Practice overview

Alan is a prominent and very experienced commercial silk, who was shortlisted for Commercial Litigation Silk of the Year at The Legal 500 Awards 2022. Alan was also listed as one of The Lawyer’s Hot 100 in 2020, which recognises 100 “lawyers of the moment who are shaping the legal profession right now”. Furthermore, he was shortlisted for Commercial Litigation Silk of the Year Award at The Legal 500 Awards 2019. He is recommended by the legal directories as “a real star” for civil fraud as well as commercial dispute resolution, commercial chancery, insolvency and IT litigation. Regarded as “a brilliant all-rounder” who is truly “outstanding” and a “go to for high value briefs”, his areas of practice also cover arbitration, banking litigation and company law.

Alan has extensive experience in corporate disputes, joint venture and shareholder issues, minority shareholder rights and unfair prejudice petitions, claims involving banks and other financial institutions, contractual disagreements, and complex commercial litigation generally. The legal directories note that he is a highly respected commercial silk who is adept at handling civil fraud matters, corporate and insolvency disputes, and litigation in the area of IT and technology.

In addition to appearing/advising the English Courts, Alan also has considerable international experience in commercial disputes particularly in relation to international arbitration.

Commercial disputes

A popular silk known for his intellectual agility and strong advocacy skills”, Alan has long been recommended in the legal directories for commercial dispute resolution as well as commercial chancery work.

He has a “formidable reputation”; his extensive experience covers a wide variety of areas such as joint venture and shareholder disputes, minority shareholder rights and unfair prejudice petitions, claims involving banks and other financial institutions, contractual disagreements and complex commercial litigation generally. He is also recommended in the related areas of civil fraud and information technology disputes. Clients praise the fact that he is “highly intelligent and analytical”. He is “someone who is on top of their game”.

His recent experience includes:

  • Acting for Respondents in linked LCIA arbitrations (2021 and 2022) relating to a series of shareholder disputes concerning an oil and gas field in the Middle East. The first claim for billions of dollars was dismissed. Awaiting the award on the second claim.
  • Vneshprombank v Bedzhamov: Acting for claimant (Russian bank in liquidation) in relation to £1bn plus claim against Georgy Bedzhamov. Claim relates to collapse of the bank and concerns allegations of fraud and conspiracy. There have been numerous interlocutory hearings. (See for example | [2022] EWHC 101 (Ch)).
  • Acting for successful Respondent in Unictral arbitration (2022) concerning a multibillion-dollar claim for enforcement of an alleged written settlement agreement. Claim dismissed on grounds of absence of consideration and limitation.
  • Instructed in an Unfair Prejudice Petition on behalf of a shareholder of a BVI company concerning minority interests in a Eastern European mining venture (2020 – 2021).
  • Acting for claimants in arbitration (2022) relating to claims for breach of shareholders agreements and fraud concerning a group of companies in Africa.
  • Libyan Investment Authority v Credit Suisse and others [2021] EWHC 2684 (Comm): Acting acted for one of the defendants in this jurisdiction challenge against whom a claim had been brought by the Libyan Investment Authority alleging fraud and corruption in relation to transactions that it had entered into with Credit Suisse in 2007/8 to the value of $200m. The challenge was successful and the claim dismissed.
  • Akhmedova v Akhmedov [2021] EWHC 545 (Fam): Acting for Claimant in proceedings against the Claimant’s son and Liechtenstein Trustees alleging transactions in defraud of creditors contrary to section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986). Judgment delivered in favour of the Claimant for full amount of claim (circa £400m).
  • Acting for state gas company in the Middle East in gas dispute concerning long term supply contract with claims circa $5bn. ICC arbitration concluded March 2020.
  • Acting for claimant in linked LCI arbitrations concerning Joint venture dispute in relation to the exploration and development of a gas field in CIS region. Concluded late 2019.
  • Libyan Investment Authority v JP Morgan & Ors [2019] EWHC 1452 (Comm): Acting for Libyan businessman accused of fraud and corruption in relation to $200m investment. Claim dismissed on grounds of lack of jurisdiction and limitation.
  • Gazprom v Nafogaz: Acting for Gazprom in two SCC arbitrations relating to gas pricing and transit disputes. Awards delivered in December 2017 and February 2018 in these multibillion-dollar disputes
  • Joint venture dispute over the development of oil and gas field in the Middle East – dispute concerns governance, investment and earn out issues.
  • VTB Bank v Antipinsky: Acting on behalf of Russian Bank in Commercial Court proceedings, in support of LCIA arbitrations, where freezing orders and mandatory injunctions granted.
  • JSC Bank of Moscow v Kekhman [2018] EWHC 791 (Comm): acting for bank in successful claims for over $150m in respect of deceit and unlawful dissipation of assets. Claims brought under article 1064 of Russian Civil Code.
  • IPCO (Nigeria) Limited v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation: acting for claimant seeking to resist an arbitration award for US$152m plus interest being set aside on the grounds that it was allegedly procured by fraud. Action settled at trial early 2018.
  • Roussev: acting for party in various ongoing proceedings in Nevis and St Vincent relating to trust and contract disputes.
  • Munroe v Bank of Scotland: acting for claimant in ongoing proceedings advancing swaps and LIBOR claims. .
  • Gerald Metals SA v Timis [2017] EWHC 1375 (Comm): acting for claimant in securing and the resisting the discharge of a freezing order in support of unlawful means conspiracy claim for circa $75m.
  • A v B: acting for claimant in a series of LCIA arbitrations concerning joint venture disputes.
  • Interactive Technology Corporation v Ferster [2016] EWHC 2896 (Ch): claim for breaches of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of assets and other wrong doing in respect of operation of an online gaming business. Together with an Unfair Prejudice Petition.

Download Commercial disputes CV

  • Quote symbolAlan is a heavyweight, polished advocate who is at the top of his game.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolA fantastic advocate, who's very bright and quick at analysing matters.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan Gourgey has an eye for detail like no other and is extremely good at dealing with very difficult clients.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan is an excellent advocate with fine judgement, as well as being a creative lawyer who is great with clients.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe spots killer points very quickly and knows what will win.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Commercial disputes insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

  1. Placeholder

    Recent Cases

    Royal Court of Guernsey dismisses a substantial unfair prejudice application in CLO HoldCo Limited v Highland CLO Funding Limited [2023] GRC061

    Commercial disputes, Company law, Insolvency, International / offshore

    Alan Gourgey KC | Sri Carmichael
    Monday 18 December 2023

    View more
  2. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Fraud, Trusts & Asset Recovery Conference 2023

    Wednesday 8th November 2023 | 12.45pm - 5.30pm, followed by drinks
    Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, London

    £120 + VAT | 3.5 CPD

    View more
  3. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    Civil Fraud Conference 2023

    Thursday 8th June 2023 | 12.15pm - 5.55pm followed by drinks & canapés
    The View at The Royal College of Surgeons, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3PE

    £130 + VAT | 4.0 CPD

    View more
  4. Placeholder

    News

    Wilberforce features in four of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023

    We are delighted to announce that Wilberforce Chambers appears in four of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2023, identifying this year’s most-talked-about disputes. Four cases is a record achievement for us, meaning that nine of our members are involved... Read more

    Monday 16 January 2023

    View more

View all thought leadership View all events

Banking and financial services

Litigation involving banks and other financial institutions has long been a feature of Alan’s practice. His work focuses on general commercial/contractual disputes, breach of duty and fraud claims.

His recent work includes:

  • ICC arbitration in Geneva concerning a substantial fraud claim against a major bank.
  • Bank of Moscow JC BVI & Ors: a US$150m claim for misappropriation assets where Alan has been instrumental in obtaining default judgments, freezing orders and committal proceedings.
  • Silva Property Investment Ltd v Co-operative Bank: dispute concerning the enforcement of an agreement to purchase an hotel by way of purchase of shares and requiring that a charge in favour of the bank be expunged.
  • Clydesdale Bank v Stoke Place Hotel: claims relating to conspiracy to defraud by shareholder directors.

Download Banking and financial services CV

  • Quote symbolAlan is a heavyweight, polished advocate who is at the top of his game.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolA fantastic advocate, who's very bright and quick at analysing matters.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan Gourgey has an eye for detail like no other and is extremely good at dealing with very difficult clients.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan is an excellent advocate with fine judgement, as well as being a creative lawyer who is great with clients.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe spots killer points very quickly and knows what will win.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Banking and financial services insights View all thought leadership

  1. PlaceholderImage Coming Soon

    Recent Cases

    No obstacles to enforcement of an English costs order in the UAE

    Commercial disputes, Banking and financial services, Civil fraud and asset recovery, International / offshore

    Alan Gourgey KC
    Tuesday 20 December 2022

    View more
  2. Placeholder

    Recent Cases

    The Libyan Investment Authority v Credit Suisse and others [2021] EWHC 2684 (Comm)

    Commercial disputes, Banking and financial services, Civil fraud and asset recovery

    Alan Gourgey KC | Anna Littler
    Wednesday 8 December 2021

    View more

View all thought leadership

Civil fraud and asset recovery

Civil fraud is one of Alan’s main areas of practice and on in which he has been recommended by the legal directories for many years. “Outstandingly good on his feet” as well as “very commercial”, Alan’s experience covers deceit and bribery, misappropriation and claims for breach of duty across a wide variety of subject areas from joint venture disputes to private equity litigation. He is also known for his skill in international asset tracing, where his excellent advocacy skills make him ideal for dealing with freezing injunctions and search orders.

His recent work includes:

  • Vneshprombank v Bedzhamov (2022): acting for claimant (Russian bank in liquidation) in relation to £1bn plus claim against Georgy Bedzhamov. The claim relates to collapse of the bank and concerns allegations of fraud and conspiracy.
  • VTB Bank v Petraco, Sberbank and Others (2022): instructed on behalf of the Russian State-owned bank in Commercial Court proceedings in which claims are being advanced against Petraco, Sberbank and another company. Claims for circa $250m relate to alleged fraudulent conspiracy concerning supply of oil-based products in Russia.
  • Libyan Investment Authority v Credit Suisse and others [2021] EWHC 2684 (Comm): acted for one of the successful defendants in this jurisdiction challenge – a Libyan businessman against whom a claim had been brought by the Libyan Investment Authority alleging fraud and corruption in relation to transactions valued at US$200 million that it had entered into with Credit Suisse bank in 2008 and 2009.
  • Akhmedova v Akhmedov [2021] EWHC 545 (Fam): successful representation of Tatiana Akhmedova in pursuing a £453 million divorce award against her ex-husband, Farkhad Akhmedov. Proceedings against the Claimant’s son and Liechtenstein Trustees alleging transactions in defraud of creditors contrary to section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986).
  • JSC Bank of Moscow v Kekhman [2018] EWHC 791 (Comm): acting for bank in successful claims for over $150m in respect of deceit and unlawful dissipation of assets. Claims brought under article 1064 of Russian Civil Code.
  • IPCO (Nigeria) Limited v Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation: acting for claimant seeking to resist an arbitration award for US$152m plus interest being set aside on the grounds that it was allegedly procured by fraud. Action settled at trial early 2018.
  • Gerald Metals SA v Timis [2017] EWHC 1375 (Comm): acting for claimant in securing and subsequently resisting the discharge of a freezing order in support of unlawful means conspiracy claim for circa $75m.
  • Interactive Technology Corporation v Ferster [2016] EWHC 2896 (Ch): claim for breaches of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of assets and other wrong doing in respect of operation of an online gaming business. Together with an unfair prejudice position.
  • An ICC arbitration involving fraud claims against a major bank arising out of the Madoff fraud.
  • VTB v Nutritek: acting for VTB in claims for unlawful means conspiracy and deceit raised issues of applicable law under PILA.

Download Civil fraud and asset recovery CV

  • Quote symbolAlan is a heavyweight, polished advocate who is at the top of his game.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolA fantastic advocate, who's very bright and quick at analysing matters.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan Gourgey has an eye for detail like no other and is extremely good at dealing with very difficult clients.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan is an excellent advocate with fine judgement, as well as being a creative lawyer who is great with clients.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe spots killer points very quickly and knows what will win.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Civil fraud and asset recovery insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

  1. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Fraud, Trusts & Asset Recovery Conference 2023

    Wednesday 8th November 2023 | 12.45pm - 5.30pm, followed by drinks
    Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, London

    £120 + VAT | 3.5 CPD

    View more
  2. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    Civil Fraud Conference 2023

    Thursday 8th June 2023 | 12.15pm - 5.55pm followed by drinks & canapés
    The View at The Royal College of Surgeons, Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3PE

    £130 + VAT | 4.0 CPD

    View more
  3. PlaceholderImage Coming Soon

    Recent Cases

    No obstacles to enforcement of an English costs order in the UAE

    Commercial disputes, Banking and financial services, Civil fraud and asset recovery, International / offshore

    Alan Gourgey KC
    Tuesday 20 December 2022

    View more
  4. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Fraud, Trusts & Asset Recovery Conference 2022

    Tuesday 8 November 2022 | 1pm - 5pm followed by drinks reception
    The Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, London, EC1V 9LL

    £120 + VAT | 2.5 CPD

    View more

View all thought leadership View all events

Alan's expertise

Download Insolvency CV

Insolvency

Alan routinely deals with a multitude of issues relating to company and insolvency disputes as part of his commercial litigation practice, details of which are shown above.

This involves him with:

  • Shareholder disputes of all types, including claims by minority shareholders and disputes concerning board control.
  • Application of the Duomatic Principle on claim by former director against company.
  • Directors’ disqualification proceedings.
  • Registration and priority of charges.
  • Appointment and removal of administrators, liquidators and interim receivers.

Download Insolvency CV

  • Quote symbolAlan is a heavyweight, polished advocate who is at the top of his game.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolA fantastic advocate, who's very bright and quick at analysing matters.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan Gourgey has an eye for detail like no other and is extremely good at dealing with very difficult clients.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan is an excellent advocate with fine judgement, as well as being a creative lawyer who is great with clients.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe spots killer points very quickly and knows what will win.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

Insolvency insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

  1. Placeholder

    Recent Cases

    Royal Court of Guernsey dismisses a substantial unfair prejudice application in CLO HoldCo Limited v Highland CLO Funding Limited [2023] GRC061

    Commercial disputes, Company law, Insolvency, International / offshore

    Alan Gourgey KC | Sri Carmichael
    Monday 18 December 2023

    View more
  2. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Fraud, Trusts & Asset Recovery Conference 2023

    Wednesday 8th November 2023 | 12.45pm - 5.30pm, followed by drinks
    Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, London

    £120 + VAT | 3.5 CPD

    View more
  3. Placeholder

    News

    Wilberforce features in four of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2023

    We are delighted to announce that Wilberforce Chambers appears in four of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases of 2023, identifying this year’s most-talked-about disputes. Four cases is a record achievement for us, meaning that nine of our members are involved... Read more

    Monday 16 January 2023

    View more
  4. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Commercial Conference 2022

    Thursday 24 March 2022 | 9am - 5.20pm followed by drinks
    Kimpton Fitzroy Russell Square (and online via Zoom), London

    £195 + VAT | 5.0 CPD

    View more

View all thought leadership View all events

International arbitration

Alan is a prominent and very experienced commercial silk who is recommended by the legal directories as “a real star” for commercial dispute resolution and civil fraud. Regarded as “a brilliant all-rounder” who is truly “outstanding” and a “go to for high value briefs”, his areas of practice also cover arbitration, banking litigation, company and insolvency.

In addition to appearing/advising the English Courts, Alan also has considerable international experience in commercial disputes particularly in relation to international arbitration. He also sits as an arbitrator.

Clients note “his intellectual agility and strong advocacy skills” as well as the fact that “he is very user-friendly and supportive”“a real team player”. They also value the fact that he is “a very impressive cross-examiner who is completely on the ball and has all the facts at his fingertips”. He is regarded as “a really great advocate who is absolutely outstanding in court”.

Alan has extensive experience of high value and large scale domestic and international arbitrations, be they under UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce or ad hoc procedures.

His arbitrations in relation to gas supply contracts have involved issues over price adjustments or price formula revisions under long term supply contracts and have required extensive cross-examination of experts on a range of issues including gas pricing, industry practice, economics of gas supply, quantum and foreign law (including for example section 36 of the Swedish Contracts Act).

Alan is a team-player who is well used to slotting into an already established arbitration team and working with the team to present the case before a common law or a civil law tribunal or a combination of the two.

Some of his recent experience includes:

  • Gazprom v Nafogaz: Acting for Gazprom in two SCC arbitrations relating to gas pricing and transit disputes.Awards delivered in December 2017 and February 2018 in these multibillion-dollar disputes.
  • Acting for defendant in joint venture dispute concerning oil and gas fields in Middle East. LCIA Arbitration concluded December 2021.
  • Acting for same defendant in relation to dispute under share sale agreement. LCIA arbitration ongoing.
  • Acting for defendant in relation to joint venture dispute concerning GPSA in Nigeria. Evidential hearing concluded in January 2022.
  • Acting for state gas company in the Middle East in gas dispute concerning long term supply contract with claims circa $5bn. ICC arbitration. Concluded March 2020.
  • Acting for claimant in LMIA arbitration relating to supply of copper concentrate in China. Hearing November 2021.
  • Acting for claimant in LCIA arbitration concerning joint venture dispute for development of a mine in Russia. Concluded 2020.
  • Acting for claimant in linked LCIA arbitrations concerning Joint venture dispute in relation to the exploration and development of a gas field in CIS region. Concluded late 2019.
  • Acting for defendant in Joint venture dispute over the development of oil and gas field in the Middle East – dispute concerns governance, investment and earn out issues. Linked LCIA arbitrations (ongoing).
  • UNCITRAL arbitration in London concerning breaches of distribution agreements relating to mining equipment.
  • ICC arbitration in Geneva concerning a substantial fraud claim against a major bank.
  • A Stockholm Chamber of Commerce arbitration involving claims of around $1.5 billion on a gas contract dispute.
  • An ICC arbitration concerning price revision, construction and factual issues in respect of a long term take or pay gas supply contract.
  • An UNCITRAL arbitration concerning an offshore mooring agreement between an African State and international contractor.
  • An ICC arbitration concerning contractual claims relating to major infrastructure project involving parties in London, the USA and Turkey.
  • LCIA arbitration concerning the operation of a space satellite.
  • An UNCITRAL arbitration concerning a major distribution agreement, raising a range of factual and expert issues.
  • An LCIA arbitration concerning a government defence contract.

Download International arbitration CV

  • Quote symbolAlan is a heavyweight, polished advocate who is at the top of his game.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolA fantastic advocate, who's very bright and quick at analysing matters.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan Gourgey has an eye for detail like no other and is extremely good at dealing with very difficult clients.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

  • Quote symbolAlan is an excellent advocate with fine judgement, as well as being a creative lawyer who is great with clients.

    The Legal 500 2024

  • Quote symbolHe spots killer points very quickly and knows what will win.

    Chambers & Partners 2024

International arbitration insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

  1. Placeholder

    External Conferences

    The Great Parliamentary Debate with Asserson Law Offices at Tel-Aviv Arbitration Week

    28th February 2023
    28th Floor, Square Tower, Azrieli Center, Derech Menachem Begin Tel Aviv-Yafo

    Speakers:
    Alan Gourgey KC

    View more
  2. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    WATCH: Arbitration Breakfast Briefing: Arbitrability, admissibility and jurisdiction

    Tuesday 13 July 2021 | 9am - 10am
    Online, Zoom

    1.0 CPD

    View more
  3. Placeholder

    Events / Webinars

    WATCH: Arbitration Breakfast Briefing: STC v Betamax

    Tuesday 12 January 2021 | 9am - 10am UK time
    Online, Zoom

    1.0 CPD

    View more

View all thought leadership View all events

Alan's Details

BSB/VAT information

Registered name: Mr Alan Gourgey KC
VAT number: 440438960

Privacy Notice pdf

Qualifications and Appointments

To follow…

Memberships

To follow…

Download Alan's CV

Select the Expertise that you would like to download.

Close