Overview
Hilton Mervis has nearly 30 years’ experience of litigating and resolving high-value, complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes. He represents corporations, private equity firms, hedge funds and high-net-worth individuals on a wide variety of disputes and has particular experience in the alternative investment sector, covering private equity and hedge fund litigation, partnership disputes, complex civil fraud, contractual and banking disputes, shareholder and corporate governance disputes, and financial services matters.
Hilton is a solicitor advocate and member of the Commercial Court Users Committee by appointment. He is a founding member and Chair of the London Commercial Litigators’ Forum. He is also the editor of the authoritative text Managing Private Fund Disputes (PEI Media) and of Global Legal Post’s Commercial Litigation Guide.
Results
Further examples of Hilton’s work include:
- Represented minority shareholders in a major, high-value unfair prejudice shareholder dispute relating to the affairs of the holding company of the well-known Radisson Edwardian Hotel chain in the London High Court and successfully obtained a buyout order against majority holders.*
- Acted as advocate before the Court of Appeal in a freezing injunction case establishing case law in that area.*
- Acted in a constructive trust case arising from an alleged illegal transfer of a business.*
- Acted in multi-jurisdictional fraud proceedings involving taking evidence under s1782 of the Federal Code in support of proceedings in Europe.*
- Acted for a healthcare provider in obtaining a worldwide freezing injunction and High Court action for deceit in relation to a business sale.*
- Represented leading private equity and hedge fund clients in numerous high-value disputes subject to confidential arbitration clauses.*
- Acted in a Commercial Court case involving duties of a general partner (gross negligence, willful misconduct) under Californian and English law and defaulting investors.*
- Represented clients in the first court proceedings seeking the removal of a general partner.*
- Acted in a Court of Appeal decision determining the ability to bring unfair prejudice actions for conduct of a subsidiary.*
- Acted for a high-value asset management client in confidential arbitrations.*
- Represented parties in warranty and completion account claims subject to High Court proceedings and arbitration.*
- Advised on high-profile defamation cases for individuals and corporates, including business reputation protection and crisis management.*
- Acted in a dispute between two leading pharmaceutical companies regarding interpretation of supply-based contracts.*
- Acted in arbitration proceedings concerning a development agreement in a dispute determining the survival of the client’s business.*
- Represented a client in a High Court action for delivery up of source code and software dispute.
- Advised on issues relating to alleged hacking into computer servers based in the USA.*
- Acted for leading bookmakers in proceedings brought by the Gaming Board regarding FOBT gaming machines.*
- Acted in proceedings involving civil claims for competition infringement in AMRAC/SIS for leading bookmakers.*
- Assisted clients with follow-on actions litigated in the High Court.*
- Acted for senior lenders in successfully defending Commercial Court proceedings challenging restructuring.*
- Acted for clients involved in restructurings in Luxembourg and Germany.*
- Advised parties investigated by the Department of Trade and Industry.*
- Advised a leading investment bank on a Stock Exchange investigation.*
- Acted on Serious Fraud Office investigations and related actions.*
- Represented clients in swaps/LIBOR mis-selling disputes.*
- Acted for trustees and beneficiaries in litigation concerning establishment of trusts in Jersey and London.*
- Represented an AIFM LLP member in a £100 million “bet the bank” private equity dispute involving injunctive proceedings and LCIA arbitration.*
- Acted for a major pharmaceutical client in a dispute concerning obligations to construct and lease a bespoke manufacturing facility.*
- Represented a large corporate client in multi-jurisdictional disputes involving arbitration and proceedings in the USA and London.*
- Acted for a private equity client in a claim for breach of confidentiality and contractual restrictions relating to an acquisition.*
- Represented a hedge fund in ad hoc arbitration and High Court litigation concerning wrongful termination of fund membership, non-payment of profit share, and restraint of trade, including IP and regulatory issues.*
- Acted for a Hong Kong entity in a joint venture dispute with a British university.*
- Represented an English-based private equity house in shareholder rights and sanctions-related litigation before the Luxembourg courts.*
- Acted for a Bahamas corporation in a joint venture and partnership dispute involving complex cross-border jurisdictional issues and remedies.*
- Represented commercial entities and individuals in High Court proceedings defending multiple anti-suit injunctions.*
- Acted for a litigation funder in a dispute with a law firm.*
- Provided strategic review and guidance on group litigation strategy.*
- Acted for the issuer of securitised loan notes in a dispute with the originator and third parties.*
- Advised a major accountancy firm on its disputes strategy and contractual documentation in the US and England.*
- Represented clients in multi-jurisdictional breach of trust and deceit cases.*
*Matter handled prior to joining the firm.
Recognitions
- Chambers UK
- Partnership: Contentious, UK-wide, 2017-2025
- Commercial and Corporate Litigation, London, 2018-2025
- Litigation, London, 2016-2018
- Best Lawyers in the UK
- Litigation, 2018-2025
- The Legal 500 UK
- “Leading Partners” Commercial Litigation Premium, London, 2020-2025
- Commercial Litigation Premium, London, 2022-2023
- International Arbitration, London, 2022-2023
- Commercial Litigation, London, 2015, 2017-2021)
- Banking Litigation: Investment and Retail, London, 2015
- Chambers Global
- Commercial and Corporate Litigation, UK, 2023-2025
- Chambers Europe
- Commercial and Corporate Litigation, UK, 2023-2025
- Litigation, UK, 2017-2018
- “Recommended” Litigation, UK, 2015
- Who’s Who Legal UK
- Litigation, 2016-2017
Community
- Chair, London Commercial Litigators’ Forum
- Member, Commercial Court Users Committee
- ADR Group Accredited Mediator
- One of the founder sponsors for Pro Bono Centre offices in Chancery Lane
Credentials
Education
LL.B (Hons), University College London
Admissions
England and Wales
Solicitor Advocate
Languages
English