"One of the rising stars of the London Bar across both commercial litigation and arbitration."
Geoffrey’s practice covers the full range of commercial litigation and international arbitration. He is ranked as a leading junior in Commercial Dispute Resolution and Banking & Finance, with the current edition of Legal 500 describing him as “a pleasure to work with, … very bright but also pragmatic and practical”, and “an exceptional talent, with really deep knowledge of finance and particularly derivatives disputes.” In 2017 Legal 500 listed him as one of the ‘Top Ten Under Eight Years’ Call’ for commercial litigation.
Geoffrey’s recent experience takes in large and high-profile High Court litigation (Rowe v Ingenious Media, Privatbank v Kolomoisky & Ors, and Holyoake v Candy), international arbitration (LCIA and ICC), and acting as sole counsel in High Court trials (Kelly v DSM Demolitions [2020], a 5-day TCC trial; Angel Group Ltd (in liq.) v Davey [2018] EWHC 1781 (Ch), a 10-day trial; and Europa Plus SCA CIF & Anor v Anthracite Investments (Ireland) Plc [2016] EWHC 437 (Comm)).
Prior to joining chambers in 2012, Geoffrey was a Senior Associate and solicitor-advocate at Herbert Smith Freehills (London office). His experience at HSF included a year seconded to a major investment bank, and nearly two years as a member of HSF's in-house advocacy unit. Before relocating to London in 2006 Geoffrey practised as a solicitor in Australia, and before that, was judicial assistant to the Chief Justice of Western Australia.
While a solicitor advocate, Geoffrey regularly advised investment and retail banks, wealth managers, hedge funds and private equity firms in relation to a range of contentious matters, from Commercial Court litigation and arbitration through to contentious regulatory investigations (FSA/FCA, SFO, and US regulatory authorities) and s 166 FSMA “skilled person” reports
While a solicitor advocate, Geoffrey acted for both claimants and defendants in connection with professional liability claims against firms of solicitors
2012-13, Pupillage at Brick Court Chambers
2010-12, Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP (Advocacy Unit)
2007-10, Associate, Herbert Smith LLP
2006-07, Bachelor of Civil Laws, University of Oxford (Distinction)
2005-06, Articled Clerk/Associate, Freehills (Perth, Australia)
2004-05, Associate to the Hon. the Chief Justice of Western Australia
1999-04, LLB (Hons), University of Western Australia (First Class Hons)
1999-04, BA (History), University of Western Australia
"A true expert in derivatives litigation. Geoff has the perfect combination of technical brilliance plus the courtroom skills to fight as hard as it takes." (The Legal 500 2022)
"An exceptional talent, with really deep knowledge of finance and particularly derivatives disputes." (The Legal 500 2021)
"A pleasure to work with, he is very bright but also pragmatic and practical, and his background as a solicitor means that he really gets what we are looking for from junior counsel and how he can add value to the team." (The Legal 500 2021)
"He is very able, strong on paper and as an advocate." (The Legal 500 2020)
"One of the rising stars of the London Bar across both commercial litigation and arbitration." (The Legal 500 2018-19)
"An effective and highly commercial junior with a strong track record." (The Legal 500 2017)