Practice overview
David Lewis KC has very substantial experience in commercial disputes. His broad-based commercial practice spans domestic and international litigation and arbitration as well as other forms of ADR, securities and financial services litigation, contractual disputes, directors and shareholders disputes, joint ventures and partnerships disputes, civil fraud, sales of goods and services, franchising, professional negligence, and agency (in particular commercial agency).
He is recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500 for commercial dispute resolution. They refer to him as "a bright and strategically creative silk" who is “incredibly impressive”. They note the fact that not only is he “an excellent advocate” but also that he is “highly user-friendly”, “down to earth, very commercial”. “When you have a difficult court case, he’s the guy you want. He really fights your corner, he’s extremely thorough and he knows his stuff”.
Recent cases:
- Revedor Malta Ltd v (1) Kazarez (2) Dockmill Capital Ltd [2025] EWHC 640 (Comm): leading Rob Hammond for the successful claimant at trial and consequentials, obtaining specific performance, s.39 SCA relief, and partial indemnity costs. Concerned the €18m sale of a yacht, engaging issues of foreign law, agency, the interaction of sanctions with the Defendant’s restoration to the Isle of Man register, and exceptions to without prejudice privilege.
- SU Consultancy Ltd v Singh & Ors [2025] EWHC 564 (Comm): leading Michael Maris: acting for the successful party at the consequentials stage, obtaining highly favourable remedies following a multi-week, multi-million pound complex High Court trial, including a substantial award of damages under a claim for unlawful means conspiracy, and an account of profits pursuant to a constructive trust.
- Advanced Multi-Technology For Medical Industry v Uniserve [2024] EWHC 1725 (Ch), leading Edward Knight; acting for the successful party (awarded circa USD 20 million) in a multi-week High Court trial involving breach of contract and claims under s50 of the Sales of Goods Act 1979, and successfully defending the counterclaim alleging allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of contract.
- Norman v Horton Partnership [2024] EWHC 2994 (Ch), representing the successful claimant in this multi-party action, resisting amendments to add money laundering allegations. The judgment considers whether the test in the criminal case of R v Anwoir [2009] 1 WLR 980 applies to civil proceedings, and the manner in which it is to be applied.
- Patel v (1) Minerva Services Delware Inc, (2) Baxendal-Walker, (3) Slater [2024] EWHC 172 (Ch) leading William Skjott, acting for second and third defendants; a claim involving Abuse of process; Anti-arbitration injunctions; Anti-suit injunction. The central issue in the application was whether the institution of foreign (Delaware, USA) court and arbitral proceedings could found claims of malicious prosecution and abuse of process. The court refused the claimant permission to advance claims of malicious prosecution and abuse of process extending to foreign arbitral proceedings.
- La Cotte Consulting Ltd v Sovereign Steel Stockholders (A Firm) [2021] EWHC 1517: leading Jack Dillon in three-week High Court claim, conducted remotely, involving breach of confidence; breach of contract; conspiracy; dishonest assistance; joint venture agreements; and loss of profits.
- Acting for a group of institutional investors on a £100m+ claim relating to a major international company. The claim is based on "dishonest delay" under paragraph 5, Schedule 10A Financial Services & Markets Act 2000.
- £70m cross-border (UK/UAE) dispute involving alleged breach of partnership/joint venture agreement and claims of breach of fiduciary duty and lack of good faith.
- Representing the claimant in an LCIA International arbitration for breach of an investment agreement (£50m plus).
- Representing the defendants and counterclaimants in a multi-party dispute centring around unlawful means conspiracy (£5m plus).
- Representing the defendants responding to a claim in deceit for fraudulent misrepresentation brought against a company and a former director.
- Representing the claimant in secret profit claim involving diversion of a commercial opportunity by malfeasant directors (£10m).
- (1) Nicholas Christy (2) Peter Brewin v (1) Bathroom Brands Holdings Ltd, (2) Cintep development Ltd [2020] EWHC 3210 (Ch): £10m commercial chancery case relating to the breakdown of relationships between the two founders and equal shareholders.
- HH Sheikh Tahnoon Al Nehayna v Ioannis Kent [2018] EWHC 333 (Comm) & [2018] EWHC 614 (Comm), leading a junior member of chambers in a complex €22 million Commercial Court claim.
- A v B [2017] €300 LCIA International Arbitration claim for deceit, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract.
- A v B [2017] €100 million International Arbitration.
- Tube Tech International Limited Ltd v Intertek Investigation Services UK Limited (ongoing) representing the defendants in a contract dispute valued at £10-£15 million involving issues including contractual penalty clauses.
- James Rogers v Andrew Barr acting for the Claimant at trial and in relation to the taking of an account in regard to a partnership dispute [2017] EWHC 1423 (Ch)
- Beavis v ParkingEye - Supreme Court - [2015] UKSC 67 [2015] 3W.L.R 1373, representing (with others) the Appellant in his appeal to the Supreme Court relating to the penalty rule (the law relating to contractual penalties).
David Lewis KC is an accredited mediator.
David Lewis KC provides his services as a director of DL Legal Limited. Registered in England & Wales, company number 13187044. Registered office: 1 Kings Avenue, London, N21 3NA. Both David and the company are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
Areas of expertise
Directory recommendations
David is recommended by Chambers UK, Chambers Global and the Legal 500 for commercial dispute resolution.
- “David is a strong commercial litigator. He is efficient with his work and delivers his advice directly and in a helpful and straightforward way. His advocacy is robust and very competent.” (The Legal 500, 2024, Commercial Litigation)
- “David has a rare combination of great intellectual and legal ability, and a real willingness to work with his instructing solicitors as seamlessly as possible. Even as a senior, David is prepared to roll up his sleeves and be part of a larger team.” (The Legal 500, 2024, Fraud: Civil)
- “David Lewis is an incredible, highly persuasive advocate, whose written work is clear and concise.” (Chambers and Partners, Commercial Dispute Resolution)
- “Builds strong relationships with clients and provides pragmatic advice.” (Chambers Global, 2023)
- “David is an excellent advocate. He is commercially focused, practical and mindful of the context of the claim in any negotiations.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “A barrister who can see the architecture of a case early on. He takes complex litigation and makes it easy to manage.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “He is extremely knowledgeable, creative, strategically very strong and very tenacious.” (Chambers UK, 2023)
- “David’s advocacy is a thing of surgical precision, he is fabulous with client and gives clear strategic advice from the outset.” (The Legal 500)
- “David is determined and dogmatic, and offers great tactical insight.” “His advocacy is persuasive, and he can hold his ground in areas with which he isn’t familiar.” (Chambers UK)
- “A bright and strategically creative silk.” (The Legal 500)
- “Down-to-earth, very commercial and an excellent advocate.” “He’s very good at establishing his arguments and can read judges very well.” (Chambers UK)
- He “combines astonishing turnaround time with excellent quality of work. He explains complex issues very clearly to clients and grasps detail quickly. He is impressive on his feet.” (Chambers UK)
- “He is very bright, highly proactive and really on your side.” Chambers UK
- “Very easy to work with and the lay clients love his punchy style.” (The Legal 500)
- “Really prepared to get stuck in and is blessed with the art of persuasion.” (Chambers UK)
- “David adopts a determined approach and has great tactical insight. His experience and input are highly valued. He is certainly someone you want on your team rather than on the other side.”(Chambers UK)
- “Confident, intelligent and robust. You know he is fighting your corner” (The Legal 500)
Professional associations
- Commercial Bar Association
- London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
- London Court of International Arbitration
- Employment Lawyers Association
Qualifications
- LL.B Hons
- ADR Group Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator
- Registered Legal Practitioner, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Insights
Past events
Practice managers
Amy McClean
Senior Practice Manager
Marc Gilby
Practice Manager