Paul Downes KC

Practice Areas

Paul specialises in commercial law, and has specific expertise in banking and finance-related matters. Paul is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

Before coming to the Bar, Paul worked for Barclays Bank and was an assistant examiner in the Accountancy and Banking Law examinations for the Chartered Institute of Bankers. Paul lectured in Accountancy at Stourbridge College (1985-1987) preparing bank employees for their Associateship examinations and was a consultant to Barclays Bank (1988-1993) advising on the training of staff in Accountancy (and other subjects) also for the Associateship examinations.

Paul’s practice has particular emphasis on disputes with a heavy accountancy element, including the manipulation of company accounts, departure from fundamental accounting concepts (especially prudence and accruals), the failure of company accounts to give a true and fair view, unlawful dividends, company valuations, shareholder disputes and commercial fraud.

Paul has acted as an expert witness overseas in relation to banking regulation in the UK and letter of credit, and is lead contributor to Butterworths LexisNexis Encyclopaedia on Forms and Precedents.

Paul also handles international trade, media and entertainment, and professional negligence. He acts as an arbitrator in LMAA shipping disputes, commercial disputes and insurance disputes.