Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Peter is a senior junior practising in commercial law, with a particular emphasis on commercial fraud. He has been involved in some of the largest commercial and civil fraud claims in recent years. He has particular expertise in fraud claims with an insolvency or company law element, as well as insolvency and company law claims more generally (including unfair prejudice petitions). He is also an experienced practitioner in commercial arbitration.
Peter is ranked in Chambers UK, Chambers Global and Legal 500 for civil fraud, commercial litigation, and restructuring and insolvency. Recent comments include:
Recent cases include:
“Peter is extremely thorough and a fantastic team member. His written work is fantastic, he has incredibly detailed knowledge of the law, and his oral advocacy is extremely measured and compelling.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He is super on top of the details and hard-working.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He has a smooth and polished delivery which is very persuasive, and he is very bright and a good strategic thinker.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025
“He is able to give considered and commercial advice at lightning speed.”
Legal 500, 2025
“He is a creative thinker and is great at getting on top of the detail and working with us to help bolster our thoughts and position.”
Chambers UK, 2023
“Peter is very pragmatic.”
Chambers UK, 2023
“Peter is a very good, very engaging advocate.”
Chambers UK, 2023
“Peter is really fantastic with clients; he understands their commercial objectives and gets to the heart of matters.”
Chambers UK, 2023
“Excellent commerciality in understanding the clients’ objectives and pragmatism in conduct of the matter.”
Legal 500, 2023
“He's so on the ball, always on top of the case and his opening statements are very good and methodical.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022
“Phenomenally bright with that gold dust ability to be able to think laterally and see ways around problems that leave most of us flummoxed. Also an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Legal 500, 2022
“A solicitor’s dream – the best example of the modern barrister; extremely bright, user friendly and phenomenal work ethic”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is incredibly industrious and a born strategist who is really useful on technical and difficult cases.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021
“An instructing solicitor's dream – phenomenally bright, incredibly hardworking, and also very user friendly.”
Legal 500, 2019
“a super junior”
Legal 500, 2018
“A superb junior counsel, very easy to deal with and available at all times.”
Legal 500, 2018
“has a winning way with clients and the court”
Legal 500, 2017
Proceedings for the enforcement of a £75 million UAE judgment.
Acting for one of the defendants in a claim alleging a $13.8 billion fraud. Claims in conspiracy; freezing orders; jurisdiction challenges.
Acting for one of the Defendants to an alleged $130 million shipping fraud.
Acting for one of the defendants in this claim relating to an alleged US$1.5bn fraud.
Dispute arising out of the sale of a technology business with claims in deceit and unlawful means conspiracy.
Successful resistance of strike out and summary judgment application in proceedings alleging a $1.5bn unlawful means conspiracy.
Joint venture dispute with related unfair prejudice and insolvency proceedings in Jersey.
US$1-2 billion claim alleging a conspiracy to deprive a Thai entrepreneur of a majority interest in the leading renewable energy company in Thailand. The claim involved 17 defendants, parallel ICC arbitrations and ancillary proceedings in the BVI, Belize, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Conspiracy proceedings for in excess of $1.5 billion arising out of a North American mining contract. Related proceedings in the Cayman Islands, Mauritius and New York.
Acting for ArcelorMittal in this $1.5bn conspiracy claim arising out of an iron ore contract in Minnesota. Related proceedings in the Cayman Islands.
Claim for injunctive relief and Bankers' Trust relief in relation to a company trading in solar panels.
Acting for the Reignwood Group in this joint venture dispute governed (in part) by Chinese law. Related proceedings in Luxembourg and the US.
Acted for the defendant in a claim relating to alleged bribery of a foreign public official. Parallel investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
£20m + claim by liquidators arising out of an alleged unlawful return of capital, including claims in conspiracy and deceit.
Acted for the successful appellant in this US$600 million claim relating to one of the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure companies.
Proceedings to recover monies fraudulently procured by a solicitor.
Peter's commercial practice takes in a wide variety of disputes including claims for and against financial institutions, joint venture disputes, professional negligence claims, company law claims, jurisdiction disputes, oil and gas disputes, and a range of general commercial and contractual claims. He is frequently instructed in very high value claims as part of a counsel team, and also has considerable advocacy experience as sole counsel.
“He is incredibly responsive, his advice is well thought through and he is very well-liked by clients, solicitors and more senior counsel. Peter understands clients and knows how to get the best out of them.”
Legal 500, 2025
“He is also excellent with clients and acutely aware of their fragility and need to guide them through the process of complex litigation.”
Legal 500, 2023
“Peter is an incredibly agile thinker and regularly performs beyond his year of call. His legal analysis and drafting is persuasive and impeccable.”
legal 500, 2023
“Bright, pragmatic and clear-thinking. Excellent on his feet.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Very user-friendly and down to earth.”
Legal 500, 2022
“He is incredibly smart and calm under pressure, really gets stuck in, is always available and has a wonderful manner with clients.”
Legal 500, 2021
“truly brilliant”
Chambers UK, 2019
“a really confident, punchy and effective advocate”
Chambers UK, 2019
“He is truly brilliant and a really confident, punchy and effective advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“Very fluid in his oral submissions, he is a relaxed and confident advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2019
“a very good orator whom judges warm to”
Chambers UK, 2016
“a rising star”
Chambers UK, 2015
“exceptionally confident in court”
Chambers UK, 2015
“real talent”
Chambers UK, 2014
Proceedings for the enforcement of a £75 million UAE judgment.
Acting for a Formula 1 team principal in proceedings alleging constructive dismissal and unlawful deprivation of shareholdings.
Acting for one of the defendants in a claim alleging a $13.8 billion fraud. Claims in conspiracy; freezing orders; jurisdiction challenges.
Acting for the successful appellant in proceedings relating to a claim brought under the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act 1975.
Acting for one of the Defendants to an alleged $130 million shipping fraud.
Dispute arising out of the sale of a technology business with claims in deceit and unlawful means conspiracy.
Acting for one of the defendants in this claim relating to an alleged US$1.5bn fraud.
Successful resistance of strike out and summary judgment application in proceedings alleging a $1.5bn unlawful means conspiracy.
Dispute arising out of a $701 million contract for broadcasting rights in Mainland China and Macau. Successfully obtained summary judgment for the Premier League for over $200 million.
Insolvency proceedings arising out of a €1bn debt restructuring
Joint venture dispute with related unfair prejudice and insolvency proceedings in Jersey.
Acting for a Luxembourg finance company in a dispute arising out of a €1bn debt restructuring.
US$1-2 billion claim alleging a conspiracy to deprive a Thai entrepreneur of a majority interest in the leading renewable energy company in Thailand. The claim involved 17 defendants, parallel ICC arbitrations and ancillary proceedings in the BVI, Belize, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Conspiracy proceedings for in excess of $1.5 billion arising out of a North American mining contract. Related proceedings in the Cayman Islands, Mauritius and New York.
Proceedings under a personal guarantee for a sum of $657 million.
Acting for ArcelorMittal in this $1.5bn conspiracy claim arising out of an iron ore contract in Minnesota. Related proceedings in the Cayman Islands.
Acting for the successful appellant (AIG Financial Products Corp) in proceedings brought by 23 former employees for deferred remuneration in excess of $100 million.
Proceedings under CPR 71.
$657 million claim under a personal guarantee; summary judgment; conditional orders.
Quantum proceedings following judgment on liability in a claim arising out of the $85 billion bail-out of AIG by the US Federal Reserve in 2008.
Acting for the Reignwood Group in this joint venture dispute governed (in part) by Chinese law. Related proceedings in Luxembourg and the US.
Appeal in relation to the applicability of the Commercial Agents Regulations and assessment of damages for loss of profits.
Dispute under a Share Purchase Agreement raising pensions/actuarial issues in relation to a defined benefit scheme.
£195 million claim arising out of the listing on AIM of a Chinese shoe and leisurewear manufacturer.
Acted for various companies in the AIG Group in this $100 million claim by former banker employees.
Acted for the defendant in a claim relating to alleged bribery of a foreign public official. Parallel investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
Acting for the successful appellant in relation to a £2 million statutory demand. Issues as to the definition of a debt at common law and the meaning of a debt for a liquidated sum under the Insolvency Act 1986.
Acting for a De Beers Sightholder in a claim under the Commercial Agents Regulations 1993 and at common law.
Proceedings to recover monies fraudulently procured by a solicitor.
Acted for the successful appellant in this US$600 million claim relating to one of the world’s largest private construction and infrastructure companies.
Commercial and competition law claims relating to an online property portal.
Multi-party litigation arising out of an alleged property joint venture.
Proceedings relating to the Antigua electricity supply.
Dispute arising out of the sale of the largest onshore oil and gas field in Azerbaijan.
Acted for a Cypriot bank in a claim under personal guarantees.
Peter has wide experience of company law disputes, including unfair prejudice petitions and derivative claims. Many of his company law claims have an international or cross-border element. He also has wide experience of arbitrating company law issues, and of seeking and resisting associated injunctive relief.
Acting for one of the defendants in a claim alleging a $13.8 billion fraud. Claims in conspiracy; freezing orders; jurisdiction challenges.
Acting for a Formula 1 team principal in proceedings alleging constructive dismissal and unlawful deprivation of shareholdings.
Dispute arising out of the sale of a technology business with claims in deceit and unlawful means conspiracy.
Insolvency proceedings arising out of a €1bn debt restructuring
Joint venture dispute with related unfair prejudice and insolvency proceedings in Jersey.
Acting for the successful appellant (AIG Financial Products Corp) in proceedings brought by 23 former employees for deferred remuneration in excess of $100 million.
Conspiracy proceedings for in excess of $1.5 billion arising out of a North American mining contract. Related proceedings in the Cayman Islands, Mauritius and New York.
Court of Appeal decision in relation to whether a claim for a sum due under a Share Purchase Agreement was a liquidated debt.
Peter has extensive experience of arbitrations under LCIA, SIAC, ICC, SCMA and UNCITRAL rules, and related Court applications.
Dispute in relation to an oil and gas joint venture in Yemen
Dispute relating to a litigation funding agreement. With Lord Pannick QC.
A $10 million dispute arising out of a steel contract.
Delhi-seated arbitration concerning pre-emption rights.
$1bn dispute relating to share subscription agreements. Led by Michael Bloch QC.
€100m dispute between shareholders of a mining company in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a claim against its director and shareholder under a guarantee.
An LCIA arbitration arising out of the breakdown in the relationship between a Cayman based carried interest partner for certain special opportunity funds and a U.S. based placement agency.
A dispute in relation to a Costa Rican joint venture.
A $400 million oil and gas dispute against an African state. Led by Joe Smouha Q.C.
A claim by investors arising out of the Madoff fraud. Led by Alan Gourgey Q.C.
A claim seeking to set aside enforcement of a Slovakian arbitration award.
MA (Cantab); LLB (first class)
VAT registration number: 858159484
Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board
Gary Oliver
Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7325
Derek Sutton
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7327
Adam Sloane
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7326
Dean Tolman
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7331
Billy Brian
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7339
Marc Armstrong
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7330
Adam Fuschillo
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7329
Danny Compton
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7338
Sophie Reeve
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7324
Toby Dennison
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7328
Daniel Higgins
Clerk
+44 (0) 207 822 7322
Lilly-Grace Hilliard
Clerk
+44 (0)20 7822 7234