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Miles Robinson is a highly experienced commercial disputes lawyer who, for over 25 years, has helped clients resolve complex disputes, often with a cross-border element, in High Court litigation (including Court of Appeal and Supreme Court cases), arbitration (including under ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and LMAA rules), and through a variety of alternative dispute mechanisms.
He has been recognised for many years in the legal directories, including as a Leading Individual for Commercial Litigation in Legal 500, and he has been described by interviewees as “an expert in his field, very quick and responsive and brings a wealth of experience”, “one of the best lawyers I know, very pragmatic, solution oriented and always with actionable advice” and “fiercely intelligent and a great strategist”.
Miles has handled major disputes for clients in a wide variety of industry sectors, such as chemicals, industrial manufacturing, automotive, food, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), life sciences, outsourcing (both IT and business process), technology, energy, music, hospitality, shipping and logistics. His experience includes shareholder disputes, M&A transaction-related claims, joint venture disputes, supply chain disputes, competition-related claims, breach of confidence claims and product liability.
His product liability work includes defending large-scale group actions, such as the Norplant litigation, the organophosphates litigation and group claims relating to a mining project in Africa, a factory in India and the sinking of a vessel in Brazil. Miles also regularly advises clients on product recall, labelling and regulatory issues, and helps lead the firm’s EMEA Products Liability Practice, as well as the global Products Liability Practice.
- Represented an international agrochemical company in a product liability dispute involving proceedings in Australia, with witnesses in the UK and Canada, relating to the allegedly defective formulation of an agrochemical product by a contractor.
- Represented a coatings manufacturer in various large-scale product liability disputes in Singapore, France and the UK, relating to alleged coatings failures on an offshore drilling platform, an offshore floating rig, bridges, a hospital and cruise liners.
- Represented a construction company in a multiparty dispute on a flagship development arising from the supply of defective materials leading to an increased risk of “concrete cancer”.
- Represented a major European food group in respect of claims and regulatory issues arising from the Irish pork contamination incident. This involved coordinating initial communications with the regulators across several jurisdictions, advising on initial communications with the supply chain and on subsequent claims involving customers and suppliers.
- Represented a major music company in high-profile royalty disputes with The Beatles and Pink Floyd.
- Represented a global consumer goods company in disputes arising from a global IT outsourcing and transformation project. This involved working closely with the client on a strategy that leveraged the dispute in order to achieve a successful renegotiation of the deal terms.
- Represented a listed company on a large group claim by former factory workers relating to alleged failures in health and safety procedures leading to serious long-term health issues.
- Represented a global mining company in relation to a large group claim by those allegedly affected by a mining project in Africa.
- Represented an oil refinery in LCIA arbitration proceedings in a multimillion-dollar dispute arising from an oil supply agreement.
- Represented a listed steel stockholder in ICC arbitration proceedings with a Turkish steel manufacturer arising out of a supply contract. The client was successful in the arbitration and also in the manufacturer’s subsequent appeal of the decision to the High Court, in which the appeal was dismissed in full.
- Represented the investors in a joint venture in a dispute relating to exit arrangements. The dispute concerned a complex joint venture structure with investor parties in multiple jurisdictions, property assets in Russia, the application of right of first offer provisions and “drag” provisions. This resulted in a negotiated resolution and exit for the investors.
- Represented the investors in a joint venture in a dispute relating to a Portuguese property development in High Court proceedings. The client successfully obtained judgment, upholding the operation of the exit provisions and ordering the counterparty to buy out the client at the amount determined by the contract.
- Represented a party to a joint venture agreement for a new technology content, media and e-commerce services business in a series of disputes relating the interpretation of noncompete provisions concerning territory and scope.
- Represented a global chemicals company in follow-on damages claims arising from the vitamins cartel. The client was successful in defeating the claims on limitation grounds, in the first competition damages claim heard in the UK Supreme Court. Also advised in this area (for different clients) on potential claims arising out of the polyurethane foam cartel.
- Represented a private equity investor in defending a minority-shareholder unfair prejudice claim arising from an investee company.
- Represented a global automotive parts manufacturer in numerous supply-related disputes, in particular threats to stop supply by suppliers, where urgent action is required to avoid interruption to the relevant manufacturers (OEMs).
- Represented various clients in relation to product safety, labelling and recall issues, including in relation to food, over-the-counter medicines, toys, clothing, solar panels, electrical consumer goods, automotive components and herbicides. This has often involved coordinating with specialists in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Represented a bulk shipping owner in a multiparty charter party dispute arising from an engine failure.
- Represented a shipping company in a dispute under LMAA rules with a shipyard relating to the construction of a cargo ship.
- Represented an operator and owner of high-end bars and restaurants in a dispute regarding the termination of a restaurant management agreement.
- Represented a global chemicals company in defending a warranty claim arising from the sale of a production facility, and in relation to an alleged failure to register certain chemicals under the REACH regulations.
- Represented a financial services group in a warranty claim arising from its purchase of an investment management and research firm.
- Represented a major clothing and consumer goods supplier in defending a warranty claim arising from the purchase of a manufacturing company. The proceedings were brought under LCIA arbitration rules, and the client successfully defeated the claim at a preliminary issues hearing.
- Acting for the owners of a luxury hotel in relation to the termination of a hotel management contract, in an ICC arbitration, successfully obtaining an award vindicating the client’s termination.
- Acting for the sellers of a telco infrastructure company to defend claims by former management members that they were entitled to a percentage of the purchase price. The claims settled after the first day of trial on terms very favourable to the client.
- Acting for a major consumer retail and fashion sourcing company defending a post-acquisition claim by former management members around earnout entitlements. The matter settled after disclosure on terms very favourable to the client.
- Acting for a global manufacturing company on claims arising from a joint venture arrangement. The matter settled prior to proceedings on terms whereby the client exited the joint venture with no future liabilities.
- Acting for a global pharmaceutical company on a supply chain claim arising from the purchase of out-of-spec raw material, which necessitated a product recall. The matter settled after mediation, with the client recovering a significant proportion of the claim.
- Acting for the sponsor of a Premier League team on a dispute around sponsorship rights and value as a result of COVID. The matter settled pre-proceedings on renegotiated sponsorship terms.
- Acting for the sponsor of a F1 team in a dispute around sponsorship rights and potential termination of agreement. The matter settled pre-proceedings on terms whereby the client renegotiated the deal at a much lower cost.
- Acting for the supplier of business-critical marketing/business support services for the financial services industry on a dispute with its IT supplier. The matter settled pre-proceedings on terms where the supplier guaranteed ongoing support.
- Acting for a global chemical company on various product liability issues arising from unauthorised changes in specification.
- Acting for a global manufacturing company on a claim arising from the termination of a long-standing distribution agreement in the Middle East, in an UNCITRAL arbitration.
- Acting for a global manufacturing company on post-acquisition claims arising from the purchase of a European manufacturing business.
- Acting for a UK company defending a group action in the English High Court brought by more than 18,000 individuals from Brazil arising from the sinking of a vessel and alleged pollution.
- Acting for a global manufacturing company on challenges to decisions of the UK Trade Remedies Authority.
Education
- College of Law, Chester, CPE/LPC, 1995
- Durham University, BA Hons, Classics, 1993
Admissions
- England and Wales, 1998
- Listed as a Leading Individual for Commercial Litigation, and a key individual for International Arbitration, Product Liability and TMT, Legal 500
- Listed as a key contact for Product Liability, Chambers UK
- Legal directory interviewees have recently commented about Miles as follows:
- “Have worked with Miles for nearly 10 years due to understanding of our business and his interest in it. Always up to date and focused on giving advice that is right.”
- “High level of experience and knowledge, very calm and collected and takes the stress away from what can be a very stressful situation.”
- “The standout partner in this area. He has always provided expert advice and been able to solve any issues we have had.”
- “In this TMT area we would highlight Miles Robinson as an outstanding individual.”
- “Miles Robinson is an excellent partner, with great client skills and a thorough understanding of how to litigate to his client’s best advantage.”
- “Miles Robinson … brings vast knowledge across specialist areas combined with years of experience.”