Chris Waters

Chris Waters – Managing Partner and Head of Litigation

Chris is a Managing Partner and leads the Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud team within the firm.

He specialises in high value, complex international litigation with an emphasis on multiple jurisdictional litigation.

As a dual-qualified solicitor he is authorised to practice both in the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland.

Chris is an independent accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator.

Chris is currently leading the Defence of the Sanjay Shah Defendants in SKAT v Solo Capital Partners LLP and Sanjay Shah & Ors, one of the most complex matters ever to go before the High Court in London.

“When we take on a client we not only provide the best possible legal advice but also create over-arching strategies which ensure that the wider practical considerations are taken into account.

“It is this combination of excellent legal and practical advice that gives our clients the advantage and helps them to win their cases decisively and in the shortest amount of time.

“I think one measure of our success is the fact that our client retention level is so high.”

– Chris Waters

Chris’s practice is mainly split between high value litigation disputes with an international element and complex litigation often with a public or media interest.

He has built up an outstanding reputation in defending large, complex claims involving some the most serious allegations of fraud, conspiracy to defraud and unjust enrichment often involving millions of documents, multiple jurisdictions, asset freezing orders and mutliple parties.

Chris is known for offering shrewd practical and commercial advice alongside clear and easy to understand legal advice. His in-depth legal knowledge combined with his experience means he is able to create overarching strategies that get the results that his clients demand.

Below is an example of some of Chris’s recent work:

Commercial Litigation

- - Currently heading the legal team in the defence of the Sanjay Shah Defendants in the highly publicised SKAT litigation. A claim which has been running since 2018, involving over 100 Parties, and where a one year trial was ordered in the commercial court in London with a value of over £2 Billion.
  - Representing two sets of clients accused of a multi-billion pound international fraud alleged to stretch across a number of territories.
  - Leading a case for a UK whistle-blower in relation to anti-competitive conduct, acquisition and mis-use of confidential competitor information and abuse of dominant position. Advising on submissions made to Ofcom and CMA following a review of over 11,000 documents.
  - Represented shareholders in a $40m dollar dispute over land and properties in receivership in the Caribbean. Included working alongside Caribbean Counsel to attend mediation offshore.
  - Represented a group of 47 Claimants in a group action professional negligence claim with a combined value of £26m.
  - Advised Claimant Groups in both the VW emissions scandal and Vauxhall car fires scandal.
  - Solicitor in the Lead Litigation Group acting for Claimants in claims against News International for telephone hacking.
  - Represented Whistle-blowers in respect of alleged significant Government failings with an International element including defending allegations that Parliamentary Privilege applies.
  - Acted for the Defendants defending possession of a £32m Central London Property where lending was provided in Monaco and secured against the Property. Successfully prevented an attempted sale at £8m with the property going on to sell for £27m.
  - Representing the sole shareholder of a company with an annual turnover of £250m who was the subject of a claim by a former shareholder alleging that they were entitled to 25% of the shares in the business.
  - Acting in claim against a London Property Developer who failed to complete the build of a vast property in Morocco leaving our clients with losses in excess of £2m.

Crime & Fraud

- - - Represented Defendant in highly contentious £43m confiscation proceedings with assets worldwide.
    - Represented Defendant in £200m multi-hand boiler room fraud.
    - Acted for Defendants in multi-million pound alleged international fraud in the Alternative Investment Market securing the discharge of two Restraint Orders by two different police forces.
    - Defended former Public Servant in Misconduct in Public Office Proceedings.
    - Represented Director of a large construction company in a criminal prosecution for Aiding and Abetting a disqualified director to act in breach of a disqualification order and money laundering.
    - Defended an individual alleged to have defrauded a prominent millionaire out of six figure sums.
    - Advised on the potential private prosecution of a big 10 firm of Accountants linked its role in a criminal investigation.
    - Advised a prominent firm of insolvency practitioners on a private prosecution against a former director alleged to have diverted tens of millions of pounds worth of London real estate for his own personal gain.