Paul Strelitz

Areas of expertise

• Commercial dispute resolution
  • Commercial litigation

    Commercial litigation

    Paul has built up his experience across a broad range of commercial disputes involving a wide variety of corporate structures from joint ventures and trusts to companies and partnerships. He is a real go-to in unfair prejudice petitions and disputes arising out of Share Purchase Agreements. Paul is widely praised a master-tactician who works formidably in a team inspiring confidence in those whom he works with as well as those whom he appears in front of.

    He is comfortable dealing with both international and domestic disputes, litigation and other forms of ADR both at home and also in the DIFC in Dubai as well as the Channel Islands. He deals regularly with emergency applications such as injunctions (having been instructed in nearly 20 since the start of 2023) and also arbitrations.

    His commercial cases often involve professional negligence and insolvency issues as well as allegations of fraud and product liability.  A keen sportsman, with interests particularly in horses and horse racing, rugby and triathlon, Paul is also well placed to deal with sports related contractual, partnership and shareholder disputes within that sphere.

    Some examples of interesting cases in this area

    • LA Micro Group Inc. v Bell and o’rs  [being led by Andrew Twigger KC] Court of Appeal hearing in 2023 on inter alia the use of the defence of waiver and laches in a multi-million pound cross border shareholder dispute. Due to be heard by the Supreme Court in Winter 2024.
    • Arbitration (franchising, confidential) due to be heard in 2025 where Paul represents a household name franchisor concerning a failed countrywide franchise involving foreign law questions and jurisdictional issues.
    • Morris v Elite Motors Bodyshop Limited and another [2024] EWHC 1173 (Ch) where Paul appeared for the successful respondent to a 2 day strike out application and ICC Judge Mullen gave helpful guidance on the applicable test where a purported O’Neill v Phillips offer had been made.
    • Trotman and others v Bechtle – Chancery Division claim arising out of a share purchase agreement where Paul acts (alone, against a KC) for Bechtle who are a leading IT provider operating across 14 countries.
    • Arbitration (franchising, confidential) due to be heard in 2025 concerning allegations of unlawful termination.
    • Goyal v BGF Investment Management Limited and four others [2023] EWHC 1180 (Comm) [led by Lesley Anderson KC] fraudulent misrepresentation dispute concerning shareholding in a multi-national company valued at eight-figures.
    • Dwyer (UK Franchising) Limited v a (1) Fredbar Limited and ano’r [2021] EWHC 1218 (Ch) (Ch. Div – acting alone, against a KC) franchising dispute acting for UK arm of largest franchisor in the World.
    • Sia Partners (UK) Plc v Zentner [2021] (High Court – London Circuit Commercial Court – acting alone) £4+m claim arising out an SPA settled at mediation.
    • Henry Williams Limited v Cotton [2020 and ongoing] (High Court – London Circuit Commercial Court – acting alone) for the claimant against a former director and employee for breaches of fiduciary duties and misuse of confidential information.
    • John Bean Technologies Europe B.V. v Emond and another [2020] (High Court Chancery Division – acting alone) against a team of counsel including leading counsel resisting a claim for breach of warranty on a share purchase agreement, including an extant application by Paul’s clients for strike out.
    • Bell & ano’r v LA Micro Group US. Inc. & others [2020] EWHC 1405 (Ch) (acting alone) against a team of counsel concerning a cross border challenge to the beneficial ownership of a multi-million pound computer hardware company.
    • Monkey Puzzle Group Limited & another v Campbell [2019] (High Court – London Circuit Commercial Court) acting alone in a claim against former MD of a national franchise concerning allegations of fraud.
    • Glew and others v Amro Biotech & others [2019] EWHC 3183 (Ch) (acting alone against leading counsel) successfully resisting an application by nearly 40 shareholders against two directors pursuant to ss.260/261 CA 2006.
    • Aura Finance LTD &West One Ltd v Standish & Or’s (2019) Multi-track claim for a seven figure sum acting alone against leading counsel in a claim concerning overseas trusts.
    • Ransom Naturals Limited v Individuals (2019) High Court claim for interim relief and allegations of loss amounting to seven figures.
    • Pepe’s Piri Piri Limited v Razi & O’rs [2019] EWHC 2097 (QB) (led by Nigel Jones KC) concerning hotly contested allegations of conspiracy and other economic torts against nine defendants relating to a franchise dispute.
    • Hincks v Sense Network Limited [2018] EWHC 533 (QB) acted alone in six-figure claim for negligent misstatement and breach of contract in what is now the leading case on the standard to be applied when constructing a reference.
    • Frenkel v Lyampert and Others [2017] EWHC 2223 (Ch) successfully acted alone for the second and third defendants against leading counsel and a leading junior, in a multi-national shareholding dispute for a seven-figure sum securing an indemnity costs order on most issues.
    • Frenkel v Lyampert & LA Micro Group (UK) Ltd [2017] EWHC 3121 (Ch) successfully acted for second respondent in discharging an ex-parte injunction by reason of material non-disclosure.
    • Richard Ryan v Harnser (UK) Limited and Another (2016): Acting for the Claimant in this six figure dispute in the Queen’s Bench Division arising out of substantial sums owed to a former employee where allegations relating to off-shore corporate vehicles have been made.
    • House of Flags Limited v Geranio and Ors (2016): A High Court case involving applications for interim injunctions, specific disclosure and an appeal all at fast pace and with significant input required from Paul with the matter settling on day 1 of the expedited trial.
    • Robin Recruitment Limited and Anor v Castle View Healthcare Limited (2016 – 2017): Representing two Defendants advising and drafting pleadings in this matter which relates to allegations of improper use of confidential information as well as appearing in application to strike out aspects of the Claimant’s case.
    • Toomey Leasing Group Ltd (2015): Advising a multi-million pound leasing group on injunctive relief applications against former employees.
    • Powerplane Limited -v- Kotak (2015 and 2016 in Court of Appeal): partnership dispute and collateral debt concerning a substantial loan to a family member.
    • Recharge AS and Ors v Clover and Ors (2015): Acted for six defendants in this six figure claim brought in the chancery division of the High Court arising out of allegations relating to team-move/misuse of confidential property.
    • Multi-national joint venture dispute between directors and shareholders (2015) relating to directors’ duties and a seven figure dispute over apportion of beneficial ownership.
    • Umit Sabanci v Manissa Limited and Others (2015 – 2016 ongoing): substantial High Court shareholder dispute between co-founders of a successful import business.
    • Advising former directors of a business for a seven figure claim which includes aspects of fraud and professional negligence (2015-2016 ongoing).
    • First test case on “hot tubbing” defending a six figure claim in the Manchester Division of the High Court against a Fire and Rescue Service Public Authority relating to the supply of vehicles.
    • Manders v Cole: A six figure claim resulting from a Ponzi-style fraud.  This High Court case involved complex matters relating to trusts and principles of equity arising out of the sale of shares which were alleged never to have existed.
    • Partnership dispute involving very substantial sums relating to a horse which was litigated in the High Court District Registry.
  • Employment & executive disputes

    Employment & executive disputes

    Paul is a leading junior in relation to employment work, recommended by both Chambers UK and Legal 500. He acts in complex employment matters from the employment tribunals to the Court of Appeal (where he has appeared many times in the last 12 months including in two leading cases). He is very experienced at emergency applications, often advising at very short notice in relation to injunctions. His employment work covers restrictive covenants, confidential information, discrimination and covert surveillance. He has specific expertise in sports-related disputes and whistleblowing matters. In 2017 he obtained what was believed in the media to be the highest ET award of the year.

    He acts for individuals but also has an enviable client list ranging from top Cambridge colleges and leading media companies to top 10 accountants and FTSE 100 companies. He is also counsel most-often instructed for a number of local authorities as well as a number of police forces. He is particularly well known for dealing with complex or document-heavy cases and where the sums involved are very large, often against leading counsel.

    Some examples of interesting cases in this area

    • Laikko and another v Moving Brands Limited [2024] Following a multi-week trial and the case then going to the EAT, a >100 page set of Reasons was handed down by the Central London Employment Tribunal in August 2024.
    • Monkey Puzzle Group Limited & another v Campbell [2019 and ongoing] (High Court – London Circuit Commercial Court) acting alone in a claim against former MD of a national franchise concerning allegations of fraud.
    • Mervyn v BW Controls Ltd [2020] EWCA Civ 393; [2020] 3 WLUK 219 now the leading case upon the status of a List of Issues as well as the assistance that an Employment Tribunal is to provide to litigants in person.
    • Chief Constable of Norfolk v Coffey [2019] EWCA Civ. 1061 Paul acted for the Chief Constable of Norfolk in the first ever case before the Court of Appeal on perception disability discrimination.
    • Chesters v East Anglian Air Ambulance [2019] Paul represented the Air Ambulance in a dispute concerning employment status of a flying Pre Hospital Emergency Medicine doctor who asserts employment by reason of the level of control exercised over him in this ongoing matter, which is the first of its kind.
    • A private hospital [2019] (confidential) Paul acts for a private hospital concerning tortious and contractual claims against a former CEO and related parties in a seven figure claim.
    • Hincks v Sense Network Limited [2018] EWHC 533 (QB) acted alone in six-figure claim for negligent misstatement and breach of contract in what is now the leading case on the standard to be applied when constructing a reference.
    • Chief Constable of Norfolk v Coffey [2017] UKEAT/0260/16 Paul acted for the Chief Constable in what is now the leading case on perceived disability discrimination.
    • Roberts v Akhmedov [2017] Paul acted for the claimant, a former gardener, and secured a judgment in what is believed to be the highest ET award of that year.
    • Burdett v Aviva [2017]: this matter went to the Employment Appeal Tribunal where Paul (2016 – lead by Jane MCNeill KC) who was acting for the Claimant was successful and it was remitted for a further hearing.  It concerns an ex-employee who was an undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenic who sexually assaulted two colleagues.  The claim is for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.
    • Office Equipment Systems Ltd v Hughes [2017] UKEAT acted for the claimant in what is now the leading case on the application of the so-called ‘Burns-Barke procedure’.
    • Twaits v Triton Global LLP (2015-2016 ongoing): Paul represents the household insurance name where a former case handler is claiming substantial damages as a result of whistleblowing and unfair dismissal.  The six figure claim for whistleblowing has been dismissed.
    • Tannor v BP Plc: Paul represented the Respondent in defence of this claim brought by a former senior executive (2016 – judgment awaited).
    • Sabanci v Manissa Limited and Ors (2015-2016 ongoing): Paul represents the Claimant in this High Court claim for six figures on foot in the Queen’s Bench Division.
    • Paul is advising an IFA upon a negligent reference to the FCA which is alleged to have caused six figure damages (2015-2016 ongoing).
    • Paul is advising a former director of a company registered in England concerning a six figure loan made to companies, some of who are registered in Guernsey (2016 ongoing).
    • Paul is advising and representing a number of companies in their ongoing dispute with BIS about the Employment Agencies Act 1973 (2015-2016 ongoing).
    • Recharge AS and Ors –v- Clover and Ors (2015):  Paul acted for all defendants in these claims in the Chancery Division of the High Court and which were resolved in a successful mediation.
    • Rao v Assist Security Ltd (2015): Paul successfully represented the national security company in the High Court in a substantial six figure damages claim in relation to an allegedly negligent reference.
    • Paul successfully acted for a global petrochemical company (2014) in a claim for unfair dismissal which challenged the basis for the new safety regime.
    • Paul successfully represented G4S, the largest employer in the FTSE 100, in their longest running employment trial of 2014 in a complex six figure discrimination claim.
    • Chadwick v Aldeburgh Golf Club (2014): successfully acted for the Claimant in a widely publicised (in most newspapers) unfair dismissal case related to allegations of sexual impropriety.
    • Successfully represented a very senior former employee from the largest sugar manufacturer in the UK who was dismissed for gross misconduct.
  • Franchising

    Franchising

    Paul has particular expertise in franchise related litigation and has been involved in some of the largest recent cases in this area. He is therefore considered by many to be a go-to leading junior in this particular field. Almost all franchise cases result in a confidential settlement or an arbitration so cannot be referred to here, but Paul is instructed in most franchise disputes each year by most of the franchise-specialist solicitors. In addition he is also a regular speaker on franchise-related topics to solicitors, in-house and also at the only annual franchise law seminar.

    Some examples of interesting cases in this area:

    • Arbitration (franchising, confidential) due to be heard in 2025 where Paul represents a household name franchisor concerning a failed countrywide franchise involving foreign law questions and jurisdictional issues.
    • Arbitration (franchising, confidential) due to be heard in 2025 concerning allegations of unlawful termination.
    • Dwyer (UK Franchising) Limited v a (1) Fredbar Limited and ano’r [2021] EWHC 1218 (Ch) (Ch. Div – acting alone, against a KC) franchising dispute acting for UK arm of largest franchisor in the World.
    • Monkey Puzzle Group Limited & another v Campbell [2019 and ongoing] (High Court – London Circuit Commercial Court) acting alone in a claim against former MD of a national franchise concerning allegations of fraud.
    • Pepe’s Piri Piri Limited v Razi & O’rs [2019] EWHC 2097 (QB) (led by Nigel Jones KC) concerning hotly contested allegations of conspiracy and other economic torts against nine defendants relating to a franchise dispute.
• Legal professionals

  Legal professionals

  Paul’s general commercial and employment work makes him ideally placed to deal with complex professional negligence claims.  His comprehensive and robust style also often assists in achieving a favourable and swift resolution for his client.

  He acts in cases concerning alleged negligence in a number of professions but principally solicitors and accountants in disputes which originally related to employment or commercial work where Paul is often counsel of choice by reason of his intricate knowledge of the underlying relevant law which he uses to his client’s best advantage.

  Some example of related work

  • Advising an individual in relation to a threatened claim against a solicitor for failing to advise upon third-party loss for a seven figure sum (2019 – settled at mediation).
  • Advising in a threatened claim against a solicitor as a result of an alleged failure to preserve time limits for a six figure sum (2018).
  • Advising a Union in respect of a threatened claim in negligence against it for failure to protect a member’s interests when entering into a settlement agreement for a six figure sum (2017 – ongoing).
  • Advising an insurer in relation to a threatened claim against an insured solicitor for a failure to properly advise for a six figure sum (2018).
  • Advising an individual in relation to a threatened claim against a solicitor for failing to advise upon third-party loss for a seven figure sum (2017 – ongoing).
  • Advising in respect of a threatened claim against a solicitor arising out of a missed time limit in the employment tribunal where allegations of concealment of material facts are live (2016).
  • Advising in a claim by former directors of a company in respect of actions for seven figures sums against their former solicitors for missing relevant limitation periods and/or failing to advise appropriately on matters pertaining to fraud (2014-2016 ongoing).
  • Advising the creator of a start-up technology firm which was sold to a PE company for a seven figure package but where the solicitors had allegedly failed to consider properly the effects of the SPA including, in particular, good/bad leaver provisions (2015).
  • Substantial claim against former solicitors in relation to losses arising out of a property transaction (2015).
  • A six figure claim against a technology company as a result of alleged defective supply and installation of soft and firmware (2015).
  • £4m claim against solicitors for their conduct of an insolvency dispute (2014).