General Commercial

Edward is frequently instructed in high profile commercial litigation. He has particular experience of injunctions and interlocutory disputes (including freezing injunctions, proprietary injunctions and anti-suit injunctions) and is commended in the legal directories for his “extensive knowledge of injunctive relief measures”.

• NMC PLC v Ernst & Young LLP: Acting for the defendant auditors defending a multi-billion dollar negligence claim arising in connection with an alleged cross-border fraud involving the Claimant (the former holding company of a Middle Eastern healthcare group) and various related parties.
• (1) Daniel Scenna (2) Host Growth v Persons Unknown [2023] EWHC 799 (Ch): Acting for Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd in successfully challenging the jurisdiction of the Court and setting aside a Bankers Trust disclosure order in connection with an alleged multijurisdictional payment fraud.
• Luxury Hotel Group v Hotel Management Company: Acting for the Respondents in a substantial ongoing LCIA arbitration between the owners and former managers of an international group of luxury hotels.
• ​​Bonnier Books UK et al v Haysmachintyre LLP: Acting for the Defendant auditor in substantial Commercial Court proceedings which include a claim for £65 million of net sums lost in connection with the Claimants’ publishing business (settled in October 2023).  Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation v (1) David Neil Gerrard (2) Dechert LLP (Comm.): Acting for the Defendants in defence of a high profile claim for professional negligence and malpractice by mining conglomerate ENRC (described by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases of 2021).
• Patisserie Holdings PLC et al v Grant Thornton UK LLP (Comm.): Acting for the Defendant auditor in a substantial professional negligence action claiming damages in excess of £200 million in connection with an alleged management fraud.
• Recovery Partners v Rukhadze et al (Comm.): Acting for the Defendants at the quantum stage of substantial Commercial Court proceedings concerning the scope of an account of profits in connection with asset recovery services that were provided to the family of Arkady Patarkatsishvili.
• Akers and others v Samba Financial Group [2021] EWHC 60: Acting for the Defendant Saudi bank in successfully defending a claim relating to the alleged knowing receipt of securities valued in excess of US$300m, which were alleged to have been held on trust for the benefit of a Cayman entity (now in liquidation).
• Federal Government of Nigeria v Energy Venture Partners Ltd: acting for the Defendant in a US$9.5 billion claim brought by the Federal Government of Nigeria relating to allegations that companies associated with Shell and Eni obtained the rights a valuable offshore concession at an undervalue.
• Providence Investment Funds v PricewaterhouseCoopers CI LLP: Acting for the Defendant in proceedings before the Guernsey Court arising out of an alleged fraud committed in connection with the management of a Guernsey-based investment fund.
• Bluewaters v BayernLB, Bernie Ecclestone, Bambino Holdings Limited (Comm.): Acting in a Commercial Court dispute concerning a claim for damages in excess of US$500m as a result of alleged bribery in connection with the sale of the Formula 1 group of companies to CVC.
• X v Y: Appearing both led and unled in proceedings before the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts in connection with a series of arbitrations relating to the development and management of a luxury hotel property in Dubai.
• Arcadia v Bosworth et al (Comm.): Acting for the Claimant in a c. $300 million fraud claim involving worldwide freezing and proprietary injunctions and arising against multiple Defendants in connection with oil trading in West Africa.
• BayernLB v Bernie Ecclestone (Comm.): acting in a substantial Commercial Court dispute between BayernLB and Bernie Ecclestone relating to the sale of the Formula 1 group of companies to CVC.
• NHBC v PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Comm.): Acting for the Defendant in Commercial Court proceedings relating to tax and audit services provided to the National House Building Council.
• Libyan Investment Authority v Goldman Sachs (Ch.): acting for the LIA on its claim in the Chancery Division that, during the Gaddafi era, Goldman Sachs procured the LIA to enter into derivative investments of around US$1.2 billion (described by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases of 2016).
• UBS v Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH [2014] EWHC 3615 (Comm.); [2017] EWCA Civ 1567: Acting for the Claimant at first instance and before the Court of Appeal in a US$320 million claim seeking to enforce payment under a number of synthetic CDO transactions.
• Berezovsky v Abramovich [2012] EWHC 2463 (Comm.): Acting for the Defendant in a £4 billion claim in the Commercial Court alleging intimidation and breach of trust.
• Alfonso Munoz Cordoba v Hiscox Insurance Company (Guernsey) Limited (Comm.): Acting for the Claimant in an insurance dispute relating to sums alleged to be owed under an indemnity policy covering, inter alia, extortion and kidnap.

Edward has a wide-ranging civil fraud practice and has particular experience of making and resisting applications for injunctive and other forms of interim relief both unled and as part of a team. He is noted in the legal directories for his “growing reputation for handing high-profile civil fraud cases” and for his “extremely strong technical knowledge in procedural and substantive issues arising in fraud cases”.

Current and recent highlights of Edward’s civil fraud practice include:

• NMC PLC v Ernst & Young LLP: Acting for the defendant auditors defending a multi-billion dollar negligence claim arising in connection with an alleged cross-border fraud involving the Claimant (the former holding company of a Middle Eastern healthcare group) and various related parties.
• (1) Daniel Scenna (2) Host Growth v Persons Unknown  [2023] EWHC 799 (Ch): Acting unled for Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd in successfully challenging the jurisdiction of the Court and setting aside a Bankers Trust disclosure order in connection with an alleged multijurisdictional payment fraud.
• Technology Company v Former CFO [2023] EWHC 2390 (Ch): Appearing unled at short notice in the Chancery Division to obtain a freezing injunction, proprietary injunctions and other relief in connection with an alleged substantial fraud by the former CFO of a technology company.
• Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation v (1) David Neil Gerrard (2) Dechert LLP (Comm.): Acting for the Defendants in defence of a high profile claim for professional negligence and malpractice by mining conglomerate ENRC (described by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases of 2021).
• Akers and others v Samba Financial Group [2021] EWHC 60: Acting for the Defendant Saudi bank in successfully defending a claim relating to the alleged knowing receipt of securities valued in excess of US$300m, which were alleged to have been held on trust for the benefit of a Cayman entity (now in liquidation).
• X (Offshore Insurance Firm) v Y (Accountancy firm): Defending a UK accountancy firm in substantial proceedings alleging fraud and professional negligence in connection with the audits of an offshore insurance company.
• Providence Investment Funds v PricewaterhouseCoopers CI LLP: acting for the Defendant in proceedings before the Guernsey Court arising out of an alleged fraud committed in connection with the management of a Guernsey-based investment fund.
• Bluewaters v BayernLB, Bernie Ecclestone, Bambino Holdings Limited (Comm.): acting in a Commercial Court dispute concerning a claim for damages in excess of US$500m as a result of alleged bribery in connection with the sale of the Formula 1 group of companies to CVC.  Arcadia v Bosworth et al (Comm.): acting for the Claimant in a c. $300m fraud claim involving worldwide freezing and proprietary injunctions and arising against multiple Defendants in connection with oil trading in West Africa.
• BayernLB v Bernie Ecclestone (Comm.): acting in a substantial Commercial Court dispute between BayernLB and Bernie Ecclestone relating to the sale of the Formula 1 group of companies to CVC.
• Libyan Investment Authority v Goldman Sachs (Ch.): acting for the LIA on its claim in the Chancery Division that, during the Gaddafi era, Goldman Sachs procured the LIA to enter into derivative investments of around US$1.2 billion (described by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases of 2016).
• Newland Shipping and Forwarding Limited v 1) Toba Trading 2) Seyed Majed Taheri (Comm.): acting for the Claimant in two related complex disputes relating to the alleged non-payment by the Defendants of the full amounts due for oil and gas cargoes, and an alleged conspiracy to obtain the cargoes without payment.
• Okean B.V and Logistic Solution International Limited v Olympus Investments (2001) B.V et al: acting for the Claimants in relation to complex multi-jurisdictional proceedings (including proceedings in the Netherlands and ancillary proceedings in New York) in relation to an alleged fraud relating to the ownership of shares and debt instruments concerning the Ukrainian shipbuilding company Wadan Yards Okean OJSC.

• Federal Government of Nigeria v Energy Venture Partners Ltd: acting for the Defendant in a US$9.5 billion claim brought by the Federal Government of Nigeria relating to allegations that companies associated with Shell and Eni obtained the rights a valuable offshore concession at an undervalue.
• Arcadia v Bosworth et al (Comm.): acting for the Claimant in a c. $300m fraud claim involving worldwide freezing and proprietary injunctions and arising against multiple Defendants in connection with oil trading in West Africa.
• Energy Venture Partners Ltd v Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd [2013] EWHC 2118 (Comm): a substantial claim for unpaid broker’s commission arising out of the sale of a deep-water oil block in the Niger Delta.
• James Fisher Offshore Limited v InterAct Activity Management Limited (Comm.): acting for the Claimant in a commercial dispute concerning contracts for the excavation and lowering of a live subsea gas pipeline running from an offshore facility off the coast of East Java in Indonesia.
• Mabanga v Ophir Energy PLC & Ophir Services PTY Limited [2012] EWHC 1589 (Comm.): acting for the successful Defendant oil and gas exploration companies in obtaining reverse summary judgment in respect of a claim for misrepresentation arising out of a project in Tanzania.
• Unaoil v Amona Ranhill [2012] EWHC 1595 (Comm.): acting for the First and Second Defendant companies in successfully setting aside service of proceedings by the Claimant oil and gas consultancy relating to unpaid commission on agreements relating to various construction projects in Libya.
• Munib Masri v 1) Consolidated Contracts International 2) Consolidated Contractors (Oil and Gas) Company SAL (Comm.): acting for the judgment creditor in long standing proceedings relating to the enforcement of a judgment debt.
• Comanco SA v. TGC Ventures Limited (Comm.): a $200 million oil pipeline dispute relating to a project to construct new pipelines from Kirkuk in Iraq to Banias on the Syrian Mediterranean coast.

• (1) Daniel Scenna (2) Host Growth v Persons Unknown [2023] EWHC 799 (Ch): Acting for Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd in successfully challenging the jurisdiction of the Court and setting aside a Bankers Trust disclosure order in connection with an alleged multi-jurisdictional payment fraud.
• Recovery Partners v Rukhadze et al (Comm.): acting for the Defendants at the quantum stage of substantial Commercial Court proceedings concerning the scope of an account of profits in connection with asset recovery services that were provided to the family of Arkady Patarkatsishvili.
• Akers and others v Samba Financial Group [2021] EWHC 60: Acting for the Defendant Saudi bank in successfully defending a claim relating to the alleged knowing receipt of securities valued in excess of US$300m, which were alleged to have been held on trust for the benefit of a Cayman entity (now in liquidation).
• UBS v Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH [2014] EWHC 3615 (Comm.); [2017] EWCA Civ 1567: acting for the Claimant at first instance and before the Court of Appeal in a US$320 million claim seeking to enforce payment under a number of synthetic CDO transactions.
• Libyan Investment Authority v Goldman Sachs (Ch.): acting for the LIA on its claim in the Chancery Division that, during the Gaddafi era, Goldman Sachs procured the LIA to enter into derivative investments of around US$1.2 billion (described by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases of 2016).
• Fortress Value Recovery Fund v Blue Skye Special Opportunities Fund (Comm.):  acting for the Defendant fund managers in a dispute concerning a Euro 200 million investment structure involving claims brought by a series of investors against the fund managers and related parties.
• Nazim Omara & Taha Babiker v. Al Mal Bank: acting for the Defendant liquidators to defend claims arising out of the liquidation of Al Mal Bank.  The case was only the second before newly constituted Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court.
• Atrium European Real Estate Ltd v Meinl Bank & Ors (Comm.): a multibillion euro fraud claim arising out of underwriting and market activities carried out in Austria on behalf of a Jersey investment fund and raising complex issues of jurisdiction involving the Judgments Regulation, common law rules and arbitration provisions.

Edward has a broad professional negligence practice (both before the courts, and in proceedings involving the FRC) and is frequently instructed by a number of leading professional services firms. As well as regularly being recognised in the leading legal directories for his professional negligence work, he was recently shortlisted for Professional Negligence Junior of the Year at the 2022 Legal 500 Bar Awards. Current and recent highlights of Edward’s professional negligence practice include: 

• NMC PLC v Ernst & Young LLP: Acting for the defendant auditors defending a multi-billion dollar negligence claim arising in connection with an alleged cross-border fraud involving the Claimant (the former holding company of a Middle Eastern healthcare group) and various related parties.
• Bonnier Books UK et al v Haysmachintyre LLP: Acting for the Defendant auditor in substantial Commercial Court proceedings which include a claim for £65 million of net sums lost in connection with the Claimants’ publishing business (settled in October 2023).
• Patisserie Holdings PLC et al v Grant Thornton UK LLP (Comm.): Acting for the Defendant auditor in a substantial professional negligence action claiming damages in excess of £200 million in connection with an alleged management fraud.
• The Executive Counsel to the Financial Reporting Council v KPMG and others: acting for an individual Respondent in proceedings brought by the Executive Counsel to the Financial Reporting Council relating to KPMG’s audit of Carillion plc (described by The Lawyer as one of the top cases of 2022).
• Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation v (1) David Neil Gerrard (2) Dechert LLP (Comm.): Acting for the Defendants in defence of a high profile claim for professional negligence and malpractice by mining conglomerate ENRC (described by The Lawyer as one of the top 20 cases of 2021).
• NWIC v BSG Valentine: Defending a UK accountancy firm in substantial proceedings alleging fraud and professional negligence in connection with the audits of an offshore insurance company.
• Providence Investment Funds v PricewaterhouseCoopers CI LLP: Acting for the Defendant in proceedings before the Guernsey Court arising out of an alleged fraud committed in connection with the management of a Guernsey-based investment fund.
• Brightside Group Limited v Baker Tilly UK Audit et al (Comm.): Acting for the Defendants in Commercial Court Proceedings relating to statutory audit work, CASS Audit work and corporate finance services provided over a number of years by Baker Tilly (now RSM) to entities in the Brightside Group (Comm.).
• NHBC v PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Comm.): acting for the Defendant in Commercial Court proceedings relating to tax and audit services provided to the National House Building Council.
• The Executive Counsel to the ​Financial Council v Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP et al:  ​acting for the Respondents in proceedings brought by the Executive Counsel to the Financial Reporting Council relating to the audit of the Tanfield Group.
• O’Neil Patient Limited and others v RSM UK Tax and Accounting and others: A claim in the Chancery Division relating to multiple instances of allegedly negligent tax and accountancy advice in connection with a corporate acquisition.
• Motormile Finance UK Limited v RSM Risk Assurance Services LLP – Acting for the Defendant in Chancery Court proceedings relating to the Defendant’s performance of a section 166 review in connection with the Claimant’s application for authorisation by the FCA.
• UBS v Kommunale Wasserwerke Leipzig GmbH [2014] EWHC 3615 (Comm.); [2017] EWCA Civ 1567: acting for the Claimant at first instance and before the Court of Appeal in a US$320 million claim relating to the alleged negligent management of a portfolio of financial reference entities.
• Go Plant Limited v Grant Thornton UK LLP (Ch.): acting for the Defendant assurance, tax and advisory firm in relation to claims relating to the performance of corporate advisory functions.
• Davidsons Developments Limited v Grant Thornton UK LLP (Ch.): acting for the Defendant assurance, tax and advisory firm in relation to claims relating to the performance of audit functions.

Edward has experience of a variety of arbitration tribunals and also of cases in the High Court and overseas (including the DFIC and QFC) arising out of or in connection with commercial arbitration proceedings. He is currently involved, both led and unled, in a number of arbitrations and has experience of range of different arbitration rules and institutions. His recent work has included a substantial (in excess of US$1 billion) LCIA commercial dispute; arbitrations arising in connection with hotel managements agreements; arbitrations arising in an energy and international trade context; and life sciences disputes including acting on behalf of a number of pharmaceutical companies in arbitrations relating to the pricing and supply of pharmaceuticals products. He experience extends to arbitrations under UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA and Ad Hoc rules.

Edward has experience of public law issues particularly insofar as they arise in a commercial context, and has experience of appearing both before the High Court and Upper Tribunal.

• The Executive Counsel to the Financial Reporting Council v KPMG and others: acting for an individual Respondent in proceedings brought by the Executive Counsel to the Financial Reporting Council relating to KPMG’s audit of Carillion plc (described by The Lawyer as one of the top cases of 2022).
• The Executive Counsel to the ​Financial Council v Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP et al:  ​acting for the Respondents in proceedings brought by the Executive Counsel to the Financial Reporting Council relating to the audit of the Tanfield Group.

Edward has experience of public international law cases including experience of inter-state disputes before the European Court of Human Rights.

He also has experience of inquiries and was Secretary to the “Hoffmann Commission”, a commission chaired by Lord Hoffmann and constituted by the MTN Group to investigate claims of corruption in relation to MTN's bid to participate in the second mobile phone network in Iran.

"A star in the making, Ed is fiercely bright, supremely hard-working and leaves no stone unturned. Punching above his weight, he exudes a quiet confidence that is reassuring." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Ed is excellent – he's very bright, all over the detail, great at coming up with strategies, easy to work with and highly approachable." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"He is extremely strong on audit negligence, thorough, methodical and very intelligent. Really good all round." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Ed is a brilliant junior, I cannot speak highly enough of him." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Ed may be one of the brightest juniors at the Bar, completely lacking in ego. His calm, methodical advice is hugely valuable." (Chambers & Partners 2025)

"Edward is excellent - calm under pressure and really knowledgeable. He reads the situation and the judge well and is able to alter the pitch and style of his delivery to match."  (Legal 500 2025)

"Edward is calm under pressure, utterly unflappable and brings razor-sharp clarity to the most challenging of fraud cases. He is a silk in waiting."  (Legal 500 2025)

"He is simply brilliant on audit negligence claims. He is increasingly well known and universally respected across the market."  (Legal 500 2025)

"Edward is a really persuasive and compelling advocate. He approaches the court in a really measured but forceful way." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Ed is precise, meticulous and an excellent drafter." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Ed is unfailingly easy to work with and an excellent communicator." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Edward is really superb at analysing the sophisticated issues of quantum." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Edward Harrison is exceptional with specialist knowledge and is brilliant on paper." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Edward is very diligent and thorough and also very commercially minded, so he doesn't just look at the law but also looks at the overall picture." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"He is responsive and drafts well." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Edward is an obvious choice for really difficult cases that require the combination of top-level intellect with a hands on approach." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Ed has exceptional specialist knowledge on accounting negligence and is brilliant on paper." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

"Edward is an outstanding junior who is a match for many KCs. He is an assured and persuasive advocate whose courtroom submissions deliver knock-out blows, and his mastery of the detail in complex cases is hugely impressive." (Legal 500 2024)

"Ed is very good on the detail. He thinks carefully and creatively around a problem and is approachable and contactable. His advocacy is clear and persuasive." (Legal 500 2024)

"Very good on the detail. He thinks carefully and creatively around a problem, and is approachable and contactable. His advocacy is clear and persuasive – very able on his feet, and his mastery of the detail and clear explanation of points gain traction with the court." (Legal 500 2024)

"Very capable and confident, he is a rising star of the junior Bar." "He is fantastic, user-friendly and highly knowledgeable. His input is always valuable." (Chambers & Partners 2023)

"Edward is very responsive, incredibly sharp and solutions-oriented." "Edward is really good at framing and advancing complex legal points in a clear, simple and convincing way." "He is very responsive and collegial." (Chambers & Partners 2023)

"Very capable and confident: a rising star of the junior Bar." (Chambers & Partners 2023)

'‘His strength is his exceptional grasp of the highly technical field of audit liability.  He's very bright indeed, and his mind works in the right way.  He works well with the solicitor team as well.  Would use again!'' (Legal 500 2023)

'‘Ed's drafting is excellent. He deals with complex points with impressive clarity and is always concise. His advocacy style is similar. He is measured, clear and precise.'' (Legal 500 2023)

'‘Ed is bright, clever and stays calm under pressure.'' (Legal 500 2023)

"Edward is incredibly personable, very strong on the law, very communicative and has an amazing brain." "An excellent lawyer who is very good technically, extremely responsive and pleasant to work with. He also has a good manner with clients." (Chambers & Partners 2022)

 "A great junior, both reliable and highly accessible, and possessed of a client-friendly manner." (Chambers & Partners 2022)

"Absolutely brilliant – strategic, insightful and highly skilled in all respects well beyond his years. You want him on your team and in your client’s corner. A true star and an absolute pleasure to work with." (Legal 500 2022)

"A master of detail provides clear and concise advice in a user-friendly format." (Legal 500 2022)

"Proactive and reasoned in his thinking." "He has a seriously sharp and mature brain." (Chambers & Partners 2021)

"Very strong intellectual and analytical mind, and able to hold his own with much more senior and experienced practitioners, demonstrating how far he is likely to rise." (Legal 500 2021)

"A relaxed and urbane advocate who is keen to get to the heart of the legal issues arising in any fraud case." (Legal 500 2021)

"He manages to condense a complicated factual matrix into clear and concise advice." (Legal 500 2021)

"Another Brick Court star, a complete pleasure to work with." (Legal 500 2020)

"A collaborative, flexible and responsive team player." (Legal 500 2020)

"He is a master of the detail." (Legal 500 2020)

“A truly excellent junior with a sharp, strategic mind and sound judgment.  He is technically excellent, a clear communicator and extremely easy to work with.” (Chambers & Partners 2019)

“Very user-friendly and very responsive.” (Chambers & Partners 2019)

"His ability to get across the technical detail of a case incredibly quickly is particularly impressive." (Legal 500 2018-19)

"Has extremely strong technical knowledge in procedural and substantive issues arising in fraud cases." (Legal 500 2018-19)

"He takes a commercial and detailed approach to his cases." (Legal 500 2018-19)

"His powers of analysis are razor-sharp, and he is very user-friendly to work with." (Legal 500 2017)

"An excellent, hardworking, bright and unflappable junior." (Legal 500 2017)

"Very easy to work with, a good team player and user-friendly". (Legal 500 2017)

"Fantastically responsive and easy to work with." (Legal 500 2016)

"Quick to pick complex concepts and drafts quickly and effectively." (Legal 500 2016)

"Works well under pressure and is able to take reasoned and commercial judgement calls." (Legal 500 2015)

2008 - 2009 Pupillage at Brick Court Chambers

2007 - 2008 Lecturer in Contract Law at Worcester College, University of Oxford

2007 - 2008 BVC (Very Competent)

2006 - 2007 Bachelor of Civil Law at Worcester College, University of Oxford

2003 - 2006 First Class Honours in Jurisprudence at Worcester College, University of Oxford

Scholarships and Prizes

Lord Mansfield Scholar of Lincoln's Inn

Hardwicke Scholar of Lincoln's Inn

Scholar of Worcester College, University of Oxford

Winner of the Bruce Reynolds Prize (Worcester College prize) for performance on the BCL

Winner of Slaughter & May Prize for Best Oxford University Paper in Constitutional Law (Law Moderations)

Winner of the Oxford Law Society Crown Office Mooting Competition (March 2005)

Languages

Spanish (Fluent)

Professional Membership

COMBAR

Spanish