Richard Hill KC

Commercial litigation is the linchpin of Richard’s practice. His caseload revolves around commercial disputes and (in addition to his commercial arbitration practice) he regularly appears in both Commercial Court and Chancery Division. He is regularly praised in the leading directories for his commercial and pragmatic approach to his cases. Examples of particularly significant cases include:

• Aabar and Various Investors v Glencore Plc: Richard leads the team for Glencore Plc in defending numerous claims brought by shareholders under sections 90 and 90A FSMA 2000. The amount claimed is in the US$ billions. This is one of the largest pieces of litigation currently being litigated in the Courts.
• Autonomy & Ors v Lynch & Anor (current): Richard led the team for the tragically deceased Mike Lynch (and now leads the team for the estate) in this substantial FSMA, misrepresentation and breach of duty claim brought by Hewlett-Packard against the former management of Autonomy Inc following its acquisition. The liability trial lasted 10 months and was described as the UK’s largest ever civil fraud trial.
• Republic of Mozambique & ors v Credit Suisse International & ors [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1148 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1650 (Comm); Richard led the team for one of the defendant banks, in a claim to enforce a government guarantee, which the Republic alleged had been procured by bribery. It involved a host of novel issues of banking practice and law, including in relation to the enforceability of state guarantees for banking facilities. There were numerous issues concerning international financing and the debt markets, including the IMF and the World Bank.
• Various investors v Serco Group Plc: Richard led the team for Serco defending allegations brought by a group of shareholders under FSMA Schedule 10, alleging misleading statements in published information. Featured in The Lawyers ‘Top 20 Cases of 2024’.
• Travelport and Ors v WEX [2020] EWHC 2670: Richard led the team for the sellers of a travel payments business in a $1.7bn transaction. Landmark case on the interpretation of material adverse change clauses in an acquisition context. Lead silk in a 6 member Counsel team, including 3 silks.
• Gate MENA DMCC v Tabarak Investment Capital: Richard leads the team for the Respondent bank in a DIFC appeal relating to a cryptocurrency transaction in circumstances where the relevant BTC were misappropriated during the course of the transaction. This was the first digital assets case to come to the DIFC Court of Appeal and is a landmark decision.
• Sharp and Ors v Blank & Ors [2019] EWHC 3096 (Ch) (see under Banking below).
• Pinchuk v Kolomoisky & Bogolyubov: acting as second silk for the Claimant in a very high value High Court claim involving allegations of fraud and breach of contract, pursued successfully to settlement.

A number of Richard’s recent commercial cases have involved international arbitral proceedings (see the International Arbitration section below).

Richard is accomplished in advising and litigating on a wide array of banking and financial services issues, including those relating to capital and securities markets and financial regulation matters.  He has led teams in three of the leading recent or current FSMA securities litigation (Glencore, Autonomy and Serco), and has experience in both as mis-selling disputes and regulatory tribunal work. He was named Banking Silk of the Year in 2018 at the Chambers UK Bar Awards. His capital markets work includes litigation involving securitisations and bond issues, and Richard has considerable experience acting for bond and note trustees, bondholders and noteholders, security agents, special servicers and other stakeholders. Examples of some of this work are as follows:

• Aabar and Various Investors v Glencore Plc: Richard leads the team for Glencore Plc in the massive Commercial Court litigation brought by various institutional shareholders under sections 90 and 90A FSMA 2000. Richard successfully obtained a groundbreaking judgment regarding a company’s right to assert legal privilege against its shareholders, in December 2024.
• Autonomy & Ors v Lynch & Anor (current): a substantial FSMA, misrepresentation and breach of duty claim brought by Hewlett-Packard against the former management of Autonomy Inc following its acquisition. Richard led the team for Mike Lynhc before his tragic death and now leads the team for the estate. The liability trial lasted 10 months and was described as the UK’s largest ever civil fraud trial. Featured in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2019.
• Various Investors v Serco: Richard led the team for Serco defending allegations brought by a group of shareholders under FSMA Schedule 10, alleging misleading statements in published information. This was substantial and widely publicised litigation which came to trial in June 2024 and settled early in the trial. This was also a landmark case in that it was one of the first “share price drop” cases to come to trial in England.
• Republic of Mozambique & ors v Credit Suisse International & ors [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1148 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1650 (Comm); Richard led the team for a defendant bank in this claim to enforce a government guarantee, which the Republic alleged had been procured by bribery. It involved a host of novel issues of banking practice and law, including in relation to the enforceability of state guarantees for banking facilities. There were numerous issues concerning international financing and the debt markets, including the IMF and the World Bank.
• Sharp and Ors v Blank and Ors [2019] EWHC 3096 (Ch), where Richard acted as lead silk a 12- week trial in the Chancery Division brought by Lloyds’ shareholders against the ex-directors in the context of Lloyds’ takeover of HBOS in 2008.
• Marme Inversiones 2007 v RBS and Ors [2016] EWHC 1570 (Comm): representing the Claimants in a claim against a group of banks based on allegations of EURIBOR rigging
• Mis-selling cases have included Al Khorafi v Bank Sarasin Alpen (ME) Ltd [2014] DIFC CFI, [2016] DIFC CA, the most substantial bank mis-selling claim tried in the DIFC Courts.
• Capital markets work includes litigation and advice relating to securitisation and other capital market structures, including contentious restructuring work, acting for a range of stake holders. Richard has particular experience in acting for note and bond trustees. Reported cases include Re Titan Europe 2007-11 [2014] EWHC 1189 (Ch); Re Golden Key Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 636.
• Regulatory work includes appearances in financial regulatory tribunals in the UK. Richard has also represented fund managers in regulatory tribunal proceedings brought by the DFSA in the DIFC.
• Re Lehman Brothers International Europe: Supreme Court determination of the Lehman client money litigation, involving the interpretation of the FCA’s client money rules.

Richard’s work frequently involves aspects of civil fraud and asset recovery, including (in the context of banking and financial regulation) claims for financial mis-selling and FSMA Schedule 10 claims for misstatements in published information. His work includes claims involving allegations of breach of duty and assistance in fraud in a wide range of commercial contexts. He also has substantial experience of interlocutory relief in the context of fraud claims, including freezing and proprietary inunctions. Some significant examples of Richard’s work in these areas include:

• Autonomy & Ors v Lynch & Anor (current): a substantial FSMA, misrepresentation and breach of duty claim brought by Hewlett-Packard against the former management of Autonomy Inc following its acquisition. Richard led the team for Dr Mike Lynch, and following Dr Lynch’s tragic death now leads the team for the estate.
• Republic of Mozambique & ors v Credit Suisse International & ors [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1148 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1650 (Comm). Richard led the team for a defendant bank in a claim to enforce a government guarantee, which the Republic alleged had been procured by bribery. It involved a host of novel issues of banking practice and law, including in relation to the enforceability of state guarantees for banking facilities. There were numerous issues concerning international financing and the debt markets, including the IMF and the World Bank.
• Unitel SA vs Unitel International Holdings BV: Richard Hill KC has been leading the team for Isabel dos Santos (an internationally well-known Angolan businesswoman) and her company, facing a claim from an Angolan state-run telecommunications company. The claims involve allegations of corruption within Angola. The case was subject to widely publicised interlocutory hearings relating to joinder and freezing relief.
• Aabar and Various Investors v Glencore Plc: Richard leads the defence team for Glencore Plc in the massive litigation in the Commercial Court brought by shareholders under sections 90 and 90A FSMA 2000. The amount claimed is in the US$ billions. This is one of the largest pieces of litigation currently being litigated in the Courts.
• Gate MENA DMCC v Tabarak Investment Capital: Richard leads the Respondent bank in a DIFC appeal relating to a cryptocurrency transaction in circumstances where the relevant BTC were misappropriated during the course of the transaction.  This was the first digital assets case to come to the DIFC Court of Appeal and is a landmark decision.
• Various investors v Serco Group Plc: Richard led the team for Serco defending this FSMA Sch.10A claim brought by various investors. Featured in The Lawyers ‘Top 20 Cases of 2024’.
• MAD Atelier International BV v Manes [2021] EWHC 3335 (Comm): claim for fraud and breach of contract in a joint venture relationship, brought by a Turkish hospitality group against a Michelin starred chef.
• Constantin Meridien v Ecclestone [2014] EWHC 387 (Ch) (see under commercial litigation above).
• Sinclair Investments (UK) Ltd v Versailles Trade Finance Ltd [2011] EWCA Civ 347, a landmark case in the law relating to constructive trusts and proprietary tracing.

Richard has extensive experience of acting in international and commercial arbitration tribunals. He has acted for both State and investor parties in ICSID arbitrations. He has appeared in numerous international arbitrations under the ICC, UNCITRAL and LCIA rules, as well as the rules of other bodies and ad hoc arbitrations. Examples of recent instructions (in all which Reichard led the team) include:

• LCIA arbitration (current): substantial claim involving a ME group of family-owned businesses.
• ICSID arbitration (2021): for the investor; involving claims of expropriation of the claimant’s investment in a bank (CIS state).
• ICSID arbitration (2021- current): for the State (Central African state); involving FET claims and claims of expropriation in relation to mining concessions.
• UNCITRAL arbitration (2021): representing an African Government owned entity in a dispute in relation to a substantial energy infrastructure project.

Richard is recommended in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners UK in Company – London (Bar) and in Tier 1 by Legal 500 in Company and Partnership. He has previously been awarded Chambers and Partners Company Silk of the Year. He has formidable experience across a range of company law matters, with particular expertise in directors’ duties, and shareholder disputes. Some significant examples of Richard’s work in these areas include:

• Aabar and Various Investors v Glencore Plc: Acting for Glencore Plc in defending numerous claims brought by shareholders under sections 90 and 90A FSMA 2000. The amount claimed is in the US$ billions. This is one of the largest pieces of litigation currently being litigated in the Courts. In December 2024, Richard successfully obtained a groundbreaking judgment overturning the “shareholder rule”, regarding a company’s right to assert legal privilege against its shareholders (that judgment being subsequently confirmed by the Privy Council in the Jardine litigation).
• Re Spring Media: Saxon Woods Investments Ltd vs Costa: Richard led the team for the respondent major shareholder in a multinational media company, defending substantial s.994 unfair prejudice proceedings brought by a minority shareholder.
• Various investors v Serco Group Plc:  Richard led the team for Serco defending allegations brought by a group of shareholders under FSMA Schedule 10, alleging misleading statements in published information. Featured in The Lawyers ‘Top 20 Cases of 2024’.

Financial services litigation, and related banking related litigation (including financial misselling), is a central practice area.  Richard has been involved in some of the leading FMSA Schedule 10 cases; the Autonomy litigation, Serco, and Glencore.  He also represented the successful party in the Supreme Court Lehman client money litigation. He also led for the Al Khorafi claimants in their successful claim against Bank Sarasin, the largest financial products mis-selling case (and most substantial trial) to be heard in the DIFC Court.  Richard also led the respondent team in the first crypto currency litigation in the DIFC Court of Appeal (Gate Mena v Tabarak). Richard also appears in financial services regulatory tribunals. See earlier practice areas for further details of these cases.

Richard regularly appears in the Chancery Division in both trials and interlocutory matters. He has an acute understanding of the complexities commercial chancery work often introduces, including expert evidence and cross-border issues, and has extensive experience in meeting these challenges. Examples of recent instructions in this practice area are listed in the commercial litigation, civil fraud and company sections above.

Richard has significant experience in dealing with cases with an insolvency element. In particular he has been involved in cases arising out of many of the most widely publicised insolvencies, including Lehman, TXU, and BCCI. He has also had extensive involvement in contested restructurings, especially those involving capital markets investors, where he has acted for note/bond trustees, ad hoc groups of note/bond holders and other stakeholders. He is highly experienced with proceedings under the Insolvency Act 1986 more generally, and acts for officeholders and defendants alike.

Richard was previously awarded Company/Insolvency Silk of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar awards.

Richard’s work frequently involves an offshore element, and he is extremely experienced in dealing with litigation involving multi-jurisdictional aspects and including cross-border and conflict of law issues. Many of his cases have involved teams from other jurisdictions (notably the US).

Richard a registered Part II practitioner in the DIFC and has appeared frequently in the DIFC Courts as well as in DFSA regulatory proceedings. His cases in the DIFC include Al Khorafi v Bank Sarasin Alpen (ME) Ltd [2014] DIFC CFI, [2016] DIFC CA, the most substantial mis-selling claim tried in the DIFC Courts; Gate Mena v Tabarak, the first crypto-currency case to come before the DIFC Court of Appeal, and which is currently back before the Court of First instance; and Kahlon vs Liberty Steel and Gupta, an important breach of contract claim currently before the DIFC Court.  Richard has also appeared in both arbitral and DFSA regulatory tribunals in the DIFC.

Richard is also called to the Bar of the BVI. He has appeared in substantial company litigation in that jurisdiction. He has also appeared in high value trust litigation in Gibraltar.

Richard has also appeared in international arbitral proceedings in a range of other offshore jurisdictions including Singapore, Switzerland, France, Germany and Spain.

Current cases include:

• Gate MENA DMCC v Tabarak Investment Capital: Richard leads the Respondent bank in a DIFC appeal relating to a cryptocurrency transaction involving a DFSA regulated intermediary, in circumstances where the relevant BTC were misappropriated during the course of the transaction. This was the first digital assets case to come to the DIFC Court of Appeal and is a landmark decision.
• Kahlon v Liberty Steel Group Ltd & Ors: multi-million dollar breach of contract and tort claim by a senior mining executive against Sanjeev Gupta and companies in his Liberty Steel group.
• Sawhney v Credit Suisse: DIFC misselling case against a major bank: Richard acts as leader in a substantial financial misselling claim against a major bank taking place in the DIFC courts.  (This follows his successful representation of the Claimants in the landmark Khorafi litigation, the most substantial misselling claim then to have come before the DFIC courts).

• Aabar and Various Investors v Glencore Plc (current): Leading the team for Glencore Plc in defending claims brought by shareholders under sections 90 and 90A FSMA 2000. The amount claimed is in the US$ billions. This is one of the largest pieces of litigation currently being litigated in the Courts.
• Autonomy & Ors v Lynch & Anor (current): Leading the Counsel team for the Dr Mike Lynch (and for the estate following Dr Lynch’s tragic death) in the Hewlett Packard / Autonomy litigation. This has involved a 10-month trial in which Richard co-led a 7 member Counsel team with Robert Miles QC, followed by a quantum trial and subsequently hearings in which Richard led the team. The case involves a FSMA, misrepresentation and breach of duty claim by Autonomy against its former CEO for in excess of $US 8 billion in relation to an alleged accounting fraud.
• Republic of Mozambique & ors v Credit Suisse International & ors [2024] EWHC 1957 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1148 (Comm); [2023] EWHC 1650 (Comm); claim to enforce a government guarantee, which the Republic alleged had been procured by bribery. It involved a host of novel issues of banking practice and law, including in relation to the enforceability of state guarantees for banking facilities. There were numerous issues concerning international financing and the debt markets, including the IMF and the World Bank.
• Various investors v Serco Group Plc: Richard led the team for Serco defending allegations brought by a group of shareholders under FSMA Schedule 10, alleging misleading statements in published information. Featured in The Lawyers ‘Top 20 Cases of 2024’.
• Travelport and Ors v WEX [2020] EWHC 2670: Acting for the sellers of a travel payments business in a $1.7bn transaction. Landmark case on the interpretation of material adverse change clauses in an acquisition context. Lead silk in a 6-member Counsel team, including 3 silks.
• Unitel SA vs Unitel International Holdings BV: Richard Hill KC has been leading the team for Isabel dos Santos (an internationally well-known Angolan businesswoman) and her company, facing a claim from an Angolan state-run telecommunications company. The claims involve allegations of corruption within Angola. The case was subject to widely publicised interlocutory hearings relating to joinder and freezing relief.
• Gate MENA DMCC v Tabarak Investment Capital: Richard leads the Respondent bank in a DIFC appeal relating to a cryptocurrency transaction in circumstances where the relevant BTC were misappropriated during the course of the transaction. This was the first digital assets case to come to the DIFC Court of Appeal and is a landmark decision.
• International arbitration work (multiple years to current): Numerous international arbitrations under ICSID, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and other rules. Include ICSID claims representing both investor and state. See under International Arbitration above.
• Sharp and Ors v Blank and Ors [2019] EWHC 3096 (Ch): Acting as lead silk a 12-week trial in the Chancery Division brought by a large group of Lloyds’ corporate and individual shareholders against the bank’s former directors in the context of Lloyds’ takeover of HBOS during the 2008 credit crunch.
• Khorafi v Bank Sarasin Alpen (ME) Limited and Bank Sarasin Limited (2013 to 2018): Numerous reported decisions between 2014 and 2017. Leading the Counsel team in this multi-million dollar landmark case in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Successfully representing the Claimant at first instance and in the Court of Appeal. Leading case on the application of the DFSA rules in banking in the DIFC.
• Pinchuk v Kolomoisky & Bogolyubov: Acting as second silk for the Claimant in a very high value High Court claim involving allegations of fraud and breach of contract, pursued successfully to settlement.
• Marme Inversiones 2007 v RBS and Ors [2016] EWHC 1570 (Comm): Representing the Claimants in a claim against a group of banks based on allegations of EURIBOR rigging.
• Peak Hotels and Resorts Ltd v Tarek Investments Ltd [2016] EWHC 333 (Ch): Representing the Claimant in litigation arising out of the battle for control of the luxury Aman hotel group.
• Marme Inversiones 2007 v RBS and Ors [2016] EWHC 1570 (Comm): Representing the Claimants in a claim against a group of banks based on allegations of EURIBOR rigging.
• MAD Atelier International BV v Manes [2021] EWHC 3335 (Comm): Claim for fraud and breach of contract in a joint venture relationship, brought by a Turkish hospitality group against a Michelin starred chef.
• Re Coroin Ltd (McKillen v Misland (Cyprus Investments Ltd [2014] BCC 14. Representing Paddy McKillen in his battle against the Barclay brothers for control of a group of flagship luxury London hotels
• Constantin Meridien v Ecclestone [2014] EWHC 387 (Ch): Acting for Bernie Ecclestone in a substantial trial involving allegations of bribery in connection with the sale of a stake in Formula One.
• Benedetti v Sawiris & Ors [2013] UKSC 50: Successfully representing the Defendant in this high value claim arising out of a joint venture in an Italian Telecoms company. This has become a leading Supreme Court case on restitution.
• Re Lehman Brothers International Europe [2012] UKSC 6: Court of Appeal and Supreme Court determinations of the Lehman client money litigation.
• Sinclair Investments (UK) Ltd v Versailles Trade Finance Ltd [2011] EWCA Civ 347 (Court of Appeal): Successfully representing the Claimant in this leading case on proprietary remedies and constructive trusts.
• Capital markets litigation (various years): Various securitisation / bondholder disputes, including in many of the well-publicised contentious restructurings. Acting for bond and note trustees, bondholders and ad hoc committees, servicers and special servicers, security trustees or agents and other stakeholders. Reported cases include Re Titan Europe 2007-1 [2014] EWHC 1189 (Ch); Re Golden Key Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 636.

• Called to the Bar in the DIFC
• Called to the Bar In the BVI
• Formerly Treasury Counsel (A Panel)
• Member of the Commercial Bar Association, Chancery Bar Association.

• Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge: First Class Honours
• Chambers and Partners Banking Silk of the Year 2018
• Chambers and Partners Company/Insolvency Silk of the Year 2015
• Previously Chambers and Partners Junior of the Year for (variously) Commercial Litigation, Chancery, Insolvency/Corporate Restructuring.

• Contributor to OUP’s Annotated Companies Acts.

Chambers and Partners 2026

Richard is ranked as a leading silk in 6 key areas of practice:

Banking & Finance (Band 2)

• ‘He’s impressive and good on his feet in court.’
• ‘Richard Hill is always well prepared and diligent.’

Company (Band 1)

• ‘He is a deep thinker about the issues and a highly strategic advocate. He hones arguments down to the ones that will actually persuade the tribunal.’
• ‘I think that Richard is exceptional. His commitment and preparation are outstanding, and his advocacy skills and style are hugely impressive. I always know he is going to do a good job.’
• ‘Richard Hill KC is a standout barrister with terrific cross-examination skills. He is very succinct and clear in his writing and when appearing before judges.’

Restructuring/Insolvency (Band 4)

• ‘His advocacy skill and style is very good, he is my first pick for almost everything.’

Fraud: Civil (Band 2)

• ‘He is impressive and good on his feet in court.’

Commercial Dispute Resolution (Band 1)

• ‘Mr Hill’s advocacy is remarkable. He is clear, concise, persuasive and always in control when in the courtroom. He understands the bigger picture and always remains committed to the end goal.’
• ‘He has a really intimidating court presence and is very clever. He did an excellent job at demolishing the other side on a particular point.’
• ‘He’s very responsive, matter of fact and easy to work with.’
• ‘Richard Hill KC has a persuasive presence that instils confidence in clients.’
• ‘Richard is very commercial; he just understands what you need. I don’t have enough superlatives to fully describe how good he is. He is also incredibly reasonable on costs.’

Legal 500 2026

Richard is ranked as a leading silk in 5 areas by Legal 500:

Company (Tier 1)

Commercial Litigation (Tier 2)

• ‘A strong practitioner with a loyal following’

Fraud: Civil (Tier 2)

• ‘A strong practitioner’

Banking and Finance (including Consumer Credit) (Tier 2)

Insolvency (Tier 3)

The English Bar: Commercial (Tier 1)