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George Hayman KC

Call: 1998 | Silk: 2018

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Overview

George specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration.  His practice covers business agreements and heavy fraud and contract disputes of all kinds, often involving a major international element.  He is adept at navigating the full spectrum of interim orders such as asset freezing, interim injunctions, disclosure orders and jurisdiction challenges. He is recommended in both the Legal 500 and in Chambers UK. 

He has extensive advocacy experience in the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal, and in LCIA, ICC and ad hoc international arbitrations.  George is also called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI), and the Trinidad & Tobago Bar and frequently appears in litigation in that region.

 

Terms of Business 

In the absence of written agreement to the contrary, George accepts instructions on the Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2020 (as updated from time to time and referred to in the BSB Handbook). A link to those terms can be found here.

“A very diligent and careful barrister who is excellent on complex matters and very persuasive in court." "A pleasure to work with - he is able to absorb lots of information and identify the key strengths and weaknesses in a position."” (2022)

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“He's brilliant with clients and is able to bring them on-side even when the advice is not easy to hear.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“Very down to earth and approachable. "He pitches things in a really user-friendly manner.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“George lives and breathes civil fraud. He has a phenomenal knowledge of the area, having been involved in most of the largest recent cases.” (2022)

Legal 500 UK
Fraud: Civil

Expertise

Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery 

Overview

George has recently acted for international clients in some of the most high-profile fraud disputes in the Commercial Court and overseas, including the Libyan Investment Authority Litigation, the Ablyazov Litigation, and the Namalco Litigation.

Notable Cases

  • Namalco Construction v. EMBD [2018-2022]: acting for the State-owned Defendant in a 6-week trial of a $1.4 billion construction claim in the Caribbean Court of Justice (Trinidad & Tobago) concerning conspiracy in relation to five large scale infrastructure projects.
     
  • Tugushev v Orlov [2019-2021]: a dispute over the ownership of ‘Norebo’, one of the largest fishing enterprises in the world, concerning allegations of conspiracy and fraud.  Listed for trial in 2022, it generated notable judgments on jurisdiction ([2019] EWHC 645 (Comm)) and the discharge of worldwide freezing orders ([2019] EWHC 2031 (Comm).
     
  • Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) v Societe Generale and Others [2016-2017]: acting for the Fifth Defendant in claims brought by the LIA to set aside $1.5 billion of structured investments with SocGen on the basis that they formed part of a corrupt scheme involving the alleged bribery of Libyan state officials.
     
  • Tatneft v Bogolyubov and Others [2016]: $380m fraud claim by a Russian state oil company against four Ukrainian oligarchs.  Obtaining freezing and asset disclosure orders.
     
  • Latvijas Krajbanka v Vladimir Antonov [2016]: representing the claimant Bank in this £70 million fraud claim.  Acting on all interim proceedings: worldwide freezing order, search order, a series of Norwich Pharmacal orders, and cross-examination order.
     
  • JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2011-2015]: representing the principal defendants in this major international commercial dispute in relation to the affairs of a Kazakhstan bank. Particular involvement in committal proceedings, injunctive relief, summary judgment applications and appeals in the Commercial Court, Chancery Division, Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court of the Eastern Caribbean (BVI).
     

Commercial Disputes 

Overview

George’s practice covers business agreements and contract disputes of all kinds, often involving a major international element.  He has extensive experience as a trial lawyer and all aspects of interim disputes.

Notable Cases

  • Hua She Asset Management v. Kei [2022]: application challenging recognition and enforcement of a £20m Chinese (Shanghai International Economic and Trade Commission) arbitration award and related freezing injunction.
     
  • Manchester Shipping v Sochin [2018-2019]: representing the Defendants in their defence of charterparty claims in respect of four vessels operating in Russian waters.
     
  • State Bank of India v Vijay Mallya [2018]: acting for the Defendant in seeking to resist recognition and enforcement in England of an Indian judgment for $1.1 billion, and seeking the discharge of a worldwide freezing order.
     
  • Archer Daniels Midland v Akhras [2015]: Representing a Syrian national on his successful application to discharge a committal order and commute a one-year sentence of imprisonment in relation to findings of breaches of a worldwide freezing injunction.
     
  • Loughridge v Financial Times: acting for the Claimant in a £25m contractual claim by an internet television company against the Financial Times in relation to the online presentation of television and conference content.
     
  • Forstater v Dweck: acting in a liability trial, assessment of damages, two appeals, and non-party costs order application arising out of a breach of a commission agreement.
     
  • BERR v Sullman: acting for the Secretary of State in an application for the disqualification of directors of Claims Direct, the personal injury claims management business.

International & Offshore 

Overview

Much of George’s work has an international element.  He represents international clients in overseas courts and arbitrations.  As a member of the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI), and the Trinidad & Tobago Bar, George frequently appears in litigation in that region.

Notable Cases

  • Wilton Trustees v AFS Trustee [2021]: acting for six defendants in large scale multi-party claims in the Eastern Caribbean Court (BVI), involving allegations of breach of trust, conspiracy, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
     
  • NAMALCO Construction v EMBD [2019-2022]: acting for the State-owned Defendant in a 6-week trial of a $1.4 billion construction claim in the Caribbean Court of Justice (Trinidad & Tobago) concerning conspiracy in relation to five large scale infrastructure projects. Further experience in the Trinidad Court of Appeal on interim appeals.
     
  • JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2015-2016]: representing the principal defendants between 2011 and 2015 in this major international commercial dispute in relation to the affairs of a Kazakhstan bank. Particular involvement in enforcement proceedings in the BVI Commercial Court and in the Supreme Court of the Eastern Caribbean (BVI).

Arbitration 

Overview

George has acted as counsel in many LCIA, ICC and ad hoc international commercial arbitrations.  He is also experienced in court litigation ancillary to arbitration, such as challenges to the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards.

Notable Cases

  • X v Y [2022]: acting for the Defendant to an ICC arbitration concerning the development of part of London’s Docklands.
     
  • X v Y [2022]: acting in an LCIA arbitration concerning syndicated lending arrangements for a large scale construction project.
     
  • X v Y [2000]: LCIA arbitration concerning breach of oil & gas contracts.

Directory quotes

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“A very diligent and careful barrister who is excellent on complex matters and very persuasive in court." "A pleasure to work with - he is able to absorb lots of information and identify the key strengths and weaknesses in a position." "He's brilliant with clients and is able to bring them on-side even when the advice is not easy to hear.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“He is fearless, good on his feet and willing to fight his client's corner." "He is succinct on paper.” (2021)

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“He understands very well how clients are feeling and handles them beautifully." "He advises not just on the legal aspects but also provides commercial advice on how best to navigate complex and difficult situations.” (2020)

 

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“Very user-friendly. He works hard and has a good eye for detail." "Bright, diligent and easy to work with.” (2019)

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“Incredibly bright and a great team player." "A real star of the Bar for fraud work. He bravely stands his ground in difficult circumstances.” (2018)

Chambers UK
Fraud: Civil

“You can trust his judgement. When George says 'I know you'll be angry but don't do this' I listen.” (2017)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“Very down to earth and approachable. "He pitches things in a really user-friendly manner.” (2022)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“He is always charming and has a presence about him, which makes him very easy to put in front of clients." "George's particular strength is his commercial approach and style.” (2021)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“A measured and responsive advocate who never irritates the court.” (2020)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“Has a nice manner with the court" and "a good eye for detail.” (2019)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“He identifies what the court is looking for and is personable without being obsequious. "He takes a view of what a particular judge is looking for. He's not a one-size-fits-all type of an advocate.” (2018)

Chambers UK
Chancery: Commercial

“He is fantastic and very commercial, and he really looks for ways to achieve the desired result for the client.” (2017)

Legal 500 UK
Fraud: Civil

“George lives and breathes civil fraud. He has a phenomenal knowledge of the area, having been involved in most of the largest recent cases.” (2022)

Legal 500 UK
Fraud: Civil

“Unflappable – a class act.” (2020)

Legal 500 UK
Fraud: Civil

“A quality act whose recent appointment to silk is well deserved.” (2019)

Legal 500 UK
Fraud: Civil

“A real team player and brave advocate, who really knows his way around fraud cases.” (2017)

Memberships

  • Chancery Bar Association
  • COMBAR

Qualifications

  • MA (Cantab)

 clerks@maitlandchambers.com                                                                  

  +44 (0)20 7406 1200

George Hayman KC

Call: 1998 | Silk: 2018

ghayman@maitlandchambers.com

“A very diligent and careful barrister who is excellent on complex matters and very persuasive in court." "A pleasure to work with - he is able to absorb lots of information and identify the key strengths and weaknesses in a position."” (2022)

Chambers UK

Fraud: Civil

Overview

George specialises in commercial litigation and international arbitration.  His practice covers business agreements and heavy fraud and contract disputes of all kinds, often involving a major international element.  He is adept at navigating the full spectrum of interim orders such as asset freezing, interim injunctions, disclosure orders and jurisdiction challenges. He is recommended in both the Legal 500 and in Chambers UK. 

He has extensive advocacy experience in the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal, and in LCIA, ICC and ad hoc international arbitrations.  George is also called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI), and the Trinidad & Tobago Bar and frequently appears in litigation in that region.

Terms of Business 

In the absence of written agreement to the contrary, George accepts instructions on the Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2020 (as updated from time to time and referred to in the BSB Handbook). A link to those terms can be found here.

Memberships

  • Chancery Bar Association
  • COMBAR

Qualifications

  • MA (Cantab)

Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery

George has recently acted for international clients in some of the most high-profile fraud disputes in the Commercial Court and overseas, including the Libyan Investment Authority Litigation, the Ablyazov Litigation, and the Namalco Litigation.

  • Namalco Construction v. EMBD [2018-2022]: acting for the State-owned Defendant in a 6-week trial of a $1.4 billion construction claim in the Caribbean Court of Justice (Trinidad & Tobago) concerning conspiracy in relation to five large scale infrastructure projects.
     
  • Tugushev v Orlov [2019-2021]: a dispute over the ownership of ‘Norebo’, one of the largest fishing enterprises in the world, concerning allegations of conspiracy and fraud.  Listed for trial in 2022, it generated notable judgments on jurisdiction ([2019] EWHC 645 (Comm)) and the discharge of worldwide freezing orders ([2019] EWHC 2031 (Comm).
     
  • Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) v Societe Generale and Others [2016-2017]: acting for the Fifth Defendant in claims brought by the LIA to set aside $1.5 billion of structured investments with SocGen on the basis that they formed part of a corrupt scheme involving the alleged bribery of Libyan state officials.
     
  • Tatneft v Bogolyubov and Others [2016]: $380m fraud claim by a Russian state oil company against four Ukrainian oligarchs.  Obtaining freezing and asset disclosure orders.
     
  • Latvijas Krajbanka v Vladimir Antonov [2016]: representing the claimant Bank in this £70 million fraud claim.  Acting on all interim proceedings: worldwide freezing order, search order, a series of Norwich Pharmacal orders, and cross-examination order.
     
  • JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2011-2015]: representing the principal defendants in this major international commercial dispute in relation to the affairs of a Kazakhstan bank. Particular involvement in committal proceedings, injunctive relief, summary judgment applications and appeals in the Commercial Court, Chancery Division, Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court of the Eastern Caribbean (BVI).
     

Commercial Disputes

George’s practice covers business agreements and contract disputes of all kinds, often involving a major international element.  He has extensive experience as a trial lawyer and all aspects of interim disputes.

  • Hua She Asset Management v. Kei [2022]: application challenging recognition and enforcement of a £20m Chinese (Shanghai International Economic and Trade Commission) arbitration award and related freezing injunction.
     
  • Manchester Shipping v Sochin [2018-2019]: representing the Defendants in their defence of charterparty claims in respect of four vessels operating in Russian waters.
     
  • State Bank of India v Vijay Mallya [2018]: acting for the Defendant in seeking to resist recognition and enforcement in England of an Indian judgment for $1.1 billion, and seeking the discharge of a worldwide freezing order.
     
  • Archer Daniels Midland v Akhras [2015]: Representing a Syrian national on his successful application to discharge a committal order and commute a one-year sentence of imprisonment in relation to findings of breaches of a worldwide freezing injunction.
     
  • Loughridge v Financial Times: acting for the Claimant in a £25m contractual claim by an internet television company against the Financial Times in relation to the online presentation of television and conference content.
     
  • Forstater v Dweck: acting in a liability trial, assessment of damages, two appeals, and non-party costs order application arising out of a breach of a commission agreement.
     
  • BERR v Sullman: acting for the Secretary of State in an application for the disqualification of directors of Claims Direct, the personal injury claims management business.

International & Offshore

Much of George’s work has an international element.  He represents international clients in overseas courts and arbitrations.  As a member of the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI), and the Trinidad & Tobago Bar, George frequently appears in litigation in that region.

  • Wilton Trustees v AFS Trustee [2021]: acting for six defendants in large scale multi-party claims in the Eastern Caribbean Court (BVI), involving allegations of breach of trust, conspiracy, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
     
  • NAMALCO Construction v EMBD [2019-2022]: acting for the State-owned Defendant in a 6-week trial of a $1.4 billion construction claim in the Caribbean Court of Justice (Trinidad & Tobago) concerning conspiracy in relation to five large scale infrastructure projects. Further experience in the Trinidad Court of Appeal on interim appeals.
     
  • JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2015-2016]: representing the principal defendants between 2011 and 2015 in this major international commercial dispute in relation to the affairs of a Kazakhstan bank. Particular involvement in enforcement proceedings in the BVI Commercial Court and in the Supreme Court of the Eastern Caribbean (BVI).

Arbitration

George has acted as counsel in many LCIA, ICC and ad hoc international commercial arbitrations.  He is also experienced in court litigation ancillary to arbitration, such as challenges to the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards.

  • X v Y [2022]: acting for the Defendant to an ICC arbitration concerning the development of part of London’s Docklands.
     
  • X v Y [2022]: acting in an LCIA arbitration concerning syndicated lending arrangements for a large scale construction project.
     
  • X v Y [2000]: LCIA arbitration concerning breach of oil & gas contracts.
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