Guy Morpuss QC

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Guy Morpuss has a wide-ranging commercial practice, both in court and in arbitration.

Recent hearings of note include: a High Court dispute between a major electrical goods manufacturer and its licensee; a dispute as to ownership of a planned cemetery in London; a share sale dispute in relation to a Gatwick hotel; a dispute as to ownership of shares in an internet publishing company; and a claim by a management training coach against a leading oil company.

He has been instructed in a number of sports law and intellectual property disputes, including: arbitration proceedings between Formula One teams; acting for a leading sports brand in an arbitration with a joint-venture partner; acting for a leading football brand in the High Court and Court of Appeal; acting for a leading football brand in an arbitration; and acting for a Formula One team in relation to a dispute as to the rights to its name.

He has advised extensively in relation to international banking and derivatives, and was instructed in a recent High Court dispute between the various Lehman Bros entities.

Specialisations: 

  • General commercial
  • Sports law
  • Arbitration
  • International banking/derivatives
  • Shipping
  • Insurance and reinsurance

Principal Cases: 

General Commercial

Group Lotus v 1 Malaysia Racing Team SDN BHD (2011) - High Court trial - dispute as to right of 1MRT to use name "Team Lotus" for its Formula One team.

Looney v Trafigura Beheer BV [2011] EWHC 125 (Ch) - High Court trial - dispute as to termination of management training contract by Trafigura.

Gorecia v Somani [2008] EWHC 2970 (QB) - High Court trial - share sale dispute arising out of sale of Gatwick hotel.

Bales v Porritt [2008] EWHC 2188 (Ch) - High Court trial - dispute as to ownership of planned cemetery in London.

Sovereign v Haier (2008) unreported - High Court trial - dispute between electrical goods manufacturer and its franchisee.

Wolman v Weller [2007] EWHC 2072 (QB) - High Court and Court of Appeal summary judgment applications - dispute as to ownership of shares in internet publishing company.

Micro Anvika v TNT Express [2006] EWHC 230 - Commercial Court trial - dispute as to liability for theft of Apple Computers and ipods from vehicle in London.

The Equitable Life Assurance Society v Ernst & Young and others - Commercial Court trial of claims against Society’s former auditors and directors (2005) - strike out applications in the Commercial Court [2003] EWHC 2263 and Court of Appeal [2003] EWCA Civ 1114.

Bamford v Cordiant Communications Group plc [2004] EWHC 552 - Commercial Court - dispute as to construction of share purchase agreement.

Man Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft v Freightliner [2003] EWHC 2244 - Commercial Court - strike out application in relation to professional negligence claim.

Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd v British Airways plc [2002] All ER (D) 216 - Chancery Division - application for interim injunction in relation to air miles dispute.

Barings Plc v. Coopers & Lybrand [2000] 1 WLR 2353 - Court of Appeal - dispute as to when documents which have been read by a Judge are within the public domain.

Investors Compensation Scheme v West Bromwich Building Society [1998] 1 WLR 896 - House of Lords - preliminary issue as to assignments to the ICS; construction of contracts, principles of construction; public policy, validity of assignments.

Sports law

Group Lotus v 1 Malaysia Racing Team SDN BHD (2011) - High Court trial - dispute as to right of 1MRT to use name "Team Lotus" for its Formula One team.

Arbitration trial between leading football brand and a licensee (2009).

Hudson Bay v Umbro - High Court trial (2009); Court of Appeal (2010) - dispute between Umbro and a US licensee.

Arbitration trial between leading sports manufacturer and a joint venture partner (2009 & 2010).

Arbitration dispute between various Formula One racing teams (2007-8).

Arbitration

Arbitration trial between leading football brand and a licensee (2009).

Arbitration trial between leading sports manufacturer and a joint venture partner (2009 & 2010).

Arbitration dispute between various Formula One racing teams (2007-8).

Marc Rich Agriculture Trading SA v Agrimex Ltd [2000] 1 All ER 951 - Commercial Court - dispute as to time limit for arbitration reference.

International banking/derivatives

re The Administration of Lehman Bros [2010] EWHC 3044 (Ch) - High Court trial - dispute as to entitlement to assets held by Lehman entities.

Confidential advice and preparation for abortive trials.

Shipping

Tradigrain SA v Intertek Testing Services (ITS) Canada Ltd [2007] 1 CLC 188 - Court of Appeal - dispute as to liability for oil stolen from storage tanks in India.

The Ikariada [1999] 2 Lloyd's Rep 365 - Commercial Court trial - bill of lading dispute.

The Apostolis [1997] 2 Lloyd's Rep 241 - Court of Appeal - dispute as to liability arising from fire on board a vessel.

Atlas Shipping Agency (UK) Ltd v Suisse Atlantique Société D'Armement Maritime SA [1995] 2 Lloyd's Rep 189 - Commercial Court - dispute as to whether the court had jurisdiction under the Brussel's Convention, Article 5(1).

Insurance and reinsurance

Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance plc v Dornoch Ltd [2005] 1 CLC 466 - Court of Appeal - dispute as to construction of reinsurance agreement.

Various confidential arbitrations.

Education and Career: 

Birmingham University (LLB), First Class Honours

Appointments and Society Memberships: 

COMBAR

Quotes: 

"A star of the future. His 'blinding intelligence and quick wittedness' mean 'you can pitch him against anyone with total confidence.' ... a 'great team player and an excellent advocate.' Excellent in all he does, he has a broad practice encompassing commercial, banking, shipping and sports law disputes." (Chambers & Partners 2011, Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insurance)

"A tremendously easy practitioner to work with." (Chambers & Partners 2010, Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insurance)

"Truly wonderful ... an excellent technical advocate." (Chambers & Partners 2009, Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insurance)

"Incredibly hard-working and knowledgeable ... having been noted by solicitors for his persuasiveness and air of integrity." (Chambers & Partners 2008, Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insurance)

"Undaunted by big cases, he can see to the heart of proceedings and present arguments in a thoroughly commercial manner." (Chambers & Partners 2008, Commercial Dispute Resolution & Insurance)

"Acted for Toro Rosso in a Formula One dispute and represents major sporting brands." (Legal 500 2010, Media Entertainment & Sport)

Members with similar specialisations...

Many other members specialise in similar fields. A selection is below.

Queen's Counsel

Junior Counsel