Lydia Danon

Partner

Tel: +44 (0)20 7148 7805 

Email: lydia.danon@cyklaw.com

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Lydia, a solicitor-advocate, specialises in high–value, complex domestic and international litigation and arbitration. Lydia has been recognised as “very bright and client focused” and she is “known for her pragmatic, commercial advice”

Lydia’s practice focuses on civil fraud and asset recovery, fintech/hi-tech (including digital assets), partnership and corporate disputes. She regularly provides strategic advice on interim measures in support of foreign and domestic disputes, including freezing injunctions, anti-suit and anti-enforcement injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal orders and search and seizure orders, as well as advice on jurisdictional issues, claims in deceit, conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duties and trust, dishonest assistance, misappropriation and misrepresentation.

Her clients range from multi-nationals, ultra-high net worth individuals, investment funds and members, LPs, GPs and SMEs. Lydia has a cross-border practice  involving various jurisdictions including Russia, CIS, India and Central and South America

Background

Lydia read History at Newcastle University before spending a year teaching English at a leading Chinese University. She undertook her Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London. She qualified as a solicitor in 2007, joined CYK in March 2009 and has been a partner since 2017.

What the legal directories say

Legal 500 ranks Lydia as a Leading Individual for Civil Fraud and Commercial Litigation (Premium); Chambers and Partners recognises Lydia in Band 5 for Civil Fraud.

“She is no-nonsense and never gives up on finding a solution for the client.” “She’s super impressive, very knowledgeable and astute” (Chambers and Partners 2022)

“Lydia has an easy and collaborative style which is a great catalyst to case preparation and strategising, and best positions the client for a successful outcome. She gives 100% to her clients and is not fazed by aggressive tactics during hostile litigation”

“Gutsy and straight-talking” (Legal 500, 2022)

 “Lydia Danon is a legend; totalling charming and totally on the ball.” (Legal 500, 2021)

Professional groups and appointments

Lydia is an officer of the International Bar Association’s Litigation Committee, where she is co-editor of its newsletter.

She is also a member of the Law Society of England and Wales, London Solicitor Litigation Association, the Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association and the Commercial Litigators’ Forum.

Speaking engagements

Lydia regularly speaks at industry conferences, most recently on:

  • “The Quincecare Duty” (The American Bar Association, Orlando, April 2024)
  • “Jurisdiction in a digital age – where to find cross border fraud claims involving digital assets or transactions” (Asset Recovery International, Dublin, February 2024)
  • “Defence Counsel Perspectives: Challenging Asset Freezes and Resisting Applications for Pre-Emptive and Interlocutory Relief” (C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, Miami, January 2024)
  • “Litigating in and about the Metaverse” (IBA Annual Conference, Paris, October 2023)
  • “Navigating AI and Technology Disputes via Arbitration” (FICCE/ICA International Conference on Arbitration in the Era of Globalisation, Dubai, March 2022)
  • “Crypto Asset Fraud as an Existential Threat”, (C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference in Miami January 2022)

Recent articles

Contractual interpretation and formation: back to basics
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CYK Comments for Legal Diary on latest success in Magomedov saga
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CYK successfully obtains summary judgment for Domidias Limited and Merbau Synergy Limited: latest in Magomedov saga
Read More››

Cases of Note

  • Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation) and Ors v Domidias Limited & Or [2024] EWHC 458 (Comm): acted for the successful Defendants in their application for summary judgment regarding a substantial (US$2bn) contractual dispute.

  • Magomedov and Ors v TPG Group Holdings (SBS), LP [2023] EWHC 2655 (Comm): acting for a successful Defendant in his defence of an application for a US $8.8bn freezing injunction; securing an order for security for costs in respect of a substantial jurisdiction challenge; acting for two Defendants in the ongoing US$14bn conspiracy claim.

  • Echosense Jersey Limited v Eric Lawrence Schleelein & Ors [2023] EWHC 2700 Comm): acting for the successful Defendants in a jurisdiction challenge surrounding the scope of jurisdiction clauses, service out of the jurisdiction, the utility of negative declarations, and abuse of legal process.

  • S&B Consultancy Services Limited v Bourn and Anor [2022] EWHC 2359 (Comm): acting for the claimant in a summary judgment application relating to novel point of law pursuant to s.26 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

  • Ang v Reliantco Investments Ltd [2019] EWHC 879 (Comm); [2020] EWHC 2529 (Comm); [2020] EWHC 3242 (Comm): acting for the Defendant in: (i) an application challenging the jurisdiction of the English Court to hear a claim relating to the alleged wrongful close-out of Bitcoin futures; and (ii) at trial.

  • Re Infund LLP: [2018] EWHC 1306 (Ch); [2019] EWCA Civ 1673: Proceedings ancillary to a US$2billion share dispute in Mexico. The English Court (to the Court of Appeal) considered for the first time the meaning of certain statutory provisions applying to both companies and LLPs in the context of an administrative restoration. The Court determined that it had the power to reverse the restoration of an LLP in certain circumstances.

  • Grove Park Properties Ltd v The Royal Bank of Scotland [2018] EWHC 3521 (Comm): acting for the Claimant in relation to claims that the Bank materially altered a substantial loan agreement without the Claimant’s consent/knowledge.

  • VTB Bank (Austria) AG v Kombinat Aluminijuma Podgorica AD [2015] EWHC 750 (Ch): acting for the successful respondent in an application to lift a stay of arbitration proceedings pursuant to the Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006.

  • Wani LLP v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc and another [2015] EWHC 1181 (Ch): acting for the Claimant in an application for “late” amendments to its statements of case.

  • M&C Energy Group Ltd v St Cuthberts Mill Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 935: acting for the successful appellant in the Court of Appeal. The judgment provides guidance on what amounts to a compelling reason to bring a second appeal.

  • North Shore Ventures Ltd v Anstead Holdings Inc and Ors [2010] EWHC 1485 (Ch); [2011] EWCA Civ 230; and [2012] EWCA Civ 11: acting for high net worth Russian individuals in the High Court and Court of Appeal defending a multi-party action valued at $55 million in respect of the alleged breaches of a loan agreement, allegations of fraud, enforcement of personal guarantees, freezing injunctions and the disclosure of trust documents. The claims included issues arising Russia, Switzerland, the BVI and Nevis.

  • For Lloyds political risk insurers defending a complex and high value ($15million) arbitration claim brought by an international bank relating to a high profile Kenyan oil scandal.

  • For the Claimant against solicitors in respect of the misappropriation of monies held in escrow and the collapse of a Middle Eastern power project ($40million).

  • JSC BTA Bank v Solodchenko and Ors: acting for a successful Defendant in proceedings relating to one of the largest series of fraud claims brought before the High Court (approximately $5 billion when the claims are taken together) (2010/2011).

  • Edenbooth Ltd v CRe8 Developments Ltd [2008] ALL ER (D) 20 TCC; (2008) CILL 2592: acted for the successful Claimant in enforcing an adjudication decision when the Defendant failed to pay.