Anthony Peto KC

Acting for Dubai Bank in a multi-million pound claim to enforce foreign judgments; complex issues of jurisdiction, search order, world-wide freezing order and contempt

Leading a US$1.5 billion claim for the Mittal’s steel group for enforcement of international arbitral awards and for international conspiracy to injure against Defendants in Mauritius, England and India. Issues involving complex questions of conflicts and jurisdiction re Search Orders, Worldwide Freezing Orders and disclosure orders. Ground-breaking case on jurisdiction to grant such orders in the absence of any Defendants, assets or disputes within the jurisdiction.

Leading a US$2bn claim for a Thai political exile against multiple Defendants in Thailand (including the Commerical Bank of Siam, part owned by the King of Thailand), Hong Kong, England, Belize, and BVI for unlawful conspiracy to injure by depriving the Claimant of his interests in Thai windfarms. Issues of conflicts, jurisdiction, foreign law, foreign arbitral awards, Worldwide Freezing orders and Search Orders, the pleading and proving of foreign law and jurisdiction over certain Companies Act claims.

Representing the Claimant in a multi-million-pound claim against Oleg Deripasksa. An important case involving allegations of criminality and a claim that the Claimant had a 20% share in Rusal.

The Commercial Court ordered a UK bank to disclose whether it holds funds on behalf of the Syrian Arab Republic, Syrian Airforce Intelligence, President Bashar Al-Assad and Gen Muhammad Al Khuli (former Chief of Syrian Airforce Intelligence). Tony acted for the claimants.

Successfully represented Calor Gas in its application for a search order against Chorley Bottle Gas, in which it was alleged that Chorley was unlawfully refilling Calor’s liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. The case provides a useful template for any search order application during the coronavirus pandemic.

A high-profile dispute between Ocado and one of its co-founders who has established a rival company, allegedly in breach of confidence, and who now counterclaims for (amongst other things) unlawful means conspiracy against Ocado plc, causing the loss of a contract with Waitrose worth hundreds of millions. Tony acted for the Defendants.

Acting for a multi-billion pound property business in a multi-million claim against insurers and brokers for conspiracy to injure.

Leading in a multi-million pound claim for fraudulent breach of fiduciary duty in diversion of business opportunities – a case involving a complex search/computer imaging order pending. Case presently embargoed.

US $100m dispute between Russian industrialist in relation to the ownership of a Russian textile factory and enforcement of arbitral award and allegations of international fraudulent conspiracy. 

Defending allegations of bribery in relation to Korean contracts. 

Multi-jurisdictional action between Russian oligarchs in a claim worth over US$2bn involving Russia, Cyprus, BVI and Ireland, Switzerland the UK. Case involves unlawful conspiracies to misappropriate a major industry in the Russian  Federation. Tony coordinated legal experts from 6 jurisdictions as part of his role as lead counsel. 

Advising in multi-million dollar claim for fraudulent conspiracy re a mining company in central Africa

Advising foreign state owned natural resources organisation in $12bn case of international corruption involving multi-jurisdictional injunctions. 

Acting for a high net worth individual and his off-shore companies in their action for the fraudulent misappropriation of over US$700m worth of assets. Highly complex issues of foreign and private international law.

Multi-million pound claim for fraudulent misappropriation of algorithmic investment strategies from city financial institution. Complex injunctive remedies required from Chancery Division interrelating with judicial review and proceedings in Hong Kong and conducting trial for contempt of court. 

Acting for the Claimant in a case of alleged international conspiracy to defraud dispute worth over US$500m in relation to interests in a multi-national middle eastern construction company (the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure company) with a capitalisation of several billion Us dollars. Complex issues of jurisdiction, EU law and Private International Law, involving the co-ordination of multi-national teams of lawyers.

High value joint venture dispute in the Commercial Court involving the Reignwood Group of companies. Associated proceedings in Luxembourg and the U.S. Instructed by the Reignwood Group, a very substantial group of companies headquartered in China (which owns Wentworth Golf Club, amongst other assets in the UK).  The claim is brought by a senior former employee who claims to have had a joint venture with the billionaire owner of the Reignwood Group. The claims are very complex in factual terms, and largely governed by Chinese law.

High value commercial fraud proceedings in the Commercial Court relating to underlying allegations of bribery. Associated investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. The claim raises novel issues surrounding the interplay of warranty claims made by a purchaser of a company arising out of alleged bribery and claims by the company itself in relation to the same subject matter. There are also substantial third-party claims for contribution and in deceit. Raises issues of US and other foreign law.

Acting for Hewlett Packard in an alleged multi-million international fraud over a number of jurisdictions including Pakistan and the Gulf and involving the supply of several thousand servers allegedly in violation of discount schemes. Execution of Freezing Orders, Search Orders and Committal for alleged Contempt of Court.

£45M  claim concerning an alleged fraudulent conspiracy against twelve defendants including a former director of the Claimant logistics company..

Acting for a high net worth individual and his off-shore companies in their action for the fraudulent misappropriation of over US$700m worth of assets.  Highly complex issues of foreign and private international law.

Acting for Brazilian based mining companies in multi-million dollar dispute involving misappropriation of company assets and dispute over shares. Multiple applications for domestic and foreign freezing orders.

Lead Counsel for the Defence for over 6 Defendants in a 12 week Commercial Court trial in a claim for over US$170m in an alleged Russian banking fraud attracting international media interest.  Issues of private international law, foreign law, privilege and public policy. Over 120 files to digest and over a dozen witnesses to cross-examine.

Lead Counsel for Claimants in multi-jurisdictional US$70m fraud case against the Deputy Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament and alleged associates of the Moldovan Mafia. Obtaining Norwich Pharmacal orders and “doorstep raiding” orders to assist civil and criminal proceedings in Moldova, Germany and Scotland and to assist Human Rights proceedings in the ECHR, Strasbourg. Involved complex issues of jurisdiction and private international law.

Lead Counsel  for the Defendant against a Bahraini Bank in a US$500m claim arising out of alleged fraudulent “connected party” transactions. Defending allegations of conspiracy to injure, misappropriation of confidential banking information and malicious falsehood. 

Acted for SOCA in a civil recovery claim worth over £100m in relation to an alleged international pension and insurance fraud involving two Court of Appeal appearances on questions of international jurisdiction. 

Acted for the Bank of Ireland against allegedly corrupt and fraudulent conspirators who had taken bribes in exchange for multi-million pound loans.

Acting for Dubai Bank in a multi-million pound claim to enforce foreign judgments; complex issues of jurisdiction, search order, world-wide freezing order and contempt

Leading a US$1.5 billion claim for the Mittal’s steel group for enforcement of international arbitral awards and for international conspiracy to injure against Defendants in Mauritius, England and India. Issues involving complex questions of conflicts and jurisdiction re Search Orders, Worldwide Freezing Orders and disclosure orders. Ground-breaking case on jurisdiction to grant such orders in the absence of any Defendants, assets or disputes within the jurisdiction.

Leading a US$2bn claim for a Thai political exile against multiple Defendants in Thailand (including the Commerical Bank of Siam, part owned by the King of Thailand), Hong Kong, England, Belize, and BVI for unlawful conspiracy to injure by depriving the Claimant of his interests in Thai windfarms. Issues of conflicts, jurisdiction, foreign law, foreign arbitral awards, Worldwide Freezing orders and Search Orders, the pleading and proving of foreign law and jurisdiction over certain Companies Act claims.

Representing the Claimant in a multi-million-pound claim against Oleg Deripasksa. An important case involving allegations of criminality and a claim that the Claimant had a 20% share in Rusal.

The Commercial Court ordered a UK bank to disclose whether it holds funds on behalf of the Syrian Arab Republic, Syrian Airforce Intelligence, President Bashar Al-Assad and Gen Muhammad Al Khuli (former Chief of Syrian Airforce Intelligence). Tony acted for the claimants.

Successfully represented Calor Gas in its application for a search order against Chorley Bottle Gas, in which it was alleged that Chorley was unlawfully refilling Calor’s liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. The case provides a useful template for any search order application during the coronavirus pandemic.

A high-profile dispute between Ocado and one of its co-founders who has established a rival company, allegedly in breach of confidence, and who now counterclaims for (amongst other things) unlawful means conspiracy against Ocado plc, causing the loss of a contract with Waitrose worth hundreds of millions. Tony acted for the Defendants.

Acting for a multi-billion pound property business in a multi-million claim against insurers and brokers for conspiracy to injure.

Leading in a multi-million pound claim for fraudulent breach of fiduciary duty in diversion of business opportunities – a case involving a complex search/computer imaging order pending. Case presently embargoed.

Claim for enforcement of foreign arbitral award worth in excess of US$1bn involving applications for search, freezing and information orders in England and various foreign jurisdictions, including Cayman Islands, Mauritius, USA and India, in dispute between two multi-national companies. Leading large team of lawyers from four jurisdictions.

Advising in relation to a the recovery of a multi-million pound judgment against government officials of a Middle Eastern state.  

Multi-million pound claim for fraudulent misappropriation of algorithmic investment strategies from city financial institution. Complex injunctive remedies required from Chancery Division interrelating with judicial review and proceedings in Hong Kong and conducting trial for contempt of court. 

Acting for the Claimant in a case of alleged international conspiracy to defraud dispute worth over US$500m in relation to interests in a multi-national middle eastern construction company (the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure company) with a capitalisation of several billion Us dollars. Complex issues of jurisdiction, EU law and Private International Law, involving the co-ordination of multi-national teams of lawyers.

£45M  claim concerning an alleged fraudulent conspiracy against twelve defendants including a former director of the Claimant logistics company..

Multi-million pound dispute over rights in proprietary software for video streaming platform.

Multi-million pound dispute over rights in software used by Tesco to provide banking services to over 6 million customers.

Lead Counsel for an American Insurance Company in an unfair prejudice petition.

Lead Counsel in multi-million dollar international arbitration involving a share valuation dispute between Norwegian suppliers and Pakistani distributors.

Lead Counsel for the Defendant in a trial arising out of an alleged joint venture relating to a £100m property in Belgravia.

Acting for a number of ex patriates from a foreign human rights abusive regime in a “right to life” and Article 6 application against the foreign government to prevent them from naming the clients in public High Court proceedings.  Successfully obtaining orders and indemnity costs against the foreign government in question.

Acting for the Claimants in their claim against the Liberal Democrat Party and Lord Rennard in a claim that they had suffered sexual harassment and discrimination and that the Party had not properly investigated their complaints.

Advising Members of Parliament and Peers on the APPG on Extraordinary Rendition as to the Human Rights and Civil Libertarian consequences of the provisions relating to Closed Material Proceedings in the Bill; drafting amendments for Peers to put before the House of Lords and advising as to Parliamentary procedure.

Lead Counsel for Claimants in multi-jurisdictional US$70m fraud case against the Deputy Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament and alleged associates of the Moldovan Mafia. Obtaining Norwich Pharmacal orders and “doorstep raiding” orders to assist civil and criminal proceedings in Moldova, Germany and Scotland and to assist Human Rights proceedings in the ECHR, Strasbourg. Involved complex issues of jurisdiction and private international law.

Lead Counsel  for the Defendant against a Bahraini Bank in a US$500m claim arising out of alleged fraudulent “connected party” transactions. Defending allegations of conspiracy to injure, misappropriation of confidential banking information and malicious falsehood.