Julian Connerty

Julian is a Partner at Signature’s London office. He has over 30 years’ experience in handling large-scale commercial litigation with particular expertise in banking & financial markets, regulatory investigations and civil fraud.

In the area of commercial disputes, Julian has acted for and against governments, banks, insurers and individuals, and against the police and the Serious Fraud Office in matters arising out of bribery and corruption, theft, fraud, dishonesty, money laundering, and insider dealing. He has obtained and resisted freezing and restraint orders, and acted in extradition cases and requests for mutual judicial assistance.

In the area of financial regulation he has acted for regulated firms and individuals, and for and against the regulators, including the FCA and the LME. Cases handled include breaches of the FCA principles, market abuse, perimeter breaches, fit and proper persons investigations, and disciplinary and authorisation cases, both before the High Court and the FCA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee.

Julian has been ranked in the Chambers UK Guide for civil fraud and the Guide notes he “has considerable expertise in international fraud cases.” Julian was also Recommended in The Legal 500 UK 2025 Guide for his civil fraud expertise, where he is described as “a great litigator, with decades of experience and excellent judgement”, with one commentator noting he “analyses things extremely well and has a real talent for getting clients to the right place.” Julian has also been described as having a “very good grasp of the law, seeing the entire picture between the claimant, judge, and various defendants” and as “an experienced senior partner who has been there, seen it, and effectively took [the client] through the case.” Previous Guides note that Julian is an “extremely experienced practitioner” and “a specialist in international fraud and asset recovery actions.” Julian has been praised as “subtle and meticulous”, with one commentator noting he “inspires great confidence in all around him.”

Representing victims of a large-scale fraud perpetrated in Asia in civil recovery proceedings concerning the status of the assets which had been acquired with the proceeds of fraud and are located and frozen in the UK. The value of the assets is GBP 2.75bn including cryptocurrency.
Representing a large group of institutional claimants (approximately 80) and retail claimants (over 8,000) in a complex group litigation against RBS and its former directors known as “RBS Rights Issue Litigation.” The case involved allegations of breach of statutory obligations under s.90 FSMA with respect to alleged omissions and/or misleading statements in a prospectus relating to GBP12bn rights issue in 2008 following the acquisition of ABN Ambro, a Dutch bank. The areas of complaint included liquidity, capital, credit market exposures, risk management, VAR and LIBOR.This case was recognised as one of The Lawyer’s top 20 cases of 2017. Following this group claim a large number of other s.90 and 90A FSMA claims have since been issued in this ever growing and developing area of litigation.
Representing the former executive management team of Wind Energy Holdings Limited, Thailand’s largest wind energy company, in defending a high-profile claim of over USD 800m. The claim gave rise to issues of fiduciary duty and highlights the complexities of cross-jurisdictional legal issues arising out of allegations of civil fraud. This case is featured in The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2022.
Representing institutional Noteholders in a USD 100m dispute with two prominent banks in respect of a prejudicial consent solicitation process.
Representing over 100 investors and a tax management company in two similar but separate CPR 19.6. fraud claims with the total value in excess of GBP 100m against a number of leading banks concerning misrepresentation and deceit in developing and promoting a tax deferral scheme in entertainment industry.
Representing a major European underwriter in relation to an FCA’s investigation into their financial capability following the insolvency of a major European insurance company with which our client has done significant business. The matter involved complex cross-border insurance issues arising in multiple European jurisdictions.
Representing a company and its directors in defending a GBP 60m conspiracy-to-defraud and fiduciary-duty claim brought by a leading property development company arising out a joint venture for the development of a warehouse logistics site. The matter involved complex loss calculations arising out of alleged breaches of confidence and loss of opportunity.
Representing a large group of institutional and retail claimants in a CPR 19.8 representative claim for over GBP 20m by Manx Capital Partners against former members of the group including Scottish Widows and others for their share of the costs relating to the RBS Rights Issue Litigation.
Representing a large group of institutional and retail claimants in defending a claim from Vannin Capital Limited, arising out of two Litigation Funding Agreements entered into in connection with the RBS Rights Issue Litigation.
Representing an airline as a Part 20 defendant in a follow-on multi-billion GBP claim in the English Courts by Emerald Supplies against British Airways following the European Commission’s infringement decision concerning a global cartel involved in coordination of prices and surcharges in relation to air cargo (freight) services.
Representing a group of consumers through the Consumers Association (Which?) against JJB Sports Plc, the single largest manufacturer in this case, in the first follow-on representative action brought under the Competition Act 1998 following a decision by the UK’s Competition Regulator that JJB was part of a price fixing cartel for replica football shirts which overcharged the public. The overcharge was a markup of 100% with the total claim value up to GBP 100m. The case successfully settled.
Evaluating the merits of potential follow-on litigation in the UK regarding the European Commission’s cartel finding and approx. EUR 1bn fine against seven manufacturers of automative bearings.

Chapter: Securities Litigation: United Kingdom – Lexology In-Depth – 7 May 2026