Fladgate LLP

Private Capital is constantly evolving. So, we’re talking to the people who know it best. Our first stop, Geneva with Lombard Odier Group & their Head of Private Assets Thierry Celestin. Grant sat down with Thierry at the Lombard Odier HQ to discuss everything from impact investing and illiquidity to the declining number of IPOs and what this all means in the world of Private Capital. Watch & listen to the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eDxcxS2m We’ve been busy talking to friends & clients about their perspectives on the changing landscape of the Private Capital ecosystem, to find out more keep an eye out for #privatecapitalperspectives

We are thrilled to announce that Matthew Akers has joined Fladgate as a Partner in our Dispute Resolution team.   Matt joins us from DMH Stallard, where he earned a reputation for advising clients on high-value disputes, including breaches of contract, fraud, shareholder conflicts, and insolvency-related matters. Before that, he spent a decade at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, achieving the position of Counsel while working on intricate cross-border disputes. Matt has extensive experience in arbitration having represented clients before both ad hoc and institutional tribunals under major arbitral rules, including those in Hong Kong, and Singapore.   In his new role, Matt will also play a crucial role in advising clients on pre-dispute strategies and alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and settlement negotiations.   John Evans, Head of Dispute Resolution, said “Matt’s arrival is a great addition to our Dispute Resolution team. His depth of expertise in complex commercial litigation, particularly in insolvency-related disputes, aligns perfectly with the strategic direction of our practice. His understanding of both UK and international markets will be invaluable to our clients as they navigate increasingly complicated legal landscapes. We look forward to seeing the positive impact Matt will have as we continue to strengthen our dispute resolution offering" Commenting on his move, Matt added “Fladgate has established a strong reputation for its comprehensive approach to Dispute Resolution, focusing on delivering effective and tailored solutions for clients. The firm’s ambition and team’s inherent understanding of the complexities of commercial disputes aligns with my approach and was a real draw for me. Collaborating with my new colleagues, we will continue to strengthen Fladgate’s position as a leading firm for clients navigating high-stakes litigation and arbitration in today’s dynamic legal landscape.”   Grant Gordon, Managing Partner at Fladgate, added, “Matt’s appointment supports our ongoing strategy of growth and commitment to delivering innovative, high-value legal advice, particularly in the fields of litigation and arbitration. His versatility, wide-ranging experience and sector knowledge will further enhance our ability to provide dynamic and effective solutions for our clients, especially in handling high-stakes, domestic and cross-border disputes. Welcome to the team Matt.

We were honoured to sponsor the 2024 Allocator One Summit. This year's theme focused on the concept of "Allocate or Stagnate."   Partner, Howard Watt, welcomed over 200 of the world's most active family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional limited partners who were in attendance.   The summit provided valuable insights from industry leaders and early-stage fund managers, offering a comprehensive understanding of the current market landscape and emerging trend, including a discussion around how family offices and institutions are strategically deploying their capital.   Funds Partner, Adrian Mawlabaux, who has worked closely with the Allocator One team, commented "We were honoured to sponsor the Allocator One Summit and look forward to leveraging our extensive experience of working with first-time fund managers to support Allocator One in backing the next generation of GPs".

Applications are now open for our 2025 Vacation Scheme leading to a 2027 Training Contract.   We recruit trainees solely through our Vacation Scheme that provides graduate students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and lift the lid on life at Fladgate.   Training at Fladgate combines a first-class education programme with real hands-on experience and client contact, giving our trainees exposure to high-quality work with lots of responsibility from an early stage.   Applicants will need to be available to attend an in-person assessment day on either 11 March or 18 March 2025.   Apply now on our website by 26 January 2025: https://lnkd.in/eXpXW7u2

With over $700m of UK commercial property assets acquired in 2022, and the UHNWI population expected to grow to nearly 30,000 by 2027, Real Estate is here to stay as a hotspot in the Private Capital landscape. Episode 2 of #privatecapitalperspectives with Jenny Sargeant and ASK Partners' CEO & Co-Founder Daniel Austin covers everything from women in real estate and trends in the world of private capital, to how to be a source for good in the market. Private Capital is constantly evolving. So, we’re talking to the people who know it best. Watch & listen to the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/eDxcxS2m

FCA continues its clampdown on "finfluencers". Regulatory partner Kate Troup spoke to Law360 to discuss the concerns over social-media personalities using their profile to promote investments and other financial products without proper authorisation. "Many of the finfluencers are followed by young, potentially unsophisticated investors who can enter into the risky or even fraudulent investments via a few taps on their phone and it is not surprising that the FCA is investigating those it believes to be acting in breach of the law.” Read Kate's full comments about the UK Financial Conducts Authority crackdown on unauthorized financial promotions here: https://lnkd.in/e4isYxt5

Earlier this year, we advised US private equity firm Gallant Capital Partners on the UK aspects of its parallel acquisitions of Fime and UL Solutions’ payments testing business.   The businesses, now collectively branded as Fime, offer a complete set of consultancy and testing services that enable stakeholders across the payments, smart mobility, and digital identity ecosystems to build and launch solutions. The combination greatly expanded Fime’s geographical reach and enhances its ability to respond to rapidly evolving trends like open banking, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), digital wallets and open payments.    We advised on English law matters in relation to these multi-jurisdictional deals, liaising with parties across multiple time zones. In particular, we worked closely with Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP, our fellow International Lawyers Network law firm in California (who were lead counsel to Gallant on the UL Solutions transaction). Fime subsequently instructed Fladgate on its acquisition of Consult Hyperion, an independent strategic and technical consultancy that provides thought leadership and expertise in the fields of payments, mobility and identity.   Our multi-disciplinary team advising Gallant Capital and Fime was led by Anthony Shatz, with support from Cem Usten, Mary Liu, Hamilton Forrest, James Norton, Ingrid Hesselbo and Alex Haffner. Further details of the two transactions can be found at: https://lnkd.in/g_PuFYqM and https://lnkd.in/giDTvQdK

The limitations of limited recourse: what do you need to know?   Our partner Georgia Quenby discusses the potential risks for lawyers advising on limited recourse transactions, in her latest piece for Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law. Georgia comments: "Despite a huge raft of legislation post 2008 to try to control the packaging up of securitised mortgage risk, with risk retention requirements, transparency and reporting requirements and associated protections, trillions of dollars of financing is still put in place on what is widely understood to be either a limited recourse or a non-recourse basis."   You can read Georgia's full article in Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law here: https://lnkd.in/d3siMaRb

What regulatory challenges will the Private Capital ecosystem face in the future? Is the industry ready? With family offices speaking for an estimated 27% share of Private Capital AUM, Grant & Thierry discuss the potential for a new regulatory regime being put in place and what the role of advisers will be in this shifting landscape. Private Capital is constantly evolving. So, we’re talking to the people who know it best. Episode 1 of #privatecapitalperspectives with Grant Gordon and Lombard Odier Group’s Head of Private Assets Thierry Celestin covers everything from impact investing and regulatory concerns to the declining number of IPOs and what this all means in the world of Private Capital. Watch & listen to the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/e5tRBYqE

Guernsey Court of Appeal have provided a rare insight into recusal and guidance on its approach to appeals from private proceedings, following the Salem v Sequent judgment.   The test for recusal is simple: a judge must step down from hearing a case if they have a conflict of interest, if there is actual or presumed bias against a party, or if a fair-minded and informed observer would conclude that there was a real possibility of bias. How did this play out in Salem v Sequent?   Simon Goldring, Rosalind Hetherington, Jerry Jamieson & Georgia Leach from Our Private Wealth Disputes team summarise the judgment here: https://lnkd.in/eRhiK-Jx A link to the judgment in from Salem & Salem v Sequent (C.I.) Limited & Guernsey Global Trust Limited [2024] GCA 064 can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eJ__gfWj