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Chris Atkinson

The perfect balance between capability, affability, availability and knowledge. Legal 500 – 2022

Legal Director, Commercial Diputes
Leeds

EXPERTISE

Chris Atkinson is an experienced litigator, specialising in complex commercial disputes of high value. Chris's cases often involve multiple jurisdictions and he is particularly adroit at leading cross-border teams of lawyers, experts and other professionals to bring the best results for clients. He is approachable and commercial.

Chris routinely acts in claims before the courts in England but is also experienced in offshore jurisdictions. He has represented clients in a range of industries, including in the financial, mining, technology and food and beverage sectors.

Before moving to Leeds to join Addleshaw Goddard, Chris trained at a City law firm and then spent 10 years at a leading litigation-only boutique. Prior to becoming a solicitor, he was a journalist and worked for several national newspapers.

Experience

Chris's experience includes:

Acting for a Saudi Arabian restaurant operator and its former CEO in a £30 million claim in relation to a dispute about a franchise agreement. The claim involved a number of interlocutory matters, including successfully setting aside a default judgment and successfully challenging jurisdiction/service.
Acting for a British businessman imprisoned in Dubai in relation to his English Commercial Court claim for breach of contract against a Dubai-based bank. Among the remedies sought was an injunction to procure his release from prison, where he was being detained for a US$500 million fraud. The case involved expert evidence on Dubai law.
Representing a US-listed entity and other group companies in a conspiracy/fraud claim brought in the Cayman Islands by a bank in respect of a guarantee. The case involved a freezing injunction and various jurisdiction matters.
Representing four of 40 defendants to a US$874 million claim in the Commercial Court brought by the operator of Kuwait’s state pension fund. The case included considerations of Kuwaiti, Swiss and English Law.
Acting for four Portuguese transport companies in a €1.5 billion claim brought by a Portuguese bank in relation to nine interest rate swap transactions. The case involved matters of private international law and Portuguese law.

Education