Daniel Hayward

I have a reputation for providing sensible, timely, strategic advice and identifying legal solutions that get results as quickly as possible for my clients. I have particular experience acting in major disputes linked with Eurasia (particularly CIS) and Sub-Saharan Africa.  I advise governments, large international companies and HNW individuals on a variety of critical issues including contractual, shareholder, fraud, negligence, regulatory and whistle blower disputes around the world. 

I act for clients in international arbitrations (including those administered under LCIA, ICC, SCC rules and ad hoc arbitrations), in complex litigation in the English High Court, and in support of legal proceedings in other jurisdictions. I am also co-Head of the firm's International Arbitration Group – a group that is repeatedly globally ranked as one of the world's leading arbitration practices.

I am consistently ranked as a key individual for premium commercial litigation, international arbitration and civil fraud in the leading legal directories and have been described by clients and peers as: "a fighter through and through", "an excellent tactician", "a stand-out performer", " a consummate lawyer with a great manner that instils confidence", “[possessing an] easy charm, robust litigation style, and strategic and commercial nous." and that “Clients rightly have great confidence in his leadership".

Recent work highlights include:

* ongoing successful representation of three of twenty two defendants acting in one of the largest civil fraud claim ever brought in the English Commercial Court (currently valued at USD 14bn), including: a successful jurisdiction challenge in early 2025 ; and the defeat of a USD 8.8bn worldwide freezing order application in late 2023 Claimants seek appeal as $14bn Russian case thrown out - The Lawyer 17Jan2025

* successfully representing a Covid vaccine purchaser against a Chinese manufacturer for breach of contract and costs in an LCIA arbitration

* successfully representing a Claimant trustee in bankruptcy in recovering undisclosed assets pursuant to one of the largest private bankruptcies in Israeli court history Benkel v East-West German Real Estate Holding & Ors [2021] EWHC 777 (Ch) (30 March 2021)

* ongoing successful work for a sovereign state in its defence of a circa USD 3bn Telecoms licence claim administered under ICC Rules with a Geneva seat 
 
* successfully defending two of the five western banker defendants in one of the Lawyer magazine's "Top 20 Cases of 2019"in Yukos Finance BV & others v. Stephen Lynch & others [2019] EWHC 2621 (Comm). The Defendant team was also shortlisted for a Legal Business - International Disputes Team of the Year 2020 award.

* successfully serving proceedings in person and having that service confirmed in relation to a £1bn+ claim in the English High Court against an UHNW non-resident defendant in the jurisdiction in Alexander Gorbachev v Andrey Grigoryevich Guriev [2019] EWHC 2684 (Comm).

* Successfully challenging and amending a deficient LCIA arbitral award on serious procedural irregularity grounds under s.68 of the Arbitration Act 1996.

* Tracing and recovering over 90% of funds stolen and moved overseas in a complex invoice fraud perpetrated against a major international client. Funds were held and returned to client in less than six months of the fraud being identified.

I am a Russian speaker and have consistently acted for parties with connections to the former Soviet Union throughout my career.

In my spare time I enjoy playing and coaching cricket, cycling, rugby and watching my children get better than me at all of the above!

Fieldfisher secures spot in the GAR 100 for fourth consecutive year | Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher's arbitration practice named in the GAR100 | Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher successfully defends clients from Yukos claims in high profile Commercial Court proceedings | Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher shortlisted for International Disputes Team of the Year | Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher and One Essex Court secure significant trial win for Israeli trustee in bankruptcy in High Court | Fieldfisher