Katharine Stock

Civil Barrister

Instructions include acting in one of the highest value and most complex civil fraud claims to be issued in the Commercial Court. She represented Vincent Tchenguiz in a conspiracy/malicious prosecution claim against Grant Thornton and others seeking in excess of £2bn for allegedly instigating and manipulating a major SFO investigation into Mr Tchenguiz ([2016] EWHC 3727 (Comm)).

She is known to be conscientious and hard-working and quickly grasps what the client wants to achieve and thereafter provides clear and pragmatic advice.

Katharine is a sought-after junior with substantial experience acting in contractual disputes including those relating to technology and construction works, media and TV advertising and property investment.  She has particular experience of applications for interim relief, such as representing Company Directors seeking an injunction in relation to a Director dispute.

She also has experience acting in proceedings involving multiple jurisdictions, including the BVI as well as dealing with cases that raise issues of jurisdictional law.

She has extensive experience acting for and against insolvency practitioners. She has dealt with both corporate insolvencies, appearing in relation to winding up petitions, as well as personal insolvencies including pursuing bankruptcy petitions, applications for annulments and orders for sale.

Katharine has acted for landlords in relation to a broad range of property and landlord and tenant matters including those relating to commercial leases and licensing schemes. She has experience of commercial and residential possession proceedings, in particular cases involving insolvency issues and properties held on trust. She has experience of cases involving mortgages and law of property act receivership as well as applications for interim relief such as injunctions in relation to planning matters.

She has acted in professional negligence claims for example she acted in a solicitor’s negligence claim in respect of work done on a share purchase agreement in relation to the purchase of a football club.  She has also represented individuals before professional conduct committees.

Katharine accepts direct access instructions.

Notable cases

• Vincent Tchenguizv Grant Thornton UK LLP & Ors: Conspiracy/malicious prosecution claim seeking in excess of £2bn for allegedly instigating and manipulating a major SFO investigation into Mr Tchenguiz included a defamation counterclaim. Issue on summary judgment application of the true construction of a settlement agreement as well as whether the doctrine of illegality was engaged. Extensive arguments also in relation to permission to use documents disclosed in other proceedings (CPR 31.22) and application for permission to adduce fresh evidence in the Court of Appeal.
• Oraki v Dean & Dean & Anr: Appeal on the liability for a trustee’s expenses following the annulment of a bankruptcy order on the grounds that it ought never to have been made.
• Parker v Walker: Claim against solicitor as joint tortfeasor for misrepresentations made in relation the sale of parcels of land through land banking schemes.
• Barry Town United FC v Football Association of Wales: Claim for a declaration that the FAW had acted unlawfully in denying Barry Town United Football Club full membership in the league.