Alexander Robson

Alexander’s commercial litigation and civil fraud practice covers the range of business disputes including contractual disputes, commercial fraud, shareholder disputes, disputes between directors/senior employees, disputes arising out of JVAs, agency disputes (including under the Commercial Agents Regulations), and franchising disputes.

Alexander is co-author, with Charlotte Davies, of the PLC note on Conspiracy in Commercial Fraud.

Recent cases include:

• J Murphy & Sons Ltd v Talbot and os. Commercial fraud proceedings including applications for freezing and proprietary injunctions and associated relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC, working with Alexander Bryant.
• A v B. Complex ICC arbitration in luxury goods sector.  Leading Blathnaid Breslin.
• SRG v Bedford. Contractual dispute in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC.
• Purple Surgical Limited v Ningbo and Os. Commercial fraud proceedings relating to alleged misselling of PPE during Covid pandemic. Led by Adam Solomon KC, working with James Green.
• Aspinall’s Club Limited v Hui. Acting for the gaming club in 10 day trial involving issues of contractual capacity/intoxication and s.47/57 Bills of Exchange Act.
• Idnekpoma v Amazon UK Services Ltd & Anor. High-value commercial fraud proceedings.

• J Murphy & Sons Ltd v Talbot and os. Commercial fraud proceedings including applications for freezing and proprietary injunctions and associated relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC, working with Alexander Bryant.
• A v B. Complex ICC arbitration in luxury goods sector.  Leading Blathnaid Breslin.
• SRG v Bedford. Contractual dispute in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC.
• Purple Surgical Limited v Ningbo and Os. Commercial fraud proceedings relating to alleged misselling of PPE during Covid pandemic. Led by Adam Solomon KC, working with James Green.
• Guy Carpenter v Howden. Injunctive proceedings in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by David Craig KC.
• Joseph v Deloitte NSE LLP [2020] EWCA Civ 1457. Court of Appeal decision dealing with the implication of contractual terms and estoppel. Led by Jonathan Cohen KC.
• Trailfinders Limited v La Gette, Bishop and Travel Counsellors Limited [2020] EWHC 591 and [2021] EWCA Civ 31. IPEC trial in breach of confidence claim. CA decision a leading authority on the test for knowledge in claims for breach of confidence cases against a third party recipient. Led by Gavin Mansfield KC.
• Aspinall’s Club Ltd v Lim [2019] 8 WLUK 15 (QB). Acted for successful claimant casino in its application for worldwide freezing injunction against foreign national. Subsequent successful application for finding that defendant was in contempt of court for non-compliance with disclosure and other provisions of the freezing order.
• Brainbox Digital Ltd v Backboard Media GmbH [2017] EWHC 2465 (QB). High-value international fraud dispute in IT sector, including freezing injunction. Successful application for security for costs. The Judgment gives important guidance on security for costs and the scope of the undertaking in damages at the injunctive stage. Led by David Reade KC.
• Hills v Niksun Inc [2016] EWCA Civ 115. Court of Appeal decision on scope of an employer’s discretion under bonus agreements after Braganza v BP Shipping Limited.
• National Housing Trust v YPSAC Limited [2015] UKPC 43. Successful appeal to Privy Council re construction dispute. The Board gave important guidance upon: (i) the court’s power to interfere with arbitrator’s award and (ii) an arbitrator’s power to award compound interest. Led by Stuart Ritchie QC.
• AmTrust Europe Limited v Trust Risk Group SpA Long-running dispute between insurer and broker. Application for anti-arbitration injunction in relation to a Milan arbitration successfully resisted (see [2015] EWHC 1927 (Comm)). Led by Charles Samek KC.

Alexander has extensive experience of employment litigation. He is regularly instructed in cases of extreme commercial and/or reputational importance. His practice covers the range of employment issues, often involving high-value and complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Many of Alexander’s cases settle on confidential terms before they reach any public hearing.

Recent instructions that have reached court or Tribunal include:

• Naghdi v C Legal and others. Successful defence after 3 week trial of high value claims by LLP member against former firm alleging discrimination and whistleblowing detriment. Leading Blathnaid Breslin.
• Rainwood v Pemberton Capital Advisors LLP [2025] EAT 51. EAT judgment on proper approach to strike out applications in ET.
• SRG v Bedford. Complex contractual dispute in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC.
• Wallwork v Weightmans LLP. Dispute concerning terms of an LLPA and enforceability of ‘departure lounge’ clause. Led by Paul Goulding KC.
• Guy Carpenter v Howden. Injunctive proceedings in insurance sector. Large Counsel team led by David Craig KC.
• JLT Specialty Limited and Others v BGC Partners, Inc and Others. Acting for corporate defendant in substantial ‘team move’ case in insurance broking sector.

• Naghdi v C Legal and others. Successful defence after 3 week trial of high value claims by LLP member against former firm alleging discrimination and whistleblowing detriment. Leading Blathnaid Breslin.
• Ambridge Europe Limited v CT and others. Business protection dispute in the insurance sector. Acting alone against leading counsel.
• Rainwood v Pemberton Capital Advisors LLP [2025] EAT 51 EAT judgment on proper approach to strike out applications in ET.
• SRG v Bedford. Complex contractual dispute in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC.
• Guy Carpenter v Howden. Injunctive proceedings in insurance sector. Led by David Craig KC.
• JLT Specialty Limited and Others v BGC Partners, Inc and Others. Acting for corporate defendant in substantial ‘team move’ case in insurance broking sector.
• Guy Carpenter v Howden. Injunctive proceedings in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by David Craig KC.
• Trailfinders Limited v La Gette, Bishop and Travel Counsellors Limited [2020] EWHC 591 and [2021] EWCA Civ 31. IPEC trial in breach of confidence claim. CA decision a leading authority on the test for knowledge in claims for breach of confidence cases against a third party recipient. Led by Gavin Mansfield KC.
• Joseph v Deloitte NSE LLP [2020] EWCA Civ 1457. Court of Appeal decision dealing with the implication of contractual terms and estoppel. Led by Jonathan Cohen KC.
• Forse and others v Secarma Ltd and others [2019] EWCA Civ 215. Successful application for springboard and other relief in complex team move case. The Court of Appeal decision, upholding the relief ordered, is now the leading case on springboard relief. Alexander was led by Gavin Mansfield KC.
• Ryan Ostilly v Meridian Global VAT Services (UK) Ltd UKEAT/0017/20/OO. EAT decision on scope of employer’s discretion in bonus dispute.
• Wollenberg v Global Gaming Ventures (Leeds) Limited UKEAT/0053/18/DA. EAT decision on proper approach to and reasons for application for interim relief under s.128 ERA.
• Upton-Hansen Architects v Gyftaki (2019). EAT decision on proper approach (i) to assessment of fairness of a constructive dismissal; and (ii) proper approach to assessment of compensation pursuant to causation under s.123(6) ERA.
• Secretary of State for Justice v Prison Officers Association (2018). Urgent interim application to restrain 5000 prison officers from striking. Led by Jonathan Cohen KC.
• ICAP Management Services v (1) Berry and (2) BGC [2017] I.R.L.R. 811. Speedy trial of a high-profile claim for a garden leave injunction which included the application of TUPE to the sale by share acquisition by ICAP of its inter- dealer broking business to Tullett Prebon Plc. Alexander was led by Matthew Sheridan.
• M v Citibank N.A. Acted for Claimant in claim for unfair dismissal arising out of the FX price-fixing scandal (2017).
• Hills v Niksun Inc [2016] EWCA Civ 115. Court of Appeal decision on scope of an employer’s discretion under bonus agreements after Braganza v BP Shipping Limited.
• Farnan v Sunderland Association Football Club. Defending contractual claim by former director against Sunderland AFC. Led by David Reade K.C.

Alexander has extensive extensive experience of injunctive applications including freezing and proprietary injunctions, applications to protect confidential information and enforce restrictive covenants, and applications for springboard relief.

Recent cases include:

• J Murphy & Sons Ltd v Talbot and os. Commercial fraud proceedings including applications for freezing and proprietary injunctions and associated relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC, working with Alexander Bryant.
• EPAM v Meyer. Application for interim injunctive relief in crossover High Court/Employment Tribunal proceedings. Led by Adam Solomon KC.
• SRG v Bedford. Contractual dispute in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by Adam Solomon KC.
• Guy Carpenter v Howden. Injunctive proceedings in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by David Craig KC.
• Forse and others v Secarma Ltd and others [2019] EWCA Civ 215. Successful application for springboard relief and other relief in complex team move case. The Court of Appeal decision, upholding the relief ordered, is now the leading case on springboard relief. Led by Gavin Mansfield KC.
• Brainbox Digital Ltd v Backboard Media GmbH [2017] EWHC 2465 (QB). High-value international fraud dispute in IT sector, including freezing injunction. Successful application for security for costs. The Judgment gives important guidance on security for costs and the scope of the undertaking in damages at the injunctive stage. Led  by David Reade KC.
• ICAP Management Services v (1) Berry and (2) BGC [2017] I.R.L.R. 811. High-profile claim for a garden leave injunction which included the application of TUPE to the sale by share acquisition by ICAP of its inter-dealer broking business to Tullett Prebon Plc. Led by Matthew Sheridan. Opposing counsel were Daniel Oudkerk KC, Jane McCafferty and Edward Brown; BGC was represented by Paul Goulding KC, Diya Sen Gupta and Kerenza Davis.
• AmTrust Europe Limited v Trust Risk Group SpA [2015] EWHC 1927 (Comm) Application for anti-arbitration injunction in relation to a Milan arbitration successfully resisted. Led by Charles Samek Q.C.
• De Vere Holding Company Ltd v Belgravia Wealth Management Europe Kft [2014] EWHC 3189 (QB). Multi- jurisdictional team move case, led by Selwyn Bloch KC.

Alexander has extensive experience in business protection issues including urgent applications relating to confidential information, post-termination restrictions and springboard relief. His expertise includes both the initial interim application and litigating expedited trials.

Recent cases include:

• EPAM v Meyer. Application for interim injunctive relief in crossover High Court/Employment Tribunal proceedings. Led by Adam Solomon KC.
• Ambridge Europe Limited v CT and others. Business protection dispute in the insurance sector. Acting alone against leading counsel.
• Wallwork v Weightmans LLP. Dispute concerning terms of an LLPA and enforceability of ‘departure lounge’ clause. Led by Paul Goulding KC.
• Premier League Club X v Person Y. Confidential business protection arbitration regarding senior executive at a Premier League club. Led by Paul Goulding KC.
• Guy Carpenter v Howden. Injunctive proceedings and preparation for speedy trial in the insurance sector including applications for injunctive relief. Led by David Craig KC.
• Forse and others v Secarma Ltd and others [2019] EWCA Civ 215. Successful application for springboard relief and other relief in complex team move case. The Court of Appeal decision, upholding the relief ordered, is now the leading case on springboard relief. Led by Gavin Mansfield KC.

Alexander appears regularly in the High Court and in arbitration in sports disputes. He has particular expertise in sports litigation in relation to contractual or employment disputes, including Rule K Arbitrations. He often acts for and against Premier League clubs and senior executives.

Recent cases include:

• Acting for former CEO of Premier League Club in dispute around exit
• Acting for NUFC in high profile claim engaging freedom of speech issues
• Acting for premier league head coach in arbitral proceedings against former club including injunctive relief
• Acting for a sports agency in respect of its claim for damages and/or restitution against a Premier League footballer.
• Representing a Premier League football club in a Rule K arbitration turning on the construction of a player transfer agreement.
• Acting for football agent in Rule K arbitration in his claim for commission.

Alexander frequently appears before arbitratal tribunals including under ICC, LCIA and other institutional rules.

His recent experience includes:

• ICC contractual dispute in the luxury goods market.
• Representing football agents in claims against clubs.
• Representing a Premier League Football Club in a Rule K arbitration on the construction of a player transfer agreement.
• Alexander appeared in the Privy Council, led by Stuart Ritchie K.C. inNational Housing Trust v YPSAC Limited [2015] UKPC 43.

Alexander has extensive experience of partnership and LLP disputes. He often advises on and litigates claims for and against solicitors firms and financial instutions.

• Naghdi v C Legal. Successful defence after 3 week trial of high value claims by LLP member against former firm alleging discrimination and whistleblowing detriment. Leading Blathnaid Breslin.
• Wallwork v Weightmans LLP. Dispute concerning terms of an LLPA and enforceability of ‘departure lounge’ clause. Led by Paul Goulding KC.