Duran Ross

Partner
London

OVERVIEW

Duran Ross, a solicitor-advocate, is an experienced commercial disputes practitioner specialising in complex multinational litigation and arbitration. He was promoted to Partner in January 2023.

Expertise

Duran's expertise is wide-ranging, but has a particular specialism in technology and insolvency disputes. Duran has acted on a number of Hausfeld’s most high-profile commercial cases. He currently acts on, amongst other matters, several disputes before the High Court including for a technology company against a multinational corporate in relation to alleged misappropriation of software code, and for a seller under an SPA in relation to proceedings brought against him by the buyer alleging breaches of warranties and indemnities with related professional negligence claims. He is also representing a global sportswear brand against a major European football club on an ICC arbitration.

Previously, he was a key part of the legal team in high-profile Commercial Court proceedings for New Balance against Liverpool FC relating to a right of first refusal contained in the parties’ kit supply agreement.

Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Duran was involved in website design and development such that he is well placed to deal with the complexity involved in managing technology cases. As an active member of the Hausfeld team handling technology disputes, he also closely follows and is involved in legal developments involving technology such as those concerning cryptoassets.

Duran has also obtained the Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency from the Insolvency Practitioners Association and has acted on behalf of office holders in pursuing claims on behalf of insolvent companies as well as in matters relating to antecedent transactions and other applications under the Insolvency Act, such as in respect of the appointment of a Provisional Liquidator in a contested application in order to secure software code valued at approximately £50m.

Clients

Duran has extensive experience acting for a wide range of clients. He has acted for, amongst others, multi-national companies, HNW individuals, former and existing senior company Directors, office holders, insolvency practitioners, and start-ups including in the technology sector. He also has experience acting in relating to disputes in a wide range of sectors including technology, sports, media, private equity, healthcare, finance, and property development.

During his previous role at Linklaters, Duran frequently represented banks and other financial institutions in regulatory investigations involving the Financial Conduct Authority and the Serious Fraud Office, amongst others. He has experience of acting both for and against major financial institutions and professional services firms.

Duran has acted on numerous cases in the High Court including:
- Sonderwell Bidco Limited v Marc Diamond. Acting for Mr Diamond in ongoing Commercial Court proceedings in relation to a warranty and indemnity claim raised against him by the buyer of his company.
- Trappit SA v American Express Europe LLC. Acting for Trappit in sizeable ongoing Commercial Court proceedings relating to the alleged misappropriation of software code and related allegations.
- New Balance Athletics, Inc v The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Ltd.Acting for New Balance in high profile Commercial Court proceedings against LFC arising out of a sponsorship agreement related to the provision of playing kit and other licensed products.
- Dr Philip Comberg v VivoPower International Services Limited & VivoPower International Plc.Acting for the Claimant in proceedings issued in the Queen’s Bench Division against his former employer and its NASDAQ listed parent for repudiatory breach of his service agreement and the breach of three other agreements entered with the Defendants.
Duran has acted on numerous multinational high-value arbitral matters including:
- an expedited ICC arbitration on behalf of a global sportswear brand against a major European football club;
- an application for emergency measures before an ICC emergency arbitrator; and
- several interconnected LCIA arbitrations in the aviation sector on behalf of a listed company against a state-owned entity.
Duran has also acted on a Section 68, Arbitration Act 1996 challenge in the High Court relating to alleged serious irregularity in arbitral proceedings.