Expertise
Rita Sheth is a dispute resolution and commercial lawyer with 15 years’ experience. She has acted in complex cross-jurisdictional legal matters, high court litigation, and international arbitration for a multinational client base. She has also undertaken non-contentious work advising on financial services regulatory and commercial matters. Rita has worked for clients ranging from public sector bodies, states, FTSE 100 clients as well as SMEs and HNW individuals in a range of sectors including financial services, pharmaceuticals, insurance, construction and technology.
Rita’s expertise lies in her ability to expedite projects, manage high-value litigation efficiently, and mitigate legal, regulatory, and commercial risks through her comprehensive knowledge and multidisciplinary approach. Her experience as a technology thought-leader with an interest in supporting innovative growth businesses further enhances her diverse legal skill set, positioning her as a versatile legal counsel that is able to advise in today’s fast-evolving business landscape.
Experience Highlights
Financial Services
- Advised the FSCS in relation to multiple complex financial services matters including a £230m Scheme of Arrangement in respect of the LF Equity Income Fund, formerly the LF Woodford Equity Income Fund to successful completion.
- Advised the FCA in relation to ongoing investigations and enforcement actions against investment managers /funds and individuals for regulatory breaches.
- Acted in independent judicial process in respect of ongoing actions arising from legacy global restructuring group of RBS, working with Boston Consulting Group under Sir William Blackburne.
- Advised for Aldersgate Investment Ltd in a claim in excess of £100 million against HBOS/Lloyds in claims concerning substantial derivative transactions, alleging fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation arising out of LIBOR.
- Advised a Gibraltar investment vehicle in a dispute between partners of a BVI investment fund for approximately US$200 million with the final appeal determined by the Privy Council in favour of the client.
- Acted in Chilukuri & Anr v RP Explorer Master Fund with final judgment in favour of our client at Court of Appeal in respect of a £77m alleged breach of contract claim.
Commercial Litigation & Arbitration
- Acted for pharmaceutical company litigation for breach of distribution agreement.
- Acted for off-shore finance company in dispute against BVI company and Russian guarantor.
- Acted in LCIA arbitration relating to $26M claim under a syndicated loan agreement acting for Dutch bank (with Russian Parent) against Russian bank.
- Acted in ICC arbitration representing pharmaceutical company and breach of contract claim.
- Acted in Investor-state dispute for Venezuelan client against Caribbean state.
- Acted in multiple class actions ongoing in various jurisdictions against a multinational tobacco company.
- Acted against professional services company for negligent advice in relation to tax issues.
- Acted for reinsurers advising re underlying product liability class actions against a multinational FTSE 100 pharmaceutical company.
- Acted for Russian developer on construction dispute with Turkish contractor, conducted under ICC rules with Swiss seat and governing English law.
Commercial Contract & Advisory
- Acted as general advisory counsel to commercial, corporate and banking colleagues including reviewing, drafting and negotiating key contractual provisions such as termination and jurisdiction clauses, indemnity clauses and confidentiality provisions and have provided legal opinions on complex matters of liability, risk and damages in tort and contract.
- Advised on a variety of types of contracts, agreements and documentation from banking and finance contracts, agency, license and distribution agreements to employment contracts and technology service level contracts.
- Have advised on a range of commercial and legal matters including breach of confidence, money laundering, judicial review, professional negligence, insurance, data protection and regulatory investigations.
- Advised in-house technology, media and telecoms desk at Standard Chartered Bank working on technology and service level agreements, commercial contract matters and data protection and privacy issues as well general compliance and reporting.
- Worked as government relations executive at Merrill Lynch working on white papers, policy advisory and public policy strategy and CSR.