John Bramhall

John, Head of the firm’s Commercial and Corporate Dispute Resolution group, has a strong market reputation as a first class disputes lawyer having represented clients in a wide range of international, financial and City-related commercial disputes which have been resolved through litigation, arbitration or alternative dispute resolution.

John is highly experienced in acting for (and against) financial institutions in complex disputes involving the mis-selling of complex financial products, fraud and regulatory investigations and enquiries. He has represented clients in the LIBOR and FOREX investigations in the UK, US and Europe, and has acted in a number of other investigations including FIFA Qatar and Rolls Royce. He has also been instructed on a number of derivatives claims arising out of the financial crisis, including the collapse of Lehman Bros and the Icelandic banks. He also represented Italian bank, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS), in multi-million pound proceedings with Nomura in relation to the restructuring of financial transactions, and defended former Deutsche Bank traders charged with fraud in the UK.

John has also acted in a wide range of commercial disputes. His experience includes acting for a Luxembourg liquidator in complex multi-party proceedings involving US and Italian parties and an alleged £200m fraud - the Fortress litigation, named as one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 cases for 2014. He was successfully involved in an investment dispute on behalf of the Saudi Arabian Development Corporation (SEDCO), arising out of the Pinnacle construction project; he acted in the Skype litigation; advised an energy company in a dispute over mining rights to significant coal deposits in Botswana; has been advising a group of senior oil industry executives regarding their rights in relation to a Singapore arbitration [Confidential]; and advises claimants in a competition claim arising from the alleged air freight cartel. He has also acted in a number of disputes involving Russian and other East European banks and other financial services entities; in particular acting for the former Minister of Finance of Bulgaria as co-defendant with VTB and others in a claim over the alleged sale at an undervalue of part of the Bulgarian telecoms network. John is also lead partner for CMC Markets in a number of disputes for this listed spread-betting company.

Much of John’s work has an international flavour and involves multi-jurisdictional issues. He regularly acts for clients where there are concurrent and/or related proceedings in the US and the UK, and for US clients with UK subsidiaries and/or other UK interests.

John was President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association (2014-2016), is a member of the International Bar Association, and a graduate in law from St Anne’s College, Oxford University.

John is “one of the major players on the London litigation scene, and is a favourite with Magic Circle and other leading London, Italian and US law firms who regard him as a trusted and effective lawyer for conflict referrals work.” John Bramhall achieved a new ranking in Band 4 for Commercial and Corporate Litigation — London (Firms), Chambers & Partners UK 2020.  

“He is extremely to the point – he can jump straight to somewhere anyone else would take 30 minutes to reach. He also has a relaxed demeanour that makes him pleasant to work with.” Chambers & Partners UK 2020, Commercial & Corporate Litigation London.

Sources regard him as “very experienced, really smart and a good pair of hands” with one client saying he “has shown much expertise and attention to detail”. Chambers & Partners UK 2019, Commercial & Corporate Litigation London

"John Bramhall “has a sensible approach to matters”. Legal 500 2017, UK Edition, Dispute resolution: Commercial Litigation

John Bramhall is considered a "great litigator" with "an excellent pedigree and a lot of experience" in commercial and banking litigation. He is also known for his work in competition litigation in the aviation sector. Chambers and Partners UK 2017, Litigation London

Head of department John Bramhall is regarded as “a very good fighter and pragmatic solicitor.” Sources say he is “very good with overseas clients” and praise his “ability to explain issues and locate appropriate expertise.” Chambers and Partners UK 2016, Litigation London

John Bramhall "gives sensible advice". Legal 500 UK 2016 Edition, Banking litigation

DAC Beachcroft LLP’s John Bramhall is a "strong litigator". Legal 500 2015, UK Edition, Dispute resolution: Commercial Litigation