Kyle is recommended by both Chambers & Partners UK and Legal 500 as a leading junior in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Commercial Dispute Resolution.  

Kyle has a wide-ranging commercial practice.  He is regularly instructed to act in commercial disputes of all kinds, big and small, international and domestic, arising out of all sectors and industries, in both litigation and arbitration.  In recent years, Kyle has appeared in some of the largest commercial disputes to come before the English Courts.  As a result, he is very familiar with the demands of heavy trials, particularly those involving extensive factual and expert evidence, as well as the wide variety of interlocutory applications to which such disputes frequently gives rise (including jurisdiction challenges, disclosure/privilege disputes, injunctions, freezing orders and other associated forms of interim relief).

Details of Kyle’s sector-specific experience are set out in the relevant sub-sections below.  However, notable examples of Kyle’s recent commercial litigation work include:

• Various Claimants v Glencore Plc – acting for Glencore Plc in defence of group litigation under s.90/s.90A FSMA 2000 relating to Glencore’s IPO and subsequent merger with Xstrata.
• Lonestar Communications Corporation LLC v Kaye & Ors – conspiracy claim concerning a large-scale “cyber-attack” on one of the largest telecoms companies in Liberia.
• ENRC v Dechert & the SFO ­– high-profile civil fraud proceedings arising out of an investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption concerning ENRC’s mining operations in Kazakhstan and Africa, and a subsequent criminal investigation by the SFO.
• The Russian Aircraft Litigation – acting for various claimants in substantial aviation insurance/reinsurance claims relating to aircraft stranded in Russia as result of sanctions (and counter-sanctions) imposed in connection with the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
• Fundo Soberano de Angola v dos Santos & Ors – acting for the Angolan sovereign wealth fund in high-value, multi-jurisdictional civil fraud proceedings against the fund’s former investment manager and adviser and its attempts to recover US$3bn of missing assets.
• The Lloyds/HBOS Group Litigation – acting for Lloyds Banking Group and five of its former directors in their successful defence of group litigation brought by about 6000 shareholders arising out of Lloyds’ acquisition of HBOS.  The claim was dismissed following a 5 month trial.
• The Libyan Investment Authority – acting for one of the applicants in proceedings intended to deal with the consequences of a dispute about who was entitled to exercise the functions of the LIA following the outbreak of civil war in Libya.
• PT Satria Tirtatama Energindo v East Asia Company Ltd – a Privy Council appeal relating to the disputed sale of a multi-million-dollar geothermal energy project in Bali.
• VIH Hotel Management Ltd v Assas Opco Ltd & Ors – high-value dispute before the DIFC Courts relating to the ownership and operation of a luxury hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
• Harbour Fund III L.P. v Kazakhstan Kagazy Plc & Ors – acting in a substantial litigation funding dispute arising out of a £300 million civil fraud claim.
• Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd v HCC International Insurance Co Plc – claim for the rectification of a settlement agreement relating to a dispute under refund guarantees issued in connection with £97 million shipbuilding contracts.
• Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund v Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Europe Ltd – claim relating to the sale of interests in a major international airport and involving injunctive relief to restrain alleged breaches of confidence.
• McLaren Automotive Ltd v GTI Corporation Ltd – injunction proceedings relating to the supply of components to the well-known manufacturer of high-performance sports cars.
• RC Cayman Holdings Ltd v Michael Ryan – acting for the former owner of the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Hotel in a high value dispute before the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands relating to the financing and subsequent sale of the hotel.

Kyle is recommended by both Chambers & Partners UK and Legal 500 as a leading junior for Banking and Financial Services.

Kyle has extensive experience of acting in banking and financial services disputes of various kinds.  His practice covers the full spectrum of banking and finance related work, including investment banking, private equity, investment and asset management, sovereign wealth, capital markets, M&A, derivatives, as well as private and retail banking.

In recent years, Kyle has acted in a number of landmark banking and finance disputes.  He is currently acting for the defendant in one of the largest securities group actions proceeding before the English courts (Various Claimants v Glencore Plc).  His previous experience includes acting for the successful defendants in the first shareholder group action ever to go to trial in England and Wales (The Lloyds/HBOS Group Litigation); the first civil trial to arise out of the “LIBOR-fixing scandal” (PAG v RBS); and one of the leading cases on the test for reliance in implied misrepresentation claims (Leeds City Council & Ors v Barclays Bank Plc). In addition, Kyle also has experience of regulatory proceedings in the banking and finance context, including proceedings before the Takeover Panel.

Examples of recent work in the banking and finance field include:

• Various Claimants v Glencore Plc – acting for Glencore Plc in defence of group litigation under s.90/s.90A FSMA 2000 relating to Glencore’s IPO and subsequent merger with Xstrata.
• The Lloyds/HBOS Group Litigation – acting for Lloyds and five of its former directors in their successful defence of group litigation brought by about 6000 shareholders arising out of Lloyds’ acquisition of HBOS.
• PAG v RBS – fraudulent misrepresentation claim arising out of the “LIBOR-fixing scandal”. 
• HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd v Clifford Chance – acting for Clifford Chance in defence of a professional negligence claim arising out of a US$300m syndicated loan transaction.
• Nationwide Building Society v (1) Bank of New York Mellon; and (2) A&O Shearman LLP – acting for A&O in defence of a professional negligence claim arising relating to a series of high-value capital markets transactions.
• Fundo Soberano de Angola v dos Santos & Ors – acting for the Angolan sovereign wealth fund in a US$3 billion claim against the fund’s former investment manager/adviser.
• 6BC v TC Biopharm (Holdings) Plc – acting for a US investor in a claim relating to the redemption of Convertible Loan Notes and Put Loan Notes in respect of a Nasdaq listed biotech company.
• Natixis & Nedbank Ltd v Famfa Oil Ltd – acting for French and South African banks in a claim relating to the underwriting of a syndicated loan facility.
• Caterpillar Motoren GmbH v Mutual Benefits Assurance Co – acting for the German subsidiary of the well-known American corporation in a claim for payments due under various performance bonds and advance payment guarantees.
• Stemcor UK Ltd v Global Steel Holdings Ltd & Mr Pramod Mittal – a US $142 million claim against the guarantors of a Bosnian steel manufacturer.

Kyle is recommended by both Chambers & Partners UK and Legal 500 as a leading junior for Civil Fraud.

Many of the commercial disputes in which Kyle acts involve allegations of civil fraud and/or attempts to recovery the proceeds of fraud.  As a result, Kyle has extensive experience of dealing with allegations of fraud, deceit, dishonesty, bribery, secret commissions, corruption, misrepresentation and misstatement, economic/intentional torts (in particular, lawful and unlawful means conspiracy and inducement of breach of contract), breaches of fiduciary duties (and their statutory equivalents), as well as other proprietary and equitable claims and remedies. In addition, Kyle also has significant experience of acting in interlocutory proceedings of the kind which frequently arise out of civil fraud claims, including applications to obtain, maintain, vary or discharge freezing and/or proprietary injunctions; receivership applications; and proceedings for contempt of court.

Examples of recent work in the civil fraud field include:

• Lonestar Communications Corporation LLC v Kaye & Ors – unlawful means/lawful means conspiracy and economic torts claim concerning a large-scale “cyber-attack” on one of the largest telecoms companies in Liberia.
• Fundo Soberano de Angola v dos Santos & Ors – acting for the Angolan sovereign wealth fund in high-value, multi-jurisdictional civil fraud proceedings against the fund’s former investment manager and adviser and its attempts to recover US$3bn of missing assets.
• The Federal Republic of Nigeria v Ickonga – acting for a defendant in BVI proceedings relating to an alleged US$1bn fraud concerning the transfer of rights to a Nigeria oil field.
• ENRC v Dechert & the SFO ­– high-profile civil fraud proceedings arising out of an investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in ENRC’s mining operations in Kazakhstan and Africa, and a subsequent criminal investigation by the SFO.
• Old Park Capital Maestro Fund – civil fraud claim against the former investment manager of a Cayman Islands investment fund arising out of the collapse of the fund and involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, and other economic torts.
• Lutfi v Choudhury & Ors – acting for a UHNW individual in a civil fraud claim relating the misappropriation of assets and the acquisition and development of several high-end luxury London properties (and involving applications for freezing orders and other relief).
• Breytenbach v Grobler – acting for the administrators of a South African crypto-currency exchange in a claim under s.25 of the CJJA 1982 for a proprietary injunction/asset preservation order in respect of various crypto-currencies.
• A v B – successfully resisting an application before the DIFC Courts to commit various corporate and individual defendants for alleged non-compliance with an interim injunction.
• Leeds City Council & Ors v Barclays – fraudulent misrepresentation claim against Barclays relating to the sale of so-called ‘lender-option, borrower-option’ (“LOBO”) loans.
• PAG v RBS – fraudulent misrepresentation claim arising out of the “LIBOR-fixing” scandal.
• Slater & Gordon (UK) 1 Ltd v Watchstone Group Plc – acting for Slater & Gordon in its £600 million claim against Watchstone Group for civil fraud and breach of warranty.

Kyle is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading junior for Energy.

Examples of notable work in this field include:

• Various Claimants v Glencore Plc – acting for Glencore Plc in defence of group litigation under s.90/s.90A FSMA arising out of Glencore’s IPO and subsequent merger with Xstrata.  The claims relate to Glencore’s mining and oil trading operations in the DRC, West Africa, and North and South America. 
• Acting as sole counsel for one of the largest commodity trading companies in the world in defence of multiple claims in the Commercial Court and/or in DIAC Arbitrations relating to the purchase/sale of cargoes of crude oil from the Middle East.
• CL Financial Ltd v Proman Holding (Barbados) Ltd – acting in a claim relating to the disputed sale of a multi-million-dollar petrochemicals company in Trinidad and Tobago.
• An LMAA Arbitration – acting for the purchasers of two 174,000m³ LNG-carriers in their successful claims for more than US$290m in damages relating to defects in the vessels.
• An ICC Arbitration – A substantial ICC arbitration relating to the sale of shares in the holding company for investments in a petrochemicals company in the Sultanate of Oman.
• PT Satria Tirtatama Energindo v East Asia Company Ltd – a Privy Council appeal relating to the sale of a multi-million dollar geothermal energy project in Bedugul, Bali.
• The Federal Republic of Nigeria v Ickonga – acting for a defendant in BVI proceedings relating to an alleged US$1bn fraud concerning the transfer of rights to a Nigerian oil field.
• Natixis & Nedbank Ltd v Famfa Oil Ltd – acting for French and South African banks in a claim relating to the financing of the abortive acquisition of an upstream oil and gas company with a working interest in a deep-water oil block in the central Niger delta. 
• Stemcor UK Ltd v Global Steel Holdings Ltd & Mr Pramod Mittal – a US $142 million claim against the guarantors of a Bosnian steel manufacturer.
• Acting in various international arbitrations (including arbitrations under the LCIA and ICC rules) relating to the construction and/or operation of overseas energy and/or infrastructure projects, including substantial projects in the Caribbean, Africa and Pakistan.

Kyle is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading junior for Professional Negligence.

Kyle is regularly instructed to act and advise in relation to high-value professional negligence claims (for both claimants and defendants).  He has particular experience and expertise in relation to claims involving solicitors, accountants and other financial professionals and his previous clients include a number of well-known US and UK law firms and accountancy firms.  In addition, Kyle also represents clients involved in professional disciplinary proceedings before a variety of different disciplinary/regulatory bodies (including the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, the Financial Reporting Council and the Takeover Panel). 

Examples of recent (non-confidential) work in the professional negligence field include:

• HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd v Clifford Chance – acting for Clifford Chance in defence of a professional negligence claim arising out of a US$300m syndicated loan transaction.
• Nationwide Building Society v (1) Bank of New York Mellon; and (2) A&O Shearman LLP – acting for A&O in defence of a professional negligence claim arising out of a series of high-value capital markets transactions.
• Al Sadik v Harney Westwood and Riegels & Ors – acting for Harneys in defence of a professional negligence claim arising out of US$100m banking litigation in the Cayman Islands, the Privy Council and Dubai.
• ENRC v Dechert & the SFO – acting for Dechert in a professional negligence claim brought by ENRC arising out of a white-collar crime investigation into allegations fraud, bribery and corruption in ENRC’s operations in Africa and Kazakhstan.
• PrivatBank v PwC – acting for PrivatBank, the largest commercial bank in Ukraine, in a substantial (US$3 billion) audit negligence claim against PwC.  
• FRC v PwC (RSM Tenon Plc) – acting for PwC in its defence of FRC proceedings relating to the auditing of RSM Tenon Plc, a LSE-listed professional services firm which, prior to entering administration, had been the seventh largest accountancy firm in the UK.
• FRC v PwC (Connaught Plc) – acting for PwC in its defence of FRC proceedings relating to the auditing of Connaught Plc, a FTSE 250 company operating in the social housing, public sector and compliance markets.
• FRC v Deloitte (Aero Inventory Plc) – acting for an individual respondent in his successful defence of FRC proceedings relating to the financial statements of Aero Inventory Plc, an AIM-listed supplier of inventory management solutions to the aerospace industry.

A significant part of Kyle’s commercial disputes work takes place in international arbitration.  Kyle has acted in numerous arbitrations under a wide variety of institutional rules (including LCIA, ICC, LMAA, DIFC, DIAC, UNCITRAL and the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration), as well as in ad hoc proceedings.  In addition, he is regularly instructed to act in court proceedings arising out of arbitrations (whether seated in England or elsewhere), including applications for interim relief under section 44 of the 1996 Act (e.g. injunctive relief), seeking or resisting the enforcement of foreign or domestic awards under section 66 or the New York Convention, and challenging or defending arbitration awards under sections 67, 68 and 69.

By its nature, the details of Kyle’s international arbitration practice are mostly confidential, but recent highlights include:

• Acting for a Hong Kong tech company in proceedings before the BVI courts relating to the enforcement of a substantial Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI) award, and involving related set-aside/enforcement proceedings in both the Netherlands and Hong Kong.

• Acting for a sovereign wealth fund in multi-billion-dollar, multi-party, multi-jurisdictional arbitration proceedings in London and Mauritius relating to the dissipation of the fund’s assets and arising out of a series of revelations in the so-called “Paradise Papers”.

• A substantial ICC arbitration relating to the sale of shares in the holding company for investments in a high-value petrochemicals company in the Sultanate of Oman.

• Acting for the purchasers of two US$200m LNG carriers in a high-value LMAA arbitration.

• Acting for a well-known Canadian engineering company in proceedings relating to the enforcement of a substantial ICC award against a Middle-Eastern State and successfully resisting attempts to challenge the award under s.69.

• Acting for a Middle-Eastern flag carrier in a multi-million dollar ICC arbitration relating to a charter airline joint venture for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage flights from Israel via Jordan to Saudi Arabia.

• An expedited LCIA arbitration relating to the sale of interests in a group of well-known London hotels (and involving applications for interim relief to the English courts under s.44).

• An expedited LCIA arbitration relating to the sale of interests in a major international airport (and involving applications for interim relief to the English courts under s.44).

• A substantial ICC arbitration (seated in Miami and governed by Barbados law) arising out of the sale of a network of telecommunications companies in the Caribbean. 

• A high-value LCIA arbitration relating to the termination of a partnership agreement in connection with a London-based private equity fund.

• An LCIA arbitration (seated in London but governed by German law) relating to the termination of a distribution agreement for a medical device used in radiation treatment.

• Acting in a challenge under ss. 67, 68 and 69 of the 1996 Act to an ad hoc arbitration award relating to a multi-million-pound construction project.

• Kyle has acted in a number of international arbitrations relating to the construction and/or operation of substantial overseas energy and infrastructure projects, including (amongst others) a clean-energy project in the Caribbean, a US$2 billion fertilizer plant in Nigeria and a major electricity power plant in Pakistan.

• Live Nation v the Pussycat Dolls – acting for Live Nation in a claim against the Pussycat Dolls for the return of advance payments made in connection with a cancelled reunion tour.

• Acting for the owner of two Andy Warhol paintings in a claim against a well-known London auction house following the theft of the paintings and their subsequent sale. 

• Acting in a claim relating to the sale of a Fabergé gold guilloche enamelled cigarette case  to a well-known London art dealer.

"The Remoteness Rules in Contract: Holmes, Hoffmann and Ships that Pass in the Night" – King's Law Journal, April 2012

Education

Daniel Stewart's and Melville College, Edinburgh (1997-2007)

Pembroke College, University of Cambridge (2007-2010)

Harvard Law School (2010-2011)

BPP Law School (2011-2012)

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Law (2010) (Double First, 1st in year 2009; 7th in year 2010)

LLM (2011) (Private Law, International Commercial Arbitration, Public International Law)

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) (2012)

Scholarships and Prizes

Professional Memberships

COMBAR (Commercial Bar Association)

YFLA (Young Fraud Lawyers Association)

Further Interests

Kyle is a keen sportsman and, prior to coming to the bar, he played golf for the Cambridge University 'Stymies' (2nds) and rugby for Pembroke College and the Harvard Business School.

"Charming and able." (Chambers & Partners 2025– Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"Kyle is very bright and very commercially savvy. He does a good job." (Chambers & Partners 2025– Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"He is calm, measured and very sensible." (Chambers & Partners 2025– Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"Kyle is a delight to work with. He distils huge amounts of information and is very sharp, thorough and strategic." (Chambers & Partners 2025– Civil Fraud)

"Kyle offers fabulous written and oral advocacy. He is on your team and with you to get it done." (Chambers & Partners 2025– Civil Fraud)

"Kyle is excellent. He has bags of common sense and a fierce intellect. He's very user-friendly and very helpful and responsive." (Chambers & Partners 2025 – Banking & Finance)

"Kyle’s intellectual strength is obvious but he combines it with common sense and a user-friendliness which makes it a pleasure to work with him. He is thorough and careful but able to bring everything together so one can form a coherent strategy in a difficult situation." (Legal 500 2025)

"An impressive tactician and draftsperson. Very impressive in front of clients. His written submissions are powerful and persuasive. A pleasure to work with." (Legal 500 2025)

"Kyle is hardworking, clever, diligent and fun to work with." (Legal 500 2025)

"Kyle's ability to combine a first-class intellect with an affable and easy-going manner makes him a joy to work with." (Legal 500 2025)

"Kyle is a highly charismatic advocate. Thanks to his high intelligence and exceptional insight, he quickly gains the confidence of the court."  (Legal 500 2025)

"Very calm, sensible and switched on. He's good for cases that could spiral out of control as he simplifies them nicely." (Chambers & Partners 2024 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"Kyle is a great all rounder and a pleasure to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2024 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"He is bright and commercial. Kyle Lawson is an absolute pleasure to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2024 – Banking & Finance)

"An absolute pleasure to work with. A calm and considered mind.’" (Legal 500 2024 - Banking & Finance)

"Kyle is an impressive barrister. He has a calm, easy, and sure manner with clients. His written work is well researched and keenly targeted." (Legal 500 2024 - Professional Negligence)

"He has a first-class mind and is a great problem-solver." (Legal 500 2024 - Commercial Litigation)

"Kyle is really elegant in his writing and produces very nicely written documents."  "He is very easy to work with and cuts straight to the point." (Chambers & Partners 2023 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"Kyle Lawson is measured, calm and incredibly intelligent. He is good on his feet and an all-round pleasure to deal with." (Chambers & Partners 2023 - Banking & Finance)

"Kyle is way beyond his years – he is head and shoulders above his peers at the Bar. He absorbs facts swiftly, and grasps the key legal principles with ease. His written work is fantastic – his pleadings are hard-hitting and concisely undermine an opponent." (Legal 500, 2023 - Banking & Finance, Commercial Litigation)

"He is fiercely bright, highly industrious and with strategic vision far in advance of his years. He writes beautifully and has a charismatic presence." (Legal 500 2023 - Professional Negligence)

"He is absolutely fantastic and will be a real star of the future. He is very hard-working, incredibly calm and unflappable. He works really seamlessly in a team. He takes good points and has great judgement." "He is very impressive and absolutely terrific." (Chambers & Partners 2022 – Banking & Finance)

"A good, bright and personable barrister." (Chambers & Partners 2022 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"He is fiercely bright, highly industrious and with strategic vision far in advance of his years. He writes beautifully and has a charismatic presence." (Legal 500 2022)

"A star of the future who performs well above the level of his year of call." (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2021 – Banking & Finance)

"He churns out documents, and the quality of his work is very good." (Chambers & Partners 2021 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"He provides excellent, reliable advice wrapped up in thorough and carefully drafted documents." (Legal 500 2021)

"He is fantastic, responsive and clearly very bright – a junior to watch” (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020 – Banking & Finance)

"Kyle is super smart and very easy to interact with” (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020 – Banking & Finance)

"He gets to the bottom of issues so quickly, his work is of a very high quality, and he's just a really pleasant person to work with” (Chambers & Partners UK Bar & Global 2020 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"Kyle is impressive, insightful and really responsive" (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2020 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"A star of the future who's capable of performing well above the level of his year of call" (Chambers & Partners UK Bar 2019 – Commercial Dispute Resolution)

"Excellent with clients and very quick – that means he has a bright future" (Legal 500 2017)