EXPERTISE 

Maria has been a partner since 2000 and is highly experienced in commercial litigation and international arbitration.  She has particular expertise in commercial fraud, partnership, shareholder and joint venture disputes.  Her practice covers a variety of sectors such as international trade, finance, energy, entertainment and telecommunications.  She is also a CEDR accredited mediator and has acted as counsel to clients in numerous mediations.

Maria has handled cases in the English High Court and international arbitration disputes in various jurisdictions. She advises global businesses, large corporates and high net worth individuals.  

Examples of Maria's work include:

• Acting for the respondent in a series of arbitrations, the headline claim being a significant arbitration for breaches of fiduciary duty, successfully defending a claim for £2 billion in damages.
• Defending a breach of duty and conspiracy claim including a novel claim for £15m in “Wrotham Park damages” in the Commercial Court with a result of £1 in nominal damages for the client.
• Commercial Court claim for US$500 million for commercial fraud and misrepresentation.
• Acting in various multi-jurisdictional arbitration and litigation proceedings involving a US$3 billion joint venture dispute between multi-national companies over control of a Polish mobile telecommunications company.
• Defending a highly contentious application under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 to set aside an arbitration award obtained in ICC proceedings in Paris.
• Acting for a major energy company concerning a US$50 million dispute over a price review clause in a long-term gas supply contract.
• Advising telecommunication and entertainment companies on contractual disputes, and advising on film financing disputes.