Guy Olliff-Cooper

Guy has considerable experience in litigation for and against banks and other financial institutions. His notable cases include:

• Sawhney v Credit Suisse AG [2023] CFI 06/22021. A US$7.5 million claim in the DIFC by customers of a global investment bank for alleged mis-selling of investment products. Guy is instructed by Al Tamimi & Company for the Defendant alongside Sharif Shivji KC. In February 2023, Sharif and Guy succeeded in striking out large parts of the Claimants’ statement of case.
• Kaaf Investments LLC v Sharma & Ors. A US$4.6 million claim in the DIFC against the directors of a company that is alleged to have breached the General Prohibition on providing financial services without a licence. Guy is instructed by KBH Limited for Claimant alongside Richard Hill KC.
• Ahmed v Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.). An urgent application for an injunction to remove receivers appointed by a bank over a portfolio of investment properties.
• Singularis Holdings Ltd v Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Ltd [2017] EWHC 257 (Ch). A claim against the former brokers of an insolvent company for breach of the Quincecare Duty in respect of a fraud by its former director. As a pupil, Guy assisted Robert Miles KC and Andrew de Mestre KC.

Guy regularly appears in the Chancery Division as sole or junior counsel. His notable instructions include:

• Al Jaber v Salfiti [2018] EWHC 3038 (Ch); Al Jaber v Bosheh [2019] EWHC 2142 (Ch). A claim against a solicitor for advising his client to take high interest loans from an individual that, it was alleged, was merely an alter ego of the solicitor himself. Guy was instructed by CANDEY for the lender alongside Alexander Cook KC. He succeeded in discharging a freezing injunction obtained by the Claimant and (as sole counsel) obtaining a freezing injunction in support of the lender’s own counterclaim for non-payment.
• Kea Investments Ltd v Ivory Castle Ltd [2019] EWHC 309 (Ch); [2020] EWHC 472 (Ch). A claim for the appointment of a receiver by way of equitable execution against assets alleged to been held for a judgment debtor. Interlocutory decisions concerned the scope of Gateway (4A), issue estoppel and the principle in Chanel v Woolworth, and the legal expenses exception in proprietary and quasi-proprietary injunctions. Guy was instructed by Clyde & Co for the Defendants alongside Richard Power of Fountain Court Chambers.
• Coral Reef Ltd v Silverbond Enterprises Ltd & Anor [2019] EWHC 887 (Ch). A dispute over the ownership of a Mayfair casino. Guy was instructed by CANDEY for the Defendants alongside Stephen Auld KC of One Essex Court. At the interlocutory stage, Guy succeeded in obtaining a rare punitive security for costs order under CPR 3.1(5) following the Claimant’s repeated failure to comply with Court rules and directions.

See also: Company, Fraud: Civil, Insolvency.

Guy is regularly instructed on behalf of businesses and high net worth individuals in large commercial disputes. His instructions include:

• Unitel S.A. v (1) Unitel International Holdings B.V. (2) Dos Santos [2023] EWHC 3231 (Comm); Dos Santos v Unitel SA [2024] EWCA Civ 1109. A c. £580 million claim against Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of the former President of Angola and first African female billionaire, and an associated company, in relation to sums allegedly due under various loan agreements. Guy acts for the Defendants alongside Richard Hill KC and Daniel Margolin KC.
• Omni Bridgeway (Fund 5) Cayman Invt Ltd v Bugsby Property LLC [2024] Costs LR 405. An application for fortification of a cross-undertaking in damages. Guy was instructed by CANDEY for the Respondent alongside Jamie Carpenter KC of Hailsham Chambers.
• Therium Litigation Funding A IC v Bugsby Property LLC [2023] Costs LR 1641. An application by a litigation funder for an asset preservation order over settlement proceeds. This was the first case to consider the enforceability of a litigation funding agreement since the landmark decision of the Supreme Court in R (on the application of PACCAR Inc) v Competition Appeal Tribunal. Guy was instructed by CANDEY for the Respondent alongside Jamie Carpenter KC of Hailsham Chambers.
• Peregrine Aviation Bravo v Laudamotion GmbH [2023] EWHC 48 (Comm). A US$40 million claim by the world’s largest aircraft leasing company against Ryanair and Laudamotion for sums due under an indemnity clause following Laudamotion’s failure to accept various aircraft tendered for lease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guy was instructed by Allen & Overy LLP as junior counsel to Bankim Thanki KC of Fountain Court Chambers and William Edwards of 3VB.
• Oscar Trustee Limited v MBS Software Solutions Limited BVIHCMAP 2021/0024. A US$5 million claim for sums allegedly due under an investment agreement in respect of a mining venture in Turkey. Guy is instructed by Harney Westwood & Riegels LP alongside Sharif Shivji KC for the Defendant. In August 2022, Sharif and Guy successfully resisted the Claimant’s appeal against the Commercial Court’s decision to stay proceedings on grounds of forum non conveniens. In February 2023, they obtained a further order from the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal staying the Claimant’s application for permission to appeal to the Privy Council until all outstanding costs orders are paid.
• TV Global Enterprises Limited v Project 11 Limited. A US$700,000 claim for the return of sums paid under a contract for the provision of advertising at Copa America. Guy acted for the Defendant alongside Richard Power of Fountain Court Chambers.
• AWAS 6696 Ireland Limited & Ors v VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Company. A US$9 million claim by one of the world’s largest commercial jet aircraft leasing companies for sums due under various aircraft leasing agreements. As a secondee at Allen & Overy LLP, Guy was responsible for drafting the Particulars of Claim.
• GKL Aircraft Ireland One Limited v TransAsia Airways Corporation. A US$55 million claim by an aircraft leasing company against a Taiwanese airline for sums due under an aircraft lease agreement. Guy was instructed by HFW to prepare an application for permission to serve out of the jurisdiction.
• Mathé v CBE Capital Ltd. A claim for sums due under a commission agreement in the context of a commercial property purchase. Guy was instructed by Fladgate LLP for the Claimant.
• Puharić v Silverbond Enterprises Ltd [2021] EWHC 351 (QB); [2021] Costs LR 499. A claim for a ‘bonus’ supposedly due from a high-profile Mayfair casino. Guy appeared successfully as sole counsel for the casino during the 4-day trial. The subsequent decision on costs is a leading authority on the quantum of interim payments following approved cost budgets.

Guy accepts instructions in all manner of company disputes, in particular claims for breach of directors’ duties, derivative claims, unfair prejudice petitions, and just and equitable winding-ups. His cases of note include:

• Unitel S.A. v (1) Unitel International Holdings B.V. (2) Dos Santos [2023] EWHC 3231 (Comm); Dos Santos v Unitel SA [2024] EWCA Civ 1109. A c. £580 million claim against Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of the former President of Angola and first African female billionaire, and an associated company, in relation to sums allegedly due under various loan agreements. Unitel alleges that Ms dos Santos breached her duties as director of Unitel by causing it to enter into the loans in question. Guy acts for the Defendants alongside Richard Hill KC and Daniel Margolin KC.
• Petroci Holding v Masirah Oil Limited. An unfair prejudice petition in the BVI by the state-owned petroleum company of the Ivory Coast in respect of the unlawful dilution of its shareholding in a joint venture vehicle incorporated to exploit an oil concession off the coast of Oman. Guy was instructed by Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP and Carey Olsen (BVI) LP for the Claimant alongside Mo Haque KC.
• Thorp v Meon Contractors Limited. An unfair prejudice petition based on the alleged misappropriation of company funds by the sole director of the company. Guy acts for the Petitioner. In October 2024 Guy successfully obtained an unless order with indemnity costs against the director for failing to file Points of Defence.
• iWire Holding Ltd v I O T Technology 0 – Sole Proprietorship LLC. A claim by a shareholder for the reappointment of its nominee directors, allegedly pursuant to the terms of a shareholders’ agreement. Guy was instructed by Al Tamimi & Company for the Defendant as sole counsel.
• Re a Company. An application by a shareholder of a substantial Hong Kong financial services company to challenge the removal of his right to vote at a general meeting. Guy was instructed alongside Jonathan Crow KC to advise in the context of the shareholder’s appeal to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.
• Airways Aviation Academy Limited v Atalla. A £8.5 million claim by a pilot training provider against its former director for alleged breaches of duty.
• Michel v Michel [2019] EWHC 1378 (Ch). An unfair prejudice petition on grounds of exclusion from management and breach of fiduciary duty. Guy assisted Alastair Tomson on the law of quasi-partnerships and the applicability of s.122(1)(g) of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Guy is developing particular expertise in disputes relating to cryptoassets and distributed ledger technologies. He is ranked as a ‘Leading Junior’ in this field by Legal 500. His recent instructions include:

• Armeniakou v Scott Thomson. An application for a freezing injunction under s.25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 in support of proceedings in Greece in respect of an alleged failure to provide certain cryptoassets (valued at £11 million) pursuant to a divorce settlement. Guy was instructed by Stokoe Partnership Solicitors for the Applicant.
• Constandinos v eToro (Europe) Limited. A claim by a customer of a well-known cryptocurrency trading platform for failing to pass on ‘airdrops’ that the Defendant received on the customer’s behalf, raising issues of when cryptoasset platforms hold customer assets on trust.
• Digital Asset Exchange Limited v Oyekenov [2022] GSC 15 – a claim by a blockchain technology company for the alleged misappropriation of large quantities of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Guy assisted Mo Haque KC during the Defendant’s successful application to dispute the jurisdiction of the Gibraltar Courts.
• Re an Exchange. An arbitration in the Malta Arbitration Centre under the Model Law arising out of the hack of a well-known cryptocurrency exchange. Guy acted alongside Alastair Tomson and Albert Sampson for the Claimant who sought a negative declaration of liability in respect of sums lost as a result of the hack.

Ranked as a ‘Leading Junior’ by Legal 500 and ‘Up and Coming’ by Chambers & Partners, Guy has extensive experience of claims involving allegations of deceit, conspiracy, and breach of trust. He has particular expertise on the law of freezing injunctions, having appeared in two of the leading appellate authorities. His recent cases include:

• Unitel S.A. v (1) Unitel International Holdings B.V. (2) Dos Santos [2023] EWHC 3231 (Comm); Dos Santos v Unitel SA [2024] EWCA Civ 1109. A c. £580 million claim against Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of the former President of Angola and first African female billionaire, and an associated company, in relation to sums allegedly due under various loan agreements; now the leading authority on the meaning of the phrase ‘good arguable case’ in the context of freezing relief. Guy acts for the Defendants alongside Richard Hill KC and Daniel Margolin KC.
• Stokoe Partnership Solicitors v Dechert LLP [2023] EWHC 3273 (KB). A claim against a well-known law firm for allegedly seeking to obtain the confidential information of solicitors instructed by an opposing party in litigation. Guy was instructed by the Claimant, Stokoe Partnership Solicitors, alongside Sara Mansoori KC of Matrix Chambers to obtain a non-party disclosure order against the Sunday Times and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. He is now instructed on the substantive claim alongside John Brisby KC, Alastair Tomson, and Simon Paul of Fountain Court Chambers.
• Mex Group Worldwide Ltd v Ford [2023] EWHC 3394 (KB). An application to discharge a freezing injunction obtained under s.25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 in support of a €85 million claim in Scotland for allegedly inducing beach of a Consent Order. Guy was instructed by Peters & Peters for the successful Respondent alongside Alexander Cook KC.
• Omni Bridgeway (Fund 5) Cayman Invt Ltd v Bugsby Property LLC [2024] Costs LR 405. An application for fortification of a cross-undertaking in damages; frequently cited on the meaning of the phrase ‘good arguable case’ (but now overtaken by Dos Santos v Unitel SA – see above). Guy was instructed by CANDEY for the Respondent alongside Jamie Carpenter KC.
• Therium Litigation Funding A IC v Bugsby Property LLC [2023] Costs LR 1641. An application by a litigation funder for an asset preservation order over settlement proceeds; the first case to consider the enforceability of a litigation funding agreement since the landmark decision of the Supreme Court in R (on the application of PACCAR Inc) v Competition Appeal Tribunal. Guy was instructed by CANDEY for the Respondent alongside Jamie Carpenter KC of Hailsham Chambers.
• Von Der Heydt Invest S.A. v Multibank FX International Corporation BVIHCMAP 2022/0008. A €36.4 million claim in the BVI to set aside a Consent Order allegedly obtained via fraud and collusion. Interlocutory decisions include what is now the leading authority in the Eastern Caribbean on the test for fortification of a cross-undertaking in damages. Guy was instructed by Carey Olsen (BVI) LP for the Claimant alongside Alexander Cook KC.
• Les Ambassadeurs Club Ltd v Yu [2021] EWHC 1443 (QB); [2022] 4 WLR 1. An application for a post-judgment freezing injunction against a defaulting gambler; now the leading authority on the meaning of the phrase ‘real risk of dissipation’ in the context of freezing relief. Guy appeared as sole counsel for the Claimant in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
• Al Jaber v Salfiti [2018] EWHC 3038 (Ch); Al Jaber v Bosheh [2019] EWHC 2142 (Ch). A claim against a solicitor for advising his client to take high interest loans from an individual that, it was alleged, was merely an alter ego of the solicitor himself. Guy was instructed by CANDEY for the lender alongside Alexander Cook KC. He succeeded in discharging a freezing injunction obtained by the Claimant and (as sole counsel) obtaining a freezing injunction in support of the lender’s own counterclaim for non-payment.
• Kea Investments Ltd v Ivory Castle Ltd [2019] EWHC 309 (Ch); [2020] EWHC 472 (Ch). A claim for the appointment of a receiver by way of equitable execution against assets alleged to been held for a judgment debtor. Interlocutory decisions concerned the scope of Gateway (4A), issue estoppel and the principle in Chanel v Woolworth, and the legal expenses exception in proprietary and quasi-proprietary injunctions. Guy was instructed by Clyde & Co for the Defendants alongside Richard Power of Fountain Court Chambers.

Guy has experience in the full range of bankruptcy & insolvency disputes including: preferences, transactions at an undervalue, transactions defrauding creditors, misfeasance, wrongful & fraudulent trading, statutory demands, bankruptcy & winding-up petitions, validation orders, examinations, and director’s disqualification. His cases of note include:

• Fetaimia v Albert Court (Westminster) Management Company Ltd. An appeal against a winding-up order on the basis that the Judge was allegedly misled as to the material facts. Guy is instructed by Harney Westwood & Riegels LP for the Respondent alongside Alexander Cook KC.
• Singh v Briggs & Anor. An appeal against a non-party costs order made against a trustee in bankruptcy in connection with a public examination of a bankrupt. Guy is instructed by RPC for the Appellant.
• Eason & Anor v Hopkirk & Anor. An application for permission to examine the conduct of former administrators under para. 75(2) of Schedule B1 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Guy was instructed by RPC for the Respondents.
• Candey Limited v Crumpler BVIHCMAP 2020/0021. An application by a law firm for an order under s.273 of the BVI Insolvency Act 2003 that sums due to them from an insolvent company be paid as an expense in the liquidation under the Lundy Granite principle. Guy acted for the Applicant in BVI Commercial Court and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.
• Neill v Needham & Anor. An application under s.108(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 for removal of liquidators on grounds of conflict of interest.
• Re a Bankrupt. A private examination under s.366 of the Insolvency Act 1986 of a bankrupt believed to be hiding assets that properly vested in his trustee.
• Hosking v Apax Partners LLP. A US$ 1 billion claim under s.423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 against a number of high-profile private equity houses. Guy assisted Robert Miles KC and Andrew de Mestre KC for the successful Defendants. Hosking v Apax Partners LLP was selected as one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2018.
• Sandhu v Nagra. An unfair prejudice petition against a company director who had diverted the business and assets of the company to his own corporate entity (see [2018] EWHC 763 (Ch)). Guy acted for the successful petitioner on a post-judgment application for the appointment an interim receiver on the basis that an existing freezing injunction did not provide adequate protection against the danger of document destruction.

Guy is a contributor to two works on insolvency: Transaction Avoidance in Insolvencies 3^rd Ed. (2018) and Loose and Griffiths on Liquidators 9^th Ed. (2019). His contributions include chapters on wrongful and fraudulent trading, transaction avoidance in offshore jurisdictions, and decision-making within a liquidation.

Guy is called to the Bar in the BVI where he has extensive experience in both the Commercial Court and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. He is described as a “key name” for Commercial Disputes in the Caribbean by Legal 500 and is ranked as a ‘Leading Junior’. His recent cases include:

• Fetaimia v Albert Court (Westminster) Management Company Ltd. An appeal against a winding-up order on the basis that the Judge was allegedly misled as to the material facts. Guy is instructed by Harney Westwood & Riegels LP for the Respondent alongside Alexander Cook KC.
• Von Der Heydt Invest S.A. v Multibank FX International Corporation BVIHCMAP 2022/0008. A €36.4 million claim in the BVI to set aside a Consent Order allegedly obtained via fraud and collusion. Interlocutory decisions include what is now the leading authority in the Eastern Caribbean on the test for fortification of a cross-undertaking in damages. Guy was instructed by Carey Olsen (BVI) LP for the Claimant alongside Alexander Cook KC.
• Oscar Trustee Limited v MBS Software Solutions Limited BVIHCMAP 2021/0024. A US$5 million claim for sums allegedly due under an investment agreement in respect of a mining venture in Turkey. Guy is instructed by Harney Westwood & Riegels LP alongside Sharif Shivji KC for the Defendant. In August 2022, Sharif and Guy successfully resisted the Claimant’s appeal against the Commercial Court’s decision to stay proceedings on grounds of forum non conveniens. In February 2023, they obtained a further order from the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal staying the Claimant’s application for permission to appeal to the Privy Council until all outstanding cost orders are paid.
• Petroci Holding v Masirah Oil Limited. An unfair prejudice petition in the BVI by the state-owned petroleum company of the Ivory Coast in respect of the unlawful dilution of its shareholding in a joint venture vehicle incorporated to exploit an oil concession off the coast of Oman. Guy is instructed by Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP and Carey Olsen (BVI) LP for the Claimant alongside Mo Haque KC.
• Candey Limited v Crumpler BVIHCMAP 2020/0021. An application by a law firm for an order under s.273 of the BVI Insolvency Act 2003 that sums due to them from an insolvent company be paid as an expense in the liquidation under the Lundy Granite principle. Guy acted for the Applicant in BVI Commercial Court and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.

Guy is also a Part II Registered Practitioner in the DIFC where he has experience at all levels ranging from the Small Claims Tribunal to the Court of Appeal. His recent cases include:

• Sawhney v Credit Suisse AG [2023] CFI 06/22021. A US$7.5 million claim in the DIFC by customers of a global investment bank for alleged mis-selling of investment products. Guy is instructed by Al Tamimi & Company for the Defendant alongside Sharif Shivji KC. In February 2023, Sharif and Guy succeeded in striking out large parts of the Claimants’ statement of case.
• Kaaf Investments LLC v Sharma & Ors. A US$4.6 million claim in the DIFC against the directors of a company that is alleged to have breached the General Prohibition on providing financial services without a licence. Guy is instructed by KBH Limited for Claimant alongside Richard Hill KC.
• iWire Holding Ltd v I O T Technology 0 – Sole Proprietorship LLC. A claim by a shareholder for the reappointment of its nominee directors, allegedly pursuant to the terms of a shareholders’ agreement. Guy is instructed by Al Tamimi & Company for the Defendant as sole counsel.
• First Middle East Distribution DMCC v Orange Chameleon Limited. An AED 3.8 million claim arising under a lease. Guy is instructed by Al Tamimi & Company for the Defendant as sole counsel.
• Re a Trust. A long-running family dispute in the DIFC over the ownership of a Dubai-based business empire worth c. US$1 billion. Guy acted as junior to Richard Hill KC, Orlando Fraser KC, and Sharif Shivji KC, and latterly as sole counsel for the successful party.

Guy has also assisted on cases in other jurisdictions. Such cases include:

• Digital Asset Exchange Limited v Oyekenov [2022] GSC 15. A claim by a blockchain technology company for the alleged misappropriation of large quantities of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Guy assisted Mo Haque KC during the Defendant’s successful application to dispute the jurisdiction of the Gibraltar Courts.
• Re a Company. An application by a shareholder of a substantial Hong Kong financial services company to challenge the removal of his right to vote at a general meeting. Guy was instructed alongside Jonathan Crow KC to advise in the context of the shareholder’s appeal to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

Guy is the co-author of the chapter in Transaction Avoidance in Insolvencies 3^rd Ed. (2018) on transaction avoidance in offshore jurisdictions.

• Chancery Bar Association
• Commercial Bar Association

• 2015: BPTC, City Law School (Outstanding)
• 2014: GDL, City Law School (Distinction)
• 2013: BA (Hons) Philosophy & Theology, Keble College, Oxford

Scholarships & Prizes

• 2016: Hubert Greenland Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
• 2015: Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn
• 2014: Hardwicke Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
• 2014: Falcon Chambers Prize for Land Law, City Law School
• 2013: Lord Bowen Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn

Loose and Griffiths on Liquidators 9 Ed. (2019)

Transaction Avoidance in Insolvencies 3 Ed. (2018)

• Chambers & Partners (2025) “Guy is completely unflappable. He goes above and beyond and is proactive.”
• Legal 500 Caribbean Bar 2025 (Offshore) Tier 4
• Legal 500 (2025) “An outstanding junior for civil fraud. He goes the extra mile for the client.” 
• Legal 500 (2024) “Guy is exceptionally bright and thorough, totally on top of the detail, and a forceful advocate.”
• Legal 500 (2023) “Guy is an undoubted star of the future. He is exceptionally bright and very thorough, and his arguments are clear and highly persuasive.