Michael Clark

Michael's practice covers a broad range of litigation and arbitration involving complex commercial disputes. He accepts instructions in the following areas:

• Civil fraud and investigations
• Shareholder disputes
• Banking and financial services
• Commercial litigation
• Competition
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Financial regulation and enforcement
• Public law

About me

Before beginning his career at the Bar, Michael worked in the financial sector (stockbroking), following by work at the Law Commission.

Outside of his legal practice, Michael is a trustee of the London Firebird Orchestra.

Notable cases

Advising on shareholder disputes, boardroom fallouts, insolvency issues, and fiduciary duties. Regularly instructed on unfair prejudice petitions and voluntary arrangements. Handa v Handa & Ors [2024] EWHC 811 (Ch): expulsion notice and commercial opportunity diversion. Advised on insolvency-related shutdowns of power stations and disputes over termination clauses. Michael has extensive experience acting for banks, shareholders, energy companies and government regulators, and appears regularly in the High Court, Court of Appeal and arbitral tribunals. He is a highly rated advocate. Michael has advised regulators including the Financial Conduct Authority, Ofgem and Ofwat. He has wide experience of injunctions, including freezing injunctions, claims involving allegations of fraud and misrepresentation, and investigatory and enforcement actions. Handling high-value disputes involving contracts, telecoms, retail, and professional services. Castle Water v Thames Water [2020] EWHC 1374 (TCC): multi-claim contractual dispute in the water sector. O3B Africa

Ltd v Interactive E-Solutions JLT [2018] EWHC 2072 (Comm): telecoms contract involving foreign law. Acted for law firms and barristers in fee disputes, breaches of contract, and fiduciary issues. Acting for banks, regulators, and claimants in regulatory, mis-selling, and enforcement cases. Advised on FSA/FCA investigations involving liquidity regulation and PPI mis-selling. Wall v RBS [2016] EWHC 2460 (Comm) and Hockin v RBS [2016] EWHC 925 (Ch): claims for interest rate swap mis-selling. United States

SEC v Manterfield [2010] 1 W.L.R. 172: freezing injunction in international fraud case. Representing clients in fraud claims involving misappropriation, deceit, and asset recovery. Handa v Handa & Ors [2024] EWHC 811 (Ch): shareholder dispute with allegations of criminal fraud. Clutterbuck v Al Amoudi [2014] EWHC 383 (Ch): joint venture fraud and post-judgment enforcement. Itssalat v Allied TC Plc [2009] EWHC 1265 (Ch): cross-border claim involving misappropriation and fiduciary breach. Handa v Handa & Ors [2024] EWHC 811 (Ch): expulsion notice and commercial opportunity diversion.