Christian Smith

Partner & Head of Dispute Resolution

Background & Biography

Christian is the firm’s Head of Dispute Resolution and oversees the commercial litigation department’s busy and varied practice. He has over 20 years’ experience representing individual and corporate clients across a broad range of sectors.

Expertise & Career Overview

Christian has considerable experience advising and acting in shareholder disputes and insolvency proceedings and is regularly instructed by clients seeking or defending injunctions. His steadfast and hands-on approach in fast-paced, highly contentious litigation brings many of his cases to an early resolution.

Clients value Christian’s ability to get to grips with disputes quickly and find practical solutions to complex problems. He has been recognised as “The steadiest of hands; superb with clients” – Legal 500, 2020.

Christian also enjoys working relationships with many of the UK’s leading insolvency practitioners. He is regularly instructed to consider claims by liquidators against directors, claims of misfeasance, preferences, transactions at an undervalue and breach of director’s duties.

Christian and his team provide a full-service commercial dispute offering; working closely with lawyers from across the firm’s other practice areas to review existing commercial contracts and advise on corporate governance and risk management generally. The team design and implement proficient litigation and enforcement strategies to protect, defend and enforce their client’s interests.

Highlights

Acting for petitioners / claimants in a complex, high value unfair prejudice claim relating to a family-owned property company. Established unfairly prejudicial conduct under section 994 Companies Act 2006. Successfully defended a Part 20 Claim relating to funds allegedly received and held on trust following the sale of a Cypriot company.
Acting for an international sales and services company to pursue claims against a former
Finance Director and shareholder relating to breach of directors’ duties.
Acting for a discharged bankrupt in long-running insolvency proceedings concerning challenges to the conduct of a Trustee in Bankruptcy and Liquidators, the ownership and misuse of confidential information held by third parties, the determination of the scope and operation of s283A Insolvency Act 1986 and the question of a discharged bankrupt’s standing to bring proceedings to set aside transactions entered into by their former TiB.
Acting for a foreign government and its ministries to defend ICC Arbitration proceedings.
Acting for defendants subject to worldwide freezing injunctions and commercial court claims.

Disposals

Joint Ventures

Share Investments

Reorganisations

Recommendations

General Company Advice

What Our Clients Say

Read what our clients have to say about their experience with us.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Katy Hayward 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been a client with Seddons for years and they are truly excellent. My lawyer Odein Willie-Harry is exceptional. She is knowledgeable, always available, kind and considerate and most of all a rock. Selling my house was stressful but the one thing I always knew is that I could rely on her advice and support. I can't thank her and the team enough. Happy New Year Seddons! I will be back when I find a new property 😌
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   hannah callaghan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have worked with Moshe on quite a few deals. He is super responsive, approachable and works at lightning speed. He also very good at explaining complicated matters in a very clear way. He goes above and beyond. Highly recommended.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   neil willis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Howard Freeman acted for us on a house sale.  He did a great job, clear, regular communication.   He was always available and the sale was executed on time to budget.   Thank you Howard.  Great job.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   mark chappell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Most efficient , thorough, diligent and excellent work by Lana and Howard at Seddons..managing to secure the purchase of my new home in Ealing..
Not only are they very responsive, helpful, pre active on all the issues throughout, its all done working with a most decent and amiable manner..
After what has been a long complicated journey buying a property I kept the faith with Seddons who have been with me on this quest..and this one went through in rapid time, 8 weeks from offer being accepted to completion...
All queries were answered comprehensivley, additional questions and concerns covered and reports provided in good time..I didnt have to chase any answers with them, they were ahead of the game in all areas...
Would highly recommend and continue to use Seddons for any legal matters...
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alan Ganesh 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ran was acting for the Seller in a block sale and was efficient and communicative throughout. I would be happy to recommend her to other clients
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jack Leathem 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service from a great company. Very helpful and open communication through each stage. Would thoroughly recommend. m
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mike Builds 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Howard Freeman handled my property sale and purchase and I could not recommend him more highly. Flawless service, professional, thorough and friendly, very fast to respond and always happy to answer questions. Would 100% use Seddons again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gleb Mineev 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Got my ILR application handled by Soma. Got it approved, smooth process and clear communication all the way through.