Philip Williams

Disputes and advisory

• Since 2018 Philip has been advising in relation to series of international LCIA arbitrations on behalf of a hospitality sector client. This is a significant mandate of strategic importance that has involved a number of substantive hearings/trials during the course of 2019 with further issues likely to be arbitrated in 2020.
• Between 2017 to 2018 advised an aviation management business, related companies and its shareholders in relation to a series of disputes. The multimillion pound action involved claims for breach of contract and misrepresentation in relation to aircraft maintenance services, agreements for the purchase of aircraft parts, the exercise of a lien over an aircraft, and the underwriting of debts pursuant to a promissory note and letter of undertaking. The dispute involved other ancillary issues in relation to breach of confidence, directors' duties and fiduciary duties, and warranty claims pursuant to a share purchase agreement. The claims went to trial in the High Court in 2018. 
• Philip regularly advises in relation to the regulatory environment in which Payments Services and Fin Tech businesses operate, as well as commercial disputes and insolvency issues (in particular retail insolvencies) arising for those businesses. Philip has recently been advising payments sector clients in relation to their internal operational policies/guidance and business risks, including in relation to a merchant acquirer’s ability to use retained merchant funds, issues arising from Brexit with a focus on business continuity and payment services licensing in the event of a hard Brexit, and data issues arising from the implementation of GDPR. 
• Between 2014 to 2016 Philip advised in relation to a property and infrastructure investment dispute tried before an arbitration tribunal seated in Singapore. The dispute, worth in excess of £300 million, has resulted in spin-off litigation in the UK and other jurisdictions. Philip worked with a multi-jurisdictional team on this case which included DLA Piper lawyers from the UK and Dubai. In particular Philip's role involved leading the team of experts providing construction and valuation evidence as regard project feasibility and constructability

Corporate advisory

• Advising on the public company takeovers undertaken by way of scheme of arrangement, recently including the takeover of: Lighthouse Group Plc (2019), WYG Plc (2019),Plant Impact Plc (2018), Nisa Retail Limited (2017/2018), and Synergy Health plc in respect of Steris Corporation's acquisition in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately USD1.9 billion (2015). 
• In 2018 advised Liberty Mutual Insurance on the reorganisation of its European group and operations including the merger of the UK and Luxembourg subsidiaries, resulting in the formation of Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE.
• Advising on Part VII FSMA 2000 Insurance and Banking Business transfers, including, Zurich Assurance Ltd on the transfer of the Maltese insurance business of its subsidiary Eagle Star Insurance Company Limited to Zurich in 2015, and Habib Bank AG Zurich on the creation of its new UK subsidiary and transfer of its relevant banking business in 2016. 
• In 2013 and 2014 Philip advised AIM listed Tawa plc, renamed Pro Global Insurance Solutions plc, on the significant reorganisation of its operations, culminating in the demerger of its risk carrier business. 
• Philip has considerable experience in relation to advising on intra group reorganisations relying on The Companies (Cross-Border Merger) Regulations 2007. In particular Philip advised on the significant cross European reorganisation project carried out by Diamond Resorts in 2012.