) and professional negligence claims.

Philip joined Gresham in 2015 to further his career in a disputes only practice. Before that he trained and qualified at the international law firm Salans where he stayed for eleven years, including two years at Dentons following its combination with Salans in 2013.

Earlier in his career, he undertook a client secondment with the litigation and investigations team at a major international financial institution.  Philip is admitted as a Solicitor-Advocate and holds rights of audience in the civil higher courts.

Philip’s representative experience includes:

  • Acting for the subsidiary of a state-owned oil and gas company in Commercial Court proceedings against a major bank involving breach of mandate and breach of contract claims in respect of a substantial payment fraud.

  • Acting for a number of defendants in a long-running fraud and conspiracy claim brought in the Commercial Court claim by a Thai property company, involving complex jurisdiction and foreign law issues. Apollo Ventures Co Ltd v Manchanda [2021] EWHC 3210 (Comm); Apollo Ventures Co Ltd v Manchanda & Ors [2020] EWHC 2206 (Comm).

  • Acting for a state-owned company in an ICC arbitration claim with a value of USD 215m arising out of a breach of contract and its unlawful treatment as a minority shareholder in a joint venture company.

  • Acting for respondent shareholders in multi-million pound unfair prejudice proceedings under s. 994 of the Companies Act 2006, involving allegations of a sale at an undervalue of the company’s assets. Jamie Martin v Hochanda & Ors [2021] EWHC 1988 (Ch).

  • Acting for a property investment firm in a high value breach of contract claim brought in the Commercial Court against various Luxembourg companies arising out of the termination of a number of asset management agreements. This claim settled shortly before trial.

  • Acting for a UK based construction firm in proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court, involving economic tort claims (procuring breach of contract and unlawful means conspiracy). Palmer Birch (A Partnership) v Lloyd & Anor [2018] EWHC 2316 (TCC).

  • Acting for the developer, licensor and supplier of digital education software in a multi-million pound breach of contract claim brought in the Commercial Court against a multi-national company. This claim settled at trial.

Gresham Legal

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Lincoln’s Inn
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