Alex has a diverse litigation practice derived from his practical underwriting experience in the City and commercial background in retail prior to qualifying as a solicitor. His practice covers various sectors and encompasses both domestic and international disputes.
Expertise
- Aviation
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction
- Electronic Goods
- Energy
- Insurance
- Life sciences
- Mining
- Professional Negligence
- Shareholder Disputes
Experience
Aviation
- Acting for Kuwait Airlines Corporation (“KAC”) against Iraqi Airways Company in relation to KAC’s claims for theft of aircraft following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Claim valued: US$1.2 billion.
- Acting for Sabena and its insurers against Airbus and Messier Dowty in relation to a heavy landing at Brussels airport in which the main landing gear failed to open. Proceedings brought in Paris. Claim value US$70 million.
- Acting for Royal Jordanian Airlines’ insurers in relation to passenger claims for personal injury arising from the detonation of a hand grenade on an aircraft near Amman in July 2000.
IT
- Acting for the vendor of UK company, which was UK distributor of well-known anti-virus software, in relation to breach of warranty claim under the share purchase agreement.
- Acting for major international manufacturer of hand-held computer devices in relation to a dispute with a sub-contractor. Claim value: £2.5m Acting for investor who invested £2.6m in IT company that purported to have been awarded National NHS Framework Agreement. Client brought claim for fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of warranty when it transpired that the business had not been awarded the contract and the documents provided on due diligence were misleading.
Life Sciences
- Acted for a LSE listed pharmaceutical company in respect of a breach of warranty claim against the vendor arising from its acquisition of a well-known product. The vendor had been directed by the EU Commission to sell the product because it had recently acquired a business that meant that it controlled the market in that area. However, as it was asserted that the vendor had not complied with its regulatory obligations in relation to the product, it was withdrawn from the market following the acquisition. The EU Commission directed that the vendor provide the purchaser with all necessary assistance to return the product to the market.
- Acted for a major European listed pharmaceutical company in relation to a dispute under a distribution agreement for a pharmaceutical product. Claim value: US$30 million.
- Acted for a distributor of a pharmaceutical product against a contracting party in relation to the assertion that it had failed to satisfy its regulatory obligations in the distribution of licensed products to the market. Contract value: £2 million.
- Acted for an investor who invested £2.6m in an IT company that purported to have been awarded National NHS Framework Agreement. The client brought a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of warranty when it transpired that the business had not been awarded the contract and the documents provided on due diligence were misleading
- Acted for and advised an English company and trade mark owner of a life science product in relation to a royalty payment dispute with a global pharmaceutical company under a 30-year licence agreement pertaining to that product. The claim focused on the definition of ‘net sales value’ by which the royalty sum was calculated. Claim value: £15 million.
- Advised a LSE listed pharmaceutical company in relation to various distribution agreements; advices included ability to rely on a limitation of liability clause for alleged deliberate breach of the agreement, and the amount of compensation payable under the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations.
Other
- Acting for international steel company in an LCIA arbitration in London in relation to an agency agreement with a third party for commission payable. Claim value: US$20m.
- Advising private mining company in relation to a dispute concerning the aborted sale of a subsidiary mining company in Africa valued at US$283 million.
- Acting for and advising a major international commodities trading company in relation to a dispute with a substantial lender and supplier to the company involving several jurisdictions. Claim value; US$170 million.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500 2021 in Commercial Litigation
Recognised in the Legal 500 2021 for Aviation
“Alex Ferrari has more than 20 years’ experience of commercial litigation in particular in the context of insurance, aviation, life sciences and financial services. And it shows. A man who knows the ropes and all the tricks of the trade.” The Legal 500 2021
Recognised as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500 2020 in Commercial Litigation
Recognised in the Legal 500 2020 for Aviation
“Alex Ferrari’s knowledge of the insurance industry is key as he understands the tactics involved.” The Legal 500 2020
“Alex Ferrari is quickly able to understand the issue at hand and gives sound advice.” The Legal 500 2020
Recognised as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500 2018/19 in Commercial Litigation
His “style combines extensive investigation of the issues with a determined, hard approach” The Legal 500 2018/19
Recognised in the Legal 500 2018/19 in Aviation
Alex Ferrari is recognised by the Legal 500 2017 for Commercial Litigation and Aviation .
Alex Ferrari is noted as a recognised practitionerChambers UK 2017Keystone Law’s ‘client-focused’ [travel] team advises on a range of commercial and regulatory matters, and is particularly active in the aviation sector. Blue Cube Travel and Airline Handling International are clients. Consultant solicitors Trevor Sears and the ‘outstanding’ Alex Ferrari are key contacts.Legal 500 2016Keystone Law attracts praise for its ‘extremely focused, hands-on and personalised’ service. Highlights included acting for Athena Services in a claim against Hawkeye Engines. Consultant solicitor Alex Ferrari is recommended. The Legal 500 2016
Alex Ferrari is listed as a recognised practitioner in Chambers UK 2016
Alex was noted as a recognised practitioner for Litigation in Chambers UK 2015
Recognised in the Legal 500 UK 2015 as part of the Keystone team that provides ‘a very high level of service‘
Alex was recommended in the Legal 500 2014 for Aviation
“Alex Ferrari, who joined from Fasken Martineau LLP, handles both contentious and non-contentious aviation matters, including commercial and regulatory mandates.”Legal 500 UK (2013)a “Leader in their Field” and “is singled out as a tough litigator” Chambers UK (2012)
“….an aggressive and thrusting attitude to litigation; ….a bit of a bastard to be against” Chambers UK (2012)
Alex “understands the nuts and bolts of the aviation industry”, and is “an aggressive litigator who cuts to the chase and achieves the client’s goals and realistic commercial objectives” The Legal 500 2012
“wholeheartedly recommended” The Legal 500 2012
“…..an aggressive litigator and problem solver who achieves favourable and prompt results” The Legal 500 2011
Alex is “on the ball and never loses sight of the real objective” The Legal 500 2011
‘insurance expertise’ The Legal 500 2010
Career
Alex qualified as a solicitor in 1997. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2012, he worked at the following firms:
- Beaumont and Son
- Fasken Martineau
- Howard Kennedy
- Berwin Leighton Paisner