Russell Williamson

I'm a senior associate in our Dispute Resolution Group in London.

I specialise in advising clients on complex disputes stemming from commercial contracts and corporate relationships, particularly in the technology, media, entertainment and sport, retail and consumer, public procurement and automotive sectors.

My practice involves acting in international and domestic litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (including mediation) across a variety of industries. I have extensive experience of advising clients on high-value, business-critical and strategically important disputes (in both the public and private sectors), together with associated risk management and jurisdictional issues. I aim to help clients by providing advice and assessing risk on disputes at an early stage. As most of the disputes that our Group works on have an international element, I have represented clients across Europe, Africa, America, Asia and beyond.

I'm also experienced in acting in cases concerning fraud, breach of confidence, misuse of confidential information, construction projects, public procurement challenges and insurance coverage.

As a leading member of our Product Compliance and Liability group, I also have expertise in assisting global organisations with the mitigation of legal and regulatory risks that arise when a product safety or quality issue arises in the marketplace. This includes representing manufacturers, distributors and suppliers in matters of product liability, recall, contractual protections, insurance policy coverage and dealing with enforcement regulators. Recently, these issues have become prevalent in the fields of disruptive and autonomous technologies (for example, driverless vehicles and artificial intelligence (AI)) and the supply of goods via online marketplaces.

• Acted for a US multinational (subcontractor) against an Asian multinational (contractor) in relation to complex arbitrations and related adjudications arising out of the design and construction of two energy megaprojects in South Africa. This involved multiple claims and counterclaims of over US$2 billion.
• Acted for the Premier League in an arbitration brought by Newcastle United challenging a decision concerning the proposed acquisition of the club by a consortium led by the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Acted for a multinational restaurant chain in a substantial and complex insurance claim against insurers for business interruption losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government lockdown restrictions.
• Advised and acted for a leading global technology and consumer electronics company in relation to two business-critical worldwide recalls of defective computer products (in over 40 jurisdictions within the EMEA region).
• Advised a Chinese electronics manufacturer in relation to five product recalls of defective consumer products (including the formal notification of such recalls to regulators).
• Advised an autonomous delivery vehicle company regarding the legal risks associated with the deployment of personal delivery robots on UK roads (including assisting with submissions made to the UK Law Commission on its remote driving consultation).
• Advised a multinational DIY and home improvement company on the mitigation of product liability issues concerning the launch and operation of an online marketplace.
• Advised a US communications and security company on civil and criminal liability risks arising out of contact management functionality software provided as part of a Command & Control solution used by UK police and fire services.
• Acted for a global defence and systems integration company on disputes arising out of the termination of a series of contracts concerning the delivery of a sophisticated IT system to certain UK emergency services.
• Advised a manufacturer of military vehicles on the product liability risks associated with he provision of bench seating to be used by certain armed forces.
• Advised a multinational technology company on the legal risks and liabilities it would face from the manufacture and supply of autonomous products (including for use in driverless cars) to an OEM.
• Advised a leading automotive safety supplier in relation to a worldwide recall of defective seatbelts.
• Advised a global telecommunications company in relation to a UK recall of wireless router products with defective electrics.
• Advised an international manufacturer of mattresses and bedding products in relation to a UK recall of a defective pillow product.

• Acted in a claim worth over US$700 million brought by a Chinese consortium in connection with the purchase of a majority shareholding in an international sports rights business which subsequently became insolvent. The claimant alleged that its entry into the sale and purchase agreement was induced by fraud/fraudulent misrepresentations. Jinxin Inc -v- Aser Media Pte Ltd & Ors [2022] EWHC 2431 (Comm); [2022] EWHC 2856 (Comm).
• Acted for the former manager of a highly-successful musical band in relation to contractual and equitable claims concerning the purported extension and termination of the manger-band commercial relationship. (1) David Holmes (2) DHMC Corp -v- (1) Guy Berryman (2) Jonny Buckland (3) Will Champion (4) Chris Martin, Claim No. BL-2023-001103
• Acted for a global provider of technology services in a public procurement claim against the UK Home Office concerning the award of five contracts for the provision of visa and citizenship application services. Teleperformance Contact Limited -v- The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Claim No. HT-2023-000241
• Acted for an international logistics services company in a public procurement claim against the UK Ministry of Defence concerning the award of a soft facility management services contract. Ecolog International FZE -v- The Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Claim No. HT-2024-000177
• Acted for the Premier League in competition law proceedings brought before the Competition Appeals tribunal by the owner of Newcastle United. St James Holdings Ltd -v- The Football Association Premier League Ltd, CAT Case No. 1402/5/7/21
• Acted for an international supplier and technology licensor in a US$34 million breach of contract and negligence claim concerning specialised dehydrogenation technology used at a petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia. Starr Managing Agents Ltd and others -v- (1) UOP Ltd (2) UOP LLC, Claim No. CL-2016-00390.
• Acted for the operator of Europe's largest cloud services network in a procurement dispute with a water services provider concerning a tender for the provision of IT services. Interoute Communications Ltd -v- Anglian Water Services Ltd, Claim No. HT-2017-000248
• Acted for a global investment bank in a US$850 million claim arising out of a loan for a major Portuguese bank that was rescued by the Portuguese central bank. Goldman Sachs International -v- Novo Banco SA [2016] EWCA Civ 1092
• Acted for one of the world's leading bunker brokerages in a multi-party litigation (and arbitration) concerning the quality of marine fuel oil delivered to the 'Marine Prosperity' vessel in Singapore. Bunge, SA -v- Wilhelmsen Marine Fuels AS -v- ExxonMobil Marine Ltd, Claim No. 2013 Folio 1087.
• Acted for a Swedish state pension fund in a US$35 million claim against a US multinational bank arising out of the acquisition of notes issued by a structured investment vehicle (Sigma) as part of a securities lending