Damian is a partner in the Disputes and Investigations group and is the co-head of the International Arbitration group. He advises on all contentious matters, drawing on his broad experience across a wide variety of disputes before the High Court, Competition Appeals Tribunal and international arbitration tribunals, as well as advising clients on investigations commenced by regulators.
Damian has particular experience in the field of competition law, group actions, contractual interpretation, insurance and commercial fraud. He acts for clients across a broad spectrum including energy and financial institutions, governments and high profile sports clubs.
Damian sits on the firm's Africa Practice group and helps develop the firm's practice in Africa, as well as acting for African clients and clients investing in Africa.
Highlights include advising:
- Truck manufacturer MAN SE in its defence of one of the largest ever competition law follow-on damages proceedings in the UK courts and Competition Appeals Tribunal which cover multiple individual claims, group actions and competing applications for Collective Proceedings Orders.
- A FX broker on a number of wrongful termination claim for damages which were precipitated by volatility in currency exchange markets at the outset of the COVID pandemic.
- A global energy company on potential misrepresentation claims under a sale and purchase agreement for a minority interest in a company which owns and operates a gas pipeline.
- A global multimedia company on a dispute relating to the postponement of a significant international sporting event due to the emerging Omicron COVID variant.
- ITV plc on a pensions dispute in respect of the first instance and court of appeal decisions in Granada Group Limited v The Law Debenture Trust.
- Aker BP in proceedings brought by ConocoPhillips regarding the interpretation and application of a price review clause in a long term gas supply agreement
- A multinational manufacturing client in relation to a complex and multi-forum dispute arising from a 50/50 joint venture.
- A major German manufacturing company in defending a dispute arising out of a strategic alliance.
- A global education company in relation to compliance guidelines regarding gifts and entertainment in the context of the UK’s anti-corruption framework.
- ForteBank, one of Kazakhstan's largest banks, in a billion dollar fraud claim in the Commercial Court against its former controlling shareholders and their related entities, and in related international arbitrations, including the international enforcement of a $600m Award and separate proceedings against individuals involved before the Cypriot courts.
- Multiple mandates for Premier League football clubs on disputes ranging from a series of injunctions to force through the sale of Liverpool Football Club, to player transfer, ticketing and stadium related disputes. Also disputes acting for media rights holders against a variety of sporting associations.
- The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (now First Abu Dhabi Bank), one of the largest banks in the Middle East, in its claim against BP for the return of c. $70 million under a commercial agreement concerning debts owed by Morocco’s Samir refinery. The case was the first to use the English Commercial Court’s innovative and new Shorter Trials Scheme.
- Fortress Investment Group in High Court proceedings against third party fund managers for conspiracy and causing loss by unlawful means, which involved seeking a novel form of injunctive relief to protect and recover the assets.
- The Serious Fraud Office, the independent UK government department responsible for investigating complex fraud and other financial crime, in its defence against claims brought by the Tchenguiz brothers for alleged trespass, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office. The claims are reportedly one of the highest ever brought against a UK law enforcement agency.
- Equitas/Resolute in its High Court proceedings regarding its pursuit of multiple, substantial, and complex reinsurance claims against its reinsurer, R&Q Reinsurance Company (UK) Limited arising out of historic LMX spiral losses flowing from the loss of British Airways and Kuwait Airlines planes during the First Gulf War and the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
- Zurich Insurance plc in the landmark financial markets test case brought by the Financial Conduct Authority on behalf of thousands of business interruption insurance policyholders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Damian Taylor is described as a “top performer” who “has an excellent ability to plan a long-term strategy in long-running, complex litigation.” Legal 500 2023, Commercial Litigation and Legal 500 2023, Competition Litigation
Sources highlight him as “outstanding. He is one of the sharpest partners in the competition law world and brings with him the experience of a heavyweight commercial litigation practice.” Legal 500 2023, Competition Litigation
Damian is “a brilliant tactician” and “one of the most impressive partners I have worked with”. Legal 500 2022 and 2023, Competition Litigation
His ability “to assess the strengths and weaknesses as well as come up with an excellent strategy and response” is also highly praised. Legal 500 2022, Commercial Litigation: Premium
Damian “is a visionary arbitration partner, who is hugely experienced, fantastic with clients and down to earth. He’s the arbitration lawyer that should be on everyone’s shortlist.’ Legal 500 2023, International Arbitration
Damian is recognised by Legal 500 UK 2023 as a Next Generation Partner for Commercial Litigation.
Damian sits on the committee of the London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA).
He is the co-author of a student textbook on contract law published by Oxford University Press and is the Contributing Editor to the In-House Lawyer Comparative Guide for Litigation.
Damian is also the editor of The Dispute Resolution Review, an annual compilation of Dispute Resolution developments across the globe.