Griffith v Gourgey & Ors [2018] EWHC 2807 (Ch)

In Griffith v Gourgey, Daniel Lightman QC, Adil Mohamedbhai and Emma Hargreaves represent 9 respondents to three unfair prejudice petition which seek share purchase orders in relation to substantial property development companies. There were four highly significant judgments in this case in 2018: in Re Pedersen (Thameside) Ltd [2018] BCC 58, the claim against one of the respondents was struck out; in Griffith v Gourgey [2018] 3 Costs LR 605, Fancourt J ordered the petitioners and three law firms to pay substantial costs in respect of claims made against a trust by which those firms had not in fact been instructed; in a landmark judgment in Re Bankside Hotels Ltd [2019] 1 BCLC 434, [2018] BCC 617, Sir Nicholas Warren decided what role respondents whose defences have been struck can play at the trial of an unfair prejudice petition; and in Re G & G Properties Ltd [2018] EWHC 2807 (Ch), the same judge struck out claims against five respondents to two of the petitions.

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As part of a broad Chancery-Commercial practice, Daniel Lightman KC engages with challenging and novel issues of law and civil procedure, in particular concerning shareholder disputes (having appeared in a number of landmark unfair prejudice petitions and derivative claims), company law (including in matrimonial proceedings), insolvency, civil fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and professional negligence.

Shortlisted for Company/Insolvency Silk of the Year in the Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards in both 2026 and 2024 and shortlisted for Chancery Silk of the Year in the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2026, Daniel is recommended in Band 1 for Silks for Company by both Chambers UK, 2027 and the Legal 500, 2027 – and in Band 1 for Chancery Commercial by Chambers. Chambers UK, 2027 describes him as “A go-to silk for high value, complex disputes who leads the pack on shareholder disputes. He has great judgement and always furnishes reliable advice” and praises him for “constantly identifying innovative solutions to complex problems” and building “outstanding relationships with the wider legal team.”

Daniel has an extensive international practice, including current or recent shareholder litigation in the courts of Abu Dhabi, Bermuda, Cayman, Guernsey and Qatar, and a multi-shareholder arbitration in Hong Kong.