Tom Laidler

Partner

Emailtom.laidler@dlapiper.com

Call+447917716827

London

About

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

Acting for Atlas Mara Limited, an investment bank, on its successful defence of a USD200 million claim concerning alleged breaches of a share purchase agreement in respect of an African bank, including a 4 week trial before the English High Court (Commercial Court).
Acting for the Plan Company (Project Lietzenburger Straße Holdco S.à r.l.), the holding company for a large German real estate asset, on its successful and heavily contested EUR1 billion debt restructuring under Part 26A Companies Act 2006.
Acting for Global Loan Agency Services Limited and GLAS Trustee Corporation Limited, as facility agent and security trustee under certain secured financing arrangements, in their defence of an English High Court claim arising out of the collapse of Debenhams PLC.
Acting for Oceanwood Opportunities Master Fund, as the majority holder of EUR290 million senior secured notes issued by the Norske Skog group, in expedited proceedings before the English High Court for declaratory relief regarding a contested enforcement sale process for a global paper manufacturer.
Acting for Deloitte, as administrators of African Minerals Limited, an AIM-listed company with debts of over USD1 billion whose principal asset was an iron ore mine in Sierra Leone, in connection with its scheme of arrangement and claims against the Shandong Iron & Steel Group with a value in excess of USD220 million.
Acting for Fairhold Securitisation Limited (the issuer of approximately GBP440 million secured notes) in expedited proceedings before the English High Court for declaratory and injunctive relief regarding the wrongful appointment of administrators and attempted pre-pack sale.
Acting for a major oil company in a USD380 million complex cross-border fraud claim brought in the English High Court against four high-net-worth individuals, including ancillary freezing order relief.
Acting for the majority shareholder in the world’s second largest razorblade manufacturer in a complex boardroom dispute with a private equity investor. The dispute involved expedited high value claims in the English High Court, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, and India; and criminal proceedings in Dubai.
Acting for a hedge fund in its defence of an English High Court claim for breach of a derivative contract, involving complex issues of valuation and market abuse.
Acting for Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc on its insolvency, particularly regarding its interests in its European subsidiary’s GBP7 billion administration surplus, including the Waterfall I and Waterfall II applications.
Acting for KPMG, as the administrators of MF Global UK, a global commodities brokerage with debts in excess of USD5 billion, including with regard to the shortfall, client money, resolution and pensions applications, as well as various creditor claims.