FinTech

The strength of our fintech practice, which combines the expertise of our market-leading technology, banking and financial services practices, ensures that we are a natural choice for disputes in this increasingly important sector.

Our team covers all aspects of the fintech space, including blockchain and other distributed-ledger technologies, cryptocurrencies, payment services technologies, smart contracts, crowdfunding, open banking, robo-advisers, financial cybersecurity, insurtech, microfinance and financial data disputes.

A number of our barristers have previous industry experience of programming and employ their technical understanding to bring a unique perspective when advising on and handling fintech disputes. Members of our technology team contribute to a number of fintech market groups and projects, including the LawTech Legal Statement on Crypto-assets and Smart Contracts.

Our barristers have expertise covering fintech disputes from launch and regulation to project implementation. This includes:

• Advising on FCA regulatory perimeter issues
• Advising on the legal and regulatory risks of an ICO launch
• Consumer credit disputes arising out of fintech products
• Cryptocurrency trading disputes (including failed trades, stolen crypto, locked wallets and Bitcoin fork disputes)
• Defective software and algorithm disputes (including algorithmic trading disputes)
• Fintech project disputes (including disputes about large insurtech and banking systems)
• FSMA claims (including investments schemes, breaches of the general prohibition and s90 and 90A claims)
• M&A disputes and disputes about the sales of fintech systems and products
• Payment services disputes
• Smart contract and blockchain disputes (including rectification claims)
• Software licensing and development disputes
• Startup disputes
• Team move/springboard claims
• Trade secrets, copyright & other IP disputes

Reflecting the cross-border nature of the large players in the fintech industry, much of our work is international. Our barristers regularly act in arbitrations seated overseas, under a range of laws as well as in all divisions and lists of the High Court in London. Some of our fintech barristers also sit as arbitrators and appear as experts in foreign proceedings.