Michael Smyth

Michael is a dual-qualified solicitor advocate, with an extensive and diverse practice focusing on high-value, “bet-the-company” international disputes both litigious (up to and including the Supreme Court) and arbitral (under UNCITRAL, LCIA, and ICC Rules). From pre-dispute advisory work through to enforcement, his international experience has included CIS, the Middle East, and Asia, across the telecommunications, financial services, technology, and projects sectors.

Michael has extensive experience before the English High Court and in arbitrations, including handling interlocutory and trial advocacy. A recent appearance includes successful contempt proceedings concerning a $6 billion English court judgment which dealt with novel issues concerning the standard of notice in an extraterritorial enforcement context: Swifthold Foundation v. Fast International Trading Group & Anor [2024] EWHC 1154 (Ch).

Prior to practicing law, he worked in digital strategy and consulting in Australia.

Michael’s recent experience includes:

• Representing a Middle Eastern telecommunications company in a series of ICC arbitrations arising out of a joint venture transaction
• Representing a U.K. investment holding company in a complex series of defamation claims
• Representing a U.S.-based technology company on defending a class action in California relating to alleged breaches of GDPR
• Representing a U.S. asset manager in relation to a shareholder dispute arising from an investment in a multibillion-dollar arbitral award
• Acting on potential litigation in the U.K. relating to cryptocurrency matters
• Representing a major payment services company in a multibillion-pound damages claim relating to alleged antitrust infringements concerning interchange fees
• Representing a leading outsourcing and security company in a London-seated LCIA arbitration arising out of a complex corporate transaction
• Representing a global professional services firm in an ICC arbitration arising out of an intra-network dispute
• Representing a sovereign state in relation to an ad hoc UNCITRAL arbitration arising out of a multibillion-dollar fine
• Advising a Japanese car manufacturer on the public international law remedies for changes to a domestic company law regime in a G20 country
• Advising a series of large British companies on the international and domestic law remedies in connection with a proposed U.K. nationalization policy

Co-author, Trump Immunity Doesn’t Stretch to English Courts, The Times (July 2024)

AmEx Fine Offers Lessons For Navigating UK Privacy Laws, Law360 (July 2021)