Call 2013
Adam Collins
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3798
Click here to email
Alfie Sweeney
Team Leader Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6855
Click here to email
Ashley Cukier specialises in Commercial Dispute Resolution, Civil Fraud and Sports Law.
He is regularly instructed in complex, high-value and international litigation and arbitration disputes, often with a fraud element. He is recognised by the leading legal directories for his expertise in Commercial Litigation, Civil Fraud and Sports Law and has previously been named ‘Sports Law Junior of the Year’. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal, the Privy Council, the FIFA Football Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and is sought out as both arbitrator and counsel in the full range of sporting disputes. Ashley speaks several languages and is often instructed to assist on cases containing international elements and/or involving questions of foreign law, jurisdiction and enforcement.
Ashley read Modern Languages at Cambridge, where he received a Starred First and finished top of his year. At university, he received various academic honours and prizes for his performance in his Cambridge Finals. As part of his undergraduate degree, he obtained a Diploma in International Relations and Economics from Institut d’études politiques de Paris (Science Po). Later, he was awarded a Thouron Scholarship to study at the University of Pennsylvania Law School (Penn Law), where he received a Distinction for the LLM in Private International Law.
Ashley is recognised as a Leading Junior for Commercial Litigation and Commercial Dispute Resolution. He regularly features in complex and high-value commercial disputes, both led and as sole counsel, and has recently appeared in two of the most high-profile trials in the Commercial Court. The legal directories describe his commercial disputes work as “brilliant” with “meticulous attention to detail” and praise his “ability to cope well under pressure”.
The Secretary of State for Health & Social Care v PPE Medpro Limited [2025] EWHC 2486 (Commercial Court)
Ashley acted as junior counsel (led by Charles Samek KC) by PPE Medpro Ltd in its defence of claims brought in the Commercial Court by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in relation to the supply to the DHSC of 25 million sterile surgical gowns in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The high-profile claim, for in excess of £120 million – named by The Lawyer as one its top 20 cases for 2025 – alleged that gowns supplied by PPE Medpro were not sterile and/or failed to meet other contractual requirements so as to make them unusable. The claim was defended by PPE Medpro on the grounds that the PPE supplied was sterile to the contractual standard, was otherwise compliant with the contractual requirements and/or that the DHSC, having approved the gowns, was estopped from contending that they were defective. The 5-week trial of the claim took place in June/July 2025. Judgment was delivered by Mrs Justice Cockerill in September 2025, in which Ashley was praised for his “excellent, courteously probing cross-examination” at trial [§173].
The Republic of Mozambique vs Credit Suisse and Others [2024] EWHC 1957 (Commercial Court)
Ashley (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) appeared on behalf of Ms Detelina Subeva, a member of the Credit Suisse Deal Team, in this landmark Commercial Court case relating to sovereign guarantees issued by the Republic of Mozambique for loans exceeding $2 billion. The 3-month “Tuna Bonds” trial reached the Commercial Court late 2024, and generated a mammoth 123 page judgment of Knowles J in July 2024. The court found that Privinvest, a ship building conglomerate, had engaged in the bribery of Mozambique’s former finance minister, Manuel Chang. The Republic reached settlements with various banks involved in the funding arrangements for the ship building contracts (including Ms Subeva) during trial and in advance of judgment.
C v D [2024] (LCIA Arbitration)
Ashley is currently instructed as junior counsel for the Respondent (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) in this LCIA Arbitration claim, brought in respect of a multi-million-pound contract for the distribution of the Respondent’s high-end cosmetics in Hong Kong and Macau. Phase I of Trial, relating in particular to the territorial scope of the parties’ agreement, took place in 2023. An arbitral award in the Respondent’s favour was handed down later that year. Phase II of the arbitration is now underway, involving the determination of consequential issues, including the quantum of any residual claims, arising from the LCIA Tribunal’s determination of the territorial scope of the contract.
A v B [2025]
Ashley, as sole counsel, acted for the successful Claimant, an international investment company, in LCIA Arbitration proceedings brought against its former client seeking repayment of a substantial loan. The claim was defended on the basis of alleged duress and/or actual undue influence. Trial took place in the Autumn 2025, with judgment obtained shortly thereafter.
X v Y [2023] (Astana International Finance Centre)
Acting for the Claimant shareholder (led by Rupert D’Cruz KC) in a claim for relief for unfair prejudice (and associated proceedings for injunctive relief), arising out of the diversion of a multi-million dollar commercial opportunity for the purchase of an oilfield in Kazakhstan.
James Martindale Consultancy LLP v Cuvette Property Consulting Ltd [2023]
Ashley (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) acted for the Defendant company in these multi-milion pound Commercial Court proceedings which concerned the alleged breach of a Consultancy Agreement said to have deprived the Claimant of a substantial commission payment for large-scale commercial developments across the UK.
Allergy Therapeutics Ltd v Inflamax Research Inc [2021]
Led by Charles Samek KC in Commercial Court Proceedings arising from a multimillion dollar clinical study, involving claims for breach of contract, misrepresentation, conspiracy and procuration of the tort of deceit, and a counterclaim for unpaid fees. The case involved complex factual and scientific evidence relating to the clinical drug trial process, methodologies for allergy testing, and the statistical analysis of allergen exposure data.
Staechelin & Ors v ACLBDD Holdings Limited & Ors [2019] EWCA Civ 817
Led by Jonathan Cohen KC representing the Claimants, De Pury & De Pury LLP, in their successful claim for commission on the sale of a Gauguin masterpiece, Nafea faa ipoipo, to the Qatari Royal Family for $210 million (upheld subsequently by the Court of Appeal).
A v B [2018]
Acting as junior counsel (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) on behalf of the Part 20 Defendant to a claim by an art dealer loss of earnings, alternatively a reasonable sum by way of quantum meruit, for the alleged curation of an art collection.
Ali v Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago [2017] UKPC 2
Led by Jonathan Cohen KC in the Privy Council in an appeal (from the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) regarding the proper construction of the terms of a Loan Agreement.
Ashley is recommended as a Leading Junior for Civil Fraud, with fraud and deceit-based claims forming a substantial part of Ashley’s commercial practice. He is also regularly instructed, both led and as sole counsel, in applications for urgent injunctive relief (freezing orders, Norwich Pharmacal orders, search and imaging orders, etc).
Lowry Trading Limited & Ors v Haycox (Commercial Court) [2024]
Ashley acted for the Claimants (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) in proceedings brought against investment influencer and celebrity podcaster, Matt Haycox, who had fraudulently induced both Claimants to make multi-million pound investments to finance a property ‘deal’ that had in fact never completed. A Worldwide Freezing Injunction, together with a series of further disclosure orders, were obtained at an early stage. The proceedings culminated in September 2025, when the Claimants obtained summary judgment against Haycox: a relatively rare outcome in fraud claims. The judgment is shortly to be published.
Global Steel Holdings Limited v Direct Investments Ltd & Ors [2025] (BVI Commercial Court)
Ashley (led by Charles Samek KC) represents the Defendants in this fraud claim, brought by the liquidators of GSHL, said by them to be worth USD $358m. The claim alleges a vast asset stripping scheme said to have been orchestrated by the fourth Defendant between 2008 and 2021: that as GSHL faced mounting creditor pressure arising out of a series of failed business ventures in Bulgaria, Montenegro and Nigeria, hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of assets were removed and transferred by the Defendants to different entities higher up within the structure of a family trust.
The Republic of Mozambique vs Credit Suisse and Others [2024] EWHC 1957 (Commercial Court)
Ashley (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) appeared on behalf of Ms Detelina Subeva, a member of the Credit Suisse Deal Team, in this landmark Commercial Court case relating to sovereign guarantees issued by the Republic of Mozambique for loans exceeding $2 billion. The 3-month “Tuna Bonds” trial reached the Commercial Court late 2024, and generated a mammoth 123 page judgment of Knowles J in July 2024. The court found that Privinvest, a ship building conglomerate, had engaged in the bribery of Mozambique’s former finance minister, Manuel Chang. The Republic reached settlements with various banks involved in the funding arrangements for the ship building contracts (including Ms Subeva) during trial and in advance of judgment.
Network For Animals Ltd & Ors v Animals First Aid Ltd & Ors [2024] KBD
Ashley acts as lead counsel for the claimant companies (an animal welfare charity and associated companies) against a number of individuals and corporate entities alleged to have defrauded the claimants’ customers, by pretending to be the claimants. The alleged fraud was perpetrated following the large-scale removal and unlawful retention of data, including valuable client lists, which were then converted into websites and funding platforms which mimicked those of the claimants, and duped its customers and donors into thinking they were dealing with the claimants when they were not. The claimants seek damages, restitution and other injunctive relief.
X v Y [2023] (Astana International Finance Centre)
Acting for the Claimant shareholder (led by Rupert D’Cruz KC) in a claim for relief for unfair prejudice (and associated proceedings for injunctive relief), arising out of the diversion of a multi-million dollar commercial opportunity for the purchase of an oilfield in Kazakhstan.
James Martindale Consultancy LLP v Cuvette Property Consulting Ltd [2023]
Ashley (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) acted for the Defendant company in these multi-milion pound Commercial Court proceedings which concerned the alleged breach of a Consultancy Agreement said to have deprived the Claimant of a substantial commission payment for large-scale commercial developments across the UK.
Fine Art Partners v Robert Newland [2023] (Business & Property Courts (ChD))
Ashley is instructed as sole counsel for the Claimant, a prominent international financial services provider specialising in the global art market, in its claim against the Defendant, an art consultant and gallery manager. The Claimant brings claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty and dishonest assistance against the Defendant, arising from a series of frauds overseen by the notorious art fraudster, Inigo Philbrick.
Staechelin & Ors v ACLBDD Holdings Limited & Ors [2019] EWCA Civ 817
Led by Jonathan Cohen KC representing the Claimants, De Pury & De Pury LLP, in their successful claim for commission on the sale of a Gauguin masterpiece, Nafea faa ipoipo, to the Qatari Royal Family for $210 million (upheld subsequently by the Court of Appeal). The claim was defended on the basis of alleged dishonesty, for which the Defendants argued for a breach of fiduciary duty and the forfeiture of commission for the sale: arguments which were rejected by the Court.
Ashley is a Sports Law specialist, recommended as a Leading Junior for Sports Law by Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, and Who’s Who Legal, and a former ‘Sports Law Junior of the Year’.
Ashley’s Sports Law practice is informed by his commercial litigation, arbitration and civil fraud expertise, and is predominantly focused on financial disputes. He is particularly sought after for football matters – both domestic and international – involving clubs, agents, players and managers, but is also regularly instructed in other sporting fields (tennis, rugby, sailing, cricket, athletics, anti-doping), both as counsel and – increasingly – as an arbitrator or adjudicator.
Bruno Lage v Eagle Football Holdings
Ashley (led by Ian Mill KC) is instructed by the Portuguese football manager, Bruno Lage, in multi-million pound Commercial Court proceedings brought by Mr Lage against the Eagle Football Group for breach of of a bespoke ‘Retainment Agreement’ designed to secured his services for the Group. The CCMC is scheduled to take place later this year.
Leading Sports Agency v Football Clubs
Ashley is currently instructed by one of the leading sports agencies in two separate sets of proceedings (Rule K/CAS) brought against well-known European football clubs for breaches of agency agreements relating to the sale and purchase of various prominent footballers.
Leading Sports Agent v Football Player
Ashley represents a leading football agent in CAS proceedings brought against a former footballer client for historic and future commissions due under transfer agreements entered into unbeknownst to the agency.
The Independent Investigation into Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Ashley was the senior junior of the Counsel team appointed to investigate allegations of unlawful discrimination at Yorkshire County Cricket Club (“YCCC”), following widespread media coverage of the club’s mishandling of its investigation into allegations of discrimination and harassment brought by former player Azeem Rafiq. The Investigation is tasked with determining individual complaints made via a Complaints Hotline, and will separately report its global findings and recommendations to YCCC in 2024.
ECB Anti-Corruption Tribunal
Ashley represented the respondent in disciplinary proceedings brought by the England & Wales Cricket Board (“ECB”) against a prominent cricket agent, alleged to have breached various provisions of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code.
Gateshead Football Club v (1) EFL (2) National Football League
Ashley represented the National Football League in these proceedings brought by the football club, seeking urgent interim relief to suspend the decision of the NL to prevent the club from participating in the 2024 National League playoffs (and thus to permit it to compete). An urgent hearing was convened in April 2024, on the eve of the first round of the playoffs, to hear the application. The application for relief was refused, and the decision of the NL was upheld.
Hiddink v Football Association of the Maldives 2022/FPSD-3553; Koopman v Football Association of the Maldives 2022/FPSD-4386
Ashley successfully represented the Claimants in these, separate, claims brought before the FIFA Football Tribunal, in respect of the termination without just cause by the Maldives Football Association, of contract of the Head Coach and assistant Head Coach of the National Team. On both occasions, the FIFA Football Tribunal granted the Claimants all of the relief they sought, the written reasons for which were published shortly thereafter.
The English Football League (EFL) v Southend United FC
Ashley appeared as sole counsel on behalf of the EFL in this appeal brought by the Club against disciplinary proceedings initiated by the EFL. The EFL had deducted 10 points from SUFC for breaches of the financial regulations which govern all league clubs playing in the league pyramid. SUFC appealed on four separate grounds, seeking to have the sanction quashed, alternatively reduced. The Appeal, in its totality, was dismissed, and the original sanction upheld.
Sportfive UK Ltd v Nottingham Forest Football Club Limited (Commercial Court)
Ashley was instructed by the Claimant, the UK division of a global sports marketing business, in its dispute with Nottingham Forest (“NFFC”) arising out of NFFC’s breach of the parties’ contract for the provision of perimeter advertising at the City Ground Stadium. Sportfive successfully obtained prohibitory and mandatory injunctive relief on an urgent basis against NFFC before the current Premier League season commenced.
Ashley’s practice regularly encompasses cases involving art and cultural property, and the (often) associated issues of agency, misrepresentation, commission payments, fiduciary duties, oral agreements, and conflicts of law.
Ashley is currently instructed as sole counsel in Fine Art Partners v Robert Newland [2023] (ChD), where he is acting on behalf of the Claimant, a prominent international financial services provider specialising in the global art market, in its claim against the Defendant, an art consultant and gallery manager. The Claimant brings claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty and dishonest assistance against the Defendant, arising from a series of frauds overseen by the notorious art fraudster, Inigo Philbrick.
ACLBDD Holdings Limited & Ors v Staechelin & Ors [2019] EWCA Civ 817; [2018] EWHC 44 (Ch)
Ashley, (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) represented the successful Claimant, de Pury & de Pury LLP, in respect of its claim for a $10 million commission arising from the sale of a Gauguin painting, Nafea faa ipoipo (“When will you marry”), one of the finest pieces of art in the world and also one of the most expensive, having been sold to the Emir of Qatar in September 2014 for $210 million. The Claimant argued that the commission was earned and became payable in respect of the services that Mr & Mrs de Pury provided to the Defendant trustees in procuring the sale of the painting. The claim was defended, not only on the basis that there was no contract for commission, but also because Mr and Mrs de Pury were alleged to have engaged in a serious breach of fiduciary duty, thereby forfeiting their commission. Each of those defences failed. The judgment was subsequently upheld by a unanimous Court of Appeal (LJJ Lewison, Lindblom, Rose) in May 2019.
A v B [2018] (names anonymised due to settlement)
Ashley (led by Jonathan Cohen KC) represented the Part 20 Defendant to a claim by an art dealer who alleged non-payment for services allegedly rendered for commissioning and curating the Part 20 Defendant’s art collection. He claimed damages for loss of earnings, alternatively claiming a reasonable sum by way of quantum meruit. The Part 20 claim was defended on the basis that, whereas it was accepted that a contract had been agreed for such services, the project itself never proceeded to completion: a risk that was shouldered (and had always been intended to be shouldered) by the art dealer. The case ultimately settled on extremely favourable terms for the Part 20 Defendant, the Part 20 Claimant having discontinued his claim on day 2 of trial.
Ashley has significant experience of a wide range of insolvency and company law litigation and regularly appears in the Companies Court in insolvency matters, both as junior counsel and in his own right. Recent and ongoing work includes:
Ashley also regularly appears in, and advises on: winding up petitions, bankruptcy petitions; annulment and rescission applications; company restoration applications; charging order applications; validations order applications; and administration extension applications, both in the Companies Court and in the County Court.
Adam Collins
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3798
Click here to email
Alfie Sweeney
Team Leader Assistant
+44 (0)20 3873 6855
Click here to email
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