Alex Peplow

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: alex.peplow@xxiv.co.uk
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Ranked as a Rising Star in the Legal 500 UK Bar and Caribbean directories, Alex has a wide-ranging commercial chancery practice encompassing insolvency and commercial disputes, civil fraud, company law, trusts, and probate litigation. A significant portion of his work involves international elements, including claims concerning offshore trust and company structures. He also has a particular interest in the legal and practical challenges associated with civil fraud and asset recovery cases.

Alex appears regularly in the High Court and the County Court, and several of his cases are cited in leading practitioner guides on a variety of topics.

Before coming to the Bar, Alex practised as a solicitor in the Commercial Litigation team at Blake Morgan LLP. The Legal 500 notes that “Alex is a former solicitor and understands how solicitors work. He takes on board the points, he listens and works collaboratively when giving his opinions” .

Examples of Alex’s recent work include:

Company X v Mr Y: representing a large company (as sole counsel) in High Court proceedings to recover c. £2 million in assets misappropriated by a former employee (including a combined freezing/proprietary injunction and delivery up order).
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC v Saadat-Yazdi: contested Commercial Court proceedings (including a freezing injunction) to enforce Dubai judgments for AED 170 million in England against guarantors.
Sibner Capital Ltd v Jarvis [2022] EWHC 3273 (Ch): successfully appealing (as sole Counsel) against a District Judge’s decision to set aside statutory demands in, involving arguments as to whether a lender’s contractual option to restructure a debt was subject to a Braganza-style implied term. Decision cited in insolvency law texts Muir Hunter and Sealy & Millman.
Simon v Taché [2022] QB 917, [2022] 3 WLR 835, [2022] EWHC 1674 (Comm): jurisdiction challenge in claims against art advisers arising out of the purchase of a large collection of modern art. Important for its consideration of the “gateways” in CPR PD 6B concerning property and constructive trusts in the context of art litigation, and involving novel questions concerning the effect of Article 67 of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement on proceedings issued in the UK after the end of the transition period, and when a Court is deemed “seised” under Article 32 of Brussels Recast (led by Timothy Sherwin). Decision cited in the White Book.
Heritage Travel & Tourism Ltd v Windhorst: acting for the judgment creditor (for over €130 million) in a Part 71 Examination of the judgment debtor relating to complex international asset arrangements, including multi-layered corporate and trust structures across multiple jurisdictions (led by Andrew Holden).
Advising individual and trustee investors on claims against the offshore providers of several hundred million pounds worth of “investment wrapper” insurance policies, in respect of secret commissions paid to the investors’ financial advisers (with Edward Cumming KC, Timothy Sherwin, and Niamh Davis).
Advising a professional trustee in relation to an offshore claim against them concerning alleged failures to safeguard the trust property (namely shares in a company registered in a different jurisdiction) (led by Andrew Holden).
Representing the Defendants (as sole Counsel) in the 3 day trial of a residential possession claim brought by a secondary lender, involving arguments as to unfair credit relationships and substantial cross-examination of the Claimant’s director.

Expertise

ADR

Acting for the Charterer of a yacht in a dispute with the Owner over wrongful early termination of the Charter.

During pupillage, Alex gained experience of an arbitration in respect of a professional adviser’s entitlement to a success fee.

Art, Cultural Property & Luxury Assets

Simon v Taché [2022] QB 917, [2022] 3 WLR 835, [2022] EWHC 1674 (Comm): jurisdiction challenge in claims against art advisers arising out of the purchase of a large collection of modern art. Important for its consideration of the “gateways” in CPR PD 6B concerning property and constructive trusts in the context of art litigation, and involving novel questions concerning the effect of Article 67 of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement on proceedings issued in the UK after the end of the transition period, and when a Court is deemed “seised” under Article 32 of Brussels Recast (led by Timothy Sherwin). Decision cited in the White Book.

Banking & Financial Services Disputes

Alex is ranked as a Rising Star by the Legal 500 in this area, where he is described as “very thoughtful, is across the detail, and good at drafting. He tries to find a way to cut through problems, but will also tell you honestly if he thinks something is a bad idea”.

His experience in this area includes:

Alex is instructed (with Edward Cumming KC, Timothy Sherwin, and Niamh Davis) to advise individual and trustee investors on claims against the offshore providers of several hundred million pounds worth of “investment wrapper” insurance policies, in respect of secret commissions paid to the investors’ financial advisers.
Acting for a payment services provider, defending a claim to recover losses arising from an alleged authorised push-payment fraud.
Advising a betting website operator on claims to recover winnings on a bet an unofficial event which was accepted in error.
Advising on a dispute over title of plant and machinery under equipment financing contracts.
Advising on an appeal against a FSCS decision in relation to negligent investment advice.
Assisting the Counsel team with a 5-week trial in the case of Ivanishvili v Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Ltd, a nine-figure dispute before the Supreme Court of Bermuda arising out of investments made through an insurance wrapper.
Litigation between individuals in the film industry concerning film project financing, ownership of films, and a claim for company shares.
Disputes arising from commercial financing arrangements.

During pupillage, Alex also gained experience of claims arising from spread-betting contracts. As a solicitor, he gained experience of asset leasing disputes.

Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery

Alex is very interested in the range of legal and equitable remedies which can be used to unwind fraudulent or otherwise wrongful transactions, and to preserve and recover assets. His experience in this practice area includes:

Company X v Mr Y: representing a company (as sole counsel) in High Court proceedings to recover c. £2 million in assets misappropriated by a former employee (including a combined freezing/proprietary injunction and delivery up order).
Acting for two shareholders of a family company, and their spouses, defending a claim by the company’s liquidator to set aside allegedly preferential transactions.
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC v Saadat-Yazdi: contested Commercial Court proceedings (including a freezing injunction and a claim under s. 423 IA1986) to enforce Dubai judgments for AED 170 million in England against guarantors
Heritage Travel & Tourism Ltd v Windhorst: acting for the judgment creditor (for over €130 million) in a Part 71 Examination of the judgment debtor relating to complex international asset arrangements, including multi-layered corporate and trust structures across multiple jurisdictions (led by Andrew Holden).
Acting for a minority shareholder in a claim for unfair prejudice and register rectification, in relation to wrongful expropriation of its shares by the majority, including a challenge to an amendment of the company’s articles
Insolvency Act claims to set aside transactions defrauding creditors or transactions at undervalue, both inside and outside insolvency situations.
“Trust busting” advice on enforcement against a judgment debtor’s interest as a discretionary beneficiary under a trust.
Advice on piercing the corporate veil.
Acting for the director of a defunct company, against whom a claimant sought to establish liability for his claim which is principally against the company itself.

During pupillage, Alex gained experience of:

A claim arising from a fraudulent scheme involving the sale of financial instruments.
A claim by the litigation funder and assignee of a company in liquidation, against the company’s directors, for the return of misappropriated monies.
An application for a freezing injunction in respect of monies misappropriated from a company by a former employee.
An application for a freezing injunction in support of an unfair prejudice petition An application to set aside a bankruptcy petition.
Long-running proceedings in the Commercial Court concerning equitable proprietary claims regarding shares in a number of Saudi Arabian banks and conflict of laws issues.
An application to set aside service of a claim form out of the jurisdiction

As a solicitor, Alex worked on cases including:

A multi-million-pound claim arising from carousel fraud, with proceedings across multiple jurisdictions.
Advising on claims arising from a Ponzi scheme.

Commercial Litigation

Alex regularly advises and represents businesses involved in commercial disputes across a wide range of sectors. His experience includes:

Company X v Mr Y: representing a company (as sole counsel) in High Court proceedings to recover c. £2 million in assets misappropriated by a former employee (including a combined freezing/proprietary injunction and delivery up order).
Acting for two shareholders of a family company, and their spouses, defending a claim by the company’s liquidator to set aside allegedly preferential transactions
Walton Family Estates Ltd & Ors v GJD Services Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 88 (Comm): obtaining summary judgment for the airfield owner in a multi-party cross-jurisdictional action against the owners of various aircraft parked without authority on the airfield. The Court declared that the presence of the aircraft constituted a trespass and granted the airfield owner permission to sell or scrap the aircraft under the Torts (Interference With Goods) Act 1977 (led by Adam Cloherty KC). Alex also (as sole Counsel) successfully resisted an application by one of the aircraft owners to vary the Court’s order, and obtained an award of indemnity costs: Walton Family Estates Ltd & Ors v GJD Services Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 464 (Comm) (now cited in the White Book).
Advising on the applicability of a liquidated damages clause in the context of an allegedly wrongful termination of an agency contract.
Acting for a company director in a claim including allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, procuring breach of contract, accessory liability for breach of trust, and breach of bailment relating to the supply of a custom vehicle.
Obtaining a declaration that a payment under a COT3 Employment Tribunal settlement is not enforceable due to breaches of the agreement by the receiving party
A claim for a refund of monies paid to a warehouse operator for charges not properly owed under a contract for logistics services
Litigation between individuals in the film industry concerning film project financing, ownership of films, and a claim for company shares
Litigation and insolvency proceedings relating to property development loans and personal guarantees
A claim for damages arising from failure to provide Packing Recovery Note instruments.
Resisting an application for a third party debt order.
An application to set aside a judgment in a case of mistaken identity.
Applications for the late registration of charges under s. 859F of the Companies Act 2006.

During pupillage, Alex gained experience of:

Commercial disputes across a variety of sectors including aviation, IT, agriculture, and the supply of high value consumer goods.
A claim for repayment of a commercial loan and a counterclaim in respect of an alleged unfair credit relationship.
An application to set aside a writ of control.

As a solicitor, Alex worked on matters including:

Claims under regulated and unregulated credit agreements, including claims for the recovery of goods.
Multi-party proceedings relating to allegedly defective vehicles.

Company & Partnership Law

Company

Alex’s company experience includes:

Acting (with Daniel Warents) for a minority shareholder in an unfair prejudice case in which the company sold its underlying business at an alleged undervalue in circumstances benefiting the majority.
Acting for two shareholders of a family company, and their spouses, defending a claim by the company’s liquidator to set aside allegedly preferential transactions
Acting for a minority shareholder in a claim for unfair prejudice and register rectification, in relation to wrongful expropriation of its shares by the majority, including a challenge to an amendment of the company’s articles
Proceedings to correct company share records and rectify various purported transactions carried out under a mistaken belief as to the distribution of the company’s shares.
Advising on company law issues arising from the acquisition of a UK pharmaceutical company.
Applications for the late registration of charges under s. 859F of the Companies Act 2006.

During pupillage, Alex gained experience of:

Assisting with unfair prejudice petitions, including assisting Hugh Miall at a six-day trial (George v McCarthy [2019] EWHC 2939 (Ch)).
An appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council arising from a winding up order made in the BVI on the “just and equitable” ground.

Partnership

Alex’s partnership experience includes advising on combined winding up and bankruptcy proceedings against a partnership and its members.

During pupillage, Alex assisted with advising on the interaction between the insolvency of a partnership and the insolvency of one of its partners.

As a solicitor, Alex worked on an unfair prejudice petition and claim for rectification of the register of members of a company, and associated claims between related companies.

Insolvency

Ranked as a Rising Star in this field by the Legal 500 UK Bar directory, Alex regularly advises and represents individuals, businesses, creditors, and office holders in various personal and corporate insolvency matters. The Legal 500 notes that “He takes on board the points, he listens and works collaboratively when giving his opinions”. He has a particular interest in Insolvency Act claims to unwind wrongful transactions. Alex’s recent insolvency experience includes:

Advanced Industrial Technology Corporation Limited v Brooker [2024] EWHC 1186 (Ch): successful appeal as sole Counsel against an ICC Judge’s decision on a proof of debt, in a case concerning the circumstances in which an office holder adjudicating a proof of debt can look behind the decision of the judge hearing the bankruptcy petition. Decision cited in insolvency law texts Muir Hunter and Sealy & Millman.
Sibner Capital Ltd v Jarvis [2022] EWHC 3273 (Ch): successfully appealing (as sole Counsel) against a District Judge’s decision to set aside statutory demands in, involving arguments as to whether a lender’s contractual option to restructure a debt was subject to a Braganza-style implied term. Decision cited in insolvency law texts Muir Hunter and Sealy & Millman.
Acting for two shareholders of a family company, and their spouses, defending a claim by the company’s liquidator to set aside allegedly preferential transactions
Challenging an office-holder’s decision on a proof of debt under IR2016 r. 14.8, including an appeal against a Deputy ICC Judge’s decision on such an application
Acting for a trustee in bankruptcy, seeking court directions as to whether a possession order should be enforced in the face of an allegation that it was obtained by fraud.
Advising on whether a proof of debt should be admitted or rejected.
Claims to set aside transactions defrauding creditors or transactions at undervalue.
Winding up petitions, bankruptcy petitions, and challenges to statutory demands.
Applications to set aside transfers at undervalue / transfers defrauding creditors.
Securing the annulment of a bankruptcy order.
Securing the abridgement of a time limit within an administration, in order retrospectively to regularise a creditors’ decision.
A claim, assigned by the liquidator of a company, against the directors for the return of misappropriated monies.
Assisting with advising on the interaction between the insolvency of a partnership and the insolvency of one of its partners.

As a solicitor, Alex gained experience of enforcement proceedings against former company directors following misfeasance proceedings, on behalf of liquidators.

International & Offshore

Much of Alex’s work has an offshore or multi-jurisdictional component, and he is ranked by the Legal 500 directory as “A junior with very good legal research skills” for Offshore: Commercial. His recent experience includes:

Heritage Travel & Tourism Ltd v Windhorst: acting for the judgment creditor (for over €130 million) in a Part 71 Examination of the judgment debtor relating to complex international asset arrangements, including multi-layered corporate and trust structures across multiple jurisdictions (led by Andrew Holden).
Simon v Taché [2022] QB 917, [2022] 3 WLR 835, [2022] EWHC 1674 (Comm): jurisdiction challenge in claims against art advisers arising out of the purchase of a large collection of modern art. Important for its consideration of the “gateways” in CPR PD 6B concerning property and constructive trusts in the context of art litigation, and involving novel questions concerning the effect of Article 67 of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement on proceedings issued in the UK after the end of the transition period, and when a Court is deemed “seised” under Article 32 of Brussels Recast (led by Timothy Sherwin).
Advising individual and trustee investors on claims against the offshore providers of several hundred million pounds worth of “investment wrapper” insurance policies, in respect of secret commissions paid to the investors’ financial advisers (with Edward Cumming KC and Timothy Sherwin).
Emirates NBD Bank PJSC v Saadat-Yazdi: contested Commercial Court proceedings (including a freezing injunction) to enforce Dubai judgments for AED 170 million in England against guarantors.
Advising an offshore professional trustee on a threatened claim for breach of trust and mismanagement of trust property, involving Bermuda and BVI law.
Advising offshore private trust companies in relation to hostile attempts by an associate of the settlor to gain control of the trusts.

During pupillage, Alex gained experience of:

An appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council arising from a winding up order made in the BVI on the “just and equitable” ground.
Advice to a foreign commercial lender on the impact of English freezing injunctions against the ultimate beneficial owner of a borrower.
Advice on the construction of a family trust, conflict of laws issues relating to domicile, and the law of legitimation, to determine whether a group of descendants of the settlor fell within the class of beneficiaries of the trust.

Professional Negligence

Alex’s experience includes:

Advising on a claim against a firm of solicitors arising from advice given in relation to a defectively executed will and alleged fraud on a power.
Acting in a claim against a solicitor for negligently failing to issue proceedings within a limitation period.

During pupillage, Alex assisted with a claim against a company’s former employee in respect of negligently delivered IT projects.

Real Estate Litigation

Much of Alex’s work involves a dispute over, or has implications for, real property. His experience includes:

Obtaining an interim injunction allowing a tenant to re-enter commercial premises, pending the trial of their claim for relief from forfeiture.
Acting for a developer in a dispute with a landowner concerning an oral joint venture contract and an agreement to purchase part of the land.
Representing the Defendants (as sole Counsel) in the 3 day trial of a residential possession claim brought by a secondary lender, involving arguments as to unfair credit relationships and substantial cross-examination of the Claimant’s director.
Advising on the enforceability of an equitable mortgage.
Advice and representation in relation to family property and business property disputes, including claims for proprietary estoppel, common intention constructive trusts, resulting trusts, and claims for a share of beneficial ownership under the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act 1970.
Representing a trustee in an application to surrender discretion to the Court where the trustees could not agree on how to distribute the trust assets.
Representing unborn beneficiaries in an application to bless a proposed distribution of trust assets.
Resisting applications for charging orders brought by the liquidator of the respondent’s company, on the grounds that the respondent holds the properties on trust for their children.
Opposing an application to vary an anti-harassment injunction and reassert stale claims regarding ownership of a family property.

Trusts, Probate & Estates

Alex regularly advises trustees, personal representatives in relation to fulfilling their duties in such a way as to minimise the risk of a dispute and protect their position so far as possible. He also acts for trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries or putative beneficiaries in relation to breaches of trust, claims against estates, and other disputes. His experience includes:

Advising beneficiaries of a will trust in relation to an alleged fraud on a power, combined with negligence claims against the will drafter and a firm of solicitors.
Advising a professional trustee in relation to an offshore claim against them concerning alleged failures to safeguard the trust property (namely shares in a company registered in a different jurisdiction), led by Andrew Holden.
Acting for the Claimants in a claim to challenge the will, and certain inter vivos transactions, of a public figure on the basis of lack of capacity and/or want of knowledge and approval (led by Edward Cumming KC).
Advising private trust companies in relation to hostile attempts by an associate of the settlor to gain control of the trusts
Advising on the application of the forfeiture rule where the settlor of an inter vivos trust had been killed by a discretionary beneficiary.
Acting in proceedings to remove a delinquent trustee and personal representative.
Assisting with advising the personal representatives of a deceased trustee-beneficiary who had allegedly appropriated substantial sums from a family trust without obtaining proper approval in accordance with the terms of the trust.
Advising on enforcement against a judgment debtor’s interest as a discretionary beneficiary under a trust, involving arguments as to shams and “illusory trusts”.
Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975
Representing an adult child of ‘P’ in contested Court of Protection proceedings regarding whether P lacks capacity to manage an international property portfolio and, if so, who should be appointed as their deputy.

Recommendations

Banking and finance (including consumer credit)

Legal 500

‘He is very thoughtful, is across the detail, and good at drafting. He tries to find a way to cut through problems, but will also tell you honestly if he thinks something is a bad idea.’ (2025)

Insolvency

Legal 500

‘Alex is a former solicitor and understands how solicitors work. He takes on board the points, he listens and works collaboratively when giving his opinions.’ (2025)

: +44 (0)20 7691 2424
: alex.peplow@xxiv.co.uk
: Contact Clerks
: Add to portfolio
: Download CV (PDF)
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Publications

Transactions defrauding creditors – section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (Malik v Messalti) : Lexis Nexis (January 2025)

Academic History

Former solicitor (2017 – 2019)
LLM LPC – University of Law
BA Jurisprudence – Lincoln College, Oxford

Appointments

Alex was appointed by Roth J as adjudicator of a Scheme to determine the membership of Hollingwood Welfare Association – [2021] EWHC 1278 (Ch)

Professional Memberships

COMBAR (The Commercial Bar Association)
ChBA (The Chancery Bar Association)

Business Details

VAT number:: 370 1285 19
Registered name:: Alexander Nicholas Peplow

Call 2019

Lyndon Tiller

George Salvage

Ellie Sedgwick

Expertise