Laurence Emmett KC

Laurence Emmett has extensive experience of international arbitrations, under ICC, LCIA, SIAC and UNCITRAL rules. This includes:

• Dispute as to whether failures to deliver gas under a long-term supply contract constituted force majeure (ICC)
• Dispute relating to deliver or pay obligations in a long-term contract for the supply of LNG (ICC);
• Disputes relating to mobile telephone infrastructure in Africa (ICC);
• Dispute as to the interpretation of pre-emption provisions in a JV agreement relating to the development of natural
resources in the Asia-Pacific region (ICC)
• Dispute over alleged misrepresentations / breaches of warranty in relation to a contract governing the sale and purchase of shares in a company operating in the IT industry (LCIA);
• Dispute over the interpretation of payment provisions in a contract granting a licence over patented rights in an invention in the biochemistry industry (LCIA);
• Dispute over the termination of a contract relating to the distribution of a pharmaceutical product in a major market (LCIA);
• Dispute between family members as to the ownership of extensive business assets (subject to bespoke arbitration arrangements);
• Dispute over payment provisions in an agreement governing the design, construction and leasing of floorspace in a major international landmark building (again, subject to bespoke arrangements);
• Dispute arising out of a corporate transaction involving a suite of documents transferring interests in a manufacturing business (SIAC);
• Dispute concerning the interpretation of deferred consideration and escrow provisions in an agreement for the purchase and sale of shares in a company incorporated to construct and operate a solar farm (ad hoc).

Laurence Emmett's practice covers banking, finance and regulation, including banking disputes, derivatives, regulatory enforcement and disciplinary proceedings, management and administration of investment funds, guarantees and pensions. He is ranked as a leading junior in the field by Legal 500.

Comments include:

‘His advocacy is clear and persuasive, he prepares well and works collegiately with the solicitor team.’ (Legal 500, 2020)

• Bilta (UK) Ltd v Tradition Financial Services Ltd
  Acted for the defendant brokerage house in a claim brought by the liquidators of companies which were used to perpetrate VAT fraud in relation to the trading of carbon trading allowances. See, among other judgments, [2021] EWCA Civ 221 (following trial); and [2025] UKSC 18 (Supreme Court).

• Novitas v Amtrust
  Acted in a dispute as to the interpretation of agreements governing a litigation-funding scheme.

• Indemnity claim
  Acting in a dispute regarding the indemnity and warranty provisions in an agreement for the sale and purchase of share in a business supplying pension and other advice.

• Injunction to prevent the cessation of services.
  Acted for a claimant seeking an injunction to prevent its counterparty from ceasing to provide payment services after it was requested to do so by a regulator.

• FMCP v Ohmura
  Acted for the third defendant in Commercial Court proceedings brought against a number of individuals in relation to investments in complex structured products by the Libya Africa Investment Porfolio. See [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm) (judgment following trial); [2018] EWHC 2905 (Comm) (judgment in relation to consequential issues); and [2018] EWHC 2889 (Comm) (scope of post-judgment freezing order).

• Enforcement proceedings
  Acted for the FCA enforcement team in various enforcement matters.

• BGC v Tradition
  Acted for the third party respondent to an application for specific disclosure in relation to a dispute concerning recruitment in the brokering industry.

• Barclays Bank plc v Orlandofin BV
  Acted for the borrowers under a syndicated loan facility in relation to a dispute over the contractual effect of documents sent by the lenders during the life of the loan. See [2015] EWHC 582 (Comm).

• Capita v RFIB
  Acted in a long-running dispute on an indemnity given in a share purchase agreement in relation to liabilities arising from negligent provision of services in the pensions industry. The case led to a significant judgment by the Court of Appeal on the principles governing the interpretation of indemnities and on the circumstances in which a professional (in this case a pensions advisor) comes under an obligation to correct advice that has previously been given. [2015] EWCA Civ 1310; [2016] QB 835. This was followed by a separate hearing in the Court of Appeal on the effect of a Part 36 offer, which was made in unusual circumstances. See [2017] EWCA Civ 1032.

• The Royal Bank of Scotland plc v. Highland Financial Partners LP [2013] EWCA Civ 328
  For Highland, defending Commercial Court proceedings for an anti-suit injunction in connection with claims arising out of a collateralised debt obligation (CDO) transaction following a trial.

Laurence Emmett has extensive experience in fraud-related disputes, acting for both claimants and defendants. His recent experience and knowledge covers freezing injunctions, jurisdictional disputes in relation to fraud claims and of both personal and proprietary remedies. In addition, his work for FCA enforcement gives him a good knowledge of the regulatory dimension of fraud claims, particularly in banking and financial services.

• QIPCO v Phoenix Ancient Art
Acting for the Claimants in a dispute relating to the sale and purchase of antiquities, involving allegations of fraud as to the authenticity of provenance documents and now subject to a post-judgment freezing injunction.
• FMCP v Ohmura
Acted for the third defendant in Commercial Court proceedings brought against a number of individuals in relation to investments in complex structured products by the Libya Africa Investment Porfolio. See [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm) (judgment following trial); [2018] EWHC 2905 (Comm) (judgment in relation to consequential issues); and [2018] EWHC 2889 (Comm) (scope of post-judgment freezing order).
• Bilta (UK) Ltd v Tradition Financial Services Ltd
Acted for the defendant brokerage house in a claim brought by the liquidators of companies which were used to perpetrate VAT fraud in relation to the trading of carbon trading allowances. See [2021] EWCA Civ 221.
• Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Limited v Inflamax Research Inc.
Acted for the claimant in Commercial Court proceedings concerning an alleged fraud in the conduct of a clinical study of an allergy vaccine. The matter settled in the allotted reading week for a six-week trial commencing in mid-June 2019.
• Middlemarch Partners Defined Benefit Plan LLC v Drummond & Smythe Commodities Peru Ltd
Acted successfully for a non-party respondent to a freezing injunction granted in relation to an investment scheme devised to fund the purchase of gold in Peru for delivery to UAE.
• Antonio Gramsci Shipping Corporation v. Lembergs [2013] EWCA Civ 730; [2013] 4 All ER 157
Acted for the Seventh Defendant, Mr Lembergs, in a jurisdiction challenge arising in a claim relating to an alleged fraud in the Latvian shipping industry. The case considered (among other matters), whether it is possible to establish jurisdiction by 'piercing the corporate veil', the nature and application of the 'good, arguable case' test in relation to facts establishing jurisdiction, and the operation of Articles 23 and 24 of the Brussels Regulation.

Laurence Emmett’s practice covers a range of commercial disputes, including claims arising out of the sales of businesses, energy, banking and financial services, art and antiques and the pharmaceuticals industry. He has extensive experience of disputes under commercial contracts of various kinds, including in particular contracts for the sale and purchase of shares and businesses (in particular, claims for breach of warranty, claims under indemnities and claims in misrepresentation) and licensing contracts.

• SERB v March
Acted in a claim for breach of warranty / misrepresentation relating to the sale and purchase of shares in a company operating in the pharmaceuticals industry.
• ICC arbitration
Claim relating to termination and payment provisions under long term contracts governing the use of mobile telephone infrastructure in Africa (ICC)
• LCIA arbitration
Dispute over alleged misrepresentations / breaches of warranty in relation to a contract governing the sale and purchase of shares in a company operating in the IT industry.
• LCIA arbitration
Dispute over the interpretation of payment provisions in a contract granting a licence over patented rights in an invention in the field of biochemistry (LCIA);
• LCIA arbitration
Dispute over the termination of a contract relating to the distribution of a pharmaceutical product in a major market (LCIA).
• Injunction to prevent the cessation of services.
Acted for a claimant seeking an injunction to prevent its counterparty from ceasing to provide payment services after it was requested to do so by a regulator.
• Cardiorentis AG v IQVIA Ltd.
Acted for IQVIA in a dispute concerning the conduct of a clinical trial of a product originally intended to treat heart failure. The case includes detailed consideration of the conduct of the trial, the statistical validity of its results and the efficacy of the pharmaceutical product that was the subject of the trial. It includes a claim for treble damages under the laws of North Carolina, giving rise to questions of the conflict of laws and the correct approach to such provisions under English law. See [2020] EWHC 495 (Comm).
• Bilta (UK) Ltd v Tradition Financial Services Ltd.
Acted for the defendant brokerage house in a claim brought by the liquidators of companies which were used to perpetrate VAT fraud in relation to the trading of carbon trading allowances. See [2021] EWCA Civ 221.
• Middlemarch Partners Defined Benefit Plan LLC v Drummond & Smythe Commodities Peru Ltd
Acted successfully for a non-party respondent to a freezing injunction granted in relation to an investment scheme devised to fund the purchase of gold in Peru for delivery to UAE.
• Golubovich v Golubovich
Acted in a dispute between family members concerning the ownership of an extensive and valuable collection of artworks and antiquities. It involves proceedings in England and Russia. In late 2020, Laurence Emmett acted for parties who successfully resisted an application for an anti-suit injunction.
• Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Limited v Inflamax Research Inc.
Acted for the claimant in Commercial Court proceedings concerning an alleged fraud in the conduct of a clinical study of an allergy vaccine. The matter settled in the allotted reading week for a six-week trial commencing in mid-June 2019.
• FMCP v Ohmura
Acted for the third defendant in Commercial Court proceedings brought against a number of individuals in relation to investments in complex structured products by the Libya Africa Investment Porfolio. See [2018] EWHC 1768 (Comm) (judgment following trial); [2018] EWHC 2905 (Comm) (judgment in relation to consequential issues); and [2018] EWHC 2889 (Comm) (scope of post-judgment freezing order).
• Dispute concerning forward purchases of electricity
Acting in dispute concerning the effect of close-out provisions under an agreement for the forward purchase of electricity.

Laurence is regularly involved in a wide range of disputes arising out of complex and technical construction and infrastructure projects. These span many industries including natural resources, renewable energy, telecoms, transportation and property development, and include physical as well as IT projects. He has dealt with issues relating to engineering - covering construction, maintenance and demolition of infrastructure - as well as the prevention and remediation of land contamination, and regulatory issues in the UK and in other jurisdictions.

• ICC arbitration
  Acting in dispute relating to the construction and maintenance of telecoms infrastructure in Africa.
• LCIA arbitration
  Acting in dispute relating to a tech infrastructure project in an EU state.
• Expert determination
  Acting in dispute between the development manager and investor in relation to the construction, fitting-out and letting of a landmark building.
• Expert determination
  Acted in dispute relating to the demolition and reconstruction of an oil storage facility, including the remediation of substantial environmental contamination.
• Assensus Ltd -v- Wirsol Energy Ltd
  Acted in dispute relating to the planning of the UK’s largest solar farm.
• Biosol v Lovering [2021] EWHC 71 (Comm)
  Acted in dispute relating to the construction and installation of power and heating facilities.
• Scottish Power v BP [2016] EWCA 1043
  Acted in dispute relating to the maintenance and repair of a North Sea platform.
• Ad hoc arbitration
  Acted in dispute relating to the construction of a solar farm and connection to the grid.
• LCIA arbitration
  Acted in dispute relating to the construction of a wind farm.
• Providence v Transocean [2016] EWCA Civ 372
  Acted in dispute relating to the maintenance and repair of a drilling rig.
• Port of Tilbury v Stora Enso [2009] 1 Lloyd's Rep 391
  Acted in dispute relating to the construction of an automated cargo-handling facility.

Laurence Emmett has an extensive practice in the energy industry. It encompasses both oil and gas (upstream and downstream) as well as renewable energy; he has covered contractual disputes, technical issues and regulatory/advisory work. He was described in Chambers & Partners 2025 as having a “huge depth of experience in the energy market”.

As set out below, his recent work includes a series of cases on significant issues relating to the UK offshore oil and gas industries and electricity supply, as well as renewable energy and unconventional onshore gas resources.

• Siccar Point v Ithaca Energy
Acting for the defendant in a claim relating to the payment terms of a contract for the sale and purchase of shares in an entity holding various hydrocarbon-related assets, including an interest in a licence to develop and produce from the Rosebank Field in the North Sea.
• ICC arbitration
Acted in a dispute as to the interpretation of deliver or pay provisions in a long-term contract for the supply of LNG.
• Advisory work
Recently advised a holder of UK offshore wind assets as to the effect of subordinate legislation governing contracts for differences; and a UK manufacturing entity as to the post-Brexit transition provisions governing carbon credits.
• YA II PN v Frontera Resources
Acted in a dispute as to service of proceedings in the US. The underlying factual dispute related to the development of hydrocarbon resources in Georgia.
• ConocoPhillips A/S v Aker BP ASA
Acting for the claimant in a price review dispute relating to the sale of gas produced from the Valhall field. Unusually, the dispute is being resolved in the High Court.
• ICC proceedings
Acted in arbitral proceedings under ICC rules concerning a force majeure claim relating to a long-term gas supply contract.
• Biosol Renewables UK Ltd v R&A Properties
Acted for the buyers of a system of biofuel-powered boilers. See [2021] EWHC 71 (Comm).
• Ad hoc arbitral proceedings
Acted in an ad hoc arbitration concerning the interpretation of deferred consideration and escrow provisions in an agreement for the purchase and sale of shares in a company incorporated to construct and operate a solar farm.
• Dispute concerning forward purchases of electricity
Acted in dispute concerning the effect of close-out provisions under an agreement for the forward purchase of electricity.
• Nexen Petroleum Dragon UK Ltd v BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd and others
Acted for the Claimant in Commercial Court proceedings concerning an extended shut-down of oil production from the Farragon field.
• Advice in relation to schemes administered by Ofgem
Laurence is frequently instructed to advise on renewable energy-related schemes administered by Ofgem. Recent examples include advising the operators of CHP and waste-powered installations.
• Endeavour Energy UK Limited v Hess Ltd
Acted for the defendant in Commercial Court proceedings concerning the conduct of decommissioning activities in a number of adjacent North Sea fields.
• Scottish Power UK plc v BP Exploration Operating Company Limited [2015] EWHC 2568 (Comm)
Acted for Scottish Power in a long-running dispute over a 3½-year outage in production from the Andrew Field in the North Sea, with issues including the meaning and application of the “Reasonable and Prudent Operator” standard and the extent to which clauses giving the buyer (Scottish Power) the remedy of “Default Gas” exclude the sellers’ liability in damages. A number of preliminary issues were determined by Leggatt J in September 2015: see [2015] EWHC 2568 (Comm), and the judgment of the Court of Appeal in relation to an issue in the interpretation of an exemption clause at [2016] EWCA Civ 1043.
• Transocean Drilling U.K. Ltd v Providence Resources plc (“The Arctic III”)
Acted for Providence Resources, the hirer of a drilling rig which proved to be defective. The case involved complex technical issues as to the operation of well control equipment (particularly a blow-out preventer), well construction and the progress of drilling operations; as well as legal issues relating to the interpretation of the rig hire contract. See the judgment of Popplewell J at first instance at [2014] EWHC 4260 (Comm); and the judgment of the Court of Appeal at [2016] EWCA Civ 372. See also [2016] EWHC 2611 (Comm), re the application of Part 36.
• Environmental indemnity claim
Acted for the sellers of a major international chemicals manufacturing business defending a claim by the Buyer on environmental indemnities.
• Dispute over classification of expenses
Acted in ad hoc arbitral proceedings between joint venture partners as to the proper classification of expenses incurred by the operator for the purposes of an operating agreement governing a North Sea asset. The proceedings involve complex technical and legal issues.
• Dispute over pre-emption provisions
Acted in an ICC arbitration over the interpretation of pre-emption provisions under a joint venture agreement governing the development of hydrocarbon-related resources in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Dispute over conditional consideration
Acted in LCIA arbitration over the interpretation of conditional consideration provisions in an agreement for the sale of shares in a company established to build and operate a windfarm.
• Dispute over construction of on-shore wells.
Acted for the claimant in a claim for breach of warranty and misrepresentation, in relation to the purchase of the shares in a company involved in the development of unconventional onshore gas resources. The case involved technical issues as to the construction of onshore wells.
• Ithaca Energy (UK) Ltd v. North Sea Energy (UK) Ltd [2012] EWHC 1823 (Comm)
Acted in a dispute over the interpretation of a joint operating agreement. The case included technical issues over the nature and status of a well.

Laurence has extensive recent experience of disputes in the pharmaceutical industry. All of them have involved detailed consideration of scientific and technical questions, as well as of the regulatory framework of the industry.

• SERB v March
  Acted in a claim for breach of warranty / misrepresentation relating to the sale and purchase of shares in a company operating in the pharmaceuticals industry. 
• LCIA arbitration
  Dispute over the interpretation of payment provisions in a contract granting a licence over patented rights in an invention in the field of biochemistry. 
• LCIA arbitration
  Dispute over the termination of a contract relating to the distribution of a pharmaceutical product in a major market.
• Licence Agreement
  Acted in a dispute as to the interpretation of an agreement granting a licence to develop and sell pharmaceutical products, in circumstances where there had been findings by the courts of various European countries that the underlying intellectual property involved the breach of third-party patent rights.
• Cardiorentis AG v IQVIA Ltd
  Acted for IQVIA Ltd in relation to a dispute concerning the conduct of a clinical trial of a product originally intended to treat heart failure.
• Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Limited v Inflamax Research Inc
  Acted for the claimant in Commercial Court proceedings concerning an alleged fraud in the conduct of a clinical study relating to a new pharmaceutical product. The case settled following exchange of skeleton arguments on the eve of trial.
• Indemnity claim
  Acted for the patent-holder of a pharmaceutical product in relation to a claim on an indemnity brought by a distributor, following substantial product liability claims brought by patients against the distributor.

Laurence Emmett’s practice has a strong focus on issues of jurisdiction. This includes challenges to the jurisdiction of the English court, injunctions to prevent foreign proceedings and disputes over the enforcement of foreign judgments.

• QIPCO v Phoenix Ancient Art
Acted for the claimants, who obtained anti-suit relief to prevent the defendants from pursuing claims in New York. See [2024] EWHC 1331 (KB).
• Golubovich v Golubovich
Acted for the Claimant and Part 20 Defendant in relation to a claim for anti-suit relief to prevent litigation in Russia and challenged the jurisdiction of the English court. See among other judgments [2022] EWHC 1605 (Ch).
• Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Limited v Inflamax Research Inc.
Acted for the claimant in Commercial Court proceedings concerning an alleged fraud in the conduct of a clinical study of an allergy vaccine. The matter settled in the allotted reading week for a six-week trial commencing in mid-June 2019. It included (in 2018) a heavy application by additional defendants to set aside service out of the jurisdiction, which was compromised shortly before it was heard.
• Acted in jurisdiction challenges in relation to disputes over a performance bond, gold trades, the purchase of mining equipment.
• Acted in a claim by an anti-suit injunction by a provider of security services against the UK entity which had employed it to provide such services.
• Acted in claims to enforce judgments of the Commercial Court of the Russian state of Kemerovo, of a French criminal court, and of the courts of Nigeria. 
• Antonio Gramsci Shipping Corporation v Lembergs [2013] EWCA Civ 730
Acted for the Seventh Defendant, Mr Lembergs, in a jurisdiction challenge arising in a claim relating to an alleged fraud in the Latvian shipping industry. The case considered (among other matters), whether it is possible to establish jurisdiction by 'piercing the corporate veil', the nature and application of the 'good, arguable case' test in relation to facts establishing jurisdiction, and the operation of Articles 23 and 24 of the Brussels Regulation.
• The Royal Bank of Scotland plc v Highland Financial Partners LP [2013] EWCA Civ 328
For Highland, defending Commercial Court proceedings (with Stephen Auld KC and Ben Strong) for an anti-suit injunction in connection with claims arising out of a collateralised debt obligation (CDO) transaction following a trial.]

Laurence Emmett's practice includes the statutory regulation of both Financial Services and Utilities industries. He advises both Regulators and industry participants alike.

• Enforcement proceedings
  Has recently been instructed by the FCA in relation to a number of high-profile enforcement matters.
• Regulatory matter
  Currently instructed on behalf of a major company involved in the generation of electricity in relation to a substantial regulatory matter.
• Decision of regulatory body
  advised a major energy supply company in relation to JR proceedings following a highly technical decision affecting a large number of industry participants.
• Pharmaceutical Industry
  Acting and advising on a number of disputes concering the ownership of retail pharmacies involving the regulatory provisions governing the sale of pharmaceutical products to the public, as well as a dispute between a patent-holder and a licensee manufacturer.
• Advice to Energy Sector
  Frequently instructed to advise Ofgem and industry participants on administrative law and regulatory issues, with a particular focus on renewable energy schemes.
• In the Matter of Cattles plc
  For the FSA Enforcement team in disciplinary proceedings arising out of the collapse of the ‘subprime’ lender Cattles plc and its subsidiary Welcome Financial Services Limited. The proceedings concerned allegations of market abuse (under s118 FSMA 2000) and breaches of Listing Rules and Listing Principles.
• In the Matter of Equitable Life
  Counsel to the Office of Sir John Chadwick, appointed to advise HM Treasury on the extent of losses suffered by policyholders in Equitable Life as a result of maladministration found by the Parliamentary Ombudsman. This involved extensive analysis of the regulation of financial services, particularly life assurance and pensions.

Laurence Emmett’s practice has covered the range of legal issues that arise in relation to art and antiques, including liabilities arising from loss, theft, forgery and non-delivery. He also has experience addressing technical issues of valuation and authenticity, in relation to works that range from Egyptian antiquities to 20th century paintings. His clients have included artists, individual purchasers and sellers, trade sellers, auction houses, museum owners and the Art Loss Register.

• QIPCO v Phoenix
Dispute over the authenticity and provenance of antiquities purchased by a major collector, includes allegations of forged provenance documentation. See for example [2025] EWHC 898 (KB).
• Golubovich v Golubovich
Dispute between family members over the ownership of an extensive collection of art and antiquities. See for example [2022] EWHC 1605 (Ch).
• Acted for prominent artist in dispute with his agent.
• Acted in a claim relating to authenticity of paintings allegedly by prominent 20th- Century artist.
• Acted on claim relating to delivery terms in the sale of paintings by prominent contemporary artist.
• Acted on a claim relating to the age and provenance of an item of furniture, purchased for a substantial amount pursuant to a private treaty.
• Advised on issues of valuation and limitation arising from the loss of allegedly valuable antiquities.
• Advised on issues (including as to authenticity) arising from the sale of an item purporting to be a very valuable ancient artefact.
• Advised on claim relating to the freezing of funds representing the proceeds of sale of allegedly stolen antiques.
• Kurtha v. Marks [2008] EWHC 336 (QB)
Acted for the claimant art collector, in a dispute over the ownership of paintings by the artist Francis Newton Souza. The Court found that it was appropriate for the paintings to be returned in circumstances where it could not be proved, on the balance of probabilities, that having been stolen the pieces were sold in good faith and earlier than six years before the claim was commenced.