Tom Asquith

“A tenacious advocate, his written work is consistently sound and he is incredibly user friendly.” – Legal 500, 2021: Banking & Finance

“Very thorough and he really goes that extra mile to do a brilliant job.” – Legal 500, 2021: Financial Services

“Extremely bright, has a charming manner with clients and is a strong advocate.” – Legal 500, 2020: Banking & Finance

“Technically strong and applies his advice in a practical manner.” – Legal 500, 2020: Financial Services

Tom’s financial services experience includes acting for regulators, regulated firms and customers of those firms in both civil and regulatory spheres. He has appeared for the regulated against the FCA before the RDC. He has been both seconded to and instructed by the FSA/FCA.

He has acted in claims involving FOREX traders, investment managers, mortgage brokers and pension advisers.

He also acts regularly in banking matters, including claims relating to loans, guarantees and mortgages.

Cases include:

• Dimopoulos v Giannikopoulos [2018] EWHC 1280 (QB) (whether agreement to repay monies had been reached)
• Two Right Feet Ltd v National Westminster Bank Plc, Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, KPMG LLP [2017] 6 Costs LO 735 (indemnity basis costs order after discontinuance of a claim)

Tom’s commercial practice encompasses disputes of all kinds involving domestic and international businesses and property, particularly claims for breach of contract and civil fraud claims.

Cases include:

• Axis Football Investments Ltd v (1) Lee Power (2) Swinton Reds 20 Ltd (3) Seebeck 87 Ltd [2020] EWHC 1171 (Ch) (application for injunction regarding potential sale of football club).
• Michael Standing v Lee Power [2020] EWHC 1173 (Ch) (application for fortification of injunction).
• Beverley Goldman & ors v (1) Zurich Insurance Plc (2) East West Insurance Co Ltd [2020] EWHC 192 (TCC). (application for strike out of fraud claim, led by Jeffrey Chapman QC).
• Dimopoulos v Giannikopoulos [2018] EWHC 1280 (QB) (whether agreement to repay monies had been reached).
• Two Right Feet Ltd v National Westminster Bank Plc, Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, KPMG LLP [2017] 6 Costs LO 735 (indemnity basis costs order after discontinuance of claim).
• Pietro Gatto (T/A AG Avvocati Gatto) v Allianz SPA [2017] EWHC 955 (Comm) (resisting application to add a claim of fraudulent misrepresentation against an insurer’s alleged agent).
• Rahim v Arch Insurance Co (Europe) Ltd [2016] EWHC 2967 (Comm) (defending allegations of dishonesty made against solicitor by insurer in Commercial Court trial, led by Graham Chapman QC).
• Eyland & Sons Ltd v (1) TSL Turton (2014) Ltd (2) Steven Bond [2015] EWHC 3942 (QB) (defending claim for conversion, causing loss by unlawful means and conspiracy as sole counsel).
• D & G Cars Ltd v Essex Police Authority [2015] EWHC 226 (QB) (resisting claims of conspiracy and corruption in a police force, as junior to Patrick Lawrence QC).
• Re I Fit Global Ltd [2014] 2 B.C.L.C. 116 (unfair prejudice petition involving purported removal of petitioner’s shareholding).
• Makar v Russell Jones & Walker [2012] EWHC 3681 (Comm) (application to strike out professional liability claim).

Tom has significant experience of construction disputes, in adjudication, arbitration and litigation. He has acted in employer-contractor disputes and in cases involving a variety of construction professionals, particularly engineers and architects. He frequently handles alleged dishonesty cases in addition to alleged breach of contract and/or negligence cases.

Cases include:

• Beverley Goldman & ors v (1) Zurich Insurance Plc (2) East West Insurance Co Ltd [2020] EWHC 192 (TCC) (claim relating to inspections by building guarantee inspectors and subsequent cover notes, led by Jeffrey Chapman QC).
• Zagora and ors v Zurich Insurance Plc and ors [2019] EWHC 140 (TCC); 182 Con LR 180) (claim relating to Final Certificates produced by Building Control).
• A v B (arbitration relating to a nuclear facilities project, led by Roger Stewart QC).

Tom has experience of acting as both Counsel and as a paper arbitrator in coverage matters. He acts for both policyholders and insurers. He is particularly familiar with reinsurance, professional indemnity and property policies. He has completed a secondment in Mayer Brown LLP’s insurance department, helping him to understand insurance cases from an instructing solicitor’s perspective. He has also spent time at Lloyd’s shadowing underwriters.

Cases include:

• Beverley Goldman & ors v (1) Zurich Insurance Plc (2) East West Insurance Co Ltd [2020] EWHC 192 (TCC) (application for strike out of fraud claim relating to cover notes, led by Jeffrey Chapman QC).
• Isaac Sarayiah v Royal and Sun Alliance & Ors [2018] EWHC 3437 (Ch) (appeal relating to an application for a third party disclosure order against an insurer).
• Pietro Gatto (T/A AG Avvocati Gatto) v Allianz SPA [2017] EWHC 955 (Comm) (resisting application to add a claim of fraudulent misrepresentation against an insurer’s alleged agent).
• Rahim v Arch Insurance Co (Europe) Ltd [2016] EWHC 2967 (Comm) (defending allegations of dishonesty made against solicitor by insurer in Commercial Court trial, led by Graham Chapman QC).

Tom has broad experience of International Arbitration as junior counsel, sole counsel and tribunal secretary (to the Court of Arbitration for Sport). He has acted as sole counsel at several final hearings, including against leading counsel. He is also experienced in challenging and seeking enforcement of arbitration awards. He is on the arbitral panel of Sport Resolutions.

“An enviably talented junior barrister. He is exceptionally good on his feet. He has good analytical skills and is able to draw together threads to formulate sound and reasoned arguments and advice.” – Legal 500, 2021: Professional Negligence

“Tom gives clear and commercial advice and takes a robust approach. Working with Tom on a complex insurance policy coverage issue, he demonstrated an excellent rapport with clients and a keen eye for detail.” “Excellent on claims against professionals in the financial sector.” – Chambers & Partners 2021: Professional Negligence

Tom is instructed by both claimants and defendants across a wide range of professions. He has particular experience in claims relating to accountants/financial advisers, construction professionals and lawyers. Cases include:

• Trainer v Cramer Pelmont (a firm) [2020] PNLR 3 (limitation appeal – s.14A).
• Zagora and ors v Zurich Insurance Plc and ors [2019] EWHC 140 (TCC) (sole counsel in a four week trial against a Building Regulations approved inspector).
• Rumfitt v Burgess Hodgson (a firm) [2018] EWHC 4000 (QB) (strike out of accountants’ negligence claim – tax advice issues).
• Godfrey Morgan Solicitors (a firm) v Mr Michael Armes [2017] PNLR 30 (limitation – CPR 19).
• Pietro Gatto (T/A AG Avvocati Gatto) v Allianz SPA [2017] EWHC 955 (Comm) (application to amend in Italian lawyer’s coverage claim).
• Seery v Leathes Prior [2017] PNLR 14 (trial of claim against solicitor’s firm – underlying unfair prejudice petition).
• Rahim v Arch Insurance Co (Europe) Ltd [2016] EWHC 2967 (Comm) (trial of solicitor’s claim for coverage – dishonesty issues).
• Makar v Russell Jones & Walker [2012] EWHC 3681 (Comm) (strike out application).

Cases include:

• Axis Football Investments Ltd v (1) Lee Power (2) Swinton Reds 20 Ltd (3) Seebeck 87 Ltd [2020] EWHC 1171 (Ch). (application for injunction regarding potential sale of football club).
• Michael Standing v Lee Power [2020] EWHC 1173 (Ch). (application for fortification of injunction).
• Advising British Horseracing Authority in relation to a potential inquiry
• Acting pro bono in challenge to penalty against British Horseracing Authority
• Acting for rugby player in dispute with former agent

Tom is on the arbitral panel of Sport Resolutions. He also has significant experience of acting as ad-hoc clerk to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.