Tim is a leading commercial disputes lawyer with experience acting in the most complex and consequential cases before the English courts, major arbitral institutions and local courts around the world.
Tim regularly leads large multi-jurisdictional teams and is adept at managing the practical and PR issues that arise in the most challenging cases. Tim is recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Pracitioner in Commercial Litigation: Premium. He is also recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a leading global fraud and asset recovery lawyer and a Future Leader in Commercial Litigation and International Arbitration.
Tim is a hands-on litigator who emphasises issue selection and thorough analysis in his case preparation. Whilst his experience is broad and he is comfortable litigating cases in any industry, he has particular experience in the energy (both upstream and downstream) and financial services industries (where he acts for banks, advisors, brokers and investors). Recently, his practice has included an increasing number of ESG related instructions (including compliance work) and cryptocurrency matters.
Tim has been recognised in the legal directories as a “very good technical lawyer” who “frequently handles international disputes and international arbitration matters”. Tim has also been described as a “bright and seasoned litigator” who is a “pleasure to work with” and has “a fine sense of how a court will deal with things”. His cases are regularly complimented by Courts and Tribunals for the manner in which they have been prepared, with Enyo’s service recently described by an opponent as “Rolls-Royce”.
Background
Tim trained at Allens Arthur Robinson (now Allens Linklaters) in Australia, where he qualified in November 2008. He worked in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team at Allens until 2011, before spending two years at a leading offshore firm. Tim joined Enyo Law in 2013 and was a partner between 2016 and 2024.
Representative cases:
- Unwired Planet in the leading case on the manner in which patents essential to the 4G standard should be licensed in accordance with a patent holder’s FRAND obligations.
- An oil refinery in relation to its rights and obligations under a long term offtake agreement.
- A major energy distributor in relation to an LNG project in Latin America.
- A high net worth individual in relation to the estate of his deceased father.
- The developer and owner of a cryptocurrency wallet in an unfair prejudice petition following his exclusion from the management of the business and misappropriation of the assets of the business by the management.
- An oil major in relation to ESG issues in sub-Saharan Africa.
- An Israeli businessman in a dispute concerning the beneficial ownership of shares in a company holding English property.
- Gennadiy Bogolyubov in his defence of claims that he and Igor Kolomoisky unlawfully misappropriated in excess of USD10 billion from Ukraine’s largest commercial bank, Privatbank, through a fraudulent loan recycling scheme. Enyo is leading the team defending proceedings brought by the Bank in London, Delaware, Israel and Cyprus.
- A Swiss financial services executive in his defence of fraudulent misrepresentation and unlawful means conspiracy claims in excess of USD50 million claim arising from investment losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A significant victim of the art fraud perpetuated by Inigo Philbrick, known as the “Madoff of the art world”.
- A financial services firm in its successful defence of allegations of its involvement in a scheme to defraud an offshore property investor.
- The former Chairman of Deutsche Bank in his successful defence of claims that he was required to account to a Canadian green energy fund for alleged secret profits of more than USD100 million including hidden interests in South Texan oilfields.
- A cryptocurrency exchange in response to fraudulent dealings on its platform.
- PETRONAS in its successful defence of a USD1.14 billion claim for fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of contract arising out of the termination of its investment in a Brazilian off-shore oil project. PETRONAS was awarded a USD15 million in costs. ICC, Rio de Janeiro Seat, English law.
- An art investor in an arbitration with a join venture partner following breaches of a joint venture agreement relating to long-term art investments. LICA, English law, London Seat.
- The seller of a financial services business following attempts by the buyer to avoid closing under an SPA due to the alleged occurrence of a MAC during the COVID-19 pandemic. DIFC LCIA arbitration, DIFC seat, DIFC law.
- Two investors in an arbitration with a cryptocurrency exchange regarding a dispute as to the proper allocation of cryptocurrency following the introduction of a new white-paper entitling holders of a cryptocurrency to a new cryptocurrency. HKIAC, Singaporean law, Hong Kong Seat.
Testimonials
Legal 500, 2024
“Tim Ellis knows what the critical path is. Focused on the key issues.”
“Tim Elliss is very bright, sensible, down to earth, good judgment.”
“Tim Ellis is extremely sharp and provides strategic advice to clients with a big-picture approach to matters that is essential to the complex matters that he handles.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Partner Tim Elliss has an excellent grasp of both the wider strategy and the detail of the matter, which is very reassuring as you feel in safe hands.”
“Tim Elliss acts in oil and gas, financial services and telecom-related disputes.”
“Tim Elliss is noted for his cross-border expertise.”
“Tim Elliss is a very bright and seasoned litigator. He’s an absolute pleasure to work with and very hardworking, but has a deep knowledge of the law and a fine sense of how a court will deal with things.”
Legal 500, 2022
“A very good technical lawyer.”
“Frequently handles international disputes and international arbitration matters.”
