Timothy Collingwood KC

Tim has considerable experience in company law matters. He is recommended for company work in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 and has been for many years. Chambers and Partners has stated that he “stands out for his ‘sharp intellect and clear enjoyment of the most complicated of company matters’”. He has particular expertise in shareholder disputes (including unfair prejudice petitions, derivative claims and just and equitable winding up), claims involving allegations of breach of duty by directors and disputes concerning the construction of articles of association. His work has included all manner of disputes in respect of companies of varying size, value and business; from claims concerning hedge funds or investment funds or sports agency companies to companies in the business of slaughtering cattle or processing steel. He acts in offshore as well as domestic company disputes.

Tim is also one of the authors of Minority Shareholders: Law, Practice and Procedure (seventh edition, OUP). He co-writes the chapter on unfair prejudice (with Victor Joffe KC, SC) and writes the chapters on: remedies and valuation; and on rights under the Companies Act 2006.

A number of the matters in which Tim is instructed settle prior to trial.

Recent Cases

• RCF VII Sponsor LLC v Blue Gold Limited [2026] CIGC (FSD) 35 – acting for the company in proceedings in Cayman concerning a SPAC transaction. This application concerned the proper approach to construction of the articles of association (and restrictions upon shares), whether a proposed amendment to the articles falls foul of the protection afforded class rights and the appropriateness of injunctive relief.
• Caldicott Worldwide Ltd v Siong (No.3) (EC Court of Appeal, decision of 17 October 2025) BVIHCMAP2023/0009 – granting conditional leave to the appellant to appeal to the Privy Council.
• DUK v UGX (BVIHC(COM) 2024/0358, decision of 10 July 2025) – acting successfully for the respondent companies in the dismissal of an application for leave to commence substantial derivative claims on behalf of each of the companies in BVI.
• Re: Uphold Ltd (FSD Cause no.134 of 2022, Cayman Islands, 5 December 2024) – acted for the Fifth Respondent in successfully obtaining an indemnity costs order against the Petitioner in a just and equitable winding up petition in the Cayman Islands following a successful strike out application.
• Caldicott Worldwide Ltd v Siong (No.3) (EC Court of Appeal, decision of 18 September 2024) BVIHCMAP2023/0009, VG 2024 CA 017 – successfully represented the respondents in the third appeal concerning the effect on an unfair prejudice claim in BVI of a stay of proceedings against the company pursuant to an arbitration agreement in its articles of association.
• DUK v UGX (BVIHC (COM) 2024/358, decision of 16 September 2024) – acting for the respondent companies in an application by interested parties to be joined as parties to an application in BVI for leave to commence derivative claims on behalf of each of the companies.
• Invenio Business Solutions Ltd v Goyal [2025] 1 BCLC 377 – successfully represented claimant companies at trial in proceedings seeking to injunct former employee/director from asserting “Good Leaver” status under articles of association and relief for breach of duty.
• Re: Uphold Ltd (FSD Cause no.134 of 2022, Cayman Islands, 25 April 2024) – successfully represented a respondent shareholder to a just and equitable winding up petition in the Cayman Islands in its application to strike out the relief sought against it.
• DnaNudge Ltd v Ventura Capital GP Ltd [2024] 1 BCLC 263 – successfully represented the respondent in the Court of Appeal in opposing an appeal concerning the proper construcion of the articles of association, variation of class rights and conversion of preference shares to ordinary shares.
• Siong v Caldicott Worldwide Ltd (No.2) (EC Court of Appeal) BVIHCMAP2021/0007 – successful appeal of first instance judge’s decision concerning the effect on an unfair prejudice claim in BVI of a stay of proceedings against the company pursuant to an arbitration agreement in its articles of association.
• Ventura Capital GP Ltd v DnaNudge Ltd ([2023] 2 BCLC 1, [2023] EWHC 704 (Ch)) – successfully acted for the Claimants in the trial of a claim to set aside the purported conversion of preference shares to ordinary shares (with the consequent loss of preferred rights). Implication of a limitation upon the exercise of a power under the articles to convert the preference shares. Leading authority on the application of s 633 CA 2006.
• Re Hawkwing Plc [2023] BCC 556 – acted for the company in oppostion to an application for an administration order.
• Siong v Caldicott Worldwide Ltd (EC Court of Appeal) BVIHCMAP2020/0020 – appeal concerning application for a case management stay in unfair prejudice proceedings where the claim has been stayed as against the company pursuant to an arbitration agreement in the articles of association.
• Re: R-Squared Holdco Ltd ([2020] EWHC 23 (Ch)) – successfully obtained injunctive relief to restrain holding of disciplinary proceedings concerning two shareholder directors pending resolution of unfair prejudice petition.
• Re Hector Finance Group BVIHCM2019/0190 – claim concerning the effect on unfair prejudice proceedings against the majority shareholders of a stay of those proceedings against the company pursuant to an arbitration agreement in the company’s articles of association.
• Reyl & Cie SA v LK Bennett Ltd (2018) – acted for certain directors in claims pursuant to s 423 Insolvency Act 1986 and conspiracy arising out of the group owning and operating the well-known shoe and fashion retailer.
• Grantley Ltd v LK Bennett Ltd (2018) – acted for certain director respondents in an unfair prejudice petition concerning the corporate restructuring of the group owning and operating the well-know shoe and fashion retailer.
• Burberry Group Plc v Fox-Davies (Court of Appeal) ([2017] BCC 387; first instance reported at [2015] 2 BCLC 66) – leading case on access to the register of members of a company, the meaning of “proper purpose” and the requirements for a valid request.
• Cullen Investments Ltd v Brown ([2017] EWHC 2793 (Ch)) – successfully opposed application by a director for relief from liability arising from breaches of duty.
• Cullen Investments Ltd v Brown ([2017] EWHC 1586 (Ch)) – successfully represented the claimants at the trial of a derivative claim for breach of duty and diversion of opportunity, together with related personal claims concerning a property joint venture.
• Re Migration Solutions Holdings Limited ([2016] EWHC 523 (Ch)) – successful defence of an unfair prejudice petition alleging unfair exclusion from management and breaches of duty.
• Cullen Investments Ltd v Brown ([2016] 1 BCLC 491; [2015] BCC 539) – successful application for permission to continue a derivative claim in the context of a property joint venture.
• Signia Wealth v Dauriac-Stoebe (2015) – acted for the defendant shareholder in a shareholder dispute between her and John Caudwell following the former’s dismissal as CEO of their investment management company, which included the operation of a leaver clause.
• Gilbert v Holms ([2014] EWHC 482 (Ch)) – successfully represented the claimant investor (and the third party) in a claim against a director for negligent misrepresentation in a private placement memorandum concerning the acquisition of shares in a pharmaceutical company.
• Moxon v Litchfield ([2013] All ER (D) 133), – unfair prejudice petition concerning complaint of exclusion from management and cross-allegations of breaches of duty. Leading case on leaver provisions.
• EVIC I v GEDVF II ([2012] JRC 146; [2013] JRC 004) – proceedings in Jersey concerning winding down of a Jersey investment fund.
• Re: Southern Counties Fresh Foods Ltd ([2011] Costs LO 343) – unfair prejudice petition involving numerous allegations of unfair conduct and breach of duty in respect of a company in the meat trade.
• Phillips v Phillips (Court of Appeal) ([2009] EWCA Civ 185) – dispute concerning ownership of shares and alleged appointment of director.
• Beagle Properties v Tatanaki ([2008] All ER (D) 42) – claim concerning exercise of put option under share purchase agreement.