Source: https://essexcourt.com/barrister/anton-dudnikov/
Timestamp: 2020-04-09 20:36:47
Document Index: 770925557

Matched Legal Cases: ['EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ', 'EWCA ']

Anton Dudnikov | Essex Court Chambers
HomeBarristersAnton Dudnikov
Anton’s practice spans all core areas of Chambers’ work, including commercial litigation, international arbitration, civil fraud, banking and energy. Recent entries in the legal directories describe Anton as a “superb advocate and draftsman, absolutely top-notch”; “phenomenally clever on the legal side”; “excellent advocate and tactician”; “hands-on, commercial and analytical”; “very clever, very strategic and very thoughtful”; “the sort of lawyer every corporation should have”.
Anton is recommended in the directories as a leading junior in Commercial Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration, Civil Fraud and Energy. He was recently shortlisted for International Arbitration Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards and selected by Legal Week as one of the ‘Stars of the Bar’ in 2016. Anton is listed in Who’s Who Legal: Future Leaders (for both arbitration and litigation) and was named as one of the ‘Rising Stars’ by the same publication.
Many of Anton’s instructions are high-value, complex disputes with a prominent international element, including issues of state immunity, jurisdiction, choice of law, and the application of foreign law. A significant proportion of Anton’s cases involve allegations of dishonesty, and he has appeared in some of the heaviest fraud trials in the Commercial Court in recent years (e.g. the nine-week National Bank Trust trial in 2018, and the eight-week Avonwick trial in 2019 – both of which featured in The Lawyer‘s Top 20 cases).
Anton regularly acts and advises on claims made by and against sovereign states and state entities, and has considerable experience of enforcement proceedings and challenges to arbitral awards. Recently, he has represented the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in a long-running arbitration (and related court proceedings) involving claims valued at US$30+ billion relating to gas fields in Northern Iraq, and acted for the State of Ukraine in resisting enforcement of a US$112 million award (which included appearing as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal).
Anton is well acquainted with the major arbitral rules, including LCIA, ICC and UNCITRAL, and has acted in arbitrations seated in London and Dubai. He has been admitted to the Bar in Gibraltar and appeared in a fraud trial in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar (and subsequently the Court of Appeal). In the High Court in London, he is frequently instructed on applications including, in particular, for freezing orders, anti-suit injunctions and other interim relief, as well as post-judgment enforcement measures and committal proceedings.
Anton is accustomed to acting both as sole counsel and as part of a team of leading and other junior counsel, solicitors and experts. He is regularly instructed in CIS-related cases, being a native Russian speaker who was born in Russia and knows the country and its people (he is “especially prized by Russian clients for his bilingual capability and superior service”). Anton also has experience of sitting as an arbitrator.
Anton is recommended in Chambers & Partners for Commercial Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration and Civil Fraud; and in Legal 500 for Commercial Litigation, Energy and Civil Fraud. Comments have included:
“He is a superb advocate and draftsman, absolutely top-notch.”
“Phenomenally clever on the legal side. He also has a very good sense for the more strategic aspects.”
“Astute analysis of issues and outstanding advocacy skills.”
“He has a great eye for detail, and therefore is ideally suited for work on complex fraud matters.”
“An excellent advocate and tactician. Russian clients value his bilingual capability and service.”
“He’s incredibly hard-working, proactive and is a prodigious draftsmen.”
“Hands-on, commercial and analytical.”
“Very pleasant to work with, very clever, very strategic and very thoughtful.”
“Very commercial.” “A confident advocate.”
“Clever, thoughtful and tactically insightful; he is a junior going places.”
“Highly responsive and very alert to the strategic issues as well as the legal ones.”
“He’s always on top of everything, and seems to absorb information at an incredible rate.”
“Has been cultivating an excellent reputation in the market, attracting praise for his superb advocacy skills and insightful analysis of matters.”
“An increasingly prominent junior barrister who is frequently involved in high-profile civil fraud claims at first instance and appellate level.”
“Really impressive and very intelligent. He gets the nuances and the really technical stuff and he is a very good draftsman.”
“He is hard-working, great on the detail and someone who drafts well. He is very intelligent and perceptive on the legal issues and easy to work with.”
“His written advocacy is very precise and persuasive, and he has a very methodical and effective oral advocacy style.”
“His draftsmanship is first class.”
“A first-rate draftsman and tactician.”
“He combines the skills of a traditionally trained English lawyer with the knowledge of Russian culture and language.”
Anton was recently shortlisted for International Arbitration Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards, and appears in Who’s Who Legal: Future Leaders (both litigation and arbitration). He was named as one of the ‘Rising Stars’ in Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2018, which notes that he is “lauded as an ‘incredibly productive, hard-working and user-friendly’ arbitration counsel who is ‘a pleasure to work with, especially under severe time pressure’. One source comments that Dudnikov is ‘the sort of lawyer every corporation should have’”.
In 2016, Anton was selected by Legal Week as one of the ‘Stars of the Bar’ – “ten most promising barristers of ten years call and under”. The article noted: “Dudnikov’s careful understanding, teamwork, drive, legal acumen and strong advocacy skills will make him a popular choice as a junior from leaders both inside and outside his set, one from which firms and clients can only benefit”.
Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Sergiy Taruta & others. Acting (with David Foxton QC and Nathan Pillow QC) for a Ukrainian politician and businessman in a US$1bn+ dispute concerning a Ukrainian metals business and other assets. 8-week trial in the Commercial Court concluded in late 2019.
National Bank Trust v Yurov & others. Acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) for a major Russian bank in a claim for more than US$800 million against former directors and shareholders. 33-day trial concluded in November 2018; successfully resisted an application to discharge a worldwide freezing order earlier in the proceedings: [2016] EWHC 1913 (Comm).
PJSC Otkritie Bank Financial Corporation v Mints. Acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) in a claim for US$500+ million arising from an alleged fraud involving the purchase of bonds. There are related proceedings in an LCIA arbitration in the Commercial Court: [2019] EWHC 2061 (Comm).
Pearl Petroleum Co Ltd v Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq. Long-running (now settled) LCIA dispute in connection with the development and exploitation of gas fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, described in Global Arbitration Review as “one of the highest-value gas disputes in the Middle East, with claims valued at over US$39 billion”. A decision of the Commercial Court in connected enforcement proceedings, involving state immunity issues, is reported at [2016] 4 WLR 2. Anton represented the Government, led by Graham Dunning QC.
FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino & others [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm). Acting for an asset management company owned by the Libyan sovereign wealth fund in a fraud claim, relating to derivatives and structured product trades, against its former CEO and his associates. The Court upheld claims in bribery, breach of fiduciary duty and dishonest assistance in a judgment handed down in July 2018. The proceedings involved an attempt by a defendant to release frozen proprietary assets, which was successfully resisted both at first instance and in the Court of Appeal: [2016] EWCA Civ 1301; and related bankruptcy proceedings in the Chancery Division: [2017] EWHC 3458 (Ch).
Court proceedings relating to an LCIA Arbitration. Acting (with David Joseph QC) on an urgent application for an anti-suit injunction in a dispute between shareholders in a Russian bank.
PAO Tatneft v Ukraine [2018] EWHC 1797 (Comm). Acting (with Philip Edey QC) for Ukraine in a jurisdiction challenge on state immunity grounds. The proceedings related to the enforcement of a US$112 million arbitral award for breach of the Russia-Ukraine Bilateral Investment Treaty. Following an application for security for Tatneft’s costs of the appeal, Anton appeared (as sole counsel) in the Court of Appeal at a 1-day hearing in April 2019.
Otkritie Capital International Ltd v Threadneedle Asset Management Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 274. Acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) for a Russian bank in successfully opposing an application to strike out a vicarious liability claim for more than US$100 million made against the former employer of a dishonest co-conspirator. The Court of Appeal’s decision is a significant authority on the application of the guidelines laid down in Aldi Stores v WSP Group plc [2008] 1 WLR 748.
Otkritie v Olessia Jemai [2016] EWCA Civ 1316. Acting for the claimant judgment creditor in successfully resisting an appeal by a third party to the Court of Appeal against an order committing her to prison for 20 months for multiple contempts of court.
PCL v X [2015] 1 WLR 3948. Acting (with Graham Dunning QC) for a foreign government in a successful jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court, made on the basis of s. 12 of the State Immunity Act 1978. The proceedings related to the enforcement of a peremptory order made by a London-seated arbitral tribunal.
ICC Arbitration. Acting (with Graham Dunning QC) for a publicly listed oil and gas company in an arbitration relating to an offshore development project.
Otkritie v Ivory Key & others (Gibraltar Supreme Court and Court of Appeal). Fraud trial and subsequent appeal in Gibraltar concerning the ownership of funds deposited in an offshore bank account.
Anton is recognised as a Leading Junior in this field by Chambers & Partners, and was recently shortlisted for International Arbitration Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards. He also appears in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration – Future Leaders. He has experience of a wide range of arbitral proceedings under various institutional rules (including LCIA, ICC and UNCITRAL) and is equally comfortable working with and without leaders, and as co-counsel with firms of arbitration practitioners.
Anton’s notable instructions include:
acting (with Graham Dunning QC) for the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in a dispute with a UAE consortium, described in Global Arbitration Review as “one of the highest-value gas disputes in the Middle East, with claims valued at over US$39 billion” (LCIA);
acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) in a claim for hundreds of millions of US$ in a case concerning an alleged fraud on two Russian banks (LCIA);
acting (with Graham Dunning QC) for a shareholder in a BVI company seeking relief for unfair prejudice under s. 184I of the BVI Business Companies Act 2004 (LCIA);
acting (with Vernon Flynn QC) in an arbitration concerned with brand licensing arrangements, which settled in a deal estimated to be worth US$225 million (ICC);
acting (as sole counsel, against a QC from a well-known commercial set) for an investor in a claim relating to a property development project in Moscow (LCIA);
acting (with Graham Dunning QC) in a dispute between publicly listed international oil companies relating to a major offshore development project (ICC);
acting (as sole counsel) in a dispute between companies operating in the pharmaceutical industry (LCIA);
acting (with Richard Millett QC) in proceedings relating to a restructuring involving a major Russian state-owned bank (LCIA);
acting (with Geraldine Andrews QC) in an arbitration involving issues of South African law and state immunity (ICC);
acting (with Graham Dunning QC) in an arbitration in Dubai, involving a family feud and the division of a worldwide portfolio of assets (ICC); and
acting (with Geraldine Andrews QC) in a commodities arbitration relating to the supply of alumina (LCIA).
Anton also has considerable experience of arbitration-related proceedings in the Commercial Court. This includes applications under s. 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996, challenges to arbitration awards, anti-suit relief, and the enforcement of awards and peremptory orders. For example:
X v Y (2019). Acting (as sole counsel) for a shareholder in a strategic mining project in East Africa in an application for an anti-suit injunction relating to an ICC arbitration.
A v B (2019). Acting (with David Joseph QC) for the majority shareholder in a Russian bank in an urgent application for anti-suit relief relating to an LCIA arbitration.
PAO Tatneft v Ukraine [2018] EWHC 1797 (Comm). Acting (with Philip Edey QC) for Ukraine in a jurisdiction challenge on state immunity grounds. The proceedings relate to the enforcement of a US$112 million arbitral award for breach of the Russia-Ukraine Bilateral Investment Treaty. As part of the same proceedings, Anton appeared (as sole counsel) in the Court of Appeal at a 1-day hearing of Tatneft’s application for security for costs.
PCL v X [2015] 1 WLR 3948. Acting (with Graham Dunning QC) for a foreign government in a successful jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court, made on the basis of s. 12 of the State Immunity Act 1978.
Pearl Petroleum Co Ltd v Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq [2016] 4 WLR 2. Acting (with Graham Dunning QC) in Commercial Court proceedings relating to the enforcement, under s. 42 of the Arbitration Act 1996, of a peremptory order made against a foreign government.
Telenor East Holdings II AS v Altimo Holdings & Investments Ltd [2011] Arb LR 9. Acting (with Huw Davies QC) in an application under s. 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 brought to restrain a corporate acquisition worth in excess of US$6 billion.
A v B State. Advising, in the context of an arbitration against a sovereign state, on (i) enforcement of a peremptory order; (ii) enforcement of a partial final award; and (iii) obtaining a freezing order and other relief in aid of enforcement.
C v D State. Advising on the enforcement of an UNCITRAL arbitration award against a sovereign state made in proceedings brought under an investment treaty. The case raised complex issues, including whether an ostensibly separate legal entity is an organ of the state; the scope and application of the ‘commercial purposes’ exception in s. 13(4) of the State Immunity Act 1978; and the effect of the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964.
X v Y. Advising on an application for an injunction under s. 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 in the context of a dispute relating to a letter of credit.
For experience relating to “Bermuda Form” arbitrations, see “Insurance” below.
Anton has acted for and advised high street lenders in a variety of disputes with consumers and business customers. He has appeared in mortgage repossession hearings and on applications to obtain final charging orders and orders for sale. He has advised an Isle of Man company in relation to a claim arising out of a well-publicised collapse of a fund that attracted more than £60 million from individual investors, and acted for a major UK bank in connection with a Spanish law share pledge securing a large corporate loan.
Anton is currently acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) in parallel proceedings in the Commercial Court and an LCIA arbitration, relating to a $500+ million loan restructuring transaction involving an allegedly fraudulent sale of corporate bonds: PJSC Otkritie Bank Financial Corporation v Mints [2019] EWHC 2061 (Comm).
Anton has recently represented an asset management company in a claim relating to derivatives and structured product trades: FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino & others [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm).
Other instructions include an advice for a major bank on the merits of defending a multi-million pound negligence claim brought by the subject of an erroneous credit reference, and for a ‘master merchant’ providing online processing facilities for payments made using MasterCard, in a dispute concerning the terms of a merchant agreement.
Anton is recognised as a Leading Junior in this field by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. He is regularly instructed in high-value, complex civil fraud cases. He has extensive experience of trials (including a recent 33-day trial in the Commercial Court), interim applications (including freezing orders, Norwich Pharmacal and other disclosure orders, and cross-examination on assets), contempt of court and committal applications, and post-judgment measures for enforcement and asset recovery.
Anton is currently instructed by a major private Russian bank in a fraud claim (brought under Russian law) for more than US$800 million against former directors and shareholders and their wives: National Bank Trust v Yurov & others [2016] EWHC 1913 (Comm). Freezing orders were obtained in early 2016. Later that year, Anton was led by Nathan Pillow QC in a heavy 3- day hearing in the Commercial Court, successfully resisting a discharge application by one of the defendants. The 9-week trial concluded in November 2018.
In Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Sergiy Taruta & others, Anton is acting (with David Foxton QC and Nathan Pillow QC) for a Ukrainian politician in a dispute with his business partners. The various claims, including in deceit, conspiracy and dishonest assistance, are valued in excess of US$1 billion. The trial lasted 8 weeks, concluding in late 2019.
PJSC Otkritie Bank Financial Corporation v Mints is a claim for US$500+ million concerning an alleged fraud involving the purchase of corporate bonds. Anton is acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) for the claimants, who obtained worldwide freezing orders in June 2019: [2019] EWHC 2061 (Comm).
Anton has also acted for an investment vehicle of the Libyan sovereign wealth fund against its former CEO and his associates. Cockerill J upheld claims in bribery, breach of fiduciary duty and dishonest assistance in a judgment handed down in July 2018: FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino & others [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm). There have been many interlocutory hearings, including several unsuccessful attempts by the principal defendant to release frozen proprietary assets – most recently, in the Court of Appeal: [2016] EWCA Civ 1301. Anton was instructed (with Tom Smith QC) in related bankruptcy proceedings in the Chancery Division: [2017] EWHC 3458 (Ch).
Another substantial fraud case has been a 12-week trial before Eder J in the Commercial Court: Otkritie v Urumov [2014] EWHC 191 (Comm). Anton was led by Steven Berry QC in proceedings brought by a Russian bank against former employees, members of their families, and offshore vehicles involved in laundering the proceeds of fraud. The bank’s claims in deceit, conspiracy, dishonest assistance and knowing receipt (totalling about US$175 million) were upheld, and indemnity costs orders were made against the defendants. In the middle of trial, some of the defendants made an unsuccessful expedited appeal: see [2013] EWCA Civ 1196.
Following the Otkritie trial, Anton was instructed in several related enforcement proceedings, including in relation to the committal of various individuals to prison for contempt of Court; an application (as sole counsel) for the disclosure of documents to the City of London Police and Crown Prosecution Service; and applications for the sale of properties in St John’s Wood belonging to two of the defendants. More recently, there was an appeal (successfully resisted with Nathan Pillow QC) by a non-party against an order for committal to prison for 20 months: Otkritie v Olessia Jemai [2016] EWCA Civ 1316. Anton has also appeared as sole counsel on an ex parte application in the Commercial Court, seeking worldwide freezing and proprietary relief against a Bermudan company and its CEO, resident in Ukraine.
Anton has acted in an action against a well-known City fund, alleged to be vicariously liable for losses of more than US$100 million caused by their dishonest (former) employee: Otkritie Capital International Ltd v Threadneedle Asset Management Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 274 (successfully resisting a strike-out application; the Court of Appeal’s decision is now a significant authority on the application of the guidelines laid down in Aldi Stores v WSP Group plc [2008] 1 WLR 748).
In 2016, Anton was admitted to the Bar in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, and has appeared there in a fraud trial and subsequent appeal to the local Court of Appeal in a case concerning the ownership of funds held in an offshore bank account.
Anton has also acted (with Richard Millett QC) for a former executive of an English company who was subject to a worldwide freezing order. Various provisions of the order were challenged in the Chancery Division: see Cadogan Petroleum Plc v Tolley [2011] EWHC 2286 (Ch).
Anton is recognised as a Leading Junior in this field by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, and is named in Who’s Who Legal: Litigation – Future Leaders. He is frequently instructed in heavyweight commercial litigation, typically high-value cases with a strong international element.
Anton’s notable cases include:
National Bank Trust v Yurov & others. Acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) for a major Russian bank in a claim for more than US$800 million against former directors and shareholders. Successfully resisted an application to discharge a worldwide freezing order in 2016. A 33-day trial in the Commercial Court concluded at the end of November 2018.
PJSC Otkritie Bank Financial Corporation v Mints [2019] EWHC 2061 (Comm). Acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) in Commercial Court proceedings relating to a $500+ million loan restructuring transaction involving an allegedly fraudulent sale of corporate bonds.
Svetly Gorod LLC v OJSC Trust Investment Bank. Jurisdiction challenge in the Commercial Court on behalf of a Russian bank in a claim for US$264 million brought by Moscow property investors.
FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marino & others [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm). Representing an investment management company owned by the Libyan sovereign wealth fund in a claim against its former CEO and his associate.
Otkritie Capital International Ltd v Threadneedle Asset Management Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 274. Acting (with Nathan Pillow QC) for a Russian bank in successfully resisting an application to strike out a vicarious liability claim for more than US$100 million made against the former employer of a dishonest co-conspirator. The Court of Appeal’s decision is a significant authority on the application of the guidelines laid down in Aldi Stores v WSP Group plc [2008] 1 WLR 748.
PAO Tatneft v Ukraine [2018] EWHC 1797 (Comm). Acting (with Philip Edey QC) for Ukraine in a jurisdiction challenge on state immunity grounds in the Commercial Court. The proceedings related to the enforcement of a US$112 million arbitral award for breach of the Russia-Ukraine Bilateral Investment Treaty. Anton appeared (as sole counsel) in the Court of Appeal at a 1-day hearing of Tatneft’s application for security for costs.
Robert Tchenguiz v Serious Fraud Office. Acting (with Joe Smouha QC and Alex Bailin QC) in the high-profile dispute between Robert Tchenguiz and the SFO. The damages claim in trespass and false imprisonment was for lost business following a dawn raid on the homes and business premises of the property entrepreneurs, Robert and Vincent Tchenguiz. Several interim applications are reported: [2013] EWHC 1578, [2014] EWHC 1103, and [2014] EWHC 1315. In the course of the proceedings, Anton appeared (on his own) against a QC and two juniors from One Essex Court in a heavily contested disclosure application in the Commercial Court.
X v Y. Acting (as sole counsel) for a shareholder in a strategic mining project in East Africa in a Commercial Court application for an anti-suit injunction.
A v B. Acting (with David Joseph QC) for the majority shareholder in a Russian bank in an urgent application in the Commercial Court for an anti-suit injunction.
Samar Telecommunications Ltd v Tele Invest Ltd. Acting (with Vernon Flynn QC) in proceedings brought by the billionaire Wafic Said in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. The claim related to shares in a Syrian telecoms business.
Telenor East Holdings II AS v Altimo Holdings & Investments Ltd [2011] EWHC 735 (Comm). Acting (with Huw Davies QC) in an application for an interim injunction to restrain a corporate acquisition worth in excess of US$6 billion.
Avrora Fine Arts Investment Ltd v Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd [2012] EWHC 2198 (Ch). Representing the auction house in a 4-week Chancery Division trial about an oil painting sold as the work of Kustodiev, a Russian artist of the early 20th century.
Cadogan Petroleum Plc v Tolley [2011] EWHC 2286 (Ch). Led by Richard Millett QC in litigation between an oil & gas plc and one of its former directors.
Zimareva-Locke v Cetin. Appearing in the Chancery Division (as sole counsel, against a QC) on a return date for an interim injunction sought by a solicitor against one of her colleagues.
Eilon & Associates Ltd v EasyGroup IP Licensing Ltd [2011] EWHC 4094 (QB). Acting (as sole counsel) in a dispute between a corporate finance consultancy and the holder of the ‘easy’ brand.
X v Y. Advising a BVI company on the causes of action available against a former director, including breach of employment contract, breach of confidence and various economic torts.
Y v Z. Advising a Hong Kong company on the merits of a claim relating to online processing of credit card payments.
Many of Anton’s cases involve issues of private international law. He has substantial experience of challenges to the English Court’s jurisdiction (on various grounds, including state immunity), as well as choice of law and the application of foreign law. For some recent examples, see:
Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Sergiy Taruta & others (trial in 2019: Ukrainian law)
National Bank Trust v Yurov & others (trial in 2018: Russian law)
FM Capital Partners Ltd v Marina & others (trial in 2018: Swiss law)
Anton has acted (as sole counsel) in an application for a freezing order against Ukrainian and Bermudan parties, which raised intricate points on service out of the jurisdiction in the context of dishonest assistance and knowing receipt. He has also advised a BVI company doing business in Cambodia on the remedies available in an English court against a former director (a British national resident in Australia).
Anton has written an article on a decision of the Court of Appeal interpreting Article 22(2) of the Judgments Regulation: see “Determining Domicile” in the International Trade and Transport Law Newsletter (January 2010, p 6). He has also contributed to an internal guide on jurisdiction for a law firm specialising in reinsurance disputes.
Anton is recognised as a Leading Junior in this field by Legal 500.
Anton has acted (with Graham Dunning QC) in a long-running dispute between an oil & gas consortium based in the UAE and the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq. The case related to two gas fields in Iraq, and was described in Global Arbitration Review as “one of the highest-value gas disputes in the Middle East, with claims valued at over US$39 billion”. A decision in connected Commercial Court proceedings is reported at [2016] 4 WLR 2.
Anton has also represented (with Philip Edey QC) the State of Ukraine in enforcement proceedings brought by Tatneft, one of Russia’s largest oil producing companies, arising out of an arbitration concerning the ownership and operation of the Kremenchug oil refinery in Ukraine: PAO Tatneft v Ukraine [2018] EWHC 1707 (Comm).
acting (as sole counsel) for a shareholder in a strategic mining project in East Africa in an application in the Commercial Court for anti-suit relief;
acting (with Graham Dunning QC) in a dispute between publicly listed international oil companies relating to a major offshore development project;
acting (with Geraldine Andrews QC) in a dispute relating to the supply of alumina;
acting (with Graham Dunning QC) in a US$300+ million dispute relating to an interest in uranium mines; and
advising a mining company in proceedings connected with its operations in Central Asia.
Anton has experience of arbitrations under ‘Bermuda form’ policies of insurance, including a case concerned with artificial heart implants, and proceedings under a pharmaceutical risk policy (English seat; New York law).
Anton’s instructions include advising on the validity of (and coverage under) professional indemnity, D&O and crime policies of insurance relating to losses caused by employee dishonesty.
2009 – 2010 Pupillage at Essex Court Chambers
2008 Call, Gray’s Inn
2008 – 2009 Research assistant, Law Commission
2007 – 2008 Tutor in EC Law, St John’s College and Balliol College, Oxford Tutor in Jurisprudence, Wadham College, Oxford
2006 – 2007 Research assistant for Professor Simon Whittaker, St John’s College, Oxford
2013 Keble College Advanced International Advocacy Course
2007 – 2008 BVC (Very competent)
2006 – 2007 BCL, Distinction (Conflict of Laws, Restitution, Jurisprudence and Political Theory) St John’s College, Oxford
2003 – 2006 BA (First Class Hons) (Law) St John’s College, Oxford
2009 Lee Essay Prize (Gray’s Inn)
2008 Phoenicia Scholarship (Bar European Group)
2007 Herbert Hart Prize (for best performance in Jurisprudence and Political Theory)
2006 Lord Justice Holker Award (Gray’s Inn)
2004 Casberd Scholarship (for a distinction in Law Moderations
He has a great eye for detail, and therefore is ideally suited for work on complex fraud matters.
Clever, thoughtful and tactically insightful; he is a junior going places.
A first-rate draftsman and tactician.
“An excellent advocate and tactician. Russian clients value his bilingual capability and service.” “Astute analysis of issues and outstanding advocacy skills.”
“He’s incredibly hard-working, proactive and is a prodigious draftsman.” “Hands-on, commercial and analytical.”
“An excellent advocate and tactician who is especially prized by Russian clients for his bilingual capability and superior service.”
Very pleasant to work with, very clever, very strategic and very thoughtful. He is an excellent advocate and tactician.
Phenomenally clever on the legal side. He also has a very good sense for the more strategic aspects. He drafts very well and clearly. He is very good on his feet and easy to work with.
Very commercial. A confident advocate.
Personable, responsive, an excellent draftsman, but also very good on his feet.
An excellent advocate and tactician.
He combines the skills of a traditionally trained English lawyer with the knowledge of Russian culture and language.
Really impressive and very intelligent. He gets the nuances and the really technical stuff and he is a very good draftsman. He turns stuff around quickly and is very thorough. He is also a really nice bloke who is easy to deal with.
Chambers UK Bar 2018Fraud: Civil
Turns stuff around quickly, is very thorough, and is a really nice bloke who’s easy to deal with. He’s bilingual in Russian and English which helps, and on top of that his draftsmanship is first class.
His written advocacy is very precise and persuasive, and he has a very methodical and effective oral advocacy style. He’s always on top of everything, and seems to absorb information at an incredible rate.
He is hard-working, great on the detail and someone who drafts well. He is very intelligent and perceptive on the legal issues and easy to work with.
Chambers UK Bar 2017Fraud
Highly responsive and very alert to the strategic issues as well as the legal ones. He is a superb advocate and draftsman, absolutely top-notch.
A smart, hard-working guy who is more than helpful and always happy to give a view if you ring him up.
Chambers UK Bar 2016Fraud: Civil
27 January 2020Court hands down judgment in Russian bank fraud dispute
2 October 2019Avonwick Trial in Commercial Court
25 July 2018Tatneft v Ukraine: State Immunity in respect of Enforcement of BIT Award