Practice overview

Theo joined Chambers in October 2023 following the successful completion of his pupillage. During pupillage Theo gained experience across the full range of Chambers’ work. He is now building a broad commercial chancery practice encompassing commercial disputes, civil fraud, trusts, insolvency, company law, property, and pensions. Theo regularly appears in both the High Court and the County Court as sole counsel and is equally comfortable being instructed as part of a counsel team.

Theo holds a First-Class degree in History from the University of Oxford and an MPhil in World History from the University of Cambridge. He was subsequently awarded a Distinction on both the GDL and BVS. Before joining Wilberforce, Theo worked as a judicial assistant to various judges in the Chancery Division and as a paralegal in the BVI dispute resolution department of a leading offshore law firm.

Theo's expertise

Recent and ongoing work includes:

Commercial

  • Acting (led by Simon Atkinson) for the defendant in Moosa v Mawji [2024] EWHC 335 (Ch).  These ongoing proceedings concern a complex and high-value corporate property investment holding structure, raising issues of Liechtenstein, Swiss and English law.
  • Acted for the Defendant (led by Bobby Friedman) in a US$15 million cryptocurrency claim concerning alleged breaches of a facility agreement. The Defendant counterclaimed for the delivery of cryptocurrency tokens worth US$100 million. The claim settled after service of the defence.
  • Advised prospective group claimants in a dispute arising from the negligent sale of bonds to retail investors. The claimants alleged that the broker’s failure to advise that the bonds were not adequately insured caused losses of £17.5 million.
  • As a pupil, assisted Jack Watson in Richards v Bodden [2023] UKPC 7, a case heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council concerning a claim for restitution/unjust enrichment arising out of the failure of an instalment contract.

Civil Fraud

  • Acting for the liquidators of Global Steel Holdings in asset recovery claims worth US$200 million. Global Steel is the holding company of Pramod Mittal, who has been described as “Britain’s biggest bankrupt”. Proceedings have been commenced in England, BVI, Isle of Man and Nigeria. Led by Graeme Halkerston and Faith Julian.
  • Appeared, at an interlocutory stage, for the claimant in a complex US$30 million partnership, breach of bailment and fraud claim in relation to various art, antiques and other chattels.
  • As a pupil, assisted Tim Matthewson in The Public Institution for Social Security v Al Rajaan; a US$874 million corruption claim brought by the body operating the State of Kuwait’s social security system and pension scheme in respect of alleged secret commissions paid over a 20-year period.

Trusts

  • Acting (led by Roderick Cordara KC) for the claimant in a multi-million pound probate dispute involving allegations of breach trust and fiduciary duty. The claim concerns funds which have been misappropriated from the estate and connected secret profits.
  • Advising on the validity of a discretionary trust. The trust had not been properly constituted, but the trust property had subsequently vested in the trustee as executor of the settlor’s estate.
  • As a pupil, preparing advice for the trustees of a BVI trust on issues of limitation. The case concerned proprietary claims arising from the transfer of shares between companies within a complex offshore structure.

Insolvency

  • Acting for the liquidators of Global Steel Holdings in asset recovery claims worth US$200 million. Global Steel is the holding company of Pramod Mittal, who has been described as “Britain’s biggest bankrupt”. Proceedings have been commenced in England, BVI, Isle of Man and Nigeria. Led by Graeme Halkerston and Faith Julian.
  • Advised company directors in relation to the appointment of receivers. Receivers were appointed following the breach of a financing agreement worth £15 million, secured against the companies’ properties.
  • Appearing for the trustee in bankruptcy in applications brought under s.283A of the Insolvency Act in relation to a property portfolio valued in excess of £3.5 million.

Property

  • Acting (led by Simon Atkinson) for the defendant in Moosa v Mawji [2024] EWHC 335 (Ch).  These ongoing proceedings concern a complex and high-value corporate property investment holding structure, raising issues of Liechtenstein, Swiss and English law.
  • Advising on the merits of claims under a constructive trust, resulting trust, and proprietary estoppel, in relation to residential property.
  • As a pupil, assisting James McCreath in the ongoing litigation between United Utilities and the Manchester Ship Canal Company, which recently appeared before the Supreme Court in March 2023. The appeal concerned the implied ouster of MSCC’s private law claims by the Water Industry Act 1991.

Pensions

  • Advising on claims for breach of trust and fiduciary duty against the trustee of a personal pension scheme. Losses to the scheme were caused by the sale of the scheme’s assets for unsecured loan consideration to an insolvent third party.
  • Advising on the proper interpretation of a pension attachment order and its effects on the timing of payments to be made to the ex-spouse.
  • As a pupil, drafting advice for the employer concerning the validity of historic amendments to the scheme which introduced guaranteed minimum increases to pensions in payment.

 

Theo's insights & events View all thought leadership View all events

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    Articles

    When property held “in trust” is not a trust: the decision in Nazir v Begum [2024] EWHC 378

    At first blush the decision of Freedman J in Nazir v Begum [2024] EWHC 378 (KB) appears counterintuitive. Section 33(1) of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (“AEA”) states that: “On the death of a person intestate as to any... Read more

    By Theo Dixon
    Tuesday 30 July 2024

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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Fraud, Trusts & Asset Recovery Conference 2024

    Thursday 4th July 2024 | 12.30pm - 5.25pm, followed by drinks and canapés
    The View at The Royal College of Surgeons

    £135 + VAT | 3.5 CPD

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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Insolvency Conference & Dinner 2024

    Thursday 1st February 2024 | 12.30pm - 5.55pm, followed by drinks and dinner
    The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, London

    £130 - £185 + VAT | 4 CPD

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    Events / Webinars

    Wilberforce Trusts Litigation Day 2024

    Monday 29th January 2024 | 9am - 5.35pm, followed by drinks and dinner
    InterContinental Park Lane, London

    £299 - £360 + VAT | 5.5 CPD

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Theo's Details

Registered name: Mr Theodore Dixon
VAT number: 447 7348 59

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Qualifications and Appointments

  • BA in History, Jesus College, Oxford (First Class)
  • MPhil in World History, Darwin College, Cambridge
  • GDL, City, University of London (Distinction)
  • BVS, City, University of London (Distinction)

Awards

  • Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (2021)
  • Scholarship for Academic Excellence, City, University of London (2021)
  • The Times Law Award, Runner-up (2021)
  • Sankey Scholarship, Jesus College, Oxford (2021)
  • Lord Haldane Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (2020)
  • Postgraduate Scholarship, City, University of London (2020)
  • Sir Eubule Thelwall Prize in Modern History, Jesus College, Oxford (2018)
  • Open Scholarship, Jesus College, Oxford (2016)

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