Restructuring & Insolvency

Dan’s experience in private practice included advising:

  • The Malaysia Airlines group on its global restructuring, including the first use of a UK scheme to reduce liabilities under aircraft leases (Re MAB Leasing Limited [2021] EWHC 152 (Ch) and [2021] EWHC 379 (Ch)).
  • The Debenhams group in connection with its restructuring, including the successful defence of two CVAs against a High Court challenge issued by a group of landlords (Discovery (Northampton) Ltd & Ors v Debenhams Retail Ltd & Ors [2019] EWHC 2441 (Ch)); and subsequently advising the administrators of Debenhams generally.
  • Instant Cash Loans (t/a The Money Shop) on its market-leading restructuring of unaffordability redress claims (Re Instant Cash Loans Limited [2019] EWHC 2329 (Ch) and [2019] EWHC 2795 (Ch)).
Litigation & Arbitration

During his time as a solicitor Dan represented a variety of clients in High Court litigation, arbitration proceedings and regulatory or disciplinary investigations. This included acting on behalf of:

  • The former directors of a well-known high street retailer on an investigation by The Pensions Regulator and the Insolvency Service.
  • The former administrators of a high street retailer in relation to disciplinary and enforcement proceedings brought by the ICAEW.
  • The family trusts of a high net worth individual in an application to obtain a freezing order in Hong Kong as part of the so-called “Yves Bouvier Affair” (Accent Delight International Ltd & Another v Yves Bouvier & Another [2015] 4 HKC 51, [2015] HKCFI 566, [2015] HKCFI 1041 and [2015] HKCFI 1264), which involved proceedings in Monaco, Switzerland, France, the US and Singapore.
Corporate

Dan’s transactional experience includes advising:

  • Equitable Life on its complex scheme of arrangement, Part VII transfer and sale to Utmost Life and Pensions (Re Equitable Life Assurance Society [2019] EWHC 3336 (Ch)).
  • Hutchison Whampoa on the Hong Kong scheme of arrangement effecting its merger with CK Hutchison Holdings Limited.
  • Zurich Insurance Group on various Part VII transfers, including the disposal of the general insurance business of Eagle Star to RiverStone.
Memberships & Publications

Chancery Bar Association

Insolvency Lawyers Association

INSOL International

R3

Education & Awards

BA (Ancient & Modern History) – Brasenose College, University of Oxford (First Class Honours)

News

Staveley v Restis [2024] EWHC 670 (Ch)
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FIRE Starters Global Summit: Dublin
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