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London

Founded in 2012, Signature Litigation has grown into one of London’s pre-eminent specialist dispute resolution practices. From the outset, we set out to do things differently: a conflict-free, disputes-only platform designed to give clients the undivided focus and strategic agility that complex, high-stakes matters demand.

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Gibraltar

Established in 2017, Signature Litigation's Gibraltar office was founded to address growing demand for specialist expertise in commercial litigation and private wealth disputes on the Rock.

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Paris

Signature Litigation AARPI houses one of France’s most enviable product liability practices, with the team also handling commercial and corporate litigation, insurance and reinsurance, toxic tort and ESG, civil fraud and asset tracing, international arbitration, administrative and public law.

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Frankfurt

Frankfurt has emerged as one of Europe's foremost financial and commercial centres and, increasingly, as a bridge between European and Asian markets. With that growth comes an increasing demand for sophisticated dispute resolution. Signature Litigation established its Frankfurt office to meet this need, bringing our conflict-free, disputes-only platform to the German market.

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Abdulali Jiwaji

Partner

Abdulali Jiwaji: in his own words
Abdulali Jiwaji: in his own words

“He is honest, technically aware and a strong lawyer.”

– Chambers UK 2026

“Abdulali has an enormous capacity for work, a relentless focus on client objectives, sound litigation instincts and is absolutely unflappable in the most difficult of situations.”

– Chambers UK 2026

“Abdulali Jiwaji is hugely hard-working and absolutely unflappable in even the most difficult and stressful of circumstances. A lawyer I would want in my corner in a hard fought case.”

– The Legal 500 UK 2026

Abdul is a Partner at Signature’s London office specialising in the handling of commercial disputes including commercial litigation (including product liability) and arbitration matters, and often with a cross-border element.

Abdul has over 25 years’ experience in the handling of litigation, arbitration and contentious regulatory matters in London and Hong Kong. He represents high net-worth individuals, corporates and financial institutions in bringing and defending claims. He has particular experience of disputes relating to investment fund structures, shareholder agreements, joint ventures and M&A transactions. His matters frequently involve complex insolvency and insurance angles.

Abdul has significant experience in advising on financial markets disputes, drawing on time spent on secondment to the Compliance Team of a Wholesale Bank. He regularly advises on disputes relating to financial products, mis-selling, regulatory investigations and compliance issues.

Abdul is regarded as a ‘Leading Partner’ in The Legal 500 UK Guide 2026 for both commercial litigation and banking litigation, where he is described as an “outstanding litigator, both in terms of legal skill and strategic expertise.” Abdul is praised for being “absolutely and completely unflappable” and “a great person to have in your corner in a crisis.” The Guide also notes Abdul “excels in disputes related to financial products and mis-selling.” Previous Guides have described him as “highly regarded” and “an extremely experienced litigator.” A commentator has noted that: “One of the best litigators I have had the privilege of working with is Abdulali Jiwaji.” Chambers Global has described him as a “technically sound, sensible and robust litigator who always finds practical solutions.” Abdul is also ranked in the Chambers UK 2026 Guide for banking litigation, with commentators describing him as “a fantastic lawyer”, “calm and rational, as well as a great listener with strategic mindset”, and “an outstanding lawyer.”

Prior to joining Signature Litigation, Abdul was a partner at Simmons and Simmons in Hong Kong.

He trained and qualified at Lovells. After admission in 1998, he practiced in the Lovells Corporate and Financial Litigation team across London and Hong Kong, before joining Allen and Overy and then Simmons in Hong Kong. He relocated to London in 2014 on joining Signature, also as a partner.

Abdul is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales and holds Higher Rights of audience. He is also admitted to practise as a solicitor in Hong Kong.

He is an officer of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, serving as Membership Secretary. He is also a member of the Inter Pacific Bar Association and the Financial Services Lawyers Association.

Banking and Financial Markets

  • Representing Bugsby Property LLC, a property developer and sponsor, in the four-week trial of its c.GBP 300m Commercial Court claim against Legal & General for breach of a contract relating to Bugsby’s bid for the purchase of Kensington Olympia.
  • Advising two high-net-worth individual/clients on defending claims under personal guarantees related to loan agreements for in excess of GBP 100m. The matter involves offshore entities, restructuring issues, set-off claims, and related insolvency angles.
  • Advising an individual in a GBP 40m dispute with a well-established European investment fund management company arising out of a loan facility. The matter also involves handling a set of parallel winding up proceedings involving a related company.
  • Representing a substantial property company in a c.GBP 30m Commercial Court claim against a large UK based banking group following the sale of interest rate swaps. The claim was based on allegations of misselling, misrepresentation, and bad faith.
  • Advising a leading supplier of building materials and waste management in relation to a GBP 25m dispute with, and potential counterclaims against, a merchant bank in respect of an alleged breach of finance documents including allegations of accounting irregularities.
  • Advising a housing association on a multi-million dispute with a leading bank concerning a topical issue of the bank’s ability to hold property under charge which exceeds the indebtedness of the borrower.

Civil Fraud and Asset Tracing

  • Advising an individual in respect of potential breach of duty claims against him valued in excess of GBP 80m, as well as criminal proceedings. This matter concerns an allegedly corrupt scheme by which unauthorised secret commissions were paid via financial institutions and intermediaries in respect of investments by a fund. The case involves allegations of bribery and compliance failings.

Commercial Litigation

  • Representing shareholders in a GBP 700m claim for damages concerning breach of fiduciary duties relating to the development of new technology for electrical vehicles.
  • Representing high-net-worth individual/clients and related entities in defending USD 400m conspiracy and money-laundering claims involving multiple jurisdictions relating to promissory notes and loan transactions in the banking sector.
  • Representing a large international corporation operating in the travel and tourism sector in prospective claims valued at over GBP 100m concerning an exclusivity agreement in relation to an acquisition opportunity. The claims involve breach of contract, breach of confidence, loss of opportunity and fraudulent misrepresentation.
  • Advising a European investment management company in a GBP 10m partnership dispute with a European real estate investment management company concerning the management of a USD 500m real-estate fund involving issues about the scope of duties owed as between members of an LLP.
  • Representing members of the Barclay family in claims bought against them by other family members in high-profile High Court proceedings in relation to covert recordings at the Ritz Hotel. The dispute involved allegations of breaches of confidence, misuse of information and breach of data protection rights. Signature advised on the clients’ defence, the wider litigation strategy and confidential settlement.
  • Representing HNW shareholders of an offshore entity involved in the financial services industry in defending a c.EUR 45m claim for recovery of monies due allegedly in connection with a placement agreement and a related personal guarantee.
  • Advising a global clearing bank on a number of matters including litigation risks associated with shareholder disputes and a capital raise with the total value at stake c.GBP 40m.
  • Representing the founders of a media business in a multi-million claim against a UK law firm arising out of the sale of the business to a US brand management company and post-acquisition advice.

Insolvency

  • Advising the shareholders and former directors of an insolvent company in responding to and defending claims by the liquidator of the company in a matter involving an estate of in excess of USD 300m.
  • Representing a North American lender specialising in financing of early-stage growth enterprises in relation to recovery of distressed loans worth in excess of GBP 12m from the borrower. This involved enforcement action against the defaulting borrower, including assisting with recovery through court action and enforcement of fixed and floating charges through appointment of a receiver.

Product Liability

  • Representing Renault and certain of its Authorised Dealerships in the NOx Diesel Emissions Group Litigation in London, a claim of unprecedented scale in the English court, in which more than 1.6 million claimants have issued claims against car manufacturers (and others). The case involves a 12-week technical trial which started in October 2025 and will conclude in March 2026.
  • Representing a global technology company and a manufacturer of medtech in defending breach of statutory duty, breach of contract and negligence claims in relation to the supply of allegedly defective products and involving multi-million GBP claims.
  • Advising a manufacturer of parts for a gas supply network on liability and regulatory, which includes advising on product recall aspects and compliance with safety regulations.
  • Representing the manufacturer of steering equipment and chassis components in respect of a GBP 6m claim for alleged defects in components for the braking system for motor vehicles, including defending allegations of breach of specification and for payment under contractual indemnities.

Professional Negligence

  • Representing a HNW individual in a GBP 20m professional negligence claim and related matters against a leading law firm arising from advice on financing agreements.

White Collar Crime and Regulatory Investigations

  • Representing an individual in a reference to the Upper Tribunal in relation to a decision notice issued by the Prudential Regulation Authority which raised issues as to fitness and propriety to perform certain regulated functions. Also advising the client on the pursuit of a complaint to the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner.
  • Representing an individual in a reference to the Upper Tribunal challenging a Decision Notice issued by the Financial Conduct Authority prohibiting him from preforming any senior management function. The matter involves alleged misconduct in relation to a discretionary fund management business carried out through a brokerage on behalf of retail customers, with allegations that markdowns on holdings were illegitimately applied and not properly notified to customers.
  • Advising an individual on SFO and FBI investigations relating to alleged money laundering relating to cross border credit card transactions and layering, including representation in FBI interviews.

International Commercial Arbitration

  • Representing the founders of a fintech business focussed on delivering digital banking services in minority oppression claims brought through SIAC arbitration with the total value of claims in excess of USD 100m.
  • Representing a leading aircraft manufacturer in an LCIA arbitration in relation to the enforcement of a multi-million USD indemnity claim in a service agreement arising due to significant damage caused to an aircraft by a contractor.

Article: Debanking under scrutinyFinancial Regulation International – 30 June 2026

Article: Debanking under scrutiny: Yasin Al-Yasin v Starling and the 2026 regulation reformsThomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence – 17 June 2026

Article: Naming and shaming after the FCA’s recalibration: Where are we now?Financial Reporter – 5 March 2026

Article: Warranty and misrepresentation claims – Thomson Reuters WestLaw – 19 January 2026

Article: Essential tips on ID verification for company directorsBusiness & Accountancy Daily – 5 November 2025

Article: UK Companies House cracks down on identity verification: what directors need to knowThomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence – 22 October 2025

Article: The FCA fines Monzo: banks face a challenging time – Financial Regulation International – 31 August 2025

Press Quote: £250mn and counting: fines against banks rack up for financial crime failings – FT’s Banker – 21 July 2025

Press Quote: Financial services firms dealt tens of millions in regulatory fines – City AM – 17 July 2025

Article: CJC report: the practitioner’s perspective – The Law Society Gazette – 7 July 2025

Press Quote: FCA drops ‘naming and shaming’ approach – except in ‘exceptional circumstances’ – Compliance Week – 7 July 2025

Article: Braganza: in good faith? – New Law Journal – 13 June 2025

Article: The CJC’s challenge – getting the litigation funding balance rightLegal Futures – 8 April 2025

Article: What can be learned from UK FCA’s first-ever fine for MiFIR transaction reporting failures – Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence – 6 March 2025

Article: Litigation Funding – The Jury is OutLaw.com International – 3 March 2025

Press Quote: After fining Metro Bank and Starling, which challenger bank will the FCA target next?City AM – 13 November 2024

Article: FCA ‘Finfluencers’ Crackdown May Prove More Bark Than Bite – Law360 – 24 October 2024

Press Quote: What Starling’s £29mn fine says about UK neobanks’ struggles – FT’sBanker- 10 October 2024

Press Quote: FCA’s £29M Fine Of Starling Sends Wider Compliance WarningLaw360 – 4 October 2024

Press Quote: Starling Bank fined £29m for ‘shockingly lax’ financial crime controlsYahoo Finance – 2 October 2024

Press Quote: Starling Bank fined £29m for ‘shockingly lax’ financial crime controlsCity AM – 2 October 2024

Press Quote: FCA Fines Starling £29M For ‘Shockingly Lax’ Client Screening – Law360 – 2 October 2024

Press Quote: FCA gives Starling the bird – ICLG – 2 October 2024

Article: FCA expects scrupulous attention to managing conflicts of interest – FT Adviser – 23 August 2024

Article: FCA enforcement proposals – is transparency the answer? – Financial Reporter – 23 May 2024

Article: FCA name and shame enforcement proposals challengedRetail Banker International – 23 May 2024

Article: How has Consumer Duty impacted wealth management so far?FinTech Global – 2 May 2024

Article: Regulator must be wary of rough justice in search for transparency – The Times – 14 March 2024

Article: Questions over whether more identification deters fraudsters – The Times – 4 January 2024

Article: Reinventing the Registrar: Unpacking the ECCTA’s Transformative Impact on Companies House and UK Corporate Transparency – Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence – 21 December 2023

Article: The risks of global divergence in Libor transitionThe Banker – 8 April 2021

Article: Tough legacy contracts slow transition away from Libor – Global Risk Regulator – 8 March 2021

Press Quote: Europe handcuffed by current corporate liability laws; is change coming? – Compliance Week – 4 February 2021

Article: UK’s financial regulator rapped following LCF collapseGlobal Restructuring Review – 22 January 2021

Article: Quincecare, Fraud and Insolvency – Bankers’ Duties and Deep PocketsLawyer Monthly – 18 December 2020

Article: Corporate failures – can the UK’s financial regulator lead the charge? – Global Restructuring Review – 11 December 2020

Article: Nigerian Oil Spill Ruling Shows Limits Of UK Class ActionsLaw360 – 6 October 2020

Article: JALLA V SHELL: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR REPRESENTATIVE ACTIONS?Lawyer Monthly – 5 October 2020

Article: A touch of classLitigation Futures – 29 September 2020

Article: Finding common cause for UK class actionsEnergy Voice – 29 September 2020

Article: PRIN, class actions and vulnerable customers at risk during the pandemicCompliance Matters – 8 September 2020

Article: Mortgage arrears-handling failures cost Lloyds dearlyCompliance Monitor – 14 July 2020

Article: COVID-19 slows pace of existing investigationsLexisNexis – 20 April 2020

Article: COVID-19 slows pace of existing UK investigationsLaw360 – 20 April 2020

Article: Legacy Contracts Complicate Libor TransitionLaw360 – 2 March 2020

Reference in relation to Barclay brothers litigation – The Lawyer – 26 February 2020

Press Quote: Comments in relation to resolving disputes with banking institutionsThe Times – 31 October 2019

Press Quote: Top UK Corporate Crime Decisions Of 2019: Mid-Year ReviewLaw360 – 12 August 2019

Press Quote: Trading Data Trips SFO Case As Rate Rigging Trials WrapLaw360 – 5 July 2019

Article: Making shareholder claims under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000Thomson Reuters – 21 March 2019

Press Quote: Hurdles Remain As UK Pushes On With AML-Fighting RegisterLaw360 – 8 March 2019

Article: Battle of forms: the construction of competing jurisdiction clausesCompliance Monitor – 5 November 2018

Article: Sports Direct v the FRC: what it meanseconomia – 9 October 2018

Article: Court clarifies ‘fair market value’ meaning in LBI vs Raiffeisen Bank caseGlobal Risk Regulator – 5 July 2018

Article: How Fair Is Fair Market Value In The UK?Law360 – 4 June 2018

Article: Is there now a definition for “fair market value” in the context of the Global Master Repurchase Agreement 2000 edition?Global Banking and Finance Review – 16 May 2018

Article: FCA Enforcement Strategy May Influence Litigation PrivilegeLaw360 – 29 May 2018

Article: Article regarding the FCA Business PlanFT Adviser – 10 May 2018

Article: Why RBS Might Be Spared Wave Of Litigation By Small FirmsLaw360 – 6 March 2018

Article: UK banking litigation: Tale of the tape – Commercial Dispute Resolution – 5 March 2018