Simon Hart
Partner
Simon Hart is a Partner in the Commercial Disputes practice in London and Head of our Financial Markets Disputes team.
Simon's litigation practice has seen him guide clients through a number of complex banking disputes. He has acted in claims involving derivatives, structured products, hedging arrangements and CDOs. He regularly advises on disputes arising out of loan facilities, trade finance and financial restructurings.
He has acted for a wide variety of clients including hedge funds, HNW investors, financial institutions and insolvency office holders. He also has many years of experience of advising clients in relation to multi-jurisdictional litigation involving fraud, asset tracing and recovery, as well as commercial contracts and shareholder disputes.
Simon has assisted corporate clients with regulatory and internal investigations, of a cross-border nature, often relating to anti-corruption.
Simon is a contributor to the third edition of "Banking Litigation" published by Sweet & Maxwell.
Directory quotes
"Simon Hart is a top class banking litigator. He is managing some of the biggest claims in England against banks. An absolute cool head no matter the temperature of the case. Massive levels of stamina which are needed for big trials. A very effective team leader." - Legal 500 UK 2024
"He is extremely efficient, smart and a wonderful person. He is approachable and responsive to all members of the client team." - Chambers UK 2023
Ranked – Chambers UK 2022
"Simon Hart, partner – a first-class customer service experience. We particularly value Simon’s ability to look forward and prepare for events before they occur." - The Legal 500 UK 2022
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2022
"A good tactician who is clever, measured and has a very considered approach." - Chambers UK 2021
Leading individual - The Legal 500 UK 2021
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2021
Leading individual - The Legal 500 UK 2020
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2020
He's extremely sensible and very measured in his approach. He's a good litigator, very strategic and appreciates the wider picture. - Chambers UK 2019
"Simon is calm, confident and assured. He's an adept lawyer and a team player." - Chambers UK 2018
"Really knows his subject." - The Legal 500 UK 2018
Simon Hart "slots in seamlessly to in-house teams when presenting advice to senior executives." - The Legal 500 UK 2017
The "outstanding" Simon Hart impresses clients with his "analytical ability, willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty and his grandmaster's command of the litigation battlefield." His practice in banking litigation centres on actions against large investment banks, often involving issues relating to derivatives, CDOs and structured financial products. He is also highly experienced in handling multi-jurisdictional matters. - Chambers UK 2017
A "clever commercial litigator" who is "cool, calm and collected" during negotiations. - Chambers UK 2017
"Zealously pursues clients’ objectives." - The Legal 500 UK 2016
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2016
Simon Hart is an "innovative litigator whose legal skill is impressive, having turned around several cases previously seen as unwinnable," one source notes... Clients say that he is "personable, generous and focused on getting the right team in place for his clients to achieve the right results" - Chambers UK 2016
"Simon Hart has particular experience in banking disputes and is described as "extremely intellectual and pragmatic." Sources praise his attitude that "the client comes first"" - Chambers UK 2016
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2015
Simon Hart, Tim Brown and Rupert Boswall are also praised. - The Legal 500 UK 2015
Simon Hart receives acclaim for his expertise in work including fraud claims and shareholder disputes [...] "very diligent and thorough - I always feel that his advice has substance." - Chambers UK 2015
Clients appreciate his responsiveness and report him to be "down-to-earth, practical in his approach and multidisciplined." - Chambers UK 2015
"A key name [in Banking Litigation]." - The Legal 500 UK 2014
Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2014
"Simon Hart has a wealth of experience in the banking arena and regularly advises on capital markets matters and regulatory investigations." - Chambers UK 2014
The "really impressive" Simon Hart has vast experience handling litigation related to banking, fraud and capital markets. He is also proficient in regulatory investigations. - Chambers UK 2014
Memberships
Officer, Litigation Committee of the International Bar Association
Member of the Financial Services Lawyers Association, Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association
Relevant work
- Advising a European financial institution on a $150m claim concerning its investment in a collateralised debt obligation arranged and managed by a global investment bank. The case involved allegations of misselling and portfolio mismanagement.
- JPMorgan Chase v Springwell Navigation Corporation – acting for the investor in a $500m claim involving allegations of misselling, negligent advice and misrepresentation.
- Acting for a European financial institution in a dispute with the Lehman Brothers estate and a corporate trustee over the valuation and management of a portfolio of securities held as collateral in relation to tri-party repo trading.
- Acting for an offshore fund in connection with litigation against the directors and advisors of companies in which the fund had invested which involved claims of breach of duty, unlawful means conspiracy and prospectus liability.
- Acting for liquidators in claims arising out of a trade finance fraud against a former director and his corporate vehicle. The litigation involved freezing orders and asset tracing across six jurisdictions.