Oliver Browne, Co-Chair of the London Litigation & Trial Department and Solicitor Advocate, helps clients resolve complex cross-border disputes arising from transactions, both in court and through arbitration.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Mr. Browne regularly advises on clients’ most complex commercial disputes involving novel legal issues. A pragmatic problem solver, he formulates effective strategies to help clients resolve mission-critical cases as efficiently and expeditiously as possible.

An advocacy specialist, Mr. Browne provides strategic advice to corporations operating across a multitude of sectors as well as high-net-worth individuals. He brings considerable experience navigating complex commercial litigation around the world and arbitration-related litigation in all levels of the English courts. His work in international arbitration includes experience with proceedings conducted under the auspices of the world’s leading arbitral institutions as well as on an ad hoc basis.

Mr. Browne advises a range of clients on a pro bono basis, including in connection with criminal and social justice issues. He also frequently represents arts organizations and charities in key disputes.

Mr. Browne's experience includes advising:

  • Croatia in an investment treaty arbitration brought by an Austrian company, Adria Beteiligungs GmbH.
  • A Polish foundry industrialist in a “bet the company” case against a major Polish private equity house.

  • The subsidiary of one of the world’s largest industrial conglomerates on a €300 million French law arbitration in Paris in relation to a joint venture for the marketing, distribution, and sales of products.

  • A Qatari financial institution over an aborted sale and purchase transaction involving the sale of shares in a prominent Middle East construction company.

  • A major European integrated energy company in relation to oil and natural gas in connection with its disputes with another major European energy company over a long-term gas supply contract.

  • A promoter of professional tennis tournaments in relation to a US$10 million claim in arbitration proceedings in London about a joint venture in Thailand (and working on the subsequent court proceedings relating to the arbitration).

  • A Russian financial organization, and its Cypriot based subsidiary, in two sets of LCIA arbitration proceedings, one relating to complex financial instruments and one relating to attempts to recover sums under finance instruments.

  • A large German power utility active in both upstream and downstream work in relation to allegations of breaches of confidence in relation to gas field exploration rights in the Middle East.

  • A State in connection with a high-profile, high value enforcement action and dealing with the issues of sovereign immunity arising as a result.

  • Clients in relation to a challenge to the Award made in the English High Court in a “bet the company” case. The landmark judgment (B v A [2010] EWHC 1626 (Comm), July 1, 2010, Tomlinson J) gives parties increased confidence that a choice of London as the seat for their arbitration will bring with it solid supervisory courts that will not, without very good reason, entertain long and expensive challenges to awards or try to second guess the arbitrators’ determinations of foreign law.

  • One of the world’s largest providers of trustee services in relation to the potential risks and likely exposure arising out of a series of investments (totalling €100 million) in real estate in Central and Eastern Europe and court proceedings brought by liquidators in relation to a trust operated for a high net worth individual.

  • A major financial institution in relation matters arising from the Madoff US$65 billion fraud. The matters include a number of active litigation matters in the UK, Ireland, Cayman Islands, BVI, the Isle of Man, the United States, and various European countries and include representing the lead defendant in the multibillion dollar Fairfield Sentry proceedings recently successfully ruled upon by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England.

Bar Qualification

  • England and Wales (Solicitor)
  • England and Wales (Solicitor-Advocate)

Education

  • Diploma in Legal Practice, BPP Law School, 2000
  • LLB, King's College London, 1999
  • Maitrîse en Droits Privés Francais et Anglais, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, 1999