Michael d'Arcy

Michael practises across a wide range of commercial law, with a particular interest in banking and finance, energy, shareholders, and disputes with a technical or scientific aspect. He undertakes advisory and litigation work, both in the courts (principally the High Court and the Court of Appeal) and in arbitration. He also sits as an arbitrator.

Current ongoing matters include the diesel emissions litigation, concerning the alleged inclusion of prohibited defeat devices in motor vehicles, and the SKAT litigation, a £1.4 billion claim in relation to alleged fraudulent applications for tax refunds. Other recent matters have included a dispute between Shell and Greenpeace relating to the boarding of a vessel at sea; an $800m claim relating to allegedly fraudulent transactions in relation to Russian loans and bonds; and various cases concerning battery storage projects and cryptocurrency investments.

Called to the Bar in 2008. Previously studied physics at the University of Oxford (Balliol College, MPhys, First Class Hons, 1998) and carried out research in atomic physics (DPhil, Oxford, 2002; post-doctorate in Oxford and NIST, USA). Science and Technology Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington DC, 2005; lecturer in King’s College London, 2006. CPE (City University, Distinction, 2007); BVC (BPP Law School, Outstanding, 2008).

COMBAR; LCLCBA; FSLA; LCIA

Away from the law, Michael is interested in sport (especially football and rugby), music, current affairs and travelling.