Graham Chapman QC

“A first-class silk – incredibly user friendly and very down to earth, he has a wonderful brain.” – Legal 500, 2020

“Graham Chapman QC is a fine cross-examiner with great judgement, who is dedicated and tough.” “He’s a gentleman with solicitors and clients, and a tactful yet robust advocate in the courtroom.” – Chambers & Partners, 2020

“Fiercely bright, a gentleman with instructing solicitors and clients, and a tactful and robust advocate in the courtroom.” – Chambers & Partners, 2019

 “Does an excellent job.” – Legal 500, 2019

Graham has acted in a wide range of commercial disputes including those arising from international M&A transactions, sale of goods, claims against directors for breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of company funds, partnership disputes and a variety of contractual claims. He has experience of acting as counsel in arbitral proceedings including ICC Arbitrations. Often his work has an international element to it and he has experience of acting in forum disputes/challenges and dealing with expert evidence on foreign law and procedure.

Graham has undertaken a number of cases involving the automative industry and has himself a keen interest in performance cars and motorsport.  These have included a contractual dispute concerning a multi-million pound roadside recovery contract on behalf of a regional police force, a claim concerning the provenance of a vintage Lancia rally car and dispute concerning the ownership and acquisition of a McLaren racing car.

A flavour of Graham’s work and experience might be provided by the following:

• Acting for a defendant company and individual alleged to have been engaged in a dishonest conspiracy to misappropriate an interest in a substantial European media company.
• Acting for both claimants and defendants in a series of breach of warranty cases arising from M&A transactions.
• Acting for a defendant outsourcing service provider in a dispute with a major financial institution including applications for injunctive relief.
• Acting for a defendant director in a substantial claim brought against him for breach of fiduciary duty relating to inter-company transactions within a group of companies.
• Acting for a claimant seeking to challenge the misappropriation of a substantial shareholding in a Russian company and to assert ownership over various assets held in offshore trust structures.
• Acting for a defendant professional trust company in a claim concerning the investment of trust property.
• Advising and acting in substantial offshore trust disputes arising out of commercial transactions and structuring.
• Advising a group of investors as to potential claims arising from failed investments in an investment bond.
• Acting for the Claimant investors in a circa £50m dispute arising from failed investments in technology investment schemes: see, for example, Brown & Oths v. InnovatorOne Plc [2009] EWHC 1376 (Comm); [2009] WLR (D) 205. He has experience of a wide number of different types of technology, film and charity tax-advantaged investment schemes
• Acting for the Claimant unit trust in a dispute concerning the acquisition of a factory outlet shopping centre.
• Acting for defendant directors who were alleged to have acted in breach of the duties they owed to the company by entering into interest rate Swap contracts on behalf of that company.
• Acting for the Defendant financial services company in a claim concerning margin calls and dealing in contracts for difference.
• Acting for a police force in defence of claims concerning alleged breach of a commercial contract and breach of the rules applicable to public procurement contracts.
• Acting for the defendant in a dispute as to domicile and on an application for permission to serve out: Cherney v Deripaska [2007] EWHC 965 (Comm); [2008] EWHC.
• Acting for the successful claimants in a claim arising from an investment in a US$400m shipping line.  The claim included claims for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation together with contractual claims.  See Abu Dhabi Investment Co. v H Clarkson & Ors [2007] EWHC 1267 (Comm) ( and for related proceedings in which Graham acted for the claimants in successfully resisting an application for a stay for arbitration in the UAE see Abu Dhabi Investment Co. v H Clarkson & Ors [2006] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 281).
• Defending former directors of an insurance company against a claim for breach of fiduciary duty.
• Advising in relation to disputes arising from the sale and development of residential property in the Middle East.
• Acting for a claimant import/export company in a claim against a former employee for misappropriation of company funds/unauthorised trading.
• Acting for a former director of a shipping agent in relation to various claims made by and against his former employers.
• Advising in a dispute concerning the supply of electronic equipment in the media industry.
• Acting on behalf of underwriters in arbitral proceedings against brokers.

“Incredibly user friendly and very down to earth, approachable and has a wonderful brain.” – Legal 500, 2020

Graham has extensive experience of acting in claims concerning allegations of fraud, including substantial claims relating to the alleged dishonest misappropriation of assets.  Such claims often engage fiduciary duties, including of directors and other officeholders, agency and trust issues.  Graham has experience of related interlocutory applications in aid of such claims including seeking urgent injunctive relief.

Examples of Graham’s current and past experience include the following cases:

1. The Ingenious litigation.  Graham acts for a group of claimant investors who invested in one or more film finance or other tax advantaged investment schemes.  The claims include allegations of dishonesty against various entities relating to the promotion and operation of the schemes.  Graham previously acted in the Innovator litigation.
2. Graham acts for the claimant in proceedings in the Commercial Court against her former partner concerning his alleged misappropriation of very substantial assets in Russia and other jurisdictions including, in particular, a substantial asset in Moscow.  The claim gives rise to issue of agency, fiduciary duty, trust (including constructive trust) and potential issues of Russian law.
3. LICT v. VTB Capital Ltd: Graham is instructed on behalf of the Viva Telecom (Luxembourg) SA and Bulgarian businessman, Spas Roussev, in this claim in which the claimants allege that their interest in a Bulgarian telecommunications group was dishonestly misappropriated by the defendants including VTB.  It is alleged that the conspiracy concerns the dishonest enforcement of a pledge over shares and the subsequent sale of those shares through a sham process to Viva Telecom.
4. X v Y: This is a confidential matter concerning an offshore statutory secret trust.  Graham acted in proceedings in an offshore jurisdiction which were concerned with the misappropriation of very substantial assets of a Russian business and the ultimate placing of those assets (or their proceeds) in offshore structures including a statutory secret trust.  The misappropriation gave rise to issues of breach of fiduciary duty on the part of the (Russian) directors of the Russian company and associated issues of constructive trust.  Graham acted at trial and on appeal.

Graham has wide experience of acting for employers, contractors and sub-contractors in a range of construction disputes. Graham also has wide experience of dealing with claims against or involving a number of different construction professionals including architects, engineers, M&E consultants, project managers, geotechnical consultants and quantity surveyors.

Examples of his work include:

• Acting for the claimant housing association in the first ever claim concerned with duties arising out of upgrading public housing stock on a transfer from council ownership to a new public-private housing association: Community Gateway Housing Association v. BEHA Williams Norman Ltd [2011] EWHC 2311 (TCC).
• Acting for the defendant contractor in a dispute arising from allegedly defective foundations to a development of houses for a Housing Association.
• Acting for the defendant contractor in piling dispute.
• Acting for defendant consulting engineers in a multi-million pound, multi-party dispute concerning the construction of a large distribution centre.
• Acting for the defendant asbestos contractor (with Emilie Jones as junior) in a six week TCC trial: Southfield School for Girls v. Briggs & Forrester Electrical Ltd.
• Acting for defendant engineer in a claim concerning the meaning of the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978: Baker & Davies plc v Leslie Wilks Associates [2005] BLR 425; (2005) 3 All ER 603; 101 Con LR 82;  (2006) PNLR 3; The  Times, August 16, 2005.
• Acting for insured consultant in relation to insurance dispute arising from a £40 million claim construction dispute concerning the design and construction of a waste management facility.
• Acting for insurers in a dispute concerning the installation of a water treatment system in an office block.
• Acting for the defendant main contractor in major litigation concerning the construction of an office block.
• Acting for a claimant supermarket chain in litigation against design & build contractors, architects and others concerning the design and construction of a large superstore: Tesco Stores Ltd  v. Costain Construction Limited [2003] EWHC 1487 (TCC).
• Acting for a claimant insured contractor in a claim for an indemnity under a contractor’s all risks policy arising out of the construction of a hydro-electric power station in the Far East.
• Claims against architects involving allegations of defective design, over-certification, project management and inspection/supervision arising from construction projects ranging from relatively small domestic projects to large commercial developments.
• Claims against structural engineers relating to the design of foundations for a number of different projects and relating to the design of floor slabs.
• Claims against members of the professional team arising from the design and supervision of the construction of office developments, supermarkets and housing developments.

Graham is developing a practice in defending professionals before Professional Disciplinary bodies. He has defended a solicitor in proceedings before the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal on charges arising from complex shipping/marine insurance litigation.

Graham has experience of acting in litigation concerning investments including collective investment schemes, tax-advantaged film finance and QICT schemes and investment trusts.  His work here includes advising an offshore client on novel client money issues following the collapse of MF Global UK in the context of the special administration of that company and as to the rights of clients and intermediaries in the special administration process.

He has also undertaken advisory work in relation to regulatory matters in both a financial services and insurance context.  His work here includes advising on whether novel products and business structures fall within the regulatory regime and which regulations might be engaged.

In addition, Graham is often instructed in claims involving financial services professionals and/or which require a consideration of the financial services statutory regime.  His experience includes acting in claims against financial advisers concerning advice given in relation to “windfall shares”, pension mis-selling, advice on life policies and other investments.  He has also acted in claims concerning advice given and representations made in relation to a number of different tax-advantaged investment schemes, including those relating to film and QICT finance.

Examples of his work include:

• Advising a group of investors as to potential claims arising from failed investments in an investment bond.
• Acting for the Claimant investors in a circa £50m dispute arising from failed investments in technology investment schemes: see, for example, Brown & Oths v. InnovatorOne Plc [2009] EWHC 1376 (Comm); [2009] WLR (D) 205.
• Acting for the Claimant unit trust in a dispute concerning the acquisition of a factory outlet shopping centre.
• Advising a purchaser of large retail premises as to whether those premises were held in a structure that constituted a collective investment scheme.
• Advising various clients on novel financial products and structures in the context of the regulatory regime.
• Advising in the context of M&A transactions or business start-ups on the applicability of the FSMA regime.

Graham has experience of acting and advising in a wide range of insurance disputes including coverage disputes.  In addition, many of his other case have an insurance aspect to them.

His experience includes:

• Advising insurers on indemnity issues, including holding indemnity conferences.
• Providing a binding opinion on coverage issues arising from a construction professional policy.
• Acting for professional insureds in coverage disputes with their insurers concerning alleged late notification, non-notification and non-disclosure.
• Acting for an insurer seeking to avoid cover on the ground of material non-disclosure/fraud.
• Advising on coverage issues and policy wording.
• Acting for the defendants claims handling business in a claim brought by underwriters concerning the management of motor policy claims.
• He has also acted for an insured in relation to a claim under a contractor’s all risks policy covering a construction project in the Far East. The policy was written by the Far Eastern government but 98% was reinsured through Lloyds.
• Acted for claimant Italian contractor in a dispute under a contractor’s all risks insurance policy arising from the collapse of a surge shaft forming part of a new-build US$200 million hydro-electric power station in the Far East.
• Acting for the producing broker in a claim for contribution against the placing broker: Fisk v Thornhill [2007] EWCA Civ 152; [2007] PNLR 21 (CA).

Graham acts as counsel in domestic and international arbitrations in commercial, insurance and construction and engineering disputes and in related litigation.

Internationally he had been retained in relation to ICC and LCIA arbitrations, including claims concerning breach of warranty arising from M&A transactions and ownership and shareholder disputes in relation to companies located in various jurisdictions.  In such claims he brings to bear his experience of offshore litigation and breach of warranty and shareholder disputes.

Domestically, he has acted as counsel in insurance coverage disputes and disputes arising out of commercial contracts, including IT contracts.

Other notable experience includes acting for the successful claimants in resisting an application for a stay for arbitration in the UAE: Abu Dhabi Investment Co. v H Clarkson & Ors [2006] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 281.

He also acted on an application seeking third party disclosure in aid of arbitral proceedings: BNP Paribas v Deloitte & Touche LLP [2003] EWHC 2874 (Comm); [2004] 1 Lloyd’s Rep. 233.

He has also acted for the successful Claimant in proceedings seeking a negative declaration as to liability against a US defendant and for an Italian Claimant in proceedings concerning an insurance claim arising out of the construction of a hydo-electric power plant in the Far East (the insurance policy having also been written in the Far East).

“Very smart, incisive and effective.” – Legal 500, 2020

“He’s excellent to work with and is exceptionally helpful.” “He is very smooth at getting to know his tribunal and adapting submissions based on responses.” – Chambers & Partners, 2020

“Exceptionally bright, a great strategist and someone who is fantastically good with clients.” “He’s hands-on, responsive, and someone with a good eye for detail.” – Chambers & Partners, 2019

“He defends in professional negligence cases in British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependancies.” – Legal 500, 2019

“He’s a very statesmanlike person, who’s great with clients and delivers clear, succinct messages very effectively. Working with him is an enormous pleasure. He’s absolutely on the ball the whole time, and he’s very practical.” – Chambers Global, 2018

Graham has a significant offshore practice and has been instructed in cases in Guernsey, Cayman and BVI.  Much of his work is investment or trusts related and his recent experience has included claims considering the duties of directors and trustees, as well as professional advisers.  Recent and current cases include the following:

• Acting for a defendant professional trust company in a claim concerning the investment of trust property.
• Advising and acting in substantial offshore trust disputes arising out of commercial transactions and structuring.
• Acting for the defendant auditors in a US$500m claim relating to the collapse of an offshore investment fund.
• Acting for the defendant auditors in a claim concerning the collapse of linked Closed-End Investment Cells.
• Acting for a defendant financial institution in proceedings concerning the closing out of CFD positions.

“He is ferociously clever.” – Legal 500, 2020

“He has major expertise in professional negligence claims involving accountants, and he adopts a strategic approach for the swift resolution of matters.” “He is an extremely hands-on QC, and works very well with solicitors and clients.” – Chambers & Partners, 2020

“Charming with clients and utterly dedicated to winning. He cuts through cases and picks out he right strategy every time.” – Chambers & Partners, 2019

 “Incredibly bright and very easy to work with.” – Legal 500, 2019

Graham has been consistently ranked as a leading practitioner in the field of professional negligence over several years.  He acts for and against professionals in claims arising in a commercial or construction context including accountants and auditors, architects, barristers, financial advisers, insurance brokers, solicitors and surveyors. Graham has particular experience of acting in high-value and complex litigation both as sole counsel and as part of a larger team.

Graham is a contributor to the 6th Edition of Jackson & Powell on Professional Negligence (Sweet & Maxwell 2006) and is the co-author of the chapter on tort in the Construction Law Handbook (Thomas Telford).