Charles is the co-chair of Reed Smith’s Global Commercial Disputes Group and the former co-chair of Reed Smith’s Global Regulatory Enforcement Group. He focuses on regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, financial services disputes, professional negligence claims, and general commercial litigation.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Representing a Big 4 accountancy firm in its defence of a claim arising out of its involvement in auditing the statutory accounts of a paper manufacturing company and its performance of various agreed-upon procedures relating to the valuation of a provision for environmental liaabilities in the company’s accounts.
Advising and assisting a Big Four accounting firm in connection with an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in relation to the firm’s audit of a dual-listed multinational and then subsequently assisting in a follow-on Financial Reporting Council (FRC) investigation.
Advising one of the world’s largest law firms in relation to a professional negligence claim arising out of work done by the firm for a large European bank in relation to a dispute with various Turkish entities (worth approximately US $D450 million). Court hearings in London and Paris with success in the English Court on our jurisdiction application.
Representing a Big 4 accountancy firm in its defence of a claim arising out of its involvement in auditing the statutory accounts of a paper manufacturing company and its performance of various agreed-upon procedures relating to the valuation of a provision for environmental liaabilities in the company’s accounts.
Advising and assisting a Big Four accounting firm in connection with an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in relation to the firm’s audit of a dual-listed multinational and then subsequently assisting in a follow-on Financial Reporting Council (FRC) investigation.
Advising one of the world’s largest law firms in relation to a professional negligence claim arising out of work done by the firm for a large European bank in relation to a dispute with various Turkish entities (worth approximately US $D450 million). Court hearings in London and Paris with success in the English Court on our jurisdiction application.
Advising one of the world’s largest law firms in relation to a potential professional liability claim by members of a significant family in relation to work done by the firm for the family.
Advising an independent and privately owned banking group in relation to regulatory issues arising from allegations of conspiracy and market manipulation made by the State of Qatar. The firm acted for the Bank in substantial High Court proceedings which were listed for trial but settled shortly beforehand.
Representing a Big 4 firm of accountants in the context of an HMRC decision to deny a claim for tax relief and where our clients had provided the initial advice.
Advising a Big 4 accountancy firm in connection with disclosure and letters of request relating to a U.S. class action.
Advising a Big 4 accountancy firm in connection with a Department of Business Enterprise enquiry into a high profile retail collapse.
Acting for a Big 4 accountancy firm in connection with depositions and document demands arising from a major U.S./Canadian set of insolvency proceedings.
Acting for a Big 4 international accountancy firm in connection with potential civil proceedings and an SFO investigation arising from the collapse of a software developer.
Acting for a major international law firm and its insurers in connection with a claim arising out of the drafting of a sale and purchase agreement for the acquisition of a European company (the IMO Group). The allegations relate to an alleged failure to properly define the purchase price, leading to the exclusion of a specific cost from the calculation. After two days of the trial, the claimants agreed to a “drop hands” settlement.
Acting for a major international law firm in relation to a potential claim brought by a global bank, concerning a substantial syndicated lending transaction where part of the security for the facility was subsequently alleged by the client bank to be defective. The quantum of damages claimed was up to €215 million.
Acting for a significant international fund management group in relation to a claim against a pension administrator that it made negligent overstatements in pension benefit statements sent to employees. The case settled favourably for the clients, following mediation.
Assisted a global energy company with its anti-bribery procedures including preparing a due-diligence check list for business partners and gifts and hospitality procedures.
Acting for a global pharmaceutical manufacturer in the context of an anti-corruption investigation in France.
Acting for a global medical devices manufacturer in the context of anti-bribery prosecutions in Greece.
Acting for a senior bank executive in connection with the FCA investigation into the global FX market.
Acting for a group of executives of a leading fund management business in an FCA insider dealing investigation.
Acting for a number of senior bank executives in connection with an FCA investigation into bank incentive schemes.
Acting for a major international bank in connection with the FCA review into the alleged mis-selling of interest rate swap products to customers.
Acted for a senior bank executive in the FCA/CFTC regulatory proceedings arising from the LIBOR investigation.
Acted for an Israeli technology company listed on AIM in connection with an FSA investigation, following the company suffering a downturn and issuing a profit warning in June 2006. The FSA investigation was in relation to possible insider trading and market abuse or criminal offences under section 397 of the Financial Services and Markets Act. Working with us, the company co-operated fully with the FSA, and in late 2007, the investigation into both the company and its senior officers was discontinued.
Acted for the London subsidiary of a major international metals trader in the context of LME regulatory proceedings concerning an alleged failure to “lend” metal to the market, pursuant to the LME’s Lending Guidance. This arose in the context of the introduction of the LME’s new NASAAC contract. The regulatory tribunal found completely in our client’s favour.
Acted for an authorised firm in relation to an FSA investigation into financial promotions that were not compliant with the Conduct of Business Rules and in relation to its compliance procedures generally. The FSA investigation commenced in January 2004 and was settled on favourable terms in September 2004.
Acted for an LME ring dealing member in connection with civil litigation and regulatory proceedings brought by both the FSA and the LME arising out of the Sumitomo Copper Scandal, where Sumitomo’s lead trader, Yasuo Hamanaka, lost approximately US$3 billion and where the client’s Japanese subsidiary was accused of assisting Mr Hamanaka in his activities.
Acting for a leading clearing bank in relation to a number of disputes and regulatory claims.
Acting for the liquidators of an insolvent subsidiary of an Icelandic financial institution in relation to potential recoveries arising from the institution’s collapse.
Acting for a group of former salaried partners of a collapsed law firm in the context of claims made by third party creditors arising from the dishonesty of one of the former equity partners.
Acting for a Romanian representative of a major energy trading group in the context of High Court litigation brought by a Romanian oil trader.
Acted for a leading global alternative energy supplier in relation to a dispute relating to an option agreement for the construction of a wind turbine manufacturing facility.
Acted for a major global investment bank in relation to a dispute with a potential customer over a multibillion dollar acquisition facility and subsequently in relation to the collapse of the SAAD Trading Group in Saudi Arabia.
Acted for the directors of a leading retail group in the successful defence of a derivative action proceeding.
Acted for a major motor manufacturer in proceedings brought by a group of its dealer network representatives, following the reorganisation of the manufacturer's UK business.
Recognitions
- Listed as a “Leading Partner” in The Legal 500 UK 2026 for Insurance: Professional Negligence
- Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in the United Kingdom for Litigation, 2020-2025
Credentials
Education
Education
- Durham University, B.A., Law
- College of Law, Guildford
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- England and Wales
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